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diff --git a/4982-h/4982-h.htm b/4982-h/4982-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99bf70e --- /dev/null +++ b/4982-h/4982-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9435 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + A Rock in the Baltic, by Robert Barr, + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Rock in the Baltic, by Robert Barr + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Rock in the Baltic + +Author: Robert Barr + +Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4982] +Last Updated: October 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A ROCK IN THE BALTIC *** + + + + +Produced by Jim Weiler and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + A ROCK IN THE BALTIC + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert Barr, + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + 1906 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I —THE INCIDENT AT THE BANK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II —IN THE SEWING-ROOM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III —ON DECK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV —“AT LAST ALONE” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V —AFTER THE OPERA IS OVER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI —FROM SEA TO MOUNTAIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII —“A WAY THEY HAVE IN THE NAVY” + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII —“WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING + HOME” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX —IN RUSSIA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X —CALAMITY UNSEEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI —THE SNOW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII —THE DREADED TROGZMONDOFF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII —ENTRAPPED </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV —A VOYAGE INTO THE UNKNOWN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV —“A HOME ON THE ROLLING DEEP” + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI —CELL NUMBER NINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII —A FELLOW SCIENTIST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII —CELL NUMBER ONE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX —“STONE WALLS DO NOT A PRISON + MAKE” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX —ARRIVAL OF THE TURBINE YACHT + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI —THE ELOPEMENT </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I —THE INCIDENT AT THE BANK + </h2> + <p> + IN the public room of the Sixth National Bank at Bar Harbor in Maine, + Lieutenant Alan Drummond, H.M.S. “Consternation,” stood aside to give + precedence to a lady. The Lieutenant had visited the bank for the purpose + of changing several crisp white Bank of England notes into the currency of + the country he was then visiting. The lady did not appear to notice either + his courtesy or his presence, and this was the more remarkable since + Drummond was a young man sufficiently conspicuous even in a crowd, and he + and she were, at that moment, the only customers in the bank. He was tall, + well-knit and stalwart, blond as a Scandinavian, with dark blue eyes which + he sometimes said jocularly were the colors of his university. He had been + slowly approaching the cashier’s window with the easy movement of a man + never in a hurry, when the girl appeared at the door, and advanced rapidly + to the bank counter with its brass wire screen surrounding the arched + aperture behind which stood the cashier. Although very plainly attired, + her gown nevertheless possessed a charm of simplicity that almost + suggested complex Paris, and she wore it with that air of distinction the + secret of which is supposed to be the exclusive property of French and + American women. + </p> + <p> + The young man saw nothing of this, and although he appreciated the beauty + of the girl, what struck him at that instant was the expression of anxiety + on her face, whose apparently temporary pallor was accentuated by an + abundance of dark hair. It seemed to him that she had resolutely set + herself a task which she was most reluctant to perform. From the moment + she entered the door her large, dark eyes were fixed almost appealingly on + the cashier, and they beheld nothing else. Drummond, mentally slow as he + usually was, came to the quick conclusion that this was a supreme moment + in her life, on which perhaps great issues depended. He saw her left hand + grasp the corner of the ledge in front of the cashier with a grip of + nervous tension, as if the support thus attained was necessary to her. Her + right hand trembled slightly as she passed an oblong slip of paper through + the aperture to the calm and indifferent official. + </p> + <p> + “Will you give me the money for this check?” she asked in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + The cashier scrutinized the document for some time in silence. The + signature appeared unfamiliar to him. + </p> + <p> + “One moment, madam,” he said quietly, and retired to a desk in the back + part of the bank, where he opened a huge book, turned over some leaves + rapidly, and ran his finger down a page. His dilatory action seemed to + increase the young woman’s panic. Her pallor increased, and she swayed + slightly, as if in danger of falling, but brought her right hand to the + assistance of the left, and so steadied herself against the ledge of the + cashier’s counter. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” said the Lieutenant to himself, “there’s something wrong here. + I wonder what it is. Such a pretty girl, too!” + </p> + <p> + The cashier behind his screen saw nothing of this play of the emotions. He + returned nonchalantly to his station, and asked, in commonplace tones: + </p> + <p> + “How will you have the money, madam?” + </p> + <p> + “Gold, if you please,” she replied almost in a whisper, a rosy flush + chasing the whiteness from her face, while a deep sigh marked the passing + of a crisis. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture an extraordinary thing happened. The cashier counted out + some golden coins, and passed them through the aperture toward their new + owner. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said the girl. Then, without touching the money, she turned + like one hypnotized, her unseeing eyes still taking no heed of the big + Lieutenant, and passed rapidly out of the bank, The cashier paid no regard + to this abandonment of treasure. He was writing some hieroglyphics on the + cashed check. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” gasped the Lieutenant aloud, springing forward as he spoke, + sweeping the coins into his hand, and bolting for the door. This was an + action which would have awakened the most negligent cashier had he been in + a trance. Automatically he whisked out a revolver which lay in an open + drawer under his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, you scoundrel, or I fire!” he shouted, but the Lieutenant had + already disappeared. Quick as thought the cashier darted into the passage, + and without waiting to unfasten the low door which separated the public + and private rooms of the bank, leaped over it, and, bareheaded, gave + chase. A British naval officer in uniform, rapidly overtaking a young + woman, quite unconscious of his approach, followed by an excited, + bareheaded man with a revolver in his grasp, was a sight which would + quickly have collected a crowd almost anywhere, but it happened to be the + lunch hour, and the inhabitants of that famous summer resort were + in-doors; thus, fortunately, the street was deserted. The naval officer + was there because the hour of the midday meal on board the cruiser did not + coincide with lunch time on shore. The girl was there because it happened + to be the only portion of the day when she could withdraw unobserved from + the house in which she lived, during banking hours, to try her little + agitating financial experiment. The cashier was there because the bank had + no lunch hour, and because he had just witnessed the most suspicious + circumstance that his constantly alert eye had ever beheld. Calm and + imperturbable as a bank cashier may appear to the outside public, he is a + man under constant strain during business hours. Each person with whom he + is unacquainted that confronts him at his post is a possible robber who at + any moment may attempt, either by violence or chicanery, to filch the + treasure he guards. The happening of any event outside the usual routine + at once arouses a cashier’s distrust, and this sudden flight of a stranger + with money which did not belong to him quite justified the perturbation of + the cashier. From that point onward, innocence of conduct or explanation + so explicit as to satisfy any ordinary man, becomes evidence of more + subtle guilt to the mind of a bank official. The ordinary citizen, seeing + the Lieutenant finally overtake and accost the hurrying girl, raise his + cap, then pour into her outstretched hand the gold he had taken, would + have known at once that here was an every-day exercise of natural + politeness. Not so the cashier. The farther he got from the bank, the more + poignantly did he realize that these two in front, both strangers to him, + had, by their combined action, lured him, pistol and all, away from his + post during the dullest hour of the day. It was not the decamping with + those few pieces of gold which now troubled him: it was fear of what might + be going on behind him. He was positive that these two had acted in + conjunction. The uniform worn by the man did not impose upon him. Any + thief could easily come by a uniform, and, as his mind glanced rapidly + backwards over the various points of the scheme, he saw how effectual the + plan was: first, the incredible remissness of the woman in leaving her + gold on the counter; second, the impetuous disappearance of the man with + the money; and, third, his own heedless plunge into the street after them. + He saw the whole plot in a flash: he had literally leaped into the trap, + and during his five or ten minutes’ absence, the accomplices of the pair + might have overawed the unarmed clerks, and walked off with the treasure. + His cash drawer was unlocked, and even the big safe stood wide open. + Surprise had as effectually lured him away as if he had been a country + bumpkin. Bitterly and breathlessly did he curse his own precipitancy. His + duty was to guard the bank, yet it had not been the bank that was robbed, + but, at best a careless woman who had failed to pick up her money. He held + the check for it, and the loss, if any, was hers, not the bank’s, yet here + he was, running bareheaded down the street like a fool, and now those two + stood quite calmly together, he handing her the money, and thus spreading + a mantle of innocence over the vile trick. But whatever was happening in + the bank, he would secure two of the culprits at least. The two, quite + oblivious of the danger that threatened them, were somewhat startled by a + panting man, trembling with rage, bareheaded, and flourishing a deadly + weapon, sweeping down upon them. + </p> + <p> + “Come back to the bank instantly, you two!” he shouted. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked the Lieutenant in a quiet voice. + </p> + <p> + “Because I say so, for one thing.” + </p> + <p> + “That reason is unanswerable,” replied the Lieutenant with a slight laugh, + which further exasperated his opponent. “I think you are exciting yourself + unnecessarily. May I beg you to put that pistol in your pocket? On the + cruiser we always cover up the guns when ladies honor us with their + presence. You wish me to return because I had no authority for taking the + money? Right: come along.” + </p> + <p> + The cashier regarded this as bluff, and an attempt to give the woman + opportunity to escape. + </p> + <p> + “You must come back also,” he said to the girl. + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather not,” she pleaded in a low voice, and it was hardly possible + to have made a more injudicious remark if she had taken the whole + afternoon to prepare. + </p> + <p> + Renewed determination shone from the face of the cashier. + </p> + <p> + “You must come back to the bank,” he reiterated. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say,” protested the Lieutenant, “you are now exceeding your + authority. I alone am the culprit. The young lady is quite blameless, and + you have no right to detain her for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + The girl, who had been edging away and showing signs of flight, which the + bareheaded man, visibly on the alert, leaned forward ready to intercept, + seemed to make up her mind to bow to the inevitable. Ignoring the cashier, + she looked up at the blond Lieutenant with a slight smile on her pretty + lips. + </p> + <p> + “It was really all my fault at the beginning,” she said, “and very stupid + of me. I am slightly acquainted with the bank manager, and I am sure he + will vouch for me, if he is there.” + </p> + <p> + With that she turned and walked briskly toward the bank, at so rapid a + pace as to indicate that she did not wish an escort. The bareheaded + official found his anger unaccountably deserting him, while a great fear + that he had put his foot in it took its place. + </p> + <p> + “Really,” said the Lieutenant gently, as they strode along together, “an + official in your position should be a good judge of human nature. How any + sane person, especially a young man, can look at that beautiful girl and + suspect her of evil, passes my comprehension. Do you know her?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the cashier shortly. “Do you?” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant laughed genially. + </p> + <p> + “Still suspicious, eh?” he asked. “No, I don’t know her, but to use a + banking term, you may bet your bottom dollar I’m going to. Indeed, I am + rather grateful to you for your stubbornness in forcing us to return. It’s + a quality I like, and you possess it in marvelous development, so I intend + to stand by you when the managerial censure is due. I’m very certain I met + your manager at the dinner they gave us last night. Mr. Morton, isn’t he?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” growled the cashier, in gruff despondency. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that’s awfully jolly. One of the finest fellows I’ve met in ten + years. Now, the lady said she was acquainted with him, so if I don’t + wheedle an introduction out of him, it will show that a man at a dinner + and a man in a bank are two different individuals. You were looking for + plots; so there is mine laid bare to you. It’s an introduction, not gold, + I’m conspiring for.” + </p> + <p> + The cashier had nothing further to say. When they entered the bank + together he saw the clerks all busily at work, and knew that no startling + event had happened during his absence. The girl had gone direct to the + manager’s room, and thither the young men followed her. The bank manager + was standing at his desk, trying to preserve a severe financial cast of + countenance, which the twinkle in his eyes belied. The girl, also + standing, had evidently been giving him a rapid sketch of what had + occurred, but now fell into silence when accuser and accomplice appeared. + </p> + <p> + The advent of the Englishman was a godsend to the manager. He was too + courteous a gentleman to laugh in the face of a lady who very seriously + was relating a set of incidents which appealed to his sense of humor, so + the coming of the Lieutenant enabled him to switch off his mirth on + another subject, and in reply to the officer’s cordial “Good-morning, Mr. + Morton,” he replied: + </p> + <p> + “Why, Lieutenant, I’m delighted to see you. That was a very jolly song you + sang for us last night: I’ll never forget it. What do you call it? + Whittington Fair?” And he laughed outright, as at a genial recollection. + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant blushed red as a girl, and stammered: + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mr. Morton, you know, that’s not according to the rules of + evidence. When a fellow comes up for trial, previous convictions are never + allowed to be mentioned till after the sentence. Whiddicomb Fair should + not be held against me in the present crisis.” + </p> + <p> + The manager chuckled gleefully. The cashier, when he saw how the land lay, + had quietly withdrawn, closing the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Lieutenant, I think I must have this incident cabled to Europe,” + said Morton, “so the effete nations of your continent may know that a + plain bank cashier isn’t afraid to tackle the British navy. Indeed, Mr. + Drummond, if you read history, you will learn that this is a dangerous + coast for your warships. It seems rather inhospitable that a guest of our + town cannot pick all the gold he wants out of a bank, but a cashier has + necessarily somewhat narrow views on the subject. I was just about to + apologize to Miss Amhurst, who is a valued client of ours, when you came + in, and I hope, Miss Amhurst”—he continued gravely, turning to the + girl—“that you will excuse us for the inconvenience to which you + have been put.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it does not matter in the least,” replied the young woman, with + nevertheless a sigh of relief. “It was all my own fault in so carelessly + leaving the money. Some time, when less in a hurry than I am at the + present moment, I will tell you how I came to make the blunder.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the manager caught and interpreted correctly an imploring look + from the Lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “Before you go, Miss Amhurst, will you permit me to introduce to you my + friend, Lieutenant Drummond, of H.M.S. ‘Consternation.’” + </p> + <p> + This ritual to convention being performed, the expression on the girl’s + face showed the renewal of her anxiety to be gone, and as she turned to + the door, the officer sprang forward and opened it for her. If the manager + expected the young man to return, he was disappointed, for Drummond threw + over his shoulder the hasty remark: + </p> + <p> + “I will see you at the Club this evening,” whereupon the genial Morton, + finding himself deserted, sat down in his swivel chair and laughed quietly + to himself. + </p> + <p> + There was the slightest possible shade of annoyance on the girl’s face as + the sailor walked beside her from the door of the manager’s room, through + the public portion of the bank to the exit, and the young man noticing + this, became momentarily tongue-tied, but nevertheless persisted, with a + certain awkward doggedness which was not going to allow so slight a hint + that his further attendance was unnecessary, to baffle him. He did not + speak until they had passed down the stone steps to the pavement, and then + his utterance began with a half-embarrassed stammer, as if the shadow of + displeasure demanded justification on his part. + </p> + <p> + “You—you see, Miss Amhurst, we have been properly introduced.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time he heard the girl laugh, just a little, and the sound + was very musical to him. + </p> + <p> + “The introduction was of the slightest,” she said. “I cannot claim even an + acquaintance with Mr. Morton, although I did so in the presence of his + persistent subordinate. I have met the manager of the bank but once + before, and that for a few moments only, when he showed me where to sign + my name in a big book.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” urged Drummond, “I shall defend the validity of that + introduction against all comers. The head of a bank is a most important + man in every country, and his commendation is really very much sought + after.” + </p> + <p> + “You appear to possess it. He complimented your singing, you know,” and + there was a roguish twinkle in the girl’s eye as she glanced up sideways + at him, while a smile came to her lips as she saw the color again mount to + his cheeks. She had never before met a man who blushed, and she could not + help regarding him rather as a big boy than a person to be taken + seriously. His stammer became more pronounced. + </p> + <p> + “I—I think you are laughing at me, Miss Amhurst, and indeed I don’t + wonder at it, and I—I am afraid you consider me even more persistent + than the cashier. But I did want to tell you how sorry I am to have caused + you annoyance.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you have not done so,” replied the girl quickly. “As I said before, + it was all my own fault in the beginning.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I shouldn’t have taken the gold. I should have come up with you, and + told you that it still awaited you in the bank, and now I beg your + permission to walk down the street with you, because if any one were + looking at us from these windows, and saw us pursued by a bareheaded man + with a revolver, they will now, on looking out again, learn that it is all + right, and may even come to regard the revolver and the hatless one as an + optical delusion.” + </p> + <p> + Again the girl laughed. + </p> + <p> + “I am quite unknown in Bar Harbor, having fewer acquaintances than even a + stranger like yourself, therefore so far as I am concerned it does not in + the least matter whether any one saw us or not. We shall walk together, + then, as far as the spot where the cashier overtook us, and this will give + me an opportunity of explaining, if not of excusing, my leaving the money + on the counter. I am sure my conduct must have appeared inexplicable both + to you and the cashier, although, of course, you would be too polite to + say so.” + </p> + <p> + “I assure you, Miss Amhurst—” + </p> + <p> + “I know what you would say,” she interrupted, with a vivacity which had + not heretofore characterized her, “but, you see, the distance to the + corner is short, and, as I am in a hurry, if you don’t wish my story to be + continued in our next—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, if there is to be a next—” murmured the young man so fervently + that it was now the turn of color to redden her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “I am talking heedlessly,” she said quickly. “What I want to say is this: + I have never had much money. Quite recently I inherited what had been + accumulated by a relative whom I never knew. It seemed so incredible, so + strange—well, it seems incredible and strange yet—and I have + been expecting to wake and find it all a dream. Indeed, when you overtook + me at this spot where we now stand, I feared you had come to tell me it + was a mistake; to hurl me from the clouds to the hard earth again.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was just the reverse of that,” he cried eagerly. “Just the + reverse, remember. I came to confirm your dream, and you received from my + hand the first of your fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she admitted, her eyes fixed on the sidewalk. + </p> + <p> + “I see how it was,” he continued enthusiastically. “I suppose you had + never drawn a check before.” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” she conceded. + </p> + <p> + “And this was merely a test. You set up your dream against the hard common + sense of a bank, which has no dreams. You were to transform your vision + into the actual, or find it vanish. When the commonplace cashier passed + forth the coin, their jingle said to you, ‘The supposed phantasy is real,’ + but the gold pieces themselves at that supreme moment meant no more to you + than so many worthless counters, so you turned your back upon them.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up at him, her eyes, though moist, illumined with pleasure + inspired by the sympathy in his tones rather than the import of his words. + The girl’s life heretofore had been as scant of kindness as of cash, and + there was a deep sincerity in his voice which was as refreshing to her + lonesome heart as it was new to her experience. This man was not so stupid + as he had pretended to be. He had accurately divined the inner meaning of + what had happened. She had forgotten the necessity for haste which had + been so importunate a few minutes before. + </p> + <p> + “You must be a mind-reader,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not at all a clever person,” he laughed. “Indeed, as I told you, + I am always blundering into trouble, and making things uncomfortable for + my friends. I regret to say I am rather under a cloud just now in the + service, and I have been called upon to endure the frown of my superiors.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what has happened?” she asked. After their temporary halt at the + corner where they had been overtaken, they now strolled along together + like old friends, her prohibition out of mind. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, I was temporarily in command of the cruiser coming down + the Baltic, and passing an island rock a few miles away, I thought it + would be a good opportunity to test a new gun that had been put aboard + when we left England. The sea was very calm, and the rock most temptsome. + Of course I knew it was Russian territory, but who could have imagined + that such a point in space was inhabited by anything else than sea-gulls.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried the girl, looking up at him with new interest. “You don’t + mean to say you are the officer that Russia demanded from England, and + England refused to give up?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, England could not give me up, of course, but she apologized, and + assured Russia she had no evil intent. Still, anything that sets the + diplomatists at work is frowned upon, and the man who does an act which + his government is forced to disclaim becomes unpopular with his + superiors.” + </p> + <p> + “I read about it in the papers at the time. Didn’t the rock fire back at + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it did, and no one could have been more surprised than I when I saw + the answering puff of smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “How came a cannon to be there?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody knows. I suppose that rock in the Baltic is a concealed fort, with + galleries and gun-rooms cut in the stone after the fashion of our defences + at Gibraltar. I told the court-martial that I had added a valuable bit of + information to our naval knowledge, but I don’t suppose this contention + exercised any influence on the minds of my judges. I also called their + attention to the fact that my shell had hit, while the Russian shot fell + half a mile short. That remark nearly cost me my commission. A + court-martial has no sense of humor.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose everything is satisfactorily settled now?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, hardly that. You see, Continental nations are extremely suspicious + of Britain’s good intentions, as indeed they are of the good intentions of + each other. No government likes to have—well, what we might call a + ‘frontier incident’ happen, and even if a country is quite in the right, + it nevertheless looks askance at any official of its own who, through his + stupidity, brings about an international complication. As concerns myself, + I am rather under a cloud, as I told you. The court-martial acquitted me, + but it did so with reluctance and a warning. I shall have to walk very + straight for the next year or two, and be careful not to stub my toe, for + the eyes of the Admiralty are upon me. However, I think I can straighten + this matter out. I have six months’ leave coming on shortly, which I + intend to spend in St. Petersburg. I shall make it my business to see + privately some of the officials in the Admiralty there, and when they + realize by personal inspection what a well-intentioned idiot I am, all + distrust will vanish.” + </p> + <p> + “I should do nothing of the kind,” rejoined the girl earnestly, quite + forgetting the shortness of their acquaintance, as she had forgotten the + flight of time, while on his part he did not notice any incongruity in the + situation. “I’d leave well enough alone,” she added. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you think that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Your own country has investigated the matter, and has deliberately run + the risk of unpleasantness by refusing to give you up. How, then, can you + go there voluntarily? You would be acting in your private capacity + directly in opposition to the decision arrived at by your government.” + </p> + <p> + “Technically, that is so; still, England would not hold the position she + does in the world to-day if her men had not often taken a course in their + private capacity which the government would never have sanctioned. As + things stand now, Russia has not insisted on her demand, but has sullenly + accepted England’s decision, still quite convinced that my act was not + only an invasion of Russia’s domain, but a deliberate insult; therefore + the worst results of an inconsiderate action on my part remain. If I could + see the Minister for Foreign Affairs, or the head of the Admiralty in St. + Petersburg face to face for ten minutes, I’d undertake to remove that + impression.” + </p> + <p> + “You have great faith in your persuasive powers,” she said demurely. + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant began to stammer again. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, it isn’t so much that, but I have great faith in the Russian as a + judge of character. I suppose I am imagined to be a venomous, + brow-beating, truculent Russophobe, who has maliciously violated their + territory, flinging a shell into their ground and an insult into their + face. They are quite sincere in this belief. I want to remove that + impression, and there’s nothing like an ocular demonstration. I like the + Russians. One of my best friends is a Russian.” + </p> + <p> + The girl shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t attempt it,” she persisted. “Suppose Russia arrested you, and + said to England, ‘We’ve got this man in spite of you’?” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “That is unthinkable: Russia wouldn’t do such a thing. In spite of all + that is said about the Russian Government, its members are gentlemen. Of + course, if such a thing happened, there would be trouble. That is a point + where we’re touchy. A very cheap Englishman, wrongfully detained, may + cause a most expensive campaign. Our diplomatists may act correctly + enough, and yet leave a feeling of resentment behind. Take this very case. + Britain says coldly to Russia: + </p> + <p> + “‘We disclaim the act, and apologize.’ + </p> + <p> + “Now, it would be much more to the purpose if she said genially: + </p> + <p> + “‘We have in our employment an impetuous young fool with a thirst for + information. He wished to learn how a new piece of ordnance would act, so + fired it off with no more intention of striking Russia than of hitting the + moon. He knows much more about dancing than about foreign affairs. We’ve + given him a month’s leave, and he will slip across privately to St. + Petersburg to apologize and explain. The moment you see him you will + recognize he is no menace to the peace of nations. Meanwhile, if you can + inculcate in him some cold, calm common-sense before he returns, we’ll be + ever so much obliged.’” + </p> + <p> + “So you are determined to do what you think the government should have + done.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, quite. There will be nothing frigidly official about my unauthorized + mission. I have a cousin in the embassy at St. Petersburg, but I shan’t go + near him; neither shall I go to an hotel, but will get quiet rooms + somewhere that I may not run the risk of meeting any chance + acquaintances.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me you are about to afford the Russian Government an + excellent opportunity of spiriting you off to Siberia, and nobody would be + the wiser.” + </p> + <p> + Drummond indulged in the free-hearted laugh of a youth to whom life is + still rather a good joke. + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t mind studying the Siberian system from the inside if they + allowed me to return before my leave was up. I believe that sort of thing + has been exaggerated by sensational writers. The Russian Government would + not countenance anything of the kind, and if the minor officials tried to + play tricks, there’s always my cousin in the background, and it would be + hard luck if I couldn’t get a line to him. Oh, there’s no danger in my + project!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the girl came to a standstill, and gave expression to a little + cry of dismay. + </p> + <p> + “What’s wrong?” asked the Lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “Why, we’ve walked clear out into the country!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is that all? I hadn’t noticed.” + </p> + <p> + “And there are people waiting for me. I must run.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, let them wait.” + </p> + <p> + “I should have been back long since.” + </p> + <p> + They had turned, and she was hurrying. + </p> + <p> + “Think of your new fortune, Miss Amhurst, safely lodged in our friend + Morton’s bank, and don’t hurry for any one.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t say it was a fortune: there’s only ten thousand dollars there.” + </p> + <p> + “That sounds formidable, but unless the people who are waiting for you + muster more than ten thousand apiece, I don’t think you should make haste + on their account.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s the other way about, Mr. Drummond. Individually they are poorer than + I, therefore I should have returned long ago. Now, I fear, they will be in + a temper.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if anybody left me two thousand pounds, I’d take an afternoon off + to celebrate. Here we are in the suburbs again. Won’t you change your mind + and your direction; let us get back into the country, sit down on the + hillside, look at the Bay, and gloat over your wealth?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy Amhurst shook her head and held out her hand. + </p> + <p> + “I must bid you good-by here, Lieutenant Drummond. This is my shortest way + home.” + </p> + <p> + “May I not accompany you just a little farther?” + </p> + <p> + “Please, no, I wish to go the rest of the way alone.” + </p> + <p> + He held her hand, which she tried to withdraw, and spoke with animation. + </p> + <p> + “There’s so much I wanted to say, but perhaps the most important is this: + I shall see you the night of the 14th, at the ball we are giving on the + ‘Consternation’?” + </p> + <p> + “It is very likely,” laughed the girl, “unless you overlook me in the + throng. There will be a great mob. I hear you have issued many + invitations.” + </p> + <p> + “We hope all our friends will come. It’s going to be a great function. + Your Secretary of the Navy has promised to look in on us, and our + Ambassador from Washington will be there. I assure you we are doing our + best, with festooned electric lights, hanging draperies, and all that, for + we want to make the occasion at least remotely worthy of the hospitality + we have received. Of course you have your card, but I wish you hadn’t, so + that I might have the privilege of sending you one or more invitations.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be quite unnecessary,” said the girl, again with a slight + laugh and heightened color. + </p> + <p> + “If any of your friends need cards of invitation, won’t you let me know, + so that I may send them to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sure I shan’t need any, but if I do, I promise to remember your + kindness, and apply.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be a pleasure for me to serve you. With whom shall you come? I + should like to know the name, in case I should miss you in the crowd.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect to be with Captain Kempt, of the United States Navy.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said the Lieutenant, with a note of disappointment in his voice + which he had not the diplomacy to conceal. His hold of her hand relaxed, + and she took the opportunity to withdraw it. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of a man is Captain Kempt? I shall be on the lookout for him, + you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I think he is the handsomest man I have ever seen, and I know he is the + kindest and most courteous.” + </p> + <p> + “Really? A young man, I take it?” + </p> + <p> + “There speaks the conceit of youth,” said Dorothy, smiling. “Captain + Kempt, U.S.N., retired. His youngest daughter is just two years older than + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, Captain Kempt. I—I remember him now. He was at the dinner + last night, and sat beside our captain. What a splendid story-teller he + is!” cried the Lieutenant with honest enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “I shall tell him that, and ask him how he liked your song. Good-by,” and + before the young man could collect his thoughts to make any reply, she was + gone. + </p> + <p> + Skimming lightly over the ground at first, she gradually slackened her + pace, and slowed down to a very sober walk until she came to a + three-storied so-called “cottage” overlooking the Bay, then with a sigh + she opened the gate, and went into the house by the servant’s entrance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II —IN THE SEWING-ROOM + </h2> + <p> + THREE women occupied the sewing-room with the splendid outlook: a mother + and her two daughters. The mother sat in a low rocking-chair, a picture of + mournful helplessness, her hands listlessly resting on her lap, while + tears had left their traces on her time-worn face. The elder daughter + paced up and down the room as striking an example of energy and impatience + as was the mother of despondency. Her comely brow was marred by an angry + frown. The younger daughter stood by the long window, her forehead resting + against the pane, while her fingers drummed idly on the window sill. Her + gaze was fixed on the blue Bay, where rested the huge British warship + “Consternation,” surrounded by a section of the United States squadron + seated like white swans in the water. Sails of snow glistened here and + there on the bosom of the Bay, while motor-boats and what-not darted this + way and that impudently among the stately ships of the fleet. + </p> + <p> + In one corner of the room stood a sewing-machine, and on the long table + were piles of mimsy stuff out of which feminine creations are constructed. + There was no carpet on the floor, and no ceiling overhead; merely the bare + rafters and the boards that bore the pine shingles of the outer roof; yet + this attic was notable for the glorious view to be seen from its window. + It was an ideal workshop. + </p> + <p> + The elder girl, as she walked to and fro, spoke with nervous irritation in + her voice. + </p> + <p> + “There is absolutely no excuse, mamma, and it’s weakness in you to pretend + that there may be. The woman has been gone for hours. There’s her lunch on + the table which has never been tasted, and the servant brought it up at + twelve.” + </p> + <p> + She pointed to a tray on which were dishes whose cold contents bore out + the truth of her remark. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she’s gone on strike,” said the younger daughter, without + removing her eyes from H.M.S. “Consternation.” “I shouldn’t wonder if we + went downstairs again we’d find the house picketed to keep away + blacklegs.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you can always be depended on to talk frivolous nonsense,” said her + elder sister scornfully. “It’s the silly sentimental fashion in which both + you and father treat work-people that makes them so difficult to deal + with. If the working classes were taught their place—” + </p> + <p> + “Working classes! How you talk! Dorothy is as much a lady as we are, and + sometimes I think rather more of a lady than either of us. She is the + daughter of a clergyman.” + </p> + <p> + “So she says,” sniffed the elder girl. + </p> + <p> + “Well, she ought to know,” replied the younger indifferently. + </p> + <p> + “It’s people like you who spoil dependents in her position, with your + Dorothy this and Dorothy that. Her name is Amhurst.” + </p> + <p> + “Christened Dorothy, as witness godfather and godmother,” murmured the + younger without turning her head. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” protested their mother meekly, as if to suggest a compromise, + and throw oil on the troubled waters, “that she is entitled to be called + Miss Amhurst, and treated with kindness but with reserve.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush!” exclaimed the elder indignantly, indicating her rejection of the + compromise. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see,” murmured the younger, “why you should storm, Sabina. You + nagged and nagged at her until she’d finished your ball-dress. It is mamma + and I that have a right to complain. Our dresses are almost untouched, + while you can sail grandly along the decks of the ‘Consternation’ like a + fully rigged yacht. There, I’m mixing my similes again, as papa always + says. A yacht doesn’t sail along the deck of a battleship, does it?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a cruiser,” weakly corrected the mother, who knew something of naval + affairs. + </p> + <p> + “Well, cruiser, then. Sabina is afraid that papa won’t go unless we all + have grand new dresses, but mother can put on her old black silk, and I am + going if I have to wear a cotton gown.” + </p> + <p> + “To think of that person accepting our money, and absenting herself in + this disgraceful way!” + </p> + <p> + “Accepting our money! That shows what it is to have an imagination. Why, I + don’t suppose Dorothy has had a penny for three months, and you know the + dress material was bought on credit.” + </p> + <p> + “You must remember,” chided the mother mildly, “that your father is not + rich.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am only pleading for a little humanity. The girl for some reason + has gone out. She hasn’t had a bite to eat since breakfast time, and I + know there’s not a silver piece in her pocket to buy a bun in a + milk-shop.” + </p> + <p> + “She has no business to be absent without leave,” said Sabina. + </p> + <p> + “How you talk! As if she were a sailor on a battleship—I mean a + cruiser.” + </p> + <p> + “Where can the girl have gone?” wailed the mother, almost wringing her + hands, partially overcome by the crisis. “Did she say anything about going + out to you, Katherine? She sometimes makes a confidant of you, doesn’t + she?” + </p> + <p> + “Confidant!” exclaimed Sabina wrathfully. + </p> + <p> + “I know where she has gone,” said Katherine with an innocent sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Then why didn’t you tell us before?” exclaimed mother and daughter in + almost identical terms. + </p> + <p> + “She has eloped with the captain of the ‘Consternation,’” explained + Katherine calmly, little guessing that her words contained a color of + truth. “Papa sat next him at the dinner last night, and says he is a jolly + old salt and a bachelor. Papa was tremendously taken with him, and they + discussed tactics together. Indeed, papa has quite a distinct English + accent this morning, and I suspect a little bit of a headache which he + tries to conceal with a wavering smile.” + </p> + <p> + “You can’t conceal a headache, because it’s invisible,” said the mother + seriously. “I wish you wouldn’t talk so carelessly, Katherine, and you + mustn’t speak like that of your father.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, papa and I understand one another,” affirmed Katherine with great + confidence, and now for the first time during this conversation the young + girl turned her face away from the window, for the door had opened to let + in the culprit. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Amhurst, what is the meaning of this?” cried Sabina before her foot + was fairly across the threshold. + </p> + <p> + All three women looked at the newcomer. Her beautiful face was aglow, + probably through the exertion of coming up the stairs, and her eyes shone + like those of the Goddess of Freedom as she returned steadfastly the + supercilious stare with which the tall Sabina regarded her. + </p> + <p> + “I was detained,” she said quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you go away without permission?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I had business to do which could not be transacted in this room.” + </p> + <p> + “That doesn’t answer my question. Why did you not ask permission?” + </p> + <p> + The girl slowly raised her two hands, and showed her shapely wrists close + together, and a bit of the forearm not covered by the sleeve of her black + dress. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” she said slowly, “the shackles have fallen from these wrists.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” said Sabina, apparently impressed + in spite of herself, but the younger daughter clapped her hands + rapturously. + </p> + <p> + “Splendid, splendid, Dorothy,” she cried. “I don’t know what you mean + either, but you look like Maxine Elliott in that play where she—” + </p> + <p> + “Will you keep quiet!” interrupted the elder sister over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I mean that I intend to sew here no longer,” proclaimed Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Miss Amhurst, Miss Amhurst,” bemoaned the matron. “You will + heartlessly leave us in this crisis when we are helpless; when there is + not a sewing woman to be had in the place for love or money. Every one is + working night and day to be ready for the ball on the fourteenth, and you—you + whom we have nurtured—” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose she gets more money,” sneered the elder daughter bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” said Katherine, coming a step forward and clasping her + hands, “do you mean to say I must attend the ball in a calico dress after + all? But I’m going, nevertheless, if I dance in a morning wrapper.” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine,” chided her mother, “don’t talk like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, where more money is in the question, kindness does not count,” + snapped the elder daughter. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy Amhurst smiled when Sabina mentioned the word kindness. + </p> + <p> + “With me, of course, it’s entirely a question of money,” she admitted. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I never thought it of you,” said Katherine, with an exaggerated + sigh. “I wish it were a fancy dress ball, then I’d borrow my brother + Jack’s uniform, and go in that.” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine, I’m shocked at you,” complained the mother. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t care: I’d make a stunning little naval cadet. But, Dorothy, you + must be starved to death; you’ve never touched your lunch.” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to have forgotten everything to-day,” said Sabina severely. + “Duty and everything else.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right,” murmured Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “And did you elope with the captain of the ‘Consternation,’ and were you + married secretly, and was it before a justice of the peace? Do tell us all + about it.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you saying?” asked Dorothy, with a momentary alarm coming into + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was just telling mother and Sab that you had skipped by the light + of the noon, with the captain of the ‘Consternation,’ who was a jolly old + bachelor last night, but may be a married man to-day if my suspicions are + correct. Oh, Dorothy, must I go to the ball in a dress of print?” + </p> + <p> + The sewing girl bent an affectionate look on the impulsive Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “Kate, dear,” she said, “you shall wear the grandest ball dress that ever + was seen in Bar Harbor.” + </p> + <p> + “How dare you call my sister Kate, and talk such nonsense?” demanded + Sabina. + </p> + <p> + “I shall always call you Miss Kempt, and now, if I have your permission, I + will sit down. I am tired.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and hungry, too,” cried Katherine. “What shall I get you, Dorothy? + This is all cold.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I am not in the least hungry.” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn’t you like a cup of tea?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed a little wearily. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I would,” she said, “and some bread and butter.” + </p> + <p> + “And cake, too,” suggested Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “And cake, too, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine skipped off downstairs. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I declare!” ejaculated Sabina with a gasp, drawing herself + together, as if the bottom had fallen out of the social fabric. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Captain Kempt folded her hands one over the other and put on a look + of patient resignation, as one who finds all the old landmarks swept away + from before her. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything else we can get for you?” asked Sabina icily. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Dorothy, with serene confidence, “I should be very much + obliged if Captain Kempt would obtain for me a card of invitation to the + ball on the ‘Consternation.’” + </p> + <p> + “Really!” gasped Sabina, “and may not my mother supplement my father’s + efforts by providing you with a ball dress for the occasion?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not think of troubling her, Miss Kempt. Some of my customers have + flattered me by saying that my taste in dress is artistic, and that my + designs, if better known, might almost set a fashion in a small way, so I + shall look after my costume myself; but if Mrs. Captain Kempt were kind + enough to allow me to attend the ball under her care, I should be very + grateful for it.” + </p> + <p> + “How admirable! And is there nothing that I can do to forward your + ambitions, Miss Amhurst?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to the ball merely as a looker-on, and perhaps you might smile + at me as you pass by with your different partners, so that people would + say I was an acquaintance of yours.” + </p> + <p> + After this there was silence in the sewing room until Katherine, followed + by a maid, entered with tea and cakes. Some dress materials that rested on + a gypsy table were swept aside by the impulsive Katherine, and the table, + with the tray upon it, was placed at the right hand of Dorothy Amhurst. + When the servant left the room, Katherine sidled to the long sewing table, + sprang up lightly upon it, and sat there swinging a dainty little foot. + Sabina had seated herself in the third chair of the room, the frown still + adding severity to an otherwise beautiful countenance. It was the younger + daughter who spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Dorothy, tell us all about the elopement.” + </p> + <p> + “What elopement?” + </p> + <p> + “I soothed my mother’s fears by telling her that you had eloped with the + captain of the ‘Consternation.’ I must have been wrong in that guess, + because if the secret marriage I hoped had taken place, you would have + said to Sabina that the shackles were on your wrists instead of off. But + something important has happened, and I want to know all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy made no response to this appeal, and after a minute’s silence + Sabina said practically: + </p> + <p> + “All that has happened is that Miss Amhurst wishes father to present her + with a ticket to the ball on the ‘Consternation,’ and taking that for + granted, she requests mother to chaperon her, and further expresses a + desire that I shall be exceedingly polite to her while we are on board the + cruiser.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried Katherine jauntily, “the last proviso is past praying for, but + the other two are quite feasible. I’d be delighted to chaperon Dorothy + myself, and as for politeness, good gracious, I’ll be polite enough to + make up for all the courteous deficiency of the rest of the family. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘For I hold that on the seas, + The expression if you please + A particularly gentlemanly tone implants, + And so do his sisters and his cousins and his aunts.’ +</pre> + <p> + Now, Dorothy, don’t be bashful. Here’s your sister and your cousin and + your aunt waiting for the horrifying revelation. What has happened?” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you what is going to happen, Kate,” said the girl, smiling at + the way the other ran on. “Mrs. Captain Kempt will perhaps consent to take + you and me to New York or Boston, where we will put up at the best hotel, + and trick ourselves out in ball costumes that will be the envy of Bar + Harbor. I shall pay the expense of this trip as partial return for your + father’s kindness in getting me an invitation and your mother’s kindness + in allowing me to be one of your party.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then it isn’t an elopement, but a legacy. Has the wicked but wealthy + relative died?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dorothy solemnly, her eyes on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am so sorry for what I have just said!” + </p> + <p> + “You always speak without thinking,” chided her mother. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, don’t I? But, you see, I thought somehow that Dorothy had no + relatives; but if she had one who was wealthy, and who allowed her to + slave at sewing, then I say he was wicked, dead or alive, so there!” + </p> + <p> + “When work is paid for it is not slavery,” commented Sabina with severity + and justice. + </p> + <p> + The sewing girl looked up at her. + </p> + <p> + “My grandfather, in Virginia, owned slaves before the war, and I have + often thought that any curse which may have been attached to slavery has + at least partly been expiated by me, as foreshadowed in the Bible, where + it says that the sins of the fathers shall affect the third or fourth + generations. I was thinking of that when I spoke of the shackles falling + from my wrists, for sometimes, Miss Kempt, you have made me doubt whether + wages and slavery are as incompatible as you appear to imagine. My father, + who was a clergyman, often spoke to me of his father’s slaves, and while + he never defended the institution, I think the past in his mind was + softened by a glamor that possibly obscured the defects of life on the + plantation. But often in depression and loneliness I have thought I would + rather have been one of my grandfather’s slaves than endure the life I + have been called upon to lead.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy, don’t talk like that, or you’ll make me cry,” pleaded Kate. + “Let us be cheerful whatever happens. Tell us about the money. Begin ‘Once + upon a time,’ and then everything will be all right. No matter how + harrowing such a story begins, it always ends with lashin’s and lashin’s + of money, or else with a prince in a gorgeous uniform and gold lace, and + you get the half of his kingdom. Do go on.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy looked up at her impatient friend, and a radiant cheerfulness + chased away the gathering shadows from her face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, once upon a time I lived very happily with my father in a little + rectory in a little town near the Hudson River. His family had been ruined + by the war, and when the plantation was sold, or allowed to go derelict, + whatever money came from it went to his elder and only brother. My father + was a dreamy scholar and not a business man as his brother seems to have + been. My mother had died when I was a child; I do not remember her. My + father was the kindest and most patient of men, and all I know he taught + me. We were very poor, and I undertook the duties of housekeeper, which I + performed as well as I was able, constantly learning by my failures. But + my father was so indifferent to material comforts that there were never + any reproaches. He taught me all that I know in the way of what you might + call accomplishments, and they were of a strangely varied order—a + smattering of Latin and Greek, a good deal of French, history, literature, + and even dancing, as well as music, for he was an excellent musician. Our + meager income ceased with my father’s life, and I had to choose what I + should do to earn my board and keep, like Orphant Annie, in Whitcomb + Riley’s poem. There appeared to be three avenues open to me. I could be a + governess, domestic servant, or dressmaker. I had already earned something + at the latter occupation, and I thought if I could set up in business for + myself, there was a greater chance of gaining an independence along that + line than either as a governess or servant. But to do this I needed at + least a little capital. + </p> + <p> + “Although there had been no communication between the two brothers for + many years, I had my uncle’s address, and I wrote acquainting him with the + fact of my father’s death, and asking for some assistance to set up in + business for myself, promising to repay the amount advanced with interest + as soon as I was able, for although my father had never said anything + against his elder brother, I somehow had divined, rather than knew, that + he was a hard man, and his answering letter gave proof of that, for it + contained no expression of regret for his brother’s death. My uncle + declined to make the advance I asked for, saying that many years before he + had given my father two hundred dollars which had never been repaid. I was + thus compelled, for the time at least, to give up my plan for opening a + dressmaking establishment, even on the smallest scale, and was obliged to + take a situation similar to that which I hold here. In three years I was + able to save the two hundred dollars, which I sent to my uncle, and + promised to remit the interest if he would tell me the age of the debt. He + replied giving the information, and enclosing a receipt for the principal, + with a very correct mathematical statement of the amount of interest if + compounded annually, as was his legal right, but expressing his readiness + to accept simple interest, and give me a receipt in full.” + </p> + <p> + “The brute!” ejaculated Katherine, which remark brought upon her a mild + rebuke from her mother on intemperance of language. + </p> + <p> + “Well, go on,” said Katherine, unabashed. + </p> + <p> + “I merely mention this detail,” continued Dorothy, “as an object lesson in + honesty. Never before since the world began was there such a case of + casting bread upon the waters as was my sending the two hundred dollars. + My uncle appears to have been a most methodical man. He filed away my + letter which contained the money, also a typewritten copy of his reply, + and when he died, it was these documents which turned the attention of the + legal arm who acted for him to myself, for my uncle had left no will. The + Californian firm communicated with lawyers in New York, and they began a + series of very cautious inquiries, which at last resulted, after I had + furnished certain proofs asked for, in my being declared heiress to my + uncle’s estate.” + </p> + <p> + “And how much did you get? How much did you get?” demanded Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “I asked the lawyers from New York to deposit ten thousand dollars for me + in the Sixth National Bank of this town, and they did so. It was to draw a + little check against that deposit, and thus learn if it was real, that I + went out to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten thousand dollars,” murmured Katherine, in accents of deep + disappointment. “Is that all?” + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t that enough?” asked Dorothy, with a twinkle in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “No, you deserve ten times as much, and I’m not going to New York or + Boston at your expense to buy new dresses. Not likely! I will attend the + ball in my calico.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed quietly, and drew from the little satchel she wore at her + side a letter, which she handed to Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “It’s private and confidential,” she warned her friend. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I won’t tell any one,” said Katherine, unfolding it. She read eagerly + half-way down the page, then sprang to her feet on the top of the table, + screaming: + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen million dollars! Fifteen million dollars!” and, swinging her arms + back and forth like an athlete about to leap, sprang to the floor, nearly + upsetting the little table, tray and all, as she embraced Dorothy Amhurst. + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen millions! That’s something like! Why, mother, do you realize that + we have under our roof one of the richest young women in the world? Don’t + you see that the rest of this conference must take place in our + drawing-room under the most solemn auspices? The idea of our keeping such + an heiress in the attic!” + </p> + <p> + “I believe,” said Sabina, slowly and coldly, “that Mr. Rockefeller’s + income is—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, blow Mr. Rockefeller and his income!” cried the indignant younger + sister. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine!” pleaded the mother tearfully. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III —ON DECK + </h2> + <p> + THROUGHOUT the long summer day a gentle excitement had fluttered the + hearts of those ladies, young, or not so young, who had received + invitations to the ball on board the “Consternation” that night. The last + touches were given to creations on which had been spent skill, taste, and + money. Our three young women, being most tastefully and fashionably + attired, were in high spirits, which state of feeling was exhibited + according to the nature of each; Sabina rather stately in her exaltation; + Dorothy quiet and demure; while Katherine, despite her mother’s + supplications, would not be kept quiet, but swung her graceful gown this + way and that, practising the slide of a waltz, and quoting W. R. Gilbert, + as was her custom. She glided over the floor in rhythm with her chant. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When I first put this uniform on + I said, as I looked in the glass, + ‘It’s one to a million + That any civilian + My figure and form will surpass.’” + </pre> + <p> + Meanwhile, in a room downstairs that good-natured veteran Captain Kempt + was telling the latest stories to his future son-in-law, a young officer + of the American Navy, who awaited, with dutiful impatience, the advent of + the serene Sabina. When at last the ladies came down the party set out + through the gathering darkness of this heavenly summer night for the + private pier from which they were privileged, because of Captain Kempt’s + official standing, to voyage to the cruiser on the little revenue cutter + “Whip-poor-will,” which was later on to convey the Secretary of the Navy + and his entourage across the same intervening waters. Just before they + reached the pier their steps were arrested by the boom of a cannon, + followed instantly by the sudden apparition of the “Consternation” picked + out in electric light; masts, funnel and hull all outlined by incandescent + stars. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful!” cried Sabina, whose young man stood beside her. “It is as + if a gigantic racket, all of one color, had burst, and hung suspended + there like the planets of heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “It reminds me,” whispered Katherine to Dorothy, “of an overgrown pop-corn + ball,” at which remark the two girls were frivolous enough to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Crash!” sounded a cannon from an American ship, and then the white + squadron became visible in a blaze of lightning. And now all the yachts + and other craft on the waters flaunted their lines of fire, and the whole + Bay was illuminated like a lake in Fairyland. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Captain Kempt with a chuckle, “watch the Britisher. I think + she’s going to show us some color,” and as he spoke there appeared, + spreading from nest to mast, a huge sheet of blue, with four great stars + which pointed the corners of a parallelogram, and between the stars shone + a huge white anchor. Cheers rang out from the crew of the “Consternation,” + and the band on board played “The Star-Spangled Banner.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Captain Kempt in explanation, “is the flag of the United + States Secretary of the Navy, who will be with us to-night. The visitors + have kept very quiet about this bit of illumination, but our lads got on + to the secret about a week ago, and I’ll be very much disappointed if they + don’t give ‘em tit for tat.” + </p> + <p> + When the band on the “Consternation” ceased playing, all lights went out + on the American squadron, and then on the flagship appeared from mast to + mast a device with the Union Jack in the corner, a great red cross + dividing the flag into three white squares. As this illumination flashed + out the American band struck up the British national anthem, and the + outline lights appeared again. + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the captain, “is the British man-o’-war’s flag.” + </p> + <p> + The “Whip-poor-will” speedily whisked the party and others across the + sparkling waters to the foot of the grand stairway which had been + specially constructed to conduct the elect from the tide to the deck. It + was more than double as broad as the ordinary gangway, was carpeted from + top to bottom, and on every step stood a blue-jacket, each as steady as if + cast in bronze, the line forming, as one might say, a living handrail + rising toward the dark sky. + </p> + <p> + Captain Kempt and his wife went first, followed by Sabina and her young + man with the two girls in their wake. + </p> + <p> + “Aren’t those men splendid?” whispered Katherine to her friend. “I wish + each held an old-fashioned torch. I do love a sailor.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said Dorothy, then checked herself, and laughed a little. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we all do,” sighed Katherine. + </p> + <p> + On deck the bluff captain of the “Consternation,” in resplendent uniform, + stood beside Lady Angela Burford of the British Embassy at Washington, to + receive the guests of the cruiser. Behind these two were grouped an + assemblage of officers and very fashionably dressed women, chatting + vivaciously with each other. As Dorothy looked at the princess-like Lady + Angela it seemed as if she knew her; as if here were one who had stepped + out of an English romance. Her tall, proudly held figure made the stoutish + captain seem shorter than he actually was. The natural haughtiness of + those classic features was somewhat modified by a pro tem smile. Captain + Kempt looked back over his shoulder and said in a low voice: + </p> + <p> + “Now, young ladies, best foot forward. The Du Maurier woman is to receive + the Gibson girls.” + </p> + <p> + “I know I shall laugh, and I fear I shall giggle,” said Katherine, but she + encountered a glance from her elder sister quite as haughty as any Lady + Angela might have bestowed, and all thought of merriment fled for the + moment; thus the ordeal passed conventionally without Katherine either + laughing or giggling. + </p> + <p> + Sabina and her young man faded away into the crowd. Captain Kempt was + nodding to this one and that of his numerous acquaintances, and Katherine + felt Dorothy shrink a little closer to her as a tall, unknown young man + deftly threaded his way among the people, making directly for the Captain, + whom he seized by the hand in a grasp of the most cordial friendship. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Kempt, I am delighted to meet you again. My name is Drummond—Lieutenant + Drummond, and I had the pleasure of being introduced to you at that dinner + a week or two ago.” + </p> + <p> + “The pleasure was mine, sir, the pleasure was mine,” exclaimed the Captain + with a cordiality equal to that with which he had been greeted. He had not + at first the least recollection of the young man, but the Captain was + something of an amateur politician, and possessed all a politician’s + expertness in facing the unknown, and making the most of any situation in + which he found himself. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, Lieutenant, I remember very well that excellent song you—” + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t it a perfect night?” gasped the Lieutenant. “I think we are to be + congratulated on our weather.” + </p> + <p> + He still clung to the Captain’s hand, and shook it again so warmly that + the Captain said to himself: + </p> + <p> + “I must have made an impression on this young fellow,” then aloud he + replied jauntily: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we always have good weather this time of year. You see, the United + States Government runs the weather. Didn’t you know that? Yes, our Weather + Bureau is considered the best in the world.” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant laughed heartily, although a hollow note intervened, for + the young man had got to the end of his conversation, realized he could + not shake hands for a third time, yet did not know what more to say. The + suavity of the politician came to his rescue in just the form the + Lieutenant had hoped. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Drummond, allow me to introduce my wife to you.” + </p> + <p> + The lady bowed. + </p> + <p> + “And my daughter, Katherine, and Miss Amhurst, a friend of ours—Lieutenant + Drummond, of the ‘Consternation.’” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said the Lieutenant, as if the thought had just occurred to + him, “if the young ladies would like to go to a point where they can have + a comprehensive view of the decorations. I—I may not be the best + guide, but I am rather well acquainted with the ship, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t ask me,” said Captain Kempt. “Ask the girls. Everything I’ve had in + life has come to me because I asked, and if I didn’t get it the first + time, I asked again.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we want to see the decorations,” cried Katherine with + enthusiasm, and so bowing to the Captain and Mrs. Kempt, the Lieutenant + led the young women down the deck, until he came to an elevated spot out + of the way of all possible promenaders, on which had been placed in a + somewhat secluded position, yet commanding a splendid view of the throng, + a settee with just room for two, that had been taken from some one’s + cabin. A blue-jacket stood guard over it, but at a nod from the Lieutenant + he disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” cried Katherine, “reserved seats, eh? How different from a + theatre chair, where you are entitled to your place by holding a colored + bit of cardboard. Here a man with a cutlass stands guard. It gives one a + notion of the horrors of war, doesn’t it, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant laughed quite as heartily as if he had not himself hoped to + occupy the position now held by the sprightly Katherine. He was cudgelling + his brain to solve the problem represented by the adage “Two is company, + three is none.” The girls sat together on the settee and gazed out over + the brilliantly lighted, animated throng. People were still pouring up the + gangways, and the decks were rapidly becoming crowded with a many-colored, + ever-shifting galaxy of humanity. The hum of conversation almost drowned + the popular selections being played by the cruiser’s excellent band. + Suddenly one popular selection was cut in two. The sound of the + instruments ceased for a moment, then they struck up “The Stars and + Stripes for Ever.” + </p> + <p> + “Hello,” cried Katherine, “can your band play Sousa?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say we could,” boasted the Lieutenant, “and we can play his + music, in a way to give some hints to Mr. Sousa’s own musicians.” + </p> + <p> + “To beat the band, eh?—Sousa’s band?” rejoined Katherine, dropping + into slang. + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” smiled the Lieutenant, “and now, young ladies, will you excuse + me for a few moments? This musical selection means that your Secretary of + the Navy is on the waters, and I must be in my place with the rest of the + officers to receive him and his staff with all ceremony. Please promise + you will not leave this spot till I return: I implore you.” + </p> + <p> + “Better put the blue-jacket on guard over us,” laughed Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove! a very good idea.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy saw all levity depart from his face, giving way to a look of + sternness and command. Although he was engaged in a joke, the subordinate + must see no sign of fooling in his countenance. He said a sharp word to a + blue-jacket, who nimbly sprang to the end of the settee, raised his hand + in salute, and stiffened himself to an automaton. Then the girls saw the + tall figure of the Lieutenant wending its way to the spot where the + commander stood. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Dorothy, we’re prisoners. I wonder what this Johnny would do if we + attempted to fly. Isn’t the Lieutenant sumptuous?” + </p> + <p> + “He seems a very agreeable person,” murmured Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “Agreeable! Why, he’s splendid. I tell you, Dorothy, I’m going to have the + first dance with him. I’m the eldest. He’s big enough to divide between + two small girls like us, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t intend to dance,” said Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, you’re not going to sit here all night with nobody to speak to. + I’ll ask the Lieutenant to bring you a man. He’ll take two or three + blue-jackets and capture anybody you want.” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine,” said Dorothy, almost as severely as if it were the elder + sister who spoke, “if you say anything like that, I’ll go back to the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “You can’t get back. I’ll appeal to the guard. I’ll have you locked up if + you don’t behave yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “You should behave yourself. Really, Katherine, you must be careful what + you say, or you’ll make me feel very unhappy.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine caught her by the elbow, and gave it an affectionate little + squeeze. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be frightened, Miss Propriety, I wouldn’t make you unhappy for the + world. But surely you’re going to dance?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Some other time. Not to-night. There are too many people here. I + shouldn’t enjoy it, and—there are other reasons. This is all so new + and strange to me: these brilliant men and beautiful women—the + lights, the music, everything—it is as if I had stepped into another + world; something I had read about, or perhaps dreamed about, and never + expected to see.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you dear girl, I’m not going to dance either, then.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you will, Katherine; you must.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t be so selfish as to leave you here all alone.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t selfish at all, Katherine. I shall enjoy myself completely here. + I don’t really wish to talk to any one, but simply to enjoy my dream, with + just a little fear at the bottom of my heart that I shall suddenly wake + up, rubbing my eyes, in the sewing room.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine pinched her. + </p> + <p> + “Now are you awake?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy smiled, still dreaming. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” cried Katherine, with renewed animation, “they’ve got the + Secretary safe aboard the lugger, and they seem to be clearing the decks + for action. Here is my dear Lieutenant returning; tall even among tall + men. Look at him. He’s in a great hurry, yet so polite, and doesn’t want + to bump against anybody. And now, Dorothy, don’t you be afraid. I shall + prove a perfect model of diffidence. You will be proud of me when you + learn with what timidity I pronounce prunes and prism. I think I must + languish a little at him. I don’t know quite how it’s done, but in old + English novels the girls always languished, and perhaps an Englishman + expects a little languishment in his. I wonder if he comes of a noble + family. If he doesn’t, I don’t think I’ll languish very much. Still, what + matters the pomp of pageantry and pride of race—isn’t that the way + the poem runs? I love our dear little Lieutenant for himself alone, and I + think I will have just one dance with him, at least.” + </p> + <p> + Drummond had captured a camp-stool somewhere, and this he placed at right + angles to the settee, so that he might face the two girls, and yet not + interrupt their view. The sailor on guard once more faded away, and the + band now struck up the music of the dance. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” cried Drummond cheerfully, “I’ve got everything settled. I’ve + received the Secretary of the Navy: our captain is to dance with his wife, + and the Secretary is Lady Angela’s partner. There they go!” + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes the young people watched the dance, then the Lieutenant + said: + </p> + <p> + “Ladies, I am disappointed that you have not complimented our electrical + display.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure it’s very nice, indeed, and most ingenious,” declared Dorothy, + speaking for the first time that evening to the officer, but Katherine, + whose little foot was tapping the deck to the dance music, tossed her + head, and declared nonchalantly that it was all very well as a British + effort at illumination, but she begged the young man to remember that + America was the home of electricity. + </p> + <p> + “Where would you have been if it were not for Edison?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” said the Lieutenant cheerfully, “that we should have been + where Moses was when the candle went out—in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + “You might have had torches,” said Dorothy. “My friend forgets she was + wishing the sailors held torches on that suspended stairway up the ship’s + side.” + </p> + <p> + “I meant electric torches—Edison torches, of course.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine was displeased at the outlook. She was extremely fond of + dancing, and here this complacent young man had planted himself down on a + camp stool to talk of electricity. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Kempt, I am sorry that you are disappointed at our display. Your + slight upon British electrical engineering leaves us unscathed, because + this has been done by a foreign mechanic, whom I wish to present to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed,” said Katherine, rather in the usual tone of her elder + sister. “I don’t dance with mechanics, thank you.” + </p> + <p> + She emphasized the light fantastic word, but the Lieutenant did not take + the hint; he merely laughed again in an exasperatingly good-natured way, + and said: + </p> + <p> + “Lady Angela is going to be Jack Lamont’s partner for the next waltz.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Katherine loftily, “Lady Angela may dance with any blacksmith + that pleases her, but I don’t. I’m taking it for granted that Jack Lamont + is your electrical tinsmith.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he is, and I think him by all odds the finest fellow aboard this + ship. It’s quite likely you have read about his sister. She is a year + older than Jack, very beautiful, cultured, everything that a grande dame + should be, yet she has given away her huge estate to the peasantry, and + works with them in the fields, living as they do, and faring as they do. + There was an article about her in one of the French reviews not long ago. + She is called the Princess Natalia.” + </p> + <p> + “The Princess Natalia!” echoed Katherine, turning her face toward the + young man. “How can Princess Natalia be a sister of Jack Lamont? Did she + marry some old prince, and take to the fields in disgust?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no; Jack Lamont is a Russian. He is called Prince Ivan Lermontoff + when he’s at home, but we call him Jack Lamont for short. He’s going to + help me on the Russian business I told you of.” + </p> + <p> + “What Russian business?” asked Katherine. “I don’t remember your speaking + of it.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy went white, edged a little way from her friend, while her widening + eyes flashed a warning at the Lieutenant, who, too late, remembered that + this conversation on Russia had taken place during the walk from the bank. + The young man coughed slightly behind his open hand, reddened, and + stammered: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I thought I had told you. Didn’t I mention the prince to you as we + were coming here?” + </p> + <p> + “Not that I recollect,” said Katherine. “Is he a real, genuine prince? A + right down regular, regular, regular royal prince?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know about the royalty, but he’s a prince in good standing in his + own land, and he is also an excellent blacksmith.” The Lieutenant chuckled + a little. “He and his sister have both been touched a good deal by + Tolstoian doctrine. Jack is the most wonderful inventor, I think, that is + at present on the earth, Edison notwithstanding. Why, he is just now + engaged on a scheme by which he can float houses from the mountains here + down to New York. Float them—pipe-line them would perhaps be a + better term. You know they have pipe-lines to carry petroleum. Very well; + Jack has a solution that dissolves stone as white sugar dissolves in tea, + and he believes he can run the fluid from the quarries to where building + is going on. It seems that he then puts this liquid into molds, and there + you have the stone again. I don’t understand the process myself, but Jack + tells me it’s marvelously cheap, and marvelously effective. He picked up + the idea from nature one time when he and I were on our vacation at + Detroit.” + </p> + <p> + “Detroit, Michigan?” + </p> + <p> + “The Detroit River.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that runs between Michigan and Canada.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, this is in France. I believe the real name of the river is the + Tarn. There’s a gorge called Detroit—the strait, you know. Wonderful + place—tremendous chasm. You go down in a boat, and all the tributary + rivers pour into the main stream like jets from the nozzle of a hose. They + tell me this is caused by the rain percolating through the dead leaves on + the surface of the ground far above, and thus the water becomes saturated + with carbonic acid gas, and so dissolves the limestone until the granite + is reached, and the granite forms the bed of these underground rivers. It + all seemed to me very wonderful, but it struck Jack on his scientific + side, and he has been experimenting ever since. He says he’ll be able to + build a city with a hose next year.” + </p> + <p> + “Where does he live?” + </p> + <p> + “On the cruiser just at present. I was instrumental in getting him signed + on as John Lamont, and he passed without question. No wonder, for he has + scientific degrees from all sorts of German universities, from Oxford, and + one or two institutions in the States. When at home he lives in St. + Petersburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he a palace there?” + </p> + <p> + Drummond laughed. + </p> + <p> + “He’s got a blacksmith shop, with two rooms above, and I’m going to stop + with him for a few months as soon as I get my leave. When the cruiser + reaches England we pay off, and I expect to have nothing to do for six + months, so Jack and I will make for St. Petersburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you call him Lamont? Is it taken from his real name of + what-d’ye-call-it-off?” + </p> + <p> + “Lermontoff? Yes. The Czar Demetrius, some time about the beginning of the + seventeenth century, established a Scottish Guard, just as Louis XI did in + France two hundred years before, and there came over from Scotland + Lamonts, Carmichaels, Buchanans and others, on whom were bestowed titles + and estates. Prince Ivan Lermontoff is a descendant of the original + Lamont, who was an officer in the Scottish Guard of Russia. + </p> + <p> + “So he is really a Scotchman?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s what I tell him when he annoys me, as I am by way of being a + Scotchman myself. Ah, the waltz is ended. Will you excuse me a moment + while I fetch his Highness?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy inclined her head, and Katherine fairly beamed permission. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” she exclaimed, when the Lieutenant was out of hearing, + “think of it! A real prince, and my ambition has never risen higher than a + paltry count, or some plebeian of that sort. He’s mine, Dorothy; I found + him first.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you had appropriated the Lieutenant?” + </p> + <p> + “What are lieutenants to me? The proud daughter of a captain (retired) + cannot stoop to a mere lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “You wouldn’t have to stoop far, Kate, with so tall a man as Mr. + Drummond.” + </p> + <p> + “You are beginning to take notice, aren’t you, Dot? But I bestow the + Lieutenant freely upon you, because I’m going to dance with the Prince, + even if I have to ask him myself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + She’ll toddle away, as all aver, + With the Lord High Executioner. +</pre> + <p> + Ah, here they come. Isn’t he perfectly splendid? Look at his beard! Just + the color of a brand-new twenty-dollar gold piece. See that broad ribbon + diagonally across him. I wonder what it means. And gaze at those + scintillating orders on his breast. Good gracious me, isn’t he splendid?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for a blacksmith. I wonder if he beat those stars out on his anvil. + He isn’t nearly so tall as Lieutenant Drummond.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I’ll not allow you to disparage my Prince. How can you be so + disagreeable? I thought from the very first that the Lieutenant was too + tall. If the Prince expects me to call him ‘your Highness,’ he’ll be + disappointed.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right, Kate. The term would suit the Lieutenant better.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I believe you’re jealous.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I’m not,” said Dorothy, shaking her head and laughing, and then + “Hush!” she added, as Katherine was about to speak again. + </p> + <p> + The next moment the young men stood before them, and, introductions being + soberly performed, the Prince lost no time in begging Katherine to favor + him with a dance, to which request the young woman was graciously pleased + to accede, without, however, exhibiting too much haste about her + acceptance, and so they walked off together. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV —“AT LAST ALONE” + </h2> + <p> + “SOME one has taken the camp stool,” said Lieutenant Drummond. “May I sit + here?” and the young woman was good enough to give the desired permission. + </p> + <p> + When he had seated himself he glanced around, then impulsively held out + his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Amhurst,” he said, “how are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, thank you,” replied the girl with a smile, and after half a + moment’s hesitation she placed her hand in his. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you dance, Miss Amhurst?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but not to-night. I am here merely as a looker-on in Vienna. You + must not allow politeness to keep you away from the floor, or, perhaps, I + should say the deck. I don’t mind being alone in the least.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Miss Amhurst, that is not a hint, is it? Tell me that I have not + already tired you of my company.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, but I do not wish you to feel that simply because we met casually + the other day you are compelled to waste your evening sitting out.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Miss Amhurst, although I should very much like to have the + pleasure of dancing with you, there is no one else here that I should care + to ask. I have quailed under the eagle eye of my Captain once or twice + this evening, and I have been rather endeavoring to keep out of his sight. + I fear he has found something new about me of which to disapprove, so I + have quite determined not to dance, unless you would consent to dance with + me, in which case I am quite ready to brave his reproachful glances.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you done anything wrong lately?” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven only knows! I try not to be purposely wicked, and indeed have put + forth extra efforts to be extra good, but it seems all of no avail. I + endeavor to go about the ship with a subdued, humble, unobtrusive air, but + this is rather difficult for a person of my size. I don’t think a man can + droop successfully unless he’s under six feet in height.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed with quiet content. She was surprised to find herself so + much at her ease with him, and so mildly happy. They shared a secret + together, and that of itself was an intangible bond linking him with her + who had no ties with any one else. She liked him; had liked him from the + first; and his unconcealed delight in her company was gratifying to a girl + who heretofore had found none to offer her the gentle courtesies of life. + </p> + <p> + “Is it the Russian business again? You do not look very much troubled + about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that is—that is—” he stammered in apparent confusion, + then blurted out, “because you—because I am sitting here. Although I + have met you but once before, it seems somehow as if I had known you + always, and my slight anxiety that I told you of fades away in your + presence. I hope you don’t think I am forward in saying this, but really + to-night, when I saw you at the head of the gangway, I could scarcely + refrain from going directly to you and greeting you. I am afraid I made + rather a hash of it with Captain Kempt. He is too much of a gentleman to + have shown any surprise at my somewhat boisterous accosting of him, and + you know I didn’t remember him at all, but I saw that you were under his + care, and chanced it. Luckily it seems to have been Captain Kempt after + all, but I fear I surprised him, taking him by storm, as it were.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you did it very nicely,” said Dorothy, “and, indeed, until this + moment I hadn’t the least suspicion that you didn’t recognize him. He is a + dear old gentleman, and I’m very fond of him.” + </p> + <p> + “I say,” said the Lieutenant, lowering his voice, “I nearly came a cropper + when I spoke of that Russian affair before your friend. I was thinking of—of—well, + I wasn’t thinking of Miss Kempt—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she never noticed anything,” said Dorothy hurriedly. “You got out of + that, too, very well. I thought of telling her I had met you before while + she and I were in New York together, but the opportunity never seemed—well, + I couldn’t quite explain, and, indeed, didn’t wish to explain my own + inexplicable conduct at the bank, and so trusted to chance. If you had + greeted me first tonight, I suppose”—she smiled and looked up at him—“I + suppose I should have brazened it out somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been in New York?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we were there nearly a week.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that accounts for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Accounts for what?” + </p> + <p> + “I have walked up and down every street, lane and alley in Bar Harbor, + hoping to catch a glimpse of you. I have haunted the town, and all the + time you were away.” + </p> + <p> + “No wonder the Captain frowns at you! Have you been neglecting your duty?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have been stretching my shore leave just a little bit. I wanted + to apologize for talking so much about myself as we walked from the bank.” + </p> + <p> + “It was very interesting, and, if you remember, we walked farther than I + had intended.” + </p> + <p> + “Were your friends waiting for you, or had they gone?” + </p> + <p> + “They were waiting for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope they weren’t cross?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no. I told them I had been detained. It happened not to be necessary + to enter into details, so I was saved the task of explanation, and, + besides, we had other interesting things to discuss. This function on the + cruiser has loomed so large as a topic of conversation that there has been + little need of any other subject to talk about for several days past.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you must have attended many grander occasions than this. + Although we have endeavored to make a display, and although we possess a + reasonably efficient band, still, a cruiser is not exactly designed for + the use to which it is being put to-night. We have many disadvantages to + overcome which are not met with in the sumptuous dwellings of New York and + Bar Harbor.” + </p> + <p> + The girl’s eyes were on the deck for some moments before she replied, then + she looked across at the dancers, and finally said: + </p> + <p> + “I think the ball on the ‘Consternation’ quite equals anything I have ever + attended.” + </p> + <p> + “It is nice of you to say that. Praise from—I won’t name Sir Hubert + Stanley—but rather Lady Hubert Stanley—is praise, indeed. And + now, Miss Amhurst, since I have confessed my fruitless wanderings through + Bar Harbor, may I not have the pleasure of calling upon you to-morrow or + next day?” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were dreamily watching the dancers. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” she said slowly, with the flicker of a smile curving those + enticing lips, “that since you were so very friendly with Captain Kempt + to-night he may expect you to smoke a cigar with him, and it will possibly + happen that Katherine and I, who are very fond of the Captain, may chance + to come in while you are there.” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine? Ah, Katherine is the name of the young lady who was with you + here—Miss Kempt?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “You are stopping with the Kempts, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if they’d think I was taking a liberty if I brought Jack Lamont + with me?” + </p> + <p> + “The Prince?” laughed Dorothy. “Is he a real prince?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, there’s no doubt about that. I shouldn’t have taken the liberty + of introducing him to you as Prince Lermontoff if he were not, as we say + in Scotland, a real Mackay—the genuine article. Well, then, the + Prince and I will pay our respects to Captain Kempt to-morrow afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you say the Prince is going with you to Russia?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes. As I told you, I intend to live very quietly in St. Petersburg, + and the Prince has his shop and a pair of rooms above it in a working + quarter of the city. I shall occupy one of the rooms and he the other. The + Prince is an excellent cook, so we shan’t starve, even if we engage no + servant.” + </p> + <p> + “Has the Prince given his estates away also?” + </p> + <p> + “He hasn’t given them away exactly, but he is a very indulgent landlord, + and he spends so much money on his experiments and travel that, although + he has a formidable income, he is very frequently quite short of money. + Did you like him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Of course I saw him for a moment only. I wonder why they haven’t + returned. There’s been several dances since they left.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said the Lieutenant, with a slight return of his stammering, + “your friend may be as fond of dancing as Jack is.” + </p> + <p> + “You are still determined to go to Russia?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite. There is absolutely no danger. I may not accomplish anything, but + I’ll have a try at it. The Prince has a good deal of influence in St. + Petersburg, which he will use quietly on my behalf, so that I may see the + important people. I shall be glad when the Captain ceases frowning—” + </p> + <p> + Drummond was interrupted by a fellow-officer, who raised his cap, and + begged a word with him. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Drummond, the Captain wanted to see you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, did he say that?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but I know he has left a note for you in your cabin. Shall I go and + fetch it?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would, Chesham, if you don’t mind, and it isn’t too much + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “No trouble at all. Delighted, I’m sure,” said Chesham, again raising his + cap and going off. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I wonder what I have forgotten to do.” + </p> + <p> + Drummond heaved a sigh proportionate to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Under the present condition of things a bit of neglect that would go + unnoticed with another man is a sign of unrepentant villainy in me. Any + other Lieutenant may steal a horse while I may not look over a hedge. You + see how necessary it is for me to go to Russia, and get this thing + smoothed over.” + </p> + <p> + “I think, perhaps, you are too sensitive, and notice slights where nothing + of the kind is meant,” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + Chesham returned and handed Drummond a letter. + </p> + <p> + “Will you excuse me a moment?” he said, and as she looked at him he + flattered himself that he noticed a trace of anxiety in her eyes. He tore + open the missive. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” she could not prevent herself from saying, leaning forward. + </p> + <p> + “I am ordered home. The Admiralty commands me to take the first steamer + for England.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that serious?” + </p> + <p> + He laughed with well-feigned hilarity. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, not serious; it’s just their way of doing things. They might + easily have allowed me to come home in my own ship. My only fear is I + shall have to take the train for New York early to-morrow morning. But,” + he said, holding out his hands, “it is not serious if you allow me to + write to you, and if you will permit me to hope that I may receive an + answer.” + </p> + <p> + She placed her hand in his, this time without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “You may write,” she said, “and I will reply. I trust it is not serious.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V —AFTER THE OPERA IS OVER + </h2> + <p> + IN mid-afternoon of the day following the entertainment on board the + “Consternation” our two girls were seated opposite one another under the + rafters of the sewing room, in the listless, desultory manner of those who + have not gone home till morning, till daylight did appear. The dominant + note of a summer cottage is the rocking-chair, and there were two in the + sewing room, where Katherine and Dorothy swayed gently back and forth as + they talked. They sat close to the low, broad window which presented so + beautiful a picture of the blue Bay and the white shipping. The huge + “Consternation” lay moored with her broadside toward the town, all sign of + festivity already removed from hull and rigging, and, to the scarcely + slumber-satisfied eyes of the girls, something of the sadness of departure + seemed to hang as a haze around the great ship. The girls were not + discussing the past, but rather anticipating the future; forecasting it, + with long, silent pauses intervening. + </p> + <p> + “So you will not stay with us? You are determined to turn your wealthy + back on the poor Kempt family?” Katherine was saying. + </p> + <p> + “But I shall return to the Kempt family now and then, if they will let me. + I must get away for a time and think. My life has suddenly become all + topsy-turvy, and I need to get my bearings, as does a ship that has been + through a storm and lost her reckoning.” + </p> + <p> + “‘She dunno where she are,’ as the song says.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly: that is the state of things.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it’s too bad, Dorothy, that you did not allow us to make public + announcement of your good fortune. Just imagine what an ovation you would + have had on board the cruiser last night if it had been known that the + richest woman in that assemblage was a pretty, shy little creature sitting + all by herself, and never indulging in even one dance.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t in the least care for that sort of ovation, Kate, and if + every one present were as well pleased with the festivities as I, they + must all have enjoyed themselves immensely. I believe my friend Kate did + my share of the dancing as well as her own.” + </p> + <p> + “‘She danced, and she danced, and she danced them a’ din.’ I think those + are the words of the Scottish song that the Prince quoted. He seems up in + Scottish poetry, and does not even resent being called a Scotchman. This + energetic person of the song seems to have danced them all to a + standstill, as I understood him, for he informs me ‘a’ means ‘all’ and + ‘din’ means ‘done,’ but I told him I’d rather learn Russian than Scotch; + it was so much easier, and his Highness was good enough to laugh at that. + Didn’t the Lieutenant ask you to dance at all?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, he did.” + </p> + <p> + “And you refused?” + </p> + <p> + “I refused.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t think he had sense enough to ask a girl to dance.” + </p> + <p> + “You are ungrateful, Katherine. Remember he introduced you to the Prince.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s so. I had forgotten. I shall never say anything against him + again.” + </p> + <p> + “You like the Prince, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Of all the crowned heads, emperors, kings, sultans, monarchs of every + description, dukes, counts, earls, marquises, whom I have met, and who + have pestered my life asking me to share their royal perquisites, I think + I may say quite truthfully that I like this Jack Lamont better than any + one of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely Prince Jack has not offered you his principality already?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not yet, but with an eye to the future I have persuaded him to give + up Tolstoi and read Mark Twain, who is not only equally humorous, but much + more sensible than the Russian writer. Jack must not be allowed to give + away his estates to the peasants as his silly sister has done. I may need + them later on.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you’ve got that far, have you?” + </p> + <p> + “I have got that far: he hasn’t. He doesn’t know anything about it, but + I’ll wake him up when the right time comes. There are many elements of + sanity about him. He told me that he intended to give up his estates, but + in the first place he had been too busy, and in the second he needed the + money. His good sense, however, requires refining, so that he may get rid + of the dross. I don’t blame him; I blame Tolstoi. For instance, when I + asked him if he had patented his liquid city invention, he said he did not + wish to make a profit from his discovery, but intended it for the good of + humanity at large. Imagine such an idiotic idea as that!” + </p> + <p> + “I think such views are entirely to his credit,” alarmed Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course, but the plan is not practicable. If he allows such an + invention to slip through his fingers, the Standard Oil people will likely + get hold of it, form a monopoly, and then where would humanity at large + be? I tell him the right way is to patent it, make all the money he can, + and use the cash for benefiting humanity under the direction of some + charitable person like myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you suggest that to him?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not intimate who the sensible person was, but I elucidated the + principle of the thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and what did he say?” + </p> + <p> + “Many things, Dorothy, many things. At one time he became confidential + about his possessions in foreign lands. It seems he owns several castles, + and when he visits any of them he cannot prevent the moujiks, if that is + the proper term for the peasantry over there, from prostrating themselves + on the ground as he passes by, beating their foreheads against the earth, + and chanting, in choice Russian, the phrase: ‘Defer, defer, here comes the + Lord High Executioner,’ or words to that effect. I told him I didn’t see + why he should interfere with so picturesque a custom, and he said if I + visited one of his castles that these estimable people, at a word from + him, would form a corduroy road in the mud with their bodies, so that I + might step dry-shod from the carriage to the castle doors, and I + stipulated that he should at least spread a bit of stair carpet over the + poor wretches before I made my progress across his front yard.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you did become confidential if you discussed a visit to Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, didn’t we? I suppose you don’t approve of my forward conduct?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure you acted with the utmost prudence, Kate.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t lose any time, though, did I?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know how much time is required to attain the point of friendship + you reached. I am inexperienced. It is true I have read of love at first + sight, and I am merely waiting to be told whether or not this is an + instance of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are very diffident, aren’t you, sitting there so bashfully!” + </p> + <p> + “I may seem timid or bashful, but it’s merely sleepiness.” + </p> + <p> + “You’re a bit of a humbug, Dorothy.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know why, but you are. No, it was not a case of love at first + sight. It was a case of feminine vengeance. Yes, you may look surprised, + but I’m telling the truth. After I walked so proudly off with his high + mightiness, we had a most agreeable dance together; then I proposed to + return to you, but the young man would not have it so, and for the moment + I felt flattered. By and by I became aware, however, that it was not + because of my company he avoided your vicinity, but that he was + sacrificing himself for his friend.” + </p> + <p> + “What friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Drummond, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “How was he sacrificing himself for Lieutenant Drummond?” + </p> + <p> + “I surmise that the tall Lieutenant did not fall a victim to my wiles as I + had at first supposed, but, in some unaccountable manner, one can never + tell how these things happen; he was most anxious to be left alone with + the coy Miss Dorothy Amhurst, who does not understand how long a time it + takes to fall in love at first sight, although she has read of these + things, dear, innocent girl. The first villain of the piece has said to + the second villain of the piece: ‘There’s a superfluous young woman over + on our bench; I’ll introduce you to her. You lure her off to the giddy + dance, and keep her away as long as you can, and I’ll do as much for you + some day.’ + </p> + <p> + “Whereupon Jack Lamont probably swore—I understand that profanity is + sometimes distressingly prevalent aboard ship—but nevertheless he + allowed the Lieutenant to lead him like a lamb to the slaughter. Well, not + being powerful enough to throw him overboard when I realized the state of + the case, I did the next best thing. I became cloyingly sweet to him. I + smiled upon him: I listened to his farrago of nonsense about the chemical + components of his various notable inventions, as if a girl attends a ball + to study chemistry! Before half an hour had passed the infant had come to + the conclusion that here was the first really sensible woman he had ever + met. He soon got to making love to me, as the horrid phrase goes, as if + love were a mixture to be compounded of this ingredient and that, and then + shaken before taken. I am delighted to add, as a testimony to my own + powers of pleasing, that Jack soon forgot he was a sacrifice, and really, + with a little instruction, he would become a most admirable flirt. He is + coming to call upon me this afternoon, and then he will get his eyes + opened. I shall tread on him as if he were one of his own moujiks.” + </p> + <p> + “What a wonderful imagination you have, Kate. All you have said is pure + fancy. I saw he was taken with you from the very first. He never even + glanced at me.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not: he wasn’t allowed to.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, Kate. If I thought for a moment you were really in earnest, I + should say you underestimate your own attractions.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s all very well, Miss Dorothy Dimple; you are trying to draw a + red herring across the trail, because you know that what I want to hear is + why Lieutenant Drummond was so anxious to get me somewhere else. What use + did he make of the opportunity the good-natured Prince and my sweet + complacency afforded him?” + </p> + <p> + “He said nothing which might not have been overheard by any one.” + </p> + <p> + “Come down to particulars, Dorothy, and let me judge. You are so + inexperienced, you know, that it is well to take counsel with a more + sophisticated friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t just remember—” + </p> + <p> + “No, I thought you wouldn’t. Did he talk of himself or of you?” + </p> + <p> + “Of himself, of course. He told me why he was going to Russia, and spoke + of some checks he had met in his profession.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Did he cash them?” + </p> + <p> + “Obstacles—difficulties that were in his way, which he hoped to + overcome.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see. And did you extend that sympathy which—” + </p> + <p> + There was a knock at the door, and the maid came in, bearing a card. + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious me!” cried Katherine, jumping to her feet. “The Prince has + come. What a stupid thing that we have no mirror in this room, and it’s a + sewing and sitting room, too. Do I look all right, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “To me you seem perfection.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well, I can glance at a glass on the next floor. Won’t you come down + and see him trampled on?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you. I shall most likely drop off to sleep, and enjoy forty + winks in this very comfortable chair. Don’t be too harsh with the young + man, Kate. You are quite wrong in your surmises about him. The Lieutenant + never made any such arrangement as you suggest, because he talked of + nothing but the most commonplace subjects all the time I was with him, as + I was just about to tell you, only you seem in such a hurry to get away.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that doesn’t deceive me in the least. I’ll be back shortly, with the + young man’s scalp dangling at my belt. Now we shan’t be long,” and with + that Katherine went skipping downstairs. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy picked up a magazine that lay on the table, and for a few moments + turned its leaves from one story to another, trying to interest herself, + but failing. Then she lifted the newspaper that lay at her feet, but it + also was soon cast aside, and she leaned back in her chair with + half-closed eyes, looking out at the cruiser in the Bay. A slight haze + arose between her and the ship, thickening and thickening until at last it + obscured the vessel. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy was oppressed by a sense of something forgotten, and she strove in + vain to remember what it was. It was of the utmost importance, she was + certain, and this knowledge made her mental anxiety the greater. + </p> + <p> + At last out of the gloom she saw Sabina approach, clothed in rags, and + then a flash of intuition enabled her to grasp the difficulty. Through her + remissness the ball dress was unfinished, and the girl, springing to her + feet, turned intuitively to the sewing-machine, when the ringing laugh of + Katherine dissolved the fog. + </p> + <p> + “Why, you poor girl, what’s the matter with you? Are you sitting down to + drudgery again? You’ve forgotten the fortune!” + </p> + <p> + “Are—are you back already?” cried Dorothy, somewhat wildly. + </p> + <p> + “Already! Why, bless me, I’ve been away an hour and a quarter. You dear + girl, you’ve been asleep and in slavery again!” + </p> + <p> + “I think I was,” admitted Dorothy with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI —FROM SEA TO MOUNTAIN + </h2> + <p> + THREE days later the North Atlantic squadron of the British Navy sailed + down the coast from Halifax, did not even pause at Bar Harbor, but sent a + wireless telegram to the “Consternation,” which pulled up anchor and + joined the fleet outside, and so the war-ships departed for another port. + </p> + <p> + Katherine stood by the broad window in the sewing room in her favorite + attitude, her head sideways against the pane, her eyes languidly gazing + upon the Bay, fingers drumming this time a very slow march on the window + sill. Dorothy sat in a rocking-chair, reading a letter for the second + time. There had been silence in the room for some minutes, accentuated + rather than broken by the quiet drumming of the girl’s fingers on the + window sill. Finally Katherine breathed a deep sigh and murmured to + herself: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘Far called our Navy fades away, + On dune and headland sinks the fire. + Lo, all our pomp of yesterday + Is one with Nineveh and Tyre.’ +</pre> + <p> + I wonder if I’ve got the lines right,” she whispered to herself. She had + forgotten there was anyone else in the room, and was quite startled when + Dorothy spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Kate, that’s a solemn change, from Gilbert to Kipling. I always judge + your mood by your quotations. Has life suddenly become too serious for + ‘Pinafore’ or the ‘Mikado’?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know,” said Katherine, without turning round. “They are + humorous all, and so each furnishes something suitable for the saddened + mind. Wisdom comes through understanding your alphabet properly. For + instance, first there was Gilbert, and that gave us G; then came Kipling, + and he gave us K; thus we get an algebraic formula, G.K., which are the + initials of Chesterton, a still later arrival, and as the mind increases + in despondency it sinks lower and lower down the alphabet until it comes + to S, and thus we have Barn-yard Shaw, an improvement on the Kail-yard + school, who takes the O pshaw view of life. And relaxing hold of him I + sink deeper until I come to W—W. W. Jacobs—how I wish he wrote + poetry! He should be the humorist of all sailors, and perhaps some time he + will desert barges for battleships. Then I shall read him with increased + enjoyment.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t give Mark Twain for the lot,” commented Dorothy with decision. + </p> + <p> + “Mark Twain isn’t yours to give, my dear. He belongs to me also. You’ve + forgotten that comparisons are odious. Our metier is not to compare, but + to take what pleases us from each. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘How doth the little busy bee + Improve each shining hour, + And gather honey all the day + From every opening flower. +</pre> + <p> + Watts. You see, I’m still down among the W’s. Oh, Dorothy, how can you sit + there so placidly when the ‘Consternation’ has just faded from sight? + Selfish creature! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Oh, give me tears for others’ woes + And patience for mine own.’ +</pre> + <p> + I don’t know who wrote that, but you have no tears for others’ woes, + merely greeting them with ribald laughter,” for Dorothy, with the + well-read letter in her hand, was making the rafters ring with her + merriment, something that had never before happened during her long + tenancy of that room. Kate turned her head slowly round, and the + expression on her face was half-indignant, half-humorous, while her eyes + were uncertain weather prophets, and gave equal indication of sunshine or + rain.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Katherine, you look like a tragedy queen, rather than the spirit of + comedy! Is it really a case of ‘Tit-willow, tit-willow, tit-willow’? You + see, I’m a-rescuing you from the bottom of the alphabet, and bringing you + up to the Gilbert plane, where I am more accustomed to you, and understand + you better. Is this despondency due to the departure of the + ‘Consternation,’ and the fact that she carries away with her Jack Lamont, + blacksmith?” + </p> + <p> + The long sigh terminated in a woeful “yes.” + </p> + <p> + “The ship that has gone out with him we call she. If he had eloped with a + real she, then wearing the willow, or singing it, however futile, might be + understandable. As it is I see nothing in the situation to call for a + sigh.” + </p> + <p> + “That is because you are a hardened sinner, Dorothy. You have no heart, or + at least if you have, it is untouched, and therefore you cannot + understand. If that note in your hand were a love missive, instead of a + letter from your lawyers, you would be more human, Dorothy.” + </p> + <p> + The hand which held the paper crumpled it up slightly as Katherine spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Business letters are quite necessary, and belong to the world we live + in,” said Dorothy, a glow of brighter color suffusing her cheeks. “Surely + your acquaintance with Mr. Lamont is of the shortest.” + </p> + <p> + “He has called upon me every day since the night of the ball,” maintained + Katherine stoutly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that’s only three times.” + </p> + <p> + “Only three! How you talk! One would think you had never been schooled in + mathematics. Why, three is a magic figure. You can do plenty of amazing + things with it. Don’t you know that three is a numeral of love?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought two was the number,” chimed Dorothy, with heartless mirth. + </p> + <p> + “Three,” said Katherine taking one last look at the empty horizon, then + seating herself in front of her friend, “three is a recurring decimal. It + goes on and on and on forever, and if you write it for a thousand years + you are still as far from the end as when you began. It will carry you + round the world and back again, and never diminish. It is the mathematical + emblem of the nature of true love.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it so serious as all that, Kate, or are you just fooling again?” asked + Dorothy, more soberly than heretofore. “Has he spoken to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Spoken? He has done nothing but speak, and I have listened—oh, so + intently, and with such deep understanding. He has never before met such a + woman as I, and has frankly told me so.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad he appreciates you, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you see, Dorothy, I am really much deeper than the ordinary woman. + Who, for instance, could find such a beautiful love simile from a book of + arithmetic costing twenty-five cents, as I have unearthed from decimal + fractions? With that example in mind how can you doubt that other volumes + of college learning reveal to me their inner meaning? John presented to + me, as he said good-by, a beautifully bound copy of that celebrated + text-book, ‘Saunders’ Analytical Chemistry,’ with particularly tender + passages marked in pencil, by his own dear hand.” + </p> + <p> + Rather bewildered, for Kate’s expression was one of pathos, unrelieved by + any gleam of humor, Dorothy nevertheless laughed, although the laugh + brought no echo from Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “And did you give him a volume of Browning in return?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn’t. How can you be so unsympathetic? Is it impossible for you + to comprehend the unseen link that binds John and me? I rummaged the book + store until I found a charming little edition of ‘Marshall’s Geologist’s + Pocket Companion,’ covered with beautiful brown limp Russia leather—I + thought the Russia binding was so inspirational—with a sweet little + clasp that keeps it closed—typical of our hands at parting. On the + fly-leaf I wrote: ‘To J. L., in remembrance of many interesting + conversations with his friend, K. K.’ It only needed another K to be + emblematic and political, a reminiscence of the olden times, when you + people of the South, Dorothy, were making it hot for us deserving folks in + the North. I hadn’t time to go through the book very thoroughly, but I + found many references to limestone, which I marked, and one particularly + choice bit of English relating to the dissolution and re-consolidation of + various minerals I drew a parallelogram around in red ink. A friend of + mine in a motor launch was good enough to take the little parcel direct to + the ‘Consternation,’ and I have no doubt that at this moment Jack is + perusing it, and perhaps thinking of the giver. I hope it’s up-to-date, + and that he had not previously bought a copy.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say, Kate, that your conversation was entirely about + geology?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not. How could you have become imbued with an idea so absurd? + We had many delightful dalliances down the romantic groves of chemistry, + heart-to-heart talks on metallurgy, and once—ah, shall I ever forget + it—while the dusk gently enfolded us, and I gazed into those bright, + speaking, intelligent eyes of his as he bent nearer and nearer; while his + low, sonorous voice in well-chosen words pictured to me the promise which + fortified cement holds out to the world; that is, ignorant person, + Portland cement strengthened by ribs of steel; and I sat listening + breathless as his glowing phrases prophesied the future of this + combination.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine closed her eyes, rocked gently back and forth, and crooned, + almost inaudibly: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘When you gang awa, Jimmie, + Faur across the sea, laddie, + When ye gang to Russian lands + What will ye send to me, laddie?’ +</pre> + <p> + I know what I shall get. It will probably be a newly discovered recipe for + the compounding of cement which will do away with the necessity of steel + strengthening.” + </p> + <p> + “Kate, dear, you are overdoing it. It is quite right that woman should be + a mystery to man, but she should not aspire to become a mystery to her + sister woman. Are you just making fun, or is there something in all this + more serious than your words imply?” + </p> + <p> + “Like the steel strengthening in the cement, it may be there, but you + can’t see it, and you can’t touch it, but it makes—oh, such a + difference to the slab. Heigho, Dorothy, let us forsake these hard-headed + subjects, and turn to something human. What have your lawyers been + bothering you about? No trouble over the money, is there?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “No. Of course, there are various matters they have to consult me about, + and get my consent to this project or the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Read the letter. Perhaps my mathematical mind can be of assistance to + you.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy had concealed the letter, and did not now produce it. + </p> + <p> + “It is with reference to your assistance, and your continued assistance, + that I wish to speak to you. Let us follow the example of the cement and + the steel, and form a compact. In one respect I am going to imitate the + ‘Consternation.’ I leave Bar Harbor next week.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine sat up in her chair, and her eyes opened wide. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the matter with Bar Harbor?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “You can answer that question better than I, Kate. The Kempt family are + not visitors, but live here all the year round. What do you think is the + matter with Bar Harbor?” + </p> + <p> + “I confess it’s a little dull in the winter time, and in all seasons it is + situated a considerable distance from New York. Where do you intend to go, + Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “That will depend largely on where my friend Kate advises me to go, + because I shall take her with me if she will come.” + </p> + <p> + “Companion, lady’s-maid, parlor maid, maid-of-all-work, cook, governess, + typewriter-girl—which have I to be? Shall I get one afternoon a week + off, and may my young man come and see me, if I happen to secure one, and, + extremely important, what are the wages?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall fix your own salary, Kate, and my lawyer men will arrange that + the chosen sum is settled upon you so that if we fall out we can quarrel + on equal terms.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see, it’s an adopted daughter I am to be, then?” + </p> + <p> + “An adopted sister, rather.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I am going to take advantage of my friendship with an + heiress, and so pension myself off?” + </p> + <p> + “It is I who am taking the advantage,” said Dorothy, “and I beg you to + take compassion, rather than advantage, upon a lone creature who has no + kith or kin in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really mean it, Dot?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I do. Should I propose it if I didn’t?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, this is the first proposal I’ve ever had, and I believe it is + customary to say on those occasions that it is so sudden, or so + unexpected, and time is required for consideration.” + </p> + <p> + “How soon can you make up your mind, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my mind’s already made up. I’m going to jump at your offer, but I + think it more ladylike to pretend a mild reluctance. What are you going to + do, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. I’ve settled on only one thing. I intend to build a little + stone and tile church, very quaint and old-fashioned, if I get the right + kind of architect to draw a plan for it, and this church is to be situated + in Haverstock.” + </p> + <p> + “Where’s Haverstock?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a village near the Hudson River, on the plain that stretches toward + the Catskills.” + </p> + <p> + “It was there you lived with your father, was it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and my church is to be called the Dr. Amhurst Memorial Church.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you propose to live at Haverstock?” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn’t it be just a little dull?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose it is, but it seems to me a suitable place where two young + women may meditate on what they are going to do with their lives.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s an important question for the two. I say, Dorothy, let’s take + the other side of the river, and enter Vassar College. Then we should at + least have some fun, and there would be some reasonably well-educated + people to speak to.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you wish to use your lately acquired scientific knowledge in order to + pass the examinations; but, you see, I have had no tutor to school me in + the mysteries of lime-burning and the mixing of cement. Now, you have + scorned my side of the river, and I have objected to your side of the + river. That is the bad beginning which, let us hope, makes the good + ending. Who is to arbitrate on our dispute?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, we’ll split the difference, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “How can we do that? Live in a house-boat on the river like Frank + Stockton’s ‘Budder Grange’?” + </p> + <p> + “No, settle in the city of New York, which is practically an island in the + Hudson.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to live in New York?” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn’t I! Imagine any one, having the chance, living anywhere else!” + </p> + <p> + “In a hotel, I suppose—the Holldorf for choice.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we could live in a hotel until we found the ideal flat, high up in a + nice apartment house, with a view like that from the top of Mount + Washington, or from the top of the Washington Monument.” + </p> + <p> + “But you forget I made one proviso in the beginning, and that is that I am + going to build a church, and the church is to be situated, not in the city + of New York, but in the village of Haverstock.” + </p> + <p> + “New York is just the place from which to construct such an edifice. + Haverstock will be somewhere near the West Shore Railway. Very well. We + can take a trip up there once a week or oftener, if you like, and see how + the work is progressing, then the people of Haverstock will respect us. As + we drive from the station they’ll say: + </p> + <p> + “‘There’s the two young ladies from New York who are building the church.’ + But if we settle down amongst them they’ll think we’re only ordinary + villagers instead of the distinguished persons we are. Or, while our flat + is being made ready we could live at one of the big hotels in the + Catskills, and come down as often as we like on the inclined railway. + Indeed, until the weather gets colder, the Catskills is the place. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘And lo, the Catskills print the distant sky, + And o’er their airy tops the faint clouds driven, + So softly blending that the cheated eye + Forgets or which is earth, or which is heaven.’” + </pre> + <p> + “That ought to carry the day for the Catskills, Kate. What sort of + habitation shall we choose? A big hotel, or a select private boarding + house?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a big hotel, of course—the biggest there is, whatever its name + may be. One of those whose rates are so high that the proprietor daren’t + advertise them, but says in his announcement, ‘for terms apply to the + manager.’ It must have ample grounds, support an excellent band, and + advertise a renowned cuisine. Your room, at least, should have a private + balcony on which you can place a telescope and watch the building of your + church down below. I, being a humble person in a subordinate position, + should have a balcony also to make up for those deficiencies.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Kate, that’s settled. But although two lone women may set up + housekeeping in a New York flat, they cannot very well go alone to a + fashionable hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, we can. Best of references given and required.” + </p> + <p> + “I was going to suggest,” pursued Dorothy, not noticing the interruption, + “that we invite your father and mother to accompany us. They might enjoy a + change from sea air to mountain air.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine frowned a little, and demurred. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to be fearfully conventional, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “We must pay some attention to the conventions, don’t you think?” + </p> + <p> + “I had hoped not. I yearn to be a bachelor girl, and own a latch-key.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall each possess a latch-key when we settle down in New York. Our + flat will be our castle, and, although our latch-key will let us in, our + Yale lock will keep other people out. A noted summer resort calls for + different treatment, because there we lead a semi-public life. Besides, I + am selfish enough to wish my coming-out to be under the auspices of so + well-known a man as Captain Kempt.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, I’ll see what they say about it. You don’t want Sabina, I take + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if she will consent to come.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt if she will, but I’ll see. Besides, now that I come to think + about it, it’s only fair I should allow my doting parents to know that I + am about to desert them.” + </p> + <p> + With that Katherine quitted the room, and went down the stairs + hippety-hop. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy drew the letter from its place of concealment, and read it for the + third time, although one not interested might have termed it a most + commonplace document. It began: + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Amhurst,” and ended “Yours most sincerely, Alan Drummond.” It + gave some account of his doings since he bade good-bye to her. A sailor, + he informed her, needs little time for packing his belongings, and on the + occasion in question the Prince had been of great assistance. They set out + together for the early morning train, and said “au revoir” at the station. + Drummond had intended to sail from New York, but a friendly person whom he + met on the train informed him that the Liverpool liner “Enthusiana” set + out from Boston next day, so he had abandoned the New York idea, and had + taken passage on the liner named, on whose note-paper he wrote the letter, + which epistle was once more concealed as Dorothy heard Katherine’s light + step on the stair. + </p> + <p> + That impulsive young woman burst into the sewing room. + </p> + <p> + “We’re all going,” she cried. “Father, mother and Sabina. It seems father + has had an excellent offer to let the house furnished till the end of + September, and he says that, as he likes high life, he will put in the + time on the top of the Catskills. He abandons me, and says that if he can + borrow a shilling he is going to cut me off with it in his will. He + regrets the departure of the British Fleet, because he thinks he might + have been able to raise a real English shilling aboard. Dad only insists + on one condition, namely, that he is to pay for himself, mother and + Sabina, so he does not want a room with a balcony. I said that in spite of + his disinheritance I’d help the family out of my salary, and so he is + going to reconsider the changing of his will.” + </p> + <p> + “We will settle the conditions when we reach the Catskills,” said Dorothy, + smiling. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII —“A WAY THEY HAVE IN THE NAVY” + </h2> + <p> + CAPTAIN and Mrs. Kempt with Sabina had resided a week in the Matterhorn + Hotel before the two girls arrived there. They had gone direct to New + York, and it required the seven days to find a flat that suited them, of + which they were to take possession on the first of October. Then there + were the lawyers to see; a great many business details to settle, and an + architect to consult. After leaving New York the girls spent a day at + Haverstock, where Dorothy Amhurst bought a piece of land as shrewdly as if + she had been in the real estate business all her life. After this + transaction the girls drove to the station on the line connecting with the + inclined railway, and so, as Katherine remarked, were “wafted to the skies + on flowery beds of ease,” which she explained to her shocked companion was + all right, because it was a quotation from a hymn. When at last they + reached their hotel, Katherine was in ecstasies. + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t this heavenly?” she cried, “and, indeed, it ought to be, for I + understand we are three thousand feet higher than we were in New York, and + even the sky-scrapers can’t compete with such an altitude.” + </p> + <p> + The broad valley of the Hudson lay spread beneath them, stretching as far + as the eye could see, shimmering in the thin, bluish veil of a summer + evening, and miles away the river itself could be traced like a silver + ribbon. + </p> + <p> + The gallant Captain, who had been energetically browbeaten by his younger + daughter, and threatened with divers pains and penalties should he fail to + pay attention and take heed to instructions, had acquitted himself with + eclat in the selection of rooms for Dorothy and his daughter. The suite + was situated in one corner of the huge caravansary, a large parlor + occupying the angle, with windows on one side looking into the forest, and + on the other giving an extended view across the valley. The front room + adjoining the parlor was to be Dorothy’s very own, and the end room + belonged to Katherine, he said, as long as she behaved herself. If Dorothy + ever wished to evict her strenuous neighbor, all she had to do was to call + upon the Captain, and he would lend his aid, at which proffer of + assistance Katherine tossed her head, and said she would try the room for + a week, and, if she didn’t like it, out Dorothy would have to go. + </p> + <p> + There followed days and nights of revelry. Hops, concerts, entertainments + of all sorts, with a more pretentious ball on Saturday night, when the + week-tired man from New York arrived in the afternoon to find temperature + twenty degrees lower, and the altitude very much higher than was the case + in his busy office in the city. Katherine revelled in this round of + excitement, and indeed, so, in a milder way, did Dorothy. After the + functions were over the girls enjoyed a comforting chat with one another + in their drawing room; all windows open, and the moon a-shining down over + the luminous valley, which it seemed to fill with mother-o’-pearl dust. + </p> + <p> + Young Mr. J. K. Henderson of New York, having danced repeatedly with + Katherine on Saturday night, unexpectedly turned up for the hop on the + following Wednesday, when he again danced repeatedly with the same joyous + girl. It being somewhat unusual for a keen business man to take a four + hours’ journey during an afternoon in the middle of the week, and, as a + consequence, arrive late at his office next morning, Dorothy began to + wonder if a concrete formation, associated with the name of Prince Ivan + Lermontoff of Russia, was strong enough to stand an energetic assault of + this nature, supposing it were to be constantly repeated. It was after + midnight on Wednesday when the two reached the corner parlor. Dorothy sat + in a cane armchair, while Katherine threw herself into a rocking-chair, + laced her fingers behind her head, and gazed through the open window at + the misty infinity beyond. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” sighed Katherine, “this has been the most enjoyable evening I ever + spent!” + </p> + <p> + “Are you quite sure?” inquired her friend. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Shouldn’t I know?” + </p> + <p> + “He dances well, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Exquisitely!” + </p> + <p> + “Better than Jack Lamont?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now you mention him I must confess Jack danced very creditably.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t know but you might have forgotten the Prince.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I haven’t exactly forgotten him, but—I do think he might have + written to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s it, is it? Did he ask your permission to write?” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious, no. We never talked of writing. Old red sandstone, rather, + was our topic of conversation. Still, he might have acknowledged receipt + of the book.” + </p> + <p> + “But the book was given to him in return for the one he presented to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose it was. I hadn’t thought of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Then again, Kate, Russian notions regarding writing to young ladies may + differ from ours, or he may have fallen overboard, or touched a live + wire.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, there are many possibilities,” murmured Katherine dreamily. + </p> + <p> + “It seems rather strange that Mr. Henderson should have time to come up + here in the middle of the week.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is it strange?” asked Katherine. “Mr. Henderson is not a clerk bound + down to office hours. He’s an official high up in one of the big insurance + companies, and gets a simply tremendous salary.” + </p> + <p> + “Really? Does he talk as well as Jack Lamont did?” + </p> + <p> + “He talks less like the Troy Technical Institute, and more like the ‘Home + Journal’ than poor Prince Jack did, and then he has a much greater sense + of humor. When I told him that the oath of an insurance man should be ‘bet + your life!’ he laughed. Now, Jack would never have seen the point of that. + Anyhow, the hour is too late, and I am too sleepy, to worry about young + men, or jokes either. Good-night!” + </p> + <p> + Next morning’s mail brought Dorothy a bulky letter decorated with English + stamps. She locked the door, tore open the envelope, and found many sheets + of thin paper bearing the heading of the Bluewater Club, Pall Mall. + </p> + <p> + “I am reminded of an old adage,” she read, “to the effect that one should + never cross a bridge before arriving at it. Since I bade good-by to you, + up to this very evening, I have been plodding over a bridge that didn’t + exist, much to my own discomfort. You were with me when I received the + message ordering me home to England, and I don’t know whether or not I + succeeded in suppressing all signs of my own perturbation, but we have in + the Navy now a man who does not hesitate to overturn a court martial, and + so I feared a re-opening of the Rock in the Baltic question, which might + have meant the wrecking of my career. I had quite made up my mind, if the + worst came to the worst, to go out West and become a cow-boy, but a + passenger with whom I became acquainted on the ‘Enthusiana’ informed me, + to my regret, that the cow-boy is largely a being of the past, to be met + with only in the writings of Stewart Edward White, Owen Wister, and + several other famous men whom he named. So you see, I went across the + ocean tolerably depressed, finding my present occupation threatened, and + my future uncertain. + </p> + <p> + “When I arrived in London I took a room at this Club, of which I have been + a member for some years, and reported immediately at the Admiralty. But + there, in spite of all diligence on my part, I was quite unable to learn + what was wanted of me. Of course, I could have gone to my Uncle, who is in + the government, and perhaps he might have enlightened me, although he has + nothing to do with the Navy, but I rather like to avoid Uncle Metgurne. He + brought me up since I was a small boy, and seems unnecessarily ashamed of + the result. It is his son who is the attache’ in St. Petersburg that I + spoke to you about.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy ceased reading for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Metgurne, Metgurne,” she said to herself. “Surely I know that name?” + </p> + <p> + She laid down the letter, pressed the electric button, and unlocked the + door. When the servant came, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Will you ask at the office if they have any biographical book of + reference relating to Great Britain, and if so, please bring it to me.” + </p> + <p> + The servant appeared shortly after with a red book which proved to be an + English “Who’s Who” dated two years back. Turning the pages she came to + Metgurne. + </p> + <p> + “Metgurne, twelfth Duke of, created 1681, Herbert George Alan.” Here + followed a number of other titles, the information that the son and heir + was Marquis of Thaxted, and belonged to the Diplomatic Service, that Lord + Metgurne was H. M. Secretary of State for Royal Dependencies; finally a + list of residences and clubs. She put down the book and resumed the + letter. + </p> + <p> + “I think I ought to have told you that when I reach St. Petersburg I shall + be as anxious to avoid my cousin Thaxted as I am to steer clear of his + father in London. So I sat in my club, and read the papers. Dear me, this + is evidently going to be a very long letter. I hope you won’t mind. I + think perhaps you may be interested in learning how they do things over + here. + </p> + <p> + “After two or three days of anxious waiting there came a crushing + communication from the Admiralty which confirmed my worst fears and set me + at crossing the bridge again. I was ordered to report next morning at + eleven, at Committee Room 5, in the Admiralty, and bring with me full + particulars pertaining to the firing of gun number so-and-so of the + ‘Consternation’s’ equipment on such a date. I wonder since that I did not + take to drink. We have every facility for that sort of thing in this club. + However, at eleven next day, I presented myself at the Committee Room and + found in session the grimmest looking five men I have ever yet been called + upon to face. Collectively they were about ten times worse in appearance + than the court-martial I had previously encountered. Four of the men I did + not know, but the fifth I recognized at once, having often seen his + portrait. He is Admiral Sir John Pendergest, popularly known in the + service as ‘Old Grouch,’ a blue terror who knows absolutely nothing of + mercy. The lads in the service say he looks so disagreeable because he is + sorry he wasn’t born a hanging judge. Picture a face as cleanly cut as + that of some severe old Roman Senator; a face as hard as marble, quite as + cold, and nearly as white, rescued from the appearance of a death mask by + a pair of piercing eyes that glitter like steel. When looking at him it is + quite impossible to believe that such a personage has ever been a boy who + played pranks on his masters. Indeed, Admiral Sir John Pendergest seems to + have sprung, fully uniformed and forbidding, from the earth, like those + soldiers of mythology. I was so taken aback at confronting such a man that + I never noticed my old friend, Billy Richardson, seated at the table as + one of the minor officials of the Committee. Billy tells me I looked + rather white about the lips when I realized what was ahead of me, and I + daresay he was right. My consolation is that I didn’t get red, as is my + disconcerting habit. I was accommodated with a chair, and then a + ferrety-faced little man began asking me questions, consulting every now + and then a foolscap sheet of paper which was before him. Others were ready + to note down the answers. + </p> + <p> + “‘When did you fire the new gun from the “Consternation” in the Baltic?’ + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Amhurst, I have confessed to you that I am not brilliant, and, + indeed, such confession was quite unnecessary, for you must speedily have + recognized the fact, but here let me boast for a line or two of my one + accomplishment, which is mathematical accuracy. When I make experiments I + don’t note the result by rule of thumb. My answer to the ferret-faced man + was prompt and complete. + </p> + <p> + “‘At twenty-three minutes, seventeen seconds past ten, A.M., on May the + third of this year,’ was my reply. + </p> + <p> + “The five high officials remained perfectly impassive, but the two + stenographers seemed somewhat taken by surprise, and one of them + whispered, ‘Did you say fifteen seconds, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘He said seventeen,’ growled Sir John Pendergest, in a voice that seemed + to come out of a sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + “‘Who sighted the gun?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I did, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Why did not the regular gunner do that?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘He did, sir, but I also took observations, and raised the muzzle .000327 + of an inch.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Was your gunner inaccurate, then, to that extent?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘No, sir, but I had weighed the ammunition, and found it short by two + ounces and thirty-seven grains.’ + </p> + <p> + “I must not bore you with all the questions and answers. I merely give + these as samples. They questioned me about the recoil, the action of the + gun, the state of this, that and the other after firing, and luckily I was + able to answer to a dot every query put to me. At the finish one of the + judges asked me to give in my own words my opinion of the gun. Admiral Sir + John glared at him as he put this question, for of course to any expert + the answers I had furnished, all taken together, gave an accurate verdict + on the gun, assuming my statements to have been correct, which I maintain + they were. However, as Sir John made no verbal comment, I offered my + opinion as tersely as I could. + </p> + <p> + “‘Thank you, Lieutenant Drummond,’ rumbled Sir John in his deep voice, as + if he were pronouncing sentence, and, my testimony completed, the + Committee rose. + </p> + <p> + “I was out in the street before Billy Richardson overtook me, and then he + called himself to my attention by a resounding slap on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “‘Alan, my boy,’ he cried, ‘you have done yourself proud. Your fortune’s + made.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘As how?’ I asked, shaking him by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “‘Why, we’ve been for weeks holding an inquiry on this blessed gun, and + the question is whether or not a lot more of them are to be made. You know + what an opinionated beast Old Grouch is. Well, my boy, you have + corroborated his opinion of the gun in every detail. He is such a + brow-beating, tyrannical brute that the rest of the Committee would rather + like to go against him if they dared, but you have put a spoke in their + wheel. Why, Sir John never said “thank you” to a human being since he was + born until twenty-seven minutes and fifteen seconds after eleven this + morning, as you would have put it,’ and at the time of writing this letter + this surmise of Billy’s appears to be justified, for the tape in the club + just now announced that the Committee has unanimously decided in favor of + the gun, and adds that this is regarded as a triumph for the chairman, + Admiral Sir John Pendergest, with various letters after his name. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Amhurst, this letter, as I feared, has turned out intolerably + long, and like our first conversation, it is all about myself. But then, + you see, you are the only one on the other side of the water to whom I + have confided my selfish worries, and I believe you to be so kind-hearted + that I am sure you will not censure me for this once exceeding the limits + of friendly correspondence. Having been deeply depressed during all the + previous long days, the sudden reaction urges me to go out into Pall Mall, + fling my cap in the air, and whoop, which action is quite evidently a + remnant of my former cow-boy aspirations. Truth to tell, the Russian + business seems already forgotten, except by my stout old Captain on the + ‘Consternation,’ or my Uncle. The strenuous Sir John has had me haled + across the ocean merely to give testimony, lasting about thirty-five + minutes, when with a little patience he might have waited till the + ‘Consternation’ herself arrived, or else have cabled for us to try the gun + at Bar Harbor. I suppose, however, that after my unfortunate contretemps + with Russia our government was afraid I’d chip a corner off the United + States, and that they’d have to pay for it. So perhaps after all it was + greater economy to bring me across on the liner ‘Enthusiana.’ + </p> + <p> + “By the way, I learned yesterday that the ‘Consternation’ has been ordered + home, and so I expect to see Jack Lamont before many days are past. The + ship will be paid off at Portsmouth, and then I suppose he and I will have + our freedom for six months. I am rather looking forward to Jack’s cooking + me some weird but tasteful Russian dishes when we reach his blacksmith’s + shop in St. Petersburg. If I get on in Russia as I hope and expect, I + shall spend the rest of my leave over in the States. I saw very little + indeed of that great country, and am extremely anxious to see more. When + one is on duty aboard ship one can only take very short excursions ashore. + I should like to visit Niagara. It seems ridiculous that one should have + been all along the American coast from Canada to New York, and never have + got far enough inland to view the great Falls. + </p> + <p> + “Russia is rather dilatory in her methods, but I surely should know within + two or three weeks whether I am going to succeed or not. If not, then + there is no use in waiting there. I shall try to persuade the Prince to + accompany me to America. During the weeks I am waiting in St. Petersburg I + shall continually impress upon him the utter futility of a life which has + not investigated the great electrical power plant at Niagara Falls. And + then he is interested in the educational system of the United States. + While we were going to the station early that morning he told me that the + United States educational system must be the most wonderful in the world, + because he found that your friend, Miss Katherine Kempt, knew more about + electricity, metallurgy, natural philosophy and a great number of other + things he is interested in, than all the ladies he has met in Europe put + together. He thinks that’s the right sort of education for girls, and all + this rather astonished me, because, although your friend was most + charming, she said nothing during my very short acquaintance with her to + lead me to suspect that she had received a scientific training. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Amhurst, I am looking every day for a letter from you, but none + has yet been received by the Admiralty, who, when they get one, will + forward it to whatever part of the world I happen to be in.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII —“WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME” + </h2> + <p> + A SUMMER hotel that boasts a thousand acres of forest, more or less, which + serve the purposes of a back-yard, affords its guests, even if all its + multitude of rooms are occupied, at least one spot for each visitor to + regard as his or her favorite nook. So large an extent of woodland + successfully defies landscape gardening. It insists on being left alone, + and its very immensity raises a financial barrier against trimly-kept + gravel walks. There were plenty of landscape garden walks in the immediate + vicinity of the hotel, and some of them ambitiously penetrated into the + woods, relapsing from the civilization of beaten gravel into a primitive + thicket trail, which, however, always led to some celebrated bit of + picturesqueness: a waterfall, or a pulpit rock upstanding like a tower, or + the fancied resemblance of a human face carved by Nature from the cliff, + or a view-point jutting out over the deep chasm of the valley, which + usually supported a rustic summer house or pavilion where unknown names + were carved on the woodwork—the last resort of the undistinguished + to achieve immortality by means of a jack-knife. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy discovered a little Eden of her own, to which no discernible + covert-way led, for it was not conspicuous enough to obtain mention in the + little gratis guide which the hotel furnished—a pamphlet on coated + paper filled with half-tone engravings, and half-extravagant eulogies of + what it proclaimed to be, an earthly paradise, with the rates by the day + or week given on the cover page to show on what terms this paradise might + be enjoyed. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy’s bower was green, and cool, and crystal, the ruggedness of the + rocks softened by the wealth of foliage. A very limpid spring, high up and + out of sight among the leaves, sent its waters tinkling down the face of + the cliff, ever filling a crystal-clear lakelet at the foot, which yet was + never full. Velvety and beautiful as was the moss surrounding this pond, + it was nevertheless too damp to form an acceptable couch for a human + being, unless that human being were brave enough to risk the rheumatic + inconveniences which followed Rip Van Winkle’s long sleep in these very + regions, so Dorothy always carried with her from the hotel a + feather-weight, spider’s-web hammock, which she deftly slung between two + saplings, their light suppleness giving an almost pneumatic effect to this + fairy net spread in a fairy glen; and here the young woman swayed + luxuriously in the relaxing delights of an indolence still too new to have + become commonplace or wearisome. + </p> + <p> + She always expected to read a great deal in the hammock, but often the + book slipped unnoticed to the moss, and she lay looking upward at the + little discs of blue sky visible through the checkering maze of green + leaves. One afternoon, deserted by the latest piece of fictional + literature, marked in plain figures on the paper cover that protected the + cloth binding, one dollar and a half, but sold at the department stores + for one dollar and eight cents, Dorothy lay half-hypnotized by the + twinkling of the green leaves above her, when she heard a sweet voice + singing a rollicking song of the Civil War, and so knew that Katherine was + thus heralding her approach. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘When Johnny comes marching home again, + Hurrah! Hurrah! + We’ll give him a hearty welcome then, + Hurrah! Hurrah! + The men will cheer, the boys will shout, + The ladies they will all turn out, + And we’ll all feel gay + When Johnny comes marching home.’” + </pre> + <p> + Dorothy went still further back into the history of her country, and gave + a faint imitation of an Indian war-whoop, to let the oncomer know she was + welcome, and presently Katherine burst impetuously through the dense + undergrowth. + </p> + <p> + “So here you are, Miss Laziness,” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, Miss Energy, or shall I call you Miss-applied Energy? + Katherine, you have walked so fast that you are quite red in the face.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t exertion, it’s vexation. Dorothy, I have had a perfectly + terrible time. It is the anxiety regarding the proper discipline of + parents that is spoiling the nervous system of American children. Train + them up in the way they should go, and when they are old they do depart + from it. There’s nothing more awful than to own parents who think they + possess a sense of humor. Thank goodness mother has none!” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is your father who has been misbehaving?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is. He treats the most serious problem of a woman’s life as + if it were the latest thing in ‘Life.’” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy sat up in the hammock. + </p> + <p> + “The most important problem? That means a proposal. Goodness gracious, + Kate, is that insurance man back here again?” + </p> + <p> + “What insurance man?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, heartless and heart-breaking Katherine, is there another? Sit here in + the hammock beside me, and tell me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you,” refused Katherine. “I weigh more than you, and I cannot + risk my neck through the collapse of that bit of gossamer. I must take + care of myself for his sake.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is the life insurance man whose interests you are consulting? + Have you taken out a policy with him?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, you are nearly as bad as father, but not quite so funny. You are + referring to Mr. Henderson, I presume. A most delightful companion for a + dance, but, my dear Dorothy, life is not all glided out to the measures of + a Strauss waltz.” + </p> + <p> + “True; quite undisputable, Kate, and them sentiments do you credit. Who is + the man?” + </p> + <p> + “The human soul,” continued Katherine seriously, “aspires to higher things + than the society columns of the New York Sunday papers, and the frivolous + chatter of an overheated ball-room.” + </p> + <p> + “Again you score, Kate, and are rising higher and higher in my estimation. + I see it all now. Those solemn utterances of yours point directly toward + Hugh Miller’s ‘Old Red Sandstone’ and works of that sort, and now I + remember your singing ‘When Johnny comes marching home.’ I therefore take + it that Jack Lamont has arrived.” + </p> + <p> + “He has not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he has written to you?” + </p> + <p> + “He has not.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, I give it up. Tell me the tragedy your own way.” + </p> + <p> + For answer Katherine withdrew her hands from behind her, and offered to + her friend a sheet of paper she had been holding. Dorothy saw blazoned on + the top of it a coat-of-arms, and underneath it, written in words of the + most formal nature, was the information that Prince Ivan Lermontoff + presented his warmest regards to Captain Kempt, U.S.N., retired, and + begged permission to pay his addresses to the Captain’s daughter + Katherine. Dorothy looked up from the document, and her friend said + calmly: + </p> + <p> + “You see, they need another Katherine in Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope she won’t be like a former one, if all I’ve read of her is true. + This letter was sent to your father, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It was, and he seems to regard it as a huge joke. Said he was going to + cable his consent, and as the ‘Consternation’ has sailed away, he would + try to pick her up by wireless telegraphy, and secure the young man that + way: suggests that I shall have a lot of new photographs taken, so that he + can hand them out to the reporters when they call for particulars. Sees in + his mind’s eye, he says, a huge black-lettered heading in the evening + papers: ‘A Russian Prince captures one of our fairest daughters,’ and then + insultingly hinted that perhaps, after all, it was better not to use my + picture, as it might not bear out the ‘fair daughter’ fiction of the + heading.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Kate, I can see that such treatment of a vital subject must have + been very provoking.” + </p> + <p> + “Provoking? I should say it was! He pretended he was going to tack this + letter up on the notice-board in the hall of the hotel, so that every one + might know what guests of distinction the Matterhorn House held. But the + most exasperating feature of the situation is that this letter has been + lying for days and days at our cottage in Bar Harbor. I am quite certain + that I left instructions for letters to be forwarded, but, as nothing + came, I telegraphed yesterday to the people who have taken our house, and + now a whole heap of belated correspondence has arrived, with a note from + our tenant saying he did not know our address. You will see at the bottom + of the note that the Prince asks my father to communicate with him by + sending a reply to the ‘Consternation’ at New York, but now the + ‘Consternation’ has sailed for England, and poor John must have waited and + waited in vain.” + </p> + <p> + “Write care of the ‘Consternation’ in England.” + </p> + <p> + “But Jack told me that the ‘Consternation’ paid off as soon as she + arrived, and probably he will have gone to Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “If you address him at the Admiralty in London, the letter will be + forwarded wherever he happens to be.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard that such is the case.” + </p> + <p> + “But you’re not sure, and I want to be certain.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you really in love with him, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I am. You know that very well, and I don’t want any stupid + misapprehension to arise at the beginning, such as allows a silly author + to carry on his story to the four-hundredth page of such trash as this,” + and she gently touched with her toe the unoffending volume which lay on + the ground beneath the hammock. + </p> + <p> + “Then why not adopt your father’s suggestion, and cable? It isn’t you who + are cabling, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn’t consent to that. It would look as if we were in a hurry, + wouldn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me cable.” + </p> + <p> + “You? To whom?” + </p> + <p> + “Hand me up that despised book, Kate, and I’ll write my cablegram on the + fly-leaf. If you approve of the message, I’ll go to the hotel, and send it + at once.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine gave her the book, and lent the little silver pencil which hung + jingling, with other trinkets, on the chain at her belt. Dorothy scribbled + a note, tore out the fly-leaf, and presented it to Katherine, who read: + </p> + <p> + “Alan Drummond, Bluewater Club, Pall Mall, London. Tell Lamont that his + letter to Captain Kempt was delayed, and did not reach the Captain until + to-day. Captain Kempt’s reply will be sent under cover to you at your + club. Arrange for forwarding if you leave England. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy Amhurst.” + </p> + <p> + When Katherine finished reading she looked up at her friend, and + exclaimed: “Well!” giving that one word a meaning deep as the clear pool + on whose borders she stood. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy’s face reddened as if the sinking western sun was shining full + upon it. + </p> + <p> + “You write to one another, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And is it a case of—” + </p> + <p> + “No; friendship.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure it is nothing more than that?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, you are a brick; that’s what you are. You will do anything to + help a friend in trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I have so few friends that whatever I can do for them will not greatly + tax any capabilities I may possess.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, Dorothy, I thoroughly appreciate what you have done. You + did not wish any one to know you were corresponding with him, and yet you + never hesitated a moment when you saw I was anxious.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Kate, there was nothing to conceal. Ours is a very ordinary + exchange of letters. I have only had two: one at Bar Harbor a few days + after he left, and another longer one since we came to the hotel, written + from England.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the last one go to Bar Harbor, too? How came you to receive it when + we did not get ours?” + </p> + <p> + “It did not go to Bar Harbor. I gave him the address of my lawyers in New + York, and they forwarded it to me here. Lieutenant Drummond was ordered + home by some one who had authority to do so, and received the message + while he was sitting with me on the night of the ball. He had got into + trouble with Russia. There had been an investigation, and he was + acquitted. I saw that he was rather worried over the order home and I + expressed my sympathy as well as I could, hoping everything would turn out + for the best. He asked if he might write and let me know the outcome, and, + being interested, I quite willingly gave him permission, and my address. + The letter I received was all about a committee meeting at the Admiralty + in which he took part. He wrote to me from the club in Pall Mall to which + I have addressed this cablegram.” + </p> + <p> + There was a sly dimple in Katherine’s cheeks as she listened to this + straightforward explanation, and the faintest possible suspicion of a + smile flickered at the corner of her mouth. She murmured, rather than + sang: + </p> + <p> + “‘A pair of lovesick maidens we.’” + </p> + <p> + “One, if you please,” interrupted Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “‘Lovesick all against our will—‘” + </p> + <p> + “Only one.” + </p> + <p> + “‘Twenty years hence we shan’t be A pair of lovesick maidens still.’” + </p> + <p> + “I am pleased to note,” said Dorothy demurely, “that the letter written by + the Prince to your father has brought you back to the Gilbert and Sullivan + plane again, although in this fairy glen you should quote from Iolanthe + rather than from Patience.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dot, this spot might do for a cove in the ‘Pirates of Penzance,’ + only we’re too far from the sea. But, to return to the matter in hand, I + don’t think there will be any need to send that cablegram. I don’t like + the idea of a cablegram, anyhow. I will return to the hotel, and dictate + to my frivolous father a serious composition quite as stately and formal + as that received from the Prince. He will address it and seal it, and then + if you are kind enough to enclose it in the next letter you send to + Lieutenant Drummond, it will be sure to reach Jack Lamont ultimately.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy sprang from the hammock to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” she cried eagerly, “I’ll go into the hotel with you and write my + letter at once.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine smiled, took her by the arm, and said: + </p> + <p> + “You’re a dear girl, Dorothy. I’ll race you to the hotel, as soon as we + are through this thicket.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX —IN RUSSIA + </h2> + <p> + THE next letter Dorothy received bore Russian stamps, and was dated at the + black-smith’s shop, Bolshoi Prospect, St. Petersburg. After a few + preliminaries, which need not be set down here, Drummond continued: + </p> + <p> + “The day after Jack arrived in London, there being nothing whatever to + detain him in England, we set off together for St. Petersburg, and are now + domiciled above his blacksmith shop. We are not on the fashionable side of + the river, but our street is wide, and a very short walk brings us to a + bridge which, being crossed, allows us to wander among palaces if we are + so disposed. We have been here only four days, yet a good deal has already + been accomplished. The influence of the Prince has smoothed my path for + me. Yesterday I had an audience with a very important personage in the + Foreign Office, and to-day I have seen an officer of high rank in the + navy. The Prince warns me to mention no names, because letters, even to a + young lady, are sometimes opened before they reach the person to whom they + are addressed. These officials who have been kind enough to receive me are + gentlemen so polished that I feel quite uncouth in their presence. I am a + little shaky in my French, and feared that my knowledge of that language + might not carry me through, but both of these officials speak English much + better than I do, and they seemed rather pleased I had voluntarily visited + St. Petersburg to explain that no discourtesy was meant in the action I + had so unfortunately taken on the Baltic, and they gave me their warmest + assurances they would do what they could to ease the tension between our + respective countries. It seems that my business here will be finished much + sooner than I expected, and then I am off on the quickest steamer for New + York, in the hope of seeing Niagara Falls. I have met with one + disappointment, however. Jack says he cannot possibly accompany me to the + United States. I have failed to arouse in him the faintest interest about + the electric works at Niagara. He insists that he is on the verge of a + most important discovery, the nature of which he does not confide in me. I + think he is working too hard, for he is looking quite haggard and + overdone, but that is always the way with him. He throws himself heart and + soul into any difficulty that confronts him, and works practically night + and day until he has solved it. + </p> + <p> + “Yesterday he gave the whole street a fright. I had just returned from the + Foreign Office, and had gone upstairs to my room, when there occurred an + explosion that shook the building from cellar to roof, and sent the + windows of our blacksmith’s shop rattling into the street. Jack had a most + narrow escape, but is unhurt, although that fine beard of his was badly + singed. He has had it shaved off, and now sports merely a mustache, + looking quite like a man from New York. You wouldn’t recognize him if you + met him on Broadway. The carpenters and glaziers are at work to-day + repairing the damage. I told Jack that if this sort of thing kept on I’d + be compelled to patronize another hotel, but he says it won’t happen + again. It seems he was trying to combine two substances by adding a third, + and, as I understood him, the mixing took place with unexpected + suddenness. He has endeavored to explain to me the reaction, as he calls + it, which occurred, but I seem to have no head for chemistry, and besides, + if I am to be blown through the roof some of these days it will be no + consolation to me when I come down upon the pavement outside to know + accurately the different elements which contributed to my elevation. Jack + is very patient in trying to instruct me, but he could not resist the + temptation of making me ashamed by saying that your friend, Miss Katherine + Kempt, would have known at once the full particulars of the reaction. + Indeed, he says, she warned him of the disaster, by marking a passage in a + book she gave him which foreshadowed this very thing. She must be a most + remarkable young woman, and it shows how stupid I am that I did not in the + least appreciate this fact when in her company.” + </p> + <p> + The next letter was received a week later. He was getting on swimmingly, + both at the Foreign Office and at the Russian Admiralty. All the officials + he had met were most courteous and anxious to advance his interests. He + wrote about the misapprehensions held in England regarding Russia, and + expressed his resolve to do what he could when he returned to remove these + false impressions. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” he went on, “no American or Englishman can support or justify + the repressive measures so often carried out ruthlessly by the Russian + police. Still, even these may be exaggerated, for the police have to deal + with a people very much different from our own. It is rather curious that + at this moment I am in vague trouble concerning the police. I am sure this + place is watched, and I am also almost certain that my friend Jack is + being shadowed. He dresses like a workman; his grimy blouse would delight + the heart of his friend Tolstoi, but he is known to be a Prince, and I + think the authorities imagine he is playing up to the laboring class, whom + they despise. I lay it all to that unfortunate explosion, which gathered + the police about us as if they had sprung from the ground. There was an + official examination, of course, and Jack explained, apparently to + everybody’s satisfaction, exactly how he came to make the mistake that + resulted in the loss of his beard and his windows. I don’t know exactly + how to describe the feeling of uneasiness which has come over me. At first + sight this city did not strike me as so very much different from New York + or London, and meeting, as I did, so many refined gentlemen in high + places, I had come to think St. Petersburg was after all very much like + Paris, or Berlin, or Rome. But it is different, and the difference makes + itself subtly felt, just as the air in some coast towns of Britain is + relaxing, and in others bracing. In these towns a man doesn’t notice the + effect at first, but later on he begins to feel it, and so it is here in + St. Petersburg. Great numbers of workmen pass down our street. They all + seem to know who the Prince is, and the first days we were here, they + saluted him with a deference which I supposed was due to his rank, in + spite of the greasy clothes he wore. Since the explosion an indefinable + change has come over these workmen. They salute the Prince still when we + meet them on the street, but there is in their attitude a certain sly + sympathy, if I may so term it; a bond of camaraderie which is implied in + their manner rather than expressed. Jack says this is all fancy on my + part, but I don’t think it is. These men imagine that Prince Ivan + Lermontoff, who lives among them and dresses like them, is concocting some + explosive which may yet rid them of the tyrants who make their lives so + unsafe. All this would not matter, but what does matter is the chemical + reaction, as I believe Jack would term it, which has taken place among the + authorities. The authorities undoubtedly have their spies among the + working-men, and know well what they are thinking about and talking about. + I do not believe they were satisfied with the explanations Jack gave + regarding the disaster. I have tried to impress upon Jack that he must be + more careful in walking about the town, and I have tried to persuade him, + after work, to dress like the gentleman he is, but he laughs at my fears, + and assures me that I have gone from one extreme to the other in my + opinion of St. Petersburg. First I thought it was like all other capitals; + now I have swung too far in the other direction. He says the police of St. + Petersburg would not dare arrest him, but I’m not so sure of that. A + number of things occur to me, as usual, too late. Russia, with her perfect + secret service system, must know that Prince Lermontoff has been serving + in the British Navy. They know he returned to St. Petersburg, avoids all + his old friends, and is brought to their notice by an inexplicable + explosion, and they must be well aware, also, that he is in the company of + the man who fired the shell at the rock in the Baltic, and that he himself + served on the offending cruiser. + </p> + <p> + “As to my own affairs, I must say they are progressing slowly but + satisfactorily; nevertheless, if Jack would leave St. Petersburg, and come + with me to London or New York, where he could carry on his experiments + quite as well, or even better than here, I should depart at once, even if + I jeopardized my own prospects.” + </p> + <p> + The next letter, some time later, began: + </p> + <p> + “Your two charming notes to me arrived here together. It is very kind of + you to write to a poor exile and cheer him in his banishment. I should + like to see that dell where you have swung your hammock. Beware of + Hendrick Hudson’s men, so delightfully written of by Washington Irving. If + they offer you anything to drink, don’t you take it. Think how disastrous + it would be to all your friends if you went to sleep in that hammock for + twenty years. It’s the Catskills I want to see now rather than Niagara + Falls. Your second letter containing the note from Captain Kempt to Jack + was at once delivered to him. What on earth has the genial Captain written + to effect such a transformation in my friend? He came to me that evening + clothed in his right mind; in evening rig-out, with his decorations upon + it, commanded me to get into my dinner togs, took me in a carriage across + the river to the best restaurant St. Petersburg affords, and there we had + a champagne dinner in which he drank to America and all things American. + Whether it was the enthusiasm produced by Captain Kempt’s communication, + or the effect of the champagne, I do not know, but he has reconsidered his + determination not to return to the United States, and very soon we set out + together for the west. + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad to get out of this place. We were followed to the + restaurant, I am certain, and I am equally certain that at the next table + two police spies were seated, and these two shadowed us in a cab until we + reached our blacksmith’s shop. It is a humiliating confession to make, but + somehow the atmosphere of this place has got on my nerves, and I shall be + glad to turn my back on it. Jack pooh-poohs the idea that he is in any + danger. Even the Governor of St. Petersburg, he says, dare not lay a + finger on him, and as for the Chief of Police, he pours scorn on that + powerful official. He scouts the idea that he is being watched, and + all-in-all is quite humorous at my expense, saying that my state of mind + is more fitting for a schoolgirl than for a stalwart man over six feet in + height. One consolation is that Jack now has become as keen for America as + I am. I expect that the interview arranged for me to-morrow with a great + government official will settle my own business finally one way or + another. A while ago I was confident of success, but the repeated delays + have made me less optimistic now, although the gentle courtesy of those in + high places remains undiminished. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Amhurst, I cannot afford to fall lower in your estimation than + perhaps I deserve, so I must say that this fear which has overcome me is + all on account of my friend, and not on my own behalf at all. I am + perfectly safe in Russia, being a British subject. My cold and formal + Cousin Thaxted is a member of the British Embassy here, and my cold and + formal uncle is a Cabinet Minister in England, facts which must be well + known to these spy-informed people of St. Petersburg; so I am immune. The + worst they could do would be to order me out of the country, but even that + is unthinkable. If any one attempted to interfere with me, I have only to + act the hero of the penny novelette, draw myself up to my full height, + which, as you know, is not that of a pigmy, fold my arms across my manly + chest, cry, ‘Ha, ha!’ and sing ‘Rule Britannia,’ whereupon the villains + would wilt and withdraw. But Jack has no such security. He is a Russian + subject, and, prince or commoner, the authorities here could do what they + liked with him. I always think of things when it is too late to act. I + wish I had urged Jack ashore at Bar Harbor, and induced him to take the + oath of allegiance to the United States. I spoke to him about that coming + home in the carriage, and to my amazement he said he wished he had thought + of it himself at the time we were over there. + </p> + <p> + “But enough of this. I daresay he is in no real danger after all. + Nevertheless, I shall induce him to pack to-morrow, and we will make for + London together, so my next letter will bear a British stamp, and I assure + you the air of England will taste good to one benighted Britisher whose + name is Alan Drummond.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X —CALAMITY UNSEEN + </h2> + <p> + THE habit of industry practised from childhood to maturity is not + obliterated by an unexpected shower of gold. Dorothy was an early riser, + and one morning, entering the parlor from her room she saw, lying upon the + table, a letter with a Russian stamp, but addressed in an unknown hand to + her friend Katherine Kempt. She surmised that here was the first + communication from the Prince, and expected to learn all about it during + the luncheon hour at the latest. But the morning and afternoon passed, and + Katherine made no sign, which Dorothy thought was most unusual. All that + day and the next Katherine went about silent, sedate and serious, never + once quoting the humorous Mr. Gilbert. On the third morning Dorothy was + surprised, emerging from her room, to see Katherine standing by the table, + a black book in her hand. On the table lay a large package from New York, + recently opened, displaying a number of volumes in what might be termed + serious binding, leather or cloth, but none showing that high coloring + which distinguishes the output of American fiction. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Dorothy. The early bird is after the worm of science.” She + held forth the volume in her hand. “Steele’s ‘Fourteen-Weeks’ Course in + Chemistry,’ an old book, but fascinatingly written. Dorothy,” she + continued with a sigh, “I want to talk seriously with you.” + </p> + <p> + “About chemistry?” asked Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “About men,” said Katherine firmly, “and, incidentally, about women.” + </p> + <p> + “An interesting subject, Kate, but you’ve got the wrong text-books. You + should have had a parcel of novels instead.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy seated herself, and Katherine followed her example, Steele’s + “Fourteen-Weeks’ Course” resting in her lap. + </p> + <p> + “Every man,” began Katherine, “should have a guardian to protect him.” + </p> + <p> + “From women?” + </p> + <p> + “From all things that are deceptive, and not what they seem.” + </p> + <p> + “That sounds very sententious, Kate. What does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + “It means that man is a simpleton, easily taken in. He is too honest for + crafty women, who delude him shamelessly.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom have you been deluding, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I am a sneak.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Katherine, you are anything but that. You couldn’t do a mean or + ungenerous action if you tried your best.” + </p> + <p> + “You think, Dorothy, I could reform?” she asked, breathlessly, leaning + forward. + </p> + <p> + “Reform? You don’t need to reform. You are perfectly delightful as you + are, and I know no man who is worthy of you. That’s a woman’s opinion; one + who knows you well, and there is nothing dishonest about the opinion, + either, in spite of your tirade against our sex.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, three days ago, be the same more or less, I received a letter + from John Lamont.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I saw it on the table, and surmised it was from him.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you? You were quite right. The reading of that letter has + revolutionized my character. I am a changed woman, Dorothy, and thoroughly + ashamed of myself. When I remember how I have deluded that poor, credulous + young man, in making him believe I understood even the fringe of what he + spoke about, it fills me with grief at my perfidy, but I am determined to + amend my ways if hard study will do it, and when next I see him I shall + talk to him worthily like a female Thomas A. Edison.” + </p> + <p> + Again Dorothy laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Now, that’s heartless of you, Dorothy. Don’t you see I’m in deadly + earnest? Must my former frivolity dog my steps through life? When I call + to mind that I made fun to you of his serious purpose in life, the thought + makes me cringe and despise myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, Kate, don’t go to the other extreme. I remember nothing you + have said that needs withdrawal. You have never made a malicious remark in + your life, Kate. Don’t make me defend you against yourself. You have + determined, I take it, to plunge into the subjects which interest the man + you are going to marry. That is a perfectly laudable ambition, and I am + quite sure you will succeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I know I don’t deserve all that, Dorothy, but I like it just the same. I + like people to believe in me, even if I sometimes lose faith in myself. + May I read you an extract from his letter?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t if you’d rather not.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather, Dorothy, if it doesn’t weary you, but you will understand + when you have heard it, in what a new light I regard myself.” + </p> + <p> + The letter proved to be within the leaves of the late Mr. Steele’s book on + Chemistry, and from this volume she extracted it, pressed it for a moment + against her breast with her open hand, gazing across at her friend. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, my first love-letter!” + </p> + <p> + She turned the crisp, thin pages, and began: + </p> + <p> + “‘You may recollect that foot-note which you marked with red ink in the + book you so kindly gave me on the subject of Catalysis, which did not + pertain to the subject of the volume in question, and yet was so + illuminative to any student of chemistry. They have done a great deal with + Catalysis in Germany with amazing commercial results, but the subject is + one so recent that I had not previously gone thoroughly into it.’” + </p> + <p> + Katherine paused in the reading, and looked across at her auditor, an + expression almost of despair in her eloquent eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, what under heaven is Catalysis?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t ask me,” replied Dorothy, suppressing a laugh, struck by the + ludicrousness of any young and beautiful woman pressing any such + sentiments as these to her bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever heard of a Catalytic process, Dorothy?” beseeched + Katherine. “It is one of the phrases he uses.” + </p> + <p> + “Never; go on with the letter, Kate.” + </p> + <p> + “‘I saw at once that if I could use Catalytic process which would be + instantaneous in its solidifying effect on my liquid limestone, instead of + waiting upon slow evaporation, I could turn out building stone faster than + one can make brick. You, I am sure, with your more alert mind, saw this + when you marked that passage in red.’” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” almost whimpered Katherine, leaning back, “how can I go on? + Don’t you see what a sneak I am? It was bad enough to cozen with my + heedless, random markings of the book, but to think that line of red ink + might have been marked in his blood, for I nearly sent the poor boy to his + death.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on, Katherine, go on, go on!” + </p> + <p> + “‘In my search for a Catalytic whose substance would remain unchanged + after the reaction, I quite overlooked the chemical ingredients of one of + the materials I was dealing with, and the result was an explosion which + nearly blew the roof off the shop, and quite startled poor Drummond out of + a year’s growth. However, no real harm has been done, while I have been + taught a valuable lesson; to take into account all the elements I am + using. I must not become so intent on the subject I am pursuing as to + ignore everything else.’ And now, Dorothy, I want to ask you a most + intimate question, which I beg of you to answer as frankly as I have + confided in you.” + </p> + <p> + “I know what your question is, Kate. A girl who is engaged wishes to see + her friend in the same position. You would ask me if I am in love with + Alan Drummond, and I answer perfectly frankly that I am not.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite sure of that, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite. He is the only man friend I have had, except my own father, and I + willingly confess to a sisterly interest in him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that is all—” + </p> + <p> + “It is all, Kate. Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there is something about him in this letter, which I would read + to you if I thought you didn’t care.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is in love with Jack’s sister, very likely. I should think that + would be a most appropriate arrangement. Jack is his best friend, and + perhaps a lover would weaken the influence which Tolstoi exerts over an + emotional person’s mind. Lieutenant Drummond, with his sanity, would + probably rescue a remnant of her estates.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, if you can talk as indifferently as that, you are all right, + Dorothy. No, there is no other woman in the case. Here’s what Jack says: + </p> + <p> + “‘It is amazing how little an Englishman understands people of other + nations. Here is my tall friend Drummond marching nonchalantly among + dangers of which he has not the least conception. The authorities whom he + thinks so courteous are fooling him to the top of his bent. There is, of + course, no danger of his arrest, but nevertheless the eyes of the police + are upon him, and he will not believe it, any more than he will believe he + is being hoodwinked by the Foreign Minister. What I fear is that he will + be bludgeoned on the street some dark night, or involved in a one-sided + duel. Twice I have rescued him from an imminent danger which he has not + even seen. Once in a restaurant a group of officers, apparently drunk, + picked a quarrel and drew swords upon him. I had the less difficulty in + getting him away because he fears a broil, or anything that will call down + upon him the attention of his wooden-headed cousin in the Embassy. On + another occasion as we were coming home toward midnight, a perfectly bogus + brawl broke out suddenly all around us. Drummond was unarmed, but his huge + fists sent sprawling two or three of his assailants. I had a revolver, and + held the rest off, and so we escaped. I wish he was safely back in London + again.’ What do you think of that, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + “I think exactly what Mr. Lamont thinks. Lieutenant Drummond’s mission to + Russia seems to me a journey of folly.” + </p> + <p> + “After all, I am glad you don’t care, Dorothy. He should pay attention to + what Jack says, for Jack knows Russia, and he doesn’t. Still, let us hope + he will come safely out of St. Petersburg. And now, Dot, for breakfast, + because I must get to work.” + </p> + <p> + Next morning Dorothy saw a letter for herself on the table in the now + familiar hand-writing, and was more relieved than perhaps she would have + confessed even to her closest friend, when she saw the twopence-halfpenny + English stamp on the envelope. Yet its contents were startling enough, and + this letter she did not read to Katherine Kempt, but bore its anxiety + alone. + </p> + <p> + DEAR MISS AMHURST: + </p> + <p> + I write you in great trouble of mind, not trusting this letter to the + Russian post-office, but sending it by an English captain to be posted in + London. Two days ago Jack Lamont disappeared; a disappearance as complete + as if he had never existed. The night before last, about ten o’clock, I + thought I heard him come into his shop below my room. Sometimes he works + there till daylight, and as, when absorbed in his experiments, he does not + relish interruptions, even from me, I go on with my reading until he comes + upstairs. Toward eleven o’clock I thought I heard slight sounds of a + scuffle, and a smothered cry. I called out to him, but received no answer. + Taking a candle, I went downstairs, but everything was exactly as usual, + the doors locked, and not even a bench overturned. I called aloud, but + only the echo of this barn of a room replied. I lit the gas and made a + more intelligent search, but with no result. I unlocked the door, and + stood out in the street, which was quite silent and deserted. I began to + doubt that I had heard anything at all, for, as I have told you, my nerves + lately have been rather prone to the jumps. I sat up all night waiting for + him, but he did not come. Next day I went, as had been previously + arranged, to the Foreign Office, but was kept waiting in an anteroom for + two hours, and then told that the Minister could not see me. I met a + similar repulse at the Admiralty. I dined alone at the restaurant Jack and + I frequent, but saw nothing of him. This morning he has not returned, and + I am at my wit’s end, not in the least knowing what to do. It is useless + for me to appeal to the embassy of my country, for, Jack being a Russian, + it has no jurisdiction. The last letter I received from you was tampered + with. The newspaper extract you spoke of was not there, and one of the + sheets of the letter was missing. Piffling business, I call it, this + interfering with private correspondence. + </p> + <p> + Such was the last letter that Alan Drummond was ever to send to Dorothy + Amhurst. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI —THE SNOW + </h2> + <p> + SUMMER waned; the evenings became chill, although the sun pretended at + noon that its power was undiminished. Back to town from mountain and sea + shore filtered the warm-weather idlers, but no more letters came from St. + Petersburg to the hill by the Hudson. So far as our girls were concerned, + a curtain of silence had fallen between Europe and America. + </p> + <p> + The flat was now furnished, and the beginning of autumn saw it occupied by + the two friends. Realization in this instance lacked the delight of + anticipation. At last Katherine was the bachelor girl she had longed to + be, but the pleasures of freedom were as Dead Sea fruit to the lips. At + last Dorothy was effectually cut off from all thoughts of slavery, with + unlimited money to do what she pleased with, yet after all, of what + advantage was it in solving the problem that haunted her by day and filled + her dreams by night. She faced the world with seeming unconcern, for she + had not the right to mourn, even if she knew he were dead. He had made no + claim; had asked for no affection; had written no word to her but what all + the world might read. Once a week she made a little journey up the Hudson + to see how her church was coming on, and at first Katherine accompanied + her, but now she went alone. Katherine was too honest a girl to pretend an + interest where she felt none. She could not talk of architecture when she + was thinking of a man and his fate. At first she had been querulously + impatient when no second communication came. Her own letters, she said, + must have reached him, otherwise they would have been returned. Later, + dumb fear took possession of her, and she grew silent, plunged with + renewed energy into her books, joined a technical school, took lessons, + and grew paler and paler until her teachers warned her she was overdoing + it. Inwardly she resented the serene impassiveness of her friend, who + consulted calmly with the architect upon occasion about the decoration of + the church, when men’s liberty was gone, and perhaps their lives. She + built up within her mind a romance of devotion, by which her lover, + warning in vain the stolid Englishman, had at last been involved in the + ruin that Drummond’s stubbornness had brought upon them both, and unjustly + implicated the quiet woman by her side in the responsibility of this + sacrifice. Once or twice she spoke with angry impatience of Drummond and + his stupidity, but Dorothy neither defended nor excused, and so no open + rupture occurred between the two friends, for a quarrel cannot be + one-sided. + </p> + <p> + But with a woman of Katherine’s temperament the final outburst had to + come, and it came on the day that the first flurry of snow fell through + the still air, capering in large flakes past the windows of the flat down + to the muddy street far below. Katherine was standing by the window, with + her forehead leaning against the plate glass, in exactly the attitude that + had been her habit in the sewing-room at Bar Harbor, but now the staccato + of her fingers on the sill seemed to drum a Dead March of despair. The + falling snow had darkened the room, and one electric light was aglow over + the dainty Chippendale desk at which Dorothy sat writing a letter. The + smooth, regular flow of the pen over the paper roused Katherine to a + frenzy of exasperation. Suddenly she brought her clenched fist down on the + sill where her fingers had been drumming. + </p> + <p> + “My God,” she cried, “how can you sit there like an automaton with the + snow falling?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy put down her pen. + </p> + <p> + “The snow falling?” she echoed. “I don’t understand!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you don’t. You don’t think of the drifts in Siberia, and the + two men you have known, whose hands you have clasped, manacled, driven + through it with the lash of a Cossack’s whip.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy rose quietly, and put her hands on the shoulders of the girl, + feeling her frame tremble underneath her touch. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine,” she said, quietly, but Katherine, with a nervous twitch of + her shoulders flung off the friendly grasp. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t touch me,” she cried. “Go back to your letter-writing. You and the + Englishman are exactly alike; unfeeling, heartless. He with his selfish + stubbornness has involved an innocent man in the calamity his own + stupidity has brought about.” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine, sit down. I want to talk calmly with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Calmly! Calmly! Yes, that is the word. It is easy for you to be calm when + you don’t care. But I care, and I cannot be calm.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you wish to do, Katherine?” + </p> + <p> + “What can I do? I am a pauper and a dependent, but one thing I am + determined to do, and that is to go and live in my father’s house.” + </p> + <p> + “If you were in my place, what would you do Katherine?” + </p> + <p> + “I would go to Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do when you arrived there?” + </p> + <p> + “If I had wealth I would use it in such a campaign of bribery and + corruption in that country of tyrants that I should release two innocent + men. I’d first find out where they were, then I’d use all the influence I + possessed with the American Ambassador to get them set free.” + </p> + <p> + “The American Ambassador, Kate, cannot move to release either an + Englishman or a Russian.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d do it somehow. I wouldn’t sit here like a stick or a stone, writing + letters to my architect.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you go to Russia alone?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I should take my father with me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is an excellent idea, Kate. I advise you to go north by to-night’s + train, if you like, and see him, or telegraph to him to come and see us.” + </p> + <p> + Kate sat down, and Dorothy drew the curtains across the window pane and + snapped on the central cluster of electric lamps. + </p> + <p> + “Will you come with me if I go north?” asked Kate, in a milder tone than + she had hitherto used. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot. I am making an appointment with a man in this room to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “The architect, I suppose,” cried Kate with scorn. + </p> + <p> + “No, with a man who may or may not give me information of Lamont or + Drummond.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine stared at her open-eyed. + </p> + <p> + “Then you have been doing something?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been trying, but it is difficult to know what to do. I have + received information that the house in which Mr. Lamont and Mr. Drummond + lived is now deserted, and no one knows anything of its former occupants. + That information comes to me semi-officially, but it does not lead far. I + have started inquiry through more questionable channels; in other words, I + have invoked the aid of a Nihilist society, and although I am quite + determined to go to Russia with you, do not be surprised if I am arrested + the moment I set foot in St. Petersburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, why did you not let me know?” + </p> + <p> + “I was anxious to get some good news to give you, but it has not come + yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” moaned Katherine, struggling to keep back the tears that + would flow in spite of her. Dorothy patted her on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “You have been a little unjust,” she said, “and I am going to prove that + to you, so that in trying to make amends you may perhaps stop brooding + over this crisis that faces two poor lone women. You wrong the Englishman, + as you call him. Jack was arrested at least two days before he was. + Nihilist spies say that both of them were arrested, the Prince first, and + the Englishman several days later. I had a letter from Mr. Drummond a + short time after you received yours from Mr. Lamont. I never showed it to + you, but now things are so bad that they cannot be worse, and you are at + liberty to read the letter if you wish to do so. It tells of Jack’s + disappearance, and of Drummond’s agony of mind and helplessness in St. + Petersburg. Since he has never written again, I am sure he was arrested + later. I don’t know which of the two was most at fault for what you call + stubbornness, but I believe the explosion had more to do with the arrests + than any action of theirs.” + </p> + <p> + “And I was the cause of that,” wailed Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my dear girl. No one is to blame but the tyrant of Russia. Now + the Nihilists insist that neither of these men has been sent to Siberia. + They think they are in the prison of ‘St. Peter and St. Paul.’ That + information came to me to-day in the letter I was just now answering. So, + Katherine, I think you have been unjust to the Englishman. If he had been + arrested first, there might be some grounds for what you charge, but they + evidently gave him a chance to escape. He had his warning in the + disappearance of his friend, and he had several days in which to get out + of St. Petersburg, but he stood his ground.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry, Dorothy. I’m a silly fool, and to-day, when I saw the snow—well, + I got all wrought up.” + </p> + <p> + “I think neither of the men are in the snow, and now I am going to say + something else, and then never speak of the subject again. You say I + didn’t care, and of course you are quite right, for I confessed to you + that I didn’t. But just imagine—imagine—that I cared. The + Russian Government can let the Prince go at any moment, and there’s + nothing more to be said. He has no redress, and must take the consequences + of his nationality. But if the Russian Government have arrested the + Englishman; if they have put him in the prison of ‘St. Peter and St. + Paul,’ they dare not release him, unless they are willing to face war. The + Russian Government can do nothing in his case but deny, demand proof, and + obliterate all chance of the truth ever being known. Alan Drummond is + doomed: they dare not release him. Now think for a moment how much worse + my case would be than yours, if—if—” her voice quivered and + broke for the moment, then with tightly clenched fists she recovered + control of herself, and finished: “if I cared.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy, Dorothy, Dorothy!” gasped Katherine, springing to her feet. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, don’t jump at any false conclusion. We are both nervous wrecks + this afternoon. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t care—I don’t care, + except that I hate tyranny, and am sorry for the victims of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, Dorothy!” + </p> + <p> + “We need a sane man in the house, Kate. Telegraph for your father to come + down and talk to us both. I must finish my letter to the Nihilist.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy!” said Katherine, kissing her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII —THE DREADED TROGZMONDOFF + </h2> + <p> + THE Nihilist was shown into the dainty drawing room of the flat, and found + Dorothy Amhurst alone, as he had stipulated, waiting for him. He was + dressed in a sort of naval uniform and held a peaked cap in his hand, + standing awkwardly there as one unused to luxurious surroundings. His face + was bronzed with exposure to sun and storm, and although he appeared to be + little more than thirty years of age his closely cropped hair was white. + His eyes were light blue, and if ever the expression of a man’s + countenance betokened stalwart honesty, it was the face of this sailor. He + was not in the least Dorothy’s idea of a dangerous plotter. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down,” she said, and he did so like a man ill at ease. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose Johnson is not your real name,” she began. + </p> + <p> + “It is the name I bear in America, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind my asking you some questions?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Madam, but if you ask me anything I am not allowed to answer I shall + not reply.” + </p> + <p> + “How long have you been in the United States?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a few months, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “How come you to speak English so well?” + </p> + <p> + “In my young days I shipped aboard a bark plying between Helsingfors and + New York.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a Russian?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a Finlander, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been a sailor all your life?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Madam. For a time I was an unimportant officer on board a battleship + in the Russian Navy, until I was discovered to be a Nihilist, when I was + cast into prison. I escaped last May, and came to New York.” + </p> + <p> + “What have you been doing since you arrived here?” + </p> + <p> + “I was so fortunate as to become mate on the turbine yacht ‘The Walrus,’ + owned by Mr. Stockwell.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s the multi-millionaire whose bank failed a month ago?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “But does he still keep a yacht?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Madam. I think he has never been aboard this one, although it is + probably the most expensive boat in these waters. I am told it cost + anywhere from half a million to a million. She was built by Thornycroft, + like a cruiser, with Parson’s turbine engines in her. After the failure, + Captain and crew were discharged, and I am on board as a sort of watchman + until she is sold, but there is not a large market for a boat like ‘The + Walrus,’ and I am told they will take the fittings out of her, and sell + her as a cruiser to one of the South American republics.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Johnson, you ought to be a reliable man, if the Court has put + you in charge of so valuable a property.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I am considered honest, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do you come to me asking ten thousand dollars for a letter which + you say was written to me, and which naturally belongs to me?” + </p> + <p> + The man’s face deepened into a mahogany brown, and he shifted his cap + uneasily in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I am not acting for myself. I am Secretary of the Russian + Liberation Society. They, through their branch at St. Petersburg, have + conducted some investigations on your behalf.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for which I paid them very well.” + </p> + <p> + Johnson bowed. + </p> + <p> + “Our object, Madam, is the repression of tyranny. For that we are in + continual need of money. It is the poor, and not the millionaires, who + subscribe to our fund. It has been discovered that you are a rich woman, + who will never miss the money asked, and so the demand was made. Believe + me, Madam, I am acting by the command of my comrades. I tried to persuade + them to leave compensation to your own generosity, but they refused. If + you consider their demand unreasonable, you have but to say so, and I will + return and tell them your decision.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you brought the letter with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I agree to your terms before seeing it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you read it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think it worth ten thousand dollars?” + </p> + <p> + The sailor looked up at the decorated ceiling for several moments before + he replied. + </p> + <p> + “That is a question I cannot answer,” he said at last. “It all depends on + what you think of the writer.” + </p> + <p> + “Answer one more question. By whom is the letter signed?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no signature, Madam. It was found in the house where the two + young men lived. Our people searched the house from top to bottom + surreptitiously, and they think the writer was arrested before he had + finished the letter. There is no address, and nothing to show for whom it + is intended, except the phrase beginning, ‘My dearest Dorothy.’” + </p> + <p> + The girl leaned back in her chair, and drew a long breath. “It is not for + me,” she said, hastily; then bending forward, she cried suddenly: + </p> + <p> + “I agree to your terms: give it to me.” + </p> + <p> + The man hesitated, fumbling in his inside pocket. + </p> + <p> + “I was to get your promise in writing,” he demurred. + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me, give it to me,” she demanded. “I do not break my word.” + </p> + <p> + He handed her the letter. + </p> + <p> + “My dearest Dorothy,” she read, in writing well known to her. “You may + judge my exalted state of mind when you see that I dare venture on such a + beginning. I have been worrying myself and other people all to no purpose. + I have received a letter from Jack this morning, and so suspicious had I + grown that for a few moments I suspected the writing was but an imitation + of his. He is a very impulsive fellow, and can think of only one thing at + a time, which accounts for his success in the line of invention. He was + telegraphed to that his sister was ill, and left at once to see her. I had + allowed my mind to become so twisted by my fears for his safety that, as I + tell you, I suspected the letter to be counterfeit at first. I telegraphed + to his estate, and received a prompt reply saying that his sister was much + better, and that he was already on his way back, and would reach me at + eleven to-night. So that’s what happens when a grown man gets a fit of + nerves. I drew the most gloomy conclusions from the fact that I had been + refused admission to the Foreign Office and the Admiralty. Yesterday that + was all explained away. The business is at last concluded, and I was shown + copies of the letters which have been forwarded to my own chiefs at home. + Nothing could be more satisfactory. To-morrow Jack and I will be off to + England together. + </p> + <p> + “My dearest Dorothy (second time of asking), I am not a rich man, but + then, in spite of your little fortune of Bar Harbor, you are not a rich + woman, so we stand on an equality in that, even though you are so much my + superior in everything else. I have five hundred pounds a year, which is + something less than two thousand five hundred dollars, left me by my + father. This is independent of my profession. I am very certain I will + succeed in the Navy now that the Russian Government has sent those + letters, so, the moment I was assured of that, I determined to write and + ask you to be my wife. Will you forgive my impatience, and pander to it by + cabling to me at the Bluewater Club, Pall Mall, the word ‘Yes’ or the word + ‘Undecided’? I shall not allow you the privilege of cabling ‘No.’ And + please give me a chance of pleading my case in person, if you use the + longer word. Ah, I hear Jack’s step on the stair. Very stealthily he is + coming, to surprise me, but I’ll surprise—” + </p> + <p> + Here the writing ended. She folded the letter, and placed it in her desk, + sitting down before it. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I make the check payable to you, or to the Society?” + </p> + <p> + “To the Society, if you please, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall write it for double the amount asked. I also am a believer in + liberty.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Madam, that is a generosity I feel we do not deserve. I should like + to have given you the letter after all you have done for us with no + conditions attached.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite sure of that,” said Dorothy, bending over her writing. She + handed him the check, and he rose to go. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down again, if you please. I wish to talk further with you. Your + people in St. Petersburg think my friends have not been sent to Siberia? + Are they sure of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Madam, they have means of knowing those who are transported, and + they are certain the two young men were not among the recent gangs sent. + They suppose them to be in the fortress of ‘St. Peter and St. Paul’, at + least that’s what they say.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak as if you doubted it.” + </p> + <p> + “I do doubt it.” + </p> + <p> + “They have been sent to Siberia after all?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Madam, there are worse places than Siberia. In Siberia there is a + chance: in the dreadful Trogzmondoff there is none.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the Trogzmondoff?” + </p> + <p> + “A bleak ‘Rock in the Baltic,’ Madam, the prison in which death is the + only goal that releases the victim.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy rose trembling, staring at him, her lips white. + </p> + <p> + “‘A Rock in the Baltic!’ Is that a prison, and not a fortress, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It is both prison and fortress, Madam. If Russia ever takes the risk of + arresting a foreigner, it is to the Trogzmondoff he is sent. They drown + the victims there; drown them in their cells. There is a spring in the + rock, and through the line of cells it runs like a beautiful rivulet, but + the pulling of a lever outside stops the exit of the water, and drowns + every prisoner within. The bodies are placed one by one on a smooth, + inclined shute of polished sandstone, down which this rivulet runs so they + glide out into space, and drop two hundred feet into the Baltic Sea. No + matter in what condition such a body is found, or how recent may have been + the execution, it is but a drowned man in the Baltic. There are no marks + of bullet or strangulation, and the currents bear them swiftly away from + the rock.” + </p> + <p> + “How come you to know all this which seems to have been concealed from the + rest of the world?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, Madam, for the best of reasons. I was sentenced this very year + to Trogzmondoff. In my youth trading between Helsingfors and New York, I + took out naturalization papers in New York, because I was one of the crew + on an American ship. When they illegally impressed me at Helsingfors and + forced me to join the Russian Navy, I made the best of a bad bargain, and + being an expert seaman, was reasonably well treated, and promoted, but at + last they discovered I was in correspondence with a Nihilist circle in + London, and when I was arrested, I demanded the rights of an American + citizen. That doomed me. I was sent, without trial, to the Trogzmondoff in + April of this year. Arriving there I was foolish enough to threaten, and + say my comrades had means of letting the United States Government know, + and that a battleship would teach the gaolers of the rock better manners. + </p> + <p> + “The cells hewn in the rock are completely dark, so I lost all count of + time. You might think we would know night from day by the bringing in of + our meals, but such was not the case. The gaoler brought in a large loaf + of black bread, and said it was to serve me for four days. He placed the + loaf on a ledge of rock about three feet from the floor, which served as + both table and bed. In excavating the cell this ledge had been left + intact, with a bench of stone rising from the floor opposite. Indeed, so + ingenious had been the workmen who hewed out this room that they carved a + rounded stone pillow at one end of the shelf. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know how many days I had been in prison when the explosion + occurred. It made the whole rock quiver, and I wondered what had happened. + Almost immediately afterward there seemed to be another explosion, not + nearly so harsh, which I thought was perhaps an echo of the first. About + an hour later my cell door was unlocked, and the gaoler, with another man + holding a lantern, came in. My third loaf of black bread was partly + consumed, so I must have been in prison nine or ten days. The gaoler took + the loaf outside, and when he returned. I asked him what had happened. He + answered in a surly fashion that my American warship had fired at the + rock, and that the rock had struck back, whereupon she sailed away, + crippled.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy, who had been listening intently to this discourse, here + interrupted with: + </p> + <p> + “It was an English war-ship that fired the shell, and the Russian shot did + not come within half a mile of her.” + </p> + <p> + The sailor stared at her in wide-eyed surprise. + </p> + <p> + “You see, I have been making inquiries,” she explained. “Please go on.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard that it was an English ship. The gaoler sneered at me, and + said he was going to send me after the American vessel, as I suppose he + thought it was. I feared by his taking away of the bread that it was + intended to starve me to death, and was sorry I had not eaten more at my + last meal. I lay down on the shelf of rock, and soon fell asleep. I was + awakened by the water lapping around me. The cell was intensely still. Up + to this I had always enjoyed the company of a little brook that ran along + the side of the cell farthest from the door. Its music had now ceased, and + when I sprang up I found myself to the waist in very cold water. I guessed + at once the use of the levers outside the cell in the passage which I had + noticed in the light of the lantern on the day I entered the place, and I + knew now why it was that the prison door was not pierced by one of those + gratings which enable the gaoler in the passage to look into the cell any + time of night or day. Prisoners have told me that the uncertainty of an + inmate who never knew when he might be spied upon added to the horror of + the situation, but the water-tight doors of the Trogzmondoff are free from + this feature, and for a very sinister reason. + </p> + <p> + “The channel in the floor through which the water runs when the cell is + empty, and the tunnel at the ceiling through which the water flows when + the cell is full, give plenty of ventilation, no matter how tightly the + door may be closed. The water rose very gradually until it reached the top + outlet, then its level remained stationary. I floated on the top quite + easily, with as little exertion as was necessary to keep me in that + position. If I raised my head, my brow struck the ceiling. The next cell + to mine, lower down, was possibly empty. I heard the water pour into it + like a little cataract. The next cell above, and indeed all the cells in + that direction were flooded like my own. Of course it was no trouble for + me to keep afloat; my only danger was that the intense coldness of the + water would numb my body beyond recovery. Still, I had been accustomed to + hardships of that kind before now, in the frozen North. At last the gentle + roar of the waterfall ceased, and I realized my cell was emptying itself. + When I reached my shelf again, I stretched my limbs back and forth as + strenuously as I could, and as silently, for I wished no sound to give any + hint that I was still alive, if, indeed, sound could penetrate to the + passage, which is unlikely. Even before the last of the water had run away + from the cell, I lay stretched out at full length on the floor, hoping I + might have steadiness enough to remain death-quiet when the men came in + with the lantern. I need have had no fear. The door was opened, one of the + men picked me up by the heels, and, using my legs as if they were the + shafts of a wheelbarrow, dragged me down the passage to the place where + the stream emerged from the last cell, and into this torrent he flung me. + There was one swift, brief moment of darkness, then I shot, feet first, + into space, and dropped down, down, down through the air like a plummet, + into the arms of my mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Into what?” cried Dorothy, white and breathless, thinking the recital of + these agonies had turned the man’s brain. + </p> + <p> + “The Baltic, Madam, is the Finlander’s mother. It feeds him in life, + carries him whither he wishes to go, and every true Finlander hopes to die + in her arms. The Baltic seemed almost warm after what I had been through, + and the taste of the salt on my lips was good. It was a beautiful + starlight night in May, and I floated around the rock, for I knew that in + a cove on the eastern side, concealed from all view of the sea, lay a + Finland fishing-boat, a craft that will weather any storm, and here in the + water was a man who knew how to handle it. Prisoners are landed on the + eastern side, and such advantage is taken of the natural conformation of + this precipitous rock, that a man climbing the steep zigzag stairway which + leads to the inhabited portion is hidden from sight of any craft upon the + water even four or five hundred yards away. Nothing seen from the outside + gives any token of habitation. The fishing-boat, I suppose, is kept for + cases of emergency, that the Governor may communicate with the shore if + necessary. I feared it might be moored so securely that I could not + unfasten it. Security had made them careless, and the boat was tied merely + by lines to rings in the rock, the object being to keep her from bruising + her sides against the stone, rather than to prevent any one taking her + away. I pushed her out into the open, got quietly inside, and floated with + the swift tide, not caring to raise a sail until I was well out of gunshot + distance. Once clear of the rock I spread canvas, and by daybreak was long + out of sight of land. I made for Stockholm, and there being no mark or + name on the boat to denote that it belonged to the Russian Government, I + had little difficulty in selling it. I told the authorities what was + perfectly true: that I was a Finland sailor escaping from the tyrant of my + country, and anxious to get to America. As such events are happening + practically every week along the Swedish coast I was not interfered with, + and got enough money from the sale of the boat to enable me to dress + myself well, and take passage to England, and from there first-class to + New York on a regular liner. + </p> + <p> + “Of course I could have shipped as a sailor from Stockholm easy enough, + but I was tired of being a common sailor, and expected, if I was + respectably clothed, to get a better position than would otherwise be the + case. This proved true, for crossing the ocean I became acquainted with + Mr. Stockwell, and he engaged me as mate of his yacht. That’s how I + escaped from the Trogzmondoff, Madam, and I think no one but a Finlander + could have done it.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you,” said Dorothy. “You think these two men I have + been making inquiry about have been sent to the Trogzmondoff?” + </p> + <p> + “The Russian may not be there, Madam, but the Englishman is sure to be + there.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the cannon on the western side of the rock?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, Madam. I never saw the western side by daylight. I noticed + nothing on the eastern side as I was climbing the steps, to show that any + cannon was on the Trogzmondoff at all.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you had no opportunity of finding out how many men garrison the + rock?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Madam. I don’t think the garrison is large. The place is so secure + that it doesn’t need many men to guard it. Prisoners are never taken out + for exercise, and, as I told you, they are fed but once in four days.” + </p> + <p> + “How large a crew can ‘The Walrus’ carry?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, as many as you like, Madam. The yacht is practically an ocean liner.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any landing stage on the eastern side of the rock?” + </p> + <p> + “Practically none, Madam. The steamer stood out, and I was landed in the + cove I spoke of at the foot of the stairway.” + </p> + <p> + “It wouldn’t be possible to bring a steamer like ‘The Walrus’ alongside + the rock, then?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be possible in calm weather, but very dangerous even then.” + </p> + <p> + “Could you find that rock if you were in command of a ship sailing the + Baltic?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, Madam.” + </p> + <p> + “If twenty or thirty determined men were landed on the stairway, do you + think they could capture the garrison?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if they were landed secretly, but one or two soldiers at the top + with repeating rifles might hold the stairway against an army, while their + ammunition lasted.” + </p> + <p> + “But if a shell were fired from the steamer, might not the attacking + company get inside during the confusion among the defenders?” + </p> + <p> + “That is possible, Madam, but a private steamer firing shells, or, indeed, + landing a hostile company, runs danger of meeting the fate of a pirate.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not care to try it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I? Oh, I should be delighted to try it, if you allow me to select the + crew. I can easily get aboard the small arms and ammunition necessary, but + I am not so sure about the cannon.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good. I need not warn you to be extremely cautious regarding those + you take into your confidence. Meanwhile, I wish you to communicate with + the official who is authorized to sell the yacht. I am expecting a + gentleman to-morrow in whose name the vessel will probably be bought, and + I am hoping he will accept the captaincy of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he capable of filling that position, Madam? Is he a sailor?” + </p> + <p> + “He was for many years captain in the United States Navy. I offer you the + position of mate, but I will give you captain’s pay, and a large bonus in + addition if you faithfully carry out my plans, whether they prove + successful or not. I wish you to come here at this hour to-morrow, with + whoever is authorized to sell or charter the steamer. You may say I am + undecided whether to buy or charter. I must consult Captain Kempt on that + point.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Madam, I shall be here this time to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII —ENTRAPPED + </h2> + <p> + PRINCE IVAN LERMONTOFF came to consider the explosion one of the luckiest + things that had ever occurred in his workshop. Its happening so soon after + he reached St. Petersburg he looked upon as particularly fortunate, + because this gave him time to follow the new trend of thought along which + his mind had been deflected by such knowledge as the unexpected outcome of + his experiment had disclosed to him. The material he had used as a + catalytic agent was a new substance which he had read of in a scientific + review, and he had purchased a small quantity of it in London. If such a + minute portion produced results so tremendous, he began to see that a man + with an apparently innocent material in his waistcoat pocket might + probably be able to destroy a naval harbor, so long as water and stone + were in conjunction. There was also a possibility that a small quantity of + ozak, as the stuff was called, mixed with pure water, would form a + reducing agent for limestone, and perhaps for other minerals, which would + work much quicker than if the liquid was merely impregnated with carbonic + acid gas. He endeavored to purchase some ozak from Mr. Kruger, the chemist + on the English quay, but that good man had never heard of it, and a day’s + search persuaded him that it could not be got in St. Petersburg, so the + Prince induced Kruger to order half a pound of it from London or Paris, in + which latter city it had been discovered. For the arrival of this order + the Prince waited with such patience as he could call to his command, and + visited poor Mr. Kruger every day in the hope of receiving it. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon he was delighted to hear that the box had come, although it + had not yet been unpacked. + </p> + <p> + “I will send it to your house this evening,” said the chemist. “There are + a number of drugs in the box for your old friend Professor Potkin of the + University, and he is even more impatient for his consignment than you are + for yours. Ah, here he is,” and as he spoke the venerable Potkin himself + entered the shop. + </p> + <p> + He shook hands warmly with Lermontoff, who had always been a favorite + pupil of his, and learned with interest that he had lately been to England + and America. + </p> + <p> + “Cannot you dine with me this evening at half-past five?” asked the old + man. “There are three or four friends coming, to whom I shall be glad to + introduce you.” + </p> + <p> + “Truth to tell, Professor,” demurred the Prince, “I have a friend staying + with me, and I don’t just like to leave him alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring him with you, bring him with you,” said the Professor, “but in any + case be sure you come yourself. I shall be expecting you. Make your + excuses to your friend if he does not wish to endure what he might think + dry discussion, because we shall talk nothing but chemistry and politics.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince promised to be there whether his friend came or no. The chemist + here interrupted them, and told the Professor he might expect his + materials within two hours. + </p> + <p> + “And your package,” he said to the Prince, “I shall send about the same + time. I have been very busy, and can trust no one to unpack this box but + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not trouble to send it, and in any case I don’t wish to run the + risk of having it delivered at a wrong address by your messenger. I cannot + afford to wait so long as would be necessary to duplicate the order. I am + dining with the Professor to-night, so will drive this way, and take the + parcel myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said the chemist, “it would be more convenient if I sent your + parcel to Professor Potkin’s house?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Prince decisively, “I shall call for it about five + o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor laughed. + </p> + <p> + “We experimenters,” he said, “never trust each other,” so they shook hands + and parted. + </p> + <p> + On returning to his workshop, Lermontoff bounded up the stairs, and hailed + his friend the Lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Drummond, I’m going to dine to-night with Professor Potkin of the + University, my old teacher in chemistry. His hour is half-past five, and + I’ve got an invitation for you. There will be several scientists present, + and no women. Will you come?” + </p> + <p> + “I’d a good deal rather not,” said the Englishman, “I’m wiring into these + books, and studying strategy; making plans for an attack upon Kronstadt.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you take my advice, Alan, and don’t leave any of those plans round + where the St. Petersburg police will find them. Such a line of study is + carried on much safer in London than here. You’d be very welcome, + Drummond, and the old boy would be glad to see you. You don’t need to + bother about evening togs—plain living and high thinking, you know. + I’m merely going to put on a clean collar and a new tie, as sufficient for + the occasion.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather not go, Jack, if you don’t mind. If I’m there you’ll all be + trying to talk English or French, and so I’d feel myself rather a damper + on the company. Besides, I don’t know anything about science, and I’m + trying to learn something about strategy. What time do you expect to be + back?” + </p> + <p> + “Rather early; ten or half-past.” + </p> + <p> + “Good, I’ll wait up for you.” + </p> + <p> + At five o’clock Jack was at the chemist’s and received his package. On + opening it he found the ozak in two four-ounce, glass-stoppered bottles, + and these he put in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Will you give me three spray syringes, as large a size as you have, + rubber, glass, and metal. I’m not sure but this stuff will attack one or + other of them, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life running down + to your shop.” + </p> + <p> + Getting the syringes, he jumped into his cab, and was driven to the + Professor’s. + </p> + <p> + “You may call for me at ten,” he said to the cabman. + </p> + <p> + There were three others besides the Professor and himself, and they were + all interested in learning the latest scientific news from New York and + London. + </p> + <p> + It was a quarter past ten when the company separated. Lermontoff stepped + into his cab, and the driver went rattling up the street. In all the talk + the Prince had said nothing of his own discovery, and now when he found + himself alone his mind reverted to the material in his pocket, and he was + glad the cabman was galloping his horse, that he might be the sooner in + his workshop. Suddenly he noticed that they were dashing down a street + which ended at the river. + </p> + <p> + “I say,” he cried to the driver, “you’ve taken the wrong turning. This is + a blind street. There’s neither quay nor bridge down here. Turn back.” + </p> + <p> + “I see that now,” said the driver over his shoulder. “I’ll turn round at + the end where it is wider.” + </p> + <p> + He did turn, but instead of coming up the street again, dashed through an + open archway which led into the courtyard of a large building fronting the + Neva. The moment the carriage was inside, the gates clanged shut. + </p> + <p> + “Now, what in the name of Saint Peter do you mean by this?” demanded the + Prince angrily. + </p> + <p> + The cabman made no reply, but from a door to the right stepped a tall, + uniformed officer, who said: + </p> + <p> + “Orders, your Highness, orders. The isvoshtchik is not to blame. May I beg + of your Highness to accompany me inside?” + </p> + <p> + “Who the devil are you?” demanded the annoyed nobleman. + </p> + <p> + “I am one who is called upon to perform a disagreeable duty, which your + Highness will make much easier by paying attention to my requests.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I under arrest?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not said so, Prince Ivan.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I demand that the gates be opened that I may return home, where more + important business awaits me than talking to a stranger who refuses to + reveal his identity.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will pardon me, Prince Lermontoff. I act, as the isvoshtchik + has acted, under compulsion. My identity is not in question. I ask you for + the second time to accompany me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, for the second time I inquire, am I under arrest? If so, show me + your warrant, and then I will go with you, merely protesting that whoever + issued such a warrant has exceeded his authority.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen nothing of a warrant, your Highness, and I think you are + confusing your rights with those pertaining to individuals residing in + certain countries you have recently visited.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no warrant, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I have none. I act on my superior’s word, and do not presume to question + it. May I hope that you will follow me without a further parley, which is + embarrassing to me, and quite unhelpful to yourself. I have been + instructed to treat you with every courtesy, but nevertheless force has + been placed at my disposal. I am even to take your word of honor that you + are unarmed, and your Highness is well aware that such leniency is seldom + shown in St. Petersburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, even if my word of honor failed to disarm me, your politeness + would. I carry a revolver. Do you wish it?” + </p> + <p> + “If your Highness will condescend to give it to me.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince held the weapon, butt forward, to the officer, who received it + with a gracious salutation. + </p> + <p> + “You know nothing of the reason for this action?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing whatever, your Highness.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going to take me?” + </p> + <p> + “A walk of less than three minutes will acquaint your Highness with the + spot.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well,” he said. “May I write a note to a friend who is waiting + up for me?” + </p> + <p> + “I regret, Highness, that no communications whatever can be allowed.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince stepped down from the vehicle, walked diagonally across a very + dimly lighted courtyard with his guide, entered that section of the + rectangular building which faced the Neva, passed along a hall with one + gas jet burning, then outside again, and immediately over a gang-plank + that brought him aboard a steamer. On the lower deck a passage ran down + the center of the ship, and along this the conductor guided his prisoner, + opened the door of a stateroom in which candles were burning, and a + comfortable bed turned down for occupancy. + </p> + <p> + “I think your Highness will find everything here that you need. If + anything further is required, the electric bell will summon an attendant, + who will get it for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I not to be confronted with whoever is responsible for my arrest?” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing of that, your Highness. My duty ends by escorting you + here. I must ask if you have any other weapon upon you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have not.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you give me your parole that you will not attempt to escape?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall escape if I can, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Excellency,” replied the officer, as suavely as if Lermontoff + had given his parole. Out of the darkness he called a tall, rough-looking + soldier, who carried a musket with a bayonet at the end of it. The soldier + took his stand beside the door of the cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Anything else?” asked the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing else, your Highness, except good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, by the way, I forgot to pay my cabman. Of course it isn’t his fault + that he brought me here.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall have pleasure in sending him to you, and again, good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night,” said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + He closed the door of his cabin, pulled out his note-book, and rapidly + wrote two letters, one of which he addressed to Drummond and the other to + the Czar. When the cabman came he took him within the cabin and closed the + door. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” he said in a loud voice that the sentry could overhear if he + liked, “how much do I owe you?” + </p> + <p> + The driver told him. + </p> + <p> + “That’s too much, you scoundrel,” he cried aloud, but as he did so he + placed three gold pieces in the palm of the driver’s hand together with + the two letters, and whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Get these delivered safely, and I’ll give you ten times this money if you + call on Prince Lermontoff at the address on that note.” + </p> + <p> + The man saluted, thanked him, and retired; a moment later he heard the + jingle of a bell, and then the steady throb of an engine. There was no + window to the stateroom, and he could not tell whether the steamer was + going up or down the river. Up, he surmised, and he suspected his + destination was Schlusselburg, the fortress-prison on an island at the + source of the Neva. He determined to go on deck and solve the question of + direction, but the soldier at the door brought down his gun and barred the + passage. + </p> + <p> + “I am surely allowed to go on deck?” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot pass without an order from the captain.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, send the captain to me, then.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare not leave the door,” said the soldier. + </p> + <p> + Lermontoff pressed the button, and presently an attendant came to learn + what was wanted. + </p> + <p> + “Will you ask the captain to come here?” + </p> + <p> + The steward departed, and shortly after returned with a big, bronzed, + bearded man, whose bulk made the stateroom seem small. + </p> + <p> + “You sent for the captain, and I am here.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I,” said the Prince jauntily. “My name is Lermontoff. Perhaps you + have heard of me?” + </p> + <p> + The captain shook his shaggy head. + </p> + <p> + “I am a Prince of Russia, and by some mistake find myself your passenger + instead of spending the night in my own house. Where are you taking me, + Captain?” + </p> + <p> + “It is forbidden that I should answer questions.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it also forbidden that I should go on deck?” + </p> + <p> + “The General said you were not to be allowed to leave this stateroom, as + you did not give your parole.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I escape from a steamer in motion, Captain?” + </p> + <p> + “It is easy to jump into the river, and perhaps swim ashore.” + </p> + <p> + “So he is a general, is he? Well, Captain, I’ll give you my parole that I + shall not attempt to swim the Neva on so cold a night as this.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot allow you on deck now,” said the Captain, “but when we are in + the Gulf of Finland you may walk the deck with the sentry beside you.” + </p> + <p> + “The Gulf of Finland!” cried Lermontoff. “Then you are going down the + river?” + </p> + <p> + The big Captain looked at him with deep displeasure clouding his brow, + feeling that he had been led to give away information which he should have + kept to himself. + </p> + <p> + “You are not going up to Schlusselburg, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I told your Highness that I am not allowed to answer questions. The + General, however, has given me a letter for you, and perhaps it may + contain all you may want to know.” + </p> + <p> + “The General has given you a letter, eh? Then why don’t you let me have + it?” + </p> + <p> + “He told me not to disturb you to-night, but place it before you at + breakfast to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we’re going to travel all night, are we?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Did the General say you should not allow me to see the letter to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “No, your Excellency; he just said, ‘Do not trouble his Highness to-night, + but give him this in the morning.’” + </p> + <p> + “In that case let me have it now.” + </p> + <p> + The Captain pulled a letter from his pocket and presented it to the + Prince. It contained merely the two notes which Lermontoff had written to + Drummond and to the Czar. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV —A VOYAGE INTO THE UNKNOWN + </h2> + <p> + AFTER the Captain left him, Lermontoff closed and bolted the door, then + sat down upon the edge of his bed to meditate upon the situation. He heard + distant bells ringing on shore somewhere, and looking at his watch saw it + was just eleven o’clock. It seemed incredible that three-quarters of an + hour previously he had left the hospitable doors of a friend, and now was + churning his way in an unknown steamer to an unknown destination. It + appeared impossible that so much could have happened in forty-five + minutes. He wondered what Drummond was doing, and what action he would + take when he found his friend missing. + </p> + <p> + However, pondering over the matter brought no solution of the mystery, so, + being a practical young man, he cast the subject from his mind, picked up + his heavy overcoat, which he had flung on the bed, and hung it up on the + hook attached to the door. As he did this his hand came in contact with a + tube in one of the pockets, and for a moment he imagined it was his + revolver, but he found it was the metal syringe he had purchased that + evening from the chemist. This set his thoughts whirling in another + direction. He took from an inside pocket one of the bottles of ozak, + examining it under the candle light, wishing he had a piece of rock with + which to experiment. Then with a yawn he replaced the materials in his + overcoat pocket, took off his boots, and threw himself on the bed, + thankful it was not an ordinary shelf bunk, but a generous and comfortable + resting-place. Now Katherine appeared before his closed eyes, and hand in + hand they wandered into dreamland together. + </p> + <p> + When he awoke it was pitch dark in his cabin. The candles, which he had + neglected to extinguish, had burned themselves out. The short, jerky + motion of the steamer indicated that he was aboard a small vessel, and + that this small vessel was out in the open sea. He believed that a noise + of some kind had awakened him, and this was confirmed by a knock at his + door which caused him to spring up and throw back the bolt. The steward + was there, but in the dim light of the passage he saw nothing of the + sentinel. He knew it was daylight outside. + </p> + <p> + “The Captain, Excellency, wishes to know if you will breakfast with him or + take your meal in your room?” + </p> + <p> + “Present my compliments to the Captain, and say I shall have great + pleasure in breakfasting with him.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be ready in a quarter of an hour, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good. Come for me at that time, as I don’t know my way about the + boat.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince washed himself, smoothed out his rumpled clothes as well as he + could, and put on his boots. While engaged in the latter operation the + door opened, and the big Captain himself entered, inclosed in glistening + oilskins. + </p> + <p> + “Hyvaa pyvaa, Highness,” said the Captain. “Will you walk the deck before + breakfast?” + </p> + <p> + “Good-day to you,” returned the Prince, “and by your salutation I take you + to be a Finn.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a native of Abo,” replied the Captain, “and as you say, a Finn, but + I differ from many of my countrymen, as I am a good Russian also.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there are not too many good Russians, and here is one who would + rather have heard that you were a good Finn solely.” + </p> + <p> + “It is to prevent any mistake,” replied the Captain, almost roughly, “that + I mention I am a good Russian.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, Captain, and as I am a good Russian also, perhaps good + Russian Number One can tell me to what part of the world he is conveying + good Russian Number Two, a man guiltless of any crime, and unwilling, at + this moment, to take an enforced journey.” + </p> + <p> + “We may both be good, but the day is not, Highness. It has been raining + during the night, and is still drizzling. I advise you to put on your + overcoat.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, Captain, I will.” + </p> + <p> + The Captain in most friendly manner took the overcoat from its hook, shook + it out, and held it ready to embrace its owner. Lermontoff shoved right + arm, then left, into the sleeves, hunched the coat up into place, and + buttoned it at the throat. + </p> + <p> + “Again, Captain, my thanks. Lead the way and I will follow.” + </p> + <p> + They emerged on deck into a dismal gray morning. No land or craft of any + kind was in sight. The horizon formed a small, close circle round the + ship. Clouds hung low, running before the wind, and bringing + intermittently little dashes of rain that seemed still further to compress + the walls of horizon. The sea was not what could be called rough, but + merely choppy and fretful, with short waves that would not have troubled a + larger craft. The steamer proved to be a small, undistinguished + dingy-looking boat, more like a commercial tramp than a government vessel. + An officer, apparently the mate, stood on the bridge, sinewy hands + grasping the rail, peering ahead into the white mist that was almost a + fog. The promenade deck afforded no great scope for pedestrianism, but + Captain and prisoner walked back and forth over the restricted space, + talking genially together as if they were old friends. Nevertheless there + was a certain cautious guardedness in the Captain’s speech; the wary craft + of an unready man who is in the presence of a person more subtle than + himself. The bluff Captain remembered he had been caught napping the night + before, when, after refusing to tell the Prince the direction of the + steamer, he had given himself away by mentioning the Gulf of Finland. + Lermontoff noticed this reluctance to plunge into the abyss of free + conversation, and so, instead of reassuring him he would ask no more + questions, he merely took upon his own shoulders the burden of the talk, + and related to the Captain certain wonders of London and New York. + </p> + <p> + The steward advanced respectfully to the Captain, and announced breakfast + ready, whereupon the two men followed him into a saloon not much larger + than the stateroom Lermontoff had occupied the night before, and not + nearly so comfortably furnished. A plenteous breakfast was supplied, + consisting principally of fish, steaming potatoes, black bread, and very + strong tea. The Captain swallowed cup after cup of this scalding beverage, + and it seemed to make him more and more genial as if it had been wine. + Indeed, as time went on he forgot that it was a prisoner who sat before + him, for quite innocently he said to the steward who waited on them: + </p> + <p> + “Have the poor devils below had anything to eat?” + </p> + <p> + “No orders, sir,” replied the steward. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, give them something—something hot. It may be their last + meal,” then turning, he met the gaze of the Prince, demanded roughly + another cup of tea, and explained: + </p> + <p> + “Three of the crew took too much vodka in St. Petersburg yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince nodded carelessly, as if he believed, and offered his open + cigarette case to the Captain, who shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I smoke a pipe,” he growled. + </p> + <p> + The Captain rose with his lighted pipe, and together they went up on deck + again. The Prince saw nothing more of the tall sentinel who had been his + guard the night before, so without asking permission he took it for + granted that his movements, now they were in the open sea, were + unrestricted, therefore he walked up and down the deck smoking cigarettes. + At the stroke of a bell the Captain mounted the bridge and the mate came + down. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly out of the thickness ahead loomed up a great black British + freighter making for St. Petersburg, as the Prince supposed. The two + steamers, big and little, were so close that each was compelled to sheer + off a bit; then the Captain turned on the bridge and seemed for a moment + uncertain what to do with his prisoner. A number of men were leaning over + the bulwarks of the British ship, and it would have been quite possible + for the person on one boat to give a message to those on the other. The + Prince, understanding the Captain’s quandary, looked up at him and smiled, + but made no attempt to take advantage of his predicament. Some one on + board the English ship shouted and fluttered a handkerchief, whereupon the + Prince waved his cigarette in the air, and the big boat disappeared in the + thickness of the east. + </p> + <p> + Lermontoff walked the deck, thinking very seriously about his situation, + and wondering where they intended to take him. If he were to be put in + prison, it must be in some place of detention on the coast of Finland, + which seemed strange, because he understood that the fortresses there were + already filled with dissatisfied inhabitants of that disaffected land. His + first impression had been that banishment was intended, and he had + expected to be landed at some Swedish or German port, but a chance remark + made by the Captain at breakfast inclined him to believe that there were + other prisoners on board not quite so favorably treated as himself. But + why should he be sent out of Russia proper, or even removed from St. + Petersburg, which, he was well aware, suffered from no lack of gaols. The + continued voyage of the steamer through an open sea again aroused the hope + that Stockholm was the objective point. If they landed him there it merely + meant a little temporary inconvenience, and, once ashore, he hoped to + concoct a telegram so apparently innocent that it would win through to his + friend, and give Drummond at least the knowledge of his abiding-place. The + thought of Drummond aroused all his old fear that the Englishman was to be + the real victim, and this enforced voyage was merely a convenient method + of getting himself out of the way. + </p> + <p> + After lunch a dismal drizzle set in that presently increased to a steady + downpour, which drove Lermontoff to his cabin, and that room being + unprovided with either window or electric light, the Prince struck a match + to one of the candles newly placed on the washstand. He pushed the + electric button summoning the steward, and, giving him some money, asked + if there was such a thing as a piece of stone on board, carried as + ballast, or for any other reason. The steward said he would inquire, and + finally returned with a sharpening stone used for the knives in the + galley. Bolting his door, Lermontoff began an experiment, and at once + forgot he was a prisoner. He filled the wash-basin with water, and opening + one of the glass-stoppered bottles, took out with the point of his knife a + most minute portion of the substance within, which he dissolved in the + water with no apparent effect. Standing the whetstone up on end, he filled + the glass syringe, and directed a fine, vaporous spray against the stone. + It dissolved before his eyes as a sand castle on the shore dissolves at + the touch of an incoming tide. + </p> + <p> + “By St. Peter of Russia!” he cried, “I’ve got it at last! I must write to + Katherine about this.” + </p> + <p> + Summoning the steward again to take away this fluid, and bring him another + pailful of fresh water, Lermontoff endeavored to extract some information + from the deferential young man. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever been in Stockholm?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Or in any of the German ports?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where we are making for now?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor when we shall reach our destination?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “You have some prisoners aboard?” + </p> + <p> + “Three drunken sailors, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s what the Captain said. But if it meant death for a sailor to + be drunk, the commerce of the world would speedily stop.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a government steamer, Excellency, and if a sailor here disobeys + orders he is guilty of mutiny. On a merchant vessel they would merely put + him in irons.” + </p> + <p> + “I see. Now do you want to earn a few gold pieces?” + </p> + <p> + “Excellency has been very generous to me already,” was the non-committal + reply of the steward, whose eyes nevertheless twinkled at the mention of + gold. + </p> + <p> + “Well, here’s enough to make a jingle in your pocket, and here are two + letters which you are to try to get delivered when you return to St. + Petersburg.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “You will do your best?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you succeed, I’ll make your fortune when I’m released.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Excellency.” + </p> + <p> + That night at dinner the Captain opened a bottle of vodka, and conversed + genially on many topics, without touching upon the particular subject of + liberty. He partook sparingly of the stimulant, and, to Lermontoff’s + disappointment, it did not in the least loosen his tongue, and thus, still + ignorant of his fate, the Prince turned in for the second night aboard the + steamer. + </p> + <p> + When he awoke next morning he found the engines had stopped, and, as the + vessel was motionless, surmised it had reached harbor. He heard the + intermittent chuck-chuck of a pony engine, and the screech of an + imperfectly-oiled crane, and guessed that cargo was being put ashore. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” he said to himself, “if my former sentinel is at the door they are + going to take me to prison. If he is absent, I am to be set free.” + </p> + <p> + He jumped up, threw back the bolt, opened the door. There was no one + there. In a very few minutes he was on deck, and found that the steamer + was lying in the lee of a huge rock, which reminded him of Mont St. Michel + in Normandy, except that it was about half again as high, and three times + as long, and that there were no buildings of any kind upon it, nor, + indeed, the least sign of human habitation. + </p> + <p> + The morning was fine; in the east the sun had just risen, and was flooding + the grim rock with a rosy light. Except this rock, no trace of land was + visible as far as the eye could see. Alongside the steamer was moored a + sailing-boat with two masts, but provided also with thole-pins, and sweeps + for rowing. The sails were furled, and she had evidently been brought to + the steamer’s side by means of the oars. Into this craft the crane was + lowering boxes, bags, and what-not, which three or four men were stowing + away. The mate was superintending this transshipment, and the Captain, + standing with his back against the deck-house, was handing one by one + certain papers, which Lermontoff took to be bills of lading, to a young + man who signed in a book for each he received. When this transaction was + completed, the young man saluted the Captain, and descended over the + ship’s side to the sail-boat. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Captain. At anchor, I see,” said Lermontoff. + </p> + <p> + “No, not at anchor. Merely lying here. The sea is too deep, and affords no + anchorage at this point.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are all these goods going?” + </p> + <p> + The Captain nodded his head at the rock, and Lermontoff gazed at it again, + running his eyes from top to bottom without seeing any vestige of + civilization. + </p> + <p> + “Then you lie to the lee of this rock, and the small boat takes the + supplies ashore?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” said the Captain. + </p> + <p> + “The settlement, I take it, is on the other side. What is it—a + lighthouse?” + </p> + <p> + “There’s no lighthouse,” said the Captain. + </p> + <p> + “Sort of coastguard, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, in a way. They keep a lookout. And now, Highness, I see your + overcoat is on your back. Have you left anything in your room?” + </p> + <p> + The Prince laughed. + </p> + <p> + “No, Captain, I forgot to bring a portmanteau with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must say farewell to you here.” + </p> + <p> + “What, you are not going to maroon me on this pebble in the ocean?” + </p> + <p> + “You will be well taken care of, Highness.” + </p> + <p> + “What place is this?” + </p> + <p> + “It is called the Trogzmondoff, Highness, and the water surrounding you is + the Baltic.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it Russian territory?” + </p> + <p> + “Very, very Russian,” returned the Captain drawing a deep breath. “This + way, if your Highness pleases. There is a rope ladder, which is sometimes + a little unsteady for a landsman, so be careful.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’m accustomed to rope ladders. Hyvasti, Captain.” + </p> + <p> + “Hyvasti, your Highness.” + </p> + <p> + And with this mutual good-by in Finnish, the Prince went down the swaying + ladder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV —“A HOME ON THE ROLLING DEEP” + </h2> + <p> + FOR once the humorous expression had vanished from Captain Kempt’s face, + and that good-natured man sat in the dainty drawing-room of the flat a + picture of perplexity. Dorothy had told him the story of the Nihilist, + saying she intended to purchase the yacht, and outlining what she proposed + to do with it when it was her own. Now she sat silent opposite the genial + Captain, while Katherine stood by the window, and talked enough for two, + sometimes waxing indignant, and occasionally giving, in terse language, an + opinion of her father, as is the blessed privilege of every girl born in + the land of the free, while the father took the censure with the + unprotesting mildness of his nature. + </p> + <p> + “My dear girls, you really must listen to reason. What you propose to do + is so absurd that it doesn’t even admit of argument. Why, it’s a + filibustering expedition, that’s what it is. You girls are as crazy as + Walker of Nicaragua. Do you imagine that a retired Captain of the United + States Navy is going to take command of a pirate craft of far less legal + standing than the ‘Alabama,’ for then we were at war, but now we are at + peace. Do you actually propose to attack the domain of a friendly country! + Oh!” cried the Captain, with a mighty explosion of breath, for at this + point his supply of language entirely gave out. + </p> + <p> + “No one would know anything about it,” persisted Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “Not know about it? With a crew of men picked up here in New York, and + coming back to New York? Not know about it? Bless my soul, the papers + would be full of it before your men were an hour on shore. In the first + place, you’d never find the rock.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what’s the harm of going in search of it?” demanded his daughter. + “Besides that, Johnson knows exactly where it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Johnson, Johnson! You’re surely not silly enough to believe Johnson’s + cock-and-bull story?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe every syllable he uttered. The man’s face showed that he was + speaking the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear Kate, you didn’t see him at all, as I understand the yarn. + He was here alone with you, was he not, Dorothy?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy smiled sadly. + </p> + <p> + “I told Kate all about it, and gave my own impression of the man’s + appearance.” + </p> + <p> + “You are too sensible a girl to place any credit in what he said, surely?” + </p> + <p> + “I did believe him, nevertheless,” replied Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “Why, look you here. False in one thing, false in all. I’ll just take a + single point. He speaks of a spring sending water through the cells up + there in the rock. Now, that is an impossibility. Wherever a spring + exists, it comes from a source higher than itself.” + </p> + <p> + “There are lots of springs up in the mountains,” interrupted Katherine. “I + know one on Mount Washington that is ten times as high as the rock in the + Baltic.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Katherine, quite so, but nevertheless there is a lake, + subterraneous or above ground, which feeds your White Mountain spring, and + such a lake must be situated higher than the spring is. Why, girl, you + ought to study hydrometeorology as well as chemistry. Here is a rock + jutting up in midocean—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s in the Baltic, near the Russian coast,” snapped Kate, “and I’ve no + doubt there are mountains in Finland that contain the lake which feeds the + spring.” + </p> + <p> + “How far is that rock from the Finnish coast, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Two miles and a half,” said Kate, quick as an arrow speeding from a bow. + </p> + <p> + “Captain, we don’t know how far it is from the coast,” amended Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll never believe the thing exists at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes it does, father. How can you speak like that? Don’t you know + Lieutenant Drummond fired at it?” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know it was the same rock?” + </p> + <p> + “Because the rock fired back at him. There can’t be two like that in the + Baltic.” + </p> + <p> + “No, nor one either,” said the Captain, nearing the end of his patience. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Kempt,” said Dorothy very soothingly, as if she desired to quell + the rising storm, “you take the allegation about the spring of water to + prove that Johnson was telling untruths. I expect him here within an hour, + and I will arrange that you have an opportunity, privately, of + cross-examining him. I think when you see the man, and listen to him, you + will believe. What makes me so sure that he is telling the truth is the + fact that he mentioned the foreign vessel firing at this rock, which I + knew to be true, and which he could not possibly have learned anything + about.” + </p> + <p> + “He might very well have learned all particulars from the papers, Dorothy. + They were full enough of the subject at the time, and, remembering this, + he thought to strengthen his story by—” + </p> + <p> + Katherine interrupted with great scorn. + </p> + <p> + “By adding verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing + narrative.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Kate; exactly what I was going to say myself. But to come back + to the project itself. Granting the existence of the rock, granting the + truth of Johnson’s story, granting everything, granting even that the + young men are imprisoned there, of which we have not the slightest proof, + we could no more succeed in capturing that place from a frail pleasure + yacht—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s built like a cruiser,” said Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “Even if it were built like a battleship we would have no chance whatever. + Why, that rock might defy a regular fleet. Our venture would simply be a + marine Jameson Raid which would set the whole world laughing when people + came to hear of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Johnson said he could take it with half a dozen men.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Kate,” corrected Dorothy, “he said the very reverse; that two or + three determined men on the rock with repeating rifles could defeat a + host. It was I who suggested that we should throw a shell, and then rush + the entrance in the confusion.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Kempt threw up his hands in a gesture of despair. + </p> + <p> + “Great heavens, Dorothy Amhurst, whom I have always regarded as the + mildest, sweetest and most charming of girls; to hear you calmly propose + to throw a shell among a lot of innocent men defending their own territory + against a perfectly unauthorized invasion! Throw a shell, say you, as if + you were talking of tossing a copper to a beggar! Oh, Lord, I’m growing + old. What will become of this younger generation? Well, I give it up. + Dorothy, my dear, whatever will happen to those unfortunate Russians, I + shall never recover from the shock of your shell. The thing is absolutely + impossible. Can’t you see that the moment you get down to details? How are + you going to procure your shells, or your shell-firing gun? They are not + to be bought at the first hardware store you come to on Sixth Avenue.” + </p> + <p> + “Johnson says he can get them,” proclaimed Kate with finality. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, damn Johnson! Dorothy, I beg your pardon, but really, this daughter + of mine, combined with that Johnson of yours, is just a little more than I + can bear.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what are we to do?” demanded his daughter. “Sit here with folded + hands?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be a great deal better than what you propose. You should do + something sane. You mustn’t involve a pair of friendly countries in war. + Of course the United States would utterly disclaim your act, and discredit + me if I were lunatic enough to undertake such a wild goose chase, which + I’m not; but, on the other hand, if two of our girls undertook such an + expedition, no man can predict the public clamor that might arise. Why, + when the newspapers get hold of a question, you never know where they will + end it. Undoubtedly you two girls should be sent to prison, and, with + equal undoubtedness, the American people wouldn’t permit it.” + </p> + <p> + “You bet they wouldn’t,” said Katherine, dropping into slang. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, if they wouldn’t, there’s war.” + </p> + <p> + “One moment, Captain Kempt,” said Dorothy, again in her mildest tones, for + voices had again begun to run high, “you spoke of doing something sane. + You understand the situation. What should you counsel us to do?” + </p> + <p> + The Captain drew a long breath, and leaned back in his chair. + </p> + <p> + “There, Dad, it’s up to you,” said Katherine. “Let us hear your proposal, + and then you’ll learn how easy it is to criticise.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the Captain hesitatingly, “there’s our diplomatic service—” + </p> + <p> + “Utterly useless: one man is a Russian, and the other an Englishman. + Diplomacy not only can do nothing, but won’t even try,” cried Kate + triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + “Yet,” said the Captain, with little confidence, “although the two men are + foreigners, the two girls are Americans.” + </p> + <p> + “We don’t count: we’ve no votes,” said Kate. “Besides, Dorothy tried the + diplomatic service, and could not even get accurate information from it. + Now, father, third time and out.” + </p> + <p> + “Four balls are out, Kate, and I’ve only fanned the air twice. Now, girls, + I’ll tell you what I’d do. You two come with me to Washington. We will + seek a private interview with the President. He will get into + communication with the Czar, also privately, and outside of all regular + channels. The Czar will put machinery in motion that is sure to produce + those two young men much more effectually and speedily than any cutthroat + expedition on a yacht.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Dorothy, “that is an excellent plan.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is,” cried the Captain enthusiastically. “Don’t you see the + pull the President will have? Why, they’ve put an Englishman into ‘the + jug,’ and when the President communicates this fact to the Czar he will be + afraid to refuse, knowing that the next appeal may be from America to + England, and when you add a couple of American girls to that political + mix-up, why, what chance has the Czar?” + </p> + <p> + “The point you raise, Captain,” said Dorothy, “is one I wish to say a few + words about. The President cannot get Mr. Drummond released, because the + Czar and all his government will be compelled to deny that they know + anything of him. Even the President couldn’t guarantee that the Englishman + would keep silence if he were set at liberty. The Czar would know that, + but your plan would undoubtedly produce Prince Ivan Lermontoff. All the + president has to do is to tell the Czar that the Prince is engaged to an + American girl, and Lermontoff will be allowed to go.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” objected the Captain, “as the Prince knows the Englishman is in + prison, how could they be sure of John keeping quiet when Drummond is his + best friend?” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot know that, because the Prince was arrested several days before + Drummond was. + </p> + <p> + “They have probably chucked them both into the same cell,” said the + Captain, but Dorothy shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “If they had intended to do that, they would doubtless have arrested them + together. I am sure that one does not know the fate of the other, + therefore the Czar can quite readily let Lermontoff go, and he is certain + to do that at a word from the President. Besides this, I am as confident + that Jack is not in the Trogzmondoff, as I am sure that Drummond is. + Johnson said it was a prison for foreigners.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” cried the Captain, with a deep sigh, “if we’ve got back + again to Johnson—” He waved his hand and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + The maid opened the door and said, looking at Dorothy: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Paterson and Mr. Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + “Just show them into the morning room,” said Dorothy, rising. “Captain + Kempt, it is awfully good of you to have listened so patiently to a scheme + of which you couldn’t possibly approve.” + </p> + <p> + “Patiently!” sniffed the daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Now I want you to do me another kindness.” + </p> + <p> + She went to the desk and picked up a piece of paper. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a check I have signed—a blank check. I wish you to buy the + yacht ‘Walrus’ just as she stands, and make the best bargain you can for + me. A man is so much better at this kind of negotiation than a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely, my dear Dorothy, you won’t persist in buying this yacht?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s her own money, father,” put in Katherine. + </p> + <p> + “Keep quiet,” said the Captain, rising, for the first time speaking with + real severity, whereupon Katherine, in spite of the fact that she was + older than twenty-one, was wise enough to obey. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am quite determined, Captain,” said Dorothy sweetly. + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear woman, don’t you see how you’ve been hoodwinked by this man + Johnson? He is shy of a job. He has already swindled you out of twenty + thousand dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “No, he asked for ten only, Captain Kempt, and I voluntarily doubled the + amount.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, he has worked you up to believe that these young men are in + that rock. He has done this for a very crafty purpose, and his purpose + seems likely to succeed. He knows he will be well paid, and you have + promised him a bonus besides. If he, with his Captain Kidd crew, gets you + on that yacht, you will only step ashore by giving him every penny you + possess. That’s his object. He knows you are starting out to commit a + crime—that’s the word, Dorothy, there’s no use in our mincing + matters—you will be perfectly helpless in his hands. Of course, I + could not allow my daughter Kate to go on such an expedition.” + </p> + <p> + “I am over twenty-one years old,” cried Kate, the light of rebellion in + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I do not intend that either of you shall go, Katherine.” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I’ll not submit to that,” cried Katherine, with a rising tremor + of anger in her voice, “I shall not be set aside like a child. Who has + more at stake than I? And as for capturing the rock, I’ll dynamite it + myself, and bring home as large a specimen of it as the yacht will carry, + and set it up on Bedloe’s Island beside the Goddess and say, ‘There’s your + statue of Liberty, and there’s your statue of Tyranny!’” + </p> + <p> + “Katherine,” chided her father, “I never before believed that a child of + mine could talk such driveling nonsense.” + </p> + <p> + “Paternal heredity, father,” retorted Kate. + </p> + <p> + “Your Presidential plan, Captain Kempt,” interposed Dorothy, “is excellent + so far as Prince Lermontoff is concerned, but it cannot rescue Lieutenant + Drummond. Now, there are two things you can do for me that will make me + always your debtor, as, indeed, I am already, and the first is to purchase + for me the yacht. The second is to form your own judgment of the man + Johnson, and if you distrust him, then engage for me one-half the crew, + and see that they are picked Americans.” + </p> + <p> + “First sane idea I have heard since I came into this flat,” growled the + Captain. + </p> + <p> + “The Americans won’t let the Finlander hold me for ransom, you may depend + upon that.” + </p> + <p> + It was a woe-begone look the gallant Captain cast on the demure and + determined maiden, then, feeling his daughter’s eye upon him, he turned + toward her. + </p> + <p> + “I’m going, father,” she said, with a firmness quite equal to his own, and + he on his part recognized when his daughter had toed the danger line. He + indulged in a laugh that had little of mirth in it. + </p> + <p> + “All I can say is that I am thankful you haven’t made up your minds to + kidnap the Czar. Of course you are going, Kate, So am I.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI —CELL NUMBER NINE + </h2> + <p> + AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the + steamer, there were eight men aboard. Six grasped the oars, and the young + clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took + the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him. All the forward + part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was + piled with boxes and bags. + </p> + <p> + “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did + not reply. + </p> + <p> + Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, + three of the men shipped their oars. Each threw a bag over his shoulder, + walked up half a dozen steps and waited. The clerk motioned Lermontoff to + follow, so he stepped on the shelf of rock and looked upward at the rugged + stairway cut between the main island and an outstanding perpendicular + ledge of rock. The steps were so narrow that the procession had to move up + in Indian file; three men with bags, then the Prince and the clerk, + followed by three more men with boxes. Lermontoff counted two hundred and + thirty-seven steps, which brought him to an elevated platform, projecting + from a doorway cut in the living rock, but shielded from all sight of the + sea. The eastern sun shone through this doorway, but did not illumine + sufficiently the large room whose walls, ceiling and floor were of solid + stone. At the farther end a man in uniform sat behind a long table on + which burned an oil lamp with a green shade. At his right hand stood a + broad, round brazier containing glowing coals, after the Oriental fashion, + and the officer was holding his two hands over it, and rubbing them + together. The room, nevertheless, struck chill as a cellar, and Lermontoff + heard a constant smothered roar of water. + </p> + <p> + The clerk, stepping forward and saluting, presented to the Governor seated + there the papers and envelopes given him by the Captain. The officer + selected a blue sheet of paper, and scrutinized it for a moment under the + lamp. + </p> + <p> + “Where are the others?” + </p> + <p> + “We have landed first the supplies, Governor; then the boat will return + for the others.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor nodded, and struck a bell with his open palm. There entered a + big man with a bunch of keys at his belt, followed by another who carried + a lighted lantern. + </p> + <p> + “Number Nine,” said the Governor to the gaolers. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, sir, am I a prisoner?” asked Lermontoff. + </p> + <p> + The Governor gave utterance to a sound that was more like the grunt of a + pig than the ejaculation of a man. He did not answer, but looked up at the + questioner, and the latter saw that his face, gaunt almost as that of a + living skeleton, was pallid as putty. + </p> + <p> + “Number Nine,” he repeated, whereupon the gaoler and the man with the + lantern put a hand each on Lermontoff’s shoulders, and marched him away. + They walked together down a long passage, the swaying lantern casting its + yellow rays on the iron bolts of door after door, until at last the gaoler + stopped, threw back six bolts, inserted a key, unlocked the door, and + pushed it ponderously open. The lantern showed it to be built like the + door of a safe, but unlike that of a safe it opened inwards. As soon as + the door came ajar Lermontoff heard the sound of flowing water, and when + the three entered, he noticed a rapid little stream sparkling in the rays + of the lantern at the further end of the cell. He saw a shelf of rock and + a stone bench before it. The gaoler placed his hands on a black loaf, + while the other held up the lantern. + </p> + <p> + “That will last you four days,” said the gaoler. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my son, judging from the unappetizing look of it, I think it will + last me much longer.” + </p> + <p> + The gaoler made no reply, but he and the man with the lantern retired, + drawing the door heavily after them. Lermontoff heard the bolts thrust + into place, and the turn of the key; then silence fell, all but the + babbling of the water. He stood still in the center of the cell, his hands + thrust deep in the pockets of his overcoat, and, in spite of this heavy + garment, he shivered a little. + </p> + <p> + “Jack, my boy,” he muttered, “this is a new deal, as they say in the West. + I can imagine a man going crazy here, if it wasn’t for that stream. I + never knew what darkness meant before. Well, let’s find out the size of + our kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + He groped for the wall, and stumbling against the stone bench, whose + existence he had forgotten, pitched head forward to the table, and sent + the four-day loaf rolling on the floor. He made an ineffectual grasp after + the loaf, fearing it might fall into the stream and be lost to him, but he + could not find it, and now his designs for measuring the cell gave place + to the desire of finding that loaf. He got down on his hands and knees, + and felt the stone floor inch by inch for half an hour, as he estimated + the time, but never once did he touch the bread. + </p> + <p> + “How helpless a man is in the dark, after all,” he muttered to himself. “I + must do this systematically, beginning at the edge of the stream.” + </p> + <p> + On all fours he reached the margin of the rivulet, and felt his way along + the brink till his head struck the opposite wall. He turned round, took up + a position that he guessed was three feet nearer the door, and again + traversed the room, becoming so eager in the search that he forgot for the + moment the horror of his situation, just as, when engaged in a chemical + experiment, everything else vanished from his mind, and thus after several + journeys back and forth he was again reminded of the existence of the + stone bench by butting against it when he knew he was still several feet + from the wall. Rubbing his head, he muttered some unfavorable phrases + regarding the immovable bench, then crawled round it twice, and resumed + his transverse excursions. At last he reached the wall that held the door, + and now with breathless eagerness rubbed his shoulder against it till he + came to the opposite corner. He knew he had touched with knees and hands + practically every square inch of space in the floor, and yet no bread. + </p> + <p> + “Now, that’s a disaster,” cried he, getting up on his feet, and stretching + himself. “Still, a man doesn’t starve in four days. I’ve cast my bread on + the waters. It has evidently gone down the stream. Now, what’s to hinder a + man escaping by means of that watercourse? Still, if he did, what would be + the use? He’d float out into the Baltic Sea, and if able to swim round the + rock, would merely be compelled to knock at the front door and beg + admission again. No, by Jove, there’s the boat, but they probably guard it + night and day, and a man in the water would have no chance against one in + the boat. Perhaps there’s gratings between the cells. Of course, there’s + bound to be. No one would leave the bed of a stream clear for any one to + navigate. Prisoners would visit each other in their cells, and that’s not + allowed in any respectable prison. I wonder if there’s any one next door + on either side of me. An iron grid won’t keep out the sound. I’ll try,” + and going again to the margin of the watercourse, he shouted several times + as loudly as he could, but only a sepulchral echo, as if from a vault, + replied to him. + </p> + <p> + “I imagine the adjoining cells are empty. No enjoyable companionship to be + expected here. I wonder if they’ve got the other poor devils up from the + steamer yet. I’ll sit down on the bench and listen.” + </p> + <p> + He could have found the bench and shelf almost immediately by groping + round the wall, but he determined to exercise his sense of direction, to + pit himself against the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “I need not hurry,” he said, “I may be a long time here.” + </p> + <p> + In his mind he had a picture of the cell, but now that he listened to the + water it seemed to have changed its direction, and he found he had to + rearrange this mental picture, and make a different set of calculations to + fit the new position. Then he shuffled slowly forward with hands + outstretched, but he came to the wall, and not to the bench. Again he + mapped out his route, again endeavored, and again failed. + </p> + <p> + “This is bewildering,” he muttered. “How the darkness baffles a man. For + the first time in my life I appreciate to the full the benediction of + God’s command, ‘Let there be light.’” + </p> + <p> + He stood perplexed for a few moments, and, deeply thinking, his hands + automatically performed an operation as the servants of habit. They took + from his pocket his cigarette case, selected a tube of tobacco, placed it + between his lips, searched another pocket, brought out a match-box, and + struck a light. The striking of the match startled Lermontoff as if it had + been an explosion; then he laughed, holding the match above his head, and + there at his feet saw the loaf of black bread. It seemed as if somebody + had twisted the room end for end. The door was where he thought the stream + was, and thus he learned that sound gives no indication of direction to a + man blindfolded. The match began to wane, and feverishly he lit his + cigarette. + </p> + <p> + “Why didn’t I think of the matches, and oh! what a pity I failed to fill + my pockets with them that night of the Professor’s dinner party! To think + that matches are selling at this moment in Sweden two hundred and fifty + for a halfpenny!” + </p> + <p> + Guided by the spark at the end of his cigarette, he sought the bench and + sat down upon it. He was surprised to find himself so little depressed as + was actually the case. He did not feel in the least disheartened. + Something was going to happen on his behalf; of that he was quite certain. + It was perfectly ridiculous that even in Russia a loyal subject, who had + never done any illegal act in his life, a nobleman of the empire, and a + friend of the Czar, should be incarcerated for long without trial, and + even without accusation. He had no enemies that he knew of, and many + friends, and yet he experienced a vague uneasiness when he remembered that + his own course of life had been such that he would not be missed by his + friends. For more than a year he had been in England, at sea, and in + America, so much absorbed in his researches that he had written no private + letters worth speaking of, and if any friend were asked his whereabouts, + he was likely to reply: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lermontoff is in some German university town, or in England, or + traveling elsewhere. I haven’t seen him or heard of him for months. Lost + in a wilderness or in an experiment, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + These unhappy meditations were interrupted by the clang of bolts. He + thought at first it was his own door that was being opened, but a moment + later knew it was the door of the next cell up-stream. The sound, of + course, could not penetrate the extremely thick wall, but came through the + aperture whose roof arched the watercourse. From the voices he estimated + that several prisoners were being put into one cell, and he wondered + whether or not he cared for a companion. It would all depend. If + fellow-prisoners hated each other, their enforced proximity might prove + unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + “We are hungry,” he heard one say. “Bring us food.” + </p> + <p> + The gaoler laughed. + </p> + <p> + “I will give you something to drink first.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s right,” three voices shouted. “Vodka, vodka!” + </p> + <p> + Then the door clanged shut again, and he heard the murmur of voices in + Russian, but could not make out what was said. One of the new prisoners, + groping round, appeared to have struck the stone bench, as he himself had + done. The man in the next cell swore coarsely, and Lermontoff, judging + from such snatches of their conversation as he could hear that they were + persons of a low order, felt no desire to make their more intimate + acquaintance, and so did not shout to them, as he had intended to do. And + now he missed something that had become familiar; thought it was a + cigarette he desired, for the one he had lit had been smoked to his very + lips, then he recognized it was the murmur of the stream that had ceased. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, they can shut it off,” he said. “That’s interesting. I must + investigate, and learn whether or no there is communication between the + cells. Not very likely, though.” + </p> + <p> + He crawled on hands and knees until he came to the bed of the stream, + which was now damp, but empty. Kneeling down in its course, he worked his + way toward the lower cell, and, as he expected, came to stout iron bars. + Crouching thus he sacrificed a second match, and estimated that the + distance between the two cells was as much as ten feet of solid rock, and + saw also that behind the perpendicular iron bars were another horizontal + set, then another perpendicular, then a fourth horizontal. + </p> + <p> + While in this position he was startled by a piercing scream to the rear. + He backed out from the tunnel and stood upright once more. He heard the + sound of people splashing round in water. The screamer began to jabber + like a maniac, punctuating his ravings with shrieks. Another was cursing + vehemently, and a third appealing to the saints. Lermontoff quickly knelt + down in the watercourse, this time facing the upper cell, and struck his + third match. He saw that a steel shield, reminding him of the thin shutter + between the lenses of a camera, had been shot across the tunnel behind the + second group of cross bars, and as an engineer be could not but admire the + skill of the practical expert who had constructed this diabolical device, + for in spite of the pressure on the other side, hardly a drop of water + oozed through. He tried to reach this shield, but could not. It was just + beyond the touch of his fingers, with his arm thrust through the two sets + of bars, but if he could have stretched that far, with the first bar + retarding his shoulder, he knew his hand would be helpless even if he had + some weapon to puncture the steel shield. The men would be drowned before + he could accomplish anything unless he was at the lever in the passage + outside. + </p> + <p> + Crawling into his cell again he heard no more of the chatter and cries of + the maniac, and he surmised that the other two were fighting for places on + bench or shelf, which was amply large enough to have supported both, had + they not been too demented with fear to recognize that fact. The cursing + man was victorious, and now he stood alone on the shelf, roaring + maledictions. Then there was the sound of a plunge, and Lermontoff, + standing there, helpless and shivering, heard the prisoner swim round and + round his cell like a furious animal, muttering and swearing. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t exhaust yourself like that,” shouted Lermontoff. “If you want to + live, cling to the hole at either of the two upper corners. The water + can’t rise above you then, and you can breathe till it subsides.” + </p> + <p> + The other either did not hear, or did not heed, but tore round and round + in his confined tank, thrashing the water like a dying whale. + </p> + <p> + “Poor devil,” moaned Jack. “What’s the use of telling him what to do. He + is doomed in any case. The other two are now better off.” + </p> + <p> + A moment later the water began to dribble through the upper aperture into + Jack’s cell, increasing and increasing until there was the roar of a + waterfall, and he felt the cold splashing drops spurt against him. Beyond + this there was silence. It was perhaps ten minutes after that the lever + was pulled, and the water belched forth from the lower tunnel like a mill + race broken loose, temporarily flooding the floor so that Jack was + compelled to stand on the bench. + </p> + <p> + He sunk down shivering on the stone shelf, laid his arms on the stone + pillow, and buried his face in them. + </p> + <p> + “My God, my God!” he groaned. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII —A FELLOW SCIENTIST + </h2> + <p> + IN this position Jack slept off and on, or rather, dozed into a kind of + semi-stupor, from which he awoke with a start now and then, as he thought + he heard again the mingled cries of devotion and malediction. At last he + slept soundly, and awoke refreshed, but hungry. The loaf lay beside him, + and with his knife he cut a slice from it, munching the coarse bread with + more of relish than he had thought possible when he first saw it. Then he + took out another cigarette, struck a match, looked at his watch, and lit + the cigarette. It was ten minutes past two. He wondered if a night had + intervened, but thought it unlikely. He had landed very early in the + morning, and now it was afternoon. He was fearfully thirsty, but could not + bring himself to drink from that stream of death. Once more he heard the + bolts shot back. + </p> + <p> + “They are going to throw the poor wretches into the sea,” he muttered, but + the yellow gleam of a lantern showed him it was his own door that had been + unlocked. + </p> + <p> + “You are to see the Governor,” said the gaoler gruffly. “Come with me.” + </p> + <p> + Jack sprang to the floor of his cell, repressing a cry of delight. Nothing + the grim Governor could do to him would make his situation any worse, and + perhaps his persuasive powers upon that official might result in some + amelioration of his position. In any case there was the brief respite of + the interview, and he would gladly have chummed with the devil himself to + be free a few moments from this black pit. + </p> + <p> + Although the outside door of the Governor’s room stood open, the room was + not as well illumined as it had been before, for the sun had now gone + round to the other side of the island, but to the prisoner’s aching eyes + it seemed a chamber of refulgence. The same lamp was burning on the table, + giving forth an odor of bad oil, but in addition to this, two candles were + lighted, which supplemented in some slight measure the efforts of the + lamp. At the end of the table lay a number of documents under a + paper-weight, arranged with the neat precision of a methodical man. The + Governor had been warming his hands over the brazier, but ceased when + Lermontoff was brought up standing before him. He lifted the paper-weight, + took from under it the two letters which Lermontoff had given to the + steward on the steamer, and handed them to the prisoner, who thus received + them back for the second time. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to say,” remarked the Governor, with an air of bored indifference + which was evidently quite genuine, “that if you make any further attempt + to communicate with the authorities, or with friends, you will bring on + yourself punishment which will be unpleasant.” + </p> + <p> + “As a subject of the Czar, I have the right to appeal to him,” said the + Prince. + </p> + <p> + “The appeal you have written here,” replied the Governor, “would have + proved useless, even if it had been delivered. The Czar knows nothing of + the Trogzmondoff, which is a stronghold entirely under the control of the + Grand Dukes and of the Navy. The Trogzmondoff never gives up a prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am here for a lifetime?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” rejoined the Governor, with frigid calmness, “and if you give me no + trouble you will save yourself some inconvenience.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you speak French?” asked the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Net.” + </p> + <p> + “English?” + </p> + <p> + “Net.” + </p> + <p> + “Italian?” + </p> + <p> + “Net.” + </p> + <p> + “German?” + </p> + <p> + “Da.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” continued Lermontoff in German, “I desire to say a few words to + you which I don’t wish this gaoler to understand. I am Prince Ivan + Lermontoff, a personal friend of the Czar’s, who, after all, is master of + the Grand Dukes and the Navy also. If you will help to put me into + communication with him, I will guarantee that no harm comes to you, and + furthermore will make you a rich man.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor slowly shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “What you ask is impossible. Riches are nothing to me. Bribery may do much + in other parts of the Empire, but it is powerless in the Trogzmondoff. I + shall die in the room adjoining this, as my predecessor died. I am quite + as much a prisoner in the Trogzmondoff as is your Highness. No man who has + once set foot in this room, either as Governor, employee, or prisoner, is + allowed to see the mainland again, and thus the secret has been well kept. + We have had many prisoners of equal rank with your Highness, friends of + the Czar too, I dare say, but they all died on the Rock, and were buried + in the Baltic.” + </p> + <p> + “May I not be permitted to receive certain supplies if I pay for them? + That is allowed in other prisons.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I can let you have a blanket,” he said, “and a pillow, or a sheepskin if + you find it cold at first, but my power here is very limited, and, as I + tell you, the officers have little more comfort than the prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t care anything about comfort,” protested Lermontoff. “What I + want is some scientific apparatus. I am a student of science. I have + nothing to do with politics, and have never been implicated in any plot. + Someone in authority has made a stupid mistake, and so I am here. This + mistake I am quite certain will be discovered and remedied. I hold no + malice, and will say nothing of the place, once I am free. It is no + business of mine. But I do not wish to have the intervening time wasted. I + should like to buy some electrical machinery, and materials, for which I + am willing to pay any price that is asked.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand electricity?” questioned the Governor, and for the + first time his impassive face showed a glimmer of interest. + </p> + <p> + “Do I understand electricity? Why, for over a year I have been chief + electrician on a war-ship.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps then,” said the Governor, relapsing into Russian again, “you can + tell me what is wrong with our dynamo here in the Rock. After repeated + requisition they sent machinery for lighting our offices and passages with + electricity. They apparently did not care to send an electrician to the + Trogzmondoff, but forwarded instead some books of instruction. I have been + working at it for two years and a half, but I am still using oil lamps and + candles. We wired the place without difficulty.” He held up the candle, + and showed, depending from the ceiling, a chandelier of electric lamps + which Lermontoff had not hitherto noticed, various brackets, and one or + two stand lamps in a corner, with green silk-covered wire attached. + </p> + <p> + “May I see your dynamo?” asked Lermontoff. + </p> + <p> + The Governor, with one final warming of his hands, took up a candle, told + the gaoler to remove the shade from the lamp and bring it, led the way + along a passage, and then into a room where the prisoner, on first + entering, had heard the roar of water. + </p> + <p> + “What’s this you have. A turbine? Does it give you any power?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it gives power enough,” said the Governor. + </p> + <p> + “Let’s see how you turn on the stream.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor set the turbine at work, and the dynamo began to hum, a sound + which, to the educated ear of Lermontoff, told him several things. + </p> + <p> + “That’s all right, Governor, turn it off. This is a somewhat old-fashioned + dynamo, but it ought to give you all the light you can use. You must be a + natural born electrician, or you never could have got this machinery + working as well as it does.” + </p> + <p> + The dull eyes of the Governor glowed for one brief moment, then resumed + their customary expression of saddened tiredness. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Jack, throwing off his coat, “I want a wrench, screwdriver, + hammer and a pair of pincers if you’ve got them.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is the tool chest,” said the Governor, and Jack found all he needed. + Bidding the Governor hold the candle here, there and elsewhere, and + ordering the gaoler about as if he were an apprentice, Jack set + energetically to work, and for half an hour no one spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Turn on that water again,” he commanded. + </p> + <p> + The Governor did so, and the machine whirred with quite a different note. + Half a dozen electric lamps in the room flooded the place with a dazzling + white glow. + </p> + <p> + “There you are,” cried Jack, rubbing the oil off his hands on a piece of + coarse sacking. “Now, Tommy, put these things back in the tool chest,” he + said to the gaoler. Then to the Governor: + </p> + <p> + “Let’s see how things look in the big room.” + </p> + <p> + The passage was lit, and the Governor’s room showed every mark on wall, + ceiling and floor. + </p> + <p> + “I told you, Governor,” said Jack with a laugh, “that I didn’t know why I + was sent here, but now I understand. Providence took pity on you, and + ordered me to strike a light.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment the gaoler entered with his jingling keys, and the + enthusiastic expression faded from the Governor’s face, leaving it once + more coldly impassive, but he spoke in German instead of Russian. + </p> + <p> + “I am very much indebted to your Highness, and it grieves me that our + relationship remains unchanged.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s all right,” cried Lermontoff breezily, “If it is within your + power to allow me to come and give you some lessons in electricity and the + care of dynamos, I shall be very glad to do so.” + </p> + <p> + To this offer the Governor made no reply, but he went on still in German. + </p> + <p> + “I shall transfer you to cell Number One, which is not only more + comfortable, but the water there is pure. Did you say you spoke English?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, quite as well as I do Russian.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor continued, with nevertheless a little hesitation: “On the + return of the steamer there will be an English prisoner. I will give him + cell Number Two, and if you don’t talk so loud that the gaoler hears you, + it may perhaps make the day less wearisome.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind,” said Jack, rigidly suppressing any trace of either + emotion or interest as he heard the intelligence; leaping at once to + certain conclusions, nevertheless. “I shan’t ask for anything more, much + as I should like to mention candles, matches, and tobacco.” + </p> + <p> + “It is possible you may find all three in Number One before this time + to-morrow;” then in Russian the Governor said to the goaler: + </p> + <p> + “See if Number One is ready.” + </p> + <p> + The gaoler departed, and the Governor, throwing open a drawer in his + table, took out two candles, a box of matches, and a packet of cigarettes. + </p> + <p> + “Put these in your pocket,” he said. “The cell door opens very slowly, so + you will always know when the gaoler is coming. In that case blow out your + light and conceal your candle. It will last the longer.” + </p> + <p> + The gaoler returned. + </p> + <p> + “The cell is ready, Excellency,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Take away the prisoner,” commanded the Governor, gruffly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII —CELL NUMBER ONE + </h2> + <p> + CELL Number One was a great improvement on Number Nine. There was no shelf + of rock, or stone bench, but a cot bed in the corner, a table, and a + wooden chair. The living spring issued from the living rock in a corner of + the room. When the gaoler and his assistant had retired and shoved in the + outside bolts, Jack lit his candle and a cigarette, feeling almost happy. + He surveyed the premises now with more care. The bed was of iron and + fastened to the floor. On the top of it was a mattress, a pillow, and a + pair of blankets. At its head a little triangular shelf of rock had been + left in the corner, and on this reposed a basin of tin, while a coarse + piece of sacking took the place of a towel. Jack threw off his overcoat + and flung it on the bed, intent on a satisfactory wash. He heard something + jingle in the pockets, and forgetting for the moment what it could + possibly be, thrust his hand in, and pulled out a glass-stoppered bottle + of ozak. He held it out at arm’s length, and stared at it for some moments + like a man hypnotized. + </p> + <p> + “Holy Saint Peter!” he cried, “to think that I should have forgotten + this!” + </p> + <p> + He filled the tin basin with water, and placed it on the table. Again he + dissolved a minute portion of the chemical, and again filled the syringe. + </p> + <p> + “I must leave no marks on the wall that may arouse attention,” he said, + and taking the full syringe to the arch over the torrent, and placing the + candle on the floor beside him, he gently pushed in the piston. The spray + struck the rock, and the rock dissolved slightly but perceptibly. Coming + back to the table he stood for a few minutes in deep thought. Although the + cot bed was fixed to the floor, and although it was possible that the + shelf in the next cell coincided with its position, the risk of discovery + was too great to cut a passage between the two cells there. The obvious + spot to attack was the interior of the tunnel through which the streamlet + ran, but Jack, testing the temperature of the water with his hand, doubted + his physical ability to remain in that ice-cold current more than a few + minutes at a time, and if he worked in the tunnel he would be all but + submerged. He feared he would perish with cold and cramp before he had + made any impression on the rock. + </p> + <p> + To the edge of the stream he drew the table, and, mounting it, examined + the upper orifice through which the water escaped when the cell was full. + He found he could stand on the table and work in comfort until he had + excavated sufficient rock to allow him to clamber into the upper tunnel + and so continue his operations. The water he used would flow through the + tunnel, and down to the main stream in the next cell. All he had to do was + to dissolve a semi-circular hole in the rock that would bend round the end + of those steel bars, and enter the tunnel again on the other side. Eager + to be at work, he took the full basin, shoved it far along the tunnel + until it was stopped by the bars, then, placing his candle beside it, and + standing on the table, he began operations. + </p> + <p> + The limestone, under the influence of the spray, dissolved very slowly, + and by the time the basin of water was exhausted, all the effect visible + under the light of the candle was an exceedingly slight circular + impression which was barely visible to the naked eye. + </p> + <p> + “I must make the solution stronger, I think,” he said, grievously + disappointed at the outcome of his labors, and as he looked at it he heard + the clank of the withdrawing bolts. Blowing out the candle he sprang to + the floor of the cell, picked up the table, set it down in the center of + the room, groped for the chair, and sat down, his heart palpitating wildly + at the fear of discovery. + </p> + <p> + Followed as usual by the man with the lantern, the gaoler came in, + carrying a bowl of hot steaming soup, which he placed on the table, then + he took from his pocket a spoon, a small hunk of black bread, and a piece + of cheese. In the light of the lantern Lermontoff consulted his watch, and + found it was six o’clock. The gaoler took the lantern from his assistant, + held it high, and looked round the room, while Lermontoff gazed at him in + anxiety, wondering whether that brutal looking official suspected + anything. Apparently he did not, but merely wished to satisfy himself that + everything was in order, for he said more mildly than he had hitherto + spoken: + </p> + <p> + “It is a long time since any one occupied this cell.” + </p> + <p> + Then his eye rested on the vacant corner shelf. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Excellency,” he continued, “pardon me, I have forgotten. I must bring + you a basin.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d rather you brought me a candle,” said Lermontoff nonchalantly, + although his lips were dry, and he moistened them as he spoke; then, to + learn whether money was valueless on the rock, as the Governor had + intimated, he drew from his pocket one of the remaining gold pieces, glad + that he happened to have so many, and slipped it into the palm of the + gaoler’s hand, whose fingers clutched it as eagerly as if he were in St. + Petersburg. + </p> + <p> + “I think a candle can be managed, Excellency. Shall I bring a cup?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would.” + </p> + <p> + The door was again locked and bolted, but before Lermontoff had finished + his soup, and bread and cheese, it was opened again. The gaoler placed a + tin basin, similar to the former one, on the ledge, put a candle and a + candle-stick on the table, and a tin cup beside them. + </p> + <p> + “I thought there was no part of Russia where bribery was extinct,” said + the Prince to himself, as the door closed again for the night. + </p> + <p> + After supper Lermontoff again shined his table, stood upon it, lit his + candle, and resumed his tunnelling, working hard until after midnight. His + progress was deplorably slow, and the spraying of the rock proved about as + tiring a task as ever he had undertaken. His second basin-full of solution + was made a little stronger, but without perceptible improvement, in its + effect. On ceasing operations for the night he found himself in a + situation common to few prisoners, that of being embarrassed with riches. + He possessed two basins, and one of them must be concealed. Of course he + might leave his working basin in the upper tunnel where it had rested when + the gaoler had brought in his supper, but he realized that at any moment + the lantern’s rays might strike its shining surface, and so bring on an + investigation of the upper tunnel, certain to prove the destruction of his + whole scheme. A few minutes thought, however, solved the problem + admirably: he placed the basin face downwards in the rapid stream which + swept it to the iron bars between the two cells, and there it lay quite + concealed with the swift water rippling over it. This done, he flung off + his clothes, and got into bed, not awakening until the gaoler and his + assistant brought in bread, cheese and coffee for breakfast. + </p> + <p> + The next day he began to feel the inconveniences of the Governor’s + friendship, and wished he were safely back to the time when one loaf + lasted four days, for if such were now the case, he would be free of the + constant state of tension which the ever-recurring visits of the gaoler + caused. He feared that some day he might become so absorbed in his + occupation that he would not hear the withdrawing of the bolt, and thus, + as it were, be caught in the act. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after lunch the Governor sent for him, and asked many questions + pertaining to the running of the dynamo. Lermontoff concealed his + impatience, and set about his instructions with exemplary earnestness. + Russian text books on electricity at hand were of the most rudimentary + description, and although the Governor could speak German he could not + read it, so the two volumes he possessed in that language were closed to + him. Therefore John was compelled to begin at the very A B C of the + science. + </p> + <p> + The Governor, however, became so deeply interested that he momentarily + forgot his caution, unlocked a door, and took Lermontoff into a room which + he saw was the armory and ammunition store-house of the prison. On the + floor of this chamber the Governor pointed out a large battery of + accumulators, and asked what they were for. Lermontoff explained the + purposes of the battery, meanwhile examining it thoroughly, and finding + that many of the cells had been all but ruined in transit, through the + falling away of the composition in the grids. Something like half of the + accumulators, however, were intact and workable; these he uncoupled and + brought into the dynamo room, where he showed the Governor the process of + charging. He saw in the store room a box containing incandescent lamps, + coils of silk-covered wire and other material that made his eyes glisten + with delight. He spoke in German. + </p> + <p> + “If you will give me a coil of this wire, one or two of the lamps, and an + accumulator, or indeed half a dozen of them, I will trouble you no more + for candles.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor did not reply at the moment, but a short time after asked + Lermontoff in Russian how long it would be before the accumulators were + charged. Lermontoff stated the time, and the Governor told the gaoler to + bring the prisoner from the cell at that hour, and so dismissed his + instructor. + </p> + <p> + One feature of this interview which pleased Lermontoff was that however + much the Governor became absorbed in these lessons, he never allowed + himself to remain alone with his prisoner. It was evident that in his + cooler moments the Governor had instructed the gaoler and his assistant to + keep ever at the heels of the Prince and always on the alert. Two huge + revolvers were thrust underneath the belt of the gaoler, and the + lantern-holder, was similarly armed. Lermontoff was pleased with this, for + if the Governor had trusted him entirely, even though he demanded no + verbal parole, it would have gone against his grain to strike down the + chief as he ruthlessly intended to do when the time was ripe for it, and + in any case, he told himself, no matter how friendly the Governor might + be, he had the misfortune to stand between his prisoner and liberty. + </p> + <p> + Lermontoff was again taken from his cell about half an hour before the + time he had named for the completion of the charging, and although the + Governor said nothing of his intention, the gaoler and his man brought to + the cell six charged batteries, a coil of wire, and a dozen lamps. + Lermontoff now changed his working methods. He began each night as soon as + he had finished dinner, and worked till nearly morning, sleeping all day + except when interrupted by the gaoler. Jack, following the example of + Robinson Crusoe, attempted to tie knots on the tail of time by cutting + notches with his knife on the leg of the table, but most days he forgot to + perform this operation, and so his wooden almanac fell hopelessly out of + gear. He estimated that he had been a little more than a week in prison + when he heard by the clang of the bolts that the next cell was to have an + occupant. + </p> + <p> + “I must prepare a welcome for him,” he said, and so turned out the + electric light at the end of the long flexible wire. He had arranged a + neat little switch of the accumulator, and so snapped the light on and off + at his pleasure, without the trouble of unscrewing the nuts which held in + place one of the copper ends of the wire. Going to the edge of the stream + and lighting his candle, he placed the glass bulb in the current, paid out + the flexible line attached to it, and allowed the bulb to run the risk of + being smashed against the iron bars of the passage, but the little globe + negotiated the rapids without even a perceptible clink, and came to rest + in the bed of the torrent somewhere about the center of the next cell, + tugging like a fish on a hook. Then Jack mounted the table, leaned into + the upper tunnel, and listened. + </p> + <p> + “I protest,” Drummond cried, speaking loudly, as if the volume of sound + would convey meaning to alien ears, “I protest against this as an outrage, + and demand my right of communication with the British Ambassador.” + </p> + <p> + Jack heard the gaoler growl: “This loaf of bread will last you for four + days,” but as this statement was made in Russian, it conveyed no more + meaning to the Englishman than had his own protest of a moment before + brought intelligence to the gaoler. The door clanged shut, and there + followed a dead silence. + </p> + <p> + “Now we ought to hear some good old British oaths,” said Jack to himself, + but the silence continued. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Alan,” cried Jack through the bars, “I said you would be nabbed if + you didn’t leave St. Petersburg. You’ll pay attention to me next time I + warn you.” + </p> + <p> + There was no reply, and Jack became alarmed at the continued stillness, + then he heard his friend mutter: + </p> + <p> + “I’ll be seeing visions by and by. I thought my brain was stronger than it + is—could have sworn that was Jack’s voice.” + </p> + <p> + Jack got speedily and quietly down, turned on the switch, and hopped up on + the table again, peering through. He knew that the stream had now become a + river of fire, and that it was sending to the ceiling an unholy, unearthly + glow. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, damn it all!” groaned Drummond, at which Jack roared with laughter. + </p> + <p> + “Alan,” he shouted, “fish out that electric bulb from the creek and hold + it aloft; then you’ll see where you are. I’m in the next cell; Jack + Lamont, Electrician and Coppersmith: all orders promptly attended to: best + of references, and prices satisfactory.” + </p> + <p> + “Jack, is that really you, or have I gone demented?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you always were demented, Alan, but it is I, right enough. Pick up + the light and tell me what kind of a cell you’ve got.” + </p> + <p> + “Horrible!” cried Drummond, surveying his situation. “Walls apparently of + solid rock, and this uncanny stream running across the floor.” + </p> + <p> + “How are you furnished? Shelf of rock, stone bench?” + </p> + <p> + “No, there’s a table, cot bed, and a wooden chair.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear man, what are you growling about? They have given you one of + the best rooms in the hotel. You’re in the Star Chamber.” + </p> + <p> + “Where in the name of heaven are we?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn’t you recognize the rock from the deck of a steamer?” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw the deck of a steamer.” + </p> + <p> + “Then how did you come here?” + </p> + <p> + “I was writing a letter in my room when someone threw a sack over my head, + and tied me up in a bundle, so that it was a close shave I wasn’t + smothered. I was taken in what I suppose was a cab and flung into what I + afterwards learned was the hold of a steamer. When the ship stopped, I was + carried like a sack of meal on someone’s shoulder, and unhampered before a + gaunt specter in uniform, in a room so dazzling with electric light that I + could hardly see. That was a few minutes ago, Now I am here, and starving. + Where is this prison?” + </p> + <p> + “Like the Mikado, as Kate would say, the authorities are bent on making + the punishment fit the crime. You are in the rock of the Baltic, which you + fired at with that gun of yours. I told you those suave officials at St. + Petersburg were playing with you.” + </p> + <p> + “But why have they put you here, Jack?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was like the good dog Tray, who associated with questionable + company, I suppose, and thus got into trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry.” + </p> + <p> + “You ought to be glad. I’m going to get out of this place, and I don’t + believe you could break gaol, unassisted, in twenty years. Here is where + science confronts brutality. I say, Drummond, bring your table over to the + corner, and mount it, then we can talk without shouting. Not much chance + of any one outside hearing us, even if we do clamor, but this is a damp + situation, and loud talk is bad for the throat. Cut a slice of that brown + bread and lunch with me. You’ll find it not half bad, as you say in + England, especially when you are hungry. Now,” continued Jack, as his + friend stood opposite him, and they found by experiment that their + combined reach was not long enough to enable them to shake hands through + the bars, “now, while you are luxuriating in the menu of the Trogzmondoff, + I’ll give you a sketch of my plan for escape.” + </p> + <p> + “Do,” said Drummond. + </p> + <p> + “I happen to have with me a pair of bottles containing a substance which, + if dissolved in water, and sprinkled on this rock, will disintegrate it. + It proves rather slow work, I must admit, but I intend to float in to you + one of the bottles, and the apparatus, so that you may help me on your + side, which plan has the advantage of giving you useful occupation, and + allowing us to complete our task in half the time, like the engineers on + each side of the Simplon Tunnel.” + </p> + <p> + “If there are bars in the lower watercourse,” objected Drummond, “won’t + you run a risk of breaking your bottle against them?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest. I have just sent that much thinner electric lamp + through, but in this case I’ll just tie up the bottle and squirt gun in my + stocking, attach that to the wire, and the current will do the rest. You + can unload, and I’ll pull my stocking back again. If I dared wrench off a + table leg, I could perhaps shove bottle and syringe through to you from + here, but the material would come to a dead center in the middle of this + tunnel, unless I had a stick to push it within your reach. + </p> + <p> + “Very well; we’ll work away until our excavation connects, and we have + made it of sufficient diameter for you to squeeze through. You are then in + my cell. We put out our lights, and you conceal yourself behind the door. + Gaoler and man with the lantern come in. You must be very careful not to + close the door, because if you once shove it shut we can’t open it from + this side, even though it is unlocked and the bolts drawn. It fits like + wax, and almost hermetically seals the room. You spring forward, and deal + the gaoler with your fist one of your justly celebrated English knock-down + blows, immediately after felling the man with the lantern. Knowing + something of the weight of your blow, I take it that neither of the two + men will recover consciousness until we have taken off their outer + garments, secured revolvers and keys. Then we lock them in, you and I on + the outside.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Jack, we don’t need any tunnel to accomplish that. The first time + these two men come into my room, I can knock them down as easily here as + there.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought of that, and perhaps you could, but you must remember we have + only one shot. If you made a mistake; if the lantern man bolted and fired + his pistol, and once closed the door—he would not need to pause to + lock it—why, we are done for. I should be perfectly helpless in the + next room, and after the attempt they’d either drown us, or put us into + worse cells as far apart as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think I should miss fire,” said Drummond, confidently, “still, I + see the point, and will obey orders.” + </p> + <p> + “My official position on the rock, ever since I arrived, has been that of + electrical tutor-in-chief to the Governor. I have started his dynamo + working, and have wired such portions of the place as were not already + wired before. During these lessons I have kept my eyes open. So far as the + prison is concerned, there is the Governor, a sort of head clerk, the + gaoler and his assistant; four men, and that is all. The gaoler’s + assistant appears to be the cook of the place, although the cooking done + is of the most limited description. The black bread is brought from St. + Petersburg, I think, as also tinned meat and soup; so the cuisine is on a + somewhat limited scale.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that only these four men are in charge of the prison?” + </p> + <p> + “Practically so, but there is the garrison as well. The soldiers live in a + suite of rooms directly above us, and as near as I can form an opinion, + there are fourteen men and two officers. When a steamer arrives they draft + as many soldiers as are necessary, unload the boat; then the Tommies go + upstairs again. The military section apparently holds little intercourse + with the officials, whom they look upon as gaolers. I should judge that + the military officer is chief of the rock, because when he found the + Governor’s room lit by electricity, he demanded the same for his quarters. + That’s how I came to get upstairs. Now, these stairs are hewn in the rock, + are circular, guarded by heavy oaken doors top and bottom, and these doors + possess steel bolts on both sides of them. It is thus possible for either + the military authorities upstairs, or the civil authorities, to isolate + themselves from the others. In case of a revolt among the soldiers, the + Governor could bolt them into their attic, and they would find great + difficulty in getting out. Now, my plan of procedure is this. We will + disarm gaoler and assistant, take their keys, outside garments and caps. + The gaoler’s toggery will fit you, and the other fellow’s may do for me. + Then we will lock them in here, and if we meet clerk or Governor in the + passages we will have time to overcome either or both before they are + aware of the change. I’ll go up the circular stair, bolt from the inside + the upper door, and afterwards bolt the lower door. Then we open all the + cells, and release the other prisoners, descend from the rock, get into + the Finnish fishing boat, keep clear of the two cannon that are up above + us, and sail for the Swedish coast. We can’t miss it; we have only to + travel west, and ultimately we are safe. There is only one danger, which + is that we may make our attempt when the steamer is here, but we must + chance that.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t there any way of finding out? Couldn’t you pump the Governor?” + </p> + <p> + “He is always very much on his guard, and is a taciturn man. The moment + the tunnel is finished I shall question him about some further electrical + material, and then perhaps I may get a hint about the steamer. I imagine + she comes irregularly, so the only safe plan would be for us to make our + attempt just after she had departed.” + </p> + <p> + “Would there be any chance of our finding a number of the military + downstairs?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think so. Now that they have their electric light they spend + their time playing cards and drinking vodka.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Jack, that scheme seems reasonably feasible. Now, get through + your material to me, and issue your instructions.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX —“STONE WALLS DO NOT A PRISON MAKE” + </h2> + <p> + IN a very short time Drummond became as expert at the rock dissolving as + was his friend. He called it piffling slow work, but was nevertheless + extremely industrious at it, although days and weeks and, as they + suspected, months, passed before the hands of the two friends met in the + center of the rock. One lucky circumstance that favored them was the habit + of the gaoler in visiting Drummond only once every four days. + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant made his difficult passage, squeezing through the newly + completed tunnel half an hour after a loaf had been set upon his table. + Jack knew that the steamer had recently departed, because, two days + before, the Governor had sent for him, and had exhibited a quantity of + material recently landed, among other things a number of electric bells + and telephones which the Governor was going to have set up between himself + and the others, and also between his room and that of the clerk and + gaoler. There were dry batteries, and primary batteries, and many odds and + ends, which made Jack almost sorry he was leaving the place. + </p> + <p> + Heavy steps, muffled by the thickness of the door, sounded along the outer + passage. + </p> + <p> + “Ready?” whispered Jack. “Here they come. Remember if you miss your first + blow, we’re goners, you and I.” + </p> + <p> + Drummond made no reply, for the steps had come perilously near and he + feared to be heard. Noiselessly he crossed the cell and took up his + position against the wall, just clear of the space that would be covered + by the opening of the door. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment Jack switched off the light, leaving the room black. + Each of the two waiting prisoners could hear the other’s short breathing + through the darkness. + </p> + <p> + On came the shuffling footsteps of the gaoler and lantern-bearer. They had + reached the door of Number One, had paused, had passed on and stopped in + front of Number Two. + </p> + <p> + “Your cell!” whispered Jack, panic-stricken. “And they weren’t due to look + in on you for four days. It’s all up! They’ll discover the cell is empty + and give the—Where are you going, man?” he broke off, as Drummond, + leaving his place near the door, groped his way hurriedly along the wall. + </p> + <p> + “To squeeze my way back and make a fight for it. It’s better than—” + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” + </p> + <p> + Lamont’s hand was on his shoulder, and he whispered a sharp command for + silence. The two attendants had halted in front of Number Two, and while + the lantern-bearer fumbled with the awkward bolt, his companion was + saying: + </p> + <p> + “Hold on! After all, I’ll bring the other his food first, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” remonstrated the lantern-bearer, “the Governor said we were to + bring the Englishman to him at once.” + </p> + <p> + “What if he did? How will he know we stole a half minute to give the + Prince his dinner? If we bring the Englishman upstairs first, the Prince + may have to wait an hour before we can get back with the Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him wait, then.” + </p> + <p> + “With his pocket full of roubles? Not I. He may decide to give no more of + his gold pieces to a gaoler who lets him go hungry too long.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve got the door unfastened now and—” + </p> + <p> + “Then fasten it again and come back with me to Number One.” + </p> + <p> + Faint as were the words, deadened by intervening walls, their purport + reached Jack. + </p> + <p> + “Back to your place,” he whispered, “they’re coming!” + </p> + <p> + The rattle of bolts followed close on his words. The great door of Number + One swung ponderously inward. The lantern-bearer, holding his light high + in front of him, entered; then stepped to one side to admit the gaoler, + who came close after, the tray of food in his outstretched hands. + </p> + <p> + Unluckily for the captives’ plan, it was to the side of the cell opposite + to that where Alan crouched that the lantern-bearer had taken his stand. + There was no way of reaching him at a bound. The open door stood between. + Were the gaoler to be attacked first, his fellow-attendant could readily + be out of the cell and half-way up the corridor before Alan might hope to + reach him. + </p> + <p> + The friends had counted on both men entering the room together and + crossing as usual to the table. This change of plan disconcerted them. + Already the gaoler had set down his tray and was turning toward the door. + Alan, helpless, stood impotently in the shadow, biting his blond mustache + with helpless rage. In another second their cherished opportunity would + vanish. And, as the gaoler’s next visit was to be to Number Two, discovery + stared them in the eyes. + </p> + <p> + It was Jack who broke the momentary spell of apathy. He was standing at + the far end of the cell, near the stream. + </p> + <p> + “Here!” he called sharply to the lantern-bearer, “bring your light. My + electric apparatus is out of order, and I’ve mislaid my matches. I want to + fix—” + </p> + <p> + The lantern-bearer, obediently, had advanced into the room. He was + half-way across it while Lamont was still speaking. Then, from the corner + of his eye, he spied Alan crouching in the angle behind the door, now + fully exposed to the rays of the lantern. + </p> + <p> + The man whirled about in alarm just as Alan sprang. In consequence the + Englishman’s mighty fist whizzed past his head, missing it by a full inch. + </p> + <p> + The gaoler, recovering from his amaze, whipped out one of the revolvers he + wore in his belt. But Jack, leaping forward, knocked it from his hand + before he could fire; and, with one hand clapped across the fellow’s + bearded lips, wound his other arm about the stalwart body so as to prevent + for the instant the drawing of the second pistol. + </p> + <p> + Alan’s first blow had missed clean; but his second did not. Following up + his right-hand blow with all a trained boxer’s swift dexterity, he sent a + straight left hander flush on the angle of the light-bearer’s jaw. The man + dropped his lantern and collapsed into a senseless heap on the floor, + while Alan, with no further delay, rushed toward the gaoler. + </p> + <p> + The fall of the lantern extinguished the light. The cell was again plunged + in dense blackness, through which could be heard the panting and scuffing + of the Prince and the gaoler. + </p> + <p> + Barely a second of time had elapsed since first Jack had seized the man, + but that second had sufficed for the latter to summon his great brute + strength and shake off his less gigantic opponent and to draw his pistol. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, Alan!” gasped Jack. “He’s got away from me. He’ll—” + </p> + <p> + Drummond, guided by his friend’s voice, darted forward through the + darkness, caught his foot against the sprawling body of the lantern-bearer + and fell heavily, his arms thrown out in an instinctive gesture of + self-preservation. Even as he lost his balance he heard a sharp click, + directly in front of him. The gaoler had pulled the trigger, and his + pistol—contract-made and out of order, like many of the weapons of + common soldiers in Russia’s frontier posts—had missed fire. + </p> + <p> + To that luckiest of mishaps, the failure of a defective cartridge to + explode, the friends owed their momentary safety. + </p> + <p> + As Alan pitched forward, one of his outing arms struck against an + obstacle. It was a human figure, and from the feel of the leather straps, + which his fingers touched in the impact, he knew it was the gaoler and not + Lamont. + </p> + <p> + Old football tactics coming to memory, Alan clung to the man his arm had + chanced upon, and bore him along to the ground; Jack, who had pressed + forward in the darkness, being carried down as well by the other’s fall. + </p> + <p> + Gaoler, Prince and Englishman thus struggled on the stone floor in one + indistinguishable heap. It was no ordinary combat of two to one, for + neither of the prisoners could say which was the gaoler and which his + friend. The gaoler, troubled by no such doubts, laid about him lustily, + and was only prevented from crying out by the fact that his heavy fur cap + had, in the fall, become jammed down over his face as far as the chin and + could not for the moment be dislodged. + </p> + <p> + He reached for and drew the sword-bayonet that hung at his side (for his + second pistol had become lost in the scrimmage), and thrust blindly about + him. Once, twice his blade met resistance and struck into flesh. + </p> + <p> + “Jack,” panted Alan, “the beast’s stabbing. Get yourself loose and find + the electric light.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Alan’s hand found the gaoler’s throat. He knew it was not + Alan’s from the rough beard that covered it. The gaoler, maddened by the + pressure, stabbed with fresh fury; most of his blows, fortunately, going + wild in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Alan’s free hand reached for and located the arm that was wielding the + bayonet, and for a moment the two wrestled desperately for its possession. + </p> + <p> + Then a key clicked, and the room was flooded with incandescent light, just + as Alan, releasing his grip on the Russian’s throat, dealt him a short-arm + blow on the chin with all the power of his practiced muscles. The gaoler + relaxed his tense limbs and lay still, while Alan, bleeding and exhausted, + struggled to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Hot work, eh?” he panted. “Hard position to land a knockout from. But I + caught him just right. He’ll trouble us no more for a few minutes, I + fancy. You’re bleeding! Did he wound you?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a scratch along my check. And you?” + </p> + <p> + “A cut on the wrist and another on the shoulder, I think. Neither of them + bad, thanks to the lack of aim in the dark. Close call, that! Now to tie + them up. Not a movement from either yet.” + </p> + <p> + “You must have come close to killing them with those sledge-hammer blows + of yours!” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t much matter,” said the imperturbable pugilist, “they’ll be all + right in half an hour. It’s knowing where to hit. If there are only four + men downstairs, we don’t need to wear the clothes of these beasts. Let us + take only the bunch of keys and the revolvers.” + </p> + <p> + Securing these the two stepped out into the passage, locked and bolted the + door; then Jack, who knew his way, proceeded along the passage to the + stairway, leaped nimbly up the steps, bolted the door leading to the + military quarters, then descended and bolted the bottom door. + </p> + <p> + “Now for the clerk, and then for the Governor.” + </p> + <p> + The clerk’s room connected with the armory, which was reached by passing + through the apartment that held turbine and dynamo, which they found + purring away merrily. + </p> + <p> + Covering the frightened clerk with four revolvers, Jack told him in + Russian that if he made a sound it would be his last. They took him, + opened cell Number Three, which was empty, and thrust him in. + </p> + <p> + Jangling the keys, the two entered the Governor’s room. The ancient man + looked up, but not a muscle of his face changed; even his fishy eyes + showed no signs of emotion or surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Governor,” said Jack with deference, “although you are under the muzzles + of a quartet of revolvers, no harm is intended you. However, you must not + leave your place until you accompany us down to the boat, when I shall + hand the keys over to you, and in cell Number One you will find gaoler and + lantern man a little worse for wear, perhaps, but still in the ring, I + hope. In Number Three your clerk is awaiting you. I go now to release your + prisoners. All communication between yourself and the military is barred. + I leave my friend on guard until I return from the cells. You must not + attempt to summon assistance, or cry out, or move from your chair. My + friend does not understand either Russian or German, so there is no use in + making any appeal to him, and much as I like you personally, and admire + your assiduity in science, our case is so desperate that if you make any + motion whatever, he will be compelled to shoot you dead.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor bowed. + </p> + <p> + “May I continue my writing?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Jack laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” and with that he departed to the cells, which he unlocked one + by one, only to find them all empty. + </p> + <p> + Returning, he said to the Governor: + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not tell me that we were your only prisoners?” + </p> + <p> + “I feared,” replied the Governor mildly, “that you might not believe me.” + </p> + <p> + “After all, I don’t know that I should,”, said Jack, holding out his hand, + which the other shook rather unresponsively. + </p> + <p> + “I want to thank you,” the Governor said slowly, “for all you have told me + about electricity. That knowledge I expect to put to many useful purposes + in the future, and the exercise of it will also make the hours drag less + slowly than they did before you came.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s all right,” cried Jack with enthusiasm. “I am sure you are + very welcome to what teaching I have been able to give you, and no teacher + could have wished a more apt pupil.” + </p> + <p> + “It pleases me to hear you say that, Highness, although I fear I have been + lax in my duties, and perhaps the knowledge of this place which you have + got through my negligence, has assisted you in making an escape which I + had not thought possible.” + </p> + <p> + Jack laughed good-naturedly. + </p> + <p> + “All’s fair in love and war,” he said. “Imprisonment is a section of war. + I must admit that electricity has been a powerful aid to us. But you + cannot blame yourself, Governor, for you always took every precaution, and + the gaoler was eternally at my heels. You can never pretend that you + trusted me, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I tried to do my duty,” said the old man mournfully, “and if electricity + has been your helper, it has not been with my sanction. However, there is + one point about electricity which you impressed upon me, which is that + although it goes quickly, there is always a return current.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that, Governor?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it not so? It goes by a wire, and returns through the earth. I thought + you told me that.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I don’t quite see why you mention that feature of the case at + this particular moment.” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to be sure what I have stated is true. You see, when you are + gone there will be nobody I can ask.” + </p> + <p> + All this time the aged Governor was holding Jack’s hand rather limply. + Drummond showed signs of impatience. + </p> + <p> + “Jack,” he cried at last, “that conversation may be very interesting, but + it’s like smoking on a powder mine. One never knows what may happen. I + shan’t feel safe until we’re well out at sea, and not even then. Get + through with your farewells as soon as possible, and let us be off.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, Alan, my boy. Well, Governor, I’m reluctantly compelled to + bid you a final good-by, but here’s wishing you all sorts of luck.” + </p> + <p> + The old man seemed reluctant to part with him, and still clung to his + hand. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to tell you,” he said, “of another incident, almost as startling + as your coming into this room a while since, that happened six or eight + months ago. As perhaps you know, we keep a Finland fishing-boat down in + the cove below.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” said Jack impatiently, drawing away his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Well, six or eight months ago that boat disappeared, and has never been + heard of since. None of our prisoners was missing; none of the garrison + was missing; my three assistants were still here, yet in the night the + boat was taken away.” + </p> + <p> + “Really. How interesting! Never learned the secret, did you?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, but I took precautions, when we got the next boat, that it should + be better guarded, so I have had two men remain upon it night and day.” + </p> + <p> + “Are your two men armed, Governor?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they must surrender, or we will be compelled to shoot them. Come + down with us, and advise them to surrender quietly, otherwise, from safe + cover on the stairway, we can pot them in an open boat.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go down with you,” said the Governor, “and do what I can.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course they will obey you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, they will obey me—if they hear me. I was going to add that + only yesterday did I arrange the electric bell down at the landing, with + instructions to those men to take a telegram which I had written in case + of emergencies, to the mainland, at any moment, night or day, when that + bell rang. Your Highness, the bell rang more than half an hour ago. I have + not been allowed out to see the result.” + </p> + <p> + The placid old man put his hand on the Prince’s shoulder, as if bestowing + a benediction upon him. Drummond, who did not understand the lingo, was + amazed to see Jack fling off the Governor’s grasp, and with what he took + to be a crushing oath in Russian, spring to the door, which he threw open. + He mounted the stone bench which gave him a view of the sea. A boat, with + two sails spread, speeding to the southwest, across the strong westerly + wind, was two miles or more away. + </p> + <p> + “Marooned, by God!” cried the Prince, swinging round and presenting his + pistol at the head of the Governor, who stood there like a statue of + dejection, and made no sign. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX —ARRIVAL OF THE TURBINE YACHT + </h2> + <p> + BEFORE Jack could fire, as perhaps he had intended to do, Drummond struck + down his arm. + </p> + <p> + “None of that, Jack,” he said. “The Russian in you has evidently been + scratched, and the Tartar has come uppermost. The Governor gave a signal, + I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he did, and those two have got away while I stood babbling here, + feeling a sympathy for the old villain. That’s his return current, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “He’s not to blame,” said Drummond. “It’s our own fault entirely. The + first thing to have done was to secure that boat.” + </p> + <p> + “And everything worked so beautifully,” moaned Jack, “up to this point, + and one mistake ruins it. We are doomed, Alan.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t so bad as that, Jack,” said the Englishman calmly. “Should those + men reach the coast safely, as no doubt they will, it may cost Russia a + bit of trouble to dislodge us.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, hang it all,” cried Jack, “they don’t need to dislodge us. All + they’ve got to do is to stand off and starve us out. They are not + compelled to fire a gun or land a man.” + </p> + <p> + “They’ll have to starve their own men first. It’s not likely we’re going + to go hungry and feed our prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we don’t mind a little thing like that, we Russians. They may send + help, or they may not. Probably a cruiser will come within hailing + distance and try to find out what the trouble is. Then it will lie off and + wait till everybody’s dead, and after that put in a new Governor and + another garrison.” + </p> + <p> + “You take too pessimistic a view, Jack. This isn’t the season of the year + for a cruiser to lie off in the Baltic. Winter is coming on. Most of the + harbors in Finland will be ice-closed in a month, and there’s no shelter + hereabouts in a storm. They’ll attack; probably open shell fire on us for + a while, then attempt to land a storming party. That will be fun for us if + you’ve got good rifles and plenty of ammunition.” + </p> + <p> + Jack raised his head. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we’re well-equipped,” he said, “if we only have enough to eat.” + </p> + <p> + Springing to his feet, all dejection gone, he said to the Governor: + </p> + <p> + “Now, my friend, we’re compelled to put you into a cell. I’m sorry to do + this, but there is no other course open. Where is your larder, and what + quantity of provisions have you in stock?” + </p> + <p> + A gloomy smile added to the dejection of the old man’s countenance. + </p> + <p> + “You must find that out for yourself,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Are the soldiers upstairs well supplied with food?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not answer any of your questions.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well. I see you are determined to go hungry yourself. Until I am + satisfied that there is more than sufficient for my friend and me, no + prisoner in my charge gets anything to eat. That’s the sort of gaoler I + am. The stubborn old beast!” he cried in English, turning to Drummond, + “won’t answer my questions.” + </p> + <p> + “What were you asking him?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to know about the stock of provisions.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s quite unnecessary to ask about the grub: there’s sure to be ample.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Because we have reached the beginning of winter, as I said before. + There must be months when no boat can land at this rock. It’s bound to be + provisioned for several months ahead at the very lowest calculation. Now, + the first thing to do is to put this ancient Johnny in his little cell, + then I’ll tell you where our chief danger lies.” + </p> + <p> + The Governor made neither protest nor complaint, but walked into Number + Nine, and was locked up. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Johnny, my boy,” said Drummond, “our anxiety is the soldiers. The + moment they find they are locked in they will blow those two doors open in + just about half a jiffy. We can, of course, by sitting in front of the + lower door night and day, pick off the first four or five who come down, + but if the rest make a rush we are bound to be overpowered. They have, + presumably, plenty of powder, probably some live shells, petards, and + what-not, that will make short work even of those oaken doors. What do you + propose to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I propose,” said Jack, “to fill their crooked stairway with cement. There + are bags and bags of it in the armory.” + </p> + <p> + The necessity for this was prevented by an odd circumstance. The two young + men were seated in the Governor’s room, when at his table a telephone bell + rang. Jack had not noticed this instrument, and now took up the receiver. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Governor,” said a voice, “your fool of a gaoler has bolted the + stairway door, and we can’t open it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I beg pardon,” replied Jack, in whatever imitation of the Governor’s + voice he could assume. “I’ll see to it at once myself.” + </p> + <p> + He hung up the receiver and told his comrade what had happened. + </p> + <p> + “One or both of these officers are coming down. If we get the officers + safely into a cell, there will be nobody to command the men, and it is + more than likely that the officers carry the keys of the powder room. I’ll + turn out the electric lamps in the hall, and light the lantern. You be + ready at the foot of the stairway to fire if they make the slightest + resistance.” + </p> + <p> + The two officers came down the circular stairway, grumbling at the delay + to which they had been put. Lermontoff took advantage of the clamping of + their heavy boots in the echoing stairway to shove in the bolts once more, + and then followed them, himself followed by Drummond, into the Governor’s + room. Switching on the electric light, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I am Prince Lermontoff, in temporary charge of this prison. + The Governor is under arrest, and I regret that I must demand your swords, + although I have every reason to believe that they will be handed back to + you within a very few days after I have completed my investigations.” + </p> + <p> + The officers were too much accustomed to sudden changes in command to see + anything odd in this turn of affairs. Lermontoff spoke with a quiet + dignity that was very convincing, and the language he used was that of the + nobility. The two officers handed him their swords without a word of + protest. + </p> + <p> + “I must ask you whether you have yet received your winter supply of food.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said the senior officer, “we had that nearly a month ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it stored in the military portion of the rock, or below here?” + </p> + <p> + “Our rations are packed away in a room upstairs.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, gentlemen, that I must put you into cells until my mission is + accomplished. If you will write a requisition for such rations as you are + accustomed to receive, I shall see that you are supplied. Meanwhile, write + also an order to whomsoever you entrust in command of the men during your + absence, to grant no one leave to come downstairs, and ask him to take + care that each soldier is rigidly restricted to the minimum quantity of + vodka.” + </p> + <p> + The senior officer sat down at the table, and wrote the two orders. The + men were then placed in adjoining cells, without the thought of resistance + even occurring to them. They supposed there had been some changes at + headquarters, and were rather relieved to have the assurance of the Prince + that their arrest would prove temporary. Further investigation showed that + there would be no danger of starvation for six months at least. + </p> + <p> + Next day Jack, at great risk of his neck, scaled to the apex of the + island, as he had thought of flying, if possible, a signal of distress + that might attract some passing vessel. But even though he reached the + sharp ridge, he saw at once that no pole could be erected there, not even + if he possessed one. The wind aloft was terrific, and he gazed around him + at an empty sea. + </p> + <p> + When four days had passed they began to look for the Russian relief boat, + which they knew would set out the moment the Governor’s telegram reached + St. Petersburg. + </p> + <p> + On the fifth day Jack shouted down to Drummond, who was standing by the + door. + </p> + <p> + “The Russian is coming: heading direct for us. She’s in a hurry, too, + crowding on all steam, and eating up the distance like a torpedo-boat + destroyer. I think it’s a cruiser. It’s not the old tub I came on, + anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “Come down, then,” answered Alan, “and we—” + </p> + <p> + A cry from above interrupted him. Jack, having at first glance spied the + vessel whose description he had shouted to Drummond, had now turned his + eyes eastward and stood staring aghast toward the sunrise. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the matter?” asked Alan. + </p> + <p> + “Matter?” echoed Jack. “They must be sending the whole Russian Navy here + in detachments to capture our unworthy selves. There’s a second boat + coming from the east—nearer by two miles than the yacht. If I hadn’t + been all taken up with the other from the moment I climbed here I’d have + seen her before.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she a yacht, too?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Looks like a passenger tramp. Dirty and—” + </p> + <p> + “Merchantman, maybe.” + </p> + <p> + “No. She’s got guns on her—” + </p> + <p> + “Merchantman fitted out for privateersman, probably. That’s the sort of + craft Russia would be likeliest to send to a secret prison like this. What + flag does—” + </p> + <p> + “No flag at all. Neither of them. They’re both making for the rock, full + steam, and from opposite sides. Neither can see the other, I suppose. I—” + </p> + <p> + “From opposite sides? That doesn’t look like a joint expedition. One of + those ships isn’t Russian. But which?” + </p> + <p> + Jack had clambered down and stood by Alan’s side. + </p> + <p> + “We must make ready for defense in either case,” he said. “In a few + minutes we’ll be able to see them both from the platform below.” + </p> + <p> + “One of those boats means to blow us out of existence if it can,” mused + Jack. “The other cannot know of our existence. And yet, if she doesn’t, + what is she doing here, headed for the rock?” + </p> + <p> + With that Jack scrambled, slid and jumped down. Drummond was very quiet + and serious. Repeating rifles stood in a row on the opposite wall, easy to + get at, but as far off as might be from the effects of a possible shell. + The two young men now mounted the stone bench by the door, which allowed + them to look over the ledge at the eastern sea. Presently the craft + appeared round the end of the island, pure white, floating like a swan on + the water, and making great headway. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” said Jack, “she’s a fine one. Looks like the Czar’s yacht, but + no Russian vessel I know of can make that speed.” + </p> + <p> + “She’s got the ear-marks of Thornycroft build about her,” commented + Drummond. “By Jove, Jack, what luck if she should prove to be English. No + flag flying, though.” + </p> + <p> + “She’s heading for us,” said Jack, “and apparently she knows which side + the cannon is on. If she’s Russian, they’ve taken it for granted we’ve + captured the whole place, and are in command of the guns. There, she’s + turning.” + </p> + <p> + The steamer was abreast of the rock, and perhaps three miles distant. Now + she swept a long, graceful curve westward and drew up about half a mile + east of the rock. + </p> + <p> + “Jove, I wish I’d a pair of good glasses,” said Drummond. “They’re + lowering a boat.” + </p> + <p> + Jack showed more Highland excitement than Russian stolidity, as he watched + the oncoming of a small boat, beautifully riding the waves, and + masterfully rowed by sailors who understood the art. Drummond stood + imperturbable as a statue. + </p> + <p> + “The sweep of those oars is English, Jack, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + As the boat came nearer and nearer Jack became more and more agitated. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Alan, focus your eyes on that man at the rudder. I think my + sight’s failing me. Look closely. Did you ever see him before?” + </p> + <p> + “I think I have, but am not quite sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he looks to me like my jovial and venerable father-in-law, Captain + Kempt, of Bar Harbor. Perfectly absurd, of course: it can’t be.” + </p> + <p> + “He does resemble the Captain, but I only saw him once or twice.” + </p> + <p> + “Hooray, Captain Kempt, how are you?” shouted Jack across the waters. + </p> + <p> + The Captain raised his right hand and waved it, but made no attempt to + cover the distance with his voice. Jack ran pell-mell down the steps, and + Drummond followed in more leisurely fashion. The boat swung round to the + landing, and Captain Kempt cried cordially: + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Prince, how are you? And that’s Lieutenant Drummond, isn’t it? + Last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, Drummond, was that night of + the ball.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Drummond. “I was very glad to see you then, but a hundred + times happier to see you to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “I was just cruising round these waters in my yacht, and I thought I’d + take a look at this rock you tried to obliterate. I don’t see any + perceptible damage done, but what can you expect from British + marksmanship?” + </p> + <p> + “I struck the rock on the other side, Captain. I think your remark is + unkind, especially as I’ve just been praising the watermanship of your + men.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, are you boys tired of this summer resort?” asked Captain Kempt. “Is + your baggage checked, and are you ready to go? Most seaside places are + deserted this time of year.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll be ready in a moment, captain,” cried his future son-in-law. “I + must run up and get the Governor. We’ve put a number of men in prison + here, and they’ll starve if not released. The Governor’s a good old chap, + though he played it low down on me a few days ago,” and with that Jack + disappeared up the stairway once more. + </p> + <p> + “Had a gaol-delivery here?” asked the Captain. + </p> + <p> + “Well, something by way of that. The Prince drilled a hole in the rock, + and we got out. We’ve put the garrison in pawn, so to speak, but I’ve been + mighty anxious these last few days because the sail-boat they had here, + and two of the garrison, escaped to the mainland with the news. We were + anxiously watching your yacht, fearing it was Russian. Jack thought it was + the Czar’s yacht. How came you by such a craft, Captain? Splendid-looking + boat that.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I bought her a few days before I left New York. One likes to + travel comfortably, you know. Very well fitted up she is.” + </p> + <p> + Jack shouted from the doorway: + </p> + <p> + “Drummond, come up here and fling overboard these loaded rifles. We can’t + take any more chances. I’m going to lock up the ammunition room and take + the key with me as a souvenir.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Captain,” said Drummond, who followed his friend, and + presently bundles of rifles came clattering down the side of the + precipice, plunging into the sea. The two then descended the steps, Jack + in front, Drummond following with the Governor between them. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Governor,” said Jack, “for the second time I am to bid you farewell. + Here are the keys. If you accept them you must give me your word of honor + that the boat will not be fired upon. If you do not promise that, I’ll + drop the bunch into the sea, and on your gray head be the consequences.” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word of honor that you shall not be fired upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Governor. Here are the keys, and good-by.” + </p> + <p> + In the flurry of excitement over the yacht’s appearance, both Jack and + Drummond had temporarily forgotten the existence of the tramp steamer the + former had seen beating toward the rock. + </p> + <p> + Now Lamont suddenly recalled it. + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Governor,” he said, “the relief boat you so thoughtfully sent + for is on her way here. She should reach the rock at almost any minute + now. In fact, I fancy we’ve little time to waste if we want to avoid a + brush. It would be a pity to be nabbed now at the eleventh hour. Good-by, + once more.” + </p> + <p> + But the Governor had stepped between him and the boat. + </p> + <p> + “I—I am an old man,” he said, speaking with manifest embarrassment. + “I was sent to take charge of this prison as punishment for refusing to + join a Jew massacre plot. Governorship here means no more nor less than a + life imprisonment. My wife and children are on a little estate of mine in + Sweden. It is twelve years since I have seen them. I—” + </p> + <p> + “If this story is a ruse to detain us—” + </p> + <p> + “No! No!” protested the Governor, and there was no mistaking his pathetic, + eager sincerity. “But—but I shall be shot—or locked in one of + the cells and the water turned on—for letting you escape. Won’t you + take me with you? I will work my passage. Take me as far as Stockholm. I + shall be free there—free to join my wife and to live forever out of + reach of the Grand Dukes. Take me—” + </p> + <p> + “Jump in!” ordered Jack, coming to a sudden resolution. “Heaven knows I + would not condemn my worst enemy to a perpetual life on this rock. And + you’ve been pretty decent to us, according to your lights. Jump aboard, + we’ve no time to waste.” + </p> + <p> + Nor did the Governor waste time in obeying. The others followed, and the + boat shoved off. But scarcely had the oars caught the water when around + the promontory came a large man-o’-war’s launch, a rapid-fire gun mounted + on her bows. She was manned by about twenty men in Russian police uniform. + </p> + <p> + “From the ‘tramp,’” commented Alan excitedly. “And her gun is trained on + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Get down to work!” shouted Jack to the straining oarsmen. + </p> + <p> + “No use!” groaned Kempt. “She’ll cross within a hundred yards of us. + There’s no missing at such close range and on such a quiet sea. What a + fool I was to—” + </p> + <p> + The launch was, indeed, bearing down on them despite the rowers’ best + efforts, and must unquestionably cut them off before they could reach the + yacht. + </p> + <p> + Alan drew his revolver. + </p> + <p> + “We’ve no earthly show against her,” he remarked quietly, “and it seems + hard to ‘go down in sight of port.’ But let’s do what we can.” + </p> + <p> + “Put up that pop-gun,” ordered Kempt. “She will sink us long before you’re + in range for revolver work. I’ll run up my handkerchief for a white flag.” + </p> + <p> + “To surrender?” + </p> + <p> + “What else can we do?” + </p> + <p> + “And he lugged back to the rock, all of us? Not I, for one!” + </p> + <p> + The launch was now within hailing distance, and every man aboard her was + glaring at the helpless little yacht-gig. + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” + </p> + <p> + It was the Governor who spoke. Rising from his seat in the stern, he + hailed the officer who was sighting the rapid-fire gun. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Tschersky!” he called. + </p> + <p> + At sight of the old man’s lean, uniformed figure, rising from among the + rest, there was visible excitement and surprise aboard the launch. The + officer saluted and ordered the engine stopped that he might hear more + plainly. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant,” repeated the Governor, “I am summoned aboard His Highness + the Grand Duke Vladimir’s yacht. You will proceed to the harbor and await + my return to the rock. There has been a mutiny among the garrison, but I + have quelled it.” + </p> + <p> + The officer saluted again, gave an order, and the launch’s nose pointed + for the rock. + </p> + <p> + “Governor,” observed Lamont, as the old man sank again into his seat, + “you’ve earned your passage to Stockholm. You need not work for it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI —THE ELOPEMENT + </h2> + <p> + THE girls on the yacht had no expectation that Captain Kempt would come + back with the two young men. But when, through their powerful binoculars, + the girls became aware that Drummond and the Prince were in the small + boat, they both fled to the chief saloon, and sat there holding one + another’s hands. Even the exuberant Kate for once had nothing to say. She + heard the voice of her father on deck, giving command to the mate. + </p> + <p> + “Make for Stockholm, Johnson. Take my men-o’-war’s men—see that no + one else touches the ammunition—and fling the shells overboard. + Heave the gun after them, and then clear out the rifles and ammunition the + same way. When we reach Stockholm to-morrow morning, there must not be a + gun on board this ship, and the ridiculous rumor that got abroad among + your men that we were going to attack something or other, you will see is + entirely unfounded. You impress that on them, Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” whispered Katherine, drawing a deep breath. “If you are as + frightened as I am, get behind me.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I will,” answered Dorothy, and each squeezed the other’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what it is, Captain,” sounded the confident voice of the + Prince. “This vessel is a beauty. You have done yourself fine. I had no + idea you were such a sybarite. Why, I’ve been aboard the Czar’s yacht, and + I tell you it’s nothing—Great heavens! Katherine!” he shouted, in a + voice that made the ceiling ring. + </p> + <p> + She was now standing up and advanced toward him with both hands held out, + a welcoming smile on her pretty lips, but he swooped down on her, flung + his arms round her like a cabman beating warmth into his hands, kissed her + on the brow, the two cheeks and the lips, swaying her back and forward as + if about to fling her upstairs. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, stop,” she cried. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Before my + father, too! You great Russian bear!” and, breathless, she put her open + palm against his face, and shoved his head away from her. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t bother about me, Kate,” said her father. “That’s nothing to the way + we acted when I was young. Come on, boys, to the smoking-room, and I’ll + mix you something good: real Kentucky, twenty-seven years in barrel, and + I’ve got all the other materials for a Manhattan.” + </p> + <p> + “Jack, I am glad to see you,” panted Katherine, all in disarray, which she + endeavored to set right by an agitated touch here and there. “Now, Jack, + I’m going to take you to the smoking-room, but you’ll have to behave + yourself as you walk along the deck. I won’t be made a spectacle of before + the crew.” + </p> + <p> + “Come along, Drummond,” said the Captain, “and bring Miss Dorothy with + you.” + </p> + <p> + But Drummond stood in front of Dorothy Amhurst, and held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + “You haven’t forgotten me, Miss Amhurst, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” she replied, with a very faint smile, taking his hand. + </p> + <p> + “It seems incredible that you are here,” he began. “What a lucky man I am. + Captain Kempt takes his yacht to rescue his son-in-law that is to be, and + incidentally rescues me as well, and then to find you here! I suppose you + came because your friend Miss Kempt was aboard?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we are all but inseparable.” + </p> + <p> + “I wrote you a letter, Miss Amhurst, the last night I was in St. + Petersburg in the summer.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I received it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not this one. It was the night I was captured, and I never got a + chance to post it. It was an important letter—for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it important—for me,” replied Dorothy, now smiling quite + openly. “The Nihilists got it, searching your room after you had been + arrested. It was sent on to New York, and given to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that possible? How did they know it was for you?” + </p> + <p> + “I had been making inquiries through the Nihilists.” + </p> + <p> + “I wrote you a proposal of marriage, Dorothy.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly read like it, but you see it wasn’t signed, and you can’t be + held to it.” + </p> + <p> + He reached across the table, and grasped her two hands. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, Dorothy,” he cried, “do you mean you would have cabled ‘Yes’?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not. I should have cabled ‘Undecided.’ One gets more for one’s + money in sending a long word. Then I should have written—” she + paused, and he cried eagerly: + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you think?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, do you know, Dorothy, I am beginning to think my incredible luck + will hold, and that you’d have written ‘Yes.’” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know about the luck: that would have been the answer.” + </p> + <p> + He sprang up, bent over her, and she, quite unaffectedly raised her face + to his. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dorothy,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Alan,” she replied, with quivering voice, “I never thought to see you + again. You cannot imagine the long agony of this voyage, and not knowing + what had happened.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a blessing, Dorothy, you had learned nothing about the + Trogzmondoff.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but I did: that’s what frightened me. We have a man on board who was + flung for dead from that dreadful rock. The Baltic saved him; his mother, + he calls it.” + </p> + <p> + Drummond picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the luxurious divan + which ran along the side of the large room. There they sat down together, + out of sight of the stairway. + </p> + <p> + “Did you get all of my letters?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so.” + </p> + <p> + “You know I am a poor man?” + </p> + <p> + “I know you said so.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you consider my position poverty? I thought every one over there + had a contempt for an income that didn’t run into tens of thousands.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you, Alan, I had been unused to money, and so your income appears + to me quite sufficient.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are not afraid to trust in my future?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the least: I believe in you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you dear girl. If you knew how sweet that sounds! Then I may tell + you. When I was in London last I ran down to Dartmouth in Devonshire. I + shall be stationed there. You see, I have finished my foreign cruising, + and Dartmouth is, for a time at least, to be my home. There’s a fine + harbor there, green hills and a beautiful river running between them, and + I found such a lovely old house; not grand at all, you know, but so cosey + and comfortable, standing on the heights overlooking the harbor, in an old + garden filled with roses, shrubs, and every kind of flower; vines + clambering about the ancient house. Two servants would keep it going like + a shot. Dorothy, what do you say?” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed quietly and whole heartedly. + </p> + <p> + “It reads like a bit from an old English romance. I’d just love to see + such a house.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t care for this sort of thing, do you?” he asked, glancing round + about him. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of thing?” + </p> + <p> + “This yacht, these silk panelling, these gorgeous pictures, the carving, + the gilt, the horribly expensive carpet.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean should I feel it necessary to be surrounded by such luxury? I + answer most emphatically, no. I like your ivy-covered house at Dartmouth + much better.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment neither said anything: lips cannot speak when pressed + together. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Dorothy, I want you to elope with me. We will be in Stockholm long + before daylight to-morrow at the rate this boat is going. I’ll get ashore + as soon as practicable, and make all inquiries at the consulate about + being married. I don’t know what the regulations are, but if it is + possible to be married quietly, say in the afternoon, will you consent to + that, and then write a letter to Captain Kempt, thanking him for the trip + on the yacht, and I’ll write, thanking him for all he has done for me, and + after that we’ll make for England together. I’ve got a letter of credit in + my pocket, which luckily the Russians did not take from me. I shall find + all the money we need at Stockholm, then we’ll cross the Swedish country, + sail to Denmark, make our way through Germany to Paris, if you like, or to + London. We shan’t travel all the time, but just take nice little day + trips, stopping at some quaint old town every afternoon and evening.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean to let Captain Kempt, Katherine, and the Prince go to America + alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Why not? They don’t want us, and I’m quite sure we—well, + Dorothy, we’d be delighted to have them, to be sure—but still, I’ve + knocked a good deal about Europe, and there are some delightful old towns + I’d like to show you, and I hate traveling with a party.” + </p> + <p> + Dorothy laughed so heartily that her head sank on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I’ll do that,” she said at last. + </p> + <p> + And they did. + </p> + <p> + THE END + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Rock in the Baltic, by Robert Barr + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A ROCK IN THE BALTIC *** + +***** This file should be named 4982-h.htm or 4982-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/9/8/4982/ + +Produced by Jim Weiler and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +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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