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diff --git a/7335-h/7335-h.htm b/7335-h/7335-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e04d6b --- /dev/null +++ b/7335-h/7335-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,31200 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> + +<title> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape +From the Brigand's of Greece, by Bracebridge Hemyng +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +body { color: black; + background: white; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +p {text-indent: 4% } + +p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 200%; + text-align: center } + +p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center } + +p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 60%; + text-align: center } + +h1 { text-align: center } +h2 { text-align: center } +h3 { text-align: center } +h4 { text-align: center } +h5 { text-align: center } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; } + +p.contents {text-indent: -3%; + margin-left: 5% } + +p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; + letter-spacing: 4em ; + text-align: center } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.transnote {text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.intro {font-size: 90% ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.quote {text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the +Brigand's of Greece, by Bracebridge Hemyng + +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: Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the Brigand's of Greece + +Author: Bracebridge Hemyng + +Posting Date: April 12, 2014 [EBook #7335] +Release Date: January, 2005 +First Posted: April 15, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK HARKAWAY AND SON'S ESCAPE *** + + + + +Produced by Michelle Shephard, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. HTML version by Al +Haines. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /><br /> + JACK HARKAWAY<br /> + AND HIS SON'S<br /> + ESCAPE FROM THE BRIGANDS<br /> + OF GREECE.<br /> +</h1> + +<p class="t3b"> + BEING THE CONTINUATION OF<br /> + "JACK HARKAWAY AND HIS<br /> + SON'S ADVENTURES IN GREECE."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="t3b"> + BY<br /> + BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[Illustration: Bother the beggars"—said Mr Mole"—Adv in Greece, Vol +II—<i>Frontispiece</i>] +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER I. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE CONTESSA'S LETTER TO MR. MOLE—ON PLEASURE BENT—THE<br /> +MENDICANT FRIAR—MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS—HOUSE BREAKING. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +When Mrs. Harkaway's maid returned to the villa, she got scolded for +being so long upon an errand of some importance with which she had been +entrusted. +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon, she was prepared with twenty excuses, all of which were any +thing but the truth. +</p> + +<p> +The words of warning which the brigand had called after her had not +been without their due effect. +</p> + +<p> +"She had been detained," she said, "by the Contessa Maraviglia for the +letter which she brought back to Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +The letter was an invitation to a grand ball which was to be given by +the contessa at the Palazzo Maraviglia, and to which the Harkaways were +going. +</p> + +<p> +Dick Harvey had been at work in this business, and had made the +contessa believe indirectly that Mr. Mole was a most graceful dancer, +and that it would be an eternal shame for a <i>bal masqué</i> to take +place in the neighbourhood without being graced by his—Mole's—presence. +</p> + +<p> +The result was that during lunch Mr. Mole received from the maid the +following singular effusion. +</p> + +<p> +"Al Illustrissimo Signor Mole," which, being translated, means, "To the +illustrious Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" said the tutor, looking around him and dropping his eye on +Dick, "who is this from?" +</p> + +<p> +"From the Contessa Maraviglia," replied the girl. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole gave her a piercing glance. +</p> + +<p> +The contessa's letter was a sort of puzzle to poor old Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"The Contessa Maraviglia begs the honour of the Signor Mole's company +on the 16th instant. She can accept no refusal, as the <i>fête</i> is +especially organised in honour of Signor Mole, whose rare excellence in +the poetry of motion has elevated dancing into an art." +</p> + +<p> +Isaac Mole read and re-read this singular letter, until he grew more +and more fogged. +</p> + +<p> +He thought that the contessa had failed to express herself clearly in +English on account of her imperfect knowledge of our language; but he +was soon corrected in this impression. +</p> + +<p> +The lady in question, it transpired, was English. +</p> + +<p> +So poor Mole did what he thought best under the circumstances, and that +was to consult with Dick Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Dear me!" echoed Dick, innocently; "why, you have made an impression +here, Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think so?" said Mole, doubtfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Beyond question. This contessa is smitten, sir, with your attractions; +but I can assist you here." +</p> + +<p> +"You can?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"Thank you, my dear Harvey, thank you," replied Mr. Mole eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; I can let the contessa know that there is no hope for her." +</p> + +<p> +Isaac Mole's vanity was tickled at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you think it would be cruel to undeceive her?" +</p> + +<p> +"Cruel, sir!" said Dick, with severe air, "no, sir; I don't. It is my +duty to tell her all." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked alarmed. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"That you are a married man." +</p> + +<p> +"I say, I say—" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir, very much married," pursued Dick, relentlessly; "that you +have had three wives, and were nearly taking a fourth." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, Dick." +</p> + +<p> +"All more or less black." +</p> + +<p> +"Dick, Dick!" +</p> + +<p> +"However, there is no help for it; you will have to go to this ball." +</p> + +<p> +"Never." +</p> + +<p> +"You will, though. The contessa has heard of your fame in the ball +room—" +</p> + +<p> +"What!" +</p> + +<p> +"In bygone years, no doubt—and she does not know of the little matters +which have happened since to spoil your activity, if not your grace." +</p> + +<p> +As he alluded to the "little matters," he glanced at Mr. Mole's wooden +legs. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole thought it over, and then he read through the letter again. +</p> + +<p> +"You are right, Harvey," he said with an air of determination; "and my +mind's made up." +</p> + +<p> +"Is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"So much the better, for your absence would be sadly missed at the +ball." +</p> + +<p> +"You misunderstand me, Harvey; I shall not go." +</p> + +<p> +Dick looked frightened. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't say that, Mr. Mole, I beg, don't; it would be dangerous." +</p> + +<p> +"What on earth do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean that this lady is English by birth, but she has lived in the +land of the Borgias, where they yet know how to use poison." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey!" +</p> + +<p> +"And if her love were slighted, she might recollect it." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked precious uncomfortable. +</p> + +<p> +"It is really very embarrassing, Harvey," said he; "my personal +attractions are likely to get me into trouble." +</p> + +<p> +And yet, in spite of his embarrassment, Mr. Mole was not altogether +displeased at the fancy. +</p> + +<p> +He strutted up and down, showing the fall in his back to the best +advantage, and was very evidently conscious that he was rather a fine +man. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir," said Harvey, with great gravity; "your fatal beauty is +likely to lead you into a mess." +</p> + +<p> +At the words "fatal beauty," Mr. Mole made a grimace. +</p> + +<p> +It was rather a strong dose for even him to swallow. +</p> + +<p> +"Draw it mild, Harvey," said he, "pray draw it mild." +</p> + +<p> +Dick shook his head with great seriousness. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you be deceived, Mr. Mole," said he; "use the greatest care, for +this poor countess is to be pitied. Her love is likely to turn to +violent hate if she finds herself slighted—the poignard or the +poisoned chalice may yet be called to play a part in your career." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole turned pale. +</p> + +<p> +Yet he tried to laugh. +</p> + +<p> +A hollow ghastly laugh it was too, that told how he felt more plainly +than words could have done. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, Harvey; don't, I beg!" he said in faltering tones; "it sounds +like some dreadful thing one sees upon the stage." +</p> + +<p> +"In all these southern countries you know, Mr. Mole, a man's life is +not worth much." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey!" +</p> + +<p> +"A hired assassin or bravo will cut a throat or stab a man in the back +for a few francs." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh!" +</p> + +<p> +"I should advise you not to keep out after dark—and avoid dark +corners. These people can poison you, too, with a bouquet or a jewel. +Accept a flower or a nosegay, but don't smell it." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey." +</p> + +<p> +"Sir?" +</p> + +<p> +"Is it your wish to make me uncomfortable?" +</p> + +<p> +"How can you think it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Do you wish me to dream all night, and disturb Mrs. Mole, and not to +get a wink of sleep?" +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly not; that's why I am giving you advice; but pray understand +the contessa thinks you are a single man." +</p> + +<p> +"Good gracious me; it is very unpleasant to have a contessa in love +with one." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know that; most men wouldn't say so. There are, I'll be bound, +forty men within a mile of this house who would give their ears to have +received such a letter." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole smiled—a self-satisfied, complacent smile, +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think so?" +</p> + +<p> +"I know it." +</p> + +<p> +Mole lifted his collar and shot his cuffs over his hands, as he stomped +across the room, and looked into a glass. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well, Harvey, I suppose I must go to the ball; but you will bear +me witness that I only go for reasons of prudence, and that I am not +going to be led away by any little silly reasons of vanity?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course," returned Dick, gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"Besides, I go disguised." +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly" +</p> + +<p> +"And what disguise would you recommend?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why that is a matter for reflection," said Dick. "I should think that +you ought almost to keep up the character." +</p> + +<p> +"The character!" said Mole. "What character?" +</p> + +<p> +"A Terpsichorean personage," replied Dick, with the air of one +discussing a grave problem. "Say, for instance, a ballet girl." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole gasped. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no; not a ballet girl." +</p> + +<p> +"A fairy queen, then." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, Dick; don't, I beg." +</p> + +<p> +"Or, if you object to the costume of the gentler sex, what do you say +to the spangles and wand of a harlequin?" +</p> + +<p> +"Do you really think that such a costume would become me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Do I think?" iterated Dick. "Do I <i>know!</i> Of course it would +become you. You will look the part to the life: it wants a figure to +show off such a dress and to be shown off by it." +</p> + +<p> +"But what about my—my wooden legs, Dick?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I'll provide you with cork ones, and here they are," said Harvey, +producing a pair. +</p> + +<p> +And so it was settled. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole was to go to the ball, and his disguise was to be well-known +spangles and colours of a harlequin. +</p> + +<p> +Harvey himself chose a clown's costume and carried over his shoulder +Mole's wooden legs, in case any thing happened to the cork ones he was +walking on for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway was to go as a knight of old. +</p> + +<p> +Magog Brand selected the character of Quasimodo, the hunchback of Nôtre +Dame. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson selected the character of Julius Caesar, a costume which his +fine, stalwart form set off to considerable advantage. +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Harkaway was to go as Diana, the huntress, and Mrs. Harvey made +Marie Stuart her choice. +</p> + +<p> +Little Emily and Paquita went in dresses of the Charles the Second +period. +</p> + +<p> +These young ladies were escorted by young Jack and Harry Girdwood, who +were richly habited as young Venetian nobles of the sixteenth century. +</p> + +<p> +As they passed through the garden door a man stood in their path. +</p> + +<p> +He wore a long serge gown, with a cowl, like a mendicant monk, and as +they approached he put out his open hand for alms. +</p> + +<p> +"Bother the beggars!" said Mr. Mole, tartly. +</p> + +<p> +The monk shrank back into his cowl, and stood aside while the party +went by. +</p> + +<p> +The garden door was held by the maid servant while they passed on, and +when they were out of hearing, she dropped a small silver coin into the +mendicant friar's hand. +</p> + +<p> +"There," she said, "I can spare you something, father, although those +rich English cannot or will not, the heretics and pagans!" +</p> + +<p> +The friar, who was seemingly an aged man, muttered his thanks, and the +girl retired and closed the door, locking it behind her. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner was the door closed than the mendicant monk whistled a low +but very distinct note, and lo! two men appeared upon the scene. +</p> + +<p> +It looked as though they had just come up trap-doors in the earth, so +suddenly did they show in sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Captain Mathias," said the disguised monk to the first who came up, "I +have learnt all we wish to know." +</p> + +<p> +"You have?" ejaculated, not the man addressed by the mendicant monk, +but the other. "Out with it, then." +</p> + +<p> +"Still your impatience, Toro, if you can.—" +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, learn that Mole goes as—" +</p> + +<p> +"Bother Mole!" interrupted Toro, harshly. "How does our great foe go?" +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"An English knight of old." +</p> + +<p> +"It shall be my task," said Toro, "to keep up his character, and give +it a realistic look by a hand-to-hand fight." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be rash," said the mendicant friar, "or you may chance to be +beaten." +</p> + +<p> +"I can risk my life on it." +</p> + +<p> +"You have—you do; every hour that you live here imperils it. Did you +see the party go?" +</p> + +<p> +"I did," said Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +The latter was no other than the captain of the brigands. Already they +were upon a footing of equality, for the two adventurers had had +opportunities, which they had not failed to seize. +</p> + +<p> +They had courage, ready wit, presence of mind, boldness daring, and +cunning, and so it fell out that they who had made the acquaintance of +the brigand's gang under such very unpleasant auspices, became two of +the principal members of it within a few days. +</p> + +<p> +But to resume. +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me, Hunston," said Toro, "does Jefferson go to the ball?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"How disguised?" +</p> + +<p> +"Julius Caesar." +</p> + +<p> +The Italian said nothing, but his lips moved, and his lowering brow was +as expressive as words could be to his old comrade. +</p> + +<p> +It boded ill for Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +They had met in fair fight, and he, Toro, had been defeated. +</p> + +<p> +That defeat was as bitter as gall to him. +</p> + +<p> +He would be avenged. +</p> + +<p> +And if he could not cope with the doughty Anglo-American, then let him +look to it. +</p> + +<p> +What strength and skill failed to achieve, the assassin's knife would +accomplish. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you see the girl that attended him to the gate?" demanded the +mendicant friar, or Hunston, as it would be better to call him, since +there is no further need of concealment. +</p> + +<p> +"I did." +</p> + +<p> +"And recognised her, Mathias?" he asked of the brigand captain. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; it is the pretty girl we stopped with her lover, the coy +Marietta." +</p> + +<p> +"Now that they are well off, we may as well set to work," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston threw back his friar's cowl and produced a key. +</p> + +<p> +"They have had many a good hunt for this," he said, with his old +sinister laugh. +</p> + +<p> +"I dare say." +</p> + +<p> +"It was a lucky thing that the dainty little Marietta dropped it." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, it makes matters much easier for us to begin with." +</p> + +<p> +The door yielded to the touch of the sham mendicant friar, and the +three worthies entered the grounds. +</p> + +<p> +Silently they stepped across a grassplot, keeping a thick shrubbery +between them and the house as far as they could, when just as they +gained the shelter of a trellissed verandah, a dog within set up a most +alarming noise. +</p> + +<p> +The three robbers exchanged uneasy glances. +</p> + +<p> +"Curse the beast!" muttered Mathias the captain; "he will ruin us." +</p> + +<p> +Toro got ready his long hunting-knife and looked about. +</p> + +<p> +But the dog was out of sight. +</p> + +<p> +A lucky thing it was too for our old friend little Mike, for a touch +with that ugly instrument would soon have stopped his singing. +</p> + +<p> +Now, just above the verandah was a half-opened window, and into this +Mathias peered anxiously. +</p> + +<p> +No signs of Mike. +</p> + +<p> +A voice was heard now calling to the faithful guardian of the house to +be silent, but Mike refused emphatically to be comforted; thereupon, +the person very imprudently called the dog to her and tied him up. +</p> + +<p> +This did not quiet him. +</p> + +<p> +So the person in question tripped down the garden to see if there was +really any reason for the dog's singular behaviour. +</p> + +<p> +In passing down the path she went so close to the verandah, that the +skirts of her dress actually brushed aside the creeping plants which +garnished the trellis work. +</p> + +<p> +"Snarling, barking little beast!" quoth Marietta to herself, "and all +about nothing; I wish they would lose him." +</p> + +<p> +But when she got to the bottom of the garden and discovered the garden +door open, she altered her tone. +</p> + +<p> +"How very silly of me to leave the door unlocked," she said to herself. +"Poor little fellow, poor Mike, I'm coming, good dog. Heard someone, I +suppose. Good gracious, what's that? I thought I saw something move +there. I'm getting as nervous as a cat ever since those men stopped us +and made me kiss them, the beasts. Ugh I how I loathe them, although +there was one of them that was really not very bad-looking. I wonder +where that poor old friar went to. What was that? Oh, how nervous I +feel. I wish they had left me some one in the house besides that old +deaf Constantino; he's nice company truly for a girl. Bother the dog, +what a noise he is kicking up." +</p> + +<p> +And chatting thus, Marietta re-entered the house. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile Mathias had clambered up the iron balcony and pushing open +the glass door, or rather window, he entered the room. +</p> + +<p> +It was the dining-room, and the remnants of a very sumptuous repast +were yet upon the table. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll just take a glass of wine." +</p> + +<p> +He did, too. +</p> + +<p> +He took several glasses of wine, and then, as the fumes of the good +liquor mounted to his brain, he grew generous, and he lowered a bottle +out of the window to his two comrades beneath. +</p> + +<p> +Toro grasped it, and sucked down a good half of it before it left his +lips. +</p> + +<p> +Then Hunston finished it off at a draught. +</p> + +<p> +When Mathias had regaled himself, he made a move to the door. +</p> + +<p> +There was no one about. +</p> + +<p> +Not a sound. +</p> + +<p> +Now was his time. +</p> + +<p> +His object was to explore the house, and ascertain in what particular +part of it the cash, the jewels, and the plate were kept. +</p> + +<p> +When they had secured these, they could content themselves for the +present at least. +</p> + +<p> +Firstly, therefore, he tied up the silver spoons and knives and forks +from the dinner table in a napkin, and dropped the bundle into Toro's +hat below. +</p> + +<p> +Then he crept back through the room into the passage. +</p> + +<p> +This done, he waited for a while to listen, and assuring himself that +the coast was clear, he crept up. +</p> + +<p> +On the next landing there were seven doors. +</p> + +<p> +Six were shut, so he peeped into the seventh room, and just then he +heard a noise below. +</p> + +<p> +Someone coming up stairs. +</p> + +<p> +What could he do? +</p> + +<p> +He stole back to the stairs and listened. It was Marietta. +</p> + +<p> +It was really a most embarrassing job now, for there was no retreat, so +he crept upon tip-toe into the room, of which the door stood ajar. +</p> + +<p> +It was a bedroom, dimly lighted by an oil lamp. +</p> + +<p> +A cursory glance showed him that this room had only been lately +vacated, and that one or more of the ladies had been dressing here for +the ball. +</p> + +<p> +Within a few feet of the door was a looking-glass let into the wall as +a panel, and reaching from floor to ceiling. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias listened in great anxiety for the footsteps on the stairs, and +every moment they sounded nearer and nearer. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope she will not come in here," thought the robber, "else I shall +have to make her sure." +</p> + +<p> +He showed how he meant to "make her sure" by toying with the hilt of +his dagger. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias crouched down, and crept under the bed, just in time, as the +pert young lady skipped into the room. +</p> + +<p> +Her first care was to turn up the lamp, and by its light she looked +about her. +</p> + +<p> +"I think they might have taken me to the ball with them," she said, +saucily shaking her curls off her face. "I should have looked better +than some of them, I'll be bound. I'm dead beat with fatigue. I've had +all the work dressing them, and they are to get all the fun." +</p> + +<p> +She was silent for some few minutes, and Mathias grew anxious. +</p> + +<p> +What could be going forward? +</p> + +<p> +He would vastly like to know. +</p> + +<p> +Unable to control his curiosity, he peeped out, and then he saw pretty +Marietta's portrait in the long looking-glass panel. +</p> + +<p> +She looked prettier than ever now, for, shocking to relate, the young +lady was undressing. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias was not to say a bashful man, so he did not draw back. +</p> + +<p> +On the contrary, he stared with all his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +Pretty Marietta little thought, as she stood before the glass, that +such a desperate villain was watching every movement. +</p> + +<p> +Marietta, wholly unconscious that she was watched by the vile brigand +chief, walked up and down before the glass, shooting admiring glances +at herself over her white and well rounded shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +"Dress, and rank, and money do wonders," she said. "Why are we not all +about equal? I'm as good as the best of them, I'm sure, and very much +better looking." +</p> + +<p> +With this mixture of feminine vanity and republican sentiments, she +bustled about, putting the room a bit in order. +</p> + +<p> +Now her first job was to put away several dresses. +</p> + +<p> +The first of these was a short Spanish skirt of pink satin, with deep +black lace flounces. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder how I should look in this?" she murmured. +</p> + +<p> +She held up the dress beside her to test the colour against her +complexion. +</p> + +<p> +"Beautiful!" +</p> + +<p> +Beautiful; yes, this was her frank opinion, and, really, we are by no +means sure but that her own estimate was very near the mark. +</p> + +<p> +On went the dress. +</p> + +<p> +She strutted up and down, and then, when she had feasted her eyes +enough upon her own loveliness, she plaited her hair, and, twisting it +up into a rich knot behind, she stuck a high comb into it, and fastened +the thick lace veil about her. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias watched it all. +</p> + +<p> +He gloated over that pretty little picture, and, shameless rascal! +chuckled to think how little she suspected his presence. +</p> + +<p> +"There," she said, folding the veil about her head with the most +coquettish manner, "if I don't look the prettiest señorita alive, why, +call me—call me anything odious—yes, even an Englishwoman—ha, ha, +ha! How that would please my mistress!" +</p> + +<p> +And then she figured about before the glass, and capered through a +Spanish bolero with considerable grace and dexterity, while she sang an +impromptu verse to an old air. +</p> + +<p> +The verse was naturally doggerel, and maybe given in English as +follows— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Sweet Marietta,<br /> + Rarely has been<br /> + A sweeter or better<br /> + Face or form seen;<br /> + My chestnut tresses,<br /> + And my Spanish fall,<br /> + Would eclipse all the dresses<br /> + At the masked ball.<br /> + Then why, Marietta.<br /> + Dally?—ah, no!<br /> + Pluck up, you'd better,<br /> + Your courage and go!"<br /> +</p> + +<p> +And as she came to the last line, this impudent little maid whirled round, +spinning her skirts about her like a top. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias was enraptured. +</p> + +<p> +With difficulty he kept himself from applauding. +</p> + +<p> +"She'd make her fortune upon the stage," he said to himself. +</p> + +<p> +Marietta had made quite a conquest; a double conquest, it might almost +be said. +</p> + +<p> +The hidden robber was enraptured, and she was scarcely less pleased with +herself. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll go," she said to herself, "Why should I not? They'll never find it +out; I can do just as Cenerentola (Cinderella) did, and who knows but +that some prince might fall over head and ears in love with me? I can get +back long before they do." +</p> + +<p> +Out she skipped too, and tripped down the stairs. +</p> + +<p> +She was off to the ball. +</p> + +<p> +Little dreamt she that for the last half hour her life hung upon the +most slender thread. +</p> + +<p> +And now, the coast being clear, the three brigands prepared to carry out +their plans. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER II. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +AT THE CONTESSA'S FETE—A ROMANTIC ADVENTURE BETWEEN CERTAIN OLD FRIENDS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The most brilliant fête of the year was that given by the +rich Contessa Maraviglia at her palazzo. +</p> + +<p> +All the rank and fashion of the land were there. +</p> + +<p> +The palazzo itself was a building of great beauty, and stood in grounds +of great extent. +</p> + +<p> +The contessa, who was a widow, had a princely fortune, and she spent +it lavishly too. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the night of the masquerade the gardens were brilliantly lighted. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the miniature lake there was a fairy gondola, with a coloured +lantern dangling at the prow, and hung with curtains of pale blue silk +gauze. +</p> + +<p> +In this gondola a lady was seated. +</p> + +<p> +She had taken to the gondola, not alone for the sake of the freshness of +the breeze upon the water, but to read without interruption a letter she +had received from a mysterious man who professed to be deeply smitten +with her charms, and who, the messenger of love let fall, was a prince. +</p> + +<p> +She wore a black domino, but was not masked, for as she threw back its +folds to breathe more freely, you could see that her only veil was a +thick fall of black lace, fastened to a high comb in the back of her +head. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope he will not be long," said she to herself, while her heart beat +high with expectation. "His note says clearly enough on the lake in the +fairy gondola. Well, it will certainly be nice to be a princess, but I +do hope that his highness may prove to be a dashing, handsome youth, +such as a Cinderella might sigh for. Hush, boatman!" +</p> + +<p> +"Lady?" +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear?" +</p> + +<p> +"Someone singing on the bank yonder? Yes! I hear, lady." +</p> + +<p> +"Row that way." +</p> + +<p> +A voice was heard carolling gently the serenade—"Fair shines the moon +to-night." +</p> + +<p> +The voice meant well, evidently, but something rather spoilt the effect. +</p> + +<p> +It was not altogether in tune, nor had the singer the best idea in the +world of time. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps his singing was spoilt by excess of love. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps by liquor. +</p> + +<p> +The latter idea was suggested by a certain unsteadiness that would +appear to indicate both love and liquor. +</p> + +<p> +Be that as it may, the singer was not at all aware of the disadvantages +under which he laboured. +</p> + +<p> +On the contrary, he had the greatest belief in himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Boatman," exclaimed the lady, impatiently, "row me ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, lady." +</p> + +<p> +He obeyed, as he spoke, and as the boat grounded, the hidden minstrel +stepped forward. +</p> + +<p> +The gallant was rather a tall man, masked and habited in a long cloak, +which almost concealed a glittering and gorgeous costume beneath. +</p> + +<p> +This cavalier hastened to tender the lady his hand and to assist her to +disembark. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as she was fairly upon <i>terra firma</i> the gentleman led her +away to a more secluded part of the garden, and then ensued a brief but +highly interesting conversation. +</p> + +<p> +It took place in the Italian language. +</p> + +<p> +That beautiful tongue was not to say elegantly spoken upon either side. +</p> + +<p> +The gentleman spoke as a foreigner, but imperfectly acquainted with the +idiom. +</p> + +<p> +"Sir," said the lady, after an embarrassing silence upon his part, "I +scarcely know if I ought to be here." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I either, my dear lady," began the gallant. +</p> + +<p> +But then, aware that this was not exactly what might have been expected +of him, he stammered and broke down. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor prince," thought the lady, with a very unladylike chuckle to +herself. "How embarrassed he is." +</p> + +<p> +The cavalier stared at her through the great eyes in his mask, as he +muttered to himself— +</p> + +<p> +"She is evidently in love with me very badly; I am curious to learn how +a princess makes love. I am anxious only of course to study it as a +matter of curiosity." +</p> + +<p> +"I ought not to have come here, prince," said the lady, in a nervous +tone. +</p> + +<p> +Prince! +</p> + +<p> +The word made the masked gentleman stare. +</p> + +<p> +"Prince! I suppose that she can't know I am a married man, and goes +straight to the question. This is popping the question sharply." +</p> + +<p> +He had never been made love to before by a lady of any degree, much +less by a princess, so he was exceedingly anxious to see how she would +begin upon this occasion. +</p> + +<p> +But after they had got to a quiet and remote part of the garden, they +came to a dead lock. +</p> + +<p> +Not a word was spoken upon either side. +</p> + +<p> +"I wish he would say something to me," thought the lady. +</p> + +<p> +She was not used to such bashful suitors. +</p> + +<p> +"I have kept your appointment, sir," she said, "although I fear I am +very wrong." +</p> + +<p> +"My appointment," muttered the cavalier in English, "Come, I like +that." +</p> + +<p> +However, he added in the softest tones he could assume— +</p> + +<p> +"Fear nothing, princess, I am not a dangerous man." +</p> + +<p> +She thought he was, though, for as he said this he chuckled. +</p> + +<p> +The lady dropped her eyes before his bold glance and looked as timid as +you could wish. +</p> + +<p> +Now this appeared only to encourage the gentleman, for he seized her +round the waist and pressed a kiss upon the only part of her cheek +which was left uncovered by her veil. +</p> + +<p> +She struggled feebly, oh, very feebly to release herself; but that +libertine masker held her firmly; that is, as firmly as possible, for +he was not very strong upon his pins. +</p> + +<p> +"Sir, you must not take advantage of my unprotected situation," she +faltered. +</p> + +<p> +"I should be very sorry to, my coy princess," said the gallant. +</p> + +<p> +These words set her heart beating like clockwork. +</p> + +<p> +"He means well," she thought, growing quite easy in her mind. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the ardent young lover, growing bolder by encouragement, +wanted to remove her veil. +</p> + +<p> +"Grant me one favour, my princess," he said. "Let me bask in the +sunshine of your eyes; let me feast my vision upon your rare beauty." +</p> + +<p> +The lady was enraptured at such poetical imagery. +</p> + +<p> +"It sounds like a lovely book," she murmured in ecstasy. +</p> + +<p> +But she would not accede to his request. +</p> + +<p> +She was so filled with joy, so supremely happy, that she feared to +break the enchanting spell by any accident. +</p> + +<p> +"Desist, prince," she said, struggling gently in his embrace, +</p> + +<p> +"I must gaze on that angelic face," said the passionate Adonis. +</p> + +<p> +"Why," exclaimed the lady, "since you know it so well?" +</p> + +<p> +"Know it!" exclaimed the gallant in surprise. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I have never seen it." +</p> + +<p> +"Yet your letter praises each feature to the skies." +</p> + +<p> +"My letter!" +</p> + +<p> +He was staggered evidently. +</p> + +<p> +"Undoubtedly." +</p> + +<p> +"I sent no letter." +</p> + +<p> +The lady was amazed "If you sent no letter, why are you here?" she +demanded. +</p> + +<p> +"In obedience to yours," responded the gallant. +</p> + +<p> +"My what?" +</p> + +<p> +"Your note—your ever-to-be-treasured missive," gushed the swain. +</p> + +<p> +Now what would have followed in the way of explanations it is +impossible to say, for at the momentous crisis, a voice close by was +heard repeating softly a couplet heard before— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Dear Marietta,<br /> + Never had been<br /> + A sweeter or neater<br /> + Face or form seen."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +The lady started and screamed, and would have fallen had not the +protecting arm of the gentleman been there to catch her. +</p> + +<p> +But her veil fell aside. +</p> + +<p> +When the lover saw her face, he was staggered, and he nearly let her +fall. +</p> + +<p> +"Marietta!" he exclaimed, "Marietta! Mrs. Harkaway's maid, by all +that's wonderful." +</p> + +<p> +"Oho," screamed the lady, "you're standing on my toe!" saying which she +jerked herself back, and dragging his foot away too, down he went. +</p> + +<p> +"It's Mr. Mole," shrieked the lady; and catching up her pink skirt and +black lace flounces, she fled precipitately along the path, leaving her +admirer scrambling in the most undignified manner upon the gravel walk. +</p> + +<p> +Poor Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +But oh, poor Marietta; how sadly was she disappointed with her prince. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER III. +</h3> + +<p class="t3b"> +MR. MOLE—THE THREE DEVILS AND THEIR DEVILMENT—THE CONTESSA'S<br /> +JEWELS—AN ALARM. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole—Mr. Mole!" +</p> + +<p> +It was Harvey's voice. +</p> + +<p> +Now Mr. Mole was convinced at once that Dick was at the bottom of this +comical conspiracy in which he had been made to look so ridiculous. So +he resolved at first not to make any reply. +</p> + +<p> +But Harvey was guided to the spot by information which had been +furnished him concerning Mr. Mole, and soon he appeared in sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole—Mr. Mole!" exclaimed Dick, in grave reproof. +</p> + +<p> +"Help me up, Harvey," said Mole, "and don't be a fool." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that's polite." +</p> + +<p> +"Quite as polite as you can expect." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, you know what I mean well enough." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm hanged if I do!" protested Harvey, stoutly. +</p> + +<p> +His manner caught Mr. Mole immediately. +</p> + +<p> +So this led the old gentleman to reflect. +</p> + +<p> +If Dick did not know, it would be as well to keep the adventure to +himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible, Harvey, that you don't know what has occurred?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"You don't know about Marietta?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +This decided Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Marietta is here." +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" said Dick, in accents of deep mystery. +</p> + +<p> +"A fact." +</p> + +<p> +"Never! And who the dickens is Marietta when she is at home?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mrs. Harkaway's maid, to be sure." +</p> + +<p> +Dick burst out laughing at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Mr. Mole," he cried, "what a sly old fox you are." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole stared again. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't quite understand what you are driving at, Mr. Harvey," said +he. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you, though?—well, I do, old Slyboots." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey!" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, don't you try to come the old soldier over me." +</p> + +<p> +"Sir!" said Mr. Mole, rearing himself up to his full height upon his +timbers, "I don't understand your slangy allusions to the ancient +military." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, it is clear enough that you brought her." +</p> + +<p> +"I what?" almost shrieked Mr. Mole, indignantly. +</p> + +<p> +"Brought her, and your poor wife ought to know of it." +</p> + +<p> +"Sir?" said Mole, "if you are bent on insulting me, I shall leave your +company." +</p> + +<p> +"Go it, Mole," said Dick, laughing until the tears came into his eyes; +"go it. The fact is, you have been sneaking about after that little +girl for a long while past; there can be no doubt about it." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey, I repudiate your vile insinuations with scorn, The fact is, +that in your anxiety to fix some wickedness never contemplated upon me, +you forget all the most important part of the tale." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, that girl has left the villa unprotected." +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense! there's old Constantino there." +</p> + +<p> +"Useless." +</p> + +<p> +"And Mike." +</p> + +<p> +"He barks, but don't bite." +</p> + +<p> +"Besides; you may be mistaken," urged Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"Not I. I knew her at once, and what's more, she recognised me." +</p> + +<p> +"The deuce!" +</p> + +<p> +"And she bolted directly I pronounced her name." +</p> + +<p> +"How was she dressed?" +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole gave a hurried description of Marietta's dress, and they want +off in search through the house and grounds after the flighty Marietta. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +In another part of the grounds three men met. +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"Toro." +</p> + +<p> +"Captain." +</p> + +<p> +"Here." +</p> + +<p> +"All safe?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Good!" +</p> + +<p> +"What have you learnt, Toro?" +</p> + +<p> +"Not much." +</p> + +<p> +"And you, captain?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing, or next to nothing," was the reply. +</p> + +<p> +"And you, Hunston?" +</p> + +<p> +"I have gained knowledge," answered the latter; "good, useful +knowledge." +</p> + +<p> +The other two laughed heartily at this reply. +</p> + +<p> +"You were always of a studious turn of mind, Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[Illustration: "'WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED?' ASKED THE CAPTAIN"—ADV IN +GREECE, VOL II, PAGE 21] +</p> + +<p> +It may be as well to mention that they had sought a secluded part of +the contessa's gardens, and met now by appointment. +</p> + +<p> +They were all three arrayed in that peculiar style of costume which the +prince of darkness is popularly supposed to don when he makes his +appearance to German students, in certain weird and wild works of +fiction, or in the supernatural drama. +</p> + +<p> +It sounded really remarkable to hear these three men, disguised as +devils, discussing matters generally in such an offhand manner. +</p> + +<p> +The dresses of all three were alike nearly in every particular. +</p> + +<p> +The only mark of distinction between them was a small straight feather +they wore in their caps. +</p> + +<p> +One wore a yellow feather. +</p> + +<p> +Another had a feather of brilliant red. +</p> + +<p> +The third one's feather was of a bright emerald green. +</p> + +<p> +Now these feathers were small, but yet, by reason of the conspicuous +colours, could be seen at a considerable distance. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it you have discovered?" asked the captain. +</p> + +<p> +"Out with it, Hunston," said Toro, in his old impatient way. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, in the first place," was Hunston's reply, "our letters to old +Mole and to the girl Marietta were perfectly successful." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"The vanity of the one, and the conceit of the other, made it an easy +matter." +</p> + +<p> +"It did." +</p> + +<p> +"I saw the interview from a snug place of concealment, and took care to +let her know it." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"By humming her song which you heard her sing up at the villa." +</p> + +<p> +The latter looked somewhat alarmed at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Was that prudent?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course she did not see me, only we must get a thorough hold over +this girl, so as to have her as an accomplice in the enemy's camp +always." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"Now let us get back to the ball-room, and see what is to be picked up +there." +</p> + +<p> +Back they went, and arrived in the large ball-room just as a dance was +being got up. +</p> + +<p> +The three diabolical companions deemed it prudent now to separate, that +no undue attention might be drawn upon their movements. +</p> + +<p> +And they went sauntering about the rooms, each upon the look-out for +any slice of luck which might turn up. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston had added a long red cloak to his costume, so as to envelope +his figure and cover his arm, for fear of accidentally running across +Harkaway or Harvey, or in fact, any of the party. +</p> + +<p> +In this cloak he was wrapped, and silently watching two young and +lovely girls, whose grace and elegance were commanding universal +admiration. +</p> + +<p> +One was fair as a lily, with light, golden, wavy hair, and full blue +eyes. +</p> + +<p> +This beautiful girl it was who excited Hunston's curiosity +</p> + +<p> +"Who can she be? Perhaps Harvey's daughter," he thought +</p> + +<p> +Now these two were equally lovely to gaze upon, the beauty of each +being of a totally different character. +</p> + +<p> +"If we can but spirit little Emily away to the mountains," said Hunston +to himself, "I shall be able to repay them for all I have suffered. +Nay, more, I shall be able to satisfy the greed of Mathias and the +band, by making the accursed Harkaway disgorge some of his enormous +wealth." +</p> + +<p> +A hand was placed upon his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"It is I," said a voice in his ear. +</p> + +<p> +And looking up, he beheld the devil in the red feather. +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"Hush! I have to rejoin a lady now, to whom I am engaged for the +dance." +</p> + +<p> +"The dance!" +</p> + +<p> +Mathias nodded. +</p> + +<p> +"She accepted at once a dance with the devil; I'll lead her a devil of +a dance." +</p> + +<p> +And the brigand captain laughed hugely at his own conceit. +</p> + +<p> +But Hunston was not in laughing humour. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm glad to find you so merry, captain." +</p> + +<p> +The Greek did not observe his gloomy manner; he only replied—"You will +be merry, too, when I tell you the cause." +</p> + +<p> +"I have no thought for the pleasures of these fools," said Hunston, +gruffly; "I only think of business." +</p> + +<p> +"I too." +</p> + +<p> +"And yet you are going to dance, Captain Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"For business reasons, solely," said the Greek. +</p> + +<p> +"Ho ho!" +</p> + +<p> +"My partner is positively bristling with diamonds," said the brigand, +significantly. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was interested immediately. +</p> + +<p> +"Diamonds?" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye! diamonds; and such diamonds, too. There is one as big as a nut, I +swear." +</p> + +<p> +"I must see this lady." +</p> + +<p> +"You shall." +</p> + +<p> +"Where is she to be seen?" +</p> + +<p> +"Come with me," said the captain. +</p> + +<p> +Away they went, squeezing through the crowds of dancers and maskers, +until they came to the smaller ball-room, where a lady stood in +conversation with a big man, admirably got up as a knight of the olden +time. +</p> + +<p> +The lady Hunston recognised at a glance, from the description which +Mathias had given of her jewels. +</p> + +<p> +Her finely-rounded arms were encircled by bracelets, set with the +richest diamonds, that matched a necklet of priceless worth apparently. +</p> + +<p> +She wore a tiara, too, of the same costly making and setting. +</p> + +<p> +The dance began. +</p> + +<p> +It was a waltz. +</p> + +<p> +Now the gallant Mathias acquitted himself to perfection in the dance, +carrying his fair and richly-attired partner through the crowded room +without getting at all jostled by the dancers. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston followed their movements with the greatest possible interest, +and as they shot past him for the third time round the room, he +contrived to take from the Greek captain's hand one of the lady's +bracelets which he had with some dexterity removed. +</p> + +<p> +The next round he was less successful. +</p> + +<p> +As they shot past, the brigand's hand was outstretched, but Hunston +missed it, and a glittering object dropped to the floor. Hunston +stooped to recover it, when— +</p> + +<p> +"The lady has dropped something," said a voice in his ear. +</p> + +<p> +"What lady?" he demanded, recovering himself quickly, +</p> + +<p> +"The contessa." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah! I see. But was it the contessa?" he asked. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Are you sure?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. It is the lady dancing with your half-brother." +</p> + +<p> +"Eh!" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston started a little after these words. +</p> + +<p> +They sounded very unpleasantly in his ear. +</p> + +<p> +He had evidently been associated with Mathias by the speaker. +</p> + +<p> +Now the latter was a strange-looking little being. +</p> + +<p> +A stunted man, with broad, square shoulders, and got up to represent +the description which Victor Hugo has given us of his creation of +Quasimodo. +</p> + +<p> +"That is the contessa?" said Hunston, recovering his presence of mind. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I am very glad of it, for I shall be able to restore this to its +proper owner." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston arose, and with a slight inclination of the head, crossed the +room, as if in search of the contessa. +</p> + +<p> +The dwarf regarded him eagerly as he went. +</p> + +<p> +"That's a rum one," he said to himself. "He means to pocket the +contessa's bracelet. What a swindle! I thought there was something more +devilish about him than his dress." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Hunston fled precipitately to the gardens. +</p> + +<p> +Close by the spot where he had previously met his companions in crime, +there was a man awaiting him with a big bundle. +</p> + +<p> +"Matteo, is it you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Good; give me the other dress out. Quick! I must change, and be back +before my absence can be noticed." +</p> + +<p> +As he spoke, he had already torn from the hands of the man Matteo a +pair of trunks of blue cloth slashed with amber silk, and quick as an +eye could wink, he was into them. +</p> + +<p> +And then he fastened on a similarly coloured mantle. +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me, Matteo, does that change me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, perfectly." +</p> + +<p> +"Good! take this." +</p> + +<p> +"What, jewels?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hush! hear all, see all, and say nothing. Away with you, now." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Where to?" +</p> + +<p> +"Back to the mountains, where we can always guard what we ourselves +have made." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +Just then there was a commotion in the ball-room, and a voice was heard +to cry out— +</p> + +<p> +"The contessa has lost her richest diamonds and other precious stones. +There are robbers here. No one must leave the grounds." +</p> + +<p> +"By Heaven!" ejaculated Hunston; "we are lost." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER IV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON'S ADVENTURE—MOLE IN A MAZE—HE MEETS AN EVIL SPIRIT—GROSS<br /> +OUTRAGE ON HIS WOODEN LEGS—MATHIAS IN TROUBLE-THE ASSASSIN'S +KNIFE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Quasimodo, who had detected one of the devils, was Magog Brand. +</p> + +<p> +The audacity of the fearless Greek had carried him through so far, but +Quasimodo had spoilt him at last. +</p> + +<p> +A number of gentlemen in the company began to inquire very minutely +into the affair. +</p> + +<p> +Prominent amongst them was Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +He and Jefferson, prompt to act as ever, inquired into the +circumstances of this gross outrage, and then it was elicited that the +depredator was seen last in diabolical costume. +</p> + +<p> +"A devil!" ejaculated one of the company. "Of course, I saw the man +myself." +</p> + +<p> +"I too," said another. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, he wore a red feather in his high-crowned hat." +</p> + +<p> +"No," said another; "a feather, it is true, but the feather was green, +I am sure." +</p> + +<p> +Upon this, Magog Brand came forward. +</p> + +<p> +"I saw it all done," he said. "I saw the man who did it" +</p> + +<p> +"What, rob the contessa?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, and as soon as I saw what It meant, I gave the alarm; but the +devil disappeared like greased lightning." +</p> + +<p> +"There!" exclaimed half a dozen at once, "I said it was the devil." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," added one of the guests, eagerly. "What coloured feather had +he?" +</p> + +<p> +"Red," ejaculated another, immediately. +</p> + +<p> +"Green," retorted the opposite faction, loudly, but Magog Brand said— +</p> + +<p> +"It was neither red nor green," said he, "but a bright yellow." +</p> + +<p> +Now, while this inquiry was being proceeded with, nobody happened to +observe one singular circumstance. +</p> + +<p> +That was the presence, the whole of the time, in the motley-coloured +crowd, of one of the diabolical trio in question. +</p> + +<p> +This very devil no sooner heard the question raised about the coloured +feathers in their head gear, than he doffed his hat unperceived and +pulled out the feather. +</p> + +<p> +And then, as the controversy grew warmer, he sneaked off. +</p> + +<p> +He made all possible haste for the garden gate. +</p> + +<p> +Once here he was about to rush through, when he was accosted by two +men, whose uniform gave him an unpleasant twinge. +</p> + +<p> +They were gendarmes. +</p> + +<p> +"You cannot leave the ground yet, sir," said one of them sharply. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't wish to," replied the devil, promptly. "I come to bring you +orders." +</p> + +<p> +"I beg your pardon," said the gendarme. +</p> + +<p> +"A robbery has been committed." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"That is the reason you have had your orders to guard the gate. Oh, you +know it. Well, what you don't know is that the robbery is supposed to +have been committed by a masker dressed as I am. Take particular note +of my dress." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +The gendarme grinned as he said this. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep your eyes open. These are the contessa's particular orders." +</p> + +<p> +"Trust me, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"There is a reward if you capture the thief." +</p> + +<p> +The gendarme laughed at this, and said, with an air of +self-confidence—"I think I shall get him." +</p> + +<p> +The merry devil slapped the gendarme upon the back heartily. +</p> + +<p> +"You are the sort of man for my money." +</p> + +<p> +Saying which, he turned and left the spot. +</p> + +<p> +Making his way to a place in the grounds previously agreed upon, he ran +across the brigand Matteo armed with a change of dress for him. +</p> + +<p> +The spot selected was up one of the narrowest alleys in the grounds, at +the end of which was a species of Hampton Court maze in miniature. +</p> + +<p> +Just as the diabolical one was about to divest himself of half of his +skin, Matteo gave the alarm. +</p> + +<p> +"The devil!" ejaculated the masker, which was, perhaps, the most +natural exclamation he could make, all things considered. "What can +this be? Somebody watched me here." +</p> + +<p> +He waited a minute or so in anxiety. +</p> + +<p> +An unsteady footfall was heard upon the gravel walk, and a man in a +cloak came staggering along. +</p> + +<p> +"They may call this a grand <i>fête</i> if they like," he mumbled. "I +call it a shabby affair. Why, there's not a respectable drink in the +place. The lucky thing is that I have provided my own." +</p> + +<p> +He had a bottle with him, and he sucked at it from time to time as he +staggered on, until all of a sudden he ran on to the alarmed masker, +who was growing impatient to change his garments. +</p> + +<p> +The staggering one looked up, and seeing such an alarming figure +towering over him, he gave a wild howl and fled. +</p> + +<p> +"The devil! the devil!" he shouted wildly. "Help! help!" +</p> + +<p> +"Stop that fool, Matteo, or he will bring the whole house down about +our ears." +</p> + +<p> +Matteo seized the merrymaker, and was about to make short work with +him, when his superior held his hand. +</p> + +<p> +"Put by your knife," he said; "not that. Hold him tight and threaten +him; but no knife." +</p> + +<p> +But for this timely interference, it would have gone hard with the +unfortunate new-comer, who was our old friend Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Mole, it should be noted, had been compelled to change his cork legs, +on which he could scarcely stand, for his old, familiar stumps, which +Harvey had brought with him in case any accident should occur. +</p> + +<p> +"Forgive me, Mr. Devil," he implored, in drunken tones, "oh, forgive +me." +</p> + +<p> +"Mole!" exclaimed the devil, in a thrilling voice, "your evil deeds are +known to me." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, oh, oh!" groaned the wretched Isaac, piteously. +</p> + +<p> +"Your time has come." +</p> + +<p> +"Mercy, mercy!" gasped Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Never." +</p> + +<p> +"Give me a little time, Mr. Devil." +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, do, do, for the sake of my twins," said Mole, in his most +persuasive manner, "and I'll stand any thing you like to—hic—to name. +Don't take me away, but come and liquor up with me." +</p> + +<p> +"Silence!" thundered the irritable devil +</p> + +<p> +"I'm dumb." +</p> + +<p> +"Away with you, and repent." +</p> + +<p> +Mole staggered off. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as he was gone, Matteo assisted his master to change his +garments, and in the space of five minutes at the outside, the devil +disappeared, and was replaced by a gay cavalier, habited in a rich +costume of blue slashed with amber, and a broad-brimmed sombrero. +</p> + +<p> +The excitement occasioned by the impudent robbery of the contessa +Maraviglia's jewels had not by any means subsided, so the confusion +prevailing in consequence was highly favourable to Hunston's new +villany for trapping little Emily. +</p> + +<p> +Nearing the entrance to the ball-room, he came to a conservatory, into +which Mr. Mole had strolled, or let us say staggered, and then dropped +into a seat. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston glided in unperceived by Mole, and concealed himself behind +some thick shrubs close to him. +</p> + +<p> +Mole was bent upon making himself comfortable. +</p> + +<p> +The irrepressible bottle was out again. +</p> + +<p> +"I feel," mumbled Mole, little thinking there was a listener near, "I +feel that I am a devil of a fellow. All the ladies love me, and all the +men fear me. I'm too much for anyone of them, ha, ha, ha! I've taken a +rise out of the devil himself." +</p> + +<p> +Here he had a suck at the bottle. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm getting quite familiar with evil spirits to-night," he said +grinning; "I don't think he will see me again in a hurry—he, he!" He +raised the bottle again to his lips, when a ghostly voice sounded in +his ear— +</p> + +<p> +"Beware!" +</p> + +<p> +He turned pale, and then got very red in the face. +</p> + +<p> +"Who's there?" said Mole, looking nervously round; "come in, don't +knock; what a fool I am." +</p> + +<p> +"Remember!" said the same hollow voice as before. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lor', oh, Lor'!" cried Mole; "I'm gone; he's there again." +</p> + +<p> +"Beware!" +</p> + +<p> +"I'm gone, I'm going," cried Mole; "oh, Lor', oh, Lor'!" +</p> + +<p> +And off he ran, Hunston following closely behind him. +</p> + +<p> +Now Hunston got near enough to him to see that he was really trying to +get little Emily and Paquita to take care of him for a time, and walk +with him in the grounds. +</p> + +<p> +"There will be two of them to take care of," said Hunston, following +them up as closely as was prudent; "that complicates matters. I hope +Matteo has taken his measures carefully." +</p> + +<p> +Matteo had. +</p> + +<p> +They drew near to the entrance of the maze, and then Hunston began to +look anxiously about him for Matteo and the rest of their accomplices. +</p> + +<p> +"I think we had better return," he heard little Emily say. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly a whistle was blown, and five or six men sprang out from the +maze. +</p> + +<p> +In less time than it takes to record the outrage, the two girls were +seized and borne off in stout, relentless arms, their cries being +stifled by thick wraps thrown over their heads. +</p> + +<p> +"To the small gate," exclaimed Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Mole recognised the familiar voice of Hunston, and the whole danger +flashed into his mind at once, sobering him most effectually. +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston, you villain, I know you!" he cried. "And I will lose my life +rather than harm should come to these dear girls." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned and faced him savagely. +</p> + +<p> +"If you know me, Mole," he said meaningly, "then beware of me." +</p> + +<p> +Mole's only reply was to grapple with him with all his strength. +</p> + +<p> +But the foolish old man was hurled to the ground, and then one of the +brigands fell upon him, brandishing a huge knife. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston here interfered, and gave a command which made the men laugh +very heartily. +</p> + +<p> +A fresh outrage was perpetrated, and in the space of two minutes, Mr. +Mole found himself alone, and on his back. +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston, you black-hearted thief," he cried, "I'll follow you if—" +</p> + +<p> +He tried to rise, but down he went again. +</p> + +<p> +He was lop-sided. +</p> + +<p> +And why? +</p> + +<p> +The brigands had amputated one of his wooden legs. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Leaving them for a moment, let us return to Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +That daring scoundrel was not satisfied with having escaped a great +danger scot free, and made a very rich prize, but he must needs return +to the Palazzo Maraviglia in another dress, in quest of fresh plunder. +</p> + +<p> +The fact was that he was flushed with wine. +</p> + +<p> +Else he would have thought twice of returning. +</p> + +<p> +Mingling with the crowd in the large ball-room, he came to a group +discussing the late robbery in great excitement, and as he was pressing +forward to learn what he could, he became entangled in a lady's lace +flounces. +</p> + +<p> +He turned sharply to apologise, and recognised the figure at once. +</p> + +<p> +"The lovely Marietta," Mathias exclaimed. +</p> + +<p> +She heard him, and made off to the other end of the room, closely +followed by Mathias, who had conceived a violent fancy for her. +</p> + +<p> +"Stay, Senorita," he exclaimed, seizing her hand. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you want with me?" said Marietta. +</p> + +<p> +"Only to plead—" +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense," she exclaimed, interrupting him abruptly; "you don't know +me." +</p> + +<p> +"Let me plead—" +</p> + +<p> +"Bother!" +</p> + +<p> +"Nay," said the persistent robber, "if you will not hear me speak, hear +me sing." +</p> + +<p> +And then, being an admirable mimic, he imitated her strut before the +looking-glass, and general coquettish behaviour in the dressing-room at +the villa, while he sang in a falsetto voice— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Sweet Marietta,<br /> + Rarely has been<br /> + A sweeter or better<br /> + Face or form seen.<br /> + Dear Marietta!"<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" cried the girl, starting back as if she had been shot. +</p> + +<p> +Her first impulse was to faint. +</p> + +<p> +But as soon as she gained the cooler air without, she recovered, and +collecting her senses a little, she gave a pretty shrewd guess at the +truth. +</p> + +<p> +She was silly, yet not a bad-natured girl. +</p> + +<p> +She saw her duty plainly enough. +</p> + +<p> +She must make herself known at once to her master. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway was close at hand, discussing the robbery still with +Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +The whole of this party were of course known to Marietta; so she made +straight up to Harkaway, and said hurriedly— +</p> + +<p> +"Have that man seized, sir—see, that one who is following me. I am +Marietta. He has just said something to me which convinces me that he +was hiding in the villa to-night." +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" exclaimed Harkaway, not a little startled at this sudden +address; "why, what in Heaven's name—" +</p> + +<p> +"Lose no time," interrupted Marietta eagerly, "or he will go—see, he +has taken the alarm." +</p> + +<p> +"The girl's right," said Jefferson, striding off after Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +The latter now began to perceive that he had made a false step, and he +hurried through the crowded room towards the door, and was just passing +out, when a dwarfed and ugly figure leaped upon him. +</p> + +<p> +So sudden was the attack that Mathias was capsized, and together they +rolled upon the floor. +</p> + +<p> +"Let go!" said the Greek fiercely, "or I'll—" +</p> + +<p> +"Not me!" exclaimed Magog Brand—for he was the Greek's assailant. "I +know you, my yellow-feathered devil, even though you have shed your +skin!" +</p> + +<p> +"Let go," hissed the Greek brigand, with compressed lips, "or I'll have +your life!" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll not let go," cried the brave little Brand. "I have got you, +villain, and will hold you. Ah!" +</p> + +<p> +Mathias scrambled up, and tried to fly, but he was met with a blow from +Jefferson's fist which might have felled an ox in the shambles. +</p> + +<p> +He dropped lifeless on the ground beside Magog, +</p> + +<p> +And then a sudden outcry arose, for it was found that in that brief +struggle poor Magog Brand had been cruelly used. +</p> + +<p> +A long-bladed poignard was buried up to the hilt in his side. +</p> + +<p> +Poor Brand. +</p> + +<p> +Death must have been almost instantaneous. +</p> + +<p> +They tore the mask from Mathias' face, and thereupon an agent of the +secret police stepped forward and made known who it was. +</p> + +<p> +"This is the notorious Mathias," he said. "One of the most daring of +the brigands hereabouts; we have been wanting him badly for some time +past." +</p> + +<p> +"You have got him," said Harkaway, "but oh!" he added, glancing at the +lifeless form of Magog Brand, "at what a price for us!" +</p> + +<p> +At this juncture Harvey reached the spot, and taking in the whole scene +at a glance, he dropped on his knees beside the body of Magog Brand, +where Jefferson was already kneeling, seemingly half stupefied by the +catastrophe. +</p> + +<p> +"He has fainted," said he to Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +Harvey shook his head mournfully. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll never faint again, Jefferson." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"Never." +</p> + +<p> +"You surely—no, no, Brand, dear old boy, look up." +</p> + +<p> +He faltered and broke down. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Jefferson," said Harvey in deep emotion. "Poor Magog Brand is at +the end of his troubles and pleasures alike—he is dead!" +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[Illustration: "'MURDER! ABDUCTION! SHOUTED MOLE HUNSTON IS HERE"—ADV +IN GREECE VOL II PAGE 39.] +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER V. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE PURSUIT OF THE BRIGANDS—THE BATTLE—VARYING FORTUNES—HOW<br /> +HUNSTON AND TORO WERE LAID BY THE HEELS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Consternation was upon every face. +</p> + +<p> +The catastrophe was so sudden and unlocked for, that the people about +were half stupefied with fear. +</p> + +<p> +On one side lay poor Magog Brand, lately so full of life and animation. +</p> + +<p> +On the other was his assassin, felled by the dead man's best friend, +the doughty Jefferson, and with scarcely more life in him than his +victim. +</p> + +<p> +And while the people were staring hopelessly at each other thus, a +voice was heard giving the alarm hard by. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor Brand, your murderer shall not escape," said Jefferson bitterly. +</p> + +<p> +The noise continued, and presently the voice was recognised. +</p> + +<p> +"It is Mole," cried Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +He was right. +</p> + +<p> +Just then the poor old gentleman appeared upon the scene. +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway, Jefferson, Harvey!" he cried. +</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" +</p> + +<p> +"Murder!" returned Mole. "Hunston is here." +</p> + +<p> +"By Heaven! I thought it," ejaculated Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"He has carried off Emily and Paquita." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"I interfered, but they were too many for me. See how they have used +me." +</p> + +<p> +"Was he with the brigands?" demanded Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose so. A whole mob of ruffians." +</p> + +<p> +"Where are they gone?" +</p> + +<p> +"By the small gate." +</p> + +<p> +A hurried explanation ensued with the agent of the secret police, who +gave them a few words of comfort. +</p> + +<p> +"He'll never be able to pass my men at the gate," said the officer, +with great confidence. +</p> + +<p> +This was doubtful. +</p> + +<p> +They knew too well Hunston's boldness and audacity. +</p> + +<p> +But they lost no time in getting up a pursuit. +</p> + +<p> +The contessa's stables were well furnished, and two horses were +speedily saddled for Harkaway and Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +Harvey, too impatient to wait for a mount, had rushed wildly away in +the direction of the small gate, followed by Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Here he saw to his dismay that a scramble had taken place, in which the +gendarmes had got decidedly the worst of it. +</p> + +<p> +The two who had been on guard at the gate had got very roughly handled, +one having a broken crown and the other showing an ugly wound in the +side. +</p> + +<p> +"They have gone this way, then?" exclaimed Harvey, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Which way?" +</p> + +<p> +"They made for the right," faltered one of the wounded men. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it long?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; a few moments." +</p> + +<p> +"They can not get far," said the gendarme with the broken pate; "the +two girls were struggling hard with him." +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" cried Harvey. "I'll save my child yet." +</p> + +<p> +"You are not the first in the hunt," said the other gendarme, speaking +with evident pain; "there are two black men after them." +</p> + +<p> +"That must be Sunday and Monday," exclaimed Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +And off he ran. +</p> + +<p> +He bounded over the ground like a deer, and when he got about half a +mile further on, he came suddenly upon two men struggling. +</p> + +<p> +One of them was a negro. +</p> + +<p> +Who, in fact, but our old friend the Prince of Limbi, the faithful +Monday? +</p> + +<p> +The other was one of the Greeks, a face unknown to Harvey, but one who +has already figured in these pages. +</p> + +<p> +Matteo! +</p> + +<p> +And lying on the ground near him was a brigand struck down dead by +brave Monday. +</p> + +<p> +As Harvey came up, it was nearing the end of what had been a precious +tough fight. Monday was uppermost, and Matteo, who had gradually +succumbed to the wiry negro, was by this time in a very queer way +indeed. +</p> + +<p> +Monday held him by the throat, and in spite of his desperate efforts to +set himself free, Matteo had lost his breath. +</p> + +<p> +And there he lay completely at the negro's mercy. +</p> + +<p> +"There, you dam tief!" exclaimed the Prince of Limbi, "take dat, an' +dat, an' dat, an' now, be golly, have dis for a little bit in." +</p> + +<p> +At every word he pressed harder and harder and jerked his adversary +back. +</p> + +<p> +The "little bit in" settled Matteo completely. +</p> + +<p> +Something seemed to crack in the wretched Greek's throat, and he +dropped back. +</p> + +<p> +"Monday, Monday!" said Harvey, eagerly, "where are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo, Massa Dick!" said faithful Monday; "I'se gwine to give this +fellar toko an' den I'll jine yar." +</p> + +<p> +"He's done for," said Dick, hastily. "Come now." +</p> + +<p> +"He might come too," said Monday, in some doubt. +</p> + +<p> +"No fear." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, he'll never trouble anyone more," returned Harvey; "tell me, +where have they gone?" +</p> + +<p> +"They went straight on." +</p> + +<p> +"This road?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Good. Come or stay. I'll go," exclaimed Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +And off he ran. +</p> + +<p> +Monday gave his silent enemy a shake to see if it was all over. +</p> + +<p> +"He's a gone coon," he said to himself. "I'll bolt off after Massa +Dick." +</p> + +<p> +Away he ran at a good swinging trot. +</p> + +<p> +In about ten minutes more he came up with him. +</p> + +<p> +And this was under the most alarming circumstances. +</p> + +<p> +Not very long after this a horseman dashed up to the spot, and only +drew rein to give a glance at the lifeless form of the wretched Matteo. +</p> + +<p> +"He's dead," said the horseman, who was none other than Jack Harkaway. +"This looks like some of Dick's handiwork. Dick or some of our party. I +hope Dick is safe." Saying which, he whipped up his horse, and tore on +at a mad gallop. +</p> + +<p> +A very few moments after this he came up with the brigands with their +captives. +</p> + +<p> +Just in the nick of time. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston and Toro were there both with their hands full, while the +Greeks had all their work to do to take care of the two captive girls. +</p> + +<p> +Little Emily and Paquita, having now recovered from their surprise, +were lending assistance to the cause by keeping all the Greeks fully +occupied in looking after them. +</p> + +<p> +And while they were thus occupied, Sunday and Dick Harvey were engaged +with Toro and Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Dick had rushed so violently upon Hunston that the latter was toppled +over, and it looked as though Harvey was about to make short work with +their old enemy. +</p> + +<p> +But alas for Sunday! +</p> + +<p> +The poor negro was overmatched. +</p> + +<p> +His heart was good, but the weight and enormous strength of the Italian +were too much for him to vanquish. +</p> + +<p> +That he had not as yet succumbed to Toro, was due only to his vastly +superior agility and activity. +</p> + +<p> +It was all in vain for the Italian ruffian to try and close with him. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday would not have this. +</p> + +<p> +He knew that his chance lay in keeping Toro at a respectful distance. +</p> + +<p> +And so he danced round him, dropping in an occasional smart rap which +goaded the Italian to fury. +</p> + +<p> +"Help!" cried Hunston. "Cut him down! cut him down!" +</p> + +<p> +One of the brigands rushed at Harvey knife in hand, and thus created a +momentary diversion in his favour. +</p> + +<p> +Had not Harkaway just then appeared upon the scene it might have gone +hard with his comrade Dick. +</p> + +<p> +Prompt, however, to act at this critical juncture, Harkaway spurred his +horse into the group and rode them down. +</p> + +<p> +Then reining up, he flung himself from his horse, and went into the +melee. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm in it, Dick, old boy," cried Jack; "here's one for Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" shouted Dick, in great excitement. "A Harkaway! a Harkaway to +the rescue!" +</p> + +<p> +Toro turned to Harkaway with a cry of rage. +</p> + +<p> +"Curse you!" he exclaimed; "I'll have your life now, or you shall have +mine." +</p> + +<p> +"By all means," said old Jack, cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Cur!" +</p> + +<p> +"Come, now," said Harkaway, with subdued rage, "I can't stand that; +take this!" +</p> + +<p> +And before Toro knew where he was, he got it. +</p> + +<p> +It was not as pleasant as he could have wished when he did get it. +</p> + +<p> +A devil of a thud it came upon his nose, a fair blow with Harkaway's +fist, and being delivered straight from the shoulder, it seemed to the +Italian like the kick of a donkey. +</p> + +<p> +Toro shook all over. +</p> + +<p> +His eyes flashed fireworks, and he was half stunned for the moment. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's triumph was but temporary. +</p> + +<p> +One of the Greeks, who was watching the conflict between these giants +of the combat in great interest, had by now crept up behind Jack, and +seizing him suddenly round the middle, hurled him to the ground. +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha!" yelled Toro. +</p> + +<p> +And bounding forward, he fell upon Harkaway, knife in hand. +</p> + +<p> +"At last, at last, your life is in my hands," he cried in fiend-like +joy. +</p> + +<p> +The knife gleamed in the air. +</p> + +<p> +A piercing shriek from little Emily was heard. +</p> + +<p> +A cry of fear from Paquita, and suddenly the latter, disengaging +herself from her captors, bounded forward and seized Toro by the hair. +</p> + +<p> +She dragged him back with all her strength, and little as it was, it +saved the life of Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Jack put forth all his strength at this most critical juncture, and +succeeded in grappling once more with his herculean opponent. +</p> + +<p> +Toro lost his balance. +</p> + +<p> +A moment more and he was rolling upon the ground in deadly battle with +brave Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +So fierce a strife could not last long. +</p> + +<p> +In the heat of the combat cries were heard encouraging Harkaway and +Harvey to fresh exertions, and up dashed the bold Monday, closely +followed by Jefferson and several gentlemen from the contessa's fête. +</p> + +<p> +The Greeks now began to lose heart. +</p> + +<p> +The odds were veering round to the wrong side. +</p> + +<p> +Greeks can fight moderately well when they are three or four to one +Englishman, but when the numbers are equal, they do not care to provoke +hostilities. +</p> + +<p> +And so they blew upon their whistles for assistance, and soon the +answering calls came in every direction, causing the gravest fears to +the Harkaway faction. +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" ejaculated Jefferson; "they are coming to help you. But at least +I'll make sure of you, Master Toro." +</p> + +<p> +The Italian did not shirk the encounter. +</p> + +<p> +Toro, to do him justice, was, with all his faults, no coward. +</p> + +<p> +He had felt the weight of Jefferson's arm, and he had reason to +remember it. +</p> + +<p> +Yet he met his old adversary boldly. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson fell upon the huge Italian with tiger-like fury, and in spite +of his prodigious size and weight, he lifted him in his arms, swung him +round, and hurled him to the ground. +</p> + +<p> +The Greeks now, seeing their leaders in such dire peril, thought of +avenging themselves by the most dastardly o| expedients. +</p> + +<p> +"Kill the girls!" cried one of them. +</p> + +<p> +The hint was caught up with avidity. +</p> + +<p> +A savage yell responded to the bloodthirsty suggestion, and the lives +of the two innocent girls were in real peril. +</p> + +<p> +"Look to the girls!" shouted Dick Harvey, who was fully occupied with +two of the Greek brigands who were pressing him closely. +</p> + +<p> +There was a cheer in response to this appeal, and over went two of the +Greeks. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson too lent a hand at this juncture. +</p> + +<p> +Finding himself free from Toro's attentions, for the huge Italian had +received such a desperate shaking with his fall that he was not fit for +much now, he rushed into the <i>mêlée</i>, and dealt out such slogging +blows that there were at least a dozen bleeding noses and black eyes +distributed amongst the bandits in rather less time than it takes to +note the fact. +</p> + +<p> +The Greeks were thoroughly discouraged. +</p> + +<p> +This unpleasant British mode of attack was not at all to their liking. +</p> + +<p> +They could do pretty well with knives or swords, or even with firearms, +but they could only regard men who used their fists in the lights of +savages. +</p> + +<p> +Gradually they retreated before the fierce onslaught of the Britishers +and their gallant Yankee ally. +</p> + +<p> +This was no small triumph. +</p> + +<p> +The brigands mustered at least twenty men. +</p> + +<p> +Their enemies were five. +</p> + +<p> +The five were Harkaway, Harvey, Jefferson, and the two negroes Sunday +and Monday. +</p> + +<p> +The chicken-hearted Greeks, however, did not altogether turn tail, for +ere they could get fairly off this hardly-contested field, they +received considerable reinforcements. +</p> + +<p> +About ten more Greeks put in an appearance. +</p> + +<p> +A ragged, ruffianly crew, and ill armed. +</p> + +<p> +The Harkaway party were not armed at all. +</p> + +<p> +The Greeks fell back and made attempts to re-form in something like +good order. +</p> + +<p> +But Jefferson saw the danger, and he followed them up closely. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Dick Harvey were at his heels. +</p> + +<p> +Neither of our old friends were inferior to the bold Jefferson in +courage; but they did not possess his great advantages of size and +strength. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson's right arm went out like a battering ram, and each time he +struck out, down dropped his man. +</p> + +<p> +At all events, the brigands did not give any particular signs of coming +up for a repetition dose. +</p> + +<p> +The huge American dashed into the thick of the enemy. +</p> + +<p> +The assassination of poor little Magog Brand had fired his fury, and +his charge was something terrific. +</p> + +<p> +He dashed into the midst of the half cowed bandits, and swinging his +arms around him like the sails of a windmill, he "grassed" a man at +every stroke. +</p> + +<p> +But this could not last for long. +</p> + +<p> +As the Greeks grew stronger in numbers, they stood upon the defensive. +</p> + +<p> +They were reassured. +</p> + +<p> +They had seven-and-twenty men against the five. +</p> + +<p> +The five, too, large-hearted though they were, had the two girls to +look after. +</p> + +<p> +Amongst the latest comers upon the bandits' side was one man who was a +petty officer of the brigands, and he gave a few hurried commands, +which had the effect of putting Harkaway and his friends into a very +awkward predicament. +</p> + +<p> +"Load and fire," said the brigand, "Shoot them all down." +</p> + +<p> +If they could but succeed in getting a shot or two at the bold +Jefferson, or at any of the party, it would speedily be all over with +them. +</p> + +<p> +But now, when individual bravery could no longer avail them, they had a +rare slice of luck. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly a rattling volley of musketry was heard, and three of the +Greeks bit the dust, while a number of cries told that several were +hit. +</p> + +<p> +And then a detachment of gendarmes dashed up into the open at a +swinging trot. +</p> + +<p> +And who headed this very welcome party? +</p> + +<p> +Who but two youths that have been heard of before in these pages? +</p> + +<p> +Who indeed but young Jack Harkaway and his friend Harry Girdwood? +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +SUNDAY RUBS OFF AN OLD SCORE—THE BRIGANDS—WHAT HAPPENED AT<br /> +THE PORTER'S LODGE—A STRANGE BLIND BEGGAR. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Give them another." +</p> + +<p> +"Load again." +</p> + +<p> +"Another volley." +</p> + +<p> +A rapid, irregular discharge followed, and the Greeks, with cries of +fear and rage, dropped their arms and fled precipitately, panic-stricken. +</p> + +<p> +The gendarmes followed them up, and several were knocked over and +secured; and behind them the brigands had left no less than seven of +their number who had not been able to get off. +</p> + +<p> +Amongst those seven were two men that it was no small gratification to +the Harkaway party to see once more in their power. +</p> + +<p> +These two men were Hunston and Toro the Italian. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday stood over the latter, leathering into his half insensible +carcase in a way that threatened to cover it with bruises; and at every +blow he had something fresh to say. +</p> + +<p> +"Take dat!" he exclaimed, punching into Toro's ribs, "you dam nigger." +</p> + +<p> +Toro, dazed with what he had suffered in his shaking, could offer no +resistance. +</p> + +<p> +"And dere's another, you ugly tief!" said the virtuous Sunday. "I'll +gib you what for; you shall hab what Paddy gib the drum, you 'fernal +black skunk; I show yar what John up the orchard is, you—you Italian +organ-grinding sweep—You chestnut-munching beast!" +</p> + +<p> +Sunday had never forgotten his first acquaintance with Toro. +</p> + +<p> +The reader will doubtless bear it in mind, since with it is connected +one of the most startling episodes of Jack Harkaway's history, in his +voyage round the world with young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +It was at the hotel in New York that the Harkaways first met with +Sunday, too, for here they were the means of rescuing him from the +brutal violence of the ruffian Toro. +</p> + +<p> +It was, in fact, this which led up to that scene of terror—the firing +of the hotel by Hunston and Toro. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday had suffered at Toro's hands, but had never had his whack back. +</p> + +<p> +But now the darkey showed the half insensible Italian the full +signification of "John up de orchard," and likewise of "what for," and +"what Paddy gave the drum." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Hunston and Toro were thrown into prison, with the few brigands +captured and their discomfited chieftain Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +Such was the end of their exploit. +</p> + +<p> +When once they were in prison, however, it required some exertion on +the part of the authorities to keep them there. +</p> + +<p> +The gang were unceasing in their endeavours to release them. +</p> + +<p> +Artifices of every kind were tried to accomplish it, but the Harkaways +had foreseen that no stone would be left unturned by the murderous +friends of the captured robbers; and they knew the good old-fashioned +saying—"forewarned, forearmed.'" +</p> + +<p> +The prison in which they we re confined was situated at the waterside, +and it was approachable by boat, where the entrance was beneath a low, +vaulted archway. +</p> + +<p> +The day after the capture of the notorious robbers, a poor cripple +hobbled up to the porter's lodge, dragging himself painfully along by +the aid of a stick in one hand and a crutch under his other arm. +</p> + +<p> +"Move off," said the porter gruffly; "we have nothing to give away +here." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't ask your charity," replied the cripple humbly; "accept this, +good sir, as a peace offering." +</p> + +<p> +And then, to the porter's surprise, he dropped a coin into his hand. +</p> + +<p> +The porter looked hard at the coin in his hand, and then at the +cripple. +</p> + +<p> +He was a man of no sentiment, this porter, and so he asked the generous +donor bluntly what he wanted for the money. +</p> + +<p> +"I only want you to show some consideration and kindness, if possible, +to some of the unfortunate inmates of this place," was the reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Prisoners?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"If you expect that," said the porter "you had better take back your +money, for I have nothing to do with the prisoners." +</p> + +<p> +The cripple looked grave, and he muttered to himself— +</p> + +<p> +"This fool is beastly conscientious. If he had only proved a bit of a +rogue, there was a chance—the ass!" +</p> + +<p> +But he did not mean to yield the point yet. +</p> + +<p> +"You are a very good man," he said to the porter, "a worthy honest +fellow, and you will know that I don't mean to offer you any thing like +a bribe." +</p> + +<p> +The porter started. +</p> + +<p> +"A bribe!" he said, with an expletive. "You had better not." +</p> + +<p> +"Ahem!" coughed the cripple. "My friend, I have confined in this prison +my son, a poor misguided boy—" +</p> + +<p> +"They are mostly that," said the porter shortly. +</p> + +<p> +"But he is innocent." +</p> + +<p> +"They are all innocent," said the porter. +</p> + +<p> +"All?" +</p> + +<p> +"According to their own showing." +</p> + +<p> +"But my boy is." +</p> + +<p> +"No doubt" +</p> + +<p> +"And I only want to beg you to do what you can to soften his lot—a +hard lot it is, too." +</p> + +<p> +"I can do nothing, I tell you," said the porter; "I never see the +prisoners." +</p> + +<p> +"I thought—" +</p> + +<p> +"At least, when I say never, I mean only when they are allowed to walk +in the prison yard." +</p> + +<p> +"That is here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"When is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Once a day; sometimes more than that, if the doctor orders it." +</p> + +<p> +"The doctor must order it, then?" said the cripple to himself. +</p> + +<p> +"What is your son in for?" asked the porter. +</p> + +<p> +"For an unfortunate resemblance he bears to a notorious brigand." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" exclaimed the porter. "They don't imprison a man for being like +another." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, they do; my unlucky son has been taken for Mathias the brigand." +</p> + +<p> +"What," ejaculated the doorkeeper, "do you mean that Mathias is not +Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean that my son has been taken for Mathias, to whom, indeed, he is +so like that nothing but the capture of the real culprit can save my +son." +</p> + +<p> +The doorkeeper eyed the cripple sharply. +</p> + +<p> +But the latter stood it coolly enough. +</p> + +<p> +"Well," said the door porter, "if that is the case, it is certainly a +very hard job for your son. What do you want me to do for him? I can't +let him out." +</p> + +<p> +"My friend," exclaimed the cripple, "think you I would suggest such a +thing? No, all I would ask of you is to soothe him with a kind word." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell him when next he comes out." +</p> + +<p> +"At what time did you say?" asked the cripple, looking on the ground as +though he only put the question casually. +</p> + +<p> +"At twelve." +</p> + +<p> +The cripple's eyes glistened as he heard this. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," he said, pressing some more money into the door porter's +hand, "I'll call again, and perhaps you may have seen my boy, and +comforted him with the assurance that I'll save him, in spite of all +the ill these accursed English people can work by the aid of their +money." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the porter. "The English are at work in +it, eh?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. They owe him some spite, and money, you know, can buy any +thing—any thing." And blessing the gatekeeper, he hobbled off. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Near the prison he overtook a blind man begging by the roadside, and +while stopping to drop a coin in his hat, the cripple contrived to +whisper a few hurried words to this effect— +</p> + +<p> +"I have made a step—almost made a breach in the fortress." +</p> + +<p> +"You have!" +</p> + +<p> +And the blind man turned his head to the right and to the left, almost +as though looking out to see if they were unwatched. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; the prison yard is only the other side of the gate. Now that gate +is kept by a porter who is already in our interest." +</p> + +<p> +"Good, good, Tomaso!" quoth the blind man. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, listen." +</p> + +<p> +"Go on," returned the blind man, in an eager tone. +</p> + +<p> +"At noon the prisoners are in the yard. If we could but get that gate +open for an instant, and have our men ready hereabouts for a rush—" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Who can tell what may happen?" +</p> + +<p> +"Good again—good again! ha, ha, ha! that's brave, that is. Why, the +mob of idle sightseers who crowd about the prison gates at noon to +watch the prisoners might all be poor blind wretches or helpless +cripples like you and I." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"And if the gate is left open but one instant—a single inch, no +more—why, worlds might be done." +</p> + +<p> +"A horse ready saddled near at hand might be worth thinking of." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +"And a small keg of gunpowder blown up under the archway by the +waterside entrance would divert attention." +</p> + +<p> +"Tomaso," ejaculated the blind man, "you're born to be a captain of +brigands some day!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HOW TOMASO HELPED HIS FRIENDS IN TROUBLE—THE SKIRMISH IN THE<br /> +PRISON—MATHIAS THE BRIGAND. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Tomaso, before the day was over, changed his garments and abandoned +crutch and stick, and when he turned out with flaxen-dyed hair and +spectacles, and presented himself at the other great entrance of the +prison, as a German traveller who desired to go over the place, no one +could possibly have imagined it to be the old cripple whose paternal +lamentation had so touched the doorkeeper's heart. +</p> + +<p> +"You have got here a notorious brigand, as I have heard tell," said the +visitor. +</p> + +<p> +"We have, sir," was the governor's reply; "a very remarkable man he is, +too." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, so I have heard," said the visitor. "He is called Demetrius, I +believe?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nay; his name is Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +The visitor looked surprised at this information. +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias—Mathias!" he repeated to himself. "I was misinformed, then. I +certainly thought that his name was Demetrius." +</p> + +<p> +The governor smiled. +</p> + +<p> +"You may be right, all the same," said he. +</p> + +<p> +"How so?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Mathias is but his avowed name; he may be known by a dozen +different <i>aliases</i>." +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible?" ejaculated the sham German traveller. +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed it is. These robbers are mostly adepts at disguise. Would you +like to see this Mathias?" demanded the governor, courteously. +</p> + +<p> +"Vastly." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, sir, I'll only warn you of one thing." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed! What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"A disappointment awaits you in this." +</p> + +<p> +"How so?" +</p> + +<p> +"Instead of seeing a ferocious fellow, such as you might expect, +Mathias is really a very pleasant and innocent-looking man." +</p> + +<p> +The governor of the prison then led the visitors through the long stone +corridors of the place where Mathias was confined. +</p> + +<p> +They stopped before a door of great thickness, heavily barred, and +studded with iron bolts and nails. +</p> + +<p> +The governor tapped at a small grated trap in the door, and it was +pulled aside. +</p> + +<p> +At the grating a broad-shouldered fellow appeared, who touched his cap +at the visitors. +</p> + +<p> +"So that is Mathias," said the German gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no," said the governor; "that is the gaoler who is shut up with +him." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"So that he might be watched night and day; the authorities have doomed +him to—" +</p> + +<p> +"To what?" +</p> + +<p> +"To death," replied the governor, in a low but impressive voice. +</p> + +<p> +"He is young." +</p> + +<p> +"In years, yes," answered the governor, "but old in crime. This man has +been guilty of nearly every crime under the sun—brigandage is one of +his least offences. His last exploit, however, is the worst." +</p> + +<p> +"What is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Murder." +</p> + +<p> +"Murder!" +</p> + +<p> +And the German traveller looked inexpressibly shocked. +</p> + +<p> +"Murder is a capital crime in every land." +</p> + +<p> +"And rightly too," said the visitor, "rightly, too. But, sir, excuse my +curiosity—" +</p> + +<p> +"Ask all you will," returned the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"This man had, I was told, a bold, dashing fellow to second him in all +his exploits." +</p> + +<p> +"An Italian?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"An Englishman?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, no, sir, you mistake; I mean a Greek—a handsome, dashing +fellow—a great favourite with the ladies—brave and daring." +</p> + +<p> +"And how is this Apollo called?" +</p> + +<p> +"Tomaso." +</p> + +<p> +The governor burst into a loud fit of laughter at this, +</p> + +<p> +"You are altogether mistaken about that brigand—that Tomaso. He is a +scrubby and ill-favoured scamp—a sneaking, crawling rascal, capable of +all the villany of his master, but not possessed of his courage." +</p> + +<p> +Had the governor been looking at the visitor's face just then, he might +have had his suspicions aroused. +</p> + +<p> +The sham German philanthropist glared ferociously as this description +was given. +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner, who was seated at a rough deal table at the further end +of the cell, here arose at the gaoler's order, and came to the window. +</p> + +<p> +A single glance sufficed to show that a very noticeable change had +taken place in the appearance of Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +His face was pale and haggard, and the whole of one side of it, the +eye, cheek bone, and forehead were bruised. +</p> + +<p> +This was the mark that Jefferson had set upon him. +</p> + +<p> +This was the bold American's only vengeance for the deathblow which the +brigand had dealt upon his faithful friend and companion Magog Brand. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson's right arm came down like a steam hammer, and any man who +had felt its full force as the scoundrel Mathias had did not forget it +very readily. +</p> + +<p> +Such a desperate shaking had it given Mathias that he had not yet +recovered. +</p> + +<p> +The bold, defiant bearing of the man was gone, and he looked ten years +older than when Tomaso and he had last met. +</p> + +<p> +It struck the visitor at once. +</p> + +<p> +"Dear, dear me," exclaimed the latter, "is it possible that this can be +the redoubtable Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +"It is he," said the governor, "yet scarcely so gay as is his wont, eh, +Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner shrugged his shoulders and sighed. +</p> + +<p> +"Laugh on, your excellency," he said, rather bitterly, "it is your turn +now." +</p> + +<p> +"Now!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, now. It may not always be." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, surely you never think of getting out of this?" +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed, I think of nothing else morning, noon, and night." +</p> + +<p> +The governor gave a sharp glance about. +</p> + +<p> +He looked toward the gaoler. +</p> + +<p> +Now the gaoler was a huge fellow, over six feet high and broad in +proportion, one who could have tackled Toro himself, as far as weight +and sheer brute strength went. +</p> + +<p> +"Your excellency," replied Mathias, "when I leave this place, my exit +will be due to no violence. Bad as I am, I am not altogether what they +would make out." +</p> + +<p> +"Poor Mathias!" said the governor ironically, "one would almost think +that murder was not his line of business." +</p> + +<p> +"Your excellency," said the prison, drawing near to the grated window, +"I repent sincerely of that poor little gentleman's death; it was no +assassin's stab in the dark, but a most unfortunate blow in a fight, +remember." +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo! Mathias! bravo!" ejaculated the visitor. +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner looked up. +</p> + +<p> +A strange expression flitted across his face. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias was an adept in the art of dissimulation, and his face was +schooled to tell neither more nor less than he wished. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, your excellency," said the visitor, "this rascal appears +strangely self-possessed." +</p> + +<p> +"He does." +</p> + +<p> +"What does it mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"Brag." +</p> + +<p> +"Humph!" +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, you do not know him, sir, as well as I do." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps not; but it might just be possible that he is in league with +some of his comrades outside." +</p> + +<p> +The governor smiled incredulously. +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"What if that scoundrel, Tomaso, of whom we were speaking, should be at +work?" +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner's eyes glistened at this word. +</p> + +<p> +A slight flash of intelligence passed between the prisoner and the +visitor. +</p> + +<p> +It was but momentary, and so slight as to be utterly unobserved by +either the gaoler or the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"And if such could be the case, sir, what could he possibly do, eh? +What on earth, that's what I ask." +</p> + +<p> +"There's no saying." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed you're right." +</p> + +<p> +"Only he ought to be well guarded when you change him from one prison +to another, or—" +</p> + +<p> +"Stop, stop, my dear sir, why change him? He will never leave this +place alive," said the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"Never?" +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" +</p> + +<p> +"But surely you don't keep your prisoners all confined in these +stifling places?" +</p> + +<p> +"We do, though." +</p> + +<p> +"And never let them breathe the air? Why, it is torture." +</p> + +<p> +"They do breathe the air. At noon every day they are allowed to walk +for an hour in the prison yard." +</p> + +<p> +"At noon?" +</p> + +<p> +"At noon." +</p> + +<p> +The visitor fixed his eyes strangely upon the prisoner. +</p> + +<p> +"Very good; if I may be allowed to trespass again, I should like to see +how this fellow bears himself in the yard amongst his fellow-criminals." +</p> + +<p> +"By all means." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll come, then, at noon." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +At noon next day the German traveller was as good as his word. +</p> + +<p> +The governor, full of his wonted courtesy, accompanied him to the yard, +where all the prisoners were walking round two and two. +</p> + +<p> +Some of the more desperate men were fastened by a single handcuff to +the wrist of another man—a warder. +</p> + +<p> +Of this category was the brigand Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +His companion was a huge fellow, who topped him by a head and +shoulders, and their wrists were linked securely together by a +strong—if slender—pair of handcuffs. +</p> + +<p> +The visitor's countenance fell when he observed this. +</p> + +<p> +It upset all his plans at one fell swoop. +</p> + +<p> +However, he did not utterly despair, but made an effort to get over the +difficulty. +</p> + +<p> +"Your excellency," said he, "this is indeed cruel." +</p> + +<p> +"What," demanded the governor, "fastening them to the gaoler?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I only order it in special cases, such as that of Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"He is then very dangerous?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I scarcely believe that, only such precautions are the +established rules." +</p> + +<p> +"I regret that." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Partly on the score of humanity," was the reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, you would be too tender-hearted," said the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"No. But I also regret it because I hoped to see the brigand more like +he appears when not under restraint. I suppose you would not like to +set him free?" +</p> + +<p> +The governor shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +"That is against custom, and I should really not like to do it." +</p> + +<p> +The visitor reflected a moment as they walked on. +</p> + +<p> +He could not abandon his scheme now that he had gone so far. +</p> + +<p> +The effort should be made all the same. +</p> + +<p> +They walked up to the porter's lodge beside the gates, where an eager +crowd had assembled for a glimpse of the prisoners. +</p> + +<p> +"And do you open those gates to admit the prisoners?" asked the visitor +innocently. +</p> + +<p> +"No, sir," replied the governor; "this little side door is all we open. +Now watch how it is done. This bar, which is like a lever, stops the +door, and renders it immovable, now—hah!" +</p> + +<p> +The fallacy of his words was shown ere they were fairly uttered. +</p> + +<p> +The visitor whistled in a very peculiar way. +</p> + +<p> +And there was a sudden silent rush at the door in question. +</p> + +<p> +The bar, immovable as it was, fell before that desperate onslaught, and +the door was carried off its hinges. +</p> + +<p> +The ragged and miserable-looking mob turned like magic into a crowd of +armed desperadoes. And in they pressed. +</p> + +<p> +On they came, tearing down the gates and dashing every thing before +them. +</p> + +<p> +The poor gatekeeper was trampled under foot, and the warders and +governor got hustled and cruelly handled. +</p> + +<p> +The mob of armed invaders made for Mathias and his companion, and bore +them bodily outside the gates. +</p> + +<p> +The brigands then wrenched off the handcuffs. +</p> + +<p> +Once outside the gates, a horse was found waiting. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly there was a loud cry heard. +</p> + +<p> +"The soldiers—the soldiers!" +</p> + +<p> +The whole of the guard-room had turned out. +</p> + +<p> +A charge was made, and it looked as though the rescue of Mathias were +likely to cost them dear. +</p> + +<p> +Cries of defiance and rage were heard. +</p> + +<p> +Just when matters were at the worst for the robber band, a deafening +explosion was heard, that shook the solid building to its base. +</p> + +<p> +The soldiers turned back and re-formed at their officer's command. +</p> + +<p> +Then it was that the brigands, headed by the sham visitor, Tomaso, +found their chance. +</p> + +<p> +Up till now, the retreat had been cut off by the unpleasant appearance +of the military. +</p> + +<p> +"There goes the powder keg under the water gate," cried Tomaso. "Lose +not a moment. Follow me." +</p> + +<p> +A desperate rush was made, and the brigands got clear of the prison. +</p> + +<p> +The soldiers were divided into two lots, one party being sent in +pursuit, the other remaining to guard the prison. +</p> + +<p> +The roll-call of the prisoners made this discovery. +</p> + +<p> +"How many prisoners have escaped?" inquired the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"Three absentees, your excellency," said the head man of the prison. +"One is an Italian, calling himself Toro; another an Englishman, +calling himself Hunston; and the third, the brigand chief Mathias." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +A DEEP-LAID PLOT. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The news of the escape, or rescue—call it what you will—of the three +desperadoes soon became known. +</p> + +<p> +Emily and Mrs. Harvey were much alarmed. +</p> + +<p> +The dogged obstinacy with which attempt after attempt was made by the +villains made them imagine they were unsafe in such a lonely place. +</p> + +<p> +Accordingly, a grand consultation was held, the result of which was +that the Prince of Limbi was sent into the town to take rooms for the +whole party at one of the two hotels the place could boast of. +</p> + +<p> +And the next day they all quitted the villa. +</p> + +<p> +The hotel in which our friends had secured apartments was a large +straggling building, right at the extremity of the ill-built street +which formed the chief part of the town. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole had been very particular when they went there in his inquiries +about the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +Would the party be quite safe from molestation? +</p> + +<p> +The urbane proprietor, with many low bows, assured his excellency the +Englishman that there was not the slightest possibility of their being +molested. +</p> + +<p> +The other male members of the party really troubled themselves very +little about the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +By ten o'clock, the day after the masquerade, hardly a person was +stirring in the town. +</p> + +<p> +A casual observer would have said there was literally no one to be +seen. But hush! +</p> + +<p> +Soft, cautious footsteps may be heard, and anyone whose eyes are +accustomed to the gloom might have seen three figures creeping quietly +down the street on the side opposite the hotel. +Right over against that building they paused. +</p> + +<p> +"That is the place" said one of the three, a giant almost in size. +</p> + +<p> +"Curse them! they always manage to get comfortable quarters, while I am +an outcast," said another, who spoke like an Englishman. +</p> + +<p> +"Death, gentlemen! what better quarters can you desire than my cave, in +which you have spent several pleasant evenings?" +</p> + +<p> +"Bah! Captain Mathias, you have never tasted the sweets of +civilisation." +</p> + +<p> +"And, Signor Hunstani, how much the better are you through having +tasted those sweets?" +</p> + +<p> +"Peace, peace!" growled the giant. "Let us unite in thought and action, +and to-night obtain our long-sought revenge." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Toro, I am sure I don't want to quarrel with anyone, except +Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"Curse him! and especially that American." +</p> + +<p> +"Hush! let your curses be not loud but deep; you'll awake the town if +you swear so." +</p> + +<p> +"Have I not good cause to? Has he not beaten and put me to shame?" +</p> + +<p> +"And have I not suffered equal pain and shame? Yet I am content to bide +my time; you should have patience, Toro." +</p> + +<p> +"Come, come to business, my friends," said Captain Mathias; "there is +the house where our foe resides. How are we to proceed?" +</p> + +<p> +"Quietly; hush!" said Hunston. "Confound it, how still the air is; the +whole street seems to echo back the lightest whisper." +</p> + +<p> +"Let me get once inside, and I care not if all the street hears," +muttered Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Which proves you care not if you are unsuccessful," said the Greek. +</p> + +<p> +"How so?" +</p> + +<p> +"If we are heard, we shall have the whole street in arms against us, +and I fancy these Inglesi, with their boys and the blacks, are quite +sufficient for the three of us." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" exclaimed Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Seriously, though, let us consider how to get into this place," said +Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"There's the door facing us." +</p> + +<p> +"But have you the key?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, but I could send my foot through that plank as easily as +anything," growled Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly, and you would undoubtedly alarm the whole household by +doing so, whereas we wish to catch them sleeping." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, how about the windows?" +</p> + +<p> +"Too high to reach," said Hunston, "unless we had a ladder." +</p> + +<p> +"And I doubt if such a thing can be found in the town," interposed +Captain Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, let us see what there is at the back of the house. +Captain, you have eyes like a cat or an owl; just glance up and down +the street to see if there is anyone about." +</p> + +<p> +The Greek looked in all directions. +</p> + +<p> +"Not even a mouse is stirring," said he. +</p> + +<p> +So the three villains, drawing their cloaks closely round them, stole +silently away from the shelter of the friendly doorway, where the +foregoing conversation had taken place, and proceeded round to the back +of the hotel. +</p> + +<p> +To reach the point desired, they had, of course, to cross the road, +which was tolerably wide, and then skirt a kind of paddock. +</p> + +<p> +There were few stars to be seen, and the moon—a new one, and perhaps +not yet fully acquainted with her business—was partly hidden behind +some clouds, though not so entirely obscured but that the forms of the +three brigands cast deep shadows on the ground. +</p> + +<p> +But surely that is not a shadow, which as they move, moves also from an +adjoining doorway, and follows them. +</p> + +<p> +Like them, it is wrapped in a cloak; like them, it stalks along slowly +and erect, but unlike them, it makes no noise. +</p> + +<p> +Its footfall is silent as that of the panther lurking in the jungle. +</p> + +<p> +Its very breath, if it has any, seems hushed. +</p> + +<p> +The three villains go slowly, and the shadow, or substance, whatever it +may be, keeps the same pace, till they reach the open field at the back +of the hotel. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, Toro, and the Greek then stand side by side looking towards +the hotel, but the shadow sinks down out of sight by the side of the +fence. +</p> + +<p> +Another hasty look round, and then the Greek brigand pronounced that +they were safe. +</p> + +<p> +"No fear of being interrupted here." +</p> + +<p> +"Well now let us settle," said Toro; "I am anxious to be at them." +</p> + +<p> +"But see," said Hunston, "there are lights moving; it is not safe yet." +</p> + +<p> +"Not till half-an-hour after midnight." +</p> + +<p> +"And now——" +</p> + +<p> +"It is half-past ten o'clock." +</p> + +<p> +"Two hours," groaned Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Better wait four than fail," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Cold-blooded Englishman, what know you of the furious rate at which my +blood boils in my veins? In that house is the man who struck me to the +earth." +</p> + +<p> +"Wait two hours, then you may have a good chance of paying off the +score." +</p> + +<p> +"And I will, too, with greater interest than even usurer charged his +hapless client. I wonder which room the cursed Americano sleeps in." +</p> + +<p> +"The third room on the right-hand side of the first corridor, where you +ascend the great staircase." +</p> + +<p> +Captain Mathias said this as promptly and positively as though he +himself had shown our friends to bed. +</p> + +<p> +After a pause he continued— +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. and Mrs. Harkaway have the first room; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey the +second; the third is a double-bedded apartment, one couch being +occupied by the American, the other by the two boys." +</p> + +<p> +"You seem to have pretty exact information, captain," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, there is little going on there that does not come to my ears. One +of the porters is a spy in my employ." +</p> + +<p> +"Why did you not get a key from him?" +</p> + +<p> +"I have one; it opens the back door." +</p> + +<p> +Toro had, during the last bit of conversation, been growling to himself +a choice vocabulary of Italian oaths, occasionally shaking his fist at +the building which contained the objects of his hatred. +</p> + +<p> +He now turned to his companions. +</p> + +<p> +"And where do you propose to pass the two hours that must elapse?" +</p> + +<p> +"At the bottom of yonder field is a thicket, where we shall be free +from observation. We can smoke our pipes there. By-the-bye, the patrol +goes round about midnight." +</p> + +<p> +"We must be cautious," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Come along, then." +</p> + +<p> +The three villains then walked off in the direction of the thicket +where they were to hide. +</p> + +<p> +A minute afterwards a shadow rose from the ditch where he had been +crouching, and stood looking after them long after they had been lost +in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +"Just in time," muttered the so-called shadow, who was in good truth as +substantial flesh and blood as any in Greece. +</p> + +<p> +"If I had not wandered hither in search of my daughter, probably +half-a-dozen murders would have been committed. However, I'll thwart the +rascals, as sure as my name is Petrus." +</p> + +<p> +For Petrus it was, from Magic Island, who had been playing spy on the +movements of the three conspirators. +</p> + +<p> +He stood there in deep thought for a few minutes. +</p> + +<p> +"I must warn some of the people in the hotel, but I should like to get +this business over without alarming Mrs. Harkaway or the other lady. +The question is, how?" +</p> + +<p> +He reached the front door of the hotel, and pulled at the bell handle. +</p> + +<p> +After an interval of two or three minutes, a light shone through the +keyhole, and a voice asked— +</p> + +<p> +"Who is there?" +</p> + +<p> +"A traveller, in search of food and bed." +</p> + +<p> +"Are you alone?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +Then the door was unbolted, and the traveller entered. +</p> + +<p> +"Is the proprietor of the hotel in bed yet?" he asked. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"He must be roused at once. I have important news for him from a +distant land." +</p> + +<p> +The porter stared, but did not seem inclined to call the proprietor, +noticing which, Petrus said— +</p> + +<p> +"I shall be sorry to alarm all the house, when I only want one person; +but if you don't quickly bring him, I'll ring half a dozen of these +bells at such a rate that he'll think the house is on fire." +</p> + +<p> +Seeing the stranger was in earnest, the porter went to the proprietor's +room, and soon returned with him to the hall where Petrus was waiting. +</p> + +<p> +"I should like to have a few words with you <i>in private</i>, sir," +said the traveller, with a strong emphasis on the words we have +italicised. +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly. You may go to bed, Theodorus." +</p> + +<p> +The porter somewhat sulkily retired to a kind of pantry, where he +slept, and the proprietor of the hotel, softly following, turned the +key upon him. +</p> + +<p> +"I have my doubts about that fellow," he said as he returned. "But now, +sir, what is your pleasure with me?" +</p> + +<p> +Petrus at once told him what he had heard, and great was the alarm of +the hotel-keeper. +</p> + +<p> +"What shall we do? Send for the police?" +</p> + +<p> +Petrus, after a short silence, said— +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"What then? I cannot allow my guests to be murdered. Why, these +scoundrels have already made one attempt on Mr. Harkaway and his +friends at a masquerade." +</p> + +<p> +Just at that moment a guttural voice was heard singing— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Ole Ikey Mole<br /> + Was a lushy ole soul,<br /> + And a lushy ole soul was he."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Now den, you nigger, be quiet," said another voice. +</p> + +<p> +"Who are these people?" asked Petrus. +</p> + +<p> +"Two black men in attendance on the Harkaway party," said the +proprietor of the hotel. +</p> + +<p> +"Just the men. I know a little of them. I have fought side by side with +them. Now I have a proposal to make, which is that we put these +brigands to flight in a ludicrous manner, which will annoy them more +than being beaten in fight. Myself and the black men will do it with +your assistance and permission." +</p> + +<p> +"Anything, so that there is no bloodshed." +</p> + +<p> +"That I will guarantee. Please call the two worthy dark-skins." +</p> + +<p> +Sunday and Monday, who had been keeping it up in the kitchen, were +called and acquainted with the state of affairs. +</p> + +<p> +"What, Massa Petrus," said Sunday in surprise, "what you do here? Am +you got dat black rascal pirate with you?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; the pirate chief is dead. You will find his bones on the +island—Magic Island, as young Jack Harkaway named it. Yes, my revenge +is complete. The pirate died as my slave; but now to explain to you my +plan to punish the three brigands." +</p> + +<p> +Sunday rolled his eyes fearfully, as he listened to the details of the +plot. +</p> + +<p> +"Gorra, massa, I'd like to tar and feather dat big rascal." +</p> + +<p> +"Tar!" said Petrus. "Ha, ha, ha! that is a good idea. Listen—but first +show me the place where the gentlemen sleep." +</p> + +<p> +The hotel-keeper led the way to the corridor, and pointed out the +sleeping apartments of the Harkaway party. +</p> + +<p> +Petrus then held another short consultation with the two black men and +the hotel-keeper, the result of which was that the latter retired, +leaving Sunday, Monday, and Petrus to work their will with the invaders +when they appeared. +</p> + +<p> +And then, as there was but little time to spare, they set to work with +a will to make all the necessary preparations. +</p> + +<p> +Over each door they screwed into the wall an iron hook, to which was +attached a pulley and a cord. +</p> + +<p> +Then they went into the lower regions and hunted through the store +rooms. +</p> + +<p> +The first place they lighted upon was a kind of paint shop, full of +paints, oils and such-like things. +</p> + +<p> +"Dis is jes de shop for to cook de goose ob dem willins," said Sunday. +</p> + +<p> +"And here's de pots to cook 'em in," said Monday, pointing to some iron +vessels resembling pails, but made so that the bottoms could be +removed. +</p> + +<p> +The pails, as we will call them, were something like sugar loaves, with +the tops cut off and turned base upwards. +</p> + +<p> +When full, the weight of the liquid kept the bottom in its place, but +it was evident that if the bottom was removed, as it easily could be, +the contents would escape. +</p> + +<p> +Petrus, after an inspection, pronounced them "just the thing," adding— +</p> + +<p> +"Now we must fill them with tar." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no," said Monday. "Put tar in one, wery hot; in nodder put dis +here paint, also werry hot; and in de oder put water, bilin' hot." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +Then the three sat down by the large fireplace in the kitchen, and +deliberately began their cooking. +</p> + +<p> +Monday devoted his attention to the heating of several pounds of mixed +paint. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday boiled a barrel of tar, while Petrus attended to a large +cauldron of water. +</p> + +<p> +Ten minutes before the hands of the clock pointed to half-past twelve, +all the cooks had completed their work. +</p> + +<p> +The paint, tar, and water, all at boiling heat, had been placed in the +iron pails with the movable bottoms, and one of these had been hung +over each bedroom door. +</p> + +<p> +The hot water over Harkaway's door, the paint over Harvey's, and the +tar over that in which the two boys and Jefferson reposed. +</p> + +<p> +A string was attached to each pail, and passed over a pulley, the end +being conveyed to a recess where the three watchers were concealed. +They were armed. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday, Monday, and Petrus each had a six-chambered revolver, loaded. +</p> + +<p> +Then came the clang of the old-fashioned clock as it proclaimed +half-past twelve. +</p> + +<p> +Breathless silence prevailed both inside the house and out. +</p> + +<p> +"Lights out," whispered Petrus, when, after a short pause, a slight +grating noise was heard at the back door. +</p> + +<p> +In an instant all was darkness, except that the moon shone through a +narrow window at the extreme end of the corridor. +</p> + +<p> +A few minutes afterwards Petrus, who was watching, saw three dark +figures come gliding into the long passage. +</p> + +<p> +The first was a tall, bulky figure—Toro. +</p> + +<p> +The second the Greek, and the third was evidently Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +A plan of operations had been agreed upon—that was quite certain; for +Toro, without the least hesitation, proceeded to Jefferson's door, the +Greek placing himself outside Harvey's apartment, while Hunston +stationed himself at the room occupied by Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Then they waited for a signal, evidently intending to rush in +simultaneously. +</p> + +<p> +"Now!" said Hunston, in a loud whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"Now!" echoed Petrus. +</p> + +<p> +Before the brigands could rush into the rooms occupied by those they +sought to destroy, Petrus pulled the three strings he held in his hand, +and, good Heaven! what a spluttering and swearing at once commenced. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was drenched and scalded. +</p> + +<p> +"A million curses!" he roared. +</p> + +<p> +"Help! Look here, Toro." +</p> + +<p> +But Toro could not look. +</p> + +<p> +A deluge of hot tar had streamed over his head, filling eyes, ears, +nose, and mouth, saturating his hair and running down inside his +clothing. +</p> + +<p> +"Furies!" he screamed, "I'll have the life of the villain who has done +this! Mathias, out with your knife, man." +</p> + +<p> +But the poor Greek was utterly cowed; the paint had destroyed all his +senses save that of feeling, which was fully exercised. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, although severely scalded, managed to keep a certain +proportion of his wits about him. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, lads—quick, as you value your lives!" he exclaimed. "Away! we +must not risk capture." +</p> + +<p> +He endeavoured to drag them away. +</p> + +<p> +At that moment, however, another actor appeared on the scene. +</p> + +<p> +This was Nero. +</p> + +<p> +That wide-awake member of the monkey tribe had been doomed to share +Sunday's apartments, where a neat bed had been made for him in one +corner. +</p> + +<p> +Hearing a noise, and, perhaps missing his companion (brother, Jefferson +said), he came down, carrying in his dexter paw a well-filled pillow. +</p> + +<p> +He seemed to recognise Toro at once. +</p> + +<p> +The valorous ape leaped forward, and gave his Italian foe such a +bolstering as Toro had never before heard of, while the three +spectators laughed and applauded loudly. +</p> + +<p> +Crack! +</p> + +<p> +The ticking of the pillow gave way, and a shower of feathers enveloped +the unhappy son of Italy, whose oaths and execrations were literally +smothered. +</p> + +<p> +"Golly! an't he a downy cove?" said Monday. +</p> + +<p> +At this juncture, Hunston managed to grasp his companions by the hand, +and dragged them downstairs and out at the back door. +</p> + +<p> +Only just in time, however, for Jefferson, hearing the noise, rushed +out, in scanty costume, it is true, but fully armed with pistol and +bowie knife, and eager for the fray. +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter?" he demanded. +</p> + +<p> +Petrus explained briefly. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson rushed to the door and fired two shots after the fugitives, +who, however, managed to get away. +</p> + +<p> +Then the door was securely bolted, and after the affair had been +explained to all the alarmed inmates of the house, they retired to bed, +but not before Harkaway and his friends had shaken Petrus warmly by the +hand, with a promise that he should see his beloved daughter in the +morning. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER IX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE BRIGAND'S CONSPIRACY—THE ARAB ASTROLOGER—HARVEY'S FIRST<br /> +APPEARANCE AS A MESMERIST. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"They are making fresh efforts to get Mathias out," said Dick Harvey to +his friend Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +This was the beginning of a conversation which took place at the +residence of the Harkaway party just three days after the daring and +audacious attack on the hotel. +</p> + +<p> +Mathias had been captured by the patrol while endeavouring to escape, +and thrown in gaol again. +</p> + +<p> +"Hang their impudence!" said Jefferson. "Will nothing daunt them? I +wish one of them had entered my room the other night; I would have held +him faster than it seems the prisons here can." +</p> + +<p> +"These two restless vagabonds are up to their games again," exclaimed +Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"You mean Toro?" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, and Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"What have they done now?" demanded Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"They have been trying to tamper with the gaolers." +</p> + +<p> +"How was it discovered?" +</p> + +<p> +"The traitor, whoever he may be, let fall a letter that he was carrying +to Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"That's lucky. Well, did they discover any thing?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; it was written in cypher." +</p> + +<p> +"The cunning rascals!" +</p> + +<p> +"Now, I've got more news for you," Dick went on to say. +</p> + +<p> +"Out with it, then." +</p> + +<p> +"You have heard of the Arab who tells fortunes in the town?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mehemed Sadan, the great necromancer?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Would you be surprised to learn that he is one of Mathias' band?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, those scoundrels have a finger in every pie." +</p> + +<p> +"True," said Harvey. "Now, I have a notion to offer you. I propose that +we go there and test the truth of what I say." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you that as we go. Are you agreed?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'm willing," said Harkaway; "any thing for a little excitement." +</p> + +<p> +Off they went. +</p> + +<p> +Mehemed Sadan, the Arabian magician, carried on his occult practices in +a house in the best part of the town, and all his surroundings tended +to show that the "black art" had proved a most profitable commerce to +him. +</p> + +<p> +When Harkaway, Jefferson, and Harvey arrived there, they were ushered +into the presence of the magician by a negro fancifully attired, +wearing silver bands round his wrists and ankles, from which dangled +chains with small bells attached. +</p> + +<p> +Mehemed Sadan was seated on a high-backed chair, close by a long table, +on which was a long cloth of black velvet, covered with mystic signs +and letters, which were all so much Greek to the visitors. +</p> + +<p> +The room was filled with all kinds of things calculated to impress the +vulgar with superstitious awe. +</p> + +<p> +The effect was altogether lost upon Dick Harvey, for he made a point of +nodding at the Arab astrologer in the most familiar manner. +</p> + +<p> +"Morning to you, old fellow," he said, cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Salaam, sahib," responded the necromancer, gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" said Jefferson, opening his eyes, "why, this Arab talks +Hindustani." +</p> + +<p> +"Leave it to me," said Dick Harvey, in an undertone. +</p> + +<p> +The Arab then said some few words to the company generally, which the +company generally could make rather less of than if they had been +addressed in Chinese. +</p> + +<p> +"He's talking no known language under the sun," said Harkaway. "It's my +opinion he has got the cheek to talk regular right-down gibberish to +us." +</p> + +<p> +It was true. +</p> + +<p> +The words, or sounds, let us say, which the necromancer was uttering, +only sounded but too much like "hokey-pokey kickeraboo abracadabra," +and the rest of the mysterious sounds with which the conjurer at +juvenile parties seeks to invest his performance with additional +wonder, for the benefit of his youthful audience. +</p> + +<p> +Dick was in a rage. +</p> + +<p> +"Confound his impudence," he exclaimed; "I'll give him one." +</p> + +<p> +So he let out in this wise— +</p> + +<p> +"Chi ki hi-u-thundrinold umbuggo—canardly keep my thievinirons off +your wool—I should like to land you just one on the smeller and tap +your claret." +</p> + +<p> +At which, to the surprise of the magician, the visitors burst out +laughing. +</p> + +<p> +The Arab necromancer now asked them, in very good Greek, the object of +their visit. +</p> + +<p> +"We shall not understand much if we are addressed in Greek," said +Harkaway; "try him in Italian." +</p> + +<p> +And then they found that the conjurer spoke Italian as well, or better, +than any of the party. +</p> + +<p> +"Can you tell me," said Jack Harkaway, by way of beginning business, +"if I shall succeed in the present object of my desires or not?" +</p> + +<p> +The magician bowed his head gravely. +</p> + +<p> +Then he opened a large volume covered with mystic characters. +</p> + +<p> +For a minute or two he appeared to be lost in deep study, and then he +gave his reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Your desires tend to the downfall of some lawless men, I find," he +said, watching them keenly, as if he expected to see them jump up in +surprise at his words. +</p> + +<p> +"They do." +</p> + +<p> +"And you will not succeed." +</p> + +<p> +"Does your art tell you where I shall fail?" asked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"No; I only see disappointment and trouble for you and yours." +</p> + +<p> +"Dear, dear, how very shocking," exclaimed Harkaway, winking at Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Dreadful!" added Dick, with a terrified look, and putting his tongue +out at the magician. +</p> + +<p> +"What else does your art tell you?" demanded Jefferson, who was anxious +to know how far the necromancer would venture to try and humbug them. +</p> + +<p> +"I see here," said the conjurer, drawing his finger along a line of +something on an open "book of fate," that looked like Arabic, "I see +here that your lives are menaced, one and all, through the keeping of a +wretched man under restraint." +</p> + +<p> +The visitors looked at each other and exchanged a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"Your art is at fault," said Jefferson; "we have no one under +restraint." +</p> + +<p> +"You are in some way connected with it." +</p> + +<p> +"Wrong again." +</p> + +<p> +The wizard looked uncomfortable at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Strange," he said, "and yet I read it here as clearly as you might +yourself if it were written in a book." +</p> + +<p> +"You are mistaken," said Jefferson; "we are in no way concerned in any +thing of the kind." +</p> + +<p> +The wizard pored over the mystic tome again. +</p> + +<p> +"I can say no more then," he said, "for here you are clearly indicated. +You especially are mentioned as being the immediate cause of his +downfall." +</p> + +<p> +"How am I indicated?" demanded Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"By the letter J." +</p> + +<p> +"Which you take for?" +</p> + +<p> +"Your initial." +</p> + +<p> +"Humph! not far out. What an audacious humbug the fellow is," said +Jefferson to Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Now, during the foregoing scene, young Jack and Harry Girdwood had +joined the party, and Dick Harvey was observed to be in close +conversation with them. +</p> + +<p> +At this point Harvey turned from the two lads towards Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"The astrologer is right," he said, gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"What the devil do you mean?" exclaimed Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"You are right, sir," added Dick to the magician himself. +</p> + +<p> +The latter bowed. +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt it not," he said; "the stars do not speak falsely." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no." +</p> + +<p> +"And so you may convince your friend that I say no more nor less than +the truth." +</p> + +<p> +"I can," said Dick, in a voice as solemn as that of the necromancer +himself, "for I am a mesmerist, and I have here with me a clairvoyant +of great power." +</p> + +<p> +The conjurer started. +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"Here." +</p> + +<p> +He held out his hand to young Jack and led him forward. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway and Jefferson stared again. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" ejaculated old Jack; "what the deuce is madcap Dick up to +now?" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't hazard a guess," said Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"Mesmerism can not read the future as my art does," said the +necromancer. +</p> + +<p> +"It can," said Dick; "it corroborates all you have said. I'll give you +a proof of it before our friends here." +</p> + +<p> +And then, before he could object, Dick made a mesmeric pass or two +across young Jack's face, and immediately it appeared to take effect. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack's eyes were closed, and for a moment there played about his +mouth a merry smile of mischief, and then he appeared to be in a state +of coma. +</p> + +<p> +Never was mesmerism effected with such little trouble. +</p> + +<p> +"Now tell me," said Dick, with all the tricks of manner of the +professional mesmerist, "tell me to what this person alludes?" +</p> + +<p> +"He speaks of Mathias, the brigand chief." +</p> + +<p> +"True," said Dick; "and will Mathias escape?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"You hear," said Dick, turning towards the necromancer. +</p> + +<p> +"I do." +</p> + +<p> +"And therefore it is useless to try and effect the liberation of this +Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +"Quite," returned young Jack. "The wizard here is trying all he can +himself, but he will be discovered by the police and thrown into +prison." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" exclaimed Dick, "do you hear that?" +</p> + +<p> +"I do," returned the necromancer, "but it is false." +</p> + +<p> +"It is true," said Dick. "So beware." +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[Illustration: 'SPEAK,' SAID DICK, MAKING MESMERIC PASSES ACROSS<br /> +JACK'S FACE"—ADV. IN GREECE, VOL. II PAGE 64.] +</p> + +<p> +"Ask him more," said the wizard, eagerly. "Ask him more." +</p> + +<p> +"What shall I ask?" demanded Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"Ask him—yet, mark me, I don't believe a word of it—ask him, for +curiosity, what follows." +</p> + +<p> +"Follows what?" +</p> + +<p> +"What he said last." +</p> + +<p> +"You mean what follows being thrown into prison?" he said, +deliberately. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear?" said Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, master," responded young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Speak, then." +</p> + +<p> +By this time Harkaway the elder and Jefferson began of course to see +what they were driving at, and they became just as much interested as +the wizard himself in what young Jack was going to say. +</p> + +<p> +"What follows," said young Jack, "is too dreadful to look at." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak," said Dick, with a furious pass across the lad's face. "Speak, +I command you. What follows?" +</p> + +<p> +"I see the wizard hanging by the neck—there," and young Jack pointed +straight before him. +</p> + +<p> +The necromancer looked as unhappy as possible when he heard young +Jack's words. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know enough," asked Dick Harvey, "or would you learn more yet?" +</p> + +<p> +The wizard essayed to smile, but it was a sickly attempt, and it died +away in a ghastly manner. +</p> + +<p> +"I can not believe a word of what you say, but still let him speak on." +</p> + +<p> +Dick frowned. +</p> + +<p> +"If you are a scoffer," he said, sternly, "my clairvoyant will not +speak." +</p> + +<p> +"I am no scoffer," returned the necromancer; "speak on." +</p> + +<p> +"What would you know?" +</p> + +<p> +"When is my danger to begin? Let him say that." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak," said Dick, making mesmeric passes across Jack's face. +</p> + +<p> +"He need fear nothing at present," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The wizard drew a long breath of relief. +</p> + +<p> +"The police are below," continued young Jack, "but for ten minutes +there is no danger." +</p> + +<p> +"Ten minutes!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"And after?" gasped the wizard, breathlessly. +</p> + +<p> +"Then he is doomed," said young Jack, in sepulchral tones. "The wizard +will be numbered with the dead." +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon, the necromancer was taken suddenly queer, and he retreated +with a few confused words of excuse. +</p> + +<p> +"He's gone," said Dick, laughing. +</p> + +<p> +They pushed aside the curtains where the magician had disappeared, and +found that there was a back staircase. +</p> + +<p> +"There he goes, there he goes!" cried Harry Girdwood, excitedly. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, and he has left his skin," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the stairs was the long black velvet robe covered with tin-foil +ornaments, with which the necromancer was wont to frighten the ignorant +and superstitious peasants who came to consult him out of their wits. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll frighten old Mole with this," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't suppose that they'll try to frighten us again into helping +Mathias, the brigand chief, out of prison," said Harkaway, laughing. +</p> + +<p> +"He shall hang as high as Haman," said Jefferson, sternly. "Of that I +am so determined, that if there were no one else, I would willingly fix +the noose myself. But hang he shall for murdering my poor and noble +friend Brand." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER X. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE CONDEMNED CELL—MATHIAS ESCAPED—WHERE HAS HE GONE?—THE<br /> +BLOOD ON THE HEARTH—A TALE OF TERROR. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The schemes set on foot by the friends of Mathias for his release were +so many and so unceasing that the greatest precautions had to be taken +to keep him in safety. +</p> + +<p> +Rules were made, and for awhile most rigidly enforced, that not a soul +was to be permitted to visit the prisoner; but the exception proves the +rule, and there was an exception made in favour of a lady who came and +pleaded so earnestly to the governor of the prison that he could not +find the courage to refuse her. +</p> + +<p> +The lady was shown into the cell which Mathias had lately occupied. +</p> + +<p> +Lately? Yes. +</p> + +<p> +The bird had flown. +</p> + +<p> +But how had he got free? +</p> + +<p> +Where had he gone? +</p> + +<p> +Not a soul in the prison had the vaguest notion. +</p> + +<p> +The gaoler stared and gaped like one in a dream. +</p> + +<p> +"Where is Mathias?" demanded the woman. +</p> + +<p> +"That's more than I can guess," responded the gaoler, rubbing his eyes +as though he could not believe their evidence. +</p> + +<p> +"Have you mistaken the cell?" +</p> + +<p> +"Not I." +</p> + +<p> +"Has he been removed?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +She stared him straight in the face for a moment or two, and then she +burst out into a fit of laughter. +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha! Why, he has escaped. He has escaped. He has beaten your +vigilance—baffled you all in spite of locks, bolts and bars, and all +your watching." +</p> + +<p> +The gaoler scratched his head. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us look." +</p> + +<p> +"Look! why, you can see everything here at a glance—everything. There +are four walls. There is the bedstead; you can see under it. There is +not room for a man to creep under there. There is the fireplace, and +there is the window." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha!" ejaculated the gaoler, "the window." +</p> + +<p> +"What then?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is no other way; he must have escaped that way, undoubtedly." +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense," said the woman; "don't you see that is too high up from the +ground." +</p> + +<p> +"He has found a way to climb up there, then." +</p> + +<p> +"But the iron bars are all in their places still." +</p> + +<p> +"True," said the gaoler, thoroughly puzzled, "true. Where can he have +got to?" +</p> + +<p> +"It is simple enough." +</p> + +<p> +"How so?" +</p> + +<p> +"He never attempted the window. He has walked out through the door +being left open." +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" +</p> + +<p> +"Money can do more than that, and I rejoice at his freedom." +</p> + +<p> +She moved to the door. +</p> + +<p> +But the gaoler held her back rather roughly. +</p> + +<p> +"Stop you here," he said, rudely; "I shall have to report this to the +governor, and you had better remain until the job has been +investigated." +</p> + +<p> +And before the startled woman could divine his intention, he swung to +the door and shot the bolt. +</p> + +<p> +Then pushing back the trap in the door, he added a few words through +the grating. +</p> + +<p> +"You'll be safer there," said he, "unless you can manage to get out as +Mathias did. But the devil himself must have a compact with Mathias!" +</p> + +<p> +"At least leave me the light," she said, imploringly. +</p> + +<p> +"Against orders," was all the answer vouchsafed. +</p> + +<p> +The trap was shut. +</p> + +<p> +The woman was left a prisoner, in total darkness. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +There is always something unpleasant in darkness, and this woman was by +no means iron-nerved. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner was she alone, than a painful sensation of uneasiness stole +over her. +</p> + +<p> +"They can not keep me long here," she kept murmuring to herself; "I +have done nothing; I am accused of no offence. The governor will set me +at liberty as soon as he knows. Could any thing be more unfortunate? +Mathias was a prisoner, and I was at liberty. Now Mathias is free, and +I am a prisoner. Cruel fate to separate us. We are destined to be +parted." +</p> + +<p> +The gloom grew oppressive now. +</p> + +<p> +She stood still, listening in painful silence for five minutes +together—five minutes that appeared to be as many hours. +</p> + +<p> +A silence so solemn, so death-like, that she could hear the very +beating of her heart. This grew unbearable. +</p> + +<p> +She groped her way around the cell to find the bed, and approaching the +fireplace, she was suddenly startled by a sound. +</p> + +<p> +A very faint noise, as of something dripping on the flagstones by her +feet. +</p> + +<p> +In the tomb-like silence then reigning, the faintest sound caused her +to feel uncomfortable. +</p> + +<p> +She listened awhile intently, asking herself what it could mean. +</p> + +<p> +Drip, drip, drip. +</p> + +<p> +It was strange. +</p> + +<p> +When the light was there, she had not noticed it at all. +</p> + +<p> +What could it be then, that was only to be heard in the dark? +</p> + +<p> +Was it fancy? +</p> + +<p> +No. +</p> + +<p> +It was too real. +</p> + +<p> +There was no mistaking it. +</p> + +<p> +If the oppressive gloom of the cell started strange sounds or strange +fancies in her head, why should it take such a shape as that? +</p> + +<p> +Why, indeed? +</p> + +<p> +"Would to Heaven they were back with the light," she said. "Will they +never come?" +</p> + +<p> +Just then, as though her earnest wish were heard and answered, a faint +thin streak of light was shot into the cell through the grated window +above. +</p> + +<p> +This was reflected from a chamber in the prison whose window was close +by the window of this cell, and where a lamp had just been lighted. +</p> + +<p> +The welcome ray shot straight across the cell where she stood by the +fireplace, and she remarked that the dripping did not cease. +</p> + +<p> +Drip, drip, drip! +</p> + +<p> +She looked down. +</p> + +<p> +"I see, I see," she shudderingly exclaimed, "it is raining, and the +rain is falling down the chimney. How foolish of me to get alarmed +about nothing." +</p> + +<p> +Now the light, we have said, shot across the hearth, and here it was +that the drip, drip, drip, fell. +</p> + +<p> +"Same as I thought." +</p> + +<p> +As she muttered this to herself, she stretched forth her hand under the +chimney, and the next drop fell upon it. It was not water. +</p> + +<p> +No, imperfect as was the light then, it sufficed to show her that upon +her hand was a curiously dark stain. +</p> + +<p> +Raising it nearer to her eyes, she examined it eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +Then she shuddered, and exclaimed in a voice of terror—"Blood!" +</p> + +<p> +Yes, it was blood. +</p> + +<p> +Pen can not describe the terror of that wretched woman upon making this +alarming discovery. +</p> + +<p> +"Blood! Whose? Hah! whose blood? Whose but his—whose but the blood of +my darling—my own Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +For a moment the thought completely unnerved her, and it was little +short of a miracle that she kept from fainting. +</p> + +<p> +But she fought bravely with the deathly horror stealing over her. +</p> + +<p> +And kneeling on the hearth, she called up, yet in gentle voice, lest +she should give the alarm— +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias! Mathias, my own! Do you not know me? Mathias, I say!" +</p> + +<p> +She listened—listened eagerly for a reply. +</p> + +<p> +And presently it came—a dull, hollow moan, a cry of anguish that +chilled the blood in her heart, that froze the very marrow in her +bones. +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias, darling Mathias! answer me for the love of mercy; I shall die +else." +</p> + +<p> +Another moan was heard. +</p> + +<p> +Fainter and fainter even than the first. +</p> + +<p> +Yet full of pent-up suffering. +</p> + +<p> +A sound that told a whole tale of anguish. +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias, come to me," she called again. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh-h-h!" +</p> + +<p> +A fearfully prolonged groan came down to her, louder than before, as if +the sufferer had put all his remaining strength into the effort. +</p> + +<p> +Then all was silent. +</p> + +<p> +Eagerly she listened, straining forward to catch the faintest breath. +</p> + +<p> +But the voice above was stilled for ever. +</p> + +<p> +And yet the drip, drip, drip continued, and as she stretched forward +beneath the chimney, she caught the drops upon her face. +</p> + +<p> +Then she could no longer thrust back conviction. +</p> + +<p> +With a wild cry of terror she drew back, and groped her way round the +room towards the door. +</p> + +<p> +Her hand rested upon the grated trap, and she pushed it back with all +her force, crying aloud for help as she did so. +</p> + +<p> +"Help, help!" she shouted with the energy of despair; "Mathias is +dying." +</p> + +<p> +But that wretched man would not trouble the authorities more—His last +breath had been drawn as she stood there listening to those awesome +sounds. +</p> + +<p> +What could be the solution of this mystery! +</p> + +<p> +This would be known soon now, for the sounds of footsteps were +distinctly heard now in the long stone corridors of the prison. +</p> + +<p> +The gaolers had given the alarm at once of the prisoner's escape, and +the outlets of the prison were guarded in all directions, while a party +was sent to the cell to investigate the matter thoroughly. +</p> + +<p> +At the head of this party was the governor himself. +</p> + +<p> +The time had appeared ten times as long to the unhappy woman as it was +in reality. +</p> + +<p> +"Help, help! oh, help!" she cried. +</p> + +<p> +At each effort she grew weaker and weaker. Her voice died away, and +when they reached the door of the cell, they found her hanging by the +bars of the grated window or trap more dead than alive. +</p> + +<p> +"Show the light," ejaculated the governor. +</p> + +<p> +And then, as the rays fell upon that face, pallid as the flesh of a +corpse, save where the dark blood stains had settled, there was an +involuntary exclamation of horror from all the beholders. +</p> + +<p> +"Father of mercy," cried one of the men; "she has destroyed herself." +</p> + +<p> +Such was the general idea. +</p> + +<p> +She had committed suicide. +</p> + +<p> +In this, however, they were speedily undeceived. +</p> + +<p> +To burst open the door and rush into the cell was but the work of a +moment. +</p> + +<p> +At this the woman rallied a little and recovered herself. +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter?" asked the governor. +</p> + +<p> +"The chimney!" gasped the woman faintly. +</p> + +<p> +"The chimney! Speak—explain." +</p> + +<p> +"His blood—Mathias's," she said; "see the chimney. I dare not look." +</p> + +<p> +Two of the men by now had approached the chimney, and lowering the +light they carried, one of them discovered a dark ominous pool upon the +hearth. +</p> + +<p> +"Call the doctor; there is something more than meets the eye in this." +</p> + +<p> +This order was promptly obeyed, and a surgeon was speedily in +attendance. A mere cursory glance convinced the man of skill that the +blood upon the woman's face was not her own, and just as he arrived at +the decision, drip, drip, drip it began again upon the hearth. +</p> + +<p> +The men looked at each other half scared, and the governor himself was +scarcely more self-possessed. +</p> + +<p> +The surgeon alone retained his presence of mind. +</p> + +<p> +Snatching a lamp from one of the men, he thrust it as far as his arm +could reach up the chimney and looked earnestly up. +</p> + +<p> +"As I thought!" he exclaimed. +</p> + +<p> +"What?" demanded the governor, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"He is there." +</p> + +<p> +"Who?" +</p> + +<p> +"Who but the prisoner? Mathias is there—hopelessly stuck—wedged in. +He has been trying to escape and has hurt himself." +</p> + +<p> +The woman looked up at these words. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it no worse?" she asked. "Is he badly hurt?" +</p> + +<p> +"I can not say yet," said the surgeon; "we must get him down first." +</p> + +<p> +This proved a very difficult matter indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The flue was so narrow that it was sheer madness to attempt climbing +it. +</p> + +<p> +Eagerly Mathias had pushed on, and finally got himself wedged +inextricably. +</p> + +<p> +He could neither move up nor down. +</p> + +<p> +It was when he made this alarming discovery that his struggles became +desperate, and in his wild efforts to free himself from his self-set +trap, he tore and mutilated his flesh most cruelly. +</p> + +<p> +The wounds and the want of air had done their work. +</p> + +<p> +An hour's hard work succeeded in setting the prisoner free—or rather +his body, for it was found that life had been extinct, according to the +surgeon's report, before they had entered the cell. +</p> + +<p> +And when they came to examine the clothes, they made a discovery which +threw a light upon the whole affair. +</p> + +<p> +A small scrap of paper, dirty and crumpled was found in his pocket, +upon which was some writing that was with great difficulty construed in +this wise— +</p> + +<p> +"The only hope is from the waterside. If you can but reach the roof, +and have the courage to make the plunge, freedom will be your reward." +</p> + +<p> +How this note came there was never discovered. +</p> + +<p> +With this dire catastrophe ended the efforts of the brigands to free +their unhappy leader. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +MR. MOLE VISITS THE WIZARD—THE MAGIC MIRROR AND THE LIFE-LIKE<br /> +VISION—THE INCANTATION—THE CHARMED WIG. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"In point of fact, sir," said young Jack to his tutor one morning, "it +is about the only thing worth seeing here." +</p> + +<p> +"What is, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"The wizard." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked very straight at his pupil upon this. +</p> + +<p> +"What wizard, sir?" he said, severely. "What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean the conjuror that Mr. Jefferson, and dad, and Uncle Dick went +to see." +</p> + +<p> +"When?" +</p> + +<p> +"The other day. Didn't they tell you about it?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, sir." +</p> + +<p> +When Mr. Mole addressed his pupil as "sir," young Jack knew pretty well +that he thought he was being humbugged. +</p> + +<p> +There is an old saying—"Jack was as good as his master." +</p> + +<p> +Putting on a look of injured innocence, he called his comrade Harry to +corroborate what he had said. +</p> + +<p> +"That's quite true, Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"That Mr. Jefferson went with Mr. Harkaway and Harvey to see a +necromancer?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Preposterous!" quoth Mr. Mole. "Why, whatever is the world coming to +next? We shall have them spirit-rapping and table-turning and such-like +muck, I suppose." +</p> + +<p> +Jack looked serious. +</p> + +<p> +"Then you don't believe in necromancy—that they can tell the past and +the future by the aid of astrology?" +</p> + +<p> +"Pickles!" +</p> + +<p> +It would have astonished Messieurs Crosse and Blackwell themselves, +could they have heard what a deal that one word could convey when +uttered by an Isaac Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, sir," said Harry Girdwood, seriously, "the wizard told us some +very remarkable things indeed." +</p> + +<p> +"What did he tell you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Many things, many very wonderful things; but one of the most wonderful +was about you, sir." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole started. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you try to come the old soldier over me," said Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood protested that he held Mr. Mole in far too much respect +to essay any thing like coming the ancient military, or indeed anything +else which might be construed into want of proper feeling. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked hard at him. +</p> + +<p> +"And what did he say about me?" +</p> + +<p> +"He said that all the intelligence of our party was centred in one +person." +</p> + +<p> +"Well?" +</p> + +<p> +"And that the initials of the person in question were I. M." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Sir." +</p> + +<p> +"You two boys are conspiring against me." +</p> + +<p> +"You are rather hard upon us, sir," said Harry Girdwood, with an +injured look. +</p> + +<p> +"Was I? Dear me, I didn't mean that," said poor Mole. "But I'll go and +see this wizard, as you call him." +</p> + +<p> +"It might startle you, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Stuff and nonsense, Harry; my nerves are iron—iron, I tell you." +</p> + +<p> +"They had need be of steel, if you really mean to go." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll go, and you shall go with me, Harry," said Mr. Mole; "and I'll +unmask this wretched impostor before you." +</p> + +<p> +And down came his clenched fist upon the table, with a fierceness and +energy which made all the things leap up. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +The chamber of mystery was arranged with a keen eye to effect. +</p> + +<p> +The present possessors of the place had preserved all the adjuncts +which had looked so effective during the career of the necromancer, who +had fled ignominiously. +</p> + +<p> +A huge stuffed alligator swung from the ceiling, and the lighting of +the room was effected by means of two or three swinging lamps, that +burnt dimly blue, and made the place look sepulchral enough to satisfy +the most morbid cravings for the horrible. +</p> + +<p> +At the further end of the room was a "charmed circle," drawn with +chalk, and set around it was a row of hideous grinning skulls, which +suggested that a hint had been borrowed from Zamiel, in "Der +Freyschutz." +</p> + +<p> +Besides these matters, there were several skeletons stuck up in the +most alarming attitudes. +</p> + +<p> +Beside the chair was a large oval frame. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the other side of the necromancer's chair was a heavy curtain, or +<i>portière</i> of cloth, covered with fantastic figures, and this was +drawn aside a minute or so after Mr. Mole and Harry Girdwood appeared. +</p> + +<p> +Then, through the dark aperture thus disclosed, the wizard hobbled in. +</p> + +<p> +Not the wizard that we have seen before, but a little old man bent half +double with age, and of whom little was to be seen save a long white +beard and an appropriate robe. +</p> + +<p> +He leant heavily upon a staff, and sank into his chair with evident +pain and difficulty. +</p> + +<p> +"What would ye with me?" said the necromancer, in feeble, querulous +tones. "If ye have come to scoff again, begone ere I summon an evil +spirit to blight ye." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole said nothing. +</p> + +<p> +But when Harry Girdwood placed his hand nervously upon the old +gentleman's arm, as if for protection, he felt that he was trembling +slightly. +</p> + +<p> +"He knows that we are English, you see," whispered Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Ye-es—ahem!—ye-es." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear me?" said the wizard. +</p> + +<p> +"Ye-es, oh, yes, sir," said Mr. Mole, who could not, for the life of +him, get his voice above a whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"Then answer." +</p> + +<p> +"By all means! decidedly—quite so, I assure you." +</p> + +<p> +"What? Beware! Do you mean to doubt and mock?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, dear; yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"That is, no. I really don't know what I am saying." +</p> + +<p> +"Silence, or the fiends will have your ber-lud ber-lud—Do you hear +me?" shrieked the old wizard. +</p> + +<p> +"Quite so. Dear, dear me, Harry," said Mr. Mole in an undertone, "what +a very remarkable person, and I don't want to lose my ber-lud." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you say now, sir? Do you feel sure that he is a humbug?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course not, but—" +</p> + +<p> +At this juncture their conversation was cut short by a low, rumbling +noise, that sounded like distant thunder. +</p> + +<p> +As it continued, it increased in strength, until it became absolutely +deafening. +</p> + +<p> +Then suddenly upon a sign from the necromancer, it ceased, and the man +of mystery arose and pointed menacingly with his wand at Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Ye have thought well to neglect my warning," he said, in a voice which +thrilled poor Mole strangely; "the secrets of your inmost heart are +known to me as to my familiar, and the penalty must be enacted." +</p> + +<p> +Mole bounced up. +</p> + +<p> +"Goodness me!" +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood laid a trembling hand upon the unhappy old gentleman, +and played the part of Job's comforter once again with considerable +effect. +</p> + +<p> +"We are lost." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, Harry, don't! Pray consider Mrs. Mole and the two babes." +</p> + +<p> +"Try and melt him with a very humble apology." +</p> + +<p> +"I will, I do!" exclaimed Mr. Mole in great excitement. "I really did +not mean it, Mr. Conjuror; 'pon my soul, I did not; and pray do not let +your vampires take my her-lud." +</p> + +<p> +"Enough," said the wizard, sternly; "for once your ignorance shall +excuse you. Now say what you would have with me and begone." +</p> + +<p> +"I think I should like to go," Mole whispered to Harry, +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"We have been a long while here," said Mr. Mole in the same tone; "Mrs. +M, will be looking for me." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps you don't feel quite comfortable here." +</p> + +<p> +"Comfortable," said Mr. Mole with a sickly smile; "oh, dear me, yes, I +never was jollier." +</p> + +<p> +"A little nervous perhaps, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"My dear boy," said Mole, positively, "I have nerves of iron, literally +iron. Ha! what noise is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Only the magician's evil spirit, or his familiar, as he calls it." +</p> + +<p> +"Strange," said Mole; "but sheer humbug of course." +</p> + +<p> +"Humbug?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hush!" exclaimed Mr. Mole, very anxiously. +</p> + +<p> +Bang went that deafening thunder again, and Mr. Mole hopped towards the +door. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood followed him closely up. +</p> + +<p> +"You are uncomfortable, Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Not at all; nerves of adamant, Harry." +</p> + +<p> +The latter laughed. +</p> + +<p> +Never was there such an audacious humbug as Isaac Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"You see that frame, sir, beside the wizard's chair?" said Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," replied Mr. Mole; "what of it?" +</p> + +<p> +"He showed us some marvels there last time." +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"A magic mirror." +</p> + +<p> +"You must have been thoroughly well cheated; now, what could he have +shown you there?" +</p> + +<p> +"Wonders," replied Harry impressively; "you, amongst other marvels." +</p> + +<p> +"Me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean, sir, that you appeared before us as plainly as I see you now." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole certainly looked serious at this. +</p> + +<p> +"He can show you anyone you may want to see," said Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" +</p> + +<p> +"Try him." +</p> + +<p> +"I will," said Mr. Mole, with a show of determination, but shaking all +over. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, O sceptic, what proof of my lore would ye have? Would ye know +something of yourself?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Harry Girdwood for him promptly. +</p> + +<p> +The wizard inclined his head gravely, and opened a large volume before +him upon the table. +</p> + +<p> +After poring over this for a time, he said the following doggrel in a +deep bass voice— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "The doom of Mole is understood,<br /> + For ever more to walk on wood;<br /> + Though upon macadam or stone<br /> + Yet he shall walk on wood alone.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Let him march out on asphalte—tile,<br /> + In orange groves his thoughts beguile;<br /> + Where'er he be, the fate of Mole's<br /> + To scud through life upon bare poles"<br /> +</p> + +<p> +This peculiar incantation had its effect somewhat increased by soft +music. +</p> + +<p> +"Ahem!" said Mr. Mole, "it didn't want a wizard to tell me that." +</p> + +<p> +"What, sir?" demanded Harry, innocently. +</p> + +<p> +"About my wooden legs; my infirmity is visible to every body." +</p> + +<p> +"But how could he know?" +</p> + +<p> +"By looking." +</p> + +<p> +"Still sceptical," said the wizard, who had very sharp ears; "shall I +consult my book again?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, no," said Mr. Mole, uneasily. +</p> + +<p> +But Harry Girdwood said "Yes." +</p> + +<p> +He did not want to end the scene yet. +</p> + +<p> +"What would you?" demanded the magician sternly. +</p> + +<p> +Harry commenced to whisper to Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, sir, pluck up your courage, and find out something about +yourself. You know the past—why not ask him about the future?" +</p> + +<p> +"He might be rude enough to say something unpleasant, Harry. However, +I'll try him." +</p> + +<p> +Then, with a very polite bow, Mr. Mole asked— +</p> + +<p> +"Can you tell me, Mr. Magician, what my ultimate fate is?" +</p> + +<p> +The necromancer took two steps forward and seized Mr. Mole's hand. +</p> + +<p> +"I find that the line of life is tinged with the hue of blood," said +he, in solemn tones, after a lengthened inspection of the palm. +</p> + +<p> +"Dear me, how unpleasant—I washed my hands not long ago." +</p> + +<p> +"Man! do you think you can wash away the decrees of fate or sponge out +the solemn words written by the stars? You are an Englishman?" +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly." +</p> + +<p> +"Already six Englishman have sought me, and each of the six died a +terrible death. What says the book?— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "A terrible death on this green earth,<br /> + With never the slightest chance of heaven;<br /> + Let him curse the day—the hour of his birth,<br /> + The English victim numbered seven."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"And you are <i>Number Seven,</i> Mr. Mole. May all the powers of +heaven and earth preserve me from such a terrible doom as yours." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole almost fainted when the magician uttered such fearful words +respecting his (Mole's) fate. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood, however, handed him a rum flask, and a good pull at +that restored his nerves. +</p> + +<p> +"Pooh!" said he, "I don't believe a word he uttered." +</p> + +<p> +"Still sceptical?" said the magician. "But to convince you of my power, +I will show you any thing you like in my magic mirror." +</p> + +<p> +"Very well, then, I should like to see Harkaway and Harvey at this +present moment—just to ascertain what they are doing—that will be a +test." +</p> + +<p> +He chuckled as he said this. +</p> + +<p> +But as he spoke the magic mirror grew light, and two figures were seen, +set, as it were, in a frame. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Harkaway the elder, was seated in an arm-chair reading; beside him +stood his constant companion, Dick Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +The latter's figure was the more remarkable of the two, and the +attitude was not merely characteristic, but it was startlingly like +life. +</p> + +<p> +One hand was in his pocket; the other was at his face, the thumb +pointing at his nose, the fingers outstretched towards the audience. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you think of that?" asked Harry Girdwood, in low tones. +</p> + +<p> +"Marvellous!" cried Mole; "that is Harkaway and Harvey, sure enough. +Harvey has got something the matter with his nose." +</p> + +<p> +"No," whispered Harry, "he's taking a sight at you." +</p> + +<p> +"So he is. Just like Harvey. Harvey!" he called out. +</p> + +<p> +The mirror darkened, and the figures faded away from the sight upon the +instant. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you desire still another proof of my skill?" asked the wizard. +</p> + +<p> +"Well you can, if you like, tell me something more about myself; but +don't put yourself to any trouble." +</p> + +<p> +The wizard leant over his book earnestly for a consider able time. +</p> + +<p> +"I see here," said he, "that you have contrived to keep one important +matter secret from your friends." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"The hairs of your head are numbered," continued the wizard. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole changed colour. +</p> + +<p> +"How—what?" +</p> + +<p> +"By the barber; you wear a wig." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no—no!" exclaimed Harry Girdwood, positively, "You are wrong +there, sir, I assure you. Is he not, Mr. Mole?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course he is." +</p> + +<p> +"Will you see for yourself, unbelieving boy?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Where—say, where shall my familiar take it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Up to the ceiling." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole groaned. +</p> + +<p> +At the self-same instant out went the lights; a heavy hand was placed +upon Mr. Mole's head, and hey, presto! his wig was seen dancing about +at the ceiling, glittering with a phosphorescent light upon it. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked up, gave one awful yell, then made for the door, and +flew away as fast as his wooden legs would carry him. +</p> + +<p> +And his yells continued, for all along his route young Jack had +sprinkled a plentiful supply of crackers, which exploded as he ran. +</p> + +<p> +An unearthly chorus, sounding like the discordant laughter of invisible +fiends greeted his retreat, and he never stopped until he had got home, +panting and gasping for breath. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as he was out of the room Harry Girdwood locked the door. +</p> + +<p> +"Come forth, my merry devils!" he shouted. "Old Mole's gone." +</p> + +<p> +The curtain was drawn back, and in came Dick Harvey and Jack Harkaway, +carrying lights. +</p> + +<p> +The wizard threw back his head dress and long horsehair wig, and showed +the grinning face of young Jack himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, Jack," said his comrade, Harry; "you did it ever so much better +than the other conjuror did." +</p> + +<p> +"Was he frightened?" inquired young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor old Mole! I never saw him so alarmed before." +</p> + +<p> +Harvey and old Jack enjoyed the fun every bit as much as the boys. +</p> + +<p> +"My opinion is," said the elder Harkaway, laughing, "that the triumph +of the whole job was in the dancing wig." +</p> + +<p> +"It was beautifully done," said Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"I nearly missed it," said Harry Girdwood laughing, "for you put out +the lights so suddenly that I couldn't find the string, and then I +nearly dug the hook into his head as well as his wig; and as for the +phosphorus, I gave him a dab with it upon the nose." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" +</p> + +<p> +Every thing had been carefully arranged beforehand, it need hardly be +said, and a cord, with a fish-hook at the end of it, was run over a +small wheel fixed in the ceiling. +</p> + +<p> +Harry held the other end of the cord, and as soon as the darkness and +confusion came, he drove the hook into poor old Mole's wig, while he +rubbed it dexterously with phosphorus, and then with a jerk he hauled +it up to the ceiling, where he set it dancing about, to the +indescribable horror of Mole. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +WHEREIN MR. MOLE IS CRUELLY USED—THE GARDEN FETE—SUNDAY AND<br /> +MONDAY GIVE AN ENTERTAINMENT—ANOTHER LOOK INTO THE MAGIC<br /> +MIRROR—STUDIES OF NATURAL HISTORY—AN INVOLUNTARY PERFORMER. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +When Isaac Mole had time to reflect coolly upon what had occurred, +doubts arose in his mind. +</p> + +<p> +In spite of the seemingly inexplicable nature of the phenomena which he +had witnessed, he felt that Harkaway, father or son, must know +something of it. +</p> + +<p> +Dick Harvey, he was morally sure, was in it. +</p> + +<p> +If any thing fell, Harkaway would start up, on which Harvey or young +Jack would immediately inquire anxiously if he were startled, solely +for the purpose of leading up to Mole's words at the wizard's house. +</p> + +<p> +"Startled—nervous! Never; iron nerves, sir—adamant!" +</p> + +<p> +Upon these occasions, Mr. Mole would glide away from Harkaway's room +without a word, leaving his tormentors to have their grin out all to +themselves. +</p> + +<p> +All they could do they could not make him drop a word of allusion to +the events just narrated. +</p> + +<p> +On that topic he was utterly dumb. Day and night the worthy Isaac Mole +brooded over one solitary topic. +</p> + +<p> +Revenge. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll teach 'em," he said; "I'll let them know what it is to play +practical jokes with a man like me." +</p> + +<p> +The last straw breaks the camel's back. The last indignity on his wig +proved too much for Isaac Mole, for he had until that fatal day at the +magician's, been fondly hugging himself in the delusion that the secret +was all his own. +</p> + +<p> +The talk was tortured and twisted about so as to make it bear upon the +sorest subject for the poor old gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"Dash my wig, Mr. Mole!" Harvey would say; "let's take a short country +excursion. You know the advantages of change of <i>hair."</i> +</p> + +<p> +If a suggestion were wanting for the dinner of the day, a voice was +ready to advocate "jugged hare." +</p> + +<p> +"That's very well," said Harkaway, "but where can you get one in these +parts?" +</p> + +<p> +"That's it," chimed in Harvey; "as Mrs. Glasse says, first catch your +<i>hair,</i> eh, Mr. Mole?" +</p> + +<p> +Mole winced. +</p> + +<p> +"It's not always easy to catch it, is it, Mr. Mole?" said Harry +Girdwood, slyly. +</p> + +<p> +"Not if it flies too high," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +This chaff goaded poor old Mole to fury, coming as it did from the +boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Really," he said, with a lofty sneer, "I don't see what you have to +laugh at in the idle nonsense of these children." +</p> + +<p> +This made them grin more than ever. +</p> + +<p> +"The wit of the rising generation," sneered Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole would like the young generation never to rise, I think," said +Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"That's it," laughed Harkaway; "Mr. Mole was always so conservative in +his ideas." +</p> + +<p> +"Let me see, dad," said young Jack, looking puzzled; "Conservative, +why, that means a Tory." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"But, Mr. Mole, I thought that you always were a Whig." +</p> + +<p> +Such a storm of laughter greeted this sally, that Mr. Mole could not +stand up against it. +</p> + +<p> +Looking daggers at every body, he trudged out of the room, digging his +walking stick fiercely as he went. +</p> + +<p> +Now at the door, who should he meet but Sunday, grinning from ear to +ear? +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not going to be fooled by you, you infernal black pudding," cried +Mole, exasperated beyond measure. +</p> + +<p> +"Yah, yah," grinned the mirthful Caesar Augustus, holding his sides. +</p> + +<p> +"Take that," cried Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday did take it. +</p> + +<p> +It was not a pleasant dose, for "that," in this instance, meant a +severe crack across the head with old Mole's walking stick. +</p> + +<p> +Sunday rubbed his poll. +</p> + +<p> +Happily the thick wool with which it was garnished saved the skull from +much danger, and a nigger's head is proverbially tough. +</p> + +<p> +But yet Sunday did not relish the indignity. +</p> + +<p> +"You dam wooden-legged ole tief," he shouted out; "I'll gib it to yar +for dis hyar." +</p> + +<p> +And so, full of revengeful thoughts, the darkey sought his friend +Monday. +</p> + +<p> +And they set to work plotting, with what result the next day +showed—much to the old gentleman's disgust. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +They mustered a good round dinner-party upon the following day. +</p> + +<p> +In front of the summer house was an object which excited Mr. Mole's +curiosity considerably. +</p> + +<p> +One of the ladies asked what it was there for. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know exactly what it is," replied Harkaway; "something of +Monday's, I think, Dick." +</p> + +<p> +"I believe so," replied Harvey, carelessly. +</p> + +<p> +"They are going to give us an entertainment of some kind," said young +Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The cloth having been cleared, Monday came forward, and bowing gravely, +addressed the company. +</p> + +<p> +"Ladies and gentlemen—" +</p> + +<p> +"Hear, hear!" from Mole, who, thinking himself free from attack, +determined to try a bit of chaff upon his own account. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank you, sar," said Monday, bowing gracefully to Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Ladies and gentlemen—" +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, bravo!" shouted Mole; "exceedingly bravo." +</p> + +<p> +"Folks generally—sane and insane"—here he bowed in a very marked +manner at Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Hear, hear!" cried Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"My entertainment is just a-gwine to begin, and as it is of a +scientific natur dat asks for all your attention, I must ax them to go +at once who don't wish to stay and see it all through, so as not to +interrupt me." +</p> + +<p> +"No one wishes to go." +</p> + +<p> +The most eager person to remain was Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Poor old Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Monday went on— +</p> + +<p> +"The first that I'se gwine to show you, ladies and gentlemen, is some +speciminks of what is known as the occult art, that is, the black art, +or magic." +</p> + +<p> +Mole winced. +</p> + +<p> +"Go on." +</p> + +<p> +"Hear, hear!" said Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, Monday," from Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Mole was silent. +</p> + +<p> +He had not another "bravo" in him, so to speak. +</p> + +<p> +Monday bowed in acknowledgment of the plaudits. +</p> + +<p> +"In the first place, den, ladies and gentlemen," he went on to say, "I +mean to show you my magic mirror." +</p> + +<p> +Mole glanced nervously at Dick, and from him to Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +But both looked as stolid as Dutchmen. +</p> + +<p> +Monday drew back the curtain from the easel, disclosing a frame, on +which was fitted a plain black board. +</p> + +<p> +"In this frame," said the professor of the black art, "I can show you +any persons you may ask for, dat is, persons who are known to you." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole had heard enough to convince him that he was in danger of +being once more sacrificed to the insatiable passion of his two old +pupils for chaffing and practical joking. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, sar," said Monday, "just you try um." +</p> + +<p> +"We will," said Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, sar, who shall be the first person I must bring before +you?" +</p> + +<p> +No reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Mr. Mole, name somebody," said Monday, in his most insinuating +manner. +</p> + +<p> +Mole's only reply was a dissenting growl. +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Will you, Mr. Harkaway, sar?" he said. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I will if you like—suppose that we call upon your friend, +Sunday?" +</p> + +<p> +"Very good, sar." +</p> + +<p> +And then he set to work. +</p> + +<p> +A walking stick served him as a wand, and this he waved three times +slowly and majestically, while he repeated in solemn tones this +singular legend— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Hokus-pokus, popalorum,<br /> + Stickstun, stickstun, cockalorum jig."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon the curtain went back, and lo! Sunday appeared sitting upon a +throne of state, robed in a long crimson mantle, which made him look +like an emperor. +</p> + +<p> +It was a most dignified tableau, or it would have been, but for the +long clay pipe the darkey held in his mouth and the pewter pot he +carried in his hand. +</p> + +<p> +"Ladies and gemmen," said Monday, "dat is our ole friend, dressed as de +Empyroar Charleymane." +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, bravo!" +</p> + +<p> +Even Mr. Mole laughed. +</p> + +<p> +The curtain closed over this dignified and historical representation. +</p> + +<p> +"Now," said Dick Harvey, "let us see some of our live Stock." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes," said young Jack; "show us Nero." +</p> + +<p> +"And Mike." +</p> + +<p> +Monday bowed. +</p> + +<p> +Then back went the curtain, and there sat Nero, the monkey, on the +throne just vacated by the emperor "Charleymane," and at his feet stood +the bold poodle Mike wagging his tail. +</p> + +<p> +Nero appeared to understand what was required of him, and he sat +motionless as a statue for a while, but before long the peculiar +nervous irritation to which monkeys appear to be subject attacked him, +and he began a series of spasmodic researches in natural history all +over his ribs. +</p> + +<p> +"Nero's making up for lost time," said young Jack; "look how he is +getting to work." +</p> + +<p> +Nero was indeed scratching away furiously. +</p> + +<p> +"There's diligence," laughed young Jack; "now he's busy." +</p> + +<p> +And then he broke off into the following appropriate snatch— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "He'll catch the flee—he'll catch the flee—<br /> + He'll catch the fleeting hour."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Down went the curtain. +</p> + +<p> +There was a general laugh at this. +</p> + +<p> +"When we asked you to show us the live stock," said Dick Harvey, "you +took us too literally, Monday." +</p> + +<p> +"Yah, yah!" +</p> + +<p> +"You must learn to draw the line somewhere." +</p> + +<p> +Monday here rapped the ground with his wand to secure attention. +</p> + +<p> +Silence having been gained, he addressed them thus— +</p> + +<p> +"Before we leave dis part of de entertainment," he said, "I conclude de +exhibition of one more animal. For reasons dat I need not mention, I +shall leave you to guess at de name of dis animal. It is a small animal +dat lives on wums." +</p> + +<p> +"Wums?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"On wums, scriggley wums and insects, and burrows in the earth." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, dear me," said young Jack, innocently, "that must be a mole." +</p> + +<p> +Before a word could be said, back went the curtain, and Nero was +discovered walking upon a pair of wooden stilts. +</p> + +<p> +He staggered about like a man in liquor, and made everyone yell again +at the quaint manner in which he had hit off Mr. Mole's movements. +</p> + +<p> +"Whatever has he got on his head?" said someone. +</p> + +<p> +Mole shivered. +</p> + +<p> +He guessed. +</p> + +<p> +Guessed; alas, he was but too sure. +</p> + +<p> +Nero put all his doubts at rest by making a graceful bow and removing +his wig instead of a hat. +</p> + +<p> +The wig! +</p> + +<p> +Yea; the identical wig which Mr. Mole had left behind him in his +precipitate flight from the conjuror's. +</p> + +<p> +This was too much. +</p> + +<p> +Losing his dignity completely, Mr. Mole jumped up and burst through the +group of spectators, dashing out of the place in a perfect fury, young +Jack's voice ringing in his ears as he shouted— +</p> + +<p> +"A wig! a wig! My kingdom for a wig!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE BRIGANDS' CAMP—A MOUNTAIN BIVOUAC—AN ALARM—THE SOLDIERS—A<br /> +CHALLENGE—THE BRIGANDS' WIDOW—FATAL NEWS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +We change the scene. +</p> + +<p> +And now we find ourselves in a mountain pass, where a number of +rough-looking men are grouped about a camp fire. +</p> + +<p> +A short distance from this group stands a tall man, leaning moodily +upon the muzzle of his musket, while he watches the zig-zag paths up +the mountain side. +</p> + +<p> +Upon this man one can see the whole safety of the party depends. +</p> + +<p> +He is on sentry. +</p> + +<p> +A prolonged silence was suddenly broken by the sentinel looking up and +grasping his musket nervously, while he turned a warning gesture to the +camp. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" exclaimed one of the party, jumping up. +</p> + +<p> +"Hush!" +</p> + +<p> +The sentry turned with his finger on his lips, and motioned him to +silence. +</p> + +<p> +At a sign from one of the men—evidently a superior—the whole party +sprang to their feet. +</p> + +<p> +A hurried examination of their musket-locks and arms generally showed +that they expected danger, and only waited a word from the sentinel to +be "up and doing." +</p> + +<p> +The leader stepped up to the sentry, drawn sword in hand. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"The patrol." +</p> + +<p> +"Soldiers?" +</p> + +<p> +The sentry nodded. +</p> + +<p> +"The Carbonari?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +The leader grasped his sword nervously, and made a step forward as +though he would have dashed through the ravine and charge the military +alone and unaided. +</p> + +<p> +But if such were his intentions, he speedily altered his mind. "Perish +them!" he muttered; "and curse their spying!" +</p> + +<p> +"We could pick them all off from here," said one of the men—a huge, +burly fellow, who had climbed up to a projecting rock commanding an +extensive view. "All down to the last man." +</p> + +<p> +And as he spoke, he brought his gun up to his shoulder with an ominous +gesture. +</p> + +<p> +"Hold, Toro!" ejaculated an English voice. "Your hasty imprudence will +spoil us." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" said Toro, replying in the same tongue. "You are over prudent, +Hunston. Why should we not destroy them while they are in our power?" +</p> + +<p> +"What if one escapes?" +</p> + +<p> +"One should not," retorted the Italian savagely; "no, nor half a one." +</p> + +<p> +"And where is the good if we succeeded, as you say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Good!" reiterated Toro, passionately. "Are they not our sworn foes? +Are they not here in pursuit of us? Good!—why, will it not lessen the +number of our enemies by their number at least?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, perhaps," replied Hunston. "And if successful, it would so +thoroughly alarm the country, that it would cause a whole army to be +sent after us, and make the end a mere question of time. Let one escape +to tell the tale and it would bring them down to this spot, our safest +place in the mountains, and hitherto undiscovered by our enemies." +</p> + +<p> +Toro grumbled. +</p> + +<p> +Yet there was so much truth in what Hunston said that he could urge +nothing further in favour of violent measures. +</p> + +<p> +The sentry, who was still on the watch at the fissure in the rocks, +here turned round and motioned them to silence. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so loud," he exclaimed, in a whisper; "they can hear something; +they are looking our way." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +In fact, the military were so near, that they could be heard plainly +enough giving their words of command. +</p> + +<p> +"Halt! Ground arms!" +</p> + +<p> +The rattle of their rifles was heard distinctly. +</p> + +<p> +The officer then could be seen taking observations through a short +telescope which he carried suspended by a strap to his side. +</p> + +<p> +He glanced all about the place and fixed for some little time upon the +fissures and rocky passes, resting longer below the very one at which +the sentry was posted than elsewhere. +</p> + +<p> +But although it would seem to have aroused his suspicions, it was +evident that he could see nothing, for, after a few minutes, he lowered +his glass and shut it up. +</p> + +<p> +The reason of this was, that where the sentry stood was completely +shadowed by the overhanging rocks, so that he was invisible to them, +although they could be distinctly seen by the sentry. +</p> + +<p> +The scrutiny appeared to satisfy the officer. +</p> + +<p> +"Shoulder arms! Left wheel! March!" +</p> + +<p> +The measured tramp of the soldiers was distinctly heard. +</p> + +<p> +Fainter and fainter it grew until it died away. +</p> + +<p> +The sentry watched them in silence for several minutes before he spoke. +</p> + +<p> +Presently he turned round to his comrades and nodded. +</p> + +<p> +"Safe," he said. "They have turned by the crossroads; the last man is +out of sight." +</p> + +<p> +"That's prime," said our old friend Tomaso. "Then now to dinner." +</p> + +<p> +The sentry was not lost sight of—indeed, he was not the man to allow +himself to be forgotten, for before the meal had been long in progress +he reminded them that he had such a thing as an appetite about him by a +very rough address. +</p> + +<p> +"Gluttons," he said to the party generally, "do you think only of +yourselves? Am I to mount guard for ever?" +</p> + +<p> +They only laughed at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Right, Ymeniz," said Toro; "turn and turn about is but fair. Matteo." +</p> + +<p> +"Present," returned one of the men, jumping up and saluting with a +stiff military action, which told that he had once served in the army. +</p> + +<p> +"Relieve guard, and let Ymeniz take your place here." +</p> + +<p> +Matteo picked up his musket and marched up to the rocky pass, while the +late sentry joined the feast. +</p> + +<p> +Now while the guard was changed, without any particular demonstration +of reluctance upon the part of the new sentry himself, Tomaso made a +very wry face. +</p> + +<p> +"Our comrade Toro gives his commands as naturally as though he were our +leader." +</p> + +<p> +Toro flushed up at this. +</p> + +<p> +"And why not?" he said, almost fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" echoed Tomaso, with a sneer. "Oh, I could give several +reasons." +</p> + +<p> +"Give them." +</p> + +<p> +"Nay, one will suffice." +</p> + +<p> +"Well." +</p> + +<p> +"Our only chieftain is the gallant Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"And he is in prison." +</p> + +<p> +"True; but that doesn't prove you to be our leader while poor Mathias +is in the hands of the Philistines." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" replied Toro, impatiently. "Someone must command while Mathias +is away." +</p> + +<p> +"Then there are others who should command here in his absence in +preference to those who are new comers." +</p> + +<p> +"Who are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"You haven't far to look," returned Tomaso, drawing himself up +haughtily; "myself, for instance." +</p> + +<p> +Toro burst into a loud and derisive laugh. +</p> + +<p> +"You?" he said, contemptuously. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, I." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, I have led a band of gallant fellows years ago—a band of thrice +our strength; aye, and what is more, I have led them to victory again +and again—to victory and fortune." +</p> + +<p> +"Your lucky star has not been in the ascendant since you have deigned +to honour us with your company," said Tomaso. +</p> + +<p> +The covert sneer conveyed in this speech made the peppery Italian fire +up. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +"I mean that your gallant followers must have missed so distinguished a +leader; pity you could not return to lead them to fresh triumphs, +greatly as we should deplore your loss." +</p> + +<p> +Toro boiled over at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you want to fix a quarrel on me?" he asked, in a voice of +suppressed passion. +</p> + +<p> +"No," replied Tomaso, insolently. "When I want to quarrel, I go +straight to my point; I don't beat about the bush. I only want to +remind you of your proper place here so fall back, Signor Italiano, and +learn to be more respectful in your bearing." +</p> + +<p> +Stung to the quick by this, Toro plucked out his sword, and would have +rushed upon the other, had not several of the men interposed. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, come," they said, "none of that. We have plenty of enemies; we +can cut their throats, not our own, when we want to spill blood." +</p> + +<p> +"Besides," said an old man, "it is profitless quarrelling about the +leadership—we have a leader. Poor Mathias!" +</p> + +<p> +"Right," echoed several voices together, "right. Sit down; no +quarrelling." +</p> + +<p> +"Here," exclaimed an old brigand, "let us drink to Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"And his speedy return," added another. +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, his speedy release." +</p> + +<p> +Horn goblets were handed round and filled with ruddy wine from a skin, +which the old brigand himself produced from his own mysterious larder. +</p> + +<p> +"To Mathias!" +</p> + +<p> +"To Mathias!" +</p> + +<p> +A ringing cheer was heard, and the goblets were drained to the very +dregs. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Who goes there?" +</p> + +<p> +"A friend." +</p> + +<p> +"The word." +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"Advance, friend, and give the countersign." +</p> + +<p> +This challenge was replied to, and a woman appeared at the narrow +entrance to the mountain pass. +</p> + +<p> +Slowly she walked through, her head drooping and her eyes fixed upon +the ground. +</p> + +<p> +They recognised her now. +</p> + +<p> +It was the wife of their chieftain, the bold Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +"I scarcely knew you," said the sentry, apologetically. +</p> + +<p> +She looked up and smiled in a strangely vacant manner. +</p> + +<p> +The other said nothing. + Her manner impressed them with ugly feelings.<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Instinctively they felt that some fresh calamity had happened to them. +</p> + +<p> +In fear and trembling they anticipated the evil tidings which she +brought, although, of course, they could not guess at its exact nature. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you succeed!" demanded the old man. +</p> + +<p> +She nodded gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"You saw Mathias?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +Her answer was given in the same vacant manner, and staring fixedly +into the very midst of them, she appeared to see nothing. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you tell our brave captain how eagerly we look forward to his +release—how anxiously we long for the moment when he shall be again +here amongst us—at our head?" +</p> + +<p> +It was the old brigand who spoke. +</p> + +<p> +She gave him a strange look, from which they could gather absolutely +nothing, and her eyes dropped again to the ground. +</p> + +<p> +The heavy, unpleasant feeling deepened. +</p> + +<p> +Scarcely one of them had the courage to address her again. +</p> + +<p> +An oppressive silence fell upon them all. +</p> + +<p> +They looked at each other in silent, awkward expectation, all, bold +desperadoes as they were, cowed into silence by her manner. +</p> + +<p> +"You succeeded in seeing him?" said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," she said, quietly. +</p> + +<p> +"And you bade him be of good heart?—you told him that we were making a +plan in his behalf—a plan which could not fail of success? You said—" +</p> + +<p> +The woman looked up. +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing!" +</p> + +<p> +"What!" +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing," she slowly repeated, "nothing. I saw him, but it was too +late to speak those words of comfort." +</p> + +<p> +"Too late?" iterated Hunston, eagerly, "too late?" +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, too late for words of comfort, for menaces, or for any thing." +</p> + +<p> +"Surely you do not mean—" +</p> + +<p> +He could not complete the sentence, but she helped him out— +</p> + +<p> +"I do," she said, in a hollow voice, and nodding her head gravely, "I +do mean that he, Mathias, the brigand chief is dead!" +</p> + +<p> +The brigands, one and all, leaped to their feet, snatching up their +carbines, while from their throats issued a deep cry of revenge. +</p> + +<p> +Dead! The word thrilled them one and all with horror. +</p> + +<p> +The bold Mathias dead! +</p> + +<p> +Prepared as they had been by her manner for some dire Calamity, it came +upon them like a thunderclap. The awful calm manner of the chieftain's +widow impressed them more than if she had thrown up her hands in wild +despair and given way to the noisiest demonstrations of woe. +</p> + +<p> +After some few minutes, one ventured to break the awesome silence. +</p> + +<p> +"How did he die?" +</p> + +<p> +The brigand's wife turned from her questioner with a shudder. +</p> + +<p> +"Ask me nothing yet. I am not able to speak of that at present; give me +time to conquer this weakness." +</p> + +<p> +"If I ask, it is that I may seek vengeance upon his destroyer," said +Tomaso, the speaker. +</p> + +<p> +Her eyes sparkled, and the colour rushed into her pale cheek at the +word. "Vengeance—aye, vengeance. Well spoken, my bold Tomaso; +vengeance is something to live for, after all; vengeance we'll have +too. We'll glut ourselves with it; a feast of vengeance we'll have." +"We will, we will!" shouted the brigands, as though with one single +voice. +</p> + +<p> +"These English and these Americans shall die." +</p> + +<p> +"They shall!" +</p> + +<p> +"We'll exterminate them, root and branch." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye." +</p> + +<p> +"Firstly, these Harkaways shall fall, then—" +</p> + +<p> +"They die." +</p> + +<p> +"Does Mathias owe his death to Harkaway's band?" demanded Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Was not this Harkaway the prime mover in all our disasters?" +</p> + +<p> +"Curse him!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, curse him!" +</p> + +<p> +Toro here stepped forward in the centre of the circle which the +brigands had formed. +</p> + +<p> +"If Harkaway is to be dealt with," he said, "I will undertake to lead +you to triumph within three days." +</p> + +<p> +Cheers greeted this speech until Tomaso stepped forward. +</p> + +<p> +"If we want a leader," said he, "we can elect one; we are not in need +of any man to elect himself." +</p> + +<p> +"Stand back," said Toro angrily. +</p> + +<p> +"Fall back yourself," retorted Tomaso, "and obey your superior." +</p> + +<p> +"My superior? Ha, ha! He does not live here," ejaculated Toro fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +The old brigand here once more stepped between the disputants and +interfered. +</p> + +<p> +"Why quarrel over a dead man's shoes while his widow is still in +sight?" +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso fell back at the rebuke, but Toro, less thin-skinned, stuck +boldly to his text. +</p> + +<p> +"If I offer to lead you against the enemy," he said, "it is solely for +our interest generally, not for mine alone." +</p> + +<p> +"Oho!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, and I can prove it." +</p> + +<p> +"Do so." +</p> + +<p> +"I will." +</p> + +<p> +"Hear him," said Tomaso derisively: "hear our general benefactor speak +up for us all." +</p> + +<p> +Toro turned upon the speaker savagely. "I can speak to you presently," +he said significantly, tapping his sword hilt. +</p> + +<p> +"You'll find me ready to answer you in any way," retorted Tomaso +boldly, also tapping his sword. +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt not; meanwhile, I offer myself as the leader, for several +reasons: firstly, I know these Harkaways well, and am more fit to cope +with them than those who have never met them." +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso laughed. +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt that," he said; "why, by your own showing, you have never +gained any signal successes with them." +</p> + +<p> +"No, but I start where you would have to begin; I am armed by +experience, which you lack." +</p> + +<p> +"True, true," exclaimed several of the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +"That sounds fairly enough," replied Tomaso, "but you have ever met +with such signal discomfiture that I, for one, should have small +confidence in your leadership. I don't speak to uphold myself; let any +other leader be chosen—let one of ourselves to wit, not an Italian, or +any other foreigner. Why should not a Greek lead Greeks?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +A general cheer greeted this speech. "Tomaso! Tomaso!" they cried; +"Tomaso for leader!" +</p> + +<p> +Toro's face flushed blood red. +</p> + +<p> +"Hearken to me," he exclaimed, in a voice now hoarse with passion; +"Mathias was a great leader, and I felt it no shame to serve under him, +but I have been in command of as bold and brave a band as this, one far +stronger in point of numbers, and if I am not elected for the command I +shall withdraw altogether. Have me or not, you have the choice; only +this is my determination; I will accept orders from no man here." +</p> + +<p> +"Go, then," said Tomaso; "leave us. You came unbidden, and you may +depart when you please." +</p> + +<p> +A general silence succeeded this speech. +</p> + +<p> +Toro's aid was not to be despised. +</p> + +<p> +His huge body and his muscular arm had gained him the consideration of +most of those lawless men, who literally revered brute strength. +</p> + +<p> +"Wait, wait," said a brigand, stepping forward. "Let us not be too +hasty. Some are for Toro, and some are for Tomaso." +</p> + +<p> +"Well?" +</p> + +<p> +"Say on." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us put it to the vote, and let each of the disputants pledge +himself to abide by the decision." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"What says Toro?" +</p> + +<p> +"Agreed." +</p> + +<p> +"And so am I," returned Tomaso, promptly. +</p> + +<p> +"Hands up, then, for Toro." +</p> + +<p> +Half the hands were uplifted and counted over. +</p> + +<p> +"Now for Tomaso." +</p> + +<p> +Up went the hands of the other side, and when they came to tell them +off, it was discovered that the brigands were equally divided in their +choice. +</p> + +<p> +"We cannot have two leaders," said the brigand Ymeniz. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no." +</p> + +<p> +"Then we must have neither, as the matter stands." +</p> + +<p> +"Unless one gives way." +</p> + +<p> +"No," ejaculated the Italian, fiercely, "unless Tomaso likes to decide +by the sword which of us shall have the lead." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm agreed to that," retorted Tomaso, promptly. "Let us fight for it, +and may the best man win." +</p> + +<p> +"Agreed." +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah, hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +A ring was formed, and preparations made for the deadly encounter. +</p> + +<p> +As they were not agreed about the choice of weapons, a coin was thrown +up, and Toro won. +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso would have chosen pistols, for he was an excellent shot, and it +gave him the superiority; whereas, although not altogether unskilled in +fence, Toro's superior weight and size gave him a great advantage with +the sword. +</p> + +<p> +However, there was nothing for it now but to fight. +</p> + +<p> +The combatants stripped to the waist, and each received his weapon from +his second. +</p> + +<p> +They were long, heavy swords, cut and thrust, like the heavy cavalry +carry, and with these there could be but one result. +</p> + +<p> +Death! +</p> + +<p> +There were no half measures with these weapons. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, then," exclaimed the Italian, impatiently, "why this dallying? On +guard." +</p> + +<p> +"I am ready," cried Tomaso, gripping his sword firmly. +</p> + +<p> +The swords met with a clash which sent forth a shower of sparks, and +both men recoiled with the force of the shock. +</p> + +<p> +Recovering themselves quickly, however, they went to work in real +savage style, and chopped away at each other with vicious earnestness. +</p> + +<p> +Now Tomaso, it was clear, could not hold his own in a battle wherein +mere brute force was to have the best of it, and feeling himself at a +disadvantage in this respect, he dodged about his adversary as nimbly +as Harlequin himself. +</p> + +<p> +Being very quick-sighted, he saw what sort of a blow was coming ere it +was fairly dealt, and so he shaped his defence. +</p> + +<p> +If it was a desperate stroke, he jumped out of its reach. +</p> + +<p> +If a light one, he turned it off upon the edge of his own weapon. +</p> + +<p> +In this way he worked upon Toro to such an extent that the Italian's +temper got the mastery of him. +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso was attacking him so closely that the Italian looked like losing +the battle. +</p> + +<p> +Toro was bleeding from a dozen small flesh wounds. +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso was, up to this moment, almost unscathed. +</p> + +<p> +Presently he grew over bold, and incautiously trusting himself within +reach, Toro lunged so sharply out that it was only by the merest shave +he escaped being spitted on the Italian's long sword like a lark on a +skewer. +</p> + +<p> +As it was the sword pierced the waistband of his nether garments. +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso stumbled, and so nearly lost his balance that it took him all +his time to parry the next stroke, which was put in with equal +smartness and vigour. One blow, that might have brought down an +elephant, sent Tomaso on to his knees. +</p> + +<p> +The same stroke made a notch in the Greek's weapon half an inch deep. +</p> + +<p> +Had he caught the blow upon the flat of his sword, it would have been +shivered to atoms beyond all doubt. +</p> + +<p> +Toro saw his chance. +</p> + +<p> +Nor was he at all slow to avail himself of it. +</p> + +<p> +Quick as thought, another blow fell, and out of his grasp flew the +Greek's blade. +</p> + +<p> +He lay prostrate at the mercy of his adversary. +</p> + +<p> +"Beg your life," cried Toro, planting his heavy foot firmly upon his +adversary's chest. +</p> + +<p> +"Never," +</p> + +<p> +"Then die!" +</p> + +<p> +He raised his sword. +</p> + +<p> +But he paused. +</p> + +<p> +Was it the action of a brave man to take the life of a defenceless foe? +</p> + +<p> +Well, it was not the thought of such romantic notions which troubled +Toro; it was simply because there were spectators. +</p> + +<p> +These spectators, he knew, would judge it harshly. +</p> + +<p> +He thirsted for Tomaso's blood. +</p> + +<p> +Yet he dared not indulge in his brutal passion. +</p> + +<p> +Therefore, making a virtue of the necessity, he lowered his sword, and +spurning his beaten adversary with his foot, bade him rise. +</p> + +<p> +"Then take your life unasked," he said coarsely, "and in future learn +to know and to respect your superiors." +</p> + +<p> +Toro's speech was received with cheers by the brigands. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE NEW CAPTAIN—HUNSTON'S TROUBLE—THE ARM AND ITS LEGEND—HOW<br /> +EMMERSON'S VENGEANCE WORKS STEALTHILY ON. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"What do you say, men, now?" demanded the huge Italian, as he wiped his +sword. +</p> + +<p> +"Huzza for Toro!" +</p> + +<p> +"Have I fairly earned my right to take the lead here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I want you to be unanimous," he persisted. +</p> + +<p> +"We are." +</p> + +<p> +Toro fixed his eyes upon one or two of the disappointed supporters of +Tomaso, who had not uttered a word since the discomfiture of their +champion, and said to them especially— +</p> + +<p> +"If any of you object to me as a leader, let them come forward now and +speak up." +</p> + +<p> +There were one or two murmuring voices. +</p> + +<p> +"Look," cried the giant Toro, "men all, if any here still denies my +power, let them step forward, and this sword shall prove my right." +</p> + +<p> +This was final. +</p> + +<p> +After the manner in which Toro had just dealt with their friend Tomaso, +they were not encouraged to provoke a quarrel. And so, by his daring +audacity and brute strength, Toro the Italian raised himself to the +leadership of the Greek brigands. +</p> + +<p> +None dared to dispute his sway from that moment. +</p> + +<p> +Some had a difficulty to swallow the bitter pill, but the alternative +was so very unpleasant that they got over it. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +And Harkaway's enemy Hunston? +</p> + +<p> +Why has he fallen so into the background of late? +</p> + +<p> +His sole thoughts have been engrossed by the fearful sufferings to +which he is subject. +</p> + +<p> +That dreadful arm—the legacy of vengeance of the murdered Emmerson. +Where the evil was it baffled all his skill to discover. +</p> + +<p> +Slowly yet surely this horrible piece of mechanism was eating away its +wearer's life. +</p> + +<p> +"It seems almost as though some subtle poison were slowly injected into +my body through this arm," thought Hunston, "and yet I can not work +without it." +</p> + +<p> +Never was vengeance more terrible than that of the dead Robert +Emmerson. +</p> + +<p> +The wonder was that Hunston lived through it. +</p> + +<p> +His constitution must have been of iron. +</p> + +<p> +The arm was removed, but only with infinite trouble and suffering; and +then, after some considerable time, Hunston began to experience a faint +sense of relief. +</p> + +<p> +The sufferings slowly diminished. +</p> + +<p> +This convinced Hunston that he had been correct in supposing that the +poison was concealed in the mechanical arm. +</p> + +<p> +He laid bare as much of it as he could without permanently damaging it, +and pored over it for hours at a stretch. +</p> + +<p> +To what good? +</p> + +<p> +None. +</p> + +<p> +Now this limb was the work of no common artificer. +</p> + +<p> +It was the work of a hand of rare cunning. +</p> + +<p> +A master spirit had invented it, and its mystery was far too deep to be +penetrated by a common bungler. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was at last so tortured that, disguising himself, he one day +left the mountains, and sought the advice of a surgeon. +</p> + +<p> +"The man who planned this arm," said the surgeon to whom Hunston +submitted it for examination, "must have devoted a lifetime to the +manufacture and perfecting of this mechanical limb." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston smiled. +</p> + +<p> +He knew too well how little time the wretched man Emmerson gave to any +thing like industrial pursuits. +</p> + +<p> +"What is this?" asked this same surgeon, pointing to the flat of the +arm, where the engraved legend was almost obscured with a dark stain. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston changed colour and fidgeted about. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know." +</p> + +<p> +"There is something written." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes, so I believe, but it is obscured by that stain—a stain—" +</p> + +<p> +He peered closer into the arm yet, and looked serious, as turning to +Hunston, he said— +</p> + +<p> +"Why, it is a blood-stain." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no!" replied Hunston, hurriedly; "impossible. It can not be." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible or not," said the surgeon, "blood it is, and nothing but +blood. Yet I see that, in spite of this stain, the reading is clear +enough." +</p> + +<p> +"Scarcely," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"It is, though, and it is in English, I should say, too." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Can't you read it?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Strange. Yet you are English." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I have some English friends here to whom I will show it, and—" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston broke in impatiently at this. +</p> + +<p> +"English here!" he exclaimed. "Where do they live?" +</p> + +<p> +"At the villa—" +</p> + +<p> +"What, the Harkaway family, do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"And you would take it there?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why not? Mr. Harkaway is a clever man. He is surrounded also by clever +people; there is a curious old gentleman there, too, an old gentleman +of great learning, and he might be enabled to throw some light upon the +secret, which even the closest scrutiny can not penetrate." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston listened to the end, but not without having to exercise a +certain amount of self-control. +</p> + +<p> +"How is this old gentleman called—this clever, learned old gentleman?" +</p> + +<p> +"You seem to say that with a sneer, sir," said the surgeon; "but you +may rely upon it he is a very great <i>savant</i>—a man of great +accomplishments—and a warrior who has—" +</p> + +<p> +"Who has lost two legs!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. You know him?" +</p> + +<p> +"Slightly; his name is Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"It is." +</p> + +<p> +"And you would take my arm to these people for them to stare and gape +at. No, sir; I am foolish enough to seek to conceal my affliction from +the world, and by the aid of this wonderful arm I have been hitherto +successful." +</p> + +<p> +The doctor bowed. +</p> + +<p> +"So I beg you will keep my secret." +</p> + +<p> +"Rely upon it." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston showed all his old cunning in this speech. Yet all his +inquiries, all his researches, availed him nothing. +</p> + +<p> +The work of the dead Robert Emmerson remained as before, an inscrutable +mystery. It remained the silent executor of its creator's vengeance. +</p> + +<p> +Slowly, yet surely fulfilling the blood-stained legend on the steel +arm. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap15"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON AGAIN AT WORK-THE DANCING GARDEN—MARIETTA AND HER<br /> +GOSSIP-GREAT NEWS—THE ARREST—WHAT CHARGE?—MURDER. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Hunston's infirmity had told in many ways. +</p> + +<p> +He had sunk to be a mere nonentity in the band. +</p> + +<p> +Now he was but too pleased to be left at peace when in his great +suffering; yet no sooner did he recover health and spirits a little +than his old interest revived, and with his interest all the old +jealousies. +</p> + +<p> +He bitterly resented Toro's assumption of the command. +</p> + +<p> +"Let the blustering bully fool impose upon them if he will," he said to +himself again and again; "he never could take me in. It shall be my +task to show them who can render the most real service to the band." +</p> + +<p> +Their programme suited Hunston well. +</p> + +<p> +What could better have accorded with his humour than the devotion of +all their time, thought, and energies to the persecution—perhaps to +the entire destruction, of the Harkaway family? +</p> + +<p> +It was all gone on with avowedly to avenge the death of Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +Little cared Hunston about the dead brigand chief. +</p> + +<p> +Indeed, but for the presence of his widow in their midst, and the +occasional mention of his name, Hunston would, in all probability, have +forgotten that he had ever existed. +</p> + +<p> +As it was, he made it his especial task to hang about the parts of the +town where the Harkaways were most likely to be met. And never did he +appear twice in the same dress. +</p> + +<p> +One evening, strolling into a dancing garden, he chanced to come upon a +smart young lady, whose appearance attracted his attention at once. +</p> + +<p> +"I know her well," he said to himself, "though where I have seen her is +a puzzle to me for a moment." +</p> + +<p> +The merry antics of one of the dancers caused her to laugh, and then he +recognised the sound of her voice immediately. +</p> + +<p> +"Marietta!" +</p> + +<p> +Surely he should not so soon have forgotten her. +</p> + +<p> +Was it not upon the occasion of her memorable exploits at the gardens +of the Contessa Maraviglia that he had last seen her—that night when +poor Magog Brand met his fate? +</p> + +<p> +As soon as he recognised her, he made up his mind to escort her. +</p> + +<p> +So first (to assure himself of the excellence of his disguise) catching +a cursory glance of his shadow in a mirror, he crossed the garden, and +stepping up to her side, he addressed her. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you not join the dance, signorina?" he said. +</p> + +<p> +The waiting maid in reply only cocked her chin haughtily and moved +away. +</p> + +<p> +"You are proud, Marietta, to-night," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +She turned upon hearing her name mentioned. +</p> + +<p> +"I do not know you, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"But you see I know you, Marietta, and what is more, if you were to ask +your master Mr. Harkaway or Mrs. Harkaway about their friend Saville, I +dare say they would not say any thing very bad about him." +</p> + +<p> +Marietta curtseyed in some confusion. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't remember seeing you at the villa, signor," she said, "so pray +excuse me." +</p> + +<p> +"No excuses, pretty Marietta; I am not a very constant visitor, yet I +have seen you, and yours is a face once seen not easily forgotten." +</p> + +<p> +Marietta, like a true daughter of Eve, did not object to this sort of +thing. +</p> + +<p> +And so she fell into the trap which he set for her with so little +pains. +</p> + +<p> +That is, she grew gossipy and communicative. +</p> + +<p> +"And does Master Jack come here sometimes?" asked the sham Mr. Saville. +</p> + +<p> +She shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +"Never." +</p> + +<p> +"Mamma would object, of course," he said lightly; "this is such a +wicked place for her good, mild, innocent boy to come to." +</p> + +<p> +Marietta laughed a good deal at hearing young Jack spoken of thus. +</p> + +<p> +"Neither of the young gentlemen are too innocent," she said; "but yet +they don't come here." +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly they have no taste for this sort of thing," suggested +Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Marietta shrugged her shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +"They are forbidden to go about alone." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know—some fancy of the ladies. They think that the brigands +are always lurking about, ready to drop upon their boys." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Hunston; "a very good joke." +</p> + +<p> +"Is it not? Although I must tell you that there is some reason for +fear, for I have twice come across the—" +</p> + +<p> +"Across who?" +</p> + +<p> +"The brigands." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"It is true." +</p> + +<p> +"The miscreants. Did they steal any thing?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, only a few—a few kisses." +</p> + +<p> +"Hum!" said Hunston, "that was excusable. It is a sort of pilfering +which I would willingly indulge in myself." +</p> + +<p> +"I dare say," answered Marietta saucily, "but I have discovered how to +use my weapons in self-defence." +</p> + +<p> +"What weapons?" +</p> + +<p> +"These." +</p> + +<p> +She held up her ten pretty little claws. A tiny hand they were mounted +on, too. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston surveyed it with the eye of a connoisseur, and looked the +admiration he wished to convey quite extravagantly enough for a vain +woman to understand his meaning. +</p> + +<p> +"Exquisite," he said. "It would be flattery even to be scratched by +such models." +</p> + +<p> +She laughed. +</p> + +<p> +He resumed. +</p> + +<p> +"And so they never go forth for fear of the brigands?" +</p> + +<p> +"Never." +</p> + +<p> +"Their lives must be wretched, so confined to the house." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, but they go out to sea." +</p> + +<p> +"To sea?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, in their sailing boat; the two boys are always out fishing, +sailing, and what not." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston pricked up his ears at these tidings. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, on the water they are allowed full liberty, for brigands and +cats, according to Signor Harvey, are the two animals that fear the +water most." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Hunston, "very good indeed, but I never knew that +brigands so feared the water." +</p> + +<p> +"So Signor Harvey says," replied Marietta. "Indeed he says that a bar +of soap and a bowl of water would frighten a brigand more than a whole +armoury of firearms." +</p> + +<p> +This was true. +</p> + +<p> +Brigands may look picturesque when seen from a distance. +</p> + +<p> +At close quarters they are, to put it mildly, objectionable. +</p> + +<p> +If they do not hold soap and water in absolute fear, as Dick Harvey +said, they at least look upon them as vanities and effeminacies +unworthy of desperadoes. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"So, so," muttered Hunston, as he walked away, "I shall secure them +yet. For through the boys I can get at the father and at Harvey. Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +At this precise moment a heavy hand was placed upon his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +There was a professional touch in it, which once felt could never be +forgotten. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston had felt such a clutch once in England, and the recollection +was likely to last him as long as he lived. +</p> + +<p> +He forgot where he was, every thing, and instinctively he faltered this +inquiry— +</p> + +<p> +"On what charge?" +</p> + +<p> +"Murder!" +</p> + +<p> +He knew the voice. +</p> + +<p> +He had no need to look round; the voice was not one easily forgotten. +</p> + +<p> +It was our old friend Pike, the English detective. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Hunston," replied the officer coolly. "You have been giving me a +lot of trouble, but it was only a question of time and patience, I +knew. Come along; you are my prisoner." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap16"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> + +A GREAT DANGER—OFF AND AWAY!—POOR PIKE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Hunston quailed. He was lost. +</p> + +<p> +So suddenly—so unexpectedly had this come, that he was utterly +powerless to help himself. +</p> + +<p> +Had he been wearing the mechanical arm, he might have able to tackle +the wiry officer Pike. +</p> + +<p> +Bitterly did he curse his unlucky fate. +</p> + +<p> +Recovering himself, however, in some slight degree, he endeavoured to +shake off the detective's hold. +</p> + +<p> +"Quiet, now, quiet, Master Hunston," said Pike, "or I shall have to try +means for tranquilising you which you won't find agree with you." +</p> + +<p> +"Show me your warrant for this outrage," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Outrage! Hoity, toity! that's a good word." +</p> + +<p> +"I shall call the police to my assistance if you attempt to molest me," +said Hunston, putting on a lofty air. +</p> + +<p> +This tickled Pike mightily. +</p> + +<p> +"Call the police, will you?" he said. "Well, I shan't, for I flatter +myself that I don't want much assistance to walk off with such a man as +you—even if you were not lopsided." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned savagely upon the detective at this allusion to his +crippled state and made an attempt at using his one arm upon him. +</p> + +<p> +But Pike was—to put it vulgarly—all there. +</p> + +<p> +He dexterously dodged the blow, and whirling round secured a hold upon +Hunston's collar—that peculiar grip which is the specialty of men who +have been in the force. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston struggled desperately to get free. In vain. +</p> + +<p> +Do what he would, he found himself being trotted along to save himself +from strangulation. +</p> + +<p> +Not only was it physically painful. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston had an overweening sense of his own importance and dignity, and +this being run in just like some paltry pickpocket in a crowd, was +galling to his vanity beyond all description. +</p> + +<p> +What could he do? +</p> + +<p> +He was powerless. +</p> + +<p> +The wondering people stared at this singular exhibition, but they +parted their ranks as Pike and his prisoner came along, and never +offered to interfere. +</p> + +<p> +Now, during this brief but painful business, Hunston's thoughts ran +right ahead of the present dilemma. +</p> + +<p> +He endeavoured to realise some of the possible consequences of it. +</p> + +<p> +The arrest was, he felt assured, illegal. +</p> + +<p> +What then? +</p> + +<p> +What could result from such a proceeding? +</p> + +<p> +Would they detain him? +</p> + +<p> +Could they?—that was the question. +</p> + +<p> +The British ambassador might be influenced by people of the rank and +position of the Harkaways. +</p> + +<p> +This granted, it was easy enough for his excellency to waive legal +forms and ceremonies there, and get Hunston transferred to the safe +keeping of the English authorities. +</p> + +<p> +At this point Hunston could not repress a shudder. +</p> + +<p> +And why? He thought of what must necessarily follow. +</p> + +<p> +His fevered fancy flew ahead, and he saw himself in the dock, faced by +the stony-faced judge, and put through the torture of cross-examination +which laid bare the innermost recesses of his black heart in spite of +himself. +</p> + +<p> +He saw further on yet. +</p> + +<p> +He shut his eyes as he went on and heard the tramp of the twelve jurors +re-entering the court in the midst of a profound and awesome silence. +</p> + +<p> +He heard the solemn formula; he heard the hollow voice of the foreman +give the verdict— +</p> + +<p> +"Guilty!" +</p> + +<p> +All that he heard and saw in his mind's eye, in that brief but +unpleasant hustling he had to go through at the hands of the ungenerous +and indefatigable officer Daniel Pike. +</p> + +<p> +And Hunston now, being half cowed by his captor, was being driven +through the streets like a lamb to the slaughter, when a sudden and +startling incident changed the whole spirit of the scene, even in the +twinkling of an eye. +</p> + +<p> +A musket, grasped in a strong hand by the barrel, was swung over their +heads, and down it came with an awful crack upon poor Pike's head. +</p> + +<p> +Down he dropped like a bullock under the butcher's pole-axe. +</p> + +<p> +And Hunston was free. +</p> + +<p> +For a few seconds he could not realise his release, so sudden and +unexpected it had been. +</p> + +<p> +"Come along," said a voice in his ear; "away with you, or we shall get +into trouble here." +</p> + +<p> +This aroused him. +</p> + +<p> +He recognised the voice of Tomaso the brigand, and it brought him to +his presence of mind. +</p> + +<p> +Off he started at a good brisk run in the direction that his preserver +had taken. +</p> + +<p> +And soon was out of danger. +</p> + +<p> +But Tomaso was not so fortunate. +</p> + +<p> +Following Hunston at a more leisurely pace, he had not gone many yards, +when a firm grip was placed upon his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"Halt!" said a voice. +</p> + +<p> +The brigand turned hastily, and found himself in the firm clutch of the +detective. +</p> + +<p> +"I have caught you at last, villain!" exclaimed Pike the detective, as +he twisted his hand into the collar of the garment Tomaso wore instead +of a shirt. +</p> + +<p> +Then, before the astonished brigand had time either to remonstrate or +resist, the Englishman exhibited to him that particular form of +wrestling known as the "cross buttock," and stretched him at full +length on the ground. +</p> + +<p> +Another moment and a pair of real Bow Street handcuffs snapped on +Tomaso's wrists. +</p> + +<p> +"Neatly done; don't you think so?" said Pike. +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso's answer was a tremendous Greek oath. +</p> + +<p> +"You're swearing, I believe. Now that is a bad habit at all times, and +very foolish just now, because you see it don't hurt me, inasmuch as I +don't understand it," said Pike, who, after a brief, stern survey of +his captive, added— +</p> + +<p> +"If you cursed me in English, though, I don't know but what I might be +tempted to punch your ugly head." +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso remained silent, and Pike, after pausing some seconds, helped +him to his feet. +</p> + +<p> +"Now you are all right, and will come back quietly with me. But how do +the bracelets fit? I've got another pair in my pocket." +</p> + +<p> +"You had better release me," observed Tomaso. +</p> + +<p> +"Now that is very ridiculous, my friend. Why should I take the trouble +of capturing you, if I let you run again directly?" +</p> + +<p> +"It will be much to your disadvantage to imprison me, Signor +Englishman. An injured Greek is always avenged in some way." +</p> + +<p> +"Just so; however, I'll risk that" +</p> + +<p> +Pike's coolness added to the rage of the brigand, whose passion fairly +boiled over. +</p> + +<p> +"May all the infernal gods my forefathers worshipped—may the fiend I—" +</p> + +<p> +"Serve," suggested Pike. +</p> + +<p> +"The fiend I would willingly serve, or sell my soul to, for vengeance, +visit you with his direst displeasure, and may all the plagues of Egypt +blight you!" +</p> + +<p> +"Thank ye, that's a very pleasant speech; something like what I used to +hear at the theatre. But, old friend, you made one little blunder." +</p> + +<p> +"You will see if I have blundered." +</p> + +<p> +"One little blunder, when you spoke of selling your soul. Lor' bless +you, Old Scratch isn't such a fool as to buy nowadays, whatever he may +have done years ago." +</p> + +<p> +Another angry exclamation from Tomaso. +</p> + +<p> +"You see, the old gentleman has gained some experience as a trader, and +he knows well enough that if he waits a little time, he'll get you all +free-gratis for nothing at all." +</p> + +<p> +"You are a devil, Englishman." +</p> + +<p> +"And you are not exactly an angel. However, if I am a devil, you may +consider you are regularly sold to me. So now come along; keep your +hands under your cloak, and no one will notice the little decorations +on your wrists." +</p> + +<p> +"You are a devil, Signor Englishman; but you will die for this." +</p> + +<p> +"Pshaw! I've collared scores of desperate villains, and they all said +something of the same kind, yet here I am." +</p> + +<p> +"You will die," repeated Tomaso. +</p> + +<p> +"Some clay, of course; but we have a proverb in England; would you like +to hear it?" +</p> + +<p> +Tomaso tossed his head with lofty indifference. +</p> + +<p> +"The proverb," continued Pike, "is that 'Threatened men live long.'" +</p> + +<p> +He then took Tomaso by the arm, and led him on. +</p> + +<p> +"But stop," said he, "those pistols in your girdle are very heavy. I'll +carry them for you, and the knife as well." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap17"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE DECOY—A THROW OF THE DICE—THE EXECUTION. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Before Pike and his captive had gone far on their return journey, +Harkaway and Harvey, with two or three of the gendarmes, and a minute +after Jefferson, came up. +</p> + +<p> +"You have caught him then. Hurrah!" said Dick Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"But this is not Hunston," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"No, sir; he managed to get clean away. But we'll have him yet." +</p> + +<p> +An old goatherd, who had scrambled down near to the place where the +captor and prisoner stood, might have been seen to indulge in a +contemptuous smile. +</p> + +<p> +We say might, because the fact is that all were so much elated at the +capture of Tomaso that the very presence of the old stranger had +hitherto remained unnoticed. +</p> + +<p> +Nor did he seem to court attention, but remained behind a bush, in a +spot, however, where he could hear all that passed. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, we must take this fellow back to the town, and hand him over to +the authorities," said Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"And then hunt down Master Hunston," remarked old Jack. "I wish we knew +where to look for him." +</p> + +<p> +"He took this direction," remarked Pike. +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +"And, therefore, it is in this direction that we must look for him." +</p> + +<p> +"Right again," remarked Dick Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"But as he is associated with some desperate fellows, it would be as +well to place this gentleman in the hands of the authorities before we +seek him. It is not good to go into action with prisoners on our +hands." +</p> + +<p> +As all agreed on this point, they walked back with the prisoner, and +had the pleasure of seeing him put into a cell from which, apparently, +there was no way of escape, even the fire-place having been bricked up +since the attempt of Mathias to gain freedom that way. By the time that +was done it was too late to think of starting that day, so our friends +retired to hold a council of war. +</p> + +<p> +Pike, however, took no part in the consultation. +</p> + +<p> +That astute detective had formed in his own mind a resolution that, if +it were possible, he would capture Hunston single-handed, thus covering +himself with glory, and at the same time keeping the Harkaways and +Harvey out of danger. +</p> + +<p> +Pike knew that it was a difficult thing to keep them out of danger, and +that if they heard any thing about the brigands, they would be the very +ones to lead an attack. +</p> + +<p> +Pike walked up and down, smoking and reflecting on the difficulties +which surrounded his task. +</p> + +<p> +He had not thoroughly matured his plans when the sun went down and the +moon rose. +</p> + +<p> +Few people were abroad. +</p> + +<p> +The audacity the brigands had recently displayed had convinced most +people that they were safer indoors than out. +</p> + +<p> +As Pike walked up and down the quiet street, he noticed an old man +crouched up in a corner, wrapped in a tattered cloak, and apparently +intending to pass the night there. +</p> + +<p> +"Hilloa, my friend, what are you? Are you one of the brigands?" +</p> + +<p> +Pike uttered the words in a jocular manner, but the old man felt deeply +offended. +</p> + +<p> +"Sir Englishman, you insult me." +</p> + +<p> +"I apologise. I had no intention of doing so." +</p> + +<p> +"A brigand! Signor, I am here—houseless and penniless in my old age +through those accursed villains! May Sathanas fly away with their +souls." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, old man, perchance you will be avenged before long." +</p> + +<p> +"It is what I pray for. They burnt my hut, cut down my two fine olive +trees, and drove off my little flock of goats." +</p> + +<p> +The old man covered his face, and appeared to sob violently. +</p> + +<p> +"When was this?" asked Pike. +</p> + +<p> +"Scarce three hours since." +</p> + +<p> +"Was there with them a foreigner—one of my country?" +</p> + +<p> +"I know not what country they were of, but besides the Greeks, there +were two men who seemed leaders; one was called Signor Toro, the other +was named Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"How many were there in all?" +</p> + +<p> +"Three Greeks besides the two foreigners." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know any thing of the haunts of these brigands, friend +goatherd?" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, well. But till now I have never dreamt of betraying them, for +they never before molested me." +</p> + +<p> +"Lead me to their den." +</p> + +<p> +"You, signer? Why, they are at least five in number, and you are but—" +</p> + +<p> +"But an Englishman! that makes all the difference, friend goatherd, so +pray lead on. Here, take a drink from my flask first." +</p> + +<p> +The old man accepted the proffered drink, and then said— +</p> + +<p> +"Well, signor, it is a desperate and dangerous undertaking; but I know +you English can do almost any thing, so I will show you the way. And if +it comes to a fight, I shall be at your elbow, signor." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +Without mentioning his intentions, or saying a word to any of his +friends, the detective passed his arm through that of the goatherd and +walked away. +</p> + +<p> +Little conversation passed. +</p> + +<p> +The detective was full of hopeful anxiety about the capture of Hunston; +and as for the goatherd, it may be presumed that the loss of his goats +afforded him plenty of food for silent reflection. +</p> + +<p> +They passed the place where Tomaso was captured, and then turned aside +out of the road into a dense wood which covered the side of a rocky +hill. +</p> + +<p> +It appeared as though the old goatherd was "out of condition," as the +athletes say; at all events, the scramble up the rough path brought on +a loud and distressing cough. +</p> + +<p> +"Be quiet," said Pike; "you will alarm them." +</p> + +<p> +"No fear of that, signor; we are more than a mile from the den of the +villains." +</p> + +<p> +So they scrambled and climbed away, till at length they reached a place +where Pike found it necessary to use hands as well as feet to make +progress. +</p> + +<p> +He had just put up both hands to grasp a boulder over which it was +necessary to climb, when, to his intense astonishment, each wrist was +grasped by a couple of strong hands, and in another moment he was +forcibly dragged up. +</p> + +<p> +"The tables are turned now, Mr. Pike," said a voices "You will remain +our prisoner till Tomaso is released." +</p> + +<p> +It was so dark that Pike could not see the speaker, but he had no doubt +that it was Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +The impression was confirmed in an instant by the goatherd, who said in +a jeering manner— +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha! Why don't you capture him? You were so very brave to talk, +yet you do nothing." +</p> + +<p> +Pike, by a sudden jerk, wrenched himself from his captors, and dealt +the mocking brigand—for he was nothing more—a blow that doubled him +up among the rocks. +</p> + +<p> +But before the detective could escape, he was thrown down himself, and +bound hand and foot. +</p> + +<p> +Half-a-dozen Greek brigands then raised him and bore him away. +</p> + +<p> +How far he could not tell, but it seemed, as far as he could guess, +five or six miles. +</p> + +<p> +At length they reached a little open glade in the forest where at least +a score of brigands were assembled. +</p> + +<p> +"You have him, then?" said a huge fellow, who spoke with an Italian +accent. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Tie him to that tree." +</p> + +<p> +It was done. +</p> + +<p> +"Now listen," said Toro—for he it was who had given the command. "If +Tomaso is not at liberty and here among us at noon, you shall die." +</p> + +<p> +"I can not set him at liberty." +</p> + +<p> +"You can do a great deal towards it. Unfasten one of his arms—his +right arm." +</p> + +<p> +Pike's right arm was then released, and, in obedience to Toro's +command, a small table was placed close to him. +</p> + +<p> +On this table were pens, ink and paper. +</p> + +<p> +"Now write to your friend Harkaway, and tell him that unless Tomaso is +released by noon, as I have told you, death is your doom." +</p> + +<p> +So Pike wrote— +</p> + +<p> +"I am in the hands of the brigands, and unless Tomaso is released by +noon, I shall be killed. But I am not afraid to die; hold your captive +fast." +</p> + +<p> +Having signed it, he held it out to Toro, who read it, and then called +a messenger, to whom he entrusted it for delivery. +</p> + +<p> +Then the brigands sat down to breakfast, and Pike was left to his +contemplations. These, as may be imagined, were not of the most +pleasant kind. +</p> + +<p> +Hour after hour passed. +</p> + +<p> +The brigands were some sleeping, some playing cards, and all enjoying +themselves in some way, but no one took any notice of the prisoner. +</p> + +<p> +The sun rode high in the heavens, and it was evidently approaching +noon, when the messenger returned from the town with a letter. +</p> + +<p> +It was addressed to Pike, but Toro opened it. +</p> + +<p> +It was not from Harkaway, but from the chief of the police, informing +the unfortunate detective that the Greek government declined to make +any terms or drive any bargain with brigands, but that any ill usage +Mr. Pike might suffer would be most effectually avenged. +</p> + +<p> +"You hear this?" said Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"I do." +</p> + +<p> +"Then say what prayers you remember, and make your peace with Heaven, +for at noon you die." +</p> + +<p> +"Let me be the executioner," said a brigand who stood by. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so," exclaimed another; "the task is mine by right." +</p> + +<p> +"Peace!" said Toro. "The dice shall decide his fate. The highest +thrower shall have the pleasure of shooting him." +</p> + +<p> +The brigands, in obedience to a signal from the chief, gathered round +him, a short distance from the prisoner. +</p> + +<p> +Dice were produced and the game began. +</p> + +<p> +"Double four," cried the first thrower. +</p> + +<p> +"That man stands a good chance of being my executioner," thought Pike. +"To fancy that I, who have been the terror of evil-doers in England, +should be the sport of these dirty brigands. Why, I could well thrash +half-a-dozen of them in a fair stand-up fight." +</p> + +<p> +At this moment a loud peal of laughter greeted the second dicer. +</p> + +<p> +"Ace—two." +</p> + +<p> +"My chance is worthless," said the man. +</p> + +<p> +"Worthless!" muttered Pike to himself. "Aye, you are indeed worthless, +compared with some of the English villains I have hunted down and +fought for life or death. I could die like a man if I only had to die +in a fair hand-to-hand fight with such a man as Birmingham Bill, the +very first murderer I ever coped with; but I'll show them how an +Englishman can die." +</p> + +<p> +"Double six!" shouted one of the brigands, as he threw the dice. +</p> + +<p> +The man was the smallest and ugliest of the lot, but it seemed very +probable that he would be Pike's executioner. At all events, he +carefully loaded his carbine. +</p> + +<p> +"To be shot by such a villain as that!" thought Pike. "It would have +been better if one of the shots fired by that burglar fellow they call +the 'Whitechapel, Devil' had taken effect; six times he fired, and then +we had a good ten minutes' tussle before I could secure him." +</p> + +<p> +At length all the brigands had thrown with the exception of Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Double six again!" +</p> + +<p> +As it was a tie between the two, each had another throw. The little +ugly brigand threw. +</p> + +<p> +"Two—three." +</p> + +<p> +Toro then took up the dice, shook them well in the box and made his +cast. +</p> + +<p> +"Five—four!" +</p> + +<p> +And Toro was hailed the winner. +</p> + +<p> +"Prisoner, I give you two minutes to prepare." +</p> + +<p> +"Brigand, I am prepared. Such sins as I have committed, I have repented +of, so do your worst; but rest assured that vengeance will some day +overtake you. To Heaven I commend my soul!" +</p> + +<p> +With as much composure as if he had been practising at an inanimate +target, Toro raised his gun, and counted— +</p> + +<p> +"One!" +</p> + +<p> +"Two!" +</p> + +<p> +"Three!" +</p> + +<p> +At the word three, he pulled the trigger. The report echoed from rock +to rock, and the head and body of poor Pike fell forward, as far as the +ropes that secured him to the tree would permit. +</p> + +<p> +He was dead, the bullet having penetrated the brain. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +That evening, as Harkaway, Harvey, and Jefferson returned from an +unsuccessful attempt to rouse the authorities, they found that two men +had left a heavy package at the house. +</p> + +<p> +On opening it, they were horrified to find it a section of a hollow +tree, nearly every portion of the wood having crumbled away, leaving +the bark intact. +</p> + +<p> +And in the hollow was the body of the poor detective and a brief note. +</p> + +<p> +"The fate of all brigand hunters. Beware!—TORO." +</p> + +<p> +"Vengeance for this, at all events," exclaimed Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor Pike! We should be unworthy of the name of Englishmen did we not +punish thy murderers." +</p> + +<p> +He wrote a note to the mayor. +</p> + +<p> +"SIR,—In the huge package that accompanies this note, you will find +the body of an Englishman, who has this day been murdered by brigands; +I call upon you, in the name of Heaven, to rout these murderers out of +their dens, and bring them to justice. Should you show any backwardness +in so doing, I shall deem it necessary to appeal to the English +ambassador. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + "Your obedient servant,<br /> + "J. HARKAWAY."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Having despatched a couple of messengers with the body and letter, they +sat down with sorrowful hearts and small appetites to their evening +meal. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap18"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON IN THE CAMP AGAIN—RETROSPECTION—A DEVILISH PLOT—DARK<br /> +CLOUDS GATHER OVER THE HARKAWAYS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Who goes there?" +</p> + +<p> +"A friend." +</p> + +<p> +"The word?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +"Stand; advance a step, and I fire. Ha! I see you now. I did not +recognise your voice, Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"I thought not; but why all this precaution?" +</p> + +<p> +"Fear has induced us to change the countersign. We believe there is +mischief abroad, and so extra precautions are needed." +</p> + +<p> +"Right, Ymeniz," said Hunston, who had been out scouting for a few +hours after the execution of Pike, "although it is to be feared that +the blindness which prevents your recognition of a friend and comrade +may mislead you as to the real character of an enemy, should one dare +to penetrate thus far." +</p> + +<p> +The sentry laughed. +</p> + +<p> +"Fear nothing on that score, Hunston," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed I do." +</p> + +<p> +"My carefulness may turn even friends into enemies, but fear, or over +carefulness—" +</p> + +<p> +"It is much the same thing," suggested Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Right; but it is not likely to make me take foes for friends." +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt it." +</p> + +<p> +"You have a cunning tongue, friend Hunston," said the sentry, who was +just a little bit nettled, "but I don't believe that you could prove +that to my satisfaction." +</p> + +<p> +"I might do it to the one or the other," returned Hunston, caustically; +"but certainly not to both, the two are so opposed." +</p> + +<p> +This was just a dash too subtle for the sentry, and so Hunston passed +on without further remark. +</p> + +<p> +A few steps further on he came to a group formed of the brigands, +gathered around Pedro, a brigand who had been of some little assistance +in the rescue of Hunston, but who unlike Tomaso, had managed to escape. +</p> + +<p> +He was recounting the late adventures—from his own episode in the +tale—of Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston walked up to the centre of the group. +</p> + +<p> +"Pedro," he said, "you rescued me, and perhaps saved my life; accept my +hand, and with it my eternal gratitude." Pedro stepped back. He winced +instead of taking the proffered hand, and his countenance fell. +</p> + +<p> +"Pardon me Hunston," he said; "I'm very glad to have been of service to +you, to have been able to save a comrade, but—" +</p> + +<p> +He paused. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston frowned. +</p> + +<p> +"But what?" +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be too grateful." +</p> + +<p> +The tone, no less than the nature of the request, sounded just a little +bit comical, and it made the bystanders, Hunston included, smile. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean by that, my preserver? Why should I not be grateful?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because I have heard it said that your gratitude brought bad luck to +anyone who had really befriended you." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston started. +</p> + +<p> +He thought of Robert Emmerson. +</p> + +<p> +That arm did its inventor's work well, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +Not a day passed but Hunston realised the truth of the legend inscribed +on the mechanical arm. +</p> + +<p> +Not a day passed, but that he saw how fearfully was the legacy of +vengeance bequeathed by the murdered Protean Bob being carried out. +</p> + +<p> +Dropping his glance in some confusion for a moment, he turned sharply +upon the brigand after a little reflection. +</p> + +<p> +Pedro could know nothing of the death of Emmerson. +</p> + +<p> +Nay, it was more than probable that the very name was utterly unknown +to these men. +</p> + +<p> +"You wish to insult me, Pedro," he said, "and so cancel the obligation +I am under to you. But beware of going too far, for you may leave a +balance upon the wrong side, and I am as quick to avenge an insult as +to—" +</p> + +<p> +Pedro interrupted him with a laugh. +</p> + +<p> +"What did I say? I have only just rendered you a great service—at +least, so you say—" +</p> + +<p> +"And mean." +</p> + +<p> +"And mean, perhaps; and yet you are already threatening me. When I said +that your gratitude is said to bring bad luck to anyone, I was only +repeating an idle saying—as I thought—but it seems like the truth, +after all." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was moving thoughtfully away, when the brigand's words stopped +him. +</p> + +<p> +"Forgive me, Pedro," he said, turning round; "I am a bad, ungrateful +man, but I'm not utterly wanting in decent feeling. You touch me on a +very sore spot." +</p> + +<p> +So saying he walked on, leaving Pedro staring after him. +</p> + +<p> +"That's a queer lot," muttered the brigand to himself, "a very queer +lot. I think I would sooner have the murder of a priest on my +conscience than be weighted with the deeds that he'll have to answer +for." +</p> + +<p> +Pedro was no fool. +</p> + +<p> +His observations were pretty well to the point. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston felt the pangs of remorse. +</p> + +<p> +Daily, hourly, in fact, he looked back and thought of what he was, and +what he might have been had not his vicious propensities got the upper +hand of him at the critical turn in his career. +</p> + +<p> +And so the demon remorse played havoc with him already. +</p> + +<p> +The mechanical arm was responsible for all. Its mysterious +disorganisation had been the direct cause of his forced inactivity. +</p> + +<p> +What gives ugly thoughts such power over one as bodily inactivity? +</p> + +<p> +Nothing. +</p> + +<p> +Robert Emmerson, your vengeance is as terrible as it is unceasing in +its action. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Hunston sought the widow of Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +"I have made good progress, Diana," he said, "for I have learnt enough +about the enemy to make sure of getting some of them at least into our +power." +</p> + +<p> +The listener's eyes glistened at the words. +</p> + +<p> +"Are you sure?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you propose to do, then? Tell me." +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway has a son—a mere youth." +</p> + +<p> +"I know it." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, this boy is a dare-devil, bold and fearless lad; nothing can +daunt him. He is, in fact, what his hated father was when first I knew +him, years and years ago." +</p> + +<p> +A faint and half-suppressed sigh escaped him as he uttered this. +</p> + +<p> +"What of this boy?" +</p> + +<p> +"This boy has a companion called Harry Girdwood." +</p> + +<p> +"Well." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, these two boys are to be trapped, if it be gone about +carefully—very carefully, mark you." +</p> + +<p> +"That can be done, of course." +</p> + +<p> +"It can—by you." +</p> + +<p> +Diana stared again at this. +</p> + +<p> +"By me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Listen. They pay a certain respect to us—hold us in some fear, in +fact—and the boys, who are regular rovers, like their parents and +friends, have only permission to cruise about in their little yacht." +</p> + +<p> +"How did you learn this?" +</p> + +<p> +"From Marietta, the servant of the Harkaways." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Now, with care, the boys might be lured, perhaps, away from the part +of the coast which they know, and let them once touch the shore out of +sight and hearing of their friends—" +</p> + +<p> +"I see, I see," ejaculated the widow of Mathias. "I can entrap them, I +believe. But tell me first, what is the object of securing these two +boys?" +</p> + +<p> +"The object!" ejaculated Hunston. "Why, surely that is clear enough. +Let us once get hold of them, and we can make any terms we like with +the father and friends. We shall have to dictate the conditions, and +Harkaway will have no choice but to accept them." +</p> + +<p> +"I see, I see," cried Diana, excitedly. "Leave the rest to me; I'll +undertake to get them into our power." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"No matter how; you have done your share of the business. Be mine the +task to secure the rest." +</p> + +<p> +"When?" +</p> + +<p> +"To-morrow." +</p> + +<p> +"Good!" said Hunston, gleefully, "good! I feel a presentiment of luck. +I'm not superstitious, but I feel as certain now that we shall +succeed—as certain as if the boys were already in our power." +</p> + +<p> +"They shall be," returned the woman, solemnly, "they shall be. I swear +it!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap19"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +JACK AND HARRY GIRDWOOD AFLOAT—THE SQUALL—THE SHIPWRECKED<br /> +BOY—DEEDS OF HEROISM—THEIR REWARD—A DEADLY PERIL. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Down with sail, Jack; we shall be over if we are not sprightly," said +Harry. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack laughed. +</p> + +<p> +The thought of danger actually made him merry, and so proved that he +was every inch a Harkaway—a thorough chip of the old block. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no fear, old fellow," he said. +</p> + +<p> +A sudden gust of wind caught the sail, and caused the boat to give such +a lurch at this very moment that both the boys were sent flying. +</p> + +<p> +They got some hard knocks. +</p> + +<p> +But neither was afraid of a little rough usage, and so they only +scrambled to their feet, laughing boisterously, as if there was great +fun in barked shins and bruised arms. +</p> + +<p> +"I told you so, Jack," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"No harm done," retorted Jack, rubbing a damaged part and grinning. +</p> + +<p> +"No, but don't let us be too foolish; we might get into trouble." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack roared at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Soho-ho!" he cried. "Shipped another passenger, Harry, have you?" +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, you've got Captain Funk aboard." +</p> + +<p> +"Not I," returned Harry, "only if we get into any foolish scrape, they +won't let us come out for a sail again, and as this is the only jaunt +left us, we may as well keep ourselves quiet." +</p> + +<p> +"There's something in that," said young Jack, +</p> + +<p> +So saying, he set about reefing the sail with all possible despatch. +</p> + +<p> +Now it was barely accomplished when a violent gust of wind drove the +little craft along at a furious rate. +</p> + +<p> +It was only just in time. +</p> + +<p> +A moment more and the sail would have been shredded, or, what was still +worse, the boat would have been capsized for a certainty. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood lowered the oars and pulled sharply along before the +fury of the gale, while young Jack baled out a little water that had +been shipped in the first heavy lurch, before the youthful mariners had +been fully prepared for such violent treatment, and steered at the same +time. +</p> + +<p> +In this way they contrived to elude the violence of the gale for the +present, at least. +</p> + +<p> +But the danger was by no means overcome. +</p> + +<p> +They had not got through the worst of their trouble as yet, little as +they anticipated any serious danger. +</p> + +<p> +The gale had come on with strange suddenness, and the truth was that +they could hardly realize the extent of their danger. +</p> + +<p> +It was great. +</p> + +<p> +There was, perhaps, a special providence in their ignorance of their +real peril, for their coolness alone gave them any chance in the +present emergency. +</p> + +<p> +They were brave boys both—never were there braver—yet it is no +disparagement of them to say that there was very great probability of +their losing their <i>sang froid</i> if they had known how very +critical their position actually was. +</p> + +<p> +As it happened, they did the very best thing to do under the +circumstances. +</p> + +<p> +They kept their boat before the wind, and by vigorous rowing, they +contrived to drive along at a rate which was literally tremendous. +</p> + +<p> +And so on they scudded for about ten miles, when the wind dropped a +little, and the pace began to tell upon them both. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep her off shore, Jack," cried Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Right." +</p> + +<p> +The wind and rain had half blinded young Jack, and although he had said +"Right," he steered decidedly wrong. +</p> + +<p> +He could not see where they were going. +</p> + +<p> +"Look out!" +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood only just spoke in time for young Jack to take heed of +the warning, for a minute later and they shot past some sharp, jagged +rocks, into which they would inevitably have dashed but for a lucky tug +at the rudder at the very last moment. +</p> + +<p> +Now the roar of the wind and waters had just begun to lull a little, +when a loud cry for help was heard. +</p> + +<p> +And then, for the first time, they perceived that a boat had just been +launched by a boy at not more than thirty yards along the beach, and +being carried out to sea by a huge receding wave, had become +unmanageable. +</p> + +<p> +They could see with half an eye that the boy had no skill in handling a +boat. +</p> + +<p> +"Help, help!" cried the strange lad, waving his hand in distress +towards their boat. +</p> + +<p> +"All right," shouted young Jack. "We're there." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood pulled vigorously towards the venturesome youth. +</p> + +<p> +A few strokes brought them within twenty feet of the imperilled youth, +and he would have been got away in safety but for his own folly and +imprudence. +</p> + +<p> +"Sit still," shouted young Jack. "Sit still." +</p> + +<p> +"He'll be overboard," ejaculated Harry, glancing over his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +The words of the latter proved but too prophetic +</p> + +<p> +A cry from young Jack—a piercing shriek from the other boat. +</p> + +<p> +When Harry Girdwood glanced over his shoulder again, he saw the other +boat, keel upwards, floating away. +</p> + +<p> +The unfortunate youth, its late occupant, was nowhere to be seen. +</p> + +<p> +"He's gone!" +</p> + +<p> +"He has," cried young Jack, starting up, "and by all that's unlucky, he +can't swim. Pull on, pull hard. Pull for mercy's sake." +</p> + +<p> +And young Jack stood up in the boat, tearing off his jacket and +waistcoat. +</p> + +<p> +"What are you after?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'm in after him." +</p> + +<p> +"Jack, Jack, you'll never live in this heavy sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Never fear, old boy, I'll try." +</p> + +<p> +"You shall not, I say. You—" +</p> + +<p> +"Here goes," cried young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +And before Harry Girdwood could interfere, over he went, head first, +into the boiling waves. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood held his breath in sheer fright. +</p> + +<p> +He shipped his oars and peered over the boat's side. +</p> + +<p> +Where was he? +</p> + +<p> +Would he never come up? +</p> + +<p> +Oh, Heaven! what a fearful time it seemed that the intrepid boy was +under water. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed an age. +</p> + +<p> +In reality it was but a minute, no more, before young Jack struck up to +the surface. +</p> + +<p> +He struck out with one hand—the other grasped something. +</p> + +<p> +"Harry." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"I've got him." +</p> + +<p> +"Hold tight." +</p> + +<p> +"I mean to," responded young Jack, with great coolness, all things +considered. +</p> + +<p> +And now Harry could see that Jack's left hand was twined in the black +flowing hair of the half senseless boy. +</p> + +<p> +The latter had no sooner reached the air and gulped down a breath or +two greedily, than consciousness came partly back, and he threw his +arms about his preserver and struggled desperately. +</p> + +<p> +"Leave go," cried young Jack. "Let go, or we shall both go down +together." +</p> + +<p> +But it is not easy to reason with a drowning man. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack found himself now in a desperate strait indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The frantic efforts of the rescued boy impeded his movements, entirely +baffling the heroic Jack's best efforts. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood saw it all, and his terror increased every moment. +</p> + +<p> +Well it might. +</p> + +<p> +The mad struggles of the stranger imperilled both. +</p> + +<p> +"Dive, Jack, dive," cried Harry Girdwood, frantically; "dive with him, +or it is all up with both of you." +</p> + +<p> +Jack heard him. +</p> + +<p> +Twisting like an eel in the embrace of the boy he would save, he dived +down, dragging the stranger with him. +</p> + +<p> +In the space of a few seconds he reappeared again upon the surface, +observing his former tactics. +</p> + +<p> +Striking out with his right arm, while with his left hand he grasped +the stranger's long black hair. +</p> + +<p> +"Catch hold of him," gasped young Jack; "never mind me." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood leant over the boat's side and caught at the stranger by +the collar. +</p> + +<p> +"There; hold on like that," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The weight coming all upon one side of the boat, however, threatened to +capsize it, and so they had to act with the greatest precaution. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack, however, struck out and swam round the boat, so that his +weight, clinging upon the further side of the boat, served to steady it +while Harry Girdwood completed the rescue of the stranger. +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo!" cried young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"It was a tough job," said Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"And a narrow squeak for all of us." +</p> + +<p> +"Right; but let's look after this poor fellow. He's alive." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm glad of that; it would have been precious hard after all the work, +not to mention the risk run, to have let him slip his cable in spite of +us." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, it is not his fault that he's alive now." +</p> + +<p> +"Alive." quoth young Jack, "by George! He looks more dead than alive as +it is." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't fear for him, Jack; he's as good as twenty dead men so far, but +how are you getting on?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hearty. Rather damp outside, nothing more." +</p> + +<p> +"And inside?" +</p> + +<p> +"Damp too. Why, I shipped a bellyful of salt water last drop down; +enough to salt a barrel of junk." +</p> + +<p> +Harry turned his attention to the stranger. +</p> + +<p> +"He keeps insensible a very long time," he said to young Jack; "it +begins to look serious." +</p> + +<p> +"Move the scat," said young Jack, "and let us lay him flat down upon +his back at the bottom of the boat. I have always heard that that is +the proper thing to do." +</p> + +<p> +No sooner said than done. +</p> + +<p> +Presently they were rewarded for their pains by detecting a faint +breathing. +</p> + +<p> +"How white his neck is," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"And how small and delicate his hands," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"One would almost take him for a woman." +</p> + +<p> +"He'd pass very well for one if he wore petticoats." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm almost inclined as it is to think that—" +</p> + +<p> +"Ha! He's coming round." +</p> + +<p> +The youth opened his eyes and stared about him. +</p> + +<p> +He looked half scared at first one and then the other. +</p> + +<p> +"You are better now," said young Jack, taking his hand. +</p> + +<p> +He stared. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had spoken in English in his anxiety. +</p> + +<p> +He put the same sentiment into the best Greek he could muster. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes," replied the stranger, "better, better," and then he +appeared to grow more and more confused; "but what is this? Have I been +ill?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Not very; it is all well now. Don't you remember—" +</p> + +<p> +The rocking of the boat furnished the missing link in the chain of +memory, and the rescued boy showed, by a ray of intelligence in his +bright face, that it had all come back to him. +</p> + +<p> +A smile of grateful acknowledgment of their services shot over his +countenance. +</p> + +<p> +Then suddenly his expression changed. +</p> + +<p> +"Where are we going?" he demanded, with the most extraordinary +eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +"Ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no, no, no!" he exclaimed; "not ashore here." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"You must not go ashore here," said the youth, eagerly, "not for +worlds." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack was questioning the stranger while Harry Girdwood shot the boat +into a favourable creek. +</p> + +<p> +Harry jumped out. +</p> + +<p> +"Come along," he said cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Safe on shore." +</p> + +<p> +"And precious glad of it," added young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The stranger looked upon him in anxious expectation, and finding they +were alone, he turned eagerly to his young preservers. +</p> + +<p> +"Put off again," he said; "put out to sea, I tell you." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"You have disarmed me; you have saved my life and shown me tenderness +and care—aye, brotherly love. Oh," he added earnestly, "pray go now; +at once, while you are free." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," quoth young Jack, with a long whistle, "this is a rum go." +</p> + +<p> +Before another word could be spoken, there was heard a whistle, which +sounded like the echo of young Jack's note; an answer came from another +direction, and half-a-dozen men sprang forward from no one could see +where, and pounced upon our two bold boys, Jack and Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, Theodora!" cried a familiar voice in English, "you play the +part of decoy to perfection. We have got them at last." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack started. +</p> + +<p> +He turned pale and haggard, looking in a moment to Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know that voice?" +</p> + +<p> +"I do," replied Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"We are sold, undone. It is the villain Hunston." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +It was but a little while after young Jack and Harry Girdwood had been +entrapped, when a strange scene took place. +</p> + +<p> +Evening was coming on. +</p> + +<p> +Brigand sentinels had been posted at each path by which their haunt +could be approached, and one was perched high above on a flat rock, +which overlooked everything, without having seen himself except by the +very sharpest of eyes. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, after visiting the outposts and seeing that everything was +safe for the night, climbed up to this spot, and seated himself on a +large stone. +</p> + +<p> +He felt feverish, and at that elevation he might feel something of the +breeze, a thing unknown down below at the bivouac, which was closely +surrounded by thick bushes. +</p> + +<p> +Strange dreads and doubts filled Hunston's mind, dread of the future, +dread of a lingering illness through his arm, which daily grew worse, +dread of death, which he felt convinced must be the end, and doubts +whether eventually his enemy Harkaway would not triumph. +</p> + +<p> +For Hunston's hatred of Harkaway knew no abatement; living or dying, +the same fierce, unquenchable thirst after vengeance would fill his +soul. +</p> + +<p> +But what troubled him most now was his health. +</p> + +<p> +The shoulder to which the mechanical arm was attached was so painful, +it could scarcely bear the pressure of the clothing he wore; the blood +in his veins, after flowing through that part of the system, seemed to +return to his heart heated almost to boiling point, but that heat did +not stimulate him to exertion. +</p> + +<p> +On the contrary, he felt languid and scarcely able to do the duties +that devolved upon him as Toro's lieutenant. +</p> + +<p> +Nor was his brain so clear as in former days. +</p> + +<p> +Ideas he had in plenty, but they seemed to jostle and confuse each +other in their endeavours to settle down into a connected train of +thought. +</p> + +<p> +Emmerson's vengeance was working. +</p> + +<p> +As he sat there, the sentinel remained motionless, leaning on his +carbine and peering over the edge of the precipice. +</p> + +<p> +Presently Diana, the widow of Mathias, came up the rock, and Hunston +rose to greet her. +</p> + +<p> +"Your husband is to a certain extent avenged," said he. +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway's boy is in our power," +</p> + +<p> +"That is something, at all events. That girl Theodora, the niece of +Tomaso, has done her work well. Vengeance has commenced." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, but—" +</p> + +<p> +"But what?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is a hitch in the proceedings. The girl is softhearted, and +begged hard for their lives." +</p> + +<p> +"She is a fool! By Heaven, I am half inclined to do the deed myself +with this dagger." +</p> + +<p> +"In which case Toro would probably do for you." +</p> + +<p> +"What, is he turned craven?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; but he is sweet on Theodora, and for her sake is inclined to spare +them." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston knew well enough that all this was false, as, unless certain +conditions were promptly complied with, Toro would certainly kill both +of them without the slightest hesitation or compunction. +</p> + +<p> +But he did not tell Diana. +</p> + +<p> +"But," he continued, "what is your idea of vengeance?" +</p> + +<p> +"I would wring other hearts as mine has been wrung. I would cause +blinding tears to dim the brightness of other eyes besides mine. I +would cause the stern judge Death to pass a decree of divorce upon +others besides myself and Mathias. When Harkaway is a widower, or his +wife a widow, then I shall consider my vengeance partly accomplished." +</p> + +<p> +"Humph! for a woman you are tolerably moderate. I shall not be +satisfied till the Harkaways and the Harveys are destroyed root and +branch-till the other accursed detective, Nabley, his American friend +Jefferson, the negroes, the wooden-legged ass Mole, till every one of +the party is swept away out of my path. Harkaway taught me to hate, and +I swear by all the eternal powers of earth, heaven, and hell, he shall +see how I have profited by the lesson." +</p> + +<p> +Diana was silent for a few moments; then, with something like a sneer, +said— +</p> + +<p> +"You are a brave man—in words, Signor Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"My acts speak for themselves." +</p> + +<p> +"And little have they said for some time past. But listen; I have sworn +a deep and deadly revenge." +</p> + +<p> +"Well." +</p> + +<p> +"This evening I depart." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"When I return again, you may expect to hear that Harkaway is dead or +his wife." +</p> + +<p> +The excited woman glided away, and Hunston, after smoking a cigarette, +followed her. +</p> + +<p> +"Good?" chuckled Hunston to himself, "I could not have a better ally +than that woman; for she can go where I dare not show myself, and will +find opportunities for carrying out her plans unsuspected. Beware, +Harkaway! for though I have waited years for revenge, it is now within +my grasp." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap20"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE HARKAWAYS LEARN ALL—MR. MOLE EXPLAINS AND GETS INTO<br /> +TROUBLE IN CONSEQUENCE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Words cannot describe the trouble of the Harkaway family at the loss of +young Jack and his stout-hearted comrade, Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +At first their indignation had been so great, that their first impulse +was to use violent means to effect the recovery of the boys. +</p> + +<p> +But the first person to oppose this was Jack Harkaway himself. +</p> + +<p> +"If we were to attack them in force," he said, "it would be imprudent +upon every hand. In the first place they would have the advantage of +us, of course, in a mountain skirmish." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know that they would get the best of it," said Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I," said Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"We can do nothing at present as far as I can see," said Harkaway. +"Only wait." +</p> + +<p> +"To what end?" +</p> + +<p> +"Their object must be plunder—money—ransom." +</p> + +<p> +"Supposing that they demand a sum?" +</p> + +<p> +"I shall pay it as soon as ever I can rake it up. If it is more than I +possess in the world," said Jack Harkaway, seriously, "then I shall +borrow of my friends to make it up." +</p> + +<p> +The poor fellow turned away to hide his emotion. +</p> + +<p> +"What guarantee have you that they would give up the boys for the +ransom?" +</p> + +<p> +"None. But I should not send the money first. They would have to send +the boys here first." +</p> + +<p> +"They might doubt you." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, yes. But Hunston and Toro are with them, and they know that Jack +Harkaway's word is his bond, no matter with whom he is dealing, let +them be the veriest scum on the face of the earth." +</p> + +<p> +"Which they are." +</p> + +<p> +"Which they are, as you say." +</p> + +<p> +"Very good," said Jefferson. "Now I don't want to play the part of the +wet blanket, and to dash your hopes to the ground before they are half +formed, but I wish to guard against running away upon a false track." +</p> + +<p> +"In what way?" +</p> + +<p> +"All your hopes of ransoming the boys rest now upon the fact of Hunston +and Toro being with the brigands." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," added Jefferson, "how do you know that Hunston and Toro are +really in the band? You only suppose that." +</p> + +<p> +"I can answer positively for that," said a voice at the door. +</p> + +<p> +They turned. +</p> + +<p> +There stood Nabley, the detective. +</p> + +<p> +"Nabley!" +</p> + +<p> +"Nabley here!" +</p> + +<p> +"Himself," said the indefatigable officer, coming forward. "Hunston is +with the brigands, very much with them, in fact." +</p> + +<p> +"That we know," said Harkaway, who then related the death of Pike, and +the supposed abduction of young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I have been very ill," said Nabley. "I fainted in the street, and, in +falling, severely injured my head. But do you know how that Hunston +finds out all about you and your doings?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, it is through one of your own household." +</p> + +<p> +"Explain," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" asked Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't talk much; Mr. Mole will tell you perhaps better. Here, Mr. +Mole." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole stepped forward, looking just a little sheepish. +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole!" +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole!" exclaimed a dozen voices in chorus. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, my friends," said the old gentleman, stepping forward with his +well-known modesty, "it is even so; your much-wronged Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Tell us how it occurred," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"I was down in the dancing garden, seated in a species of small summer +house, taking a glass of—I mean a cup of tea—ahem!—when I fell +asleep—I dozed, in fact." +</p> + +<p> +"You would," said Harvey. "I've often noticed that you doze after a +glass of—I mean a cup of tea." +</p> + +<p> +Mole glared at the speaker. +</p> + +<p> +"The heat of the day quite overcame me." +</p> + +<p> +"It would," said Dick, in the same compassionate manner. +</p> + +<p> +"When I woke up, I heard two persons conversing close by the green +arbour where I sat." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Two familiar voices." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha!" exclaimed Harkaway, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"Now guess," said Mole, "who the two familiar voices belonged to?" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't." +</p> + +<p> +"Out with it." +</p> + +<p> +"One of the voices," said Mr. Mole, "was Hunston's, the other was—" +</p> + +<p> +"Toro's?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"No! Whose then?" +</p> + +<p> +"Marietta's." +</p> + +<p> +"Marietta—what, the maid here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"Was it, egad? I thought so, but I am not easily mistaken." +</p> + +<p> +"Unless you dreamt." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" exclaimed Mr. Mole, with ineffable contempt; "fiddlesticks!" +</p> + +<p> +"But did you suppose she was in league with Hunston?" demanded Emily +with great eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"What then?" +</p> + +<p> +"He was bamboozling her, twisting her round his finger, as one might +say. He had got up a casual chat, persuading her that he was a private +friend of yours, so he pumped and pumped her about the boys, where they +went, and so forth." +</p> + +<p> +"And did she say any thing that could serve him in his vile purpose?" +asked Mrs. Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Plenty to help them, the miscreants, I suppose." +</p> + +<p> +"The girl must be a downright idiot to get into conversation with a +strange man after all that has taken place, and after all the danger +which she knows they ran." +</p> + +<p> +"Not far short of it," said Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"He spoke particularly about the boys not venturing out to the +mountains, that they were permitted only to sail about in their boat, +and—" +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway broke in here with an exclamation that startled them all. +</p> + +<p> +"That explains all," he said. "All, all, I see it now." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you? Explain." +</p> + +<p> +"They have put out to sea and taken the boys, perhaps by stealth, +perhaps by violence." +</p> + +<p> +"Likely enough." +</p> + +<p> +"Poor boys, poor boys!" +</p> + +<p> +"And where did all this take place?" demanded Jefferson; "in one of the +public promenades, did you say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Jefferson," replied old Mole saucily, "you want your nose filed. I +said in the dancing garden." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, de dancing garden, was it, Massa Ikey?" said a voice in his ear, +which caused him to palpitate nervously. +</p> + +<p> +It was Mrs. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +When he had spoken of the dancing garden, he had not noticed his better +half's presence. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, my dear," he said timidly, trying to look dignified the while +before the company. +</p> + +<p> +"And what was you—doing in such a place as a dancing garding, Mister +Mole, sar?" demanded his dusky rib, in a voice which sounded dangerous. +</p> + +<p> +"I went, my dear, to study character," said Mr. Mole timidly.... +</p> + +<p> +"What?" thundered Mrs. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +He trembled, and faltered something almost inaudibly. +</p> + +<p> +"Studyin' character," said the lady with great contempt; "losing your +character, you silly old pump—" +</p> + +<p> +"My dear," remonstrated the old gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't 'my dear' me," said Mrs. Mole; "you're gwine off your silly old +cokernut, you bald-headed old coon." +</p> + +<p> +"Mrs. Mole!" +</p> + +<p> +"You go to dat dancin' garding for to see dem gals jump about and dance +and make fools ob demselves, ignorant critters." +</p> + +<p> +"No such thing, I tell you," said Mole, indignantly. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, yes, it is," said his better half, "and you's a bushel more +indelicate dan dey is, you silly old possum." +</p> + +<p> +This started the company off generally in a noisy fit of laughter, +before which poor Mole was forced to beat a retreat, followed by his +irate partner. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor Mole," said Jefferson, laughing heartily, "it is an unlucky +admission for him. Chloe will give it to him sorely for this, I'm +afraid." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +They went deeply into the question of ransoming the boys, for they were +convinced that they had really fallen into the hands of the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +But do what they would, say what they would, they could only come back +to one result. +</p> + +<p> +They must wait. +</p> + +<p> +Patience was difficult under the circumstances, but there was no help +for it. +</p> + +<p> +"Wait till to-morrow," said Jefferson; "it is a hard job, I know, but I +feel certain that if the boys are with the brigands, to-morrow morning +will bring a message from them." +</p> + +<p> +"But can nothing be done meanwhile?" said Emily. +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing." +</p> + +<p> +"Stay; you may get some papers printed and circulated everywhere, +offering a heavy reward for the recovery of the boys." +</p> + +<p> +"To what end?" +</p> + +<p> +"It can do no harm, and may do good. At any rate, it will show the +brigands that we are ready to pay the piper for our boys' sake." +</p> + +<p> +"That's true," said Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's do it," said Harkaway, who was pacing up and down impatiently; +"at any rate, any thing is better than remaining inactive." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap21"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +A HOUSE OF MOURNING—THE LETTER FROM THE ENEMY—A STRANGE<br /> +CORRESPONDENCE—THE INCIDENT AT THE OPEN WINDOW—HUNSTON'S<br /> +REVENGE—DESPAIR.<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +It was as Jefferson had predicted. +</p> + +<p> +The notices were printed and circulated everywhere by well-chosen and +energetic agents. +</p> + +<p> +Early next morning, a letter was found fastened to the garden gate. +</p> + +<p> +It was brought to Harkaway, who was already up and busy. +</p> + +<p> +He tore it eagerly open, and found the following written in a disguised +handwriting and in English— +</p> + +<p> +"TO Mr. JOHN HARKAWAY: +</p> + +<p> +"If you would save the lives of your son and your <i>protégé</i>, his +companion, the only way to do it is to bring the sum of five hundred +pounds sterling to the stone cross by the old well at two o'clock this +afternoon. Those who have the two boys in their keeping will be on the +watch. Come along, as you value your happiness and their safety." +</p> + +<p> +"Not very likely," said Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Instead of complying with this very shallow request, he wrote an answer +in these terms: +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +"TO HUNSTON AND HIS FELLOW-VILLAINS: +</p> + +<p> +"Send the lads back here. Within half-an-hour of their return, the +money shall be sent to where you will and when you will. This I +promise, and swear upon my honour. None knows better than yourself that +this may be implicitly relied upon. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + "HARKAWAY."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +This letter he sent by a trusty messenger to the spot appointed for the +meeting place, and they waited impatiently for the further result. +</p> + +<p> +It was not long coming. +</p> + +<p> +Before two o'clock, Marietta discovered another letter tied to the +garden gate, but how it came there they were unable to decide. +</p> + +<p> +Be that as it may, it was soon discovered to be of the highest +importance to them in the present state of affairs. +</p> + +<p> +It was brief and startling, and ran as follows— +</p> + +<p> +"We do not bandy words with you. We offer our conditions. You refuse. +Well and good. The consequences be upon your own head. If the money be +not paid by four to-day, at six the boys will lose an ear each." +</p> + +<p> +"The villains!" cried poor Harkaway. "Oh, villains!" +</p> + +<p> +But he was powerless to help them. +</p> + +<p> +He knew well enough that, do what he would, he could not hope to get +the boys back without paying, and paying through the nose too. +</p> + +<p> +Nor indeed did he desire to try to achieve this. +</p> + +<p> +The only question was, would they deliver up their prisoners, once they +had received the five hundred pounds? +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps not. +</p> + +<p> +If not, they would be in as much peril as they were already. +</p> + +<p> +Nay, more. +</p> + +<p> +He guessed shrewdly enough that once they had received such a handsome +sum as five hundred pounds, they would think that they had drained him +dry, or as nearly so as it was possible to arrive at, and so might make +short work of young Jack and Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +What was to be done? +</p> + +<p> +He could not say. +</p> + +<p> +He would gladly have risked all that he possessed in the world for the +chance of having his boys back. +</p> + +<p> +Aye, his boys, for Harry Girdwood was second only in Harkaway's +affection to young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +But he did not wish to reward the miscreants for ill-treating the +unfortunate lads. +</p> + +<p> +At length he came to the conclusion that he would persist in his +resolve to have the boys back before he parted with any money at all. +</p> + +<p> +Accordingly he wrote another note to the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +This he dispatched by the same means as the former note. +</p> + +<p> +"Release the two lads. Restore them to us, and the ransom of a king +shall be yours. Fix upon any sum, however great, provided that it be +within my means to pay it, and you shall not ask twice. Moreover, I +shall do nothing more to molest you or interfere with you in any way. +Play false, or harm a hair of my boys' heads, and beware. You may know +that Jack Harkaway is not the man to make an enemy of." +</p> + +<p> +The answer to this was not long in coming. +</p> + +<p> +An ugly scrawl upon a dirty piece of paper, and with it was a small +parcel. +</p> + +<p> +"We despise your threats, and laugh you to scorn. That you may know how +little we are to be trifled with, we send you their ears in proof that +we have kept our word. By this hour to-morrow the two boys die, unless +you pay down the sum as fixed upon by us, both in manner and in +amount." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Harkaway turned faint and sick. +</p> + +<p> +He dared nor open the parcel which accompanied the letter. +</p> + +<p> +He sent for Jefferson and Harvey, and unable to trust himself to speak, +he placed the letter in the latter's hands. +</p> + +<p> +"Read, read," he said, with a horror-stricken look. +</p> + +<p> +Harvey glanced down the letter, and his countenance fell as he passed +it on to Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"What is to be done?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know," replied Jefferson; "I am at a loss. This is too +horrible." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you say, Dick?" +</p> + +<p> +Harvey hung his head. +</p> + +<p> +"Speak, Dick. Tell me, old, friend, what I ought to do," said Harkaway, +imploringly. "I am bewildered—dazed—at my wits' end. What ought I to +do?" +</p> + +<p> +"Pay the money." +</p> + +<p> +Accordingly the money, all in gold, was placed in a bag in the spot +which they had indicated in the first note addressed by the brigands to +Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +This done, they awaited the result. +</p> + +<p> +It soon came. +</p> + +<p> +Too soon for the latter's peace of mind. +</p> + +<p> +As the family and their friends were seated in moody silence and in +sorrow around the dinner-table, so strong was the sense of oppression +upon everyone that they only conversed in whispers. +</p> + +<p> +"The heat is really overpowering," said Mrs. Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Shall I open the window?" +</p> + +<p> +"If you please." +</p> + +<p> +He hastened to comply with her request, when at that very instant +something shot past him into the room. +</p> + +<p> +It fell with a clatter upon the table, and cannoned off a dish on to +Jack Harkaway, striking him a rather sharp blow in the chest. +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +"A stone." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, a stone with a paper wrapped round it." +</p> + +<p> +"So it is." +</p> + +<p> +"A letter, I should think," suggested Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"If so," said Harkaway, smiling sadly, "it is evidently meant for me." +</p> + +<p> +"You have a striking proof of that," said Dick. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway undid the paper and scanned it through. +</p> + +<p> +His countenance fell as he read on. +</p> + +<p> +His pale face grew pallid, and rising from his seat, he ran, or rather +staggered, to the window. +</p> + +<p> +"Gone!" +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter?" demanded Dick, jumping up. +</p> + +<p> +"See after the man who threw this letter in," exclaimed Harkaway. "Come +with me—come, come immediately!" +</p> + +<p> +And with this somewhat wild exhortation, he tottered out of the room, +followed by Dick. +</p> + +<p> +Everybody arose from the table in confusion. +</p> + +<p> +Dismay, alarm, was depicted in every face. +</p> + +<p> +"What can it be?" ejaculated Mrs. Harkaway. "Oh, Mr. Jefferson, go and +see, and bring me the news." +</p> + +<p> +"I will. Calm yourself, my dear Mrs. Harkaway; it is very likely to be +good news which thus agitates poor Jack." +</p> + +<p> +Away he went. +</p> + +<p> +"I fear it is the reverse," said Emily, shaking her head. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson overtook Harkaway and Dick Harvey in the gardens, where an +active search was going forward after the man, or individual of either +sex, who could have thrown the stone with its strange letter. +</p> + +<p> +"Let me see the letter, Jack." +</p> + +<p> +The latter placed it in his hand, and then, to Jefferson's horror and +dismay, he found it contained the following words— +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +"TO HATED HARKAWAY. +</p> + +<p> +"I have had years and years of patience, and my turn has come at last. +As your eyes glance at these lines, your boy is vainly supplicating for +mercy. Before you reach the signature at foot, your accursed brat will +be dead—mark that—dead! No power on earth can save him. Had you sent +the money demanded as his ransom more promptly, you could have saved +him. May the knowledge of this wring your heart as you have wrung mine +in bygone years. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + "HUNSTON."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap22a"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +A HOUSE OF MOURNING—HARVEY'S RESOLVE—A TIME OF +TROUBLE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Horrible!" cried Jefferson; "horrible!" +</p> + +<p> +Dismay and terror were on every face. +</p> + +<p> +The dreadful news paralysed their movements, and rendered them +momentarily helpless. +</p> + +<p> +Dick Harvey was the first to break the silence. +</p> + +<p> +He sprang to his feet, and made for the grounds, motioning the others +to follow him. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us try and catch the postman," he exclaimed; "if we get hold of +him, we may learn something worth knowing." +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo!" responded Jefferson; "a capital idea." +</p> + +<p> +They were flying all over the grounds immediately. +</p> + +<p> +But the result may be guessed in advance. +</p> + +<p> +Not a sign was there of the bearer of this alarming letter. +</p> + +<p> +They gave up the search only when there was not the faintest vestige of +a hope left, and crestfallen and disappointed, they returned to the +house. +</p> + +<p> +"Come," said Dick to the bold American; "we must move; we must be +stirring." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"For several reasons," replied Dick, "but firstly for the purpose of +giving Jack something to do. It will never do to let a man in his +condition brood." +</p> + +<p> +They sought poor Harkaway again, and led him off to hold a +consultation. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," said Harvey, brusquely, "you must not give way to despondency. +I say positively, must not. You will certainly undermine your health." +</p> + +<p> +"Do not fear for me, Dick," returned Harkaway, "I shall be better for a +little quiet." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed you'll not. Besides, it is not just to the boys." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's lips quivered, and a big lump rose in his throat. +</p> + +<p> +He swallowed it with considerable difficulty, and silently wrung Dick's +hand. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, don't, old friend," he faltered, in a broken-hearted voice. "I +can't bear the mention of their names. Poor boys! poor boys!" +</p> + +<p> +"But you must," insisted Harvey. "I don't mean to leave them in the +lurch." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"What I say. We must not give up the search." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, Dick, you would persuade me, if you can't persuade yourself." +</p> + +<p> +"You are wrong," replied Harvey. "I have the deepest conviction on the +point." +</p> + +<p> +"To what effect?" +</p> + +<p> +"That they live—both live." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Harkaway looked positively frightened at this reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Dick, Dick," he exclaimed, mournfully, "what are you saying, old +friend?" +</p> + +<p> +"What I mean. They yet live," returned Harvey boldly. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no." +</p> + +<p> +"But I say, yes, yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I should rather say that they were murdered long before we received +their last message." +</p> + +<p> +"Come, come, Jack," he said; "rouse yourself, man. Whatever can make +you believe this to be true?" +</p> + +<p> +"The letter." +</p> + +<p> +Dick laughed at this. +</p> + +<p> +"That is the very first thing to raise my doubts," replied Dick. "Why, +we have known Hunston all his life, and never found him any thing but +the most notorious liar." +</p> + +<p> +"True; but—" +</p> + +<p> +"He told lies as a boy—lies as a youth—lies as a man. His life has +been one long lie, and yet you choose to make yourself wretched and all +of us too upon the strength of such a vagabond's word. Bah!" +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway hung his head and sighed. +</p> + +<p> +"That is not all, Dick," he said; "I have the direst presentiment upon +me—" +</p> + +<p> +"Presentiment!" ejaculated Dick, interrupting him. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Jack, I will not quarrel with you about presentiments, since I +am urged on to what I am about to say and do by presentiments—only my +presentiments are of the most hopeful description." +</p> + +<p> +"Dick," said Harkaway, looking him straight in the face, "you are +trying to deceive me." +</p> + +<p> +"I swear I am not," retorted Harvey, with warmth. "And you shall soon +see whether or not I am in earnest." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean that I am going to fetch the boys." +</p> + +<p> +"What wildness are you talking, Dick? What is this?" +</p> + +<p> +"Simply that to-morrow at daybreak I shall start off on the search." +</p> + +<p> +"Whither?" +</p> + +<p> +"To the mountains." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway looked frightened at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Not to trust yourself in the brigands' clutches?" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean to beard the tigers in their lair," echoed Dick firmly; "not a +word, Jack," he added, as he saw Harkaway about to interrupt him, "not +a word; the worthy Richard Harvey will not go, but his spirit in +another skin will go." +</p> + +<p> +"You are never going to trust yourself in a disguise." +</p> + +<p> +"I am." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Dick, old friend, were you that unhappy man Protean Bob himself, +Hunston would penetrate your disguise; the eye of hate—" +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense. If I were Protean Bob, Hunston would be too glad not to +recognise me." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Jack, you must listen to me, and not give advice. My +determination is taken; nothing can shake it. Hilda and the family +generally must suppose that I have gone to the port to arrange about +our departure, since they all appear to be so thoroughly bent upon +leaving here." +</p> + +<p> +"But they will never believe a word about it." +</p> + +<p> +"That I can not help, but at all events I leave here to-morrow, at +daybreak, and may the shade of one of their victims aid me to throw +dust in the eyes of Hunston and the Italian villain Toro." +</p> + +<p> +"Amen," said Harkaway, seriously. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Surely enough, at daybreak, someone set forth from the villa, but +although we who are behind the scenes can give a shrewd guess at who it +was, the early wanderer looked about as unlike Dick as you could well +imagine. +</p> + +<p> +Was it indeed Dick? +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap22b"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE SILK DRESS—MURDER! +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The morning after the interview between Hunston and the widow of +Mathias, that woman was missing from the camp. +</p> + +<p> +No one doubted that she had gone on her errand of vengeance, for +Hunston had told Toro and one or two others of her threats against the +Harkaways; but the question was how and when she did so? +</p> + +<p> +No one knew. +</p> + +<p> +The sentinels who all night long had guarded each known path leading to +or from the bivouac were questioned, but neither of them had seen her +depart. +</p> + +<p> +Toro was rather annoyed at this; not that he had any great objection to +her slaughtering the whole of the Harkaway family, although he +certainly would prefer to perform that task himself. But he could not +help thinking that a secret path might admit foes, as well as permit +the exit of friends. +</p> + +<p> +However, we must leave Toro to his reflections, and follow the +brigand's widow. +</p> + +<p> +It was between one and two in the morning when she quitted the bivouac +without being observed, and walked slowly towards the town where the +Harkaways were located. +</p> + +<p> +There was no occasion for hurry. +</p> + +<p> +At that hour of the morning she could not hope to gain admittance to +the house where her foes were located. +</p> + +<p> +A day must pass, and evening come again, before any thing could be +done. +</p> + +<p> +Diana's brain was in a whirl. +</p> + +<p> +Deep-seated, poignant grief for the loss of one whom she had loved with +all the passion her impetuous nature was capable of, made the thought +and hope of revenge grow stronger and stronger. +</p> + +<p> +Vengeance! aye, and a terrible one was what her soul craved. +</p> + +<p> +Let once the deadly blow be stricken, and what matter then even if she +fell into the hands of the authorities? What matter even if her life +was pronounced a forfeit to the law? for life now had little charm for +her. +</p> + +<p> +As the sun rose, she sat down a little way out of the road and tried to +form some connected plan for carrying out her purpose. +</p> + +<p> +But no! her brain was too confused for deep thought, and after a brief +interval she resolved to act upon no plan whatever, but simply do as +the course of events might dictate. +</p> + +<p> +At about the hour when she thought the inhabitants of the town would +begin to stir, Diana walked into the place. +</p> + +<p> +She knew the residence of the Harkaways well, but scarcely glanced at +it as she passed and proceeded to a little house not far from it, +where, according to an inscription over the door, one might obtain +food, drink and lodging. +</p> + +<p> +Entering this place, Diana made a slender meal, and then, telling the +ancient dame who kept the house that she was fatigued, demanded to be +shown where she could repose for an hour or two. +</p> + +<p> +The old woman ushered her into a small, meanly-furnished apartment at +the front of the house. +</p> + +<p> +"Do not disturb me. I will rest till noon if not later," said Diana. +</p> + +<p> +"You shall not be interrupted," was the response, and Diana was left +alone. +</p> + +<p> +She tried to sleep, so that she might be stronger and cooler for the +business she had in hand; but the excitement under which she laboured +effectually chased away drowsiness. +</p> + +<p> +A little after noon the woman of the house looked in, and finding her +lodger awake, entered into conversation, commencing by suggesting some +refreshment. +</p> + +<p> +Diana shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, my food is very plain and humble," said the old woman. "I can't +give you such dainties as the people over yonder eat." +</p> + +<p> +She jerked her thumb in the direction of the Harkaway residence. +</p> + +<p> +"What people are they?" asked Diana, with an assumed indifference she +was far from feeling. +</p> + +<p> +"Some English." +</p> + +<p> +"Do they, then, eat and drink the best?" +</p> + +<p> +"The very best; oh, they are rich." +</p> + +<p> +"What do they want here?" +</p> + +<p> +"They have come to destroy the brigands; is it not droll?" +</p> + +<p> +"Ha! have they succeeded?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; but if they are not careful, the brigands will destroy them. They +are so careless." +</p> + +<p> +Diana was afraid to exhibit too much interest in the doings of the +Harkaways, lest she should arouse suspicion. +</p> + +<p> +So she simply nodded, and listened most anxiously to what the garrulous +old woman would say next. +</p> + +<p> +"So very careless; anyone might get into their house by the side door," +said the ancient dame. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, it is their own fault if they are robbed." +</p> + +<p> +"True. But it would be little credit to the robber; they think the +brigands are afraid to enter the town, so they don't take many +precautions." +</p> + +<p> +Diana treasured up every word of this. +</p> + +<p> +Presently the old woman, finding her guest was not conversationally +inclined, went out again, and Diana was left alone. +</p> + +<p> +The sun set, and darkness began to gather rapidly when she went out, +and after going a little way down the street, returned, and sought the +side door of Harkaway's house. +</p> + +<p> +She turned the handle softly and entered. +</p> + +<p> +There was no one in the kitchen where she found herself, but the +subdued noise of knives and forks in another apartment convinced her +that they were at dinner or some other meal. +</p> + +<p> +Diana, as soon as she had ascertained that fact, glided like a spectre +up the stairs, and noiselessly examined various bedchambers. +</p> + +<p> +At length she decided on hiding herself in one which seemed better +furnished than the others. +</p> + +<p> +"This must be it," she thought. +</p> + +<p> +And she was right. +</p> + +<p> +It was the apartment of Mrs. Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +On the dressing-table was a folded paper. +</p> + +<p> +Diana opened it, and found that it was a milliner's bill against Mrs. +Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"For making a pearl-grey silk dress, etc., etc." +</p> + +<p> +To hide herself was Diana's next move. +</p> + +<p> +Clutching her sharp dagger firmly in her hand, the vengeful woman +concealed herself behind some tapestry and waited. +</p> + +<p> +Nor had she long to wait. +</p> + +<p> +A light foot was heard without. +</p> + +<p> +The door was opened, and a second afterwards, a graceful female form +was seated before the mirror, with its back towards Diana. +</p> + +<p> +And a female voice said— +</p> + +<p> +"This pearl-grey silk suits my complexion far better than I thought it +would. But it fits me badly. These Greek milliners are not to be +compared with those of London or Paris." +</p> + +<p> +Then the wearer of the pearl-grey silk heaved a deep sigh, and Diana +softly moved the curtain aside a little to get a view of the person who +had spoken. +</p> + +<p> +The face was not visible, but from the figure generally, Diana had not +the slightest doubt it was Mrs. Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"I want some new jewellery sadly," continued "pearl-grey silk;" "but +yet, after all, it would be scarcely safe to wear it here, while the +brigands are in the neighbourhood. But they will soon be done for." +</p> + +<p> +The widow glided out from her hiding-place as the wearer of the silk +dress continued— +</p> + +<p> +"We have one villain safe enough, and another, Mathias, was smothered +in a chimney—ha, ha, ha, ha—oh!" +</p> + +<p> +The laugh ended in a deep groan, and never more came the slightest +sound from those lips that a moment before had been so merry. +</p> + +<p> +Diana had struck so hard and surely that no second blow was needed, for +the first pierced a human heart. +</p> + +<p> +"That laugh was an insult to the memory of my dead husband," she said. +"Let none dare scoff at Mathias." +</p> + +<p> +Like a shadow, she glided away, leaving the wearer of the pearl-grey +silk sitting motionless before the mirror. Dead! +</p> + +<p> +The silk dress soaked with her heart's blood. +</p> + +<p> +A few minutes later, some one entered Mrs. Harkaway's apartment, and +then arose the fearful cry— +</p> + +<p> +"Help! murder!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap23"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +YOUNG JACK IN TROUBLE—THE COUNCIL—DOOM OF THE BOYS—A<br /> +SOLDIER'S GRAVE AT DAYBREAK. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Young Jack and Harry Girdwood, who by their friends are supposed to +have been grievously ill-treated, found themselves dragged by rough and +brutal hands to a considerable distance from the shore where they had +unfortunately landed. +</p> + +<p> +The boy whom young Jack had rescued, and who decoyed them to their +ruin, disappeared at once. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," said Harry Girdwood, when recovered from the first shock, "we +are done for." +</p> + +<p> +"No mistake about that," returned young Jack, gloomily. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well, it is no fault of ours; that is some consolation." +</p> + +<p> +"A precious poor consolation, since here we are." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +Here they were interrupted by their captors. +</p> + +<p> +"Move on!" +</p> + +<p> +The voice was Hunston's, and that sufficed for young Jack to show signs +of opposition. +</p> + +<p> +Vain obstacle. +</p> + +<p> +The ruffians were only glad of the slightest pretext for further +brutality. +</p> + +<p> +"We are quite comfortable where we are," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Insolent brat!" said Hunston contemptuously. "You shall be birched +well for that." +</p> + +<p> +The colour mounted to the boy's face in spite of himself. +</p> + +<p> +"You can threaten in safety, fellow," said young Harkaway, turning and +facing their old enemy, "since you have so many backers to protect +you." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston grew livid. +</p> + +<p> +"You wretched spawn of a hated race," he ejaculated between his teeth, +"do you dare speak to me?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is not much daring required," retorted Jack, boldly. +</p> + +<p> +The words were barely uttered when Hunston dealt the boy a buffet which +nearly sent him to the earth; but young Jack was pretty prompt in +returning it. +</p> + +<p> +This was a kind of debt which the Harkaways were not long in +acquitting. +</p> + +<p> +Quick as lightning recovering himself, he turned and leapt upon +Hunston, and taking him unexpectedly, he toppled him over and fell upon +him, clutching him by the throat. +</p> + +<p> +"Now I'll show you what it is to lay your dirty ringers on a Harkaway," +exclaimed the boy, glaring into the other's face. +</p> + +<p> +"Let go, or—" +</p> + +<p> +"My father trounced you before he was my age" cried the boy excitedly, +"and now I'll finish you that you—" +</p> + +<p> +But he was not allowed to complete his threat. +</p> + +<p> +Rough and muscular hands dragged him off. +</p> + +<p> +Else had Hunston fared badly. +</p> + +<p> +It was all momentary, but no sooner had the brigands perceived their +comrade to be in danger than they seized hold of the young prisoner and +dragged him off. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston sprang to his feet, and knife in hand rushed upon the boy, but +the others interfered and placed themselves between the boy and the +man. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, Hunston," said one of the men, "let him alone." +</p> + +<p> +"But he has struck me." +</p> + +<p> +"You provoked it." +</p> + +<p> +"What then? Shall I take a blow from such as he?" +</p> + +<p> +"You were wrong to strike a child—a child too that is unarmed." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston hung his head at this way of putting it. +</p> + +<p> +"No matter; he shall die for this." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps so; but meanwhile, there is possibility of ransom. The +interests of the band can not be allowed to suffer for you." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was silent. +</p> + +<p> +He sheathed his knife, but his silent resolves were not less murderous +for being unuttered. +</p> + +<p> +"Lead the way, Simon," said the brigand who appeared to be chief +spokesman. +</p> + +<p> +Simon stepped onward, and behind him young Jack and Harry were forced +to march. +</p> + +<p> +They were walking into captivity, but they could not help themselves; +and so they wisely obeyed, so as not to give their captors fresh excuse +for further barbarity. +</p> + +<p> +The road which Simon led them was a gloomy and narrow defile that wound +precipitously up among the hills. +</p> + +<p> +Sometimes the rocks overhung the road, so that the sky was barely +visible, and here and there heaven was altogether obscured, for they +had to walk through tunnels in the solid rock—too solid apparently to +have been worked by the hand of man. +</p> + +<p> +On they walked upon the gloomy track, the silence only broken by the +echo of their own footfalls. +</p> + +<p> +Any thing so desolate our boys had never beheld. +</p> + +<p> +A dull settled feeling of loneliness and despair fell upon the two boy +prisoners. +</p> + +<p> +After journeying in this way for about two miles they came unexpectedly +(to them—for of course Simon the guide knew where he was leading the +party) upon a circular opening among the hills, beneath which was what +appeared to be a table land of dark earth or peat. +</p> + +<p> +"A swamp," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"It looks like a bog," said young Jack, "but yet I can see something +moving." +</p> + +<p> +"It is water." +</p> + +<p> +"A lake." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"How black—how dismal it looks." +</p> + +<p> +It did, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +Silent and gloomy, like a table of metal, spread the darkling waters of +this strange lake. +</p> + +<p> +Wild and desolate was it in the extreme. +</p> + +<p> +On every side it was enclosed by towering heights, bare, treeless and +solemn. +</p> + +<p> +Both boys were plainly impressed with the dull solemnity of the scene. +</p> + +<p> +"What does that look like?" said young Jack, in a low voice to his +companion. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know—Lerna, the famous marsh, near Argos." +</p> + +<p> +"No; it was there that Hercules killed the Hydra, wasn't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I should like to think that it was like that," he said, glancing +around at the brigands about them. +</p> + +<p> +"And that you or we might emulate the example of Hercules." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, yes." +</p> + +<p> +"But our enemies are more than hydra-headed." +</p> + +<p> +The other glanced eagerly about him before he spoke. +</p> + +<p> +"It is a question; I should almost sooner run a good deal of risk than +be marched quietly off." +</p> + +<p> +Now at this present juncture there was a signal from the topmost hills, +and upon a trumpet note being blown in answer by one of the brigands, +dark, dusky forms appeared upon every side. +</p> + +<p> +Men sprang up in the rocky hills all round the dark waters of the lake, +as promptly as the kilted savages responded to the summons of their +chieftain, Rob Roy Macgregor Campbell. +</p> + +<p> +Whatever wild fancies the two boy prisoners might have had in their +minds, this startling phenomenon effectually drove them away. +</p> + +<p> +And fortunate it was, too, for them. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston called a halt. +</p> + +<p> +The men were nothing loth. +</p> + +<p> +The road they had traversed was steep and rugged, and it had perhaps +told less upon the two boy prisoners than upon any of the party. +</p> + +<p> +The brigands sat and refreshed. +</p> + +<p> +They made a hearty meal of cold meat and coarse bread and herbs, and +they drank of their wine from the skins until their swarthy faces +flushed purple; and whilst they feasted and made merry, the captives +were constrained to look on—in envy perhaps—but not to share the +banquet. +</p> + +<p> +Hunger fell upon them. +</p> + +<p> +But the boys guessed that their sufferings would only give pleasure to +their captors, and so they kept their troubles in this particular to +themselves. +</p> + +<p> +"Tighten your belt," said Harry Girdwood; "squeeze your stomach, Jack, +and don't let these wolves see that we are peckish." +</p> + +<p> +"Not me." +</p> + +<p> +Taking the hint, Jack drew in a reef. +</p> + +<p> +The two young comrades were, in reality, not much improved by this +movement; but they thought they were, and imagination goes a great way. +</p> + +<p> +But hunger is an intruder whose importunities there is no denying for +any length of time, and so it fell out that, in spite of their brave +and manful efforts at keeping up each other's pluck and spirit, he +gnawed at their vitals in a way which reduced not only their stamina, +but their spirits. +</p> + +<p> +"This is to be our prison," said Harry Girdwood gloomily; "I feared it +would be." +</p> + +<p> +"It is rather like the Lethe than anything else," said young Jack, +pointing to the silent water below. "If we remain here long, we shall +forget all that has gone before, you may be sure. This is the place to +drive us out of our wits more than any spot we could imagine." +</p> + +<p> +"Rather the Styx than the Lethe," said Harry; "banish all hope who +enter here." +</p> + +<p> +It was indeed a spot to evoke gloomy reflections, and the boys were in +a frame of mind to indulge in such. +</p> + +<p> +This place, they found, was fixed upon as the camp of the brigands, who +had felt it imperative to change their headquarters, since they had +positive proof that their old stronghold was known to their enemies. +</p> + +<p> +Here they were not in danger of surprise, for their men commanded every +outlet, and it must be a rare chance to take them by surprise. +</p> + +<p> +Within a couple of hours of the arrival there of the two boy prisoners +and their captors, the whole of the band sauntered down in twos and +threes, until the vast host that they formed fairly amazed young Jack +and his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us fix a sum on them," said Toro, "so that their parents and +friends may release them if they wish." +</p> + +<p> +This was approved of by one and all of his hearers. +</p> + +<p> +There was only a single dissentient voice. +</p> + +<p> +This was Hunston's. +</p> + +<p> +"If you attempt to temporise," he said, "you will be beaten, for sure." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Beaten by whom?" +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Such is my experience of him," returned Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense; why shouldn't we make sure of the money if we can?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" said Hunston; "if we can, which I doubt." +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway is a most affectionate parent, I know well," said Ymeniz; "I +have heard it from a dozen different sources. Once let him know that +his son and the other boy are in danger, and he will pay any money for +their release." +</p> + +<p> +"Well." said Toro, "let us say five hundred pounds." +</p> + +<p> +"Five hundred?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Not enough." +</p> + +<p> +"How much is five hundred pounds?" demanded Ymeniz. +</p> + +<p> +"Twelve thousand, five hundred francs," replied Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Very good, very good; a fair sum." +</p> + +<p> +"Is it not?" +</p> + +<p> +"How shall we claim it?" +</p> + +<p> +This question was put to the assembled council generally, and answered +eagerly by Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Let me do that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Very good, Hunston; be yours that task." +</p> + +<p> +"But remember our old friend Tomaso is still in the power of these +cursed English." +</p> + +<p> +Toro paused, and from all the band arose the unanimous cry— +</p> + +<p> +"Tomaso must be rescued or be avenged!" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston addressed himself to the business with considerable interest. +</p> + +<p> +It is not necessary for me to go through the correspondence which took +place, nor to dilate upon the ingenious manner in which the letters +were delivered by Hunston or his emissaries. +</p> + +<p> +With his wonted shrewdness, he watched for the result of his last +threatening letter himself, and after making the most careful +observations, he descended to the appointed spot and fetched the letter +containing the money. +</p> + +<p> +The five hundred pounds were there, in five Bank of England notes of +one hundred each. +</p> + +<p> +"Five hundred pounds," he said, his vicious eyes glistening as he +touched the crisp new notes, "five hundred pounds! Heaven, what a sum!" +</p> + +<p> +He looked about him. +</p> + +<p> +He was alone. +</p> + +<p> +Not a soul in sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Why should I share it?" he said; "why should it not all be mine?" +</p> + +<p> +Why indeed? +</p> + +<p> +Because he feared his lawless companions. +</p> + +<p> +Nothing more. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll take up a hundred, one hundred," he muttered, half aloud, "and +this shall serve a double purpose. The four hundred shall remain mine, +and the one hundred theirs, But seeing that they can get nothing out of +Harkaway, they will be the more easily worked upon, and I shall achieve +all I want at one stroke; a noble notion." +</p> + +<p> +Back he went, and then began a comedy which Hunston went through like a +veteran actor, a comedy that was destined to have a tragic finale. +</p> + +<p> +"Toro," said Hunston to the Italian, "to you I may speak as the leader +of these brave fellows; also to you, comrades in general, I may talk +without fear of my motives being in any way misconstrued." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak on." +</p> + +<p> +"Here is the reply of the cold-blooded Englishman Harkaway to my demand +for ransom, and you are all my witness that I did not exact a very +unreasonable sum." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no." +</p> + +<p> +"What says he?" +</p> + +<p> +"He sends this," returned Hunston, holding up a single hundred pound +note: "one hundred pounds—two thousand, five hundred francs—in a +word, one-fifth of the sum we demanded, and with it a letter." +</p> + +<p> +A murmur of indignation followed. +</p> + +<p> +"What does the letter say?" they demanded. +</p> + +<p> +"He defies us; he offers this sum, but says that if the boys are not +released before sunrise, he will come and fetch them." +</p> + +<p> +"Let him come." +</p> + +<p> +"So say I; but what shall be done with the boys meanwhile?" +</p> + +<p> +A momentary silence followed; then came the deep stern words— +</p> + +<p> +"Let them die." +</p> + +<p> +This speaker was Toro. +</p> + +<p> +The Italian's words were eagerly caught up. +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, let them die; but when?" +</p> + +<p> +"When you will," said Hunston; "I care not, so that we are lid of them. +We see clearly that there is no counting upon these Harkaway people for +the ransom set down by us, however reasonable our demands may be." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +"Then, I say, let them die to-day." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible," said one of the brigands, stepping forth. +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because the traitor, Lirico, is to die at daybreak; we can't have two +executions so near to each other. Let them all die together." +</p> + +<p> +"Lirico," said Hunston, "and why has he to die? I haven't heard in what +he has offended." +</p> + +<p> +"A hateful thing," was the reply of his informant; "Lirico has offended +against the foundation rule of the band." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"He has kept to himself the booty he has gained, and our law is that +any member of the band who shall conceal his booty, or any part or +fragment of the same, to the prejudice of his comrades and fellows +shall die the death of a traitor." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was silent. +</p> + +<p> +But had anybody been watching him closely then, they would have noticed +that he changed colour. +</p> + +<p> +It was an unpleasant topic to tackle the English ruffian upon, after +all that had just taken place. +</p> + +<p> +"Why so silent, comrade?" said an old brigand named Boulgaris, staring +Hunston full in the face; "do you not approve?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of what?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of the law." +</p> + +<p> +"I—of course." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course you do," said Boulgaris boldly; "why, you would be the first +to approve. Who could approve more of such a law than you, honest +Hunston?" +</p> + +<p> +"Who, indeed?" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston winced under the cool scrutiny of the Greek. +</p> + +<p> +Did he know aught about what had taken place? +</p> + +<p> +The idea was utterly absurd. +</p> + +<p> +He (Hunston) had taken too much care that he was not observed for any +vulgar pryer like Boulgaris to find a corner from which to spy upon his +movements. +</p> + +<p> +Still it gave him a qualm. +</p> + +<p> +"Quite right," said Hunston, boldly; "quite right and just; any man who +can play false to his fellows deserves to die the death." +</p> + +<p> +"Hear, hear! Let him die." +</p> + +<p> +"And the two boys shall die with him?" asked Boulgaris. +</p> + +<p> +"They shall, at daybreak." +</p> + +<p> +This was put to the assembled throng, and agreed to by all, when +suddenly a single dissentient voice was heard. +</p> + +<p> +"They shall not die." +</p> + +<p> +The brigands looked up, and a boy appeared upon the scene, the boy who +had lured the luckless lads to their present unlucky pitch. +</p> + +<p> +"Theodora." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, Theodora," responded the boy—or rather girl—for a girl it was, +as you have long since discovered, although in male attire. +</p> + +<p> +"And why shall they not die, Theodora?" asked Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Ask rather why they should die?" she said sadly. "What have they done +to merit death?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo, hullo!" ejaculated Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, whatever is the meaning of this change of tone? I thought that +you, like all others, were most eager for revenge." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why? Need I already remind you of the ample cause for vengeance which +we all have?" +</p> + +<p> +"No," returned Theodora, calmly. "But those boys are innocent of +harm." +</p> + +<p> +"Then why did you lure them to their destruction?" +</p> + +<p> +The woman sighed. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, why indeed?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, why?" +</p> + +<p> +"I was wicked, cruel, base, deceptive," she replied; "words cannot +paint my wickedness. But I was punished for my badness by peril such as +I have never yet known; and when really running a danger which I +thought but to affect the better to lure our destined victims to their +doom, I was rescued from the grave by them, by the very boys—brave, +brave boys—whom I sought to destroy. Now," she added, turning bodily +to the assembled brigands, "can you ask me why I have changed my tone?" +</p> + +<p> +A dozen voices were heard at once, and all uttered different +sentiments. +</p> + +<p> +"These prisoners are mine by right," said Theodora, "for I have taken +them, I have brought them here; it is for me to dispose of them." +</p> + +<p> +Some few of the brigands agreed to this; but the majority, overruled by +Toro and Hunston, denied her jurisdiction altogether in the matter. +</p> + +<p> +The girl made a passionate appeal to the assembled brigands. But all in +vain. +</p> + +<p> +They were resolved. +</p> + +<p> +It was put to the vote, and the result was easily foreseen. +</p> + +<p> +Death. +</p> + +<p> +Death by a majority of voices as of ten to one. +</p> + +<p> +"Death at the gibbet," exclaimed Hunston, triumphantly. +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye." +</p> + +<p> +"Nay," cried the girl, with superhuman energy, "these two poor boys +have shown themselves better men than most here present. See how they +bear their fate. Be men, then, and if they must die, let them die like +soldiers." +</p> + +<p> +An animated discussion ensued on this, and finally it was agreed that +the hapless boys should die next morning with the traitor Lirico. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap24"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +QUALMS—THE EVE OF THE END—A SAD VIGIL +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Hunston did not close his eyes throughout the night. +</p> + +<p> +The words of Boulgaris rang in his ear like a knell. +</p> + +<p> +Lirico was to die for concealing a part of the spoil which he had made. +</p> + +<p> +What of the four hundred pounds which he, Hunston, had kept back out of +the sum fixed upon for the ransom of the two boys, and which Harkaway +had deposited in the spot agreed upon? +</p> + +<p> +He knew the desperate men he had cast his lot with far too well to +suppose for a moment that there could be any hope for him did they +chance to discover his secret. Would they? +</p> + +<p> +The bare possibility of it made him shudder. +</p> + +<p> +His hand nervously sought the hidden notes, which were concealed in his +chest, and the faintest rustle of the crisp new paper caused his cheek +to pale. +</p> + +<p> +Once he dozed off, but barely were his eyes closed ere he was troubled +by dreams that caused him to toss about and moan as if in great bodily +pain, and when he awoke, he, dared not try to sleep again, so he arose +and went to look at prisoners. +</p> + +<p> +The two unfortunate boys were awake, and talking to the now +disconsolate author of all their troubles, the disguised girl whom they +had lost themselves in saving. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo, madam," exclaimed Hunston, brutally, "what do you do here, +talking with the condemned brats." +</p> + +<p> +"I am seeking to comfort them," replied the girl; "to prepare them for +the butchers." +</p> + +<p> +"Butchers? Humph!" +</p> + +<p> +"I mean you and those who are persuaded by you." +</p> + +<p> +"No matter; you had better leave them now to themselves." +</p> + +<p> +"At whose command?" demanded the woman, drawing herself up proudly. +</p> + +<p> +"At mine," returned Hunston, who was fast losing his temper. +</p> + +<p> +"What, you dare!" ejaculated the girl, with flashing eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"Dare!" laughed Hunston. "Will you go away and leave the boys alone, or +must I carry you away?" +</p> + +<p> +The girl's colour forsook her cheek, and she drew nearer to Hunston, +and the latter, startled at her expression, drew back. +</p> + +<p> +"These unhappy boys are doomed to die at daybreak," she said, "but if +you stay a moment longer to molest me or annoy them, I will summon the +men and tell them that you would insult me and murder them." +</p> + +<p> +"It is false." +</p> + +<p> +"I know it," replied the woman, fiercely, "but do you suppose I would +hesitate at that? And what would your life be worth?—what, I ask? Why, +they would wait for no explanation; your presence here would be +sufficient; they would tear you asunder. Begone, craven blackheart. +Go." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston muttered something indistinctly, but he bent his head before +the storm of this fierce woman's wrath and slunk away. +</p> + +<p> +She turned to the boys. +</p> + +<p> +"My poor fellows," she said, tenderly, her manner changing as if by +magic, "my unfortunate, brave lads, what can I do for you?" +</p> + +<p> +"You have earned our gratitude," returned Harry Girdwood, "by the +whipping you gave that cur." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed you have," chimed in young Jack, with warmth. +</p> + +<p> +"How like a beaten hound he looked," said the woman. "But how can I +ever hope to be forgiven by you?" +</p> + +<p> +"We have nothing to forgive." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, but you have; you have saved my life and I take yours." +</p> + +<p> +"Not you." +</p> + +<p> +"I am the cause of it indirectly." +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps; but at any rate the innocent cause." +</p> + +<p> +The girl's distress at this was painful to witness. +</p> + +<p> +She had conceived a great affection for the two boys, her youthful +preservers, and she could not tell them how far she was guilty. +</p> + +<p> +She dare not avow that she had started out upon that risky trip to sea +with the intention of simulating the peril which afterwards became too +real, and so decoying the two boys as she had done. +</p> + +<p> +No; she dare not avow this. +</p> + +<p> +She had soon repented of her share in that black business. +</p> + +<p> +Soon—aye, but that soon was all too late. +</p> + +<p> +Too late! +</p> + +<p> +The thought wrung her heart, and she bent her head and wept. +</p> + +<p> +"This is very painful," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"It is, Jack," said his comrade, in a broken voice. "I don't like to +see a boy crying." +</p> + +<p> +They were still ignorant of their friend's real sex. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"What is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you hear?" +</p> + +<p> +"I do; it sounds like some heavy instrument beating the earth close at +hand." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, like digging." +</p> + +<p> +The three started at the word. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner was it uttered than the meaning of it struck them all three, +and sent a chill to their very hearts. +</p> + +<p> +Digging at that fatal hour, so short a time before daybreak, could have +but one significance. +</p> + +<p> +Grave-making; and if the two hapless boys quailed at that awful sound, +can we accuse them of cowardice? +</p> + +<p> +No. +</p> + +<p> +Assuredly not. +</p> + +<p> +Who amongst the bravest could listen to such a sound unmoved? +</p> + +<p> +To have been callous to such a thing would have shown them mere +senseless logs, nothing more. +</p> + +<p> +"You know what that is?" she said, in a faint voice. +</p> + +<p> +"We do," responded Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"And you?" +</p> + +<p> +This was to young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +The reply of both was given in a grave voice, befitting such a solemn +occasion. +</p> + +<p> +Yet their voices never trembled, never faltered. +</p> + +<p> +She understood them well, and her expression showed clearly as words +the admiration she felt for their courage. +</p> + +<p> +"I am glad that you know the worst," she said, in a low but impressive +tone, "for the unpleasant task of telling you is not left for me. Have +you any thing to say before—" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"All that I would say," remarked young Jack, "that since they mean +assassinating us, I hope that they will do their work cleanly, and not +put us to the torture." +</p> + +<p> +"At the worst," added his companion, "we shall not give them the +satisfaction of seeing us beg and pray for mercy." +</p> + +<p> +"It would be useless." +</p> + +<p> +"We know it." +</p> + +<p> +"And so shall not give them the chance of saying that two Englishmen +showed the white feather." +</p> + +<p> +"Bravely spoken," said the girl, "but the night is growing old, and so +listen to what I have to say." +</p> + +<p> +And then she made a communication which considerably startled them. +</p> + +<p> +At first they listened as though in a dream, for they could not believe +in the reality of what she said, but they were not sorry to believe in +its truth. +</p> + +<p> +The nature of this communication will appear later on. +</p> + +<p> +"And now," she said solemnly, "the time is short. I must insist upon +your sleeping. Rest, and I will watch by your side. A friendly voice at +least shall call you for the last dreadful trial of all." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap25"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE TRIPLE EXECUTION—A SOLDIER'S GRAVE—TORO'S LUCK. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Morning dawned. +</p> + +<p> +The eastern sky was only just tinged with the light of the rising sun +when the bugle call summoned the firing party. +</p> + +<p> +The party in question was composed of six men commanded by Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +He had insisted upon having this post, one that none of the brigands +envied him—so that he might gloat over his victims at the last hour. +</p> + +<p> +The two boys were aroused with some difficulty, for strange though it +may appear, they were sleeping soundly when the fatal moment +approached. +</p> + +<p> +"Come," said the girl, in a hollow voice. "Lirico is already on the +ground." +</p> + +<p> +"We mustn't be behindhand then." +</p> + +<p> +"No," added Harry Girdwood; "they must see how Englishmen can face +death." +</p> + +<p> +And then, led by the girl who had, to her sorrow, brought them to this +dire pass, they came to the spot where the tragedy was to take place. +</p> + +<p> +Lirico, the traitor, was already pinioned, and he stood with his eyes +bandaged upon the edge of the grave which was shortly to receive his +lifeless body. +</p> + +<p> +Upon either side of this was a newly-dug trench or grave. +</p> + +<p> +One of these was for young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The other was for his stout-hearted comrade. +</p> + +<p> +They needed no telling what to do now; but each went through his part +in the horrible ceremony as though it had been previously rehearsed. +</p> + +<p> +Not a word was spoken. +</p> + +<p> +The only signs of emotion which the boys exhibited were when they +silently wrung each other's hands before taking their places before +their graves. +</p> + +<p> +The girl passed before each of the unhappy victims and shook them by +the hand one after the other. "Courage," she said, in a low but firm +voice, "courage, brave hearts." +</p> + +<p> +"Bandage their eyes," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"No; let us look upon our fate," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"The old Harkaway brag to the very last," said Hunston, with a sneer. +</p> + +<p> +"You don't like to look a Harkaway in the face, assassin!" retorted the +boy. +</p> + +<p> +"Fool!" exclaimed Hunston, "since you want it, you shall have it. Fire +at the middle first. They can have an opportunity of seeing a real man +die before their eyes. It may give them a relish for their own share to +follow." +</p> + +<p> +The word was given. +</p> + +<p> +"Ready! Present! Fire!" +</p> + +<p> +The six rifles flashed simultaneously. +</p> + +<p> +Then, as the wounded Lirico was struck, he bounded into the air and +fell back into the grave—stone dead! +</p> + +<p> +Hunston stood smiling grimly, even while the very men turned sick at +the butchery they were forced to enact. +</p> + +<p> +He, with fiend-like satisfaction, noticed the sickly pallor of the two +boys' faces, and it gladdened his black heart. +</p> + +<p> +"They aren't quite so happy now," he muttered. "Now it is they suffer. +Oh, if Harkaway were here too. It would make me drunk with joy." +</p> + +<p> +The girl turned to young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Courage," she whispered, "courage; be bold." +</p> + +<p> +And then turning to the firing party, she said— +</p> + +<p> +"Come, do not delay. It is needless to prolong the sufferings which +these poor boys feel already." +</p> + +<p> +"Silence, and begone!" exclaimed Hunston fiercely. "You have no right +to speak to the men." +</p> + +<p> +"I have every right," returned the woman, boldly. "Silence yourself, I +say, and know your place!" +</p> + +<p> +Her voice and manner half-awed Hunston, who fell back a pace or two. +</p> + +<p> +"My poor comrades," she went on, addressing the firing party, "this +work is not to your taste. I'll load for you." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, she set to work to reload the rifles, which were piled now. +</p> + +<p> +And she observed the very greatest care in this task. +</p> + +<p> +"Not a shot must miss," she said to the men of the firing party, +earnestly. "Every bullet must have its billet. We have to murder, but +even then not to torture, these unhappy boys." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston smiled sardonically. +</p> + +<p> +"How very tender-hearted you have become," he said, with a sneer of +contempt. +</p> + +<p> +"Silence!" said the girl, turning fiercely upon him, so that he +actually quailed before her indignant gaze. "Silence, I tell you, +bully—butcher—villain—silence!" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston would have retorted at this, but prudence bade him be silent. +</p> + +<p> +For the girl was a great favourite with all the men, and he feared that +they might take up the cudgels for her in a way which might be +unpleasant for him. +</p> + +<p> +"So, young Harkaway," he said, jeeringly, "you wish to see it all go +before you. It prolongs your pleasure, and so I can't complain. This +one next." +</p> + +<p> +He pointed with his sword to Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +The latter looked deadly pale but resolute. +</p> + +<p> +"Ready! Present! Fire!" +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack turned half round, and saw his brave comrade clap his hand +to his breast, totter and fall. +</p> + +<p> +A cry rose to his lips. +</p> + +<p> +But he stifled it ere Hunston should have this small gratification. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston looked round at young Jack, and he positively bit his lips with +sheer vexation to find that he was unable to make the boy betray the +least sign of fear. +</p> + +<p> +"You keep it up well, boy," said Hunston, "but I know well that you are +ready to sink through the ground with fear, nevertheless." +</p> + +<p> +"Liar!" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston flushed purple. +</p> + +<p> +But he kept down his rage. +</p> + +<p> +"As you are going to die, boy, I may let you off the birching which +your impertinence merits. You have all the old brag of your father." +</p> + +<p> +Jack was silent. +</p> + +<p> +"All his deceit; all his sham and falseness—" +</p> + +<p> +The boy said nothing. +</p> + +<p> +"All his craven-hearted, black-hearted villany." + But young Jack saw through the other's game clearly enough.<br /> +</p> + +<p> +He held his peace. +</p> + +<p> +He knew well enough that the real way to enrage the ruffian was to +appear unmoved at his taunts. +</p> + +<p> +So when Hunston had exhausted his expletives and was about to give the +word to the firing party, young Jack spoke. +</p> + +<p> +"One moment." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston made the men a sign to ground arms. +</p> + +<p> +The boy was about to beg for mercy. +</p> + +<p> +Here, then, there was one chance of wreaking his spite upon the lad. +</p> + +<p> +Now he should be able to feast his ears with the unhappy boy's piteous +appeals, for he well judged that, once he began to plead for pity, all +his fortitude would go. +</p> + +<p> +"Before they fire," said young Jack, pale but resolute, as his comrade +Harry had just shown himself, "one word." +</p> + +<p> +"Go on." +</p> + +<p> +"I can speak as one on the brink of the grave," said the boy, "and so +my words may be prophetic. Before many weeks are over, you shall kneel +and sue for mercy to my father, and it will be denied you. You will +grovel in the dirt, and crawl and cringe in abject misery; but it will +be hopeless, and in the bitterness of your despair you will think of +this moment, and curse the hour you ever molested one of my race, or +anyone in whom we are interested." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Hunston, in a boisterous and forced manner; +"quite a sermon. Preaching is a new quality in the Harkaways. It is +unfortunate that you are to be cut off in your early youth. You would +soon bloom into an odd mixture of Puritan and bully." +</p> + +<p> +But he could not provoke his victim. +</p> + +<p> +Having said all he had to say, young Jack coolly folded his arms and +waited the end of the tragedy, apparently not hearing what Hunston was +saying. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Make ready! Present! Fire!" +</p> + +<p> +As the word was spoken, the volley was fired. +</p> + +<p> +The unhappy boy—the last of the three victims—threw up his arms, and +fell back into the new-made grave yawning to receive him. +</p> + +<p> +Poor young Jack! +</p> + +<p> +The body did not even quiver after it had fallen into the grave. +</p> + +<p> +Apparently death had been instantaneous. +</p> + +<p> +"Fill in the graves and cover up the carrion," said Hunston; "and then +let us get away and make merry." +</p> + +<p> +The girl stepped up and interposed herself. +</p> + +<p> +"Begone and leave the rest to me," +</p> + +<p> +"To you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"It was so agreed," said one of the men. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us pray for them now," said the girl. "Surely, having destroyed +their bodies, you do not wish them any further harm." +</p> + +<p> +She waited for no reply, but falling upon her knees, was soon lost in +holy meditation, her hands clasped fervently, her head bent upon her +breast. +</p> + +<p> +The men doffed their hats reverently and glided noiselessly away. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston feared to shock their superstitious susceptibilities, and so he +followed them in silence. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +For several hours she was left to her meditations. +</p> + +<p> +And when, some hours later in the day, Hunston returned to the spot, +the three graves were filled in. +</p> + +<p> +Over those of the two unhappy lads some pious hands had raised a rough +wooden cross. +</p> + +<p> +"The first to taste our vengeance," muttered Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"May the others soon follow," said a voice at his elbow. +</p> + +<p> +He started. +</p> + +<p> +It was Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"This is the turn of our luck," said the Italian, exultingly. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope so." +</p> + +<p> +"I feel it so. The rest of the hated race will soon follow, if we have +the least good fortune." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap26"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE BRIGAND'S RECRUIT—HUNSTON'S PERIL—DELICATE +GROUND. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Who is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"Below; down that crevasse. Look again." +</p> + +<p> +"I see; it is Ymeniz." +</p> + +<p> +"It is, it is." +</p> + +<p> +The speakers were two of the brigands who were plying their lawless +trade; and passing along a mountain ridge, a short time after the +execution, they suddenly espied the body of a man lying flat upon his +back. +</p> + +<p> +Upon his breast was something white, which they could not quite +distinguish. +</p> + +<p> +The form and features, however, they had no particular difficulty in +recognising. +</p> + +<p> +It was their comrade Ymeniz, they could see well. +</p> + +<p> +"He has fallen down there," said one to the other. +</p> + +<p> +"It looks so." +</p> + +<p> +Now, strange to relate, that although they said this to each other, +they both had misgivings. +</p> + +<p> +The body lay in such a strange attitude. +</p> + +<p> +However, they soon proceeded to solve the problem, and set all doubts +at rest. +</p> + +<p> +Passing down to a lower ridge by a circuitous path well known to them +both, they reached the bottom of the crevasse. +</p> + +<p> +"He is dead—murdered!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"And here, by all the powers of evil!" exclaimed the brigand, "here is +the confession of the murderer." +</p> + +<p> +"A confession!" exclaimed the brigand. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Take it," said the other, lifting the paper from the blood-stained +breast of the slain Ymeniz, "take it and read for yourself." +</p> + +<p> +"Nay, you know I am no scholar; do you read it out to me." +</p> + +<p> +In a sonorous voice the brigand read the following document— +</p> + +<p> +"I, Jack Harkaway, proclaim war to the knife against the murderers of +my boys. The villains Hunston and Toro will tell you all that I never +threatened in vain. One of your number shall die daily until I have +exterminated you root and branch. No amount of precaution upon your +part can avert your doom. You claimed a ransom of five hundred pounds +for my son. I have paid the sum demanded, and you have played me false; +therefore, you die. To the last man you shall perish. You shall learn +to look forward to your fate in fear and trembling; and day by day the +survivors, anticipating their turn, shall learn to curse the hour that +they were led to murder my two innocent boys. Beware!" +</p> + +<p> +The two brigands looked at each other half scared. +</p> + +<p> +"What of that, do you think?" +</p> + +<p> +The other looked nervously around him before replying. +</p> + +<p> +"It is grave." +</p> + +<p> +"Very." +</p> + +<p> +"Poor Ymeniz! he has been stabbed in the back." +</p> + +<p> +"No; here is the death wound below the heart." +</p> + +<p> +"Then he has not been taken by surprise." +</p> + +<p> +"Evidently." +</p> + +<p> +The two men made their way with all despatch to their camp, carrying +the paper with them. +</p> + +<p> +The sensation it caused is indescribable when Boulgaris read it aloud +to the assembled brigands. +</p> + +<p> +"Death to the Englishman Harkaway!" exclaimed one of the brigands, +impetuously. +</p> + +<p> +The cry was caught eagerly up by all—save one. +</p> + +<p> +This one was Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +It was not that he hated Harkaway less intensely than his comrades that +he remained silent. +</p> + +<p> +It was simply that in his fierce denunciation of the brigands, Harkaway +had told about the money. +</p> + +<p> +Lirico was barely cold in his grave for an offence which, beside that +of Hunston's, was a mere paltry pilfering. +</p> + +<p> +The secret was in great danger now. +</p> + +<p> +If they should believe Harkaway, then his (Hunston's) position was +indeed critical. What should he do? What would be better than to cast +doubt and derision upon Harkaway's dark menaces. +</p> + +<p> +"The man is a charlatan, a humbug," he said, curling his lip; "and his +purpose is more than accomplished could he but know it, which he does +not, I am glad to say. He would laugh rarely could he but know what an +alarm you have taken at this message." +</p> + +<p> +But they would not let this pass unchallenged. +</p> + +<p> +"It is no joke, Hunston," said Boulgaris, seriously. +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know?" demanded Hunston, quickly. +</p> + +<p> +"The death of Ymeniz is proof enough. That is no joke." +</p> + +<p> +"True!" +</p> + +<p> +"Moreover, I for one feel sure that this Englishman Harkaway speaks +truly." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"In saying that he gave the ransom." +</p> + +<p> +"In full?" +</p> + +<p> +"In full." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, where, then, do you think it is?" demanded Hunston, with an +assumption of boldness, yet trembling as he waited the reply. +</p> + +<p> +Boulgaris answered with a single word— +</p> + +<p> +"Stolen." +</p> + +<p> +A murmur ran round the assembled throng. +</p> + +<p> +"What!" cried one of the brigands, stepping forward; "is it possible +that we have more thieves and traitors amongst us?" +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" +</p> + +<p> +"Death to all traitors, say I!" +</p> + +<p> +"And I." +</p> + +<p> +"And I." +</p> + +<p> +And so the cry went round from mouth to mouth. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston trembled for his very life. +</p> + +<p> +"Who can have stolen the money?" demanded one of the men, fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +"Who but he who was charged to fetch the money from the old well, the +spot appointed—who but the comrade that fetched the money?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why," exclaimed Toro, turning to Hunston, "then it was—" +</p> + +<p> +He paused. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned heartsick as every eye was directed towards him. +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" exclaimed Hunston, fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +This was a critical moment for the latter. +</p> + +<p> +For awhile his life hung upon a very slender thread. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, to begin with, was no favourite. +</p> + +<p> +But he was a lucky villain. +</p> + +<p> +At the very moment that matters were looking so very unpleasant, their +attention was called off in another direction. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear that? The sentry is giving the alarm." +</p> + +<p> +They were all accustomed to danger, and were on the qui vive ere the +alarm was fairly sounded. +</p> + +<p> +Pistols, knives, and blunderbusses were called into requisition. +</p> + +<p> +And all was ready to give an intruder a warm reception. +</p> + +<p> +Toro climbed up a crag and peered over. +</p> + +<p> +Then turning to the men, he motioned them to silence. +</p> + +<p> +"Hush! He comes this way. Back!" +</p> + +<p> +And then, at a sign from him, every man glided quickly, silently off, +and concealed himself behind a rock, or bush, or wherever a favourable +place was to be discovered. +</p> + +<p> +Then a stumbling noise was heard, and a man crept through a gap and +hobbled on to the scene. +</p> + +<p> +He was a strange, wild-looking fellow, with long fair hair and eyebrows +almost as light as an albino's. +</p> + +<p> +His cheeks were fair, but much sunburnt, and almost destitute of beard. +</p> + +<p> +He progressed with difficulty, and leant heavily upon a staff cut +roughly from a tree, and from its green bark and slovenly-stripped +branches only recently cut, too. +</p> + +<p> +He was apparently a young man, and if he progressed with so much +difficulty, the natural inference was that fatigue and perhaps illness +was the cause of it. +</p> + +<p> +He was dressed in a very tattered outlandish costume. +</p> + +<p> +He carried a long knife stuck in his waistband, but he had no arms +beyond this. +</p> + +<p> +His arms were bare to the elbow, and the left one was bleeding from a +flesh wound that did not look many hours' old. +</p> + +<p> +Evidently he was no milksop, for although the wound was pretty severe, +the only care he had taken was to tie it loosely up with a strip of +white rag. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps he had lost blood and began to feel it, for, as he drew into +the open, he dropped heavily down upon a rocky seat and gave a sigh or +grunt of relief. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not sorry to come to an anchor." +</p> + +<p> +He spoke in English. +</p> + +<p> +But if he thought to rest here in peace, he was destined to be +disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +Barely had he stretched out his legs, when he was startled by a sound +at his side, and glancing up, he found a huge, black-muzzled fellow +towering above him and covering him with a long-barrelled horse pistol. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +Out came his long knife instanter. +</p> + +<p> +"Move or speak, and I pull the trigger," said the brigand. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank you for nothing," said the stranger. +</p> + +<p> +"Who are you?" demanded the brigand. +</p> + +<p> +"Just what I was about to ask you," returned the stranger, lightly. +</p> + +<p> +"Whence come you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Precisely the question I was going to put." +</p> + +<p> +The brigand's colour came and he grew vicious. +</p> + +<p> +"If you are wise, you'll not try to fool me," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"If you have any wit," retorted the new-comer, "you'll not come +pestering me with questions; I'm not in the humour, and when I am put +out, I'm dangerous. Good-morning." +</p> + +<p> +The brigand, finding he could get nothing out of the eccentric +stranger, fell back a pace or two, and the latter thought that he was +to be molested no further. +</p> + +<p> +He was mistaken. +</p> + +<p> +Nor was he long in making this discovery. +</p> + +<p> +The withdrawal of the brigand was a signal for a regular mob of the +lawless men to make their appearance. +</p> + +<p> +Every nook and cranny about the opening was guarded by armed men; and +now, when the cool stranger glanced up-wards, he found a dozen rifles, +pistols or blunderbusses pointed at him. +</p> + +<p> +Still he did not appear disconcerted. +</p> + +<p> +He only glanced about him with a coolness that was remarkable, and +muttered— +</p> + +<p> +"Dear, dear, how very attentive these dear boys are." +</p> + +<p> +Before he could speak to them, however, they stepped out from their +hiding places, and with their firearms still making him their target, +they advanced to close in upon him. +</p> + +<p> +When he saw the object of this manoeuvre, he jumped up and plucked out +his knife. +</p> + +<p> +"So, so," he cried, "sold, eh? Come on, all of you." +</p> + +<p> +"What does he say?" demanded one of the Greeks, turning to Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"He challenges us all at once to fight him." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, the fellow's mad or an Englishman." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Hunston, "an Englishman. That makes him feel he is a match +for a mob of Greeks, and I don't know that it is all madness." +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly the stranger appeared to liven up. +</p> + +<p> +"What, you are not the police, then?" he ejaculated. +</p> + +<p> +"Police!" said Hunston, contemptuously turning round to the speaker. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean by that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, I took you for the police in pursuit of me." +</p> + +<p> +"What have you been doing?" +</p> + +<p> +"Am I among friends?" +</p> + +<p> +"We are brigands, but you can speak freely." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, I am an unlucky wretch who has been forced to bolt away +from his master and his living—and all for nothing." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you call nothing?" said Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"A trifling peccadillo, sir; nothing more, I assure you—merely a few +pounds and a paltry bit of jewellery belonging to an Englishwoman of +the name of Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +They all pricked up their ears at this name. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo, hullo!" exclaimed Toro; "what is this? Stand forward, man. Do +you know Harkaway?" +</p> + +<p> +"I do—to my sorrow," replied the man; "he was my master." +</p> + +<p> +The brigands all pricked up their ears at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway's servant, were you?" said Hunston, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"I was, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"And what may be your object in coming here?" +</p> + +<p> +"To join you." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know—" +</p> + +<p> +"Who you are? Yes, of course; at least I can guess it—I'm uncommon +good at guessing." +</p> + +<p> +And he chuckled again. +</p> + +<p> +"The fellow's an idiot," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you bring any information to us?" +</p> + +<p> +This question was put by the Italian bully and brigand, and to him the +stranger turned with an elaborate bow. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you want?" +</p> + +<p> +"To get hold of Harkaway himself," cried Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Then I can help you to do this." +</p> + +<p> +"You can—then money shall be yours," said Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"I hope so; why, I've got that already from them." +</p> + +<p> +"You have!—much?" +</p> + +<p> +"A pretty lump. Look." +</p> + +<p> +It was a bag of money composed of pieces of copper, silver and gold. +</p> + +<p> +It was a good round sum, and it looked considerably more than it was. +</p> + +<p> +"Is that all?" +</p> + +<p> +"I have these few nicknacks," added the stranger, producing a bundle +tied in his pocket-handkerchief. +</p> + +<p> +They tore open the bundle eagerly and it was found to contain various +articles of plate, a silver candlestick, and some jewels. +</p> + +<p> +"Those," he said, pointing to the latter, "belonged to Mrs. Harkaway, +and I believe she set some store by them—they were wedding presents." +</p> + +<p> +"So much the better," exclaimed Toro, exultingly. +</p> + +<p> +"So say I," added Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Is all this a fair amount for a fellow to bring as his entrance fee?" +demanded the stranger. +</p> + +<p> +"What say you, comrades?" demanded Toro of the bystanders. "You are the +best judges. Shall we admit this man in as a brother and a comrade?" +</p> + +<p> +"We will," shouted the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +"Agreed on all hands?" said the Italian chief. +</p> + +<p> +"Agreed." +</p> + +<p> +It was answered as if with a single voice. +</p> + +<p> +"Good," said Toro; "do you, Boulgaris, prescribe the oath." +</p> + +<p> +The oath, which was administered in Greek, was not at all understood by +the novice, but he subscribed to it cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +"You swear to devote your life to the destruction of your enemies," +said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"I do," responded the new brigand, with fervour. +</p> + +<p> +"Enough. What is your name?" +</p> + +<p> +"Geoffrey Martin." +</p> + +<p> +"Geoffrey Martin," repeated Toro; "the name has a ring about it that I +like. Now understand, the end of the Harkaways draws near; one has +already paid the forfeit." +</p> + +<p> +"Who?" cried the stranger. +</p> + +<p> +"Two!" said a voice. +</p> + +<p> +The brigands turned and beheld Diana, the widow of Mathias. +</p> + +<p> +"Two have already fallen, for I myself struck the wife of this hated +Harkaway to the heart with my dagger," cried the fierce woman. +</p> + +<p> +And she then recounted (as we have done in a previous chapter) how she +gained admittance to the Harkaway mansion, concealed herself in Mrs. +Harkaway's chamber, and dealt her the fatal blow. +</p> + +<p> +To all this the brigands' new recruit listened calmly enough. +</p> + +<p> +When, with an air of triumph, Diana concluded her narration, the +brigands cheered loudly. +</p> + +<p> +"Another of our hated foes dead. Three cheers for the brave Diana!" +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly," said Geoffrey Martin politely. +</p> + +<p> +And his voice was heard in the general shout. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, gentlemen," said he, when silence was once more restored, "allow +me to correct one very slight error in the statement of this good and +valorous lady." +</p> + +<p> +"What is that?" demanded Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Her narrative is quite correct, with this little exception—it was not +Mrs. Harkaway who was killed." +</p> + +<p> +Diana turned pale, and uttering a wail of disappointment, sat down. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, after venting a few fearful imprecations, said— +</p> + +<p> +"Then I hope and trust it may have been the wife of that confounded +Harvey." +</p> + +<p> +"It was not, and to tell you the truth, I am rather glad of it, for, do +you know I have almost fallen in love with her?" +</p> + +<p> +"Cheek!" muttered Hunston. "Well, who was it, then?" +</p> + +<p> +"You must know I was waiting on them at the dinner table, when Mrs. +Harkaway expressed a wish that her fan, which she had forgotten, might +be brought. +</p> + +<p> +"I was going to call some of the female servants, but Harkaway himself +went and before he had been gone a minute, we heard him scream out— +</p> + +<p> +"Help! Murder!" +</p> + +<p> +Away rushed Harvey and that long American fellow, Jefferson, while +Mrs. Harkaway fainted. +</p> + +<p> +But in a few minutes the three came back with the news that Mrs. +Harkaway's maid—Marietta by name—had been killed. +</p> + +<p> +"No fault of yours, madam, for the girl had been dressing herself in +some of Mrs. Harkaway's clothes, and no doubt she looked as much a lady +as her mistress." +</p> + +<p> +"What then?" demanded Diana. +</p> + +<p> +"The police took the matter in hand, and are now searching everywhere +for the murderer." +</p> + +<p> +"Let them search," said Diana, with a scornful laugh. +</p> + +<p> +There was silence for a time; then Diana asked— +</p> + +<p> +"Did you hear anything of Tomaso?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. He is condemned to die." +</p> + +<p> +"When?" demanded Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"The date is kept secret, so that you may have less chance of rescuing +him." +</p> + +<p> +Toro growled an oath and departed. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap27"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE RECRUIT WORKS BRAVELY—HARKAWAY's VENGEANCE—"HE NEVER<br /> +FORGETS A DEBT." +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The brigands soon found that they had made an invaluable acquisition in +their new recruit. +</p> + +<p> +The day following his admission into their honorable fraternity, he +brought in an addition to his already handsome booty. +</p> + +<p> +This was in the shape of a lady's reticule, containing a rich prize in +money, and more jewels. +</p> + +<p> +"I came across my late mistress," said Geoffery Martin in explanation; +"she had ventured out of the town with her new maid, and so I fleeced +them royally. I did not leave them a stiver; moreover I secured this." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, he spread out before them a newly-printed placard, which, +translated, ran as nearly as possible in this wise— +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> + "FIVE THOUSAND FRANCS REWARD<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Will be paid to the police or to any private person, who will secure, +or give such information as may lead to the capture of, one Geoffrey +Martin, lately a valet in the service of Mr. John Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +Then followed a description of his person, walk, and mode of speech. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"The said Geoffrey Martin having absconded with a large sum of money, +besides property of great value, it is the duty of every man to aid in +bringing him to justice." +</p> + +<p> +He chose a good moment for bringing this paper in. There was a large +muster of the brigands in camp. +</p> + +<p> +"Five thousand francs reward," he said to his newly-made comrades +generally; "you have only to turn me over to the Harkaways, and you can +make a small fortune." +</p> + +<p> +"You'll only find good men and true here," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Geoffrey Martin turned upon the latter. +</p> + +<p> +"All?" +</p> + +<p> +There was a hidden significance in his tone which thrilled Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"I am glad that they are all safe, friend; by the way, what is your +name? I haven't heard it yet." +</p> + +<p> +"My name is Hunston, and I'm not ashamed of it." +</p> + +<p> +"No, of course you wouldn't be; so you are Hunston?" he added +reflectively. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you know my name?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed. Heard your master speak of me, I suppose?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; Harkaway and his friend Harvey." +</p> + +<p> +"Harvey," cried Hunston contemptuously; "a paltry, frivolous fool." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; wasn't he? You should hear him speak of you." +</p> + +<p> +"There was never any love lost between us," said Hunston moodily; "we +hated each other most cordially from boyhood." +</p> + +<p> +"Known him so long?" said Martin. +</p> + +<p> +"We were at school together, and at college together," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"College—phew! then you must have been a swell." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," he said haughtily, "and what of that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, nothing; I was only thinking." +</p> + +<p> +"What were you thinking?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, if I had half your chance of getting on in life, you would never +have found me here." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean? Are you ashamed of your comrades?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, no, not me," said Martin; "but I should be if I was you. You're a +swell, and it's an awful drop for you. I'm only a poor devil—a nobody, +and it's a rise in life for me to join your honorable company; give us +your hand." +</p> + +<p> +And then, before he could say yea or nay, the new recruit seized +Hunston by the hand and wrung it with real or affected warmth. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston strode moodily away, hanging his head. +</p> + +<p> +This singular individual, Geoffrey Martin, appeared greatly interested +in the fate of the unfortunate boys, young Jack and Harry Girdwood, and +he got Boulgaris to take him to the spot where the crosses had been +erected over the graves by the pious hand of Theodora, the girl who had +unwittingly lured them to the fatal trap. +</p> + +<p> +"So here you have buried them?" said Geoffrey Martin. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, poor boys," said Boulgaris. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor boys," echoed Martin in surprise, "poor boys." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, I see no reason for butchering two children, for they were little +more." +</p> + +<p> +The new brigand eyed the speaker rather curiously. +</p> + +<p> +"Have you any pity to spare for Harkaway's boy?" +</p> + +<p> +"And why not?" said Boulgaris. "True, Harkaway's our enemy, and I hate +him; I'd like to get the upper hand of him; but we don't want to fight +boys. Besides, Harkaway is a good sort of enemy; a bold, daring fellow, +not a sneak." +</p> + +<p> +"No, that he isn't," said Geoffrey Martin, with warmth. +</p> + +<p> +"I am sure he'd never murder a boy because the boy's father had wronged +him." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +"Besides, there is something in this Hunston I don't like. We are bad +enough in all conscience, but this brutal butchery will, perhaps be the +ruin of our band." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, we were not loved before; but this brutal deed will make us +execrated by the whole country. The government scarcely dare to molest +us; they are satisfied at keeping up a show of doing something. But +Harkaway is rich and powerful, I am told; English money and English +influence will force the government to pursue us, and all for what? +Why, for murdering two helpless children, who had done us no wrong; who +fell into a trap while saving the life of one of us." +</p> + +<p> +Geoffrey Martin opened his eyes in astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"Is that true?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Didn't you know the story?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"It was the daughter of one of our old comrades, that the boys saved +while sailing. Poor girl! If prayers and tears could move men's hearts, +hers should have saved the boys." +</p> + +<p> +Geoffrey Martin coughed and blew his nose loudly. +</p> + +<p> +"Ahem!" he said, staring at Boulgaris. "You are a soft-hearted fellow +for a brigand." +</p> + +<p> +"Not exactly that either," replied Boulgaris, grinning. "I feel +incensed at this deed for its brutality, and for exposing all the band +to risks and dangers for the sole purpose of gratifying their revenge." +</p> + +<p> +"Theirs; you mean Hunston's?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; for Toro was interested also in it." +</p> + +<p> +"Toro, Toro," muttered Martin; "why, the name sounds, familiar to me. +Of course. They knew this Toro in Italy, I remember. He was one of a +band that Harkaway and his friend Harvey exterminated." +</p> + +<p> +"It is true, then, about that band?" said Boulgaris, his eyes flashing +eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"You see, then, from that, what cause we have to dread arousing the +enmity of such a man as this Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"He is an awkward customer, and that's the fact of it; and I have +heard, my brave Boulgaris, that if Harkaway once says he will have +revenge, he never fails. Now, let's return." +</p> + +<p> +Back they went together, and as they neared the brigands' camp, they +perceived signs of some great commotion. +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter now?" asked Boulgaris. +</p> + +<p> +"Come with us," replied the first man, "and I will show you." +</p> + +<p> +They silently followed. +</p> + +<p> +Down one of the slopes and then through a narrow pass, and within five +minutes' run of the brigands' stronghold, they came upon a number of +their men gathered around a long figure stretched upon the ground and +covered with a cloak. +</p> + +<p> +The brigand who had brought them there silently drew back the cloak, +and showed that the figure was the corpse of one of their comrades who +had been on guard there. +</p> + +<p> +"Look, another of our men killed. His death, like the first, has been +sudden." +</p> + +<p> +A sure, swift hand had pinned him through the body with a long dagger. +</p> + +<p> +It had pierced his heart, and the point of the blade actually protruded +near his shoulder-blade. +</p> + +<p> +"Look there," cried one of the brigands, +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"At the handle." +</p> + +<p> +Fastened to the haft of the dagger was a slip of paper, upon which were +these words— +</p> + +<p> +"<i>Remember Harkaway never forgets an injury.</i>" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap28"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE VILLA AGAIN—A MESSAGE FROM THE ENEMY'S CAMP—HOW A SNARE<br /> +WAS LAID. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Harvey carried his project into execution, and went off, leaving Mrs. +Harvey and Mrs. Harkaway under the impression that he was going about +the vessel, and making preparations generally for their departure. +</p> + +<p> +They were one and all anxious to be gone from the place, which was for +evermore associated in their minds with the mishaps of the last few +days. +</p> + +<p> +When Harvey had been absent forty-eight hours, they grew anxious. +</p> + +<p> +But on the morning of the third day, Nabley the detective came with a +message from Dick. +</p> + +<p> +He had met him by appointment and brought news. +</p> + +<p> +There was something in Nabley's face which made Harkaway anxious to see +him alone. +</p> + +<p> +"Now tell me, Nabley," he said, eagerly, "tell me all. How is Harvey? +What does he say of the boys? What is he doing? Has he any plan of +action decided?" +</p> + +<p> +"Gently, Mr. Harkaway, gently," said the detective; "you overpower me." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Nabley, I say—" +</p> + +<p> +"There, there! don't be impatient. I'll give it all out as fast as ever +I can." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't want all," interrupted Jack Harkaway, passionately. "How are +my boys? Answer that. Are they safe? No, no! I read it in your face." +</p> + +<p> +And then he dropped heavily into a chair, looking the picture of misery +and despair. +</p> + +<p> +Nabley had scarcely a word to say for himself. +</p> + +<p> +The sight of the brave Harkaway so utterly collapsed was more than he +could endure. +</p> + +<p> +Jack rallied a little and turned again to Nabley. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, quick, tell me the news." +</p> + +<p> +And then, as Nabley still stammered, he went on— +</p> + +<p> +"I know; save your breath. I knew it; poor boys! poor Harry and my poor +brave boy Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Dirk Harvey bids you keep your courage up," said Nabley; "not to be +downcast. It is quite time enough to be down upon our luck when we find +out that the worst is true. The boys may yet live." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no," cried Jack; "I fear my poor boys are no more." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us hope they still live, but meanwhile, Mr. Harvey has treated the +brigands as though the worst was true." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +Nabley made a significant gesture with his right arm as though stabbing +violently at some unseen enemy. +</p> + +<p> +"What, the brave Dick seeking and taking revenge?" exclaimed Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Two of the Greek brigands have fallen by his hand. The rest will +follow, be sure of that; and, moreover, they never suspect whose hand +has dealt the blow." +</p> + +<p> +"Not suspect!" +</p> + +<p> +"No, his game has been and will continue to be picking them off in +single file. He meets one of them alone, and Harvey makes sure of him +by his own strong right arm." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, brave Harvey," said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Nabley, "it is revenge. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a +tooth; and I for one should like to see the whole gang food for kites +and wolves." +</p> + +<p> +"You have suffered in losing your old comrade," said Harkaway; "judge, +then, if you so keenly feel the loss of a friend, what must I feel for +my boy—my own flesh and blood." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Nabley; "I have suffered, but I will yet have a bitter +revenge on my poor pal's murderers. He was to me a brave and true +friend. Poor Pike! he was foully assassinated." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Nabley; he was cowardly shot by the villain Toro. But do the +brigands know who is now taking revenge on them?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; it is told them in black and white. A paper fixed to each carrion +carcase tells that this is another proof of Harkaway's vengeance." +</p> + +<p> +Jack's face flushed crimson at these words. +</p> + +<p> +"Well done, Dick; well done, brave old boy," he muttered; "well done!". +</p> + +<p> +"And he tells me that they are in a rare state about it in the camp. It +has thrown all the lot of them into the greatest consternation. Hunston +has grown very unpopular. It needs very little upon Harvey's part to +make sure of him." +</p> + +<p> +"That's brave." +</p> + +<p> +"Now he's growing ambitious. One at a time no longer satisfies him, so +he has a scheme for bagging half-a-dozen of the brigands at once." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"You know the spot that the boys christened the fig-tree grove." +</p> + +<p> +"I do." +</p> + +<p> +"He pretends to have intercepted a letter (when he "stole" the money +and jewels I took him by way of keeping up appearances), which informs +him that one of your party—a Mr. Hardy, or Harpy, he pretended—would +be passing through the fig-tree grove this evening, with money, on a +journey of some importance. As this Hardy or Harpy is a dangerous +person, the brigands, on Harvey's advice, are to send six of their best +men on the business." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's eyes twinkled again at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Now," said Nabley, "we must bait the trap well. I'll be the bait." +</p> + +<p> +"You?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"But why should you have so dangerous a post?" +</p> + +<p> +"I prefer it," said Nabley, quietly; "besides, although alone, I shall +have some staunch and valuable friends with me." +</p> + +<p> +"You speak in paradoxes, Mr. Nabley." +</p> + +<p> +The detective's reply to this was to draw his two hands from his +coat-pockets, and in each hand there was a six-shooter. +</p> + +<p> +"Here are twelve lives," said the detective, "and I've six more in +here," tapping his breast. +</p> + +<p> +"You're a regular arsenal," said Harkaway, smiling. "But supposing, +when you raise your hands, they close upon you and ransack your +pockets." +</p> + +<p> +"I have no need to withdraw my hands to use them. I fire through the +pockets." +</p> + +<p> +They must have been made with something of this intention, for they +were cut in the side seams of the coat which were exceedingly roomy. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," said Harkaway, jumping up, "when do we get to work?" +</p> + +<p> +"Now." +</p> + +<p> +"Now?" +</p> + +<p> +"There are no preparations to make, Let Mr. Jefferson be sent for. Both +of you get your arms ready, and follow me." +</p> + +<p> +"Good. What arms?" +</p> + +<p> +"Short axe, in case of close work, and rifle each. You'll be more than +a match for six Greeks. Besides," he added, with a significant smile, +"I shall not be idle." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well; away with you," cried Jack; "I am all eagerness to be at +work. I shall be quite another man when I have had a brush with these +beasts." +</p> + +<p> +"Right, sir," cried the detective; "they will find a powerful foe in +you." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Nabley," cried Jack, "my arm is nerved for this fight, and it +shall go hard with me, but I will have my revenge on those Greek devils +for the murder of my poor boys." +</p> + +<p> +The door opened and Jefferson entered. +</p> + +<p> +"The very man!" exclaimed Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"What, Nabley!" said Jefferson. "What news of Harvey?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Harkaway will tell you all," answered the detective; "my time's +up. Follow me as quickly as you can." +</p> + +<p> +"Off with you," said Harkaway, growing quite excited at the prospect of +a brush with the enemy. +</p> + +<p> +"The fig-tree grove," said Nabley. +</p> + +<p> +"Understood." +</p> + +<p> +And off went the detective. +</p> + +<p> +"Jefferson," said Jack, "I am now about seeking my foes, and fear not +but I will render a good account of my actions, for against the +brigands I feel the strength of a giant." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap29"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +WHEREIN MR. MOLE PHILOSOPHISES AND HAS AN ADVENTURE—THE SCENT<br /> +OF BATTLE—MOLE THE TERROR OF THE BRIGANDS—ISAAC THE<br /> +ANNIHILATOR—MOLE'S PRISONER. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +It must not be supposed that Isaac Mole was idle all this time. +</p> + +<p> +He heard of the bold doings of his friends Harkaway, Harvey and +Jefferson, not to speak of the valuable aid of Nabley the detective, +and, figuratively speaking, his very soul panted for glory. +</p> + +<p> +"I feel I could conquer by my single hand half-a-dozen brigands," said +Mole to himself; "but still I should prefer to come across a sleeping +brigand. But ah, me!" there he sighed deeply, "brigands are as rarely +caught asleep as weasels." +</p> + +<p> +Poor old Mole's desire to distinguish himself in this matter was very +great. +</p> + +<p> +The plain truth was that poor Isaac was at times badly henpecked. +</p> + +<p> +On these occasions he would assume his most dignified deportment and +point to his wooden legs. +</p> + +<p> +"There are proofs, Mrs. Mole," he would say, "that Isaac Mole never +shunned the foe in his life." +</p> + +<p> +"Yah, yah!" his spouse would gracefully smile in reply, "dat no fault +ob yours, Ikey Mole; de ignorant critters took off your legs because +you so often lost your legs before." +</p> + +<p> +"Lost them before?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Before they were amputated, do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Mrs. Mole," and he would draw himself up to his full height, "you +have been surely indulging in strong waters." +</p> + +<p> +"No, sar; no, Ikey Mole, not dis gal, sar. You lose your legs continual +and your head too, sar, with strong waters—sperrits, sar, sperrits." +</p> + +<p> +Poor Mole, he was no match for her, and could only turn for consolation +to where he had ever thought to drown dull care. +</p> + +<p> +The bottle. +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Mole one day surprised him at a sly tipple in the grounds of the +villa, and he knew it to his sorrow. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly popping round the corner, Chloe emptied the contents of a pail +over his luckless head. +</p> + +<p> +"Thar, you teetottler! you banderhoper, you good templar! Take a leetle +tiddy drop of water with your rum; makes lubly grog well mixed, yah, +yah!" +</p> + +<p> +And then the amiable partner of his joys and sorrows bore off her empty +pail, leaving her husband to dry and shiver. +</p> + +<p> +"Philosophy, my dear Mole," said the worthy Isaac to himself, +"philosophy is your physic; think of Socrates and be at ease—ugh! It's +precious damp—too much water. I must have an extra drop to keep the +cold out." +</p> + +<p> +And up went that inexhaustible bottle again. +</p> + +<p> +"Ha! Massa Ikey!" said a terrible voice close at hand, "you want some +more water to mix with it, do you?" +</p> + +<p> +Mole clutched his bottle, jumped up, and rushed wildly to the house, +with his loving spouse after him with another pail of water. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +From that time Mole scarcely dared have a suck at his bottle within +half a mile of the house. +</p> + +<p> +One afternoon, having dined early, Mole went for a walk in the suburbs +of the town, and selecting a favourable spot, he reclined gracefully +and dropped off into a gentle slumber. +</p> + +<p> +How long he slept he never knew until this hour. +</p> + +<p> +All he knew was that he dreamt that he was the hero of some gallant +adventures, wherein the Greek brigands fell before his sword like corn +before the reaper's sickle; yea, as the phantom miscreants succumbed to +the onslaught of Don Quixote. +</p> + +<p> +Now, while he slept, a man crawled out of the thicket upon all fours +and looked eagerly about him. +</p> + +<p> +The singular part of this incident was that, although the sleeping Mole +was within six feet of the spot, he did not perceive him. +</p> + +<p> +Mole was partly hidden by the thickly-grown bushes. +</p> + +<p> +The man dragged himself painfully on; he was badly hurt. +</p> + +<p> +One of his legs was broken, and he carried no less than three pistol +bullets in his body; in short, it was little less than marvellous that +he was able to crawl at all. +</p> + +<p> +The history of this miserable wretch is soon told. +</p> + +<p> +He had been shot down by the unerring aim of Nabley the detective, and +feeling himself badly hurt, he had sought safety in flight while there +was yet time. +</p> + +<p> +Dragging his wounded body into the thickly-grown copse, he had lain +hidden from sight, baffling the keenest search; and here he had +presently lost consciousness. +</p> + +<p> +Loss of blood and anguish had rendered the hapless wretch powerless to +help himself, and knowing well what little mercy he had to expect from +the Englishmen did they come upon him, had lain there in fear and +trembling at every sound until hunger was added to his other torments. +</p> + +<p> +He was nearly blinded with a blow he had received on the face, and now +his only hope was to be able to crawl along until he came up with some +of his comrades, who would help him to regain their stronghold in the +mountains. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh!" he groaned, "a blight upon the hand that struck me down. Oh!" +</p> + +<p> +And the violence of his pains made him give a deep groan. +</p> + +<p> +Mole moved. +</p> + +<p> +Then opened his eyes; and waking, his glance fell upon a ghastly +looking object, pale and bloody, dragging itself along. +</p> + +<p> +Coming towards him. +</p> + +<p> +Mole gasped. +</p> + +<p> +This was real, he knew at once; there was no doubt about that. +</p> + +<p> +It was one of the Greek brigands, who had seen him asleep, no doubt, +and was about to do for him. +</p> + +<p> +Poor Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Cold beads of perspiration stood upon his brow. +</p> + +<p> +A channel of sweat trickled down the small of his back. +</p> + +<p> +His very wig stood up on his scalp with terror. +</p> + +<p> +What should he do? +</p> + +<p> +Alas! it would soon be all over with him. +</p> + +<p> +The ghastly object crawled on. +</p> + +<p> +A minute more and the wretched man would be up with him. +</p> + +<p> +Now, poor old Mole had on occasions been what is called pot-valiant. +</p> + +<p> +He sought his black bottle for Dutch courage; but before he could raise +it to his bloodless lips, the wounded man perceived him, and he gave a +cry of terror. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep off!" cried Mole, his teeth rattling like a box of dominoes. +</p> + +<p> +The wounded man, half blind as he was and frightened out of what little +sense remained to him, took the black bottle for another revolver such +as Nabley had carried; and having a wholesome dread of that terrible +weapon, he cowered down, hiding his face on the ground. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be violent," exclaimed the wretched Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Mercy, mercy!" implored the brigand. +</p> + +<p> +"Have pity on me," said Mole, in abject terror. +</p> + +<p> +"Do as you please with me," whined the brigand, "only for mercy's sake +don't fire again at such a poor wretch as I am." +</p> + +<p> +"Think of my helpless condition," said Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"I am done to death," said the brigand. +</p> + +<p> +"I have two wooden legs," gasped Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Do what you will with me," cried the brigand, in despair, "only give +me water—a drop for mercy's sake." +</p> + +<p> +And he prostrated himself in abject submission before the half dead +Mole. +</p> + +<p> +Now the latter could not well misunderstand this attitude; but yet he +could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses. +</p> + +<p> +"What's his game?" thought Mole; "he is trying the artful dodge on; and +he's going to jump up and give me one for myself—not for Isaac. By +jingo! What a topper I could give him as he lays there, what a—" +</p> + +<p> +He stopped short. +</p> + +<p> +"My eye! what a hole he has got in his head already." +</p> + +<p> +And then by degrees, in spite of his fears, he was forced to see that +this piteous object was not dangerous. +</p> + +<p> +As Mole rose up to look at the brigand, the latter made still more +signs of submission, and now he could no longer misunderstand. +</p> + +<p> +It is difficult to say which feeling filled Mole most completely, +surprise or satisfaction. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, oh," cried Mole; "I feel that my heart tells me I have great +courage. Yes, I will capture this desperate brigand with my own brave +hands." +</p> + +<p> +Here was a slice of luck. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll just drive him home," said the crafty Isaac to himself, "and then +see if Chloe will dare to cheek me as she has done of late. I rather +flatter myself I shall take it out of Harkaway and Jefferson +themselves." +</p> + +<p> +First, though, he meant to have one more suck at the black bottle. +</p> + +<p> +But now again, to his intense surprise, at the sight of the bottle, the +wounded man cowered and shrank back in terror. +</p> + +<p> +"Mercy, mercy, great captain," he implored; "as you are strong, be +merciful." +</p> + +<p> +"What does he mean?" muttered the astonished Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't fire again," cried the wounded man feebly; "I never hurt one of +your friends. I am not responsible for the two boys' death. It was done +without my will, for I don't war with boys or women; ah, how I suffer." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't fire! Why, what—ah, I see it; he takes the bottle for a pistol. +</p> + +<p> +"March on then," he said in a terrible voice; "on with you, or I'll +fire." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't, don't! mercy!" +</p> + +<p> +"March on then, or I'll blow you to atoms," and he presented the black +bottle again. +</p> + +<p> +The Greek held up his hands in supplication and moved on. +</p> + +<p> +"Go on!" thundered Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll be your slave, your abject slave," groaned the brigand; "but oh, +great warrior, captain, spare my life." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll eat you alive," hissed the cannibal Mole in his ear, "if you +don't walk faster." +</p> + +<p> +"I will, I will." +</p> + +<p> +"Faster still, or you die." +</p> + +<p> +"Pity, pity." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" said the fierce Isaac, contemptuously, "why should I have pity +on you after killing a score of your fellows with my own hand? Answer +me that." +</p> + +<p> +The other was silent. +</p> + +<p> +In this way, the valiant Mole drove the miserable wretch to the villa. +</p> + +<p> +When, after a long and wearisome journey, they got within a stone's +throw of the grounds of the house, Mr. Mole was suddenly startled to +hear a loud, shrill cry of alarm, and who should appear before them but +Mrs. Mole herself? +</p> + +<p> +"Whateber hab you there, Ikey?" she demanded. +</p> + +<p> +"A prisoner, my dear," responded Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"A what?" she exclaimed; "whose prisoner?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mine." +</p> + +<p> +"Yourn?" +</p> + +<p> +"Pardon me, my dear—yours, not yourn. Yes, my prisoner," he added +modestly; "I have captured him." +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"In the wood." +</p> + +<p> +"What you doing there, Ikey?" +</p> + +<p> +"I was on the hunt. I came across them—five, and a little warm work +went forward. The other four," he added significantly, "I have left on +their backs, with a pretty decent sign of my handiwork upon all of +them." +</p> + +<p> +Chloe gasped. +</p> + +<p> +"You're a drefful man," said Chloe; "and I'll run for Massa Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +And she dashed down the garden, crying out for Harkaway and Jefferson, +and goodness knows who besides. +</p> + +<p> +They were ever upon the <i>qui vive</i> for danger, so down they came +with a rush. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Mr. Mole," exclaimed Jefferson, "you have indeed got a prize." +</p> + +<p> +"However did you manage it?" asked Harkaway, not a whit less startled. +</p> + +<p> +Mole coughed. +</p> + +<p> +"I felt that something was required of me," he answered, with touching +dignity and modesty combined, "and so I went on the hunt myself, and I +fell foul of a few of the Greek vampires." +</p> + +<p> +"A few," echoed Jefferson, elevating his eyebrows; "a few, you said." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," replied Mr. Mole, "only five." +</p> + +<p> +"Not more?" said Jefferson, laughing; "then you must have felt rather +bad in the inside." +</p> + +<p> +"Never, sir," said Mole, getting more and more dignified; "but I left +the enemy rather unhappy, in the inside and the outside." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed!" +</p> + +<p> +"This is the only survivor out of five; question him closely." +</p> + +<p> +Mole had carefully ascertained that the wounded Greek didn't speak a +solitary word of English. +</p> + +<p> +"Ask him, I say, what I did for his comrades; how I larded them—how I +peppered them, and made them cry peccavi. Damme, Jefferson, old boy, +you should have seen me in action; gad, sir, I'm like an old war-horse +at the first sniff of powder. Down they went, first one, then the +other. Hang me! if I didn't play at skittles with' em, and I was in +that humour, Harkaway, when you can't miss. I'd just cheek the corner +pin and make a royal every go. What do you think of that, Harkaway?" +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack smiled. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not proficient enough in skittles to appreciate the feat," he +answered. +</p> + +<p> +"And so you tackled all this lot single-handed?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"How many?" +</p> + +<p> +"Ten." +</p> + +<p> +"I thought you said five." +</p> + +<p> +"Ten, sir, ten in all; five came up at first, but in as many moments +they were all on their backs; and then up came another five of them, +each heavily armed. I never forget; hang it! I couldn't forget such a +job as that very easily. Five of the second lot fell at my first fire; +I toppled over three more, and the other one—" +</p> + +<p> +What Mr. Mole might in his ardour have been tempted to draw for upon +his glowing fancy, it is impossible to say, for just as he reached this +point in his fanciful narration, up came Nabley. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" he said, as he caught sight of the wounded brigand; "here's +the missing man." +</p> + +<p> +"This," cried the rest of the people present as if with one voice. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, this is the man I shot down at my first fire; he must have +crawled away to hide; why, where is Mr. Mole running to?" +</p> + +<p> +The imaginative old gentleman suddenly vanished from the scene. +</p> + +<p> +He did not relish the presence of such a witness as this. +</p> + +<p> +"This is Mr. Mole's prisoner," said Jefferson, laughing; "you see he +has brought in one, after all." +</p> + +<p> +"I bring you something better even then prisoners," said the detective. +</p> + +<p> +"What is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Good news." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak; what is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"The brigands have given up Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway started at the words. +</p> + +<p> +"That is news, indeed," he said; "and now justice demands that the +villain shall speedily hang." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap30"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXX +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE FIG-TREE GROVE—A DOUBLE AMBUSCADE—THE LEECH-FISHER—HOW<br /> +THE TRAP WAS BAITED, AND HOW IT TOOK—SOMETHING LIKE THE OLD<br /> +FORM—TRIUMPHANT MARCH OF HARKAWAY AND CO.<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Within an hour—nay, less—of the foregoing conversation you might have +seen an aged man wending his weary way along the high road from Athens +towards the mountains. +</p> + +<p> +Thickly-grown fig trees leant over the road, and their well-garnished +branches formed a roof of foliage through which no ray of sunlight +could penetrate. +</p> + +<p> +He seemed an aged man. +</p> + +<p> +His steps tottered. +</p> + +<p> +It was strange that he did not seek the aid of a stout staff, or +walking stick at least. +</p> + +<p> +But no, he preferred to keep his hands in his coat pockets. +</p> + +<p> +Now the coat he wore was a full-skirted frock, much resembling in shape +the garment which was worn by our grandfathers, or their fathers, when +George the Third was king, with huge pockets in the skirts and lappets. +</p> + +<p> +And into these big pockets the old wanderer's arms were buried up to +the elbows. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps it was because he felt somewhat chilly. +</p> + +<p> +There was a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. +</p> + +<p> +As he went along, he shot sly glances from time to time about him, +almost as if he were expecting someone; but he had got nearly over a +third of the distance down the fig-tree grove before there were the +faintest signs of life about him, and there, apparently overcome by the +fatigue of his walk, he dropped down upon a moss-grown bank to rest. +</p> + +<p> +He looked up at the leafy canopy overhead, and sniffed down the sweet +odours that floated along on the gentlest of zephyrs. +</p> + +<p> +"Not such bad quarters," he muttered to himself (it was in English that +he spoke); "not at all bad. There is only one thing required to make +this the happiest day of my life; only one thing, and that is, success +in my present undertaking—" +</p> + +<p> +He paused. +</p> + +<p> +"Hark!" +</p> + +<p> +What was it? +</p> + +<p> +He heard a faint rustling in the foliage hard by. +</p> + +<p> +This part of the country was reported to be infested with thieves, the +regular hunting grounds of the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +A faint smile lurked round the corners of the old man's mouth, and +there was a twinkle in his eye. +</p> + +<p> +"At last," he muttered to himself, "at last!" +</p> + +<p> +Just then there was a noise as of branches being pushed aside and dry +twigs being crushed; and forth stepped a stalwart peasant, all in rags +and tatters, and placed himself, hat in hand, before the old man. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" exclaimed the latter, "why, where did you come from?" +</p> + +<p> +And yet his surprise looked more assumed than real. +</p> + +<p> +"Charity!" replied the beggar. +</p> + +<p> +"Charity!" echoed the old man, fumbling in his pockets, "by all means; +take this, my honest fellow." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, he dropped a piece of money into his open palm. +</p> + +<p> +"Gold! Yes, a golden piece, by all the saints in the calendar." +</p> + +<p> +The beggar's eyes glistened greedily at the piece. +</p> + +<p> +"Heaven bless you!" he exclaimed; "may you live for ever." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't wish me that," responded the old man; "that is no blessing." +</p> + +<p> +"Not with your riches?" said the mendicant +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"You are not easily satisfied then." +</p> + +<p> +And then came forth from the beggar a strange sound. +</p> + +<p> +Was it a signal? +</p> + +<p> +It almost appeared to be the result of a preconcerted arrangement, for +while the sound of his laughter echoed down the leafy grove, there was +a crashing of branches and general breaking of the dried twigs and +undergrowth, and out swarmed a group of men numbering perhaps ten or a +dozen. +</p> + +<p> +A villanous-looking mob they were too. +</p> + +<p> +They surrounded the old man and were about to attack him, when the +first man who had already profited by the old man's charity warned them +off. +</p> + +<p> +"There is no need for violence here," said he, hurriedly, and speaking +in their native language; "he will give us up all he has got without so +much as dirtying a knife over him." +</p> + +<p> +The old man laughed. +</p> + +<p> +A dry, cynical laugh it was too, and almost calculated to make one +believe that he had understood what they said. +</p> + +<p> +"Who are these people?" he asked of the first beggar. +</p> + +<p> +"Poor men worthy of your pious charity, like myself," was the reply. +</p> + +<p> +"Then they shall have it," replied the old man; "more than they +expect." +</p> + +<p> +He looked around him rather anxiously, as if expecting some more people +to arrive. +</p> + +<p> +Now that glance was observed by more than one of the men, and it was no +very difficult matter to excite suspicion in their minds. +</p> + +<p> +"He expects someone," said the foremost man of the party; "he is a +spy." +</p> + +<p> +"See how he's looking about him," observed another. "What shall we do?" +</p> + +<p> +"Kill him at once." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, kill him." +</p> + +<p> +"On to him." +</p> + +<p> +And the speaker himself was the first to act upon his own counsel. +</p> + +<p> +He stepped forward to catch the old man by the coat, but the latter, +retreating a couple of paces, appeared startled. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep your distance, my masters," he said; "keep your distance, because +I am a very dangerous fellow." +</p> + +<p> +They laughed at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Dangerous, you are?" cried one of them, "oh, oh! what is your name?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, they call me the leech-fisher." +</p> + +<p> +"The leech-fisher!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because I am my own trap and bait and all," +</p> + +<p> +They looked puzzled. +</p> + +<p> +"He's mad." +</p> + +<p> +"Daft as he can be." +</p> + +<p> +"Poor old fool. But let us get his money if he has any, without killing +him." +</p> + +<p> +"Money!" echoed the self-styled leech-fisher. "Here's plenty." +</p> + +<p> +And with these words he threw a pile of gold pieces upon the ground, +making all the lawless ruffians' eyes glisten greedily. +</p> + +<p> +"You don't seem yet to understand the parable of the leech-fisher," +said the singular old man. "You are dense blockheads." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha! hear him," cried the first beggar. "He is quite a treat." +</p> + +<p> +"What I meant was that I am a trap for you. I have set myself to catch +you; I am the bait; the leech fishers are their own bait, I am my own. +So now come on, my merry men, my unbelieving pagans." +</p> + +<p> +One of the men here laid a rough hand upon his shoulder, when there was +a loud explosion. +</p> + +<p> +A flash and smoke issued from the old man's square coat pocket, and the +brigand staggered back. +</p> + +<p> +The rest of the party looked utterly amazed. +</p> + +<p> +What was it? +</p> + +<p> +"An ambuscade," ejaculated one of them. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no; it came from the old man's coat skirt. See, it is smoking." +</p> + +<p> +There was a small round hole in the cloth, and it was singed and smelt +of gunpowder. +</p> + +<p> +"Death to the spy!" cried the Greeks. +</p> + +<p> +Two of the brigands fell upon him, one on each side, when lo! there was +a double explosion, and with loud cries of pain, each fell back dead. +</p> + +<p> +The rest of the brigands now began to recover from the state of +stupefaction into which this sudden and unexpected attack had thrown +them, and accustomed to rapid action upon emergencies such as the +present, they prepared to fall simultaneously upon this ancient Tartar. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, oh! What, you think to capture me, do you?" he cried. +</p> + +<p> +In an instant all his feebleness had dropped, and lo! he appeared a +very nimble man. +</p> + +<p> +Springing back about six feet, he drew both hands from those capacious +pockets to which we recently drew the reader's attention, and then the +mystery was revealed. +</p> + +<p> +Each had held a six-barrelled revolver. +</p> + +<p> +"How like you my music, you ruffians?" cried the strange man. "Oh, what +would I give if my poor friend Pike was with me now!" +</p> + +<p> +Bang! +</p> + +<p> +Another shot, and another <i>hors de combat.</i> +</p> + +<p> +The foremost of the brigands rolled over, stone dead. +</p> + +<p> +This was warm work. +</p> + +<p> +But as if it had not grown hot enough, there suddenly appeared upon the +scene two men armed with rifles and revolvers. +</p> + +<p> +These two men were crack shots, unluckily for the brigands, and they +speedily gave proof of their skill. +</p> + +<p> +Two of the mountaineers bit the dust before they could dream of helping +themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Not three minutes had elapsed since the firing of the first shot, and +already six men were down. +</p> + +<p> +"Surrender!" said one of the new-comers, in a loud, authoritative +voice. +</p> + +<p> +But instead of responding, one of the Greeks drew a pistol and levelled +it at the towering figure of Harkaway, for of course he was one of the +marksmen, but before he could pull the trigger, bang went another +chamber of the old man's revolver, and the pistol fell to the ground. +</p> + +<p> +The hand which had held it was helpless, the arm shattered at the +elbow. +</p> + +<p> +There was in truth something dreadful in this carnage. +</p> + +<p> +But neither Harkaway nor Jefferson thought any thing of this. +</p> + +<p> +Indeed, horrible as it may sound, they killed a brigand with as little +compunction as they would have slaughtered a wolf. +</p> + +<p> +"Surrender!" cried Harkaway, for the second time. "Yield now, or by +Heaven, you shall all die on the field." +</p> + +<p> +The Greeks looked around for assistance. +</p> + +<p> +They were five. +</p> + +<p> +The enemy only three. +</p> + +<p> +As a rule, these ruffians were not deficient in bulldog courage and +ferocity, but this desperate fighting had surprised and frightened +them. +</p> + +<p> +"Yield, ruffians, to better men than yourselves." +</p> + +<p> +They paused. +</p> + +<p> +"To pause is death," cried Jack Harkaway, in a loud voice. +</p> + +<p> +As the last word was spoken, up went the two rifles. +</p> + +<p> +"Nabley," cried the American. +</p> + +<p> +"All right," answered the disguised old man. +</p> + +<p> +"Look after that outside brigand on your left." +</p> + +<p> +"I will, and his neighbour, too?" +</p> + +<p> +"If you can." +</p> + +<p> +"I am thinking of my murdered friend, Pike, and I feel I can take +twenty such vagabonds!" echoed the detective, fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll take that big fellow, Jeff," said Harkaway. "You pot the other." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, then, you villains, when I count three, look out," said the +detective, with a mild expletive. +</p> + +<p> +Not mild enough for repetition here, by the way. +</p> + +<p> +"One, two—" +</p> + +<p> +The brigands, having held a hurried consultation, here threw down their +arms. +</p> + +<p> +Just in the very nick of time. +</p> + +<p> +Two seconds more and they would have had no chance. +</p> + +<p> +"Now," cried Harkaway, still with the gun ready for use, "forward! +march!" +</p> + +<p> +The brigands looked mischievous for a moment. +</p> + +<p> +So did the rifles. +</p> + +<p> +So did the revolver. +</p> + +<p> +These two weapons were great persuaders. +</p> + +<p> +With slow, unwilling steps the five men marched onward into captivity. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll see to the wounded," said the detective. +</p> + +<p> +Four of the brigands had been killed outright. +</p> + +<p> +Others were writhing on the ground and using bad language. +</p> + +<p> +"Two and four make six," muttered Mr. Nabley; "six and four are ten. +Why, I could have sworn that there were eleven. Yes, certainly there +was another. Where the deuce could he have got to?" +</p> + +<p> +The most diligent search, that is, the most diligent search possible +under the circumstances, failed to find the faintest trace of the +missing man. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the one I gave that smack in the face," said Nabley to himself. +"Well, I know I gave it to him pretty warm besides that. He hasn't got +far. He has crawled somewhere to die, I suppose. Well, well, I can't +deny him that little luxury." +</p> + +<p> +And then, by dint of threatening the wounded with instant death, he +persuaded them to crawl after the rest. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +And when our three adventurers marched into the town with their +prisoners between them, there was a loud outcry. +</p> + +<p> +Cheers, bravos, huzzahs, at every step of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the Englishman Harkaway," said one of the bystanders, as they +marched onward towards the prison, "and that is the American +Jefferson." +</p> + +<p> +"Dreadful men those to make enemies of. I have heard that Harkaway has +destroyed hundreds of brigands and pirates." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, I have heard so," answered the other. "It was an evil moment for +those villains of brigands when they shot the poor young Harkaways. +They will lose many a life for those two." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, that they will." +</p> + +<p> +"Who is that driving the two wounded men before him?" +</p> + +<p> +"That is an English secret police officer. He is even more dangerous +than the others. He has killed four men with his own hands in this +skirmish. I believe an old friend of his has been murdered by the +brigands, and he has sworn to have revenge." +</p> + +<p> +"It is taking the law into their own hands with a vengeance." +</p> + +<p> +"All honour to them for their bravery." +</p> + +<p> +"Three cheers for Harkaway!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap31"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE SECRET WORK GOES ON—WHO IS THE TRAITOR?—THE FALL OF A<br /> +FAVOURITE—THE RECRUIT'S MUSINGS—A STRANGE REVELATION. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +It was true. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston had been given up by the brigands. +</p> + +<p> +They knew but little of Harkaway, but that little told them that he was +not the man to make a false assertion. +</p> + +<p> +They felt sure that Hunston had received more money for the ransom of +the boys than he had acknowledged, and so they voted his doom. +</p> + +<p> +Under ordinary circumstances he would have been shot. +</p> + +<p> +As it was, they had learnt so terribly to respect Harkaway that they +gave up his enemy in preference to taking the law in their own hands. +</p> + +<p> +Not a day passed but one or more of the brigands suffered at the hands +of the enemy whose revenge they had so unwisely provoked. +</p> + +<p> +Let them go armed, with a support of armed men within easy call and on +the watch, it could not avail them. +</p> + +<p> +They were picked off, slowly, surely, quietly, mysteriously. +</p> + +<p> +And this was the chief reason that they sought to negotiate with the +Harkaway party by giving up their enemy Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +But still the work went on. +</p> + +<p> +There was only one man in the whole band who had the courage to lay the +facts before them. +</p> + +<p> +"We must move away from this part of the country," he said. "Once let +us see how matters turn out with our comrades who have fallen into the +hands of these English people, and then we must be gone." +</p> + +<p> +But while they waited more fell. +</p> + +<p> +Several got taken prisoners, and the band presented a very thin +appearance. +</p> + +<p> +The day of trial approached for the brigands, of whom Hunston was one. +</p> + +<p> +And the verdict was universally foreseen. +</p> + +<p> +They were condemned to death for the murder of the two boys, Harry +Girdwood and young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +In five days they were to be executed. +</p> + +<p> +In the court there was one person who heard the sentence with the +greatest possible terror. +</p> + +<p> +This was Theodora. +</p> + +<p> +Why should it so affect her? +</p> + +<p> +It was surely not that she could have any sympathy with such rogues and +murdering villains. +</p> + +<p> +Justice was swift in the execution of its decrees here, and the +condemned brigands were doomed to death within five days. +</p> + +<p> +"Five days!" Theodora repeated to herself again and again, as she left +the court. "Five days! So short. Well, then I must my do duty come what +may. To-morrow may yet be in time—or the next day." +</p> + +<p> +Still she was sorely perplexed. +</p> + +<p> +"If I avow all, I shall incur the undying enmity of the band," she +reasoned; "and if I keep silent, I shall be the murderess of those +men—men with whom I have grown up and been taught to look upon as +brothers." +</p> + +<p> +She had some strange secret upon her mind which troubled her sorely. +</p> + +<p> +In her dire perplexity she went to the camp, and did her best to excite +the men to an effort on behalf of their imperilled comrades. +</p> + +<p> +Pedro listened to all she had to say. +</p> + +<p> +Then he gave his opinion. +</p> + +<p> +"We are clearly bound to make an effort to save our friends," he said; +"we can not let our comrades perish without attempting to save them." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no!" answered the brigands, with one voice. +</p> + +<p> +But perhaps the most demonstrative of all was the last recruit who had +joined the brigands—the Englishman, known amongst his new comrades as +Geoffrey, the discharged servant of Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"When shall the attempt be made?" said Pedro; "that is the next +question." +</p> + +<p> +"At once," said Toro. +</p> + +<p> +He looked around for some supporters; but he looked in vain. +</p> + +<p> +Toro was no longer in good odour. +</p> + +<p> +His connection with Hunston had rendered him exceedingly unpopular. +</p> + +<p> +He was too daring a spirit for them to break out into open murmurs, but +quietly he was deposed; and then Pedro was admitted as leader. +</p> + +<p> +When the question of giving up Hunston to the enemy was first mooted, +Toro had violently opposed it; but his was the one solitary voice that +was lifted for his old comrade. +</p> + +<p> +"The only chance of success," suggested Pedro, "is to wait and attack +the procession on the way to execution. The prison itself is too well +defended for us to hope for success." +</p> + +<p> +"That's true," said Geoffrey; "and failure would ruin them." +</p> + +<p> +"Surely." +</p> + +<p> +It was arranged consequently that the attempt should be made upon the +day appointed for the execution. +</p> + +<p> +The utmost secrecy should be kept as to their plans. +</p> + +<p> +"Let not a word be breathed of our resolves anywhere," said Pedro, +"unless we are all together in council assembled, for I fear that we +have had a traitor in our camp." +</p> + +<p> +"A traitor!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye." +</p> + +<p> +"One or more?" +</p> + +<p> +"One, at least, would not surprise me after all that has occurred." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor me either," said Geoffrey. +</p> + +<p> +Saying which, he glanced significantly over his shoulder in the +direction of Toro. +</p> + +<p> +The latter, on the rejection of his plan, had stalked moodily away, and +was walking up and down buried in bitter reflections. +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"If I could believe that possible," exclaimed one of the brigands, "it +would be a speedy end of his rule here." +</p> + +<p> +Saying which he drew his long dagger significantly. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," said Geoffrey, who acted cautiously, and was satisfied at +having unsettled their minds with regard to the Italian bravo, "let us +seek the traitor, and when found—." He left the rest unsaid; but they +knew well what was meant. +</p> + +<p> +The only person quitting the camp was Lerna. +</p> + +<p> +So that no traitor could well carry the news to the enemy this time. +</p> + +<p> +"Let no precaution be neglected," said Pedro; "we must choose trusty +sentinels. I'll take the watch at the gap myself." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"Geoffrey." +</p> + +<p> +"Present, captain." +</p> + +<p> +Toro gave a start at that reply, which clearly gave the death-knell to +his own command. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you mount guard at the cross roads below." +</p> + +<p> +"Leading to the fountain avenue, do you mean, captain?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +And shouldering his musket, he gave a stiff salute and marched off. +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps you would not have far to look for traitors," said Toro, as +Geoffrey disappeared, "did not your prejudices blind you." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you allude to Geoffrey?" asked Pedro, coldly. +</p> + +<p> +"Judge for yourself." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak out boldly." +</p> + +<p> +"I have been bold enough for you," said Toro, passionately, +</p> + +<p> +"Speak in the presence of him you would accuse." +</p> + +<p> +"I fear no man here" cried Toro. +</p> + +<p> +"Nor does any man fear you." +</p> + +<p> +"Then by thunder, he shall!" and out came his sword. +</p> + +<p> +At this unmistakable demonstration several of the brigands made signs +of cutting in, and the Italian saw that it was a desperate game he was +venturing on. +</p> + +<p> +He saw it just in time, for the brigands were ready, one and all, to +fall upon him with dagger and sword. +</p> + +<p> +Gradually he fell back and left them, but the seed was sown. +</p> + +<p> +The few words which Geoffrey had spoken had done their duty well. +</p> + +<p> +"So, so" muttered Geoffrey, as he went; "Hunston is done for, and Toro +shall soon follow. Thirty-two men have been 'dropped' for our dear +boys—thirty-two. Gad! but it is a goodly number. They will learn to +respect the name of Jack Harkaway in this miserable land—and to rue +the day that they molested anyone of us. Thirty-two—aye, and the rest +shall follow, as sure as my name is—Who goes there! Speak! By Heaven, +stop! Nabley—just in time, but silence." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap32"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THEODORA'S ERRAND—FATAL NEWS—THE MYSTERY DEEPENS—HER<br /> +RESOLVE—TO THE VILLA—INTERVIEW WITH HARKAWAY—THE VOICE FROM THE<br /> +GRAVE—A HEART OF GOLD. +</p> + +<p><br /> +</p> + +<p> +Theodora now made her way with all speed to the waterside prison, to +which allusion has been previously made. +</p> + +<p> +The head gaoler of this prison had a daughter of the same age as +Theodora. +</p> + +<p> +His wife had nursed them both as babes, and Theodora looked upon them +as her parents, and on the girl as her sister. +</p> + +<p> +To them she was wont to appeal at any time of trouble, and now she came +to tell them her cares. +</p> + +<p> +She asked for her foster sister, and called her aside. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it now, Theodora dear?" asked the gaoler's daughter, +anxiously. "You look quite pale and haggard." +</p> + +<p> +Theodora shook her head sadly. +</p> + +<p> +"I have got involved in a matter in which I am responsible." +</p> + +<p> +"But the evil is over?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"As far as you are concerned, is it, dear?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; I say no. Are not our men to be executed for the murder of the two +boys?" +</p> + +<p> +"And richly they deserve it," exclaimed Mariana. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no. They can not deserve it for what they are innocent of." +</p> + +<p> +"It is no fault of theirs," retorted the gaoler's daughter; "They are +guilty in intention, at least." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well, Mariana. I am not so base that I could see them suffer +death, knowing what I know—what we know, in fact." +</p> + +<p> +"But you would not betray me?" exclaimed the gaoler's daughter, +anxiously. +</p> + +<p> +"No, darling. The necessity for danger to you—to us, I may say—is +entirely done away with." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"The gallant men will rescue their comrades on Thursday on the way to +the execution." +</p> + +<p> +"What!" said Mariana; "Thursday!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Then you don't know," she exclaimed, with a wild scared look. +</p> + +<p> +"Know what?" +</p> + +<p> +"That it has been changed. They are to be executed in the morning." +</p> + +<p> +Theodora gave a cry of terror and staggered back. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no, Mariana," she said, wildly; "it is impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"It is true" +</p> + +<p> +"When was this made known?" +</p> + +<p> +"Just now." +</p> + +<p> +"Why was it altered?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because they have discovered that an attack was meditated by the +brigands upon the way to execution on Thursday." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible!" cried Theodora, starting up. "Why, it was only just +agreed upon. I have left them not two hours ago, and it was then that +they came to this resolution." +</p> + +<p> +"It is already known here. A messenger from the great Mr. Harkaway +sought the governor with the news, and as Mr. Harkaway is all-powerful +here, the execution takes place to-morrow morning at daybreak. It is +said that he has his own spies in the camp of the brigands." +</p> + +<p> +Theodora clapped her hands to her head, and paced wildly up and down. +</p> + +<p> +"There is no way out of it, dear Mariana," she cried. "No way, no way, +but one." +</p> + +<p> +"What is that?" +</p> + +<p> +"I will see this Mr. Harkaway, and tell him all." +</p> + +<p> +"But you will ruin us all." +</p> + +<p> +"No. He will be overjoyed with the news I bring, and will do as I +wish—all I ask to repay me for the words of comfort which I have for +him." +</p> + +<p> +"I doubt it." +</p> + +<p> +"I know him well," retorted Theodora. "I know his boys too well to +believe the father so bad and merciless as you suppose him. All his +enmity would be forgotten could he but believe the glad tidings which I +have for him." +</p> + +<p> +"Then the knowledge of this will risk all our lives." +</p> + +<p> +"No; I am convinced that all will be well." +</p> + +<p> +"Theodora!" +</p> + +<p> +"Delay me not. My duty points clearly to that." +</p> + +<p> +And before she could offer to interfere further with her resolve, +Theodora was gone. +</p> + +<p> +She fled like a deer. +</p> + +<p> +Nor did she pause for breath until she was at the villa. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Harkaway will not see anyone," said the servant. +</p> + +<p> +She eyed the panting girl with suspicion, as Theodora leant for support +by the door, while her left hand clasped her beating heart. +</p> + +<p> +The tragic events of the past few weeks, and the murder of Marietta in +Mrs. Harkaway's bedchamber, had led them to distrust every body and +every thing. +</p> + +<p> +"I must see him," gasped Theodora. +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible," returned the girl curtly; "call to-morrow in the +afternoon." +</p> + +<p> +"Afternoon," returned Theodora. "After six in the morning will be too +late. It is life and death, I tell you. Go and tell him." +</p> + +<p> +"Obstinate girl, I tell you Mr. Harkaway has serious business on at +daybreak, and has gone to rest, giving the strictest orders that he is +not to be disturbed." +</p> + +<p> +"Call him," returned Theodora, with forced calmness, "and he will have +no need to go on this business at daybreak." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear?" +</p> + +<p> +The girl retreated backwards, never moving her eyes from Theodora. +</p> + +<p> +"This is some hired assassin." she thought. "They can't tackle my +master, and knowing how wary he is, they have hired a girl to do the +deed." +</p> + +<p> +She was about to thrust to the door, when Theodora, in sheer despair, +burst in, and cried at the top of her voice to Harkaway— +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Harkaway! Mr. Harkaway; come, come and hear news of your poor +boys, I say." +</p> + +<p> +At this wild outcry in the middle of his house, Jack stepped out of his +room. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep back, sir; keep back," screamed the servant "She's an assassin." +</p> + +<p> +At these words Harkaway slipped back into his room, and reappeared +armed with a pair of pistols. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, what is it you require, my girl?" he demanded of Theodora. +</p> + +<p> +"A few words with you." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't trust her," shrieked the servant; "I saw a knife in her girdle. +Don't trust her." +</p> + +<p> +Theodora smiled faintly. +</p> + +<p> +"I am alone, unarmed," she said; "the great Mr. Harkaway, the hero of +the day here, is surely not afraid of me." +</p> + +<p> +"I am afraid of no one," returned Jack; "but I warn you, my girl, that +if any treachery be meditated, each of these pistols carries a man's +life." +</p> + +<p> +"It can not affect me," returned Theodora, calmly. "I come to bring you +news which will gladden your heart, and have no fear of your enmity." +</p> + +<p> +Her words and her manner thrilled Harkaway strangely. He lowered the +pistols. +</p> + +<p> +He had her shown into a room, and followed her in. +</p> + +<p> +"Sit down there, my girl, and tell me all," he said, trying to appear +composed, while he was in reality singularly moved. +</p> + +<p> +"I come, Mr. Harkaway," said Theodora, who had now regained all her +calmness, "to bring you the most welcome news that ever gladdened your +ear—that ever sent balm and comfort to your bruised heart." +</p> + +<p> +Jack turned pale; he thought he had heard her speak of his boys before +leaving his room. +</p> + +<p> +"Speak on," he said, his voice faltering. +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me, sir, what could I say that would restore happiness to you—to +your wife—to your friends and home? What could I say to lift the veil +of mourning from your house and hearts?—to restore the former gaiety +to this tomb-like place." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Harkaway listened as one in a dream. +</p> + +<p> +"Girl," he said, in a voice that was almost inaudible, "you know not +what you say." +</p> + +<p> +"I am perfectly cognisant of all," she replied. +</p> + +<p> +"Then your errand here is to torture me?" +</p> + +<p> +"You wrong me." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway looked her sternly in the face. +</p> + +<p> +And Theodora bore his glance without flinching. +</p> + +<p> +"Your manner tells me," he said, "that you know better than any one +what alone could restore happiness here." +</p> + +<p> +"You are right." +</p> + +<p> +And she gravely inclined her head as she answered. +</p> + +<p> +"And you know it is impossible," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"It is not." +</p> + +<p> +"Not impossible!" ejaculated Harkaway. "Know you what you say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Perfectly." +</p> + +<p> +"Girl, girl," cried Harkaway, passionately, "the grave can not give +back its dead." +</p> + +<p> +"It does—it has." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway gasped for breath. +</p> + +<p> +She was about to speak on, when the ghastly pallor of his countenance +and its wild, haggard expression frightened her. +</p> + +<p> +"Girl, go on, tell me," he cried excitedly; "do not play with me." +</p> + +<p> +"Calm yourself, Mr. Harkaway, pray—" +</p> + +<p> +"Go on, go on." +</p> + +<p> +"You alarm me." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak, in mercy's sake," implored Harkaway; "this suspense is ten +thousand times worse than all the good or bad news which you could +bring me—are you fooling me?" he added springing up and seizing his +pistols. +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak on then." +</p> + +<p> +"Your son Jack—" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes; my boy—my own darling brave lad—what of him?" +</p> + +<p> +The girl suddenly turned pale. "Hark," she said, "I think I hear +footsteps outside; quick! to the window; I think we are watched," and +the girl sank in terror at Jack's feet. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway, with one bound, sprang to the window, pistol in hand, ready +for use. +</p> + +<p> +But it was a false alarm; and, having satisfied himself that there were +no eavesdroppers, Harkaway returned to his seat, and the girl resumed— +</p> + +<p> +"Are you able to bear good news?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," he said, with a sickly smile; "the novelty would perhaps affect +me—speak then—you said my boy—" +</p> + +<p> +"Lives," answered the girl. +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible," he faltered; "why, Harvey saw their grave." +</p> + +<p> +"And I too saw them in their grave." +</p> + +<p> +"In their grave!" echoed Harkaway; "and yet you say they live." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Where are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"Close at hand; but I wish to ask you in return—" +</p> + +<p> +"All you will—anything, everything—only bring me back my boys." +</p> + +<p> +"I only ask to save the lives of the men unjustly accused of the +murder, and who have been doomed to die to-morrow." +</p> + +<p> +"Granted—why, it was granted unasked," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Enough," said the girl; "I see that I may count upon you. Will you +come with me to your son and his friend?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +He sprang up with the greatest alacrity, but a sudden fancy crossed +him, and he seized the girl by the shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"You are not playing me false?" said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Look in my face and be assured." +</p> + +<p> +He gazed long and earnestly at her, and she bore his fixed look +unflinchingly. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes," he said, more to himself than to her; "you are truthful—I +am sure of that—but I'll not neglect any precaution; for my head is so +sorely perplexed by all you have told me that I scarcely know if I am +asleep or waking." +</p> + +<p> +He pressed his brow with his open hands, and then looking carefully to +the priming of his revolvers, he started out with the girl; and as they +issued from the grounds of the villa, he spoke his last words of +mistrust before giving her his whole confidence. +</p> + +<p> +"You see, Theodora," he said, for she had told him her name, "I don't +hang back. I freely confide in you." +</p> + +<p> +"You do well." +</p> + +<p> +"I believe so—see that my confidence is not misplaced, and you shall +have no cause to repent it." +</p> + +<p> +"Your words would imply a promise of reward for me; but I seek none." +</p> + +<p> +"I am willing to believe it, but still my fixed resolve—" +</p> + +<p> +"Your fixed resolve could not make me take it," said the girl, proudly. +"I have told you my object in my present mission; I have no other." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway was greatly surprised at this, but as he stole a sidelong +glance at her, surprise was not the only expression in his face. +</p> + +<p> +Admiration was strongly mixed with it. +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me where we are going?" he asked presently, as they got clear of +the town. +</p> + +<p> +"To the prison by the water." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"They are there." +</p> + +<p> +"But in prison—how came they there? In prison! Why, then, without +knowing it, I have been probably twenty times within earshot of both." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"How came they there?—no half measures now. Surely this is the time +for revealing all?" +</p> + +<p> +"And now, Mr. Harkaway, I will tell you all as we walk on. The seeming +mystery shall remain so no longer." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, Theodora began the brief but startling narrative which +follows—and which may fairly be entitled— +</p> + +<p class="t3"> +THE DEAD ALIVE. +</p> + +<p> +"Your dear son Jack and his friend Harry Girdwood saved my life when I +was in danger of drowning at sea. They brought me safely ashore, only +to fall into the hands of my remorseless companions, the mountaineers. +Ah, I see you would call them by something less gentle in sound. Well, +it was a planned thing. I was the decoy, but alas! I thought but little +then how soon I was to repent of my share in that evil work." +</p> + +<p> +"Go on." +</p> + +<p> +"I will, to the end, even though you should learn to loathe me. Well, a +price was put on their heads." +</p> + +<p> +"Which I paid." +</p> + +<p> +"You paid one-fifth." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no; I paid all, as demanded." +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston returned to the camp with only one hundred pounds, and they +voted the death of the two boys. Poor boys! both brave boys. The +bravest veteran on the battlefield never faced death with the heroic +calmness of those two young heroes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Bless you for those words, my girl," exclaimed the gratified Harkaway. +"I am proud of my dear boy." +</p> + +<p> +"I demanded their release—I implored—I begged—I prayed in the most +abject terms. But they had felt the weight of your hand too often. They +and theirs had suffered so much that I was powerless. I could only +obtain one small concession." +</p> + +<p> +"Say on, say on!" exclaimed Harkaway. "What was that? I burn with +eagerness to know more of my dear boys." +</p> + +<p> +"I was to do the last sad honours to the noble dead. Three were to be +executed; one of themselves, a traitor called Lirico. By dissimulating +to Hunston—the viper! how I tremble with horror at the very name—I +obtained one concession—Lirico was the first to suffer, the boys were +to follow." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Hunston! villain!" groaned Harkaway, "villain!" +</p> + +<p> +"The execution took place at daybreak. I waited on the firing party. +When the wretched Lirico was dealt upon, I passed round and gave the +men to drink from a spirit keg which I had specially provided. Then, +while they feasted upon the drugged spirit, I passed round and reloaded +the muskets for what they thought the final butchery." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well, do not torture me, girl. Quick, tell me the end." +</p> + +<p> +"Can you not guess?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, no. Quick, tell me all." +</p> + +<p> +"In loading the muskets I forgot the bullets." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed old Jack, half-hysterically. "I see it all now, +brave girl." +</p> + +<p> +"The rest was no easy task. As the men fired, they fell back in the +grave and simulated death, as I had instructed them overnight; and now +you can understand how I saw them in the grave and yet can prove that +they live." +</p> + +<p> +"I do. Girl, you are brave and good; I know not how to thank you for +the lives of my poor boys." +</p> + +<p> +"The night before their great trial, I exacted a solemn promise from +them that they would follow me to a hiding place without the least +offer of resistance." +</p> + +<p> +"I begin to see. But how did you contrive—" +</p> + +<p> +"To get them secreted in the great prison?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"You shall hear. My foster-sister is the daughter of the head gaoler. +Her lover is completely at her mercy, and he holds a superior post in +the prison. It was the only condition upon which I could spare the +brave boys' lives, and so they were forced to yield." +</p> + +<p> +"And all this time we might have been spared the bitterest agony." +</p> + +<p> +She hung her head. +</p> + +<p> +"I know it, but I dared not speak sooner, for I feared to betray my +friends." +</p> + +<p> +"You may trust me," said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I know it, for I have saved your boys." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +They reached the prison. +</p> + +<p> +"Sebastian," said Theodora, presenting Harkaway to her foster-sister +and the latter's lover, "this is Mr. Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +The Greek official bowed with an air of constraint. +</p> + +<p> +"Theodora has told you all, sir?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, you have risked much to save my boys' lives." +</p> + +<p> +"Since I can count upon your forbearance," said Sebastian, "I will say +no more. Follow me to the presence of the boys." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, Sebastian led the way through the stone-paved passages to +the tower overhanging the sea, in which the cell of the two boys was +situated. +</p> + +<p> +At the base of the tower were jagged, sea-beaten rocks. +</p> + +<p> +Beside the tower, at about half the height of the tower, reckoning from +the level of the sea, was a gravel terrace, covered with a waterproof +canopy, so as to form a sort of shed. +</p> + +<p> +And looking out of the tower windows as they passed up its steep inner +staircase, Harkaway inquired what this place was. +</p> + +<p> +"That is used as the prison mortuary." +</p> + +<p> +"Those black, ugly outlines there are—" +</p> + +<p> +"Bodies." +</p> + +<p> +"Ugh!" +</p> + +<p> +"They are put into those black bags in lieu of winding sheets, then +placed into those rough wooden shells, which are lowered to the prison +cemetery below by that crane you see to the right." +</p> + +<p> +"A very poor look-out." +</p> + +<p> +But away with such dull thoughts. + Here he was on the threshold of new joy—new life.<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Your boys are here," said Sebastian, pausing before a huge barred +door. +</p> + +<p> +He undid the fastenings, and pushing open the door, made way for +Harkaway to pass in. +</p> + +<p> +"Enter, sir," he said. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's heart beat high. +</p> + +<p> +He pushed open the door—entered. +</p> + +<p> +"Where are they?" +</p> + +<p> +"There." +</p> + +<p> +A momentary pause. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no one there," said Harkaway, in a tone indicative of +powerfully-suppressed emotion. +</p> + +<p> +Dire apprehensions of evil stole over both Sebastian and Theodora as +they followed Harkaway into the cell. +</p> + +<p> +"Theodora," gasped Sebastian, staggering back, "they are gone." +</p> + +<p> +"Where? How?" +</p> + +<p> +"They must have escaped." +</p> + +<p> +"Liar!" yelled Harkaway, suddenly springing back and drawing his +six-shooter; "this is some plot. Thieves! murderers! You think to fool me; +but you shall pay the penalty for your villainy. You are in an injured +father's grasp. Die, brigands!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap33"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +YOUNG JACK AND HIS COMRADE HARRY GIRDWOOD—DEAD OR ALIVE—THE<br /> +RIDDLE UNRAVELLED—THE PLAN IN CYPHER—A RELIC OF THE<br /> +PAST—EUREKA!—THE CYPHER UNRAVELLED. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Now for young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Once more let us see the bold young Harkaway and Harry, his brave +comrade. +</p> + +<p> +Too long have we been absent from them. +</p> + +<p> +Too long have we been forced by the exigencies of our history to leave, +not only the Harkaway family and party generally, under the cruel +impression that the two boys had been foully murdered, but the reader +likewise. +</p> + +<p> +They lived. +</p> + +<p> +Aye, it was every word true that Theodora had said. +</p> + +<p> +Sebastian was not a wit less truthful. +</p> + +<p> +When he opened the door of the cell in the tower, he fully expected to +find the two boys there. +</p> + +<p> +Where were they? +</p> + +<p> +By what jugglery had they contrived to get out of such a formidable +fortress as that place? +</p> + +<p> +This the present chapter is to relate. +</p> + +<p> +To give it clearly, however briefly, we must go back to the day of +their entrance into their gloomy prison home. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Harry were alone. +</p> + +<p> +"This is a rum go, Jack," said Harry Girdwood. "What do you think of +it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Precious dull, old boy," grumbled young Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Better than a grave on the mountain side." +</p> + +<p> +"It is just that," said young Jack. "But it wouldn't be quite so good +if this sort of thing was meant to be permanent." +</p> + +<p> +"Growler, growler," said Harry Girdwood. "Why, I call these famous +diggings, after that hole they meant us to rest in while the worms made +meat of us. Besides, we must get away." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Escape." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack looked up at the word, and his heart beat a little quicker. +</p> + +<p> +But he said nothing. +</p> + +<p> +Frowning walls on every side. +</p> + +<p> +The cell was fully eighteen feet high, and the window was close up by +the ceiling. +</p> + +<p> +"If we want to get out of this," said young Jack, "we must begin +operations from this moment." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know, Harry, what is to be the first step?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"To get at that window." +</p> + +<p> +"But it is about eighteen feet high." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, we must reach it," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Both boys were expert gymnasts. +</p> + +<p> +The greasiest of greasy poles were vanquished by either with the +greatest of ease. +</p> + +<p> +In the stormiest weather they could mount into the topmost parts of the +rigging on board ship. +</p> + +<p> +And the consequence was that the morning after their entrance into +their prison found young Jack perched up at the window, looking down at +his comrade and fellow-prisoner, and giving graphic descriptions of all +he saw there. +</p> + +<p> +"What's on the other side, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"The sea, the open sea, old fellow," cried Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"And below?" +</p> + +<p> +"The sea, again, old fellow." +</p> + +<p> +"To the right?" +</p> + +<p> +"The sea, the sea—the open sea, old fellow. Water, water, everywhere, +and not a drop to drink. At least it would be an awful <i>drop</i> to +get at it." +</p> + +<p> +"Can you see any thing to the right?" +</p> + +<p> +"Water only." +</p> + +<p> +"Is that all?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—hallo!" +</p> + +<p> +Some thing fell. +</p> + +<p> +A roll of some thing white and soft dropped at Harry Girdwood's feet, +and he hastened to pick it up. +</p> + +<p> +Some thing white, we said. +</p> + +<p> +Well, it had once been white, but now it had got very considerably +discoloured with age and dust, which seemed to indicate that it had +been a long while up on the shelf in its hiding place. +</p> + +<p> +Yes, its hiding place. +</p> + +<p> +They opened the bundle, and found it to be composed of three slips of +cotton, upon which were written, in red ink, curious things which they +could not make much of. +</p> + +<p> +Upon one of these pieces of cotton were certain cabalistic signs, such +as figures, algebraical marks, and geometrical figures. +</p> + +<p> +Upon another was traced a plan of some building. +</p> + +<p> +A third was a sectional view, drawn roughly, but upon architectural +principles, and marked with initial letters of reference. +</p> + +<p> +"This is a rum go," said Harry Girdwood, laughing. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack had dropped from his perch and joined his fellow-prisoner on +<i>terra firma,</i> and together they poured over these singular rags. +</p> + +<p> +Now young Harkaway soon lost patience, and speaking contemptuously of +their find, he proposed pitching it through the grated window into the +sea. +</p> + +<p> +"Not I," said Harry; "there's some thing here which it will amuse me to +puzzle out." +</p> + +<p> +"If you like to kill time that way, Harry," answered young Jack, +laughing, "no harm; there's plenty of time to kill in this dreadful +dungeon." +</p> + +<p> +And puzzle over this precious treasure Harry did. +</p> + +<p> +The cloth upon which were the cabalistic signs was headed with certain +words, which were all but illegible, and this he managed to construe. +</p> + +<p> +"Simple cypher, left in hopes that it may yet serve some unfortunate +Englishman to escape from the tender mercies of this hole." +</p> + +<p> +Below this were the following figures and signs— +</p> + +<pre> +3. 15. 21. 14. 20.—6. 15. 21. 18.—19. 20. 15. 14. 5. 19.—21. +16.—6. 18. 15. 13.—7. 18. 15. 21. 14. 4.—20. 23. +15.—6. 15. 21. 18.—19. 9. 4. 5.—15. 6.—3. 8. 9. + + Neath) +13. 14. 5. 25.— > C.—23. + Press) + it. + +8. 1. 20.—9. 19— + revealed. +</pre> + +<p> +Now when Harry Girdwood had got through the above puzzle once or twice, +he was in a regular fog. The only result was to get himself heartily +laughed at by his fellow-prisoner. +</p> + +<p> +So Harry Girdwood kept what he knew of the matter to himself. +</p> + +<p> +Upon that same day towards sundown, when Sebastian came round to bring +their food, Harry Girdwood said— +</p> + +<p> +"We are not the first Englishmen who have been here, my friend." +</p> + +<p> +Sebastian gave him a sharp glance, as he answered— +</p> + +<p> +"How do you know that?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is no mystery in it," replied Harry Girdwood; "I saw some words +written in pencil upon the wall." +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +The eagerness of his manner aroused the curiosity of both the boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Somewhere here," replied Harry, pretending to seek for the marks upon +the wall. +</p> + +<p> +But of course he found nothing. +</p> + +<p> +"It is strange," he said, still looking about; "for I made sure it was +hereabouts somewhere. I saw some words which made me sure that it was +occupied by an Englishman once." +</p> + +<p> +"You are right," replied Sebastian; "quite right. An Englishman named +Terence Dougherty—" +</p> + +<p> +"That Englishman was Irish," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Possibly; but he was a priest. He was confined here for a long while. +So long that he went mad." +</p> + +<p> +"Mad, did you say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, and raving at last; his madness appeared to have so much method +in it that it quite deceived our head doctor." +</p> + +<p> +"How did he deceive the head doctor?" +</p> + +<p> +"By his apparent sanity. He was mad as a March hare, and he used to +rave about having discovered the way out of the prison." +</p> + +<p> +The two boys pricked up their ears at this speech. +</p> + +<p> +"What was more natural?" said Sebastian. "A prisoner is always thinking +how he can get away." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"And yet," said Sebastian, "the old priest was sure he had discovered +the way to elude our vigilance when he chose to put his plan into +execution; and his dying words startled us." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"He said to the doctor within twenty minutes of drawing his last +breath—'Doctor, you think I am mad. Not a bit of it, and I tell you +that I have given my life to the study of prison breaking—getting out +of this particular cell—and, doctor, I should have got out if the +great commander death had not ordered me off by another route. As it +is, I leave my work for the benefit of the first Briton who shall fall +into your claws and drop into my cell, and then—mark me well—he'll +profit by my work, unless he be a greater fool than you have taken me +to be, and get away." +</p> + +<p> +"He was very mad," said young Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Very." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood said nothing. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +They were alone. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack was full of deep and serious thought. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood arose suddenly from his puzzle. +</p> + +<p> +"Eureka!" he cried; "I have discovered it." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" demanded the startled Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"The cypher. It is alphabetical. Listen here." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack approached. +</p> + +<p> +"It is clear as daylight," said Harry; "these figures correspond with +the letters of the alphabet." +</p> + +<p> +<i>"'Count four stones up from ground. Two from side of chimney. Press +underneath. See what is revealed under it.'"</i> +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" cried young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" yelled Harry Girdwood; "but stop. Let us see if there is any +thing in it, for we may yet escape." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap34"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXIV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +WHAT THE CYPHER DID FOR THEM—THE END OF THE PASSAGE—NEARLY<br /> +SAVED—BACK AGAIN—LOST—THE DEAD-HOUSE ON THE TERRACE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Four Stones up. +</p> + +<p> +Two across. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you understand it now, Harry?" +</p> + +<p> +The latter scratched his head and looked about. +</p> + +<p> +"I understand it well enough," he replied; "but there is one +difficulty." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"A tool." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us try with our hands first," said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +And so saying, he set to work himself to try as he suggested. +</p> + +<p> +"One, two, three, four, and two up. Good! Now, Harry, lend a hand here. +Come." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood dropped on one knee beside his companion and together +they pressed the stone indicated in the singular cypher. +</p> + +<p> +For a moment they felt no effect, but after a minute's effort they +found that they had made an impression. +</p> + +<p> +The discovery set them all aglow. +</p> + +<p> +"Once more." +</p> + +<p> +"Harder yet." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course; only mind, Jack, no jerking." +</p> + +<p> +"All right" +</p> + +<p> +"We must work without making any noise; a jerk might bring down one of +the stones with a clatter, which would alarm the guards. +</p> + +<p> +"Caution is our watchword." +</p> + +<p> +Soon they had the satisfaction of seeing the stone revolve and drop out +into their arms. +</p> + +<p> +Then they saw that beyond the hole thus left there was an open space. +</p> + +<p> +It was pitch dark. +</p> + +<p> +Now, the hole in the wall was only just big enough for one of them to +squeeze through, and Harry Girdwood pushed in eagerly, and then he +perceived that beyond was a sort of tunnel on a small scale, with a +roughly-hewn flight of steps at the end of it. +</p> + +<p> +"I can see some steps," said he. +</p> + +<p> +"Go on," said Jack, with feverish eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +"I will; but you go to the door, Jack, and listen." +</p> + +<p> +Jack stood eagerly watching at the dungeon door. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack was full of eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +Harry had disappeared, and he could not see or hear him. +</p> + +<p> +"All right." +</p> + +<p> +The answer came in a hollow, echoing sound, which indicated that Harry +Girdwood had made some considerable progress. +</p> + +<p> +This increased his eagerness greatly. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Harry." +</p> + +<p> +No answer. +</p> + +<p> +He was too far for young Jack's voice to reach him. +</p> + +<p> +Quitting his post at the door, young Jack ran back to the hole in the +wall, and called out eagerly to his exploring comrade— +</p> + +<p> +"Harry, Harry!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +"Come back, quick! I can hear someone coming." +</p> + +<p> +"The deuce you can." +</p> + +<p> +Back he scrambled as fast as the narrow space would allow of, and he +was soon in the cell again. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"I heard the bell go and the iron door along the passage outside. +Sebastian is coming." +</p> + +<p> +"Confound it! Look what a precious mess." +</p> + +<p> +The displacing of the stone had left traces of the work. +</p> + +<p> +But having seen their danger, they were prepared to provide against it. +</p> + +<p> +Quick as thought they swept up the dirt, mortar, and rubbish, and threw +it into the hole. +</p> + +<p> +Then, joining hands, they raised the stone and lifted it into its +place. +</p> + +<p> +At that moment the key turned in the massive and half rusty lock. +</p> + +<p> +Sebastian entered the cell, tray in hand. +</p> + +<p> +He had not the faintest suspicion that any thing was wrong. +</p> + +<p> +"Will you leave the tray, Sebastian?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"For us to work up our appetites; we have none to speak of now." +</p> + +<p> +"Very good," returned the man; "there can be no harm in that." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course not." +</p> + +<p> +Sebastian then left the room. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank goodness he's gone!" said young Jack, who was all impatience to +see what Harry was to do next. +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood watched until the door was fairly closed, and then +turned again to the hole in the wall. +</p> + +<p> +"Come along. Follow me, Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Trot on," said young Harkaway. "I'm after you." +</p> + +<p> +They both scrambled through the hole, and when they were upon the other +side, they replaced the stone. +</p> + +<p> +And this done, the cell wore its original aspect. +</p> + +<p> +Their way now lay down a rugged flight of steps, roughly cut in the +solid earth. +</p> + +<p> +The greatest care was necessary to avoid stumbling. +</p> + +<p> +At length Harry Girdwood came to a standstill. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," he said, in a whisper, +</p> + +<p> +"Here." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep close now." +</p> + +<p> +"Right." +</p> + +<p> +"Nearer. Lend me a hand here. That's it. Now help me to raise the stone +here." +</p> + +<p> +"Are you sure you are right?" +</p> + +<p> +"Certain." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"This is exactly the position of the stone we have to lift away that +old Dougherty describes in his plan." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack said no more, but lent his aid, and together they shifted +the stone from its place. +</p> + +<p> +Then daylight peeped into their dark hiding-place. +</p> + +<p> +There was something leaning against the opening. +</p> + +<p> +They pushed it aside, and stepping over a pile of sacks, found +themselves in a covered shed overlooking the sea. +</p> + +<p> +A place of curious aspect, with no sign of life in it +</p> + +<p> +All was as still and gloomy-looking as if it were a huge mausoleum. +</p> + +<p> +"I know what this place is," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"It must be the dead-house on the terrace that I see noted down in old +Dougherty's plans." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +While they were in the dead-house upon the terrace, a stirring scene +was being enacted in the cell in the tower above, which they had only +lately vacated. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, Jack Harkaway the elder had only just entered the cell with +Sebastian as they found themselves upon the terrace. +</p> + +<p> +"Where are we now?" +</p> + +<p> +There were several ugly-looking long boxes, whose shape was uniform and +suggestive, standing upon tressels. +</p> + +<p> +Besides these, there were no objects in the room or shed beyond a few +badly-filled sacks which rested against the wall. +</p> + +<p> +They looked anxiously about them. +</p> + +<p> +Nearly facing the place where they had made their entrance was a door, +and this they tried without a moment's loss of time. +</p> + +<p> +Fast. +</p> + +<p> +Immovable. +</p> + +<p> +"The window, then," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +Back they ran on tip-toe to the window, and pushing open the casement, +they looked out. +</p> + +<p> +The sea. +</p> + +<p> +Between thirty and forty feet below, and lashing the very base of the +prison. +</p> + +<p> +They turned to each other simultaneously. +</p> + +<p> +"Ugh!" +</p> + +<p> +"No chance here." +</p> + +<p> +"This is a funny go." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Jack," said Harry, ruefully, "I'm glad you find it funny; for my +part, I don't see the joke." +</p> + +<p> +"Your friend, old Dougherty, did, no doubt." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be hard on poor old Dougherty," said Harry, laughingly. "It is +very likely that his plan is complete, if we could only find it out." +</p> + +<p> +"Where is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"In our cell," said Harry; "I'll go back and get it." +</p> + +<p> +And putting aside the sack, he pressed his way into the opening. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack glanced around him at the boxes on the tressels. +</p> + +<p> +An unpleasant feeling stole over him. +</p> + +<p> +He did not relish being left alone with the dead. +</p> + +<p> +He felt convinced that those ugly boxes did contain the bodies of dead +prisoners. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm with you, Harry," he said. +</p> + +<p> +After him he pressed, and up the long, narrow tunnel made by old +Dougherty they passed. +</p> + +<p> +Sometimes on all fours; sometimes standing nearly upright. +</p> + +<p> +"A few steps more, and we are there," said Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"What now?" +</p> + +<p> +"Listen!" +</p> + +<p> +"I can hear voices," said Harry, in a whisper. "This is the stone which +is all we have to displace to get back to the cell." +</p> + +<p> +"Then the voices are there?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"By jingo!" exclaimed young Jack, "then they must have discovered our +absence already." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"How I should like to yell out something! Wouldn't it startle them just +a little?" +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be foolish, Jack," said his companion, uneasily. "You would ruin +us." +</p> + +<p> +"They'd never discover where we were. Shall I startle them?" +</p> + +<p> +"No. Our only chance of safety depends upon keeping snug." +</p> + +<p> +"All right." +</p> + +<p> +They could hear noisy tones of anger, which denoted that something +unusual had occurred. +</p> + +<p> +"There are several people there," said Harry, listening intently at the +stone. +</p> + +<p> +"By Jove! how I should like to give them a cheer." +</p> + +<p> +"Keep quiet," exclaimed Harry. "You will ruin us." +</p> + +<p> +But, by a mere chance, he was wrong there. +</p> + +<p> +Had young Jack really indulged in his propensity of devilment on this +occasion, it would have saved them many hours of mental anguish and of +bodily suffering, for the angry words uttered in the cell but lately +tenanted by the two boys were spoken by Jack Harkaway the elder? +</p> + +<p> +Yes. +</p> + +<p> +Cruel fate was playing them a sad trick. +</p> + +<p> +They were now actually fleeing from their father and protector. +</p> + +<p> +The voice raised in anger, and whose echo came but feebly to them in +their hiding-place, was his. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's. +</p> + +<p> +And thus were these loving hearts parted by a few inches of stone wall. +</p> + +<p> +The boys, on the one hand, taking the confused sounds for the murmur of +their enemy's voice. +</p> + +<p> +And at that very moment Harkaway was nearly distracted to have all his +hopes dashed rudely to the ground. +</p> + +<p> +And in his anger, two lives were sorely endangered. +</p> + +<p> +Sebastian and Theodora were both menaced—aye, both. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway could only believe that they had been fooling him, and that he +had been trapped there with a view to further treachery. +</p> + +<p> +His rage, in consequence, knew no bounds. +</p> + +<p> +But we must now follow the two brave boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Back we go, or we shall be captured," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack led the way back as fast as the narrow space would permit. +</p> + +<p> +And soon they were in the dead-house again, and groping about here, +they presently came upon a cupboard in which they discovered a number +of tools. +</p> + +<p> +"Luck at last," ejaculated Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Here, let's make sure of these two knives," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +They were long-bladed weapons, something similar in shape to the +American bowie. +</p> + +<p> +They took one each and placed them in their waist belts. +</p> + +<p> +They little thought then of the singular yet immense service these were +to be to them. +</p> + +<p> +Now barely were these knives secreted when they were startled by the +sound of heavy foot-falls upon the stone-paved passage beyond the +dead-house door. +</p> + +<p> +"What shall we do now?" +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack stepped up to the door, and listened intently for awhile. +</p> + +<p> +"There are only two people," he said to his comrade, Harry, in a +whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"Only two. Well, that's quite enough, I should say." +</p> + +<p> +"Let us hide behind the door," said young Jack, eagerly, "and then fall +upon them, and make a dash for liberty." +</p> + +<p> +The steps drew nearer and nearer. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us hide here," said Harry, pushing the lid off one of the long +coffins or shells. +</p> + +<p> +But even as he did so, both boys started back with looks of horror. +</p> + +<p> +And why? +</p> + +<p> +The removal of the coffin lid revealed a ghastly corpse, the face +showing the last agonies which the dead man had suffered, and they, to +judge by the distorted face and twisted mouth, must have been horrible +indeed. +</p> + +<p> +They pushed back the lid. +</p> + +<p> +"Ugh!" +</p> + +<p> +"Horrible, horrible!" gasped young Jack. The footsteps sounded nearer. +</p> + +<p> +They were coming to this place, whoever it was. +</p> + +<p> +The boys looked about them in despair. +</p> + +<p> +At the last moment young Jack's eye lighted upon an empty sack upon the +ground, lying beside the full ones to which we have previously alluded. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's get in that." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood jumped at the proposition. +</p> + +<p> +Now the sacks were very large, and made of coarse canvas, thick enough +to avoid falling into folds, which would reveal the contents to any one +at a glance. +</p> + +<p> +So, quick as thought, young Jack held it open while Harry got in, and +then Harry, holding up the sides of it with both hands, stood erect +while young Jack joined him. +</p> + +<p> +"This is a novel way of jumping in sack," said the irrepressible Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Hush!" +</p> + +<p> +"They come." +</p> + +<p> +A key was heard grating in the rusty lock, and as the boys inclined +against the other sacks so as to look as much like one of the pile as +possible, the heavy door ground suddenly ajar, and two ugly-looking, +black-visaged men entered the shed. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap35"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE BLACK TRADE—A TRAFFIC IN DEATH—A PLACE OF HORROR—CAN IT<br /> +BE TRUE?—TWO BOYS IN ONE SHROUD—A FIGHT WITH A SHARK—GIVING HIM THE<br /> +SACK—DEEP-SEA FISHING ON A NOVEL PLAN. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The two black-looking ruffians looked about them stealthily as though +they were on no good errand there. +</p> + +<p> +Then one of them listened at the door awhile. +</p> + +<p> +"You had better lock the door, Fleon," said one of the men. "What we +have to do mustn't be overlooked." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +The boys heard the door closed and locked, and the sound seemed to lock +out another hope for them. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Fleon, come here." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, what now?" +</p> + +<p> +"We must come to terms." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course, Barthes, but there is no need to go far into that matter; +the terms are simple enough." +</p> + +<p> +"You are allowed forty-five francs for each burial, that is, for cost +of the shell and sheet." +</p> + +<p> +"No, forty only." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, forty; and if I sign the register in my quality of head +gravedigger, you can go and get your money at once. Besides, you will +have my sacks." +</p> + +<p> +"You drive a bargain like a Jew. Keep your sacks." +</p> + +<p> +"And drop the bodies out into the water?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"They would float." +</p> + +<p> +"No matter, the sharks below would soon take care of the few that +floated." +</p> + +<p> +"Are we agreed," cried Fleon, "for halves?" +</p> + +<p> +The other made some grumbling rejoinder, but grumbling he closed with +the proposition. +</p> + +<p> +"Very good, very good," said Fleon, rubbing his hands. "Now let us cast +them up." +</p> + +<p> +"One, two, four, six, eight, eleven, thirteen," said Barthes. +</p> + +<p> +Now they were standing so close to the pile of sacks that the boys in +their novel place of concealment could not only hear every word, but +they actually felt the speakers brushing against them. +</p> + +<p> +But they dared not speak. +</p> + +<p> +They even held their breath. +</p> + +<p> +They heard, and partly understood, yet could not believe that they +guessed aright. +</p> + +<p> +What could it mean? +</p> + +<p> +Surely not— +</p> + +<p> +No, no, no! +</p> + +<p> +The thought maddened the boys. +</p> + +<p> +It was too horrible. +</p> + +<p> +Yet what did the rest of the sacks contain? +</p> + +<p> +Besides, there were no other sacks in the shed but these. +</p> + +<p> +Both the boys heard the conversation. +</p> + +<p> +Yet so fearful a notion was it that each felt that he had not heard +aright. +</p> + +<p> +They dared not speak. +</p> + +<p> +And their worst fears were indeed correct. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +"What now?" +</p> + +<p> +"Thirteen." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"You are wrong," said Fleon; "count them again." +</p> + +<p> +The man obeyed. +</p> + +<p> +"Thirteen; I was sure of it." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that's a rum go," said Fleon. "I am positive that there were +only twelve." +</p> + +<p> +"There's a baker's dozen now," said Barthes, with his brutal laugh; +"the more the merrier." +</p> + +<p> +"Right." +</p> + +<p> +"What are you staring at?" +</p> + +<p> +"I can't make out that thirteenth one." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I don't see that that's any thing to weep over. Thirteen at +dinner is an awkward number, they say; but I dare say that the sharks +won't object to it; they're nor so weak-minded as to be superstitious. +Ha, ha, ha!" +</p> + +<p> +But still Fleon could not get over this last sack. +</p> + +<p> +"I've got it." +</p> + +<p> +"What, where the last sack came from?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, out with it, and ease your mind—not that I care much, so +long as we land the money." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, they have brought the last one in from the hospital fever-ward; I +heard the bell tolling at midnight, and I remember now that they said +another was all but gone." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, of course," said Barthes; "and see how the lazy beggars haven't +even taken the trouble to tie the neck of the sack round." +</p> + +<p> +"That's easily done." +</p> + +<p> +Before the boys could guess what was next to take place, the sack was +jerked over, and a rope was twisted around the neck of the sack, thus +excluding nearly all the air. +</p> + +<p> +But young Jack had already grown desperate, and he held his knife in +his hand ready for an emergency. +</p> + +<p> +The jerk had sent the knife through the sack about two inches, and it +prodded Barthes in the hand. +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +He yelled and drew back his hand +</p> + +<p> +"What now?" +</p> + +<p> +"I've cut myself." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, how on earth did you manage that?" +</p> + +<p> +"There's a knife sticking out of the sack. Let's open it and get it +out." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"It's a pity to throw such a thing into the sea." +</p> + +<p> +The boys shivered. +</p> + +<p> +This time there could be no mistaking the words. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack," whispered Harry Girdwood, "do you hear?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; let us show ourselves, and go back to prison, or—" +</p> + +<p> +But before he could complete his proposition, they were jerked in the +sack up on to their feet. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, let's do it quick" +</p> + +<p> +"Good!" +</p> + +<p> +"Phew!" grunted Barthes; "it's precious heavy." +</p> + +<p> +"Heavy enough for two," said Fleon. +</p> + +<p> +"Over with it. Now, then, both together at the word three." +</p> + +<p> +"One." +</p> + +<p> +"Two." +</p> + +<p> +"Three." +</p> + +<p> +They raised the sack on to the window ledge and— +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, murder!" cried Barthes, his cheek blanching with terror. "I felt +something move in the sack." +</p> + +<p> +"So did I," faltered Fleon. +</p> + +<p> +"It's alive," cried the man Barthes, turning pale. +</p> + +<p> +"Over with it, then; sharp." +</p> + +<p> +It was poised for an instant, no more, over the dizzy height. +</p> + +<p> +Then down it went. +</p> + +<p> +As it fell, a wild, despairing shriek went up to Heaven. +</p> + +<p> +A piteous cry. +</p> + +<p> +It was cut short by the sharp flight through the air. +</p> + +<p> +A splash. +</p> + +<p> +Then all was still. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +The two ruffians stood staring at each other, their eyes half starting +from their sockets. +</p> + +<p> +The perspiration stood out in big beads upon their foreheads, and they +shook like ague-stricken wretches. +</p> + +<p> +"Look over," said Fleon in a hoarse whisper. "What do you see?" +</p> + +<p> +"I see," responded the other, in the same constrained tone, "there's a +shark! I see his fin." +</p> + +<p> +"There's plenty more in the neighbourhood." +</p> + +<p> +"No; he's all alone, and, my eye! what a feast he'll have!" +</p> + +<p> +"I see him! He strikes for the bottom. He's got him, whether he's dead +or alive." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap36"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXVI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +A WATERY GRAVE—THE BED OF THE OCEAN—A BOLD STROKE FOR LIFE—THE<br /> +RACE WITH A SHARK—A NARROW SQUEAK—HOW TO GIVE A SHARK THE SACK—THE<br /> +BOAT—"FREE, FREE AS AIR!"—A STRANGE ENCOUNTER WITH A GENTLEMAN ON<br /> +TWO WOODEN LEGS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Poor boys! +</p> + +<p> +Unhappy Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Luckless Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +The fall from such a height to the water would render death almost a +certainty. +</p> + +<p> +Hand and foot bound, they could not move. +</p> + +<p> +Yet stay. +</p> + +<p> +Could it be possible that these noble boys were to fall victims to the +villainy of such ruffians? +</p> + +<p> +No. +</p> + +<p> +As they reached the bottom, the two boys, momentarily deprived of their +senses by the fall, were partially restored by the shock. +</p> + +<p> +Instinctively the knives go to work. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack here rendered the most signal service. +</p> + +<p> +He held his knife in a tight grip even as they fell. +</p> + +<p> +And barely did they come in contact with the bed of the ocean, when +young Jack stabbed upwards, and, at a single stroke, cut his way out of +the sack. +</p> + +<p> +At the self-same instant his left hand grappled his friend and trusty +comrade Harry. +</p> + +<p> +To kick the earth fiercely with his feet was to Jack a natural impulse, +and striking upwards, he made for the surface. +</p> + +<p> +Will he reach it? +</p> + +<p> +Doubtful. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed a weary, weary way to get. +</p> + +<p> +But now the water grows lighter and less dense. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Harry can see about them. +</p> + +<p> +Both are experienced swimmers and divers, and they always keep their +eyes open under water. And now this habit serves them in good stead, +for looking up, Jack perceives a huge floating mass bearing down upon +him through the water. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Harry have Fleon's words, and the cruel jokes of Barthes, +still ringing in their ears, and they know, alas too well what it +means. +</p> + +<p> +A shark. +</p> + +<p> +With the energy of despair, both boys strike out, diving lower. +</p> + +<p> +And now for a moment their fate seems sealed. +</p> + +<p> +They discover that their rapid movements are stopped by the sack, which +they have not got quite clear of, and which, puffed, follows them up +through the water in their progress to the air and light. +</p> + +<p> +And this, by a miracle, saves them. +</p> + +<p> +The voracious monster of the deep strikes for the two boys, but its +unwieldy body not answering its helm with the swiftness of an ordinary +fish, it shoots fairly into the ripped-up sack, in which it gets its +huge maws entangled. +</p> + +<p> +A strange trap for a shark. +</p> + +<p> +A shark trapped by no more cunning contrivance than a canvas sack, +ripped up on one side. +</p> + +<p> +And while the fierce beast wallows about in this novel trap, lashing +the water furiously with its fins, the two boys gain the surface of the +water, marvelling at their escape. +</p> + +<p> +Together they turn over on their backs, and gulp down big draughts of +the welcome air. +</p> + +<p> +Presently they get their breath again. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack, old boy, are you safe?" was Harry's question. +</p> + +<p> +"For the present, Harry, old chum. How do you feel?" +</p> + +<p> +"Saved, thank Heaven!" +</p> + +<p> +"God bless you, old man." +</p> + +<p> +Thus the two boys, rescued from such a complication of perils, pass +their first moments in getting a gasp of Heaven's fresh air. +</p> + +<p> +Each is full of thankfulness for the other's escape, and for the moment +thinks but little of himself. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly young Jack reverts to their last danger. +</p> + +<p> +"Where is he, the monster?" he asks, with great eagerness. +</p> + +<p> +"The shark?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't know." +</p> + +<p> +"Doesn't relish us." +</p> + +<p> +"Fancies we shan't be tender after getting out of prison so recently." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack and Harry were only just out of the jaws of death, and +already they were joking. +</p> + +<p> +"Have you got your wind yet, Harry?" +</p> + +<p> +"Then follow me. I can see a sort of archway in the prison wall, and a +boat, I think." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" cried Harry, "I remember." +</p> + +<p> +And turning easily over, he shot out for the prison wall. +</p> + +<p> +A few strokes brought them in sight of a flight of stone steps under +the archway. +</p> + +<p> +And as they catch sight of the steps on ahead, they become conscious +that they are being pursued by another of those ravenous beasts of +which Barthes and Fleon were talking in such cruel levity. +</p> + +<p> +"Quicker, Harry, quicker, old lad!" gasps young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Right; I see." +</p> + +<p> +Three vigorous strokes, and Harry grasps a chain fastened to a staple +in the wall to which a boat is moored. +</p> + +<p> +He is on the steps. +</p> + +<p> +Then grappling with young Jack, he helps him up with a desperate jerk. +</p> + +<p> +Just in time. +</p> + +<p> +Hardly are they landed when the hideous monster shoots past him. +</p> + +<p> +"Ugh! you beast!" growled young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +And he shook his fist at the shark, while the latter, after shooting +past, turned round and paddled leisurely back, making sure of them yet. +</p> + +<p> +But they were not left long at liberty to enjoy the shark's +disappointment, for they were startled by a great noise and commotion +going forward in the prison. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack looked inquiringly at his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"Our absence discovered?" +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose so. Let us make tracks as soon as we can." +</p> + +<p> +With this they set to work to loosen the boat. +</p> + +<p> +It took them some little time to force the padlock which held the chain +to the staple, but together they accomplished it. +</p> + +<p> +Then, lowering their sculls, they pushed out to sea. +</p> + +<p> +"Free," murmured young Jack, exultantly; "free at last." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be too fast" +</p> + +<p> +Now each took a scull, and with long, deep strokes they pulled for +their own safe part of the coast. +</p> + +<p> +Wind and tide were in their favour, and they shot through the water at +racing pace. +</p> + +<p> +"Pull round; here's our place. Now for it." +</p> + +<p> +"Both together," said Harry Girdwood, excitedly. +</p> + +<p> +Three long, vigorous strokes, and the boat ground far up high and dry +upon the shingle. +</p> + +<p> +They ran on wildly. +</p> + +<p> +And now the villa was in sight, which fact made them increase their +speed. +</p> + +<p> +Ah, how their young hearts beat at the sight of it. +</p> + +<p> +"Won't they be surprised?" +</p> + +<p> +"And pleased." +</p> + +<p> +"And shan't we? Ah, me! Hello! who's this coming here? Why, blow me, +Harry, do you see who it is?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course; it's old King Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole, Mr. Mole, Mr. Mole!" they both yelled out. "Here we are safe +back!" +</p> + +<p> +The old gentleman staggered back in sheer amazement. +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible?" he exclaimed. "Surely—yet, no; it can't be." +</p> + +<p> +"Can't it though?" +</p> + +<p> +And to put all doubt at rest, they each seized hold of a hand and +nearly dragged him off his frail supports. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap37"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXVII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +RESTORED—GENERAL REJOICINGS—HOW MR. MOLE WAS CRUELLY<br /> +MALIGNED—FATHER AND SON—THE DEATH KNELL AND THE REPRIEVE—"SOON WE<br /> +WEIGH ANCHOR"—GOODBYE TO GREECE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Mrs. Harkaway?" +</p> + +<p> +"Who's there?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me; your obsequious humble to command." +</p> + +<p> +"Good gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +And then upon the other side of the door Mrs. Harkaway was heard to +whisper— +</p> + +<p> +"It's Mr. Mole. I declare he is quite tipsy." +</p> + +<p> +"You are right there, my dear Mrs. Harkaway," responded the gallant +Isaac; "more than tipsy—obfuscated, groggy—excuse the slangy +phrase—tight—not with liquor, but yet full of spirits—figuratively +speaking." +</p> + +<p> +"Whatever is he talking about?" muttered Mrs. Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"About introducing a young gentleman to you," replied Mole, who +overheard every word, but who was too overjoyed with recent events to +take umbrage at any thing now. +</p> + +<p> +"Excuse me just now, Mr. Mole," replied the lady, "I—I am dressing." +</p> + +<p> +"Humph!" +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack was bursting with impatience to push him aside and rush into +his mother's arms. +</p> + +<p> +But Mr. Mole restrained him. +</p> + +<p> +"The young gentleman I would introduce, my dear Mrs. Harkaway, brings +us news of our young Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +A cry of joy, delight, anxiety, fear, hope, all commingled, burst from +the mother of our young hero. +</p> + +<p> +The door was opened, and Mrs. Harkaway stood upon the threshold. +</p> + +<p> +She stared confusedly at the two boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Mother!" +</p> + +<p> +"Jack!" +</p> + +<p> +No more. +</p> + +<p> +In a moment they were locked in each other's arms. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Jack, Jack!" exclaimed the astonished mother. "Where have you +been? Now that you are come back, I may tell you I feared I should +never see you again." +</p> + +<p> +Jack's eyes filled with tears. +</p> + +<p> +He kissed her tenderly and held out his hand to Harry. +</p> + +<p> +"Here, mother dear," he said; "there is a sweet little cherub that sits +up aloft to keep watch over the life of poor Jack—and Harry is the +cherub." +</p> + +<p> +"Hush! Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"I shan't hush, Harry; you know that it's true. You are the cherub, and +you know it. Why, mother, now that it's all over, and I am here, I must +tell you that I never should have been here if it hadn't been for +Harry." +</p> + +<p> +"Bless you, Harry," said Mrs. Harkaway, squeezing his hand. +</p> + +<p> +Just then, Mr. Mole, who had felt a tingling sensation at the nose, and +fearing that he was about to disgrace his manly reputation by a tear, +had retired, came stumping back with some news. +</p> + +<p> +"Here comes Jack—old Jack, I mean. Here's luck for us." +</p> + +<p> +A well-known footstep was heard, and Jack Harkaway entered the room. +</p> + +<p> +As his eye fell upon Harry Girdwood, he started back, and the colour +forsook his cheek. +</p> + +<p> +Then he caught sight of his boy, and he gave a cry of delight as he +held open his arms. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack flew to him +</p> + +<p> +"Come here, Harry," cried Harkaway; "here, my boy—for you are a second +son to me." +</p> + +<p> +And the two boys were soon locked in his arms. +</p> + +<p> +For some minutes not a word was spoken. +</p> + +<p> +His heart was too full for speech, but whilst they were thus +engaged—engrossed by their own happiness—a deep sound was heard. +</p> + +<p> +A dismal, moaning sound. +</p> + +<p> +A bell that sounded like a distant funeral knell. +</p> + +<p> +What was it? +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway started up at the mournful sound. +</p> + +<p> +"Hark!" he exclaimed. "Do you hear that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"An execution." +</p> + +<p> +"Where?" +</p> + +<p> +"At the prison." +</p> + +<p> +"Of whom?" +</p> + +<p> +"The brigands." +</p> + +<p> +"The villains have earned their fates right well." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes," exclaimed Jack Harkaway, hurriedly; "but this execution +must not take place, though Tomaso was shot yesterday." +</p> + +<p> +"Tomaso, the brigand," cried young Jack, "then why not the rest of the +brigands." +</p> + +<p> +"Why? Because it is unjust, for the men condemned to suffer death have +been sentenced for murdering you, my own boys." +</p> + +<p> +As the word was uttered, there was a loud commotion, and Theodora burst +into the room. +</p> + +<p> +She gave a cry on seeing the two boys, and rushed up joyfully to Harry +Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank Heaven you are safe," she said hysterically; "but my own brave +boy, do you hear? Do you know that that bell sounds the death-knell of +men who, bad and wicked as they are, have been wrongfully condemned?" +</p> + +<p> +"I know." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, my girl," said Harkaway; "we know—but there is yet time to save +them. Come on, to the prison." +</p> + +<p> +They all left precipitately, and in a very brief space of time they +were at the prison and the brigands respited. +</p> + +<p> +As young Jack said, they had earned the full penalty of the law. +</p> + +<p> +But they would not have it upon their consciences that these lawless +ruffians should suffer for a crime which they had not committed. +</p> + +<p> +"There is one strange fact about this," said the governor of the prison +to Harkaway, "and that is, that one of the prisoners has taken the +liberty of respiting himself." +</p> + +<p> +"Which one?" +</p> + +<p> +"The Englishman Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"What, Hunston escaped!" +</p> + +<p> +"Impossible." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed it is not." +</p> + +<p> +"But how?—when? Why Hunston any more than the others?" +</p> + +<p> +"We can only give a guess," said the governor, "but it is a good one. +His gaoler has disappeared with him; the rest is not a difficult matter +to guess." +</p> + +<p> +It was quite true. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston, Harkaway's old schoolfellow and bitter foe, had once more +contrived to elude justice. +</p> + +<p> +Both had disappeared—prisoner and gaoler with him. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm sorry for that," said Harkaway, "for it would have been a good +thing to take care of that double-dyed traitor, but no matter, we shall +have nothing to fear from him now; we have had enough of this place." +</p> + +<p> +"Are we, then, to leave Greece, dad?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, all our preparations are made, and in a few days, we will weigh +anchor and get away from romantic Greece, and its precious scoundrels +and brigands." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap38"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXVIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE LAST OF THE BRIGAND BAND—HUNSTON'S PERIL—HIS<br /> +WANDERINGS—STARVATION IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY—ON <br /> +THE LANDING STAGE AT NIGHT—AN ADVENTURE.<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +And what of the band? +</p> + +<p> +Where was it? +</p> + +<p> +The fear-stricken few remaining of this once formidable host hid +themselves in the recesses of the mountains, lurking, like thieves and +miscreants as they were, in retired nooks and crannies. +</p> + +<p> +And so their lives grew wretched. +</p> + +<p> +Their famous recruit, Geoffrey, who was such a famous hand at bringing +in plunder every day, disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +And with him disappeared all the booty he had brought them. +</p> + +<p> +Altogether, therefore, this Geoffrey was not so much of an advantage to +them as they had at first supposed. +</p> + +<p> +And with the disappearance of Geoffrey, the sham brigand, we have to +chronicle the sudden return of our old friend, Dick Harvey, to his +beloved Harkaways. +</p> + +<p> +And what of Toro, the giant brigand? +</p> + +<p> +He was completely lost sight of for awhile. +</p> + +<p> +No one knew what had become of him. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston's first care on getting free from the prison was to get into +the mountain fastnesses, in search of his old comrade, Toro. +</p> + +<p> +But he could not discover the least trace of his old comrade. +</p> + +<p> +He skulked about at night and fled to sleep in the mountains by day, +shrinking at the echo of his own footfalls—starting at his own shadow. +</p> + +<p> +"My curses light upon the Harkaways one and all," was the speech ever +upon his tongue; "they have been my bane—my curse through life." +</p> + +<p> +He resolved to get away from this place. +</p> + +<p> +Yes; he would fly. +</p> + +<p> +But how? +</p> + +<p> +Here was he well-nigh starving in the midst of plenty, possessed of a +sum of money which was a small fortune in that land, and yet he dare +not change or part with it. +</p> + +<p> +This life grew unendurable, and he resolved at all hazards to change +it. +</p> + +<p> +Yes; he would get away from this place at once. +</p> + +<p> +Soon after dusk, he ventured, well disguised, into the town and down to +the water side, and lolling about, he soon chanced to hear something +which greatly interested him. +</p> + +<p> +A group of French sailors were smoking, and gossiping upon a subject +which caught his attention as soon as he heard a name mentioned. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; Mr. Harkaway and friends are going away tomorrow," said one of +the sailors, who appeared to be a petty officer. +</p> + +<p> +"I shall come down and see the ladies go on board," said one of the +sailors. +</p> + +<p> +"No, you won't," laughed the former speaker. +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"You're too late." +</p> + +<p> +"They're not on board already, surely?" +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed, they are." +</p> + +<p> +"They start early." +</p> + +<p> +"They weigh anchor at daybreak, I hear." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, well," said the other sailor, joining in; "they'll miss Monsieur +Harkaway here, for he's as rich as Croesus." +</p> + +<p> +"Or Monte Christo," said another, laughingly. +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, that he is," said another sailor. "I was here when the ladies +went on board, and I was lucky enough to be able to render some little +service to Madam Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"What was it?" +</p> + +<p> +"It is not worth repeating," replied this modest Gallic tar. "All I +know is, that Monsieur Harkaway made such a fuss about it that he would +insist upon my going on board with him to drink their health." +</p> + +<p> +"And you went?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; and we swam in good wine. And when I came away, it was with +pockets full of cigars and money to stand treat to you all round." +</p> + +<p> +"What a splendid fellow this Monsieur Harkaway is." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, that he is." +</p> + +<p> +And amidst these words of praise Hunston slunk away, gnashing his teeth +in rage and bitterness. +</p> + +<p> +"Hang him!" he muttered; "his old brag and ostentation have caught +these fools! I wonder where his vessel is? If I could fire a torpedo +under it and send them all where young Jack and the other boy have gone +to, I shouldn't have a dull moment for the rest of my life." +</p> + +<p> +And the ruffian chuckled to himself maliciously. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, but I was one with them," he muttered, "when I had their precious +boy and that Harry Girdwood shot like dogs that they were. Ah! that was +grand. Those were crumbs of comfort." +</p> + +<p> +And rubbing his hands and chuckling, he rambled on. +</p> + +<p> +He paused presently upon coming to a long, wooden landing stage, +jutting out a long way to sea. +</p> + +<p> +Arrived at the head of the jetty, he looked out earnestly seaward, in +the endeavour to trace out which of the many ships in the offing could +be the Harkaways' vessel. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," he murmured to himself, "I don't care much, for I don't +see what I could do if I knew it. I could only send my blessing +straight after it—hah, hah! But with Harkaway's departure, I can +breathe more freely. I have only to get over a few weeks quietly, and +then all the dust which he has kicked up will blow over, and I can live +quietly upon his money like a gentleman, until I decide upon the next +step." +</p> + +<p> +While he sat thus looking out to sea, his attention was suddenly +attracted shorewards. +</p> + +<p> +"Confusion!" he ejaculated, starting up; "there's someone coming along +the jetty." +</p> + +<p> +It was true. +</p> + +<p> +Two sailors and a woman came sauntering along the landing stage, +chatting as they came. +</p> + +<p> +There was barely room for four abreast upon the narrow wooden pier, and +consequently they might recognize him, providing they had heard the +description of him. +</p> + +<p> +"What an ass I was to come here," muttered Hunston; "to drive myself +into a corner." +</p> + +<p> +He looked round. +</p> + +<p> +They did not appear to notice him. +</p> + +<p> +Not yet at least. +</p> + +<p> +So he crouched down, and lowered himself into a boat, which was moored +to one of the end piles. +</p> + +<p> +Beneath the end of the jetty was a series of crossbars and beams, +resting upon the low range of piles, which indeed served as the main +foundation for the whole structure. +</p> + +<p> +So Hunston clambered nimbly out of the boat into this species of +scaffolding. +</p> + +<p> +Here he lay at full length, listening for the approach of these three +people. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"You had better come ashore now, miss," said one of the sailors. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no," replied Mrs. Harkaway's new maid. +</p> + +<p> +"But you'll never be up in time if you go to bed at all." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, yes, Mistaire Saileur, I get up at the hour which I like; I shall +go on board at three o'clock," said the wilful girl. "I shall get the +seasickness quite early enough, I know. Besides, I don't like the water +when it so dark." +</p> + +<p> +"The moon will be up directly." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Tiller was right. +</p> + +<p> +The moon just then burst through a thick cloud, and shot a ray of +silvery light just upon the spot where the girl was kneeling. +</p> + +<p> +It fell across a living face just below the flooring of the jetty. +</p> + +<p> +A face rendered ghastly white by the action of the moonlight, with eyes +upturned in eagerness and expectation. +</p> + +<p> +A startling sight. +</p> + +<p> +A weird and ghastly object to come suddenly before the strongest nerve. +</p> + +<p> +She started back, and sprang to her feet. +</p> + +<p> +Then, with a piercing shriek, she fled. +</p> + +<p> +The sailors looked aghast, staring at each other for explanations. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's after her, Jack!" cried one; "she'll be overboard double quick +if she fouls agin them blessed bulwarks. It's as rotten as tinder." +</p> + +<p> +Off they ran, and they tried all they could to bring the girl back. +</p> + +<p> +But she had had such a scare that she would not hear of it. +</p> + +<p> +She had seen a man hiding there. +</p> + +<p> +"Bah!" cried Jack Tiller, "why should a man hide away from us?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, that's it, miss, why?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't care, I know it was a man. I knew the face. I have seen it in +madame's book of photographs." +</p> + +<p> +"The dooce you did." +</p> + +<p> +"Who was it?" +</p> + +<p> +"One of the brigands. The likeness was taken in prison." +</p> + +<p> +This made the gallant tars laugh again. +</p> + +<p> +"That's the natural bogey hereabouts," said Joe Basalt; "damme if I +believe half their yarns about the brigands." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I neither." +</p> + +<p> +And so, failing to persuade the girl to go on board then, they went +back up the jetty, dropped into their boat, and, unlocking it, rowed +out to sea. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap39"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXIX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +A TRIP BY WATER—BOAT, AHOY!—A COMPACT FOR MONEY—THE STOWAWAY<br /> +ON BOARD THE "WESTWARD HO!"—HIS VISION—IN THE HANDS OF THE<br /> +PHILISTINES. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Hunston had overheard every word uttered. +</p> + +<p> +The full sense of his danger flashed across him. +</p> + +<p> +He was watched, he felt sure. +</p> + +<p> +"Not yet," said Hunston to himself, "not yet. Sooner than let them get +hold of me, I'd lay my bones at the bottom of the sea." +</p> + +<p> +With which intention he dropped into the water. +</p> + +<p> +But he did not even touch the bottom, for before he had got far under, +he struck out, and after taking a dozen strokes; under water, he came +to the surface. +</p> + +<p> +"That's another narrow squeak," he said to himself, as he took in a +deep draught of air. "The last time I had to swim for it was in Cuba, +and a narrow squeak it was too." +</p> + +<p> +He had been rescued on that memorable occasion by his enemy, Jack +Harkaway himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, this squares that old account," he said, turning over on his +back to float. "He saved me last time. He's the cause this time of my +having to take this risk." +</p> + +<p> +He began to look anxiously about him. +</p> + +<p> +There was a boat at no great distance being rowed by two men, so +Hunston thought of signalling them. +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose they are some of those wretched Greeks, and recognise me?" +</p> + +<p> +He gave it up. +</p> + +<p> +But he could hardly keep himself afloat now. +</p> + +<p> +What if they did recognise him? +</p> + +<p> +Would they give him up? +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps. +</p> + +<p> +Well, at the worst they could only take his life for his misdeeds, and +his life was in sore jeopardy now. +</p> + +<p> +So he resolved to hail the men in the boat. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Boat ahoy!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +"Man overboard!" +</p> + +<p> +The signal of the sinking man caught the quick ears of the two men in +the boat, and they pulled towards him double quick. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston caught hold of the side of the boat. +</p> + +<p> +"This arm. Catch under my armpit. There; thanks. I've hurt the other." +</p> + +<p> +Barely rescued from the jaws of death, and yet all his coolness and +presence of mind had come back to him. +</p> + +<p> +In a trice he was lying at the bottom of the boat, panting and waiting +to recover his breath to renew his thanks for their service. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, mounseer, you speak English," said one of the sailors. +Hunston nodded. +</p> + +<p> +"I am English." +</p> + +<p> +"So are we." +</p> + +<p> +"I guessed as much," retorted Hunston, "by the way you pulled to help a +poor devil. It was nearly all over with me." +</p> + +<p> +"Just in time. Well, that's one to us, messmate." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, and you'll find that I'm able to reward you with something more +solid than thanks." +</p> + +<p> +"Get along; me and my mate here don't save lives at so much an 'ed." +</p> + +<p> +"I believe you," said Hunston, "but I should be a villain if I did not +do something handsome for you if I could." +</p> + +<p> +"I tell you what, mate, you shall lug me and my mate out of the water." +</p> + +<p> +"When you get the chance," laughed the other. +</p> + +<p> +"Jes' so." +</p> + +<p> +"How came you there, though?" demanded the former sailor, suddenly. +</p> + +<p> +"It's a long story," said Hunston, taking breath, and thinking up a +good plausible "whacker"; "so I'll tell you without all the details." +</p> + +<p> +"Do." +</p> + +<p> +"There's a very rich and powerful man in this place, who has a very +lovely wife. Well, this lady—" +</p> + +<p> +"Casts sheep's eyes at you." +</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha!" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that is about it," returned Hunston, laughingly. "It's no fault +of mine. I'm sure I never encouraged her. But her husband is precious +jealous, and the consequence is that he had got me out to sea in a boat +with a gang of murderers—" +</p> + +<p> +"The swabs!" +</p> + +<p> +"Marlinspikes and grampuses!" cried the other. +</p> + +<p> +"They were going to practise a curious trick upon me. It is an +institution of their neighbours and masters, the Turks, and they call +it the bowstring." +</p> + +<p> +"D—n their fiddling," ejaculated one of the sailors; "I'd like to have +'em here just awhile. I'd bowstring 'em and show 'em what black eyes, +and good old English fisticuffs mean." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't think that they would care to be instructed in that," said +Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"I'd, I'd—" +</p> + +<p> +"Let the gentleman go on," said the other. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, the fact is, I got out, jumped overboard and capsized the boat +in my struggling, and some of them, I dare say, have gone to the +bottom." +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" shouted one of the sailors. +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +"I hope you finished off the lot of the swabs." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't think that. But anyhow, I'd give a trifle if I could get clear +out of this place." +</p> + +<p> +"I can tell you how to do it" +</p> + +<p> +"You can?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"That's jolly." +</p> + +<p> +"Easily done." +</p> + +<p> +And then the sailor suggested bringing him aboard their ship and +introducing him to the skipper. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston listened and then shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +"What," exclaimed the sailor, "won't do?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you; a blessed outcry would be raised, and the skipper would +be forced to give me up to be tried." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, they would not dare to play false." +</p> + +<p> +"Not while there was a British man-o'-war in the harbour; but nothing +short of that would prevent the villains doing any thing they liked +with me. They would go through the mockery of a trial with me, and I +should be condemned to death beforehand." +</p> + +<p> +"The wampires." +</p> + +<p> +"Wuss wuss, nor wampires, Joe," said the other sailor, wagging his head +gravely. +</p> + +<p> +"There is only one way to get out of this scrape," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Out with it then." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, earn forty pounds apiece and stow me away on board in the hold, +anywhere, until you are out at sea," said the fugitive. +</p> + +<p> +The two sailors looked hard at each other. +</p> + +<p> +"Can't do it." +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" +</p> + +<p> +"Unpossible." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you why not. Our skipper is the best commander afloat, on'y +he won't have no nonsense. We daresn't do it, we daresn't." +</p> + +<p> +"Right, Joe." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, harkye, messmates," said Hunston. "I'm not the man to get any man +to fail in his duty; I wouldn't insult you by mentioning it. But mark +my words, your skipper would be the first man to approve of such an +act." +</p> + +<p> +They shook their heads. +</p> + +<p> +"Not he." +</p> + +<p> +"I know he would, if what you say of him is right; only, d'ye see, he'd +think it his duty to give me up for a fair trial. Well, and what would +be the result of that? Why, as soon as you had set sail, they'd just do +what they liked with me, and you'd never hear of me again in this +world, whereas if I was concealed unknown to the skipper, he'd only be +too glad afterwards to have such a good action done on board his ship +without his having failed in his duty." +</p> + +<p> +They listened to this, and listening they were lost. +</p> + +<p> +That night Hunston slept in the hold of a ship, the two sailors having +contrived to smuggle him on board with the greatest secrecy. +</p> + +<p> +It had been a difficult task for them, and indeed the sailors well +earned the money which he gave them. +</p> + +<p> +Not a soul on board the ship, with the exception of the two sailors, +had the least idea of his presence there. +</p> + +<p> +They contrived to make him up a very snug hiding-place behind some +barrels of sugar and salt pork. +</p> + +<p> +And here they brought him food turn and turn about. +</p> + +<p> +And so he chuckled to himself by day and night at the way in which he +had defeated his enemies, and escaped from Greek justice. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +For three days and three nights he lay snug and quiet. +</p> + +<p> +This was the most prudent course. +</p> + +<p> +But long before the third night was over, Hunston had grown weary and +heartsick of this close confinement. +</p> + +<p> +He had a sharp attack of the blues. +</p> + +<p> +He got drink from the sailors and drank heavily to kill dull care, and +this defeated its own end. +</p> + +<p> +He fell off into a heavy sleep and dreamt all sorts of terrible things. +</p> + +<p> +He thought that without knowing it he had fallen into the power of the +Harkaways again; that in flying from them he had suddenly, when he +thought himself miles away from them and from imminent danger, fallen +into their arms. +</p> + +<p> +And so went his alarming dream, when his worst enemies were assembled +in judgment over him. Jack Harkaway, Harvey, and Jefferson, together, +being his judges, the latter places were suddenly taken by three +visitors from the other world. +</p> + +<p> +These were Harry Girdwood, young Jack, and oh, horror! Robert Emmerson, +his murdered friend. +</p> + +<p> +His three visitors. +</p> + +<p> +And these three threatened and put him to tortures unimaginable, until +he raved, stormed, and wept by turns; and then, broken in body and in +spirit, he prostrated himself before them and begged them to kill him, +and in this horrible phase of his vision he groaned so loudly that he +awoke, to find the perspiration pouring off him in a regular bath. +</p> + +<p> +He was quivering like one suddenly stricken with ague. +</p> + +<p> +Not an inch of his body was free from this fearful palsy. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, what would I give for the light now!" he thought; "will they never +come?" +</p> + +<p> +Yes. +</p> + +<p> +What was that? +</p> + +<p> +Merciful powers! his prayer seemed to be answered. +</p> + +<p> +He saw the faint glimmering of a light +</p> + +<p> +Yes, it was coming this way. +</p> + +<p> +What a relief! +</p> + +<p> +He drew a long, long sigh. +</p> + +<p> +The light stopped suddenly. +</p> + +<p> +Then it was shaded from the part of the hold in which he was hiding. +</p> + +<p> +What could it mean? +</p> + +<p> +Silence was around him. +</p> + +<p> +He stretched forward to ascertain the cause of the light, and there he +saw that which froze the very marrow in his bones with fright. +</p> + +<p> +The light was all reflected upon a young, handsome face which he knew +but too well—so real, so vivid, so lifelike. +</p> + +<p> +The face, too, with the deathly hue of the grave upon it. +</p> + +<p> +It was young Jack's face, but looking to Hunston's frightened eyes pale +as death. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston stared; his optics dilated and appeared ready to start from +their sockets. +</p> + +<p> +He gasped, made an effort to articulate, and then his senses forsook +him, and he became unconscious. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap40"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XL. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON'S PERIL—BLACK VISIONS—A DREAM OF VENGEANCE—AN<br /> +UNKNOWN DANGER TO THE "WESTWARD HO!" +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +An explanation of the foregoing is scarcely necessary, we believe. +</p> + +<p> +You bear in mind, of course, that Hunston was utterly ignorant of the +miraculous escape of his destined victims—young Jack and Harry +Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +You must bear in mind, too, that although you, friend reader, may give +a shrewd guess at the truth, Hunston had not the remotest notion of +where he was. +</p> + +<p> +This said, you may perhaps understand the fearful effect of this waking +vision upon the guilty wretch. +</p> + +<p> +Bear in mind that he had been lurking in a close and stifling hold, +into which no single ray of sunlight penetrated, for three whole +days—three long nights. +</p> + +<p> +Unwelcome conscience tapped and would not be deceived. +</p> + +<p> +A man with the guilt of Hunston upon his mind could not afford to be +alone—nay, nor in the dark either. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +When he recovered consciousness, his first sensations were of burning +in the throat, and opening his eyes, he found himself being cared +tenderly for by one of the sailors who had brought him there. +</p> + +<p> +"Come, come, I say, mister," said the honest tar, who had had a bit of +a fright on finding Hunston's condition, "this won't do, you know." +</p> + +<p> +"I am better now," murmured Hunston, faintly. +</p> + +<p> +"You are a little, precious little. You will have to come on deck now, +and chance what the skipper says about the job." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes; I will," said Hunston, waking up. +</p> + +<p> +"He can't kill us." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor eat me," said the stowaway, with a sickly smile. +</p> + +<p> +"Not he." +</p> + +<p> +"Any thing is better than remaining longer here. I believe I should die +if I did." +</p> + +<p> +"Then up you come at once, as sure as my name's Jack Tiller." +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me, my friend," Hunston said; "whither are we bound?" +</p> + +<p> +"For the Red Sea." +</p> + +<p> +"Pheugh! A long cruise?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, yes." +</p> + +<p> +"And then we are going further yet, and to travel on until we touch the +coast of Australy." +</p> + +<p> +"The deuce!" +</p> + +<p> +"That's it, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"What's the name of the vessel?" +</p> + +<p> +The sailor laughed. +</p> + +<p> +"What makes you grin?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, I was wondering, messmate, why you never asked that before." +</p> + +<p> +"My thoughts were too full of getting away." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, of course." +</p> + +<p> +"What is her name?" +</p> + +<p> +"The 'Westward Ho!' She was formerly the 'Seamew,' and the owner +rechristened her." +</p> + +<p> +"What's his name?" +</p> + +<p> +"The skipper's? Why, captain John Willoughby." +</p> + +<p> +"The owner's?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Jack Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +Had a thunderbolt dropped down in the hold between them, Hunston could +not have been more astonished. +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +His tone startled the sailor. +</p> + +<p> +He saw it, and he did his utmost to calm himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Who did you say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Who?" echoed the sailor. "Why, who but Mr. Jack Harkaway? He's well +known enough. Surely you don't mean for to go for to say as you never +heard of him?" +</p> + +<p> +"I—I think I have heard the name," muttered Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Think! Well, so do I, unless you've been shut up in solitary +confinement for the last fifteen years. Blow me tight, but the man that +hadn't heard of Mr. Jack Harkaway, would be a living curiosity." +</p> + +<p> +"Jack Harkaway the owner of this ship!" Hunston murmured, like one in a +dream, and relapsed into silence once more. +</p> + +<p> +No wonder that he had seen that vision. +</p> + +<p> +No wonder that the spirit of the murdered boy, young Jack, should hover +about the vessel where his destroyer was hiding—in which his father, +mother, and all that he held dear in life were journeying. +</p> + +<p> +The situation grew graver than ever. +</p> + +<p> +It was truly an alarming plight, and the more he thought it over, the +more desperate did he become. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack Tiller," said he. +</p> + +<p> +"Your honour." +</p> + +<p> +"I'll stay where I am." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, very good," replied the tar; "mum's the word. I thought your berth +wasn't over cheerful." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Tiller gave a hoist at his slacks, and with something between a +sigh and a grunt, he wheeled round and went on deck. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"If I could only see my way out of this, I should like better than any +thing to fire the ship," said Hunston, to himself; "fire it and watch +it close by, chuckling at them while they roasted. What a glorious +return it would be for them. By the powers, it is about the only thing +I could do to wipe them all off at once, all, all! Jack, Harvey, Emily, +that Yankee braggart—curse him!" +</p> + +<p> +And Hunston sat brooding in the black and evil-smelling hold day after +day. +</p> + +<p> +The only companion of his solitude being his own dark thoughts, his +vicious resolves for vengeance. +</p> + +<p> +"It is my own cursed ill-luck," he would say to himself again and +again, "to be beholden to this Harkaway for my life. Why, even now, he +has saved me again, saved me in spite of himself. That's the merry side +of the question." +</p> + +<p> +Merry as it was, it never made him smile. +</p> + +<p> +One dreadful thought filled his poor mind. +</p> + +<p> +One fearful fancy took such complete possession of him, that day and +night he was brooding on it. +</p> + +<p> +"Once let me see a clear landing," he would mutter to himself, "once +let me see my way straight to get ashore in a safe place, and then I'll +make the 'Westward Ho!' too hot to hold them. Too hot—ah, yes, a +precious deal too hot to hold them, that I would; for I would make up +such a blaze as they would never be able to extinguish." +</p> + +<p> +And so he began devoting himself to the arrangements for this +villainous purpose. +</p> + +<p> +What is more, he got all his plans mapped out, all ready for the +execution of this most diabolical deed. +</p> + +<p> +Little did the happy passengers in the "Westward Ho!" dream of the +fatal danger threatening them. +</p> + +<p> +They would not have enjoyed so many sweet slumbers, could they have had +the faintest inkling of the truth—if they had suspected that near them +was the villain Hunston, following them with a deadly purpose of +revenge, which seemed to have increased year by year ever since the +schooldays of Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap41"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +YOUNG JACK'S CONFIDENCES—HOW TWO INNOCENT CONSPIRATORS<br /> +REPENTED—A CHANCE SHOT STRIKES HOME. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Harry," said young Jack, as they walked up and down the deck arm in +arm, "I must tell you something that has been upon my mind for days +past." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood turned round. Young Jack's serious manner impressed him. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +"I know you'll laugh," began Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you, Jack?" returned Harry Girdwood, promptly; "that being the +case, tell me at once. I like to laugh, as you know." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Harry, it hasn't made me laugh. I was lolling half drowsily over +the hatchway there, the other evening, when I suppose I dropped off +asleep, and I dreamt of Hunston. I dreamt that I was going through all +that ugly scene again, and while in the thick of the dream, something +woke me." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you think it was?" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't say." +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston's voice, moaning, groaning with pain apparently." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood opened his eyes in wonder at this singular speech. +</p> + +<p> +"What are you talking about?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nonsense, rubbish; is it not? So I thought since. But you know that +sort of dream when you wake up with the vivid effect of your vision so +strongly upon you, that the dream-drama appears to continue after +you're awake?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that is exactly what happened to me. I heard Hunston when I was +awake." +</p> + +<p> +There was something strangely impressive in his manner as he said this, +which caught Harry Girdwood's attention in spite of himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Fancy," he said, with an assumption of indifference which he was far +from feeling; "fancy, my dear Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Of course," answered young Jack; "but very strange." +</p> + +<p> +"Not exactly strange, either, every thing considered, after all we have +gone through. Why, Jack, you will hardly believe me when I tell you +that I scarcely sleep without dreaming of Hunston. And what is there +wonderful in that, after all that has taken place? It was enough to +shake the strongest nerves, to startle the bravest man that ever +lived." +</p> + +<p> +"You allude to the attempted execution of ourselves?" said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; and in spite of that brave brigand girl's assurances, there was +great danger when we stood upon the brink of our grave with a firing +party aiming at us." +</p> + +<p> +"I felt a good deal of confidence in her," said Jack, "but I couldn't +help thinking that an accident in her calculations might happen very +easily." +</p> + +<p> +"That's true. Supposing one of the bullets had been left in?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, then one of us would have been food for worms by now, unless the +wolves or bears had rooted us up out of our graves and made dinner off +us; but I haven't told you all about my vision yet, Harry." +</p> + +<p> +"Did you dream again?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"What more have you, then, to tell? Out with it. What else was it?" +</p> + +<p> +"The moans I heard grew more distinct while I listened, and I followed +the sounds—" +</p> + +<p> +"In your sleep?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, awake. I followed the sounds to the hold." +</p> + +<p> +"Well?" +</p> + +<p> +"They were plainer heard there. I pushed my way over the barrels and +boxes, and nosed down in all the corners with my bull's eye lantern, +when suddenly I heard a half-suppressed cry, a violent gasp rather, as +if someone had too suddenly found himself on the edge of a precipice, +or had seen a ghost." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, at that very moment a hand was placed upon my arm." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"I started back and drew my dirk, and then I found my self attacking—" +</p> + +<p> +"Mole?" +</p> + +<p> +"No. Joe Basalt." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood burst out laughing at this. +</p> + +<p> +"So it was Joe Basalt that was hiding and having a lark with you all +the while?" +</p> + +<p> +"I didn't say so," replied young Jack, thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, then, what, in the name of all that's wonderful, do you think it +could have been?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't know, but Joe Basalt chaffed me. He swore I was walking in my +sleep; but I have come back upon my old opinion since I have thought +the job over." +</p> + +<p> +"You mean that you actually believe there is someone concealed in the +hold?" +</p> + +<p> +"Is—or was. Now, you watch Joe Basalt, Harry, and see if there is not +some thing very strange in his manner." +</p> + +<p> +"I will, if you like, but—good-morning, Tiller." +</p> + +<p> +This was to Jack Tiller, who came up to them touching his forelock. +</p> + +<p> +"Good-morning, Master Jack—morning, Master Harry. We've got a fishing +party on, gentlemen, and thought as you might like to jine us." +</p> + +<p> +"Who's going?" +</p> + +<p> +"Me and Sam Mason, Tommy Shipwright and Bill Adams, Joe Basalt and old +Higgy—only that lot among the common folk," added he, with a grin. +</p> + +<p> +"And who among the superior class?" asked young Jack, laughingly. +</p> + +<p> +"Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"What, Mr. Mole! Why, what on earth is he going for?" +</p> + +<p> +"That's exactly the p'int of it, young gentlemen," +</p> + +<p> +"How so?" +</p> + +<p> +"We're going a-fishing with something new-fangled which Mr. Mole has +inwented." +</p> + +<p> +The two boys looked at each other and grinned. +</p> + +<p> +"Larks are on, Jack," said Harry Girdwood. "I'm in it, for one." +</p> + +<p> +"And I too." +</p> + +<p> +"That's your sort," cried Joe Basalt. "Mr. Harvey's going, too, and Mr. +Jefferson; now I go to Mr. Harkaway and ask his consent." +</p> + +<p> +And Joe left them singing— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + "Avast!" cries Jack, "do you suppose<br /> + I ain't a man my dooty knows?<br /> + For liberty afore we goes<br /> + To ax the skipper I propose."<br /> +</p> + +<p> +And the well-disciplined sailor went to Harkaway's cabin and broached +the question. +</p> + +<p> +"All right, Basalt," said Harkaway; "only look sharp after the young +gentlemen; you know what boys they are to get into mischief." +</p> + +<p> +"All right, your honour; trust me." +</p> + +<p> +"I do, Joe Basalt," responded Harkaway; "I do, for I know that there +was never a straighter or truer man ever trod a deck than you are." +</p> + +<p> +"Come, I say, your honour," remonstrated Joe Basalt, modestly, "draw it +mild." +</p> + +<p> +"No deceit about you, I know it; nothing underhand about Joe Basalt." +</p> + +<p> +A sudden thought flashed through the sailor's head, and it brought up a +very unpleasant reminder. +</p> + +<p> +With it came a flush to his bronzed face. +</p> + +<p> +He touched his forelock respectfully to Harkaway and ran up stairs. +</p> + +<p> +As he went he muttered to himself— +</p> + +<p> +"I felt like a miserable swab!" he muttered; "a d—d, deceitful son +of a sea-cook—that's what you are, Joe Basalt, I wish I'd never had +nothing to do with that precious stowaway." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap42"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +SHARK-FISHING—BILLY LONGBOW'S YARNS—TELL THAT TO THE MARINES—A<br /> +NOVEL BAIT—HOW MR. MOLE HAD THE LAUGH HIS OWN WAY. +</p> + +<p><br /> +</p> + +<p> +The fishing expedition consisted of two boat-loads. +</p> + +<p> +To wit, the pinnace and the cutter. +</p> + +<p> +In the former were Jefferson, Dick Harvey and four sailors. +</p> + +<p> +In the cutter were young Jack, Harry Girdwood, Mr. Mole, Joe Basalt, +Sam Mason, and Jack Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +"Now Jack," said Mr. Mole, settling himself comfortably at the rudder +lines; "and you too, my dear Harry, you know, of course, we are going +shark-fishing. You understand what that is?" +</p> + +<p> +"I know what a shark is, if you mean that," answered young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Rather," said Harry, with a shudder at old recollections "we had a +white one after us once." +</p> + +<p> +"A white shark!" said Mr. Mole, beaming upon the boat's crew generally. +"<i>Squalus Carcharias,</i> the worst of the family." +</p> + +<p> +"They aren't got no families, axing your pardon, Mr. Mole, sir," said +Joe Basalt, "for they eats their own mothers and fathers and children +likewise." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Bill Longbow told me a yarn once, your honour," said Sam Mason, +"about a white shark. I mean," he added, nodding at Mr. Mole +respectfully, "a squally cockylorium—a blessed rum name for a shark—as +devoured all his family for dinner, supped off a Sunday school out +for a pleasure-trip in a steamboat, and was a-goin' to wind up with a +meal off his own blessed self, when his dexter fin stuck in his +swaller, and he brought hisself up ag'in." +</p> + +<p> +A general laugh greeted this sally. +</p> + +<p> +So boisterous was their mirth, that it caught the occupants of the +other boat. +</p> + +<p> +"That's Sam Mason at one of his Billy Longbow's yarns," cried a sailor +in the pinnace. +</p> + +<p> +"So you had a white shark after you in the water," said Mr. Mole. +"Rather unpleasant that." +</p> + +<p> +"It was indeed unpleasant at such close quarters," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Very close?" demanded Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Not further off than—" +</p> + +<p> +"Than that squally cockylorium is from you now, your honour," cried Sam +Mason, pointing behind Mole. +</p> + +<p> +The old gentleman looked quickly behind them, and there, paddling about +the stern, was a monstrous white shark. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole slid off his seat to the bottom of the boat with wonderful +celerity. +</p> + +<p> +"Don't like the look of him?" said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Ho! I'll tackle him presently, but I—I slipped down," said Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"So I see, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"And I mean to show you some novel sport in the way of shark-fishing," +said the old gentleman. +</p> + +<p> +"You?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +He had brought a large hamper with him, which he now proceeded to +unpack, the occupants of the boat looking on with great interest in the +business. +</p> + +<p> +"Billy Longbow told me a yarn once," said the irrepressible Sam Mason, +"about a wooden-legged nigger." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole looked up. +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"A wooden-legged nigger," said Sam Mason, touching his forelock +respectfully at Mole. "No offence, your honour, to your legs." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no." +</p> + +<p> +"Go on, Sam," said young Jack, laughing; "out with Billy Longbow's +yarn." +</p> + +<p> +"This nigger was stumping along the banks of the Nile one day, when who +should he meet but a blessed big crockydile about a hundred feet long." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh!" +</p> + +<p> +"Draw it mild, Sam." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, that's what Billy Longbow said—a hundred feet long." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, damme!" cried Joe Basalt, "make it ninety-nine, Sam, for decency +sake." +</p> + +<p> +"I won't give in half a foot," persisted Sam. "Well, when Snowball sees +Muster Crockydile so near as there was no getting out of the way, he +says—'You jist wait a bit, Massa Crock, I'll gib yar suffin to sniff +at.' An' so, without more ado, he unscrews one of his wooden legs, and +walks into the animal's jaws." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, oh, oh!" +</p> + +<p> +A general groan of incredulity. +</p> + +<p> +"Absurd," said Mr. Mole, without looking up from his task of watching, +in case the shark should again show itself. +</p> + +<p> +"A fact, sir," said Sam Mason. "Well, he holds up his wooden leg +perpendicular and the greedy crock comes on with a snap, but the wooden +leg was a trifle more than he could get over; there it stuck and +propped his great ugly maws wide open; out crawls Snowball, a kind of +sorter modern Jonah, none the worse for it." +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, Sam!" +</p> + +<p> +"Ho! it is quite true, for it's Billy Longbow's version of it," said +the modest Sam. +</p> + +<p> +"And is that all?" +</p> + +<p> +"Not quite. He squatted down upon his stump, and prodded the crock in +the eye with the other wooden leg until he caved in." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, oh, oh! Sam, Sam!" they cried in a chorus. +</p> + +<p> +By the time the laugh had subsided, Mr. Mole was ready with his novel +fishing-apparatus. Novel, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +He took a soda water bottle, filled with gunpowder and tightly corked, +and through the cork was a twisted wire that was attached to the line. +</p> + +<p> +The other end of the line was a small square box, which was furnished +with four handles, similar to that of a barrel organ. +</p> + +<p> +One of these handles was to pay out line, another was for winding in. +</p> + +<p> +"And the other two?" demanded Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Simple enough," said Mr. Mole; "this box is a battery, and in my line +is a conductor that goes through the cork into the powder. When I feel +a tug, a turn or two of my handle here sends a spark into the powder, +and our friend the <i>Squalus Carcharias</i> gets a good deal more than +he has time to digest." +</p> + +<p> +"I begin to see." +</p> + +<p> +"Really, it is a very great plan, Mr. Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"Now for the pork." +</p> + +<p> +"Pork!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +He had provided himself with a large morsel of fat in a flat strip, and +this he proceeded to tie round the soda water bottle with twine. +</p> + +<p> +When this was done, he put out about thirty feet of his telegraphic +line, and then hurled his novel bait out to sea. +</p> + +<p> +They looked eagerly out in the direction, and saw the great sea-monster +dive swiftly after it. +</p> + +<p> +Then its huge carcase was clearly perceived in the limpid water turning +over. +</p> + +<p> +Mole waited a moment. +</p> + +<p> +The line tightened. +</p> + +<p> +"Now for it." +</p> + +<p> +He gave two of his handles several vicious twists. +</p> + +<p> +There was a shock, and a kind of water spout not far off. +</p> + +<p> +Mole chuckled quietly, and wound in his line. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think it has succeeded?" demanded young Jack, anxiously. +</p> + +<p> +"Do I think, do I know? Of course it has." +</p> + +<p> +They watched the place eagerly, and in the space of a few minutes the +carcase of the huge white shark, completely rent asunder, rose to the +surface of the water, and floated about. +</p> + +<p> +"Damme!" ejaculated Joe Basalt, "if that ain't the queerest fishing I +ever come nigh." +</p> + +<p> +"And ain't Mr. Mole the best fisherman you ever see?" +</p> + +<p> +"That he is." +</p> + +<p> +"Let's give him a cheer; hip, hip, hip!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +And they towed the vanquished shark alongside the "Westward Ho!" while +Isaac Mole became the hero of the day. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap43"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLIII. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +MORE DEEDS OF DARING—HOW JEFFERSON SHOWED UP IN AN EMERGENCY—SINGLE<br /> +COMBAT AND ITS RESULT—MR. MOLE TO THE FORE WITH A FRESH FEAT ON<br /> +THE LONGBOW. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"They've got a bite in the cutter," said Parry. +</p> + +<p> +They had, and it seemed to be a strong one. They had got a Tartar. +</p> + +<p> +A big fish was hooked, and dragging their boat through the water at a +furious rate. +</p> + +<p> +"We must go and lend them a hand," said young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +They laid down to their work, and were soon upon the scene of the +strife. +</p> + +<p> +Aye, strife is the correct expression. +</p> + +<p> +Strife it was. +</p> + +<p> +A steam tug could not have dragged them along at a better pace, or have +made resistance more hopeless. +</p> + +<p> +"Pull hard." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, sir!" +</p> + +<p> +"Lay down to it, my lads," cried old Mole, excitedly; "look how they +are flying through the water." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, sir!" +</p> + +<p> +"I remember Billy Longbow once," began Mason. +</p> + +<p> +"Hang Billy Longbow now!" said Joe Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, let's bag this fish first and then—" +</p> + +<p> +"Ain't Mr. Mole got another of his soda water bottles?" +</p> + +<p> +"Lots of bait," replied Mr. Mole; "but the tackle isn't up to the +mark." +</p> + +<p> +"Now he's slackening." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—he's getting blown." +</p> + +<p> +"Now he rises." +</p> + +<p> +So he did. +</p> + +<p> +As they spoke, the flight of the cutter was checked, and a huge shark +rose to the surface of the water for air. +</p> + +<p> +A couple of fowling pieces gave him a warm greeting, but without +appearing to damage him much. +</p> + +<p> +The pinnace now pulled sharply round, and young Jack, standing up on +the head of the boat, held the harpoon ready for use when they should +be within reach. +</p> + +<p> +The moment was soon found. +</p> + +<p> +The harpoon flew from his grasp whizzing through the air, and struck +the quarry. +</p> + +<p> +Tough as his hide was, the harpoon would not be denied admission. +</p> + +<p> +The shark snorted as it was struck, and dived down, down, until the +line grew taut. +</p> + +<p> +Had there been but a single line to hold the voracious monster in +check, it would have been but little use, so violent was the struggle, +and so desperately sudden was the strain. +</p> + +<p> +But the two lines worked well together now. +</p> + +<p> +Much as the shark objected to their company, he had no choice but to +cruise about within the comparatively narrow limits of his tether. +</p> + +<p> +"Beast!" said Dick Harvey, snapping a pistol as it rose once more to +the surface. "You take a thundering lot of killing." +</p> + +<p> +"This must be settled," said Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll show you," returned the Yankee, promptly. +</p> + +<p> +He drew his bowie, and watching the shark intently for a moment, he +sprang over the boat's side into the sea. +</p> + +<p> +A cry of horror arose from one and all. +</p> + +<p> +What could this mean? +</p> + +<p> +Suicide—the maddest suicide that ever man had contemplated. +</p> + +<p> +Nothing could save him now. +</p> + +<p> +Nothing. +</p> + +<p> +"Jefferson!" ejaculated Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Hush!" cried one of the sailors, with suppressed excitement; "don't +worrit. Let him have the same chance as the shark at any rate." +</p> + +<p> +It wanted a bold fellow to do such a deed as this, but Jefferson was a +bold fellow, few bolder. +</p> + +<p> +He was no braggart; but his self-confidence was amazing, and it brought +him through many and many a desperate strait. +</p> + +<p> +Would it bring him through this present affair? +</p> + +<p> +Doubtful—sadly doubtful, indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The wounded shark caught sight of the intrepid American, and all +heedless of its hurts, dived after him. +</p> + +<p> +The spectators held their breaths. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson rose to the surface in an instant, drew a long breath, and +then down he plunged again. +</p> + +<p> +Barely was he under when up came the shark snorting, puffing, and +blowing. +</p> + +<p> +There was a momentary pause just then. +</p> + +<p> +Then its huge tail lashed the water into foam and it rolled over, the +water surrounding it being crimsoned with its life blood. +</p> + +<p> +"That's another gone coon," said Sam Mason exultingly. +</p> + +<p> +As he spoke, Jefferson shot up to the boat's side, where half a dozen +eager hands dragged him in. +</p> + +<p> +"Phew!" he said, shaking the water from his face and head, "that beast +has cost me my knife and my cutlass." +</p> + +<p> +He had sheathed them both in the shark before the ugly beast was done +with. +</p> + +<p> +The spectators gave him a cheer. +</p> + +<p> +"That's sharp work, Jack," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Sharp, indeed." +</p> + +<p> +"It wants a quick hand and a sharp eye." +</p> + +<p> +"And it has got it, too, there," said Isaac Mole, enthusiastically; +"the smartest performance I've seen for many a long day." +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson nodded and smiled at the speaker. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank'ee, Mr. Mole," said he; "such praise is indeed gratifying coming +from you, the real hero of the day." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole was radiant with smiles at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Jefferson," said the old gentleman, in his most condescending and +patronising manner, "you remind me of myself in my best days." +</p> + +<p> +The boat's crew generally laughed at this. +</p> + +<p> +But Mr. Mole was not at all abashed. +</p> + +<p> +"Really, Mr. Mole," said Jefferson, "you flatter." +</p> + +<p> +"Not I," protested Mr. Mole; "I rarely remember doing a neater thing +myself." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed!" +</p> + +<p> +"Truly." +</p> + +<p> +"Is it possible?" +</p> + +<p> +"What magnanimity!" +</p> + +<p> +"Humility itself," ejaculated another. +</p> + +<p> +The exaggeration of their expressions of wonderment as well as +admiration did not at all upset Mr. Mole's moral equilibrium. +</p> + +<p> +He had a very large swallow for admiration, and he pleased to take it +all as his legitimate due. +</p> + +<p> +"The only thing which can at all compare to Mr. Jefferson's gallant +deed was an adventure that I will tell you of," said he, modestly. "I +was on a whaling expedition up north——" +</p> + +<p> +"Whaling?" +</p> + +<p> +"You!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, yes, I, Jack. What is there surprising in that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing, sir," responded young Jack; "only I was not aware you had +ever done any thing in that line." +</p> + +<p> +"Now, how can you expect to know all my past career, my dear boy?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Whaling, I repeat. We were chasing an enormous spermaceti whale. I was +carrying the harpoon and tackle, and as we got within range I let fly +at him with all my force. Now, perhaps I ought not to say it, but there +were not many men who could approach me in handling the harpoon. I +spitted the animal clean through the middle." +</p> + +<p> +"Dear me!" +</p> + +<p> +"No sooner did he feel himself struck than he sounded. Out went the +line, but hang me if I could pay out fast enough, for he jerked me +clean off my perch into the water." +</p> + +<p> +"Dreadful!" +</p> + +<p> +"Shocking!" +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole smiled grimly. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so bad as it sounds, after all," he said. "It startled me a bit, +as you may suppose." +</p> + +<p> +"It would, of course," said Dick, tipping the wink to Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +"But I had got back my presence of mind in half a crack, so I hauled in +my line until I found myself on the whale's back. There I stuck on like +grim death, jobbing and stabbing away with one hand, while I held on to +the hilt of the harpoon with the other. I had only a dirk or short +sword with me, but it was quite long enough for the whale." +</p> + +<p> +"No doubt, no doubt," exclaimed Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"In a few minutes I had jobbed all the go out of him, and he floated on +the top of the water dead as a bloater, with me on the top, rather +blown with being so long under water, but with that excepted, not much +the worse for it." +</p> + +<p> +"Wonderful!" +</p> + +<p> +"Marvellous!" +</p> + +<p> +"A miracle!" +</p> + +<p> +Such were the mildest tributes of admiration which Mr. Mole's fanciful +reminiscence drew forth. +</p> + +<p> +"You must have shipped a good lot of water, your honour," said Jack +Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +"That I did." +</p> + +<p> +"More water than your honour has ever took since." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole half smelt a lurking sarcasm in this, but the honest tar's +face showed no signs of slyness. +</p> + +<p> +The only evidence of it being a dig at Mr. Mole's well-known weakness +for strong waters was to be found in the merry twinkling of the +listeners' eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"I remember something that happened to Billy Longbow—" began Sam +Mason. +</p> + +<p> +"Avast, Sam!" interrupted Jack Tiller; "Billy Longbow ain't in it with +Mr. Mole at a yarn." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap44"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLIV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON'S TRIALS IN THE HOLD OF THE "WESTWARD HO!"—THE SHINE<br /> +WITH HIS PROTECTORS—A STRANGE REVELATION—TROUBLES. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Hunston was, meanwhile, getting into a very bad state of mind. +</p> + +<p> +The mechanical arm was resuming its invidious advance—its mysterious +yet none the less terrible attack. +</p> + +<p> +"I feel that I am going off the hooks," he would mutter to himself, +grimly, from time to time. "I shall put my old enemy Jack Harkaway to +the trouble of burying me after all. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, one good turn deserves another. I buried his brat, he shall bury +me. Only he won't get as much for doing for me as I did for his son." +</p> + +<p> +He little dreamt that both young Jack and Harry Girdwood were upon that +ship. +</p> + +<p> +He had seen young Jack once, and then his fears were so excited that +they obtained a complete mastery over his cooler judgment. +</p> + +<p> +He took him for his own apparition. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt and Jack Tiller felt unhappy. +</p> + +<p> +They had long learnt to repent of their slyness in concealing the +stowaway on board the "Westward Ho!" +</p> + +<p> +Honest Joe Basalt and rough-and-ready Jack Tiller consulted daily over +the dilemma into which they had fallen. +</p> + +<p> +"Hark ye, Jack," said his pal Basalt, "we've bin an' made hasses of +ourselves in getting that chap aboard, but our dooty is clear now." +</p> + +<p> +"What's that?" +</p> + +<p> +"To go and make a clean breast of it to the skipper." +</p> + +<p> +"But the cove himself seemed so particular avarse to that." +</p> + +<p> +"Cos why? Ain't he bin telling lies by the pint measure? He's been +humbugging of us," persisted Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +"Let's go and talk reasonable to him, then," said Tiller, "for this +must come to an end. Damme, if I don't feel as if I'd been an' done a +hanging job at the very least." +</p> + +<p> +They went to the hold and found Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +The appearance of the wretched stowaway was by this time something +dreadful. +</p> + +<p> +"We have come to the conclusion, mister," said Joe Basalt, "that there +is nothing for it but to let the skipper know all." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston pricked up his ears at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Do what?" he exclaimed, violently. "Split upon me, would ye?" +</p> + +<p> +"That's a rum word to use," said Joe Basalt. "You are precious +feverish, and if you only was to see our skipper and let him know what +you told us when we picked you out of the water, he would help you—" +</p> + +<p> +"To a halter," muttered the castaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you speak?" +</p> + +<p> +"No, Tiller, not I: I was only saying that he wouldn't care to see me, +so drop it." +</p> + +<p> +"We can't" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't," repeated Joe Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +"Then listen to me," exclaimed Hunston, starting up with new energy; +"if you tell a word about me to anyone it will be a breach of faith and +I shall resent it." +</p> + +<p> +"Resent! How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Easily." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, if you means threatening me. I may as well tell you I ain't +afeared of no man, and when you gets round and pulls up your strength +again, I shall be happy to have half an hour with you quiet and +comfortable, and my pal, Jack Tiller, shall stand by and see fair +play." +</p> + +<p> +And honest Joe rolled up his shirt sleeves showing to the villain +Hunston a pair of powerful and brawny arms. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't mean that," said Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"But I do." +</p> + +<p> +"And so do I," added Jack Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +"I mean to say that if you betray me to Harkaway or to any of the +party, I shall make a point of letting them know that you kept me snug +here so long because you were well paid for it, and it may not please +your master, perhaps, to learn that you are doing a little passenger +traffic upon your own account; and what's better, sticking to the money +you make over it." +</p> + +<p> +This staggered the two sailors not a little. +</p> + +<p> +"You lying, black-hearted swab," ejaculated Tiller, when he had got his +breath. "Would you dare?" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston curled his lip contemptuously. +</p> + +<p> +"Dare!" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, you sneaking, lying Judas," cried Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +"Lying!" echoed Hunston; "is it not true?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Not true that I paid you for saving me and bringing me here?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; but—" +</p> + +<p> +"But—but—but pickles. The tale I shall tell will speak for itself." +</p> + +<p> +"Then, damme, you shall try it on now," ejaculated the exasperated Joe +Basalt, moving towards the companion ladder. +</p> + +<p> +But before he could get any further, Hunston sprang before him, knife +in hand. +</p> + +<p> +"Hold!" +</p> + +<p> +"Stand aside," cried Joe. +</p> + +<p> +"When you have sworn not to utter a word; but not till then—not till +then." +</p> + +<p> +The two sailors stared at each other in surprise at this outburst. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, Joe," exclaimed his comrade, "did you ever see such a +black-hearted villain?" +</p> + +<p> +"Not I. But put of the way with you, swab, or, damme, I'll make small +biscuit of you." +</p> + +<p> +So saying, he ran at Hunston, and knocked the knife out of his hand. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston endeavoured to close with him. +</p> + +<p> +But the temporary strength with which his fury had invested him +vanished suddenly, and he fell to the ground, a dull, heavy load. +</p> + +<p> +They ran to raise him. +</p> + +<p> +To their dismay they discovered that he was breathless—lifeless. +</p> + +<p> +"He's dead!" +</p> + +<p> +"Is he? Then, by the Lord Harry, we must go and fetch the doctor, or we +shall get into an awful mess. Stay here, Joe, awhile. I'll go up and +see for the doctor." +</p> + +<p> +"Stop a bit," said Joe Basalt, feeling the stowaway's chest. "He's not +dead yet. I can feel something moving here. Yes, it's beating." +</p> + +<p> +"He's only fainting, then." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Quite enough, top. I'll go up and let them know, before he can go on +again about it." +</p> + +<p> +Up he ran. +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt used his best exertions to bring the swooning man round. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Tiller found Harkaway on deck. +</p> + +<p> +"Might I have half a word with your honour?" +</p> + +<p> +"A dozen, if you like, Tiller," said old Jack, turning from the party +of daring fishermen, who had been relating their deeds of daring with +the sharks, and was quite elated with the narrations which they had +been giving. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Tiller hummed and ha'd, and looked uneasy, and so he pulled his +forelock and spluttered out— +</p> + +<p> +"Please, sir, I've been and gone on like a darned bad lot, your +honour." +</p> + +<p> +"Tiller!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, your honour, I have. I've been and let a berth here on board, and +stuck to the money—leastways, that's what the passenger himself says, +though, the Lord help me, I hadn't the least idea of doing such a +thing; not I. I took a poor drowning wretch in, and I put him below in +the hold to keep him snug, and—" +</p> + +<p> +Here Harkaway interrupted him with a cry of wonder and astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +"What, Tiller, you mean to say you have a stowaway on board the +'Westward Ho?'" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, your honour," responded the frightened mariner. +</p> + +<p> +"You have done very wrong, Jack Tiller," said Harkaway, "very wrong +indeed." +</p> + +<p> +"I know I have, though Lord help me if I thought of wronging any man. +The poor devil in gratitude, offered me money, and I took it; and now I +feel as if I had been robbing your honour, that's all. But I'll be glad +to hand over the money, and so will my pal, Joe Basalt." +</p> + +<p> +"Joe!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Is he in it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"You surprise me." +</p> + +<p> +"Devil a bit do I wonder at that, sir. We're a thieving, dishonest lot, +sir, little as I thought it, sir." +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack smiled at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," he said, after a moment's reflection, "we'll go deeper +into that question when we have seen your stowaway." +</p> + +<p> +"This way, sir," said the worthy Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack followed him down below. +</p> + +<p> +On reaching the hold, he found Joe Basalt kneeling up in a corner over +the wretched stowaway, who was still in a deep swoon. +</p> + +<p> +"How is he?" asked Tiller. "Any better yet?" +</p> + +<p> +"No." +</p> + +<p> +"Fainted again?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes—hush! don't make a row." +</p> + +<p> +"Here's the governor, Joe," said Jack Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt turned round with a start, and hung his head abashed. +</p> + +<p> +"It's all right, Joe," said Harkaway, "Don't worry any more about it; +only you were wrong to conceal it from me, that's all. And now let us +look at the patient. He is ill, Jack Tiller tells me." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, your honour." +</p> + +<p> +"Turn your lantern upon his face." +</p> + +<p> +The sailor opened his bull's-eye. +</p> + +<p> +As its glare flashed upon the half swooning man, he opened his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The recognition was mutual—yes, and instantaneous. +</p> + +<p> +The stowaway glared fiercely upwards, and uttered but one word— +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap45"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLV. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +GOOD FOR EVIL—AN UNEXPECTED STROKE OF LUCK FOR +HUNSTON. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Harkaway, the noble and generous, and Hunston, the villain from boyhood +to manhood, together—face to face! +</p> + +<p> +After all these changes and trials and vicissitudes. +</p> + +<p> +After all these acts of villainy, treachery, and cruelty upon the part +of the miserable wretch Hunston. After so many acts of daring upon the +part of our dashing hero, Jack Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Not a word was spoken for some moments. +</p> + +<p> +This strange encounter literally deprived them of the power of +utterance. +</p> + +<p> +It was unexpected to both of them. +</p> + +<p> +Startling—appalling was it to Hunston upon regaining consciousness, to +find himself face to face with the man of all others he dreaded and +hated most. +</p> + +<p> +Need we say why? +</p> + +<p> +No. +</p> + +<p> +The reader has not, of course, forgotten that Hunston was ignorant of +the two boys' preservation. Little did he dream that those two destined +victims had, by little less than a miracle, escaped his vengeance. +</p> + +<p> +Bitter, indeed, therefore, were his feelings now, for he fully believed +that young Jack was in his grave in the Greek mountains. +</p> + +<p> +Under any ordinary circumstances he would have felt tolerably easy, for +well as he knew what an ugly customer was Jack Harkaway in a tussle, he +was also aware that Jack would not take advantage of an enemy's +powerless condition, no matter how deep were the wrongs inflicted. +</p> + +<p> +The murder of Harkaway's boy, Hunston knew well, was a crime which +Harkaway would never look over. +</p> + +<p> +His fate was sealed. +</p> + +<p> +So deeply was he convinced of this that he would have laid violent +hands upon himself if he had had the power. +</p> + +<p> +But the crowning crime of self-murder he was powerless to commit. +</p> + +<p> +"So, Hunston," said Harkaway, sternly, "we meet face to face once +more." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was silent. +</p> + +<p> +What could he say? +</p> + +<p> +"What new villainy brought you here?" said Harkaway. "What fresh act of +devilry had you in contemplation when you got on board my vessel?" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston gave him a sickly and scornful smile. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you suppose that I knew where I was?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston stared. +</p> + +<p> +"Then all I have to say is, that you haven't improved in wit or wisdom +with increasing years. Why, the merest chance brought me here. I am not +guilty of gratitude as a rule, you will say." +</p> + +<p> +"True." +</p> + +<p> +"You haven't the satisfaction of saying it," retorted Hunston, quickly; +"I have said it for you. But the two men who hid me here had no idea +who I was. Being hard pressed on shore—where you made it too hot to +hold me—I took to the water, and when I was nearly sinking, I hailed +their boat. They took me in and—" +</p> + +<p> +"And you returned the compliment." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"By taking them in," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"They hid me away here to do me a service. I made my tale good to them. +As my time, I feel, is nearly up in this world, I don't want to do them +any wrong." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway listened in some astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +The wretch's allusion to his approaching end thrilled Harkaway +strangely. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you feel so ill?" he asked. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston smiled sardonically at this. +</p> + +<p> +"Nearly all over," was his reply. "Laugh away—laugh away!" +</p> + +<p> +"Hush, miserable man, hush!" exclaimed Harkaway. "You have known me +nearly all my life; you knew me as a schoolboy and as a man." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"And no one has better reason than you to know that Jack Harkaway does +not fight with helpless enemies, still less does he rejoice over the +sufferings of the worst foe he ever had." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston looked up. +</p> + +<p> +A faint gleam of hope appeared in this. +</p> + +<p> +But no; it was impossible. +</p> + +<p> +Too well he knew that his life was forfeited. +</p> + +<p> +But while he was ruminating thus, Harkaway had sent one of the men up +on deck to fetch the doctor. +</p> + +<p> +In the course of two or three minutes the man returned, accompanied by +the ship's surgeon. +</p> + +<p> +"A stowaway on board the 'Westward Ho!'" said the doctor, as he entered +the hold; "I should sooner have expected to find one on board a +man-of-war." +</p> + +<p> +"Examine him, please, doctor," said Harkaway anxiously, "and let us +know how he is." +</p> + +<p> +The doctor made no reply, but proceeded without any fuss or +demonstration to feel the sick man's pulse. +</p> + +<p> +"Very low," he said; "in a bad way. We must get him up out of this +place, for it is enough to choke a black." +</p> + +<p> +He was tended as carefully as if he had been one of their best friends, +instead of the bitterest, the most treacherous of their enemies; and, +strange to relate, Jack Harkaway appeared not a little concerned about +the villain's welfare. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you think that there is any danger?" he asked. +</p> + +<p> +"Immediate, do you mean, sir?" said the doctor. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Humph! I can scarcely say. Not exactly immediate, perhaps, if care be +taken." +</p> + +<p> +"You think he will live?" +</p> + +<p> +"Unless the fever which has set in should take an unfavourable turn. He +is constitutionally strong." +</p> + +<p> +"I know that." +</p> + +<p> +The doctor looked at Harkaway in some surprise. +</p> + +<p> +"You are a bit of a doctor, Mr. Harkaway?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack smiled. +</p> + +<p> +"A very small bit," he answered; "only I have known this man nearly all +my life." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed!" +</p> + +<p> +The doctor's manner invited confidence, and it was quite clear that his +curiosity had been awakened. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway thought it over quickly and quietly, and he came to the +conclusion that he could not do better than let the doctor participate +in the secret. +</p> + +<p> +"You are surprised that an old acquaintance of mine should be here on +board my ship, lurking and skulking as a stowaway?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well," answered Doctor Anderson, in a constrained manner, "if I +confess the honest plain truth, I am." +</p> + +<p> +"It is simple enough; the man did not know that he was on my vessel, or +it would be about the last vessel in the world he would have chosen for +refuge." +</p> + +<p> +"Refuge?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; refuge is the word. Now I am the worst man in the world at half +confidences. Tell me, are you a good man to keep a secret, doctor?" +</p> + +<p> +"I am." +</p> + +<p> +"Then I may tell you something that will rather startle you." +</p> + +<p> +"You will?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. That poor wretch you have the charge of is the worst enemy that I +have. It is my old schoolfellow, Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes. You remember the name, I perceive." +</p> + +<p> +"I do. But is it possible that the villain has the audacity to venture +here?" +</p> + +<p> +"No; that is just what he would not do. He took to the water, being +hardly pressed by his enemies." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, if your men knew who it was, they would tear him piecemeal." +</p> + +<p> +"Exactly; and that's what I wanted to speak of to you, doctor. We must +take every care not to let them know." +</p> + +<p> +"Really, you are as careful of him as though he were a cherished +friend." +</p> + +<p> +"Not quite," answered Harkaway; "only I don't care to drop on a +helpless enemy, even such a viper as this Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +"But he is such an utterly bad lot." +</p> + +<p> +"True; and I should not feel the slightest compunction at taking his +life in a tussle, in a fair stand-up fight; but what I can't do, is +taking a man's life when he is helpless at my mercy." +</p> + +<p> +The doctor saw that Harkaway did not wish to discuss it further, and so +he contented himself with obeying orders; and so Hunston got restored +to health in the ship of his old schoolfellow, the man whom he had +injured most deeply. +</p> + +<p> +Care and skill of the first description were lavished upon him. +</p> + +<p> +But for this, Hunston would probably have languished and died +wretchedly upon the coast of Greece, unless an accident had thrown him +into the power of the authorities. +</p> + +<p> +In that case, his destiny would have been speedily accomplished. +</p> + +<p> +His end—the scaffold. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap46"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLVI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON'S PROGRESS—MISGIVINGS—THE WARNINGS FROM THE +GRAVE. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Mr. Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"Doctor." +</p> + +<p> +"A word with you, if convenient, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Certainly, doctor," returned old Jack. +</p> + +<p> +And they walked on deck together. +</p> + +<p> +"It is only concerning the patient." +</p> + +<p> +"What of him?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is something concerning that mechanical arm which completely +baffles me. It is poisoned, I fear." +</p> + +<p> +"You astonish me," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +While they were talking this over, young Jack dropped into the cabin. +Now, the boy knew better than anybody the history of the mechanical +arm. +</p> + +<p> +It will not be forgotten by the reader that the death of Robert +Emmerson occurred on board the pirate vessel during the captivity of +young Jack Harkaway and Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +Although so many adventures have been gone through since then, you can +not have forgotten that during their captivity Hunston and Toro had +striven might and main to compass the poor boy's destruction. +</p> + +<p> +It is needless to recall to the reader's recollection that it was +during that time that this wondrous work was perfected by Robert +Emmerson, and that during that time his work was the indirect cause of +his death. +</p> + +<p> +The legend of the steel arm was not forgotten by the boys. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"This arm was made by the notorious Protean Bob," said young Jack to +his father. "You remember Protean Bob?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"He was a highly-skilled mechanician, it appears, and that he gave +himself thoroughly up to the manufacture of this arm." +</p> + +<p> +"It is certainly a marvellous piece of work," said Doctor Anderson. +</p> + +<p> +"The strangest part of the story is," said young Jack, "that only the +inventor knows the exact working of it, and that there is concealed in +the springs something deadly to avenge the inventor should the wearer +of the arm ever prove wanting in gratitude. And Hunston, as you know—" +</p> + +<p> +"Never troubled anyone with gratitude." +</p> + +<p> +"No, indeed," said Doctor Anderson, reflectively; "the strangest part +of that is, he never misses an opportunity of railing against you." +</p> + +<p> +"Against me!" said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Ungrateful ruffian!" exclaimed Harvey, who entered just as this was +spoken. +</p> + +<p> +"He thinks when he gets well, you will take his life, for he is still +ignorant of the boys being here, or of their lives being saved," said +the doctor. +</p> + +<p> +"I see, I see," said young Jack; "he doesn't know that we escaped the +death which he fancied so sure. He ought to suffer for that." +</p> + +<p> +"Hush!" said old Jack: "he is punished enough already." +</p> + +<p> +"Not quite. I don't think he could be punished enough," said Harry +Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Nor I." +</p> + +<p> +"Stop, stop," said Harkaway, seriously; "I have suffered more than all +of you, at the hands of this man, and if I can forgive him, surely you +can." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Now, as Hunston gained strength, his old evil passions returned in +their full force. +</p> + +<p> +The nurses appointed to attend his bedside, were the two sailors who +had rescued him from a watery grave, honest Joe Basalt and his friend +Jack Tiller. +</p> + +<p> +These two bluff tars had been appointed to the post for reasons which +the reader will readily comprehend. +</p> + +<p> +They had received a long lesson from old Jack and from the doctor too. +</p> + +<p> +They were forbidden to mention certain matters, and although Hunston +would wheedle and cross-examine with the skill of an Old Bailey lawyer, +he quite failed to get any information from them. +</p> + +<p> +"At any rate," exclaimed the patient, in utter despair, "you don't mind +telling me whither we are bound." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, yes, I do," returned Joe Basalt, who was on duty for the time +being. +</p> + +<p> +"Why?" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't tell." +</p> + +<p> +"You don't think that Harkaway means to—" +</p> + +<p> +"Mister Harkaway, if you please," interrupted Joe Basalt, surlily. +</p> + +<p> +"Well then, Mr. Harkaway," said Hunston, impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +"That's better." +</p> + +<p> +"You don't think that he means to hand me over to the authorities at +the nearest port, do you?" +</p> + +<p> +Joe was mum. +</p> + +<p> +"Eh?" +</p> + +<p> +Not a word. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston still remained in ignorance of the presence of the boys—aye, +even of their very existence. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Massa Jack," said Sunday to our youthful hero, one morning, "we often +gib poor old Daddy Mole a teasing, sir, a frightening." +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack grinned. +</p> + +<p> +"We have." +</p> + +<p> +"Ought he not to get off easier dan dat dam skunk, dat Hunston fellar?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, but you wouldn't recommend joking with him as we do with Mr. +Mole?" +</p> + +<p> +"No. I'd let it be no joke, Massa Jack; I'd just frighten him out of +his darned skin, dat's all." +</p> + +<p> +Harry Girdwood was taken into their confidence, and a fine plot was +agreed upon. +</p> + +<p> +The only difficulty was the sailor nurse. +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt was on guard again. +</p> + +<p> +They gave Joe Basalt a good stiff tumbler of grog—and where is the +sailor who could resist that?—and oh, wickedness! the grog was +hocussed. +</p> + +<p> +In plainer language, that means drugged. +</p> + +<p> +Not very long after drinking their healths in a bumper, old Joe felt +drowsy, and he fell asleep. +</p> + +<p> +The patient slept, and would not have awakened probably for two hours +had not the two negroes Sunday and Monday set up a most unearthly, +moaning noise. +</p> + +<p> +The pitch was low but thrilling, and not the pleasantest thing for a +man to hear with a conscience laden with guilt as was the wretched man +Hunston's. +</p> + +<p> +The sick man was for some time oblivious of the sounds which were going +on for his special ear. +</p> + +<p> +But after a certain delay it began to tell. +</p> + +<p> +He moaned. +</p> + +<p> +Then moved. +</p> + +<p> +Then turned upon his back. +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston! Hunston! oh, Hunston!" Sunday groaned. "Awake." +</p> + +<p> +And then the two darkeys would groan together. +</p> + +<p> +A responsive moan from Hunston was heard. +</p> + +<p> +He opened his eyes, moaned and groaned, and awoke wakeful at once. +</p> + +<p> +And when he awoke! +</p> + +<p> +His startled eyes fell upon two awful and awesome figures. +</p> + +<p> +The two boys, young Jack and Harry Girdwood, standing hand in hand, +their faces bearing the ghastly pallor of the grave and their brows +smeared with blood. +</p> + +<p> +In the darkened cabin a flickering, phosphorescent light played upon +them, a hint which had perhaps been borrowed from the practical joking +in the chamber of the sham necromancer in Greece. +</p> + +<p> +The two victims glared upon the sick man, while he could only stare in +fearful silence. +</p> + +<p> +He stared. +</p> + +<p> +Then he closed his eyes and rubbed them, and opened them again, as if +to assure himself that it was real. +</p> + +<p> +But they never moved. +</p> + +<p> +Never spoke. +</p> + +<p> +He essayed to speak. +</p> + +<p> +But his tongue refused to wag. +</p> + +<p> +It stuck to the roof of his mouth. +</p> + +<p> +The perspiration stood out upon his brow in thick beads. +</p> + +<p> +Presently, when a sound came from him, it was a dull, hollow moan of +anguish, that sounded like the echo of some "yawning grave." +</p> + +<p> +A sound which seemed to contain the pent-up agony of a whole lifetime +of suffering. +</p> + +<p> +But his tormentors were merciless. +</p> + +<p> +They did not budge. +</p> + +<p> +"Away, horrible creatures!" gasped the miserable wretch, in tones +scarcely louder than a whisper. "Away, and hide yourselves!" +</p> + +<p> +And he strove to drag the coverlet over his head. +</p> + +<p> +But there was a fearful fascination in it which forced him in spite of +himself to look again. +</p> + +<p> +"I know you are unreal," he faltered. "I know my mind is wandering—that +I fancy it all—all. Begone! away!" +</p> + +<p> +As well might he have invited them to shake him by the hand or to +embrace him affectionately. +</p> + +<p> +No. +</p> + +<p> +There they stuck glaring upon him with eyes full of hideous menace. +</p> + +<p> +"What brings you here?" he said again. "Why do you come to torment me +now? Rest in your graves. Away, I say, away!" +</p> + +<p> +His manner grew more violent as he went on speaking. +</p> + +<p> +"You had no mercy upon us," said young Jack; "and now remember when +last we were upon earth." +</p> + +<p> +A groan from Hunston was the only response. +</p> + +<p> +"Beware!" said Harry Girdwood, in sepulchral tones. "Beware, I say!" +</p> + +<p> +"Beware!" chimed in the others, as in one voice. +</p> + +<p> +"I warned you that the time would come when you would beg for mercy of +my father," pursued young Jack. "I told you that you should grovel in +abject terror, and plead in vain—aye, in vain." +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" retorted Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"To-morrow will show you." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" cried Hunston, in feverish eagerness, while he dreaded to hear. +</p> + +<p> +"Your fate." +</p> + +<p> +"It is false." +</p> + +<p> +"The rope is ready—the noose is run. You shall die a dog's death." +</p> + +<p> +"And you shall die hard," added Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +A groan, more fearful than any which had preceded, burst from the +guilty wretch. +</p> + +<p> +"But Harkaway will be merciful." +</p> + +<p> +"As you were." +</p> + +<p> +"No, no, no; he is full of forgiveness, I know." +</p> + +<p> +"But not for crimes like yours." +</p> + +<p> +"He could not pardon you, even if he would." +</p> + +<p> +"Why not?" demanded Hunston, quickly. +</p> + +<p> +"Because the crew would drag you piecemeal. No, no, no, Hunston; your +fate is sealed. The rope is ready—the noose is waiting for you. In +torment and in suffering you shall die the death of a rabid cur, the +death of a loathsome reptile, of a poisonous thing of which it is true +humanity to rid the earth." +</p> + +<p> +He could hear no more. +</p> + +<p> +With a moan of incalculable terror he dived under the bedclothes to +shut out the fearful vision. +</p> + +<p> +When he ventured forth again, they were gone. +</p> + +<p> +Vanished! +</p> + +<p> +They had returned as noiselessly as they had come. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Basalt." +</p> + +<p> +"Hullo!" +</p> + +<p> +The drugged sailor fought with the opiate which had been administered +to him and opened his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no one here, is there, Basalt? Tell me." +</p> + +<p> +"What are you muttering about now?" demanded Joe Basalt, in his +surliest tones. +</p> + +<p> +"Are we alone?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course." +</p> + +<p> +"I have had such an awful dream, my good friend," said Hunston, still +on the shiver. +</p> + +<p> +"Then keep it to yourself," retorted Joe. "I don't care the value of a +ship's biscuit for your dream—yours nor anybody else's—so stow your +gaff. Close your peepers, and let me get a few winks, if I can, always +providing as I'm not troubling your honourable self." +</p> + +<p> +Not even honest old Joe's withering irony could affect the patient, so +profoundly pleased was he to find the supernatural visitors +gone—melted, as it were, into thin air. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned on his side, muttering— +</p> + +<p> +"If I had but the giant strength of Toro, I would soon take my revenge +upon all this ship contains—yes, a deep and deadly revenge." +</p> + +<p> +After a moment, he again muttered— +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if the brigand Toro is alive or dead, or if I shall ever have +his help to destroy my old and hated enemy Harkaway." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap47"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLVII +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +WHEREIN HUNSTON'S EVIL PROPENSITIES CATCH HIM IN A<br /> +TRAP—DANGER—ANOTHER SHARK—MR. MOLE SUFFERS. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"I have had such horrible dreams, doctor," said Hunston the next +morning. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't much wonder at your dreams being ugly ones," replied the +doctor, significantly. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston coughed. +</p> + +<p> +There was no mistaking the doctor's meaning. +</p> + +<p> +The conversation hung fire for a moment. +</p> + +<p> +"I can quite understand that you may dream of many things which would +scarcely bear repetition." +</p> + +<p> +"That's not the case," angrily retorted the patient. +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed." +</p> + +<p> +The end of it was the doctor treated the patient for the feverish +symptoms which the tricks of the night had created, and as the day wore +on, he got calmer and better. +</p> + +<p> +Time wore on. +</p> + +<p> +Days grew into weeks. +</p> + +<p> +The mysterious ravages of the secret poisoning still baffled Doctor +Anderson and prevented the complete restoration of the patient. +</p> + +<p> +"There's something very extraordinary in this," the doctor would say to +Hunston, "something which is quite beyond me. If we were not in the +nineteenth century, I should almost be inclined to believe in a spell +having been cast upon you." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston winced. +</p> + +<p> +"Upon me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; or rather upon that wonderful mechanical arm. I should almost +think that the wearer was under a ban." +</p> + +<p> +The doctor's words thrilled the listener strangely. +</p> + +<p> +Little did he know that Doctor Anderson was well acquainted with the +history of the mechanical arm, and of its ill-fated inventor, Robert +Emmerson. +</p> + +<p> +Little did he think that the doctor's words were meant to produce the +exact effect which they had. +</p> + +<p> +The doctor's speech sank deeply into Hunston's mind, and he brooded day +and night. +</p> + +<p> +But although it did not affect his health, it certainly had a most +unwholesome effect upon his mind, and the result of this soon made +itself manifest. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +That same afternoon the two boys and their tutor were on deck. +</p> + +<p> +There was scarcely a breath of wind on the ocean, the sails were +hanging loosely from the spars as the vessel rose and fell upon the +swelling waves. +</p> + +<p> +"What a country this is for sharks!" exclaimed Mr. Mole, who was seated +on the low bulwarks of the weather quarter, enjoying what little air +there was, and carefully unloading his pocket pistol. +</p> + +<p> +"Beg pardon, Mr. Mole," said Harry, "but what is the name of <i>this +particular country?"</i> +</p> + +<p> +Mole frowned horribly. +</p> + +<p> +"You are a very impudent boy." +</p> + +<p> +"No, sir, only a youth of an inquiring turn of mind. What is the chief +city of this country?" +</p> + +<p> +"I never answer absurd questions." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole took another suck at the pistol (<i>i.e.</i> flask), and then +his countenance relaxed. +</p> + +<p> +"It is a place for sharks, though," he said; "only look at that great +fellow down here." +</p> + +<p> +Harry looked, and so did young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +There was a monster of the deep moving slowly to and fro, occasionally +coming up nearly to the surface and then sinking apparently without an +effort almost out of sight. +</p> + +<p> +The fish was of greater size than those they had already killed. +</p> + +<p> +He came up and looked at old Mole and then turned away, evidently +thinking the worthy tutor much too old, lean and tough for his dainty +stomach; but when he caught sight of Jack and Harry, he showed more +animation. +</p> + +<p> +Evidently they were more to his taste. +</p> + +<p> +"I mean to have a try for him," said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Do so, my boy. I shall make a sportsman of you yet, I see," observed +Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"You have certainly put us up to a wrinkle or two lately, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Bah! your father is considered a clever man in all that pertains to +sporting, but what is he in comparison with me?" +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack did not hear the conclusion of this speech, for he had gone +away to get his fishing tackle, a large hook attached to a chain. +</p> + +<p> +He quickly returned, and baited the hook with about ten pounds of beef, +that had gone a little queer in the bottom of the tub. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Mr. Sharkey, let us see if you can digest that," exclaimed Jack, +as he dropped the hook overboard. +</p> + +<p> +The shark looked at it closely, and then looked up at Jack, as though +he would much prefer the fisher to the bait. +</p> + +<p> +"It is no use, Jack," said Harry; "he is not hungry." +</p> + +<p> +"Strikes me it is unskilfulness in angling, rather than want of +appetite on the shark's part," remarked Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Would you like to have a try, sir?" +</p> + +<p> +"Hem! well, I don't mind showing you how to do it," responded the +professor. +</p> + +<p> +Jack began to haul in the line, coiling it down just at Mole's feet, or +rather where his feet should have been. +</p> + +<p> +But sharkey, finding himself in danger of losing his dinner, made a +dart at the meat before it left the water, then discovering that the +barb of the hook had stuck in his mouth, she darted off at a great +rate, but sad to relate, the rope as it flew out over the bulwark, got +twisted round one of Mr. Mole's stumps, and the worthy professor flew +into the ocean For a wooden-legged man to swim well, or even to keep +himself afloat by treading water, is a somewhat difficult task and so +Mr. Mole would have found it, had not Harry Girdwood promptly followed +the advice given by a celebrated American— +</p> + +<p> +"When you see a drowning man, throw a rail at him." +</p> + +<p> +Harry threw a plank, and Mr. Mole being fortunate enough to clutch it, +was thereby enabled to keep himself afloat. +</p> + +<p> +But he was exposed to another danger. +</p> + +<p> +The shark being irritated by the rusty iron in his throat, was rushing +hither and thither in a most furious manner, snapping his jaws in a way +that made the spectators thankful they were on deck. +</p> + +<p> +And then, turning on its back, it bit at Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Help, help!" shouted Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! the brute has taken my leg off." +</p> + +<p> +The shark resumed its natural position, and held Mole's stump above +water, puzzled to know what to do with it. +</p> + +<p> +"This is my fault," said young Jack, and seizing a cutlass, he leaped +overboard. +</p> + +<p> +"Lower away the boat," shouted Dick Harvey, who had just come on deck. +</p> + +<p> +He and Jefferson had also armed themselves, and were about to leap in +to young Jack's assistance, when Harkaway senior appeared. +</p> + +<p> +"Hold, let no man here risk his life," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"But—" +</p> + +<p> +"But the excitement will do me good, I want a good fight to keep my +spirits up." +</p> + +<p> +While speaking he had thrown off his coat and shoes, and cutlass in +hand, leaped to the rescue of his son and old Mole. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, however, the boat had been lowered and was pulling +rapidly towards Mr. Mole, who still clung to his plank about thirty +yards from the stern of the vessel. +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack with a few powerful strokes reached him. +</p> + +<p> +"Hold on, Mr. Mole; the boat is coming. You youngster, swim out of the +way at once." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm going to fight the fish, dad." +</p> + +<p> +"You are not. Away with you at once." +</p> + +<p> +During this brief conversation the shark had been down out of sight. He +now rose to the surface, and perceiving three enemies, seemed undecided +which to attack first. +</p> + +<p> +And while the fish was hesitating, Harkaway resolved to open the +campaign. Accordingly he dived, with the intention of coming up beneath +the fish and administering a stab. +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack Tiller and Joe Basalt were just at that moment engaged in +hauling Mr. Mole into the boat; they had him half way over the gunwale, +when the shark made a snap and away went the professor's other leg. +</p> + +<p> +"Mercy, help! The beast is devouring me by inches," screamed Mole, as +he rolled headlong into the boat. +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt seeing that young Jack was still itching to have a go at the +shark, seized him by the collar and dragged him in. They then rested on +their oars and prepared to give the elder Harkaway any assistance they +could. +</p> + +<p> +"I lay five to three against the monster of the deep," said Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"I accept the wager on those terms," said Mole, who having discovered +that he was unhurt, was reviving. +</p> + +<p> +He took another swig at the pistol and then sat up to watch the +conflict. +</p> + +<p> +The shark, finding he had now only one opponent to deal with, turned +towards Harkaway, who dived again, and getting this time fairly beneath +the fish, thrust his cutlass up to the hilt in its stomach. +</p> + +<p> +Startled by this sudden attack, and smarting from the pain caused by +the wound, the shark leaped up half out of the water, and then fell +with a loud splash close by Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Everyone on board was by this time on deck, watching the unequal +struggle. +</p> + +<p> +While the shark was twisting and turning to get at its adversary, Jack +managed to give a second stab; but it was rather hot work, though, for +Jack was obliged to dive so frequently that he had little time to +recover his breath. +</p> + +<p> +He was just endeavouring to do so, when the shark made another rush at +him. +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack dived again, and young Jack would have been over to his +father's assistance had not Joe Basalt forcibly restrained him. +</p> + +<p> +A third stab made the shark feel very queer indeed. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, Harkaway thought the fish was done for, and had struck out for +the ship, but just as he grasped a rope and permitted himself to be +drawn up, the shark recovered and made another most vicious dart at +him. +</p> + +<p> +Our hero, who had, in his time, vanquished so many foes, felt hardly +inclined to let a shark get the best of him. He dropped from the rope +and sank beneath the waves just as the head of the brute emerged +therefrom. +</p> + +<p> +Then up again like a shot; and the keen cutlass tore its way through +the vitals of the fish. +</p> + +<p> +Then a fin was lopped off, and a few seconds afterwards the huge +carcase was seen floating on the waves. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway seized the rope and fastened it round the head and tail of his +vanquished foe, which was then hauled on deck. +</p> + +<p> +"Bravo, old man," exclaimed Harvey, shaking his schoolfellow by the +hand. +</p> + +<p> +"You did that well." +</p> + +<p> +"Though you were certainly a long time about it," observed Mole. "I +could have—" +</p> + +<p> +"You could have paid me three sovs. by this time," replied Harvey, "so +just out with the dust." +</p> + +<p> +Mole made no reply. +</p> + +<p> +Jefferson then added his congratulations. +</p> + +<p> +"Pshaw!" said Jack. "Mr. Mole did it all." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, he poisoned the poor shark with his wooden legs. It's enough to +make a fish disgusted with life." +</p> + +<p> +A loud laugh followed. +</p> + +<p> +"Meanwhile," said Mole, "will some-one be good enough to give me a +lift?" +</p> + +<p> +The professor was hoisted up on deck, and when they had all changed +their clothes, and the great shark-killer had shipped two new wooden +pins, he grew quite as bounceable as ever. +</p> + +<p> +Especially as the death of the last shark was still jocularly attributed +to him. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap48"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLVIII +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +OLD JOE PLOTS WITH HUNSTON—WHAT CAME OF THE PLOT. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +The Harkaway family and their guests were all assembled at dinner, +after the shark-fishing, when the conversation turned upon their old +enemy. +</p> + +<p> +"I wish we were fairly rid of him," said Mrs. Harkaway, "for all the +while he is on board, I feel as if some misfortune were hanging over +us." +</p> + +<p> +Jack smiled. +</p> + +<p> +"Have you had any dreams, Emily?" he asked, slily, +</p> + +<p> +"Don't learn to mock, sir," retorted the lady, with mock asperity, "You +have been influenced by dreams yourself before now." +</p> + +<p> +Jack looked serious. +</p> + +<p> +"That's true." +</p> + +<p> +"And we owe this wretched man nothing—" +</p> + +<p> +"But hate." +</p> + +<p> +"We do that," said Jefferson; "but he is a miserable wretch, and we can +afford to let him off cheaply, without paying old scores." +</p> + +<p> +"What do you wish to do, then?" demanded Harkaway. "I am willing to +abide by the decision you may come to." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," said Mr. Mole, "I propose that he shall be put ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"When?" +</p> + +<p> +There was the rub. +</p> + +<p> +They were many weary miles away from the sight of land. +</p> + +<p> +"Put him ashore the first time that we come within reach of land," +suggested Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"We will," said Harkaway, "if that is the general wish." +</p> + +<p> +"It is." +</p> + +<p> +It was put to the vote and found that everybody, without a single +exception, was desirous of seeing the back of Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +Who can wonder? +</p> + +<p> +None. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, well," said old Jack, "that is agreed upon. And now, Emily, my +dear, I hope that your mind is at rest." +</p> + +<p> +"Almost." +</p> + +<p> +"What! doesn't that satisfy you yet?" +</p> + +<p> +"For the present; but I shall be all the more satisfied when he is +really out of the place altogether, for he is a regular nightmare to +me." +</p> + +<p> +"You are fanciful, my dear," said old Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps; but there have been times when you have not made so light of +my presentiments," said Emily. +</p> + +<p> +As these words were spoken, the saloon door was opened and who should +enter but Joe Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +Now old Joe wore a face as long as a fiddle, and addressing Harkaway he +requested a few words in private. +</p> + +<p> +"Presently, Joe," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +The old tar twisted his hat round and waited. +</p> + +<p> +"What, won't presently do for you?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'd sooner out with it at once," said Joe. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, out with it," said Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Before everyone, your honour?" Joe demanded. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +He looked shyly about him, and cast a furtive glance at the ladies +before he ventured to speak out. +</p> + +<p> +"I want to break it to your honour as gently as possible, and I want to +know what your honour thinks of me?" +</p> + +<p> +Old Jack stared. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, really, Joe—" +</p> + +<p> +"I think Joe wants to know if you think he's handsome," suggested Dick +Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you admire the cut of his figurehead?" chimed in young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +But Joe Basalt was evidently too much upset and preoccupied by +something on his mind to heed this chaff. +</p> + +<p> +"No, your honour," he said, fiercely, "what I want to know is—do you +consider me a d—d mutineering swab?" +</p> + +<p> +"Joe, Joe," exclaimed Harkaway, laughing in spite of himself, "moderate +your language; remember that there are ladies present." +</p> + +<p> +Joe reddened to the roots of his hair. +</p> + +<p> +"I ax their pardon, every mother's son of them," he said, tugging at +his forelock; "but my feelin's carries me away." +</p> + +<p> +"Tell us what it is, then," said Jefferson, "and perhaps we can offer +advice." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, then, sir, I've been insulted." +</p> + +<p> +"I see, I see," said Jefferson; "you have been having a row with one of +your messmates." +</p> + +<p> +"And you have punched his head?" suggested young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Serve him right, too, Joe," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no, young gentlemen," said Joe, "I ain't done that, or else I +should be quite happy—that's just it—because I wanted his honour's +permission." +</p> + +<p> +"What?" +</p> + +<p> +"To give him a good licking," urged Joe Basalt; "you see, I couldn't +well do it without, as it's the stowaway." +</p> + +<p> +The interest of the whole of the company redoubled at this. +</p> + +<p> +"He's been at his tricks again," said Joe. +</p> + +<p> +"I thought so." +</p> + +<p> +"And d—d dirty tricks they are, too. The swab can't do nothing fair +and square and above board. He allers cruises about in a nasty, sly, +piratical way." +</p> + +<p> +"What is it? Tell us at once." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir, I will. Why, you see, the fact is, he has been a-sounding me +about trying if the crew is satisfied with your honour." +</p> + +<p> +A low murmur went from mouth to mouth around the table. +</p> + +<p> +"He's never trying to undermine you, old fidelity!" ejaculated +Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Joe nodded. +</p> + +<p> +"That's it, your honour." +</p> + +<p> +"Villain!" +</p> + +<p> +"And what's more, he's been trying it on with Jack Tiller." +</p> + +<p> +"He has?" +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway's brow darkened, and the expression of his face grew ominous. +</p> + +<p> +"How did Jack Tiller meet his advances?" asked Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Jack ain't got no command over himself, and so he—" +</p> + +<p> +Joe paused. +</p> + +<p> +"So what?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Jack gave him one for himself; but he ain't damaged him much," +Joe hastened to add apologetically, "for Jack Tiller knows his dooty +better than that, your honour. No, he's only put one of his toplights +into mourning." +</p> + +<p> +This sent the two boys into ecstasies. +</p> + +<p> +"And so you see, your honour, when he opened fire on to me, I could +hardly believe it possible, until he put it plainer, and then I was so +staggered that I did not know what to do, so I thought I would come and +let you know." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway, looking up, caught his wife's glance fixed upon him. +</p> + +<p> +"You see, it doesn't do to scoff at secret apprehensions," she said, +quietly. +</p> + +<p> +"No, no. This shall be seen to at once," he answered, rising from his +seat. "Come with me, Dick, and you, Jefferson." +</p> + +<p> +They left the cabin, followed by old Joe Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +Now, when they got on deck, Jack Harkaway led the way to a part where +they were alone, and not likely to be disturbed. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Joe," said he, "I have been thinking this matter over. I know you +have only spoken the truth, without a word of exaggeration. But we must +catch the villain in his own snare." +</p> + +<p> +"How, your honour?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you. You must go back to this traitor, and you must play the +part of a willing listener." +</p> + +<p> +"A what?" +</p> + +<p> +"A willing listener. You must let him think you are ready to join in +his villainy, do you see?" +</p> + +<p> +"I do, your honour, but damme if I like it." +</p> + +<p> +"You will have to like it in this instance, Joe, for the good of us +all. This man is the worst villain alive. I have forgiven him more +wrongs than you would think it possible to forgive; but now the safety +of all is concerned, and it must be done." +</p> + +<p> +Joe scratched his head, and looked troubled. +</p> + +<p> +"If that's orders, your honour, I've nothing but to obey." +</p> + +<p> +"Right, Joe." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Having primed Joe Basalt up in his lesson, they marched off to +Hunston's cabin, and Joe entered, while Harkaway, Dick Harvey, and +Jefferson took up a position near where they could overhear what was +going on within. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, shipmate," said Basalt, "how goes it?" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was lying on his side, holding a damp towel to his damaged eye. +</p> + +<p> +He only turned round, and grunted some few ungracious words. +</p> + +<p> +"I've brought you some news," said Joe, repeating his lesson; "there is +a regular shine on deck." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned quickly round at this. +</p> + +<p> +"What's wrong?" he asked, anxiously. "You haven't been saying any +thing, because I'm sure you were mistaken, as—" +</p> + +<p> +"As Jack Tiller was." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +And Hunston fondled the blackened eye, mentally cursing Tiller and his +hard, horny fist. +</p> + +<p> +"Not I," said Joe Basalt, "not I. There's a row aloft, I told you. +Three men have been put into irons, and I have got into trouble as +well." +</p> + +<p> +"What for?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing," answered Joe Basalt, with a surly imitation of anger. +"That's just it, for nothing, and aren't they up in the stirrups +neither?" +</p> + +<p> +"They are!" exclaimed Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +"Rather." +</p> + +<p> +"And what do they say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Say!" exclaimed Basalt. "Why, they'd as lief draw a cutlass over his +weasand, as they'd smash a ship's biscuit." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston's pale face grew crimson at these words. +</p> + +<p> +"That's good," he said; "they're men of spirit." +</p> + +<p> +"That they are." +</p> + +<p> +"And the rest of the crew; what do they say of it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, they are all up about it; all to a man. So if you have a good +thing to offer, I'll undertake to say as they'll volunteer to a man." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"And leave them Harkaway folks in the lurch here, as they deserve, the +mean beasts." +</p> + +<p> +"Mean, indeed," echoed Hunston, secretly chuckling. "Why, they're worse +than mean." +</p> + +<p> +"So you'd say if you only knew what a palaver they've made about having +you here, pretending as it's all charity and the like, when, of course, +we know—" +</p> + +<p> +"That it's all your goodness, and that of your hot-headed comrade." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't speak of Jack Tiller, my friend," said Joe, who was working into +his part capitally by this time; "he sees now what a fool he has made +of himself." +</p> + +<p> +"Did he say so?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Why did he go on so?" +</p> + +<p> +"He quite misunderstood your meaning." +</p> + +<p> +"The deuce he did. Why, however could that be? I was pretty explicit." +</p> + +<p> +"He thought that it was to sell him. In fact, he made sure as you had +overheard us grumbling together about the skipper, and that you was +a-trying it on only to tell Mr. Harkaway all about it." +</p> + +<p> +"Did he say so?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Then undeceive him immediately." +</p> + +<p> +"I have done so." +</p> + +<p> +"As for this," added Hunston, pointing to his discoloured eye and +cheek, "I think nothing of it. All I'll ask of him is that he shall do +as much for Harkaway." +</p> + +<p> +"That he will," said Joe, with sham heartiness. "And now how soon shall +the ship be ours?" +</p> + +<p> +Hunston glanced anxiously towards the door. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no fear," said Joe, answering his look; "they are all too busy +for'ard, talking about them poor devils in irons." +</p> + +<p> +"Brutes!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, that they are. But when shall we get them free from their +floating prison, cos that's what it seems a-coming to?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you," answered Hunston, sinking his voice, "we'll serve the +Harkaway party as he served your messmates." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Put them in irons." +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt gave a start at this. +</p> + +<p> +"And if they would not go?" +</p> + +<p> +"Chuck them overboard, all, everyone of them, except the women." +</p> + +<p> +"I should hardly like doing that," said Joe. +</p> + +<p> +"Then that shall be <i>my task</i>," exclaimed Hunston, warming up as +he unfolded his diabolical scheme. "I should like to do that part of it +myself. I swore to finish them all off," he added, more to himself than +to Joe, "and I shall keep my oath after all, I begin to think. I'll +throw them all overboard—Harkaway, Jefferson, Harvey, all." +</p> + +<p> +He looked up suddenly at the door. +</p> + +<p> +Three big forms stood upon the threshold of the cabin. +</p> + +<p> +The three whose names Hunston had just uttered. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway, Jefferson, and Dick Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"I thought I heard you call us," said the latter. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston's colour fled from his cheek. +</p> + +<p> +He looked from one to the other. +</p> + +<p> +Then he glanced at Joe Basalt. +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway was the first to break the silence. +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +The sound echoed dismally, as though uttered in some bare-walled +cavern. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," he faltered, struggling to appear at his ease. +</p> + +<p> +"Come." +</p> + +<p> +"Where to?" +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway pointed silently to the door. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you want with me?" +</p> + +<p> +"Can't you guess?" +</p> + +<p> +The words were simple ones, yet they sounded like a death-knell to him. +</p> + +<p> +"We have heard all; every word. This crowning act of villany and +ingratitude, baser than ever entered the mind of man, has doomed you. +Follow me." +</p> + +<p> +Appalled, half stunned with fear, the miserable wretch tottered after +Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Close upon his heels came Jefferson and Dick, while Joe Basalt brought +up the rear. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap49"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XLIX. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +THE TRIAL—HUNSTON'S PUNISHMENT. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +"Pipe all hands on deck!" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</p> + +<p> +The crew came tumbling up. +</p> + +<p> +And when they were all assembled, Jefferson and Dick Harvey ranged them +round in position, while Harkaway, with Hunston close by his side, +stood forward to address them. +</p> + +<p> +"My men," said he, "I have had you called together upon no pleasant +errand. But it is a question of duty, and, therefore, pleasant or +unpleasant, must be done. What we have to do is an act of justice, and +I don't wish that anyone should be able to impugn my motives. I would +not leave it in the power of any man to say that I ever behaved +unjustly to my worst enemy." +</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah!" +</p> + +<p> +A ringing cheer greeted Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, my men, what I have to say to you concerns my own and my family +history, perhaps, more than it does you. You have all heard my poor +boy's adventures when he fell into the hands of the Greek brigands?" +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"You know who it was that was instrumental in getting him condemned to +death." +</p> + +<p> +"It was that sneaking lubber, Hunston," cried several voices at once. +</p> + +<p> +"It was. I need not enlarge upon all he has done to merit the worst +punishment it is in our power to bestow, if ever he should fall into +our hands—the worst I say, eh?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes,—him!" said a voice, with a very strong expletive. +</p> + +<p> +The approval of the crew was perfectly unanimous. +</p> + +<p> +In vain did Hunston look about him for one of those disaffected men of +whom Joe Basalt had spoken. +</p> + +<p> +Not a vestige of any thing like opposition to the general sentiments +did he trace in any of those weather-beaten, honest countenances. +</p> + +<p> +"Well," resumed Harkaway, "and what would you say if, after that I have +forgiven him, taken him in hand and had him carefully tended and +nursed, what would you say if even then he tried to wrong me—to +ensnare innocent, well-meaning men, into a murderous plot against my +life?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, I should say as he's the blackest-hearted lubber ashore or +afloat," said one. +</p> + +<p> +"One word more," said Harkaway. "What should we do to this wretch if we +had him here in our power?" +</p> + +<p> +"Give him a round dozen, to begin with," suggested Sam Mason. +</p> + +<p> +"And then string him up." +</p> + +<p> +A cheer came from a score of throats. +</p> + +<p> +"Men," said Harkaway, "this is the villain, Hunston." +</p> + +<p> +A pause. +</p> + +<p> +The men were so thoroughly taken by surprise at this that they had not +a word to say for themselves. +</p> + +<p> +"I was anxious to spare him," said Harkaway, in conclusion, "for +although he has always been false, treacherous, and cruel, I could not +forget that he was a fellow-countryman, and that we were boys together. +I would have returned good for evil, he refused it; I now mean to try +evil for evil." +</p> + +<p> +The men applauded this to the echo. +</p> + +<p> +Joe Basalt and his comrade Jack Tiller passed the word forward from +mouth to mouth. +</p> + +<p> +They told their shipmates what had taken place, and so thoroughly +incensed them against him that his life would not have been worth five +minutes' purchase had Harkaway, Jefferson, and Dick Harvey absented +themselves. +</p> + +<p> +"Come," said Jefferson, "it is growing late; let us settle it off-hand." +</p> + +<p> +"What is the verdict?" said Harvey, "Let the men decide." +</p> + +<p> +Their decision did not take long at arriving at. As if with a single +voice, the men responded— +</p> + +<p> +"Death!" +</p> + +<p> +A sickening sensation stole over Hunston. +</p> + +<p> +There was enough in that to appal the stoutest heart, it is true, and +he now felt that it was all over. +</p> + +<p> +"Very good," said Harkaway, "His fate is with you." +</p> + +<p> +"String him up to the yardarm at once, then," suggested Sam Mason. +</p> + +<p> +"Tie him up by the heels and let's shoot at him." +</p> + +<p> +"Let him walk the plank." +</p> + +<p> +"No; hanging is better fun. It's a dog's death that he has earned, so +let him have his deserts." +</p> + +<p> +A rope was got and the end of it was flung over the yardarm, and a +running noose made in it. +</p> + +<p> +Then rough hands were laid upon the doomed man. +</p> + +<p> +This aroused him into lifting his voice in his own behalf. +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway," he said, "do you know that this is murder—cold-blooded +murder?" +</p> + +<p> +"So is every execution, even if sanctioned by law." +</p> + +<p> +"But it is done upon ample proof." +</p> + +<p> +"We have proof enough." +</p> + +<p> +"You haven't a single witness against me," said Hunston, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"Plenty." +</p> + +<p> +"Where's one? Let go, I tell you," he cried frantically, at the men who +were dragging him towards the rope. "This is murder; you'll hang for +it, Harkaway; you'll—cowards! all of you upon one." +</p> + +<p> +But they did not pay much heed to his ravings. +</p> + +<p> +"Do you hear, Harkaway?" he cried, "This is murder, whatever you call +it. It will hang you yet; at the least, it will transport you for +life." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway smiled. +</p> + +<p> +"I shall not soil my fingers in the matter." +</p> + +<p> +"It is your work!" now yelled Hunston, struggling with mad desperation. +</p> + +<p> +"Then we'll all have a hand in it," said Harkaway; "we'll all pull +together, so that no one can fix it upon his fellow—" +</p> + +<p> +"You'll not escape," yelled the miserable wretch. "You'll swing for it +yourself; you will, I swear. You have no witnesses; these two sailors +are notorious liars." +</p> + +<p> +"Take that, you swab," cried Joe Basalt, dashing his fist in his face. +</p> + +<p> +"They are greater curs than yourself," yelled Hunston; "such witnesses +would swear away your own life for a glass of grog—witnesses indeed—" +</p> + +<p> +He stopped short. +</p> + +<p> +His glance fell upon two forms standing close by—young Jack and Harry +Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +Both were dressed as he had last seen them in the mountain haunt of the +brigands. +</p> + +<p> +Hunston was still in ignorance of the rescue of the boys. +</p> + +<p> +For all he knew, their bodies were rotting in their mountain grave in +Greece. +</p> + +<p> +They bent upon him the same sad and stern look which had been so +efficacious before, and he cowered before them. +</p> + +<p> +Appalled at the horrible phantoms come to mock him at his last moments, +he clapped his hand to his eyes in the vain endeavour to shut out the +sight. +</p> + +<p> +Vain, indeed, for the sight possessed a horrible fascination for him, +which no pen can describe. +</p> + +<p> +"Down, and beg for mercy," said young Jack, solemnly. +</p> + +<p> +"On your knees, wretch!" added Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +The two boys pointed together to the feet of Harkaway senior. +</p> + +<p> +The condemned man caught at their meaning at once. +</p> + +<p> +A wild cry of hope came from his lips, and he burst from the sailors +who held him and threw himself at Harkaway's feet. +</p> + +<p> +"Mercy, mercy, Harkaway!" he cried, piteously. "Have mercy, for the +love of Heaven, as you hope for mercy yourself hereafter." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway gazed on him in silence. +</p> + +<p> +"Look there," cried Hunston, wildly, pointing to where the two boys +stood still in contemplation of the scene, "Look there; see, they are +begging for mercy for me." +</p> + +<p> +"Who? Where?" demanded Harkaway, in considerable astonishment +</p> + +<p> +"Your own son, your own boy; don't you see him?" pursued Hunston, +wildly. +</p> + +<p> +"Look. No—It is my own fancy, my fear-stricken mind, which conjures up +these horrible visions. Ugh!" +</p> + +<p> +And he cowered down at Harkaway's feet with averted glance, +endeavouring to shut out the fearsome sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Take him away," said Harkaway to the men. +</p> + +<p> +They advanced and laid hands upon him, but Hunston fought madly with +them and clung to Harkaway's knees in desperation. +</p> + +<p> +It was his last chance, he felt positive. +</p> + +<p> +"Think, Harkaway, think," he cried again and again. "Remember our +boyhood's days; remember our youth, passed at school together. We were +college chums, and—" +</p> + +<p> +"No; not quite," interrupted Dick Harvey in disgust. "We were at Oxford +together, but never chums." +</p> + +<p> +"You were never the sort of man that one would care to chum with," +added Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +"Never!" +</p> + +<p> +"Take him away." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston gave a loud yell of despair, and gazed around him. +</p> + +<p> +Again his glance was riveted by the sight of the two boys standing in +the same attitude, and then horror-stricken, appalled, he sank upon the +ground all of a heap and half fainting. +</p> + +<p> +A miserable, a piteous object indeed. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Hunston," said Harkaway, after a few minutes' pause, "you bade me +think. It is my turn to bid you think. If your white-livered fears had +not blinded your judgment, you would have known that your life is safe +here." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston raised his head slowly. +</p> + +<p> +He gazed about him with the same vacant look, utterly Unable to realise +the meaning of Harkaway's words. +</p> + +<p> +"You jest," he faltered. +</p> + +<p> +"We are not butchers," said Jefferson, sternly. +</p> + +<p> +Humbled, degraded, though he was, these words of hope sent the blood +coursing through his veins wildly. +</p> + +<p> +Saved! +</p> + +<p> +Was it possible? +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack stepped out of the circle and approached the miserable +wretch. +</p> + +<p> +"When we last stood face to face, and when you ordered the Greek +brigands to fire on us, Hunston, I told you that this would come +about." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston shrank affrightedly before the lad. +</p> + +<p> +"I told you, Hunston," continued young Jack, "that the time would come +when you would grovel in the dirt and beg your life from my father. +That time has come, you see. Like the miserable cur that you are, you +grovel and beg and pray in a way that I would never condescend to do to +you. You have tasted all the horrors of anticipation, and that is worse +than death itself. Now, perhaps, you know what I and my comrade Harry +felt when you condemned us to death." +</p> + +<p> +"We told you," added Harry Girdwood quietly, "that it would come home +to you; it has." +</p> + +<p> +During the foregoing, Hunston began to realise the truth. +</p> + +<p> +They lived. +</p> + +<p> +"Get up," said Jefferson; "it is time to end this sickening scene." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston slowly rose to his feet +</p> + +<p> +"Excuse me," said the captain, stepping forward, "but as captain of +this ship—under your orders, Mr. Harkaway, of course—I can't see how +it is possible to allow his offence to go unpunished. You are of course +at liberty to forgive him for any wrong he may have done you all, but +with all due deference I must set my face against winking at such +offences as he has committed on board this ship." +</p> + +<p> +"Listen to the skipper," added another of the crew. +</p> + +<p> +"To let him off scot free would be to encourage insubordination and +mutiny, in fact." +</p> + +<p> +"Then I leave it to you, captain," said Harkaway; "I shall not +interfere in your management of the ship." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston's heart sank. +</p> + +<p> +"Get rid of him at once," suggested Harvey. +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"Lower him in a boat; provision it for a month and set him adrift." +</p> + +<p> +"Good." +</p> + +<p> +"Do that," said Hunston, "and you consign me to a living death, worse +than any tortures that savages could inflict." He remembered too well +how he and Toro the Italian had been cast adrift from the "Flowery +Land." +</p> + +<p> +He had not forgotten the horrors of that cruise. +</p> + +<p> +It was, in truth, as he said, ten times more horrible than death at +their hands could be. +</p> + +<p> +"My own opinion is," said the captain, "that his crime should be +punished at once; such a crime should not be allowed to pass on board +ship." +</p> + +<p> +"What would you do?" +</p> + +<p> +"Tie him up to a grating and give him four dozen lashes." +</p> + +<p> +A wild storm of cheering greeted this proposal. +</p> + +<p> +There was some feeble attempt at opposition upon the part of the +Harkaway party, but this was overruled by the captain and crew. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not a cruel man, gentlemen," said the captain, "but I must side +with the crew in this. Now, we'll give him every chance. I propose to +let him off if there is a single voice raised in his favour." +</p> + +<p> +Not a word was spoken. +</p> + +<p> +"If any of you think, my men, that he should not be punished, he shall +escape. Let any man stand forth and it shall settle it. I will allow +him to escape and not question the motives of whosoever speaks for +him." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston looked anxiously around him. +</p> + +<p> +Not a voice. +</p> + +<p> +Not so much as a glance of pity did he encounter there. +</p> + +<p> +His only hope was in the man that he had most wronged of all there +present, and so in despair he turned to Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +But the latter moved away from the spot in silence. +</p> + +<p> +Despair. +</p> + +<p> +Rough, horny hands were laid upon him, and his coat and shirt were torn +in shreds from his back until he stood stripped to the waist. +</p> + +<p> +The grating was rigged for punishment, and the culprit was lashed +securely to it. +</p> + +<p> +"Barclay." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Stand forward." +</p> + +<p> +"Here, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Take the cat." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +This was the youngest boy in the ship. The lad took the whip and poised +it in his hand eager to begin operations. +</p> + +<p> +"Joe Basalt." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, your honour." +</p> + +<p> +"Time the strokes." +</p> + +<p> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</p> + +<p> +The boy Barclay now received his instructions, and noted the same most +diligently. +</p> + +<p> +"Strike well up, not too low. You understand, well across the +shoulders." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, cap'n," +</p> + +<p> +"And don't be too eager or too quick. Let each stroke tell its own +tale." +</p> + +<p> +What were the miserable man's feelings when he heard his torture +prepared thus, with such coolness and deliberation, we leave you to +imagine. +</p> + +<p> +A momentary pause then occurred, during which every one present looked +on with mixed sensations of eagerness and dread. +</p> + +<p> +"One!" +</p> + +<p> +A whizzing noise. +</p> + +<p> +Then a dull, heavy thud, as the thongs came in contact with the +culprit's back and shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +A gasp came from the spectators, a convulsive shudder from the +suffering wretch himself. +</p> + +<p> +And then his shoulders showed a series of livid ridges of bruised +flesh. +</p> + +<p> +"Two." +</p> + +<p> +Down came the lash. +</p> + +<p> +The blood shot forth from the right shoulder, where there was more +flesh to encounter the cruel whip. +</p> + +<p> +"Three." +</p> + +<p> +A moan of utter anguish burst from the victim, whose blood streamed +down his back. +</p> + +<p> +A sickening, horrible sight to contemplate. +</p> + +<p> +"Four." +</p> + +<p> +"Hah!" +</p> + +<p> +"Come away," exclaimed Harkaway; "come away from this. It makes me sick +and faint." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Jefferson; "it is not to my taste." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor mine." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor mine," said Dick. +</p> + +<p> +"This may be Justice, my friend," said Jack Harkaway "but it isn't +English—it is not humanity." +</p> + +<p> +"Five." +</p> + +<p> +A cry came from the prisoner. +</p> + +<p> +"Cast him loose!" cried Harkaway, "No more—no more!" +</p> + +<p> +But the sailors did not appear to hear. +</p> + +<p> +"Six." +</p> + +<p> +"Have done, I say!" thundered Jefferson. "Enough of this!" +</p> + +<p> +"Excuse me, sir," said the captain, "we have a duty to perform. I can +understand that it is not pleasant to you, but—" +</p> + +<p> +"Seven," sang out Joe Basalt, drowning every voice. +</p> + +<p> +Down came the whip again. +</p> + +<p> +And as the thongs struck the lacerated flesh of the wretched man he +gave a piercing shriek. +</p> + +<p> +It sounded more like the cry of some wild animal than the utterance of +a human being. +</p> + +<p> +"Eight." +</p> + +<p> +"Fetch the doctor," exclaimed Harkaway. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack, who was secretly glad of an excuse to begone, ran off and +brought the doctor up from below. +</p> + +<p> +"Doctor Anderson," said Harkaway hurriedly, "I believe sincerely that +this man has earned all he has had and a great deal more." +</p> + +<p> +"Indeed he has," said Doctor Anderson. +</p> + +<p> +"But I can't endure the lash. It is savage, it is unworthy of a +civilised people—it must not go on. Stop it." +</p> + +<p> +"How many has he had?" +</p> + +<p> +The answer to this came at that identical moment from Joe Basalt's +lips. +</p> + +<p> +"Twelve." +</p> + +<p> +As the lash came down, the body shook slightly, and then was quite +still. +</p> + +<p> +"Say that he can bear no more," said Harkaway. "They'll heed your +report as the doctor." +</p> + +<p> +"I shall only say the truth," said the doctor. +</p> + +<p> +"You think so?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course. He has fainted. You'll kill him if you go on. Cast him +loose, carry him to his berth." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap50"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER L. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +MR. MOLE'S TROUBLES AGAIN—AN ADVENTURE WITH NERO—LAND HO!—THE<br /> +FIRST VIEW OF AUSTRALIA. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Let us draw the curtain. +</p> + +<p> +The particulars given in the preceding chapter must be as unpleasant to +the readers as they were to Harkaway, to Jefferson, to Dick Harvey, and +beyond all to Harry Girdwood and young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +They are not agreeable matters to relate, and we gladly draw the veil +upon such a scene. +</p> + +<p> +Once in the care of Doctor Anderson, the prisoner was tended carefully, +and the doctor's best skill was employed in bringing him back to +health. +</p> + +<p> +But his convalescence was a long time in being brought about, for not +only was he cruelly maimed, but, to use the doctor's own expression— +</p> + +<p> +"The scourge had knocked him to bits in health generally." +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"What a capital sailor old Nero makes, Harry." +</p> + +<p> +"Splendid." +</p> + +<p> +"He only wants to know how to chew." +</p> + +<p> +"And take grog like old Mole." +</p> + +<p> +"True, and then he'd be an out-and-out sailor." +</p> + +<p> +These words were part of a conversation which our two young comrades +were indulging in one afternoon towards sun-down as they walked to and +fro on deck. +</p> + +<p> +They had rigged Nero out in full nautical costume, and taught him +several sailor tricks of manner. +</p> + +<p> +He hitched up his inexpressibles with a jerk that the late T. P. Cooke +might have made studies from. +</p> + +<p> +And his bow and scrape, although more like a stage sailor than the real +thing itself, were ticked off so admirably, that you expected him to +start off into a rattling hornpipe. +</p> + +<p> +But perhaps the greatest treat of all was to see him pretending to take +observations through a telescope. +</p> + +<p> +"Nero," cried young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The monkey ran up at the word. +</p> + +<p> +"Give us your arm, Nero." +</p> + +<p> +And so drawing a paw under each of their arms, they promenaded the +deck, these three young monkeys together, to the great amusement and +delight of the sailors generally. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Joe!" said Sam Mason, "he looks as great a swell as the port +admiral." +</p> + +<p> +"Port admiral! As the first lord himself." +</p> + +<p> +"Do you know, Joe, that Billy Longbow had a monkey once as would—" +</p> + +<p> +"Now for a yarn." +</p> + +<p> +"No, this is a born fact," persisted Sam Mason, stoutly. "Billy Longbow +had a monkey on board ship as used to mock the bos'en, and one day when +he see the bos'en take out his rattan to larrup one of the powder +monkeys, Jocko went for to give the bos'en one for hisself." +</p> + +<p> +"By way of protecting one of his own species, I s'pose," suggested Joe. +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps. Well, he felt in all his pockets for a rattan, and he +happened to get hold of the tip of his tail. Now he seed the bos'en +lugging hard to get the rattan out of his pocket, for it had got +entangled with the lanyard of his jack-knife, and so Jocko tugs +precious hard at his tail, presuming it to be a rattan likewise, I +s'pose, and, by Jove, if he doesn't pull it right out." +</p> + +<p> +"Come, now," cried Joe Basalt, with a grunt, "I ain't agoing to swaller +that tale." +</p> + +<p> +"It's a fact. Billy Longbow was the most truthful pal I ever had—out +came his nether rattan." +</p> + +<p> +"Well, what next?" +</p> + +<p> +"Nothing next," answered Sam Mason, with a sly look. "That was the end +of Jocko's tail, and it's the end of mine too." +</p> + +<p> +Now while they were engaged in listening to Sam Mason's Billy Longbow +anecdote, they saw Mr. Mole come out of the deck saloon, where he had +been dozing. +</p> + +<p> +He walked up the deck with a certain apparent unsteadiness of gait. +</p> + +<p> +"Old Mole is half seas over," said Harry Girdwood. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you what. Wouldn't it be a lark if we could get him to strut +up and down with Nero, without knowing it?" +</p> + +<p> +"That's more easily said than done, I imagine." +</p> + +<p> +"Wait and see." +</p> + +<p> +They crept back out of sight as Mr. Mole passed along. Then, having +made a hurried whispered consultation, young Jack stepped forth alone +and tackled Mr. Mole. +</p> + +<p> +"Taking the air, sir?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Jack—hiccup—yes, my dear boy, and I have come to look out for +land." +</p> + +<p> +"Land?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p> +"Are we near?" +</p> + +<p> +"Sho—sho—I mean so—I shpose—s'pose—" +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole was conscious of his speech being a little bit thick, and he +hastened to add that he was suffering from toothache. +</p> + +<p> +"My mouth ish sho shwollen—swollen, I mean—that I can hardly +sp—speak plainly," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"Dear me! how shocking!" exclaimed young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Slipping his arm under Mr. Mole's they walked up and down talking. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, young Jack tipped the wink to Harry Girdwood, who slipped +out of his hiding-place with Nero, and followed Mole and Jack along the +deck. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack chose his opportunity well, and drawing his arm out of Mr. +Mole's he pushed Nero's in its place. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole, all unconscious of the change in his companion, strutted +along, chattering away, secretly pleased at having such an excellent +listener by his side. +</p> + +<p> +"It'sh really pleasure to talk to you, my dear boy," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"You un—stand with half a word—and I enjoy—a +conservation—conserva—singular thing—I can't say conservashun. I +enjoy—a talk—an intellectshul chat more with you than sitting down +to wine with Jeffershon and Harvey, and your dear father. Good +fellarsh—jolly good fellarsh—only too fond of sitting over wine. +Shocking habit—shpending hours in getting tipshy—hiccup!" +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Now, while Mr. Mole poured out his philosophical reflections into +Nero's ear, Harry Gridwood went and fetched Harvey; old Jack and +Jefferson. +</p> + +<p> +Young Jack stepped back to the door of the deck saloon, and sat down +while Mole turned round and hobbled up the deck again, with Nero still +leaning upon his arm. +</p> + +<p> +As the old gentleman came up to where they all stood, they could hear +him still laying down the law to Nero. +</p> + +<p> +"Yesh, Jack, my dear boy," he was saying, "wine'sh a jolly good +thing—to be ushed and not abushed. Blow my toothache—toothache—so +very dericulous—don't know what I'm shaying." +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Mole winked and blinked like an owl in daylight. +</p> + +<p> +"Jack." +</p> + +<p> +"Sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Whash the devil—Jack!" +</p> + +<p> +He started in utter amazement. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Mr. Mole," said Harvey, suddenly popping out of the cabin, +followed by Jefferson and old Jack, "what on earth are you walking up +and down with him for?" +</p> + +<p> +"Who?" +</p> + +<p> +Before another word could be spoken, Nero, on a secret sign from his +young master, took off his tarpaulin hat, and dabbed it on Mr. Mole's +head. +</p> + +<p> +Mole turned suddenly round upon his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"Nero—the devil fly away with you, you beast!" +</p> + +<p> +He made a dash at the monkey; but the latter was up in the shrouds and +out of danger in the twingling of an eye. +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + * * * * *<br /> +</p> + +<p> +"Land ho!" +</p> + +<p> +"Which way?" +</p> + +<p> +"Due south." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway had a glass up in a crack. +</p> + +<p> +"That's right," he said. "Gentlemen all, allow me to introduce you to +Australia." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap51"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER LI. +</h3> + +<p class="t3"> +HUNSTON IS DISPOSED OF. +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p> +Yes, there was the continent of Australia. +</p> + +<p> +The ladies came running up on deck at the news, for the first sight of +land after a long voyage is a thing to make your heart beat, however +much you like the sea. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't see anything yet," said little Emily, after peering vainly +through a telescope for five minutes. +</p> + +<p> +"Because you don't get the proper focus," explained young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Then you fix it for me, since you are so clever," retorted the young +lady. +</p> + +<p> +"That's an Irish remedy," laughed young Jack. +</p> + +<p> +However, he helped her to fix upon the focus, and then she had the +gratification of seeing the land. +</p> + +<p> +It was a beautiful verdure-clad range of hills that they had first +perceived from the distance, which were half a mile or more inland. +</p> + +<p> +So that they found themselves presently much nearer land than they had +supposed. +</p> + +<p> +It was covered with wild luxuriant vegetation, but it was altogether +uncultivated. +</p> + +<p> +"Harkaway," said Jefferson, as they stood together contemplating the +scene, "this is where Hunston must be dropped ashore." +</p> + +<p> +Harkaway thought it over for a few moments. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Jefferson," he said, presently, "I think you are right, this will +do. He can't well starve here, and it will be better than dropping him +amongst the civilised people." +</p> + +<p> +A boat was manned, and provisioned, and lowered. +</p> + +<p> +Then Hunston was brought up from below. +</p> + +<p> +His face had never changed since the first moment that he had recovered +from the great shock of the flogging he had received. +</p> + +<p> +Apparently there was some fixed purpose in his mind now that it would +take much to uproot. +</p> + +<p> +He never said a word when they came to fetch him. +</p> + +<p> +He was not a little anxious to know all about it, but such was his +pride that he would have perished sooner than breathe a word. +</p> + +<p> +As he was lowered into the boat, Harkaway just gave him to understand +what he was going to do in a few hurriedly-chosen words. +</p> + +<p> +"We are going to put you ashore here, Hunston; not that you have any +right to expect the least consideration at our hands, but we do not +wish to have it on our consciences that you have been badly treated by +us. You will be left here, far away from any human habitation, where +you can do no harm, at least, for some time to come. We shall leave you +these provisions, but we have no arms or ammunition to give you." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston listened silently—impassively to these words. +</p> + +<p> +Not the slightest change in the expression of his countenance indicated +that he heard the words which been addressed to him. +</p> + +<p> +"You are going, and our ways through the rest of our lives may be +widely separated. We may never meet again. It will be some +gratification to you to know that you have once more most keenly +disappointed me—that I would have given much to see the least signs of +repentance in you—that the greatest delight would have been for me to +say to myself 'At least I have conquered the evil in that man's nature +by showing him a good return for his vicious acts, and turned a bitter +enemy into a friend,' but that was a forlorn hope. May you live to +repent your evil courses." +</p> + +<p> +Hunston turned. +</p> + +<p> +Not a word escaped him. +</p> + +<p> +The boat pulled off from the vessel, and in the same sullen silence he +was landed with his rations. +</p> + +<p> +There were forty pounds of hard biscuits, a good twenty pounds of salt +beef, besides rice, flour, a jar of water, and other matters which +might be necessary, should he fail to fall in with the means of getting +food and drink for some considerable time. +</p> + +<p> +But when that was gone he might starve. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="finis"> +THE END. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape +From the Brigand's of Greece, by Bracebridge Hemyng + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK HARKAWAY AND SON'S ESCAPE *** + +***** This file should be named 7335-h.htm or 7335-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/3/3/7335/ + +Produced by Michelle Shephard, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. 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