diff --git "a/data/test/27454.txt" "b/data/test/27454.txt" --- "a/data/test/27454.txt" +++ "b/data/test/27454.txt" @@ -1,10270 +1,10270 @@ - - -E-text prepared by Roger Frank, Darleen Dove, and the Project Gutenberg -Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 27454-h.htm or 27454-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/2/7/4/5/27454/27454-h/27454-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/2/7/4/5/27454/27454-h.zip) - - - - - -IN HER OWN RIGHT - -by - -JOHN REED SCOTT - -Author of "The Last Try," "The Woman In Question," "The Princess -Dehra," Etc. - -With Illustrations in Color By Clarence F. Underwood - - - - - - - -[Illustration: "TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOURSELF," HE SAID - _Page 328_] - - -A. L. Burt Company -Publishers -New York - -Copyright, 1911 -by John Reed Scott - -Published May, 1911 - - - - - DEDICATED - - TO - - S. W. C - - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER - I. Broken 11 - II. Good-bye 23 - III. Clarendon 35 - IV. Parmenter's Bequest 51 - V. Miss Carrington 68 - VI. Confidence and Scruples 88 - VII. Greenberry Point 104 - VIII. Stolen 120 - IX. The Way Out 135 - X. Pirate's Gold Breeds Pirate's Ways 150 - XI. Elaine Cavendish 170 - XII. One Learned in the Law 185 - XII. I Could Tell Some Things 203 - XIV. The Symphony in Blue 217 - XV. An Old Ruse 232 - XVI. The Marabou Muff 247 - XVII. A Handkerchief and a Glove 264 - XVIII. The Lone House by the Bay 281 - XIX. Robert Parmenter's Successors 298 - XX. The Check 310 - XXI. The Jewels 321 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - Page - - "TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOURSELF," HE SAID _Frontispiece_ - - LEADING THE WRONG ONE, THROWING THE WRONG ONE, - MATCHING PASTEBOARDS, THAT WAS ALL 86 - - HE WENT OUT ON THE EXTREME EDGE, FACED ABOUT, - AND STEPPED TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PACES 112 - - -IN HER OWN RIGHT - - - - -I - -BROKEN - - -"The expected has happened, I see," said Macloud, laying aside the -paper he had been reading, and raising his hand for a servant. - -"I thought it was the unexpected that happens," Hungerford drawled, -languidly. "What do you mean?" - -"Royster & Axtell have been thrown into bankruptcy. Liabilities of -twenty million, assets problematical." - -"You don't say!" ejaculated Hungerford, sitting up sharply. "Have they -caught any of our friends?" - -"All who dealt with them, I reckon." - -"Too bad! Too bad!--Well, they didn't catch me." - -"Oh, no! you're not caught!" said Macloud. "Your father was wise enough -to put your estate into Government threes, with a trustee who had no -power to change the investment." - -"And I'm thankful he did," Hungerford answered. "It saves me all -trouble; I need never look at the stock report, don't you know; -Government bonds are always the same.--I suppose it's a reflection on -my ability, but that is of small consequence. I don't care what people -think, so long as I have the income and no trouble. If I had control of -my capital, I might have lost all of it with Royster & Axtell, who -knows?" - -Macloud shook his head. - -"It isn't likely," he commented, "you wouldn't have had it to lose." - -Hungerford's momentarily vague look suddenly became knowing. - -"You mean I would have lost it long ago?" he asked. "Oh, I say, old -man, you're a bit hard on me. I may not have much head for business, -but I'm not altogether a fool, don't you know." - -"Glad to know it," laughed Macloud, as he arose and sauntered away. - -Hungerford drew out his cigarettes and thoughtfully lighted one. - -"I wonder--did he mean I am or I am not?" he said. "I wonder. I shall -have to ask him some time.--Boy! a Scotch and soda." - -Meanwhile, Macloud passed into the Club-house and, mounting the stairs -to the second floor, knocked sharply at a door in the north-west corner -of the corridor. - -"Come in," called a voice.--"Who is it?--Oh! it's you, Macloud. Make -yourself at home--I'll be out in a moment." - -There was the noise of splashing water, accompanied by sundry -exclamations and snorts, followed by a period of silence; and, then, -from the bath room, emerged Croyden clad in robe, slippers and a -smile. - -"Help yourself," he said, pointing to the smoking materials. He filled -a pipe, lit it carefully, blew a few whiffs to the ceiling and watched -them slowly dissipate. - -"Well, it's come," he remarked: "Royster & Axtell have smashed clean." - -"Not clean," said Macloud. "It is going to be the most criminal failure -this town has ever known." - -"I mean they have busted wide open--and I'm one of the suckers." - -"You are going to have plenty of company, among your friends," Macloud -answered. - -"I suppose so--but I hope none of them is hit quite so bad." He blew -another cloud of smoke and watched it fade. "The truth is, Colin, I'm -done for." - -"What!" exclaimed Macloud. "You don't mean you are cleaned out?" - -The other nodded. "That's about it.... I've a few thousand left--enough -to pay laundry bills, and to board on Hash Alley for a few months a -year. Oh! I was a sucker, all right!--I was so easy it makes me ashamed -to have saved _anything_ from the wreck. I've a notion to go and offer -it to them, now." - -There were both bitterness and relief in his tones; bitterness over -the loss, relief that the worst, at last, had happened. - -For a while, there was silence. Croyden turned away and began to dress; -Macloud sat looking out on the lawn in front, where a foursome were -playing the home hole, and another waiting until they got off the -green. - -Presently, the latter spoke. - -"How did it happen, old man?" he asked--"that is, if you care to -tell." - -Croyden laughed shortly. "It isn't pleasant to relate how one has been -such an addle-pated ass----" - -"Then, forgive me.--I didn't mean to----" - -"Nonsense! I understand--moreover, it will ease my mortification to -confide in one who won't attempt to sympathize. I don't care for -sympathy, I don't deserve it, and what's more, I won't have it." - -"Don't let that worry you," Macloud answered. "You won't be oppressed -by any rush of sympathy. No one is who gets pinched in the stock -market. We all go in, and--sooner or later, generally sooner--we all -get burnt--and we all think every one but ourselves got only what was -due him. No, my boy, there is no sympathy running loose for the lamb -who has been shorn. And you don't need to expect it from your friends -of the Heights. They believe only in success. The moment you're -fleeced, they fling you aside. They fatten off the carcasses of -others--yours and mine and their own brothers. Friendship does not -enter into the game. They will eat your bread and salt to-night, and -dance on your financial corpse to-morrow. The only respect they have is -for money, and clothes, and show; and the more money, and the more show -the greater their deference--while they last--and the farther the fall -when they fail. The women are as bad as the men, in a smaller way. They -will blacken one another's reputation with an ease and zest that is -simply appalling, and laugh in your face while doing it. I'm speaking -generally, there are exceptions, of course, but they only prove the -rule. Yet, what can you expect, where aristocracy is based on one's -bank account, and the ability to keep the other fellows from laying -violent hands on it. It reminds one of the Robbers of the Rhine! Steal -everything within reach and give up nothing. Oh! it is a fine system of -living!--Your pardon! I forgot myself." - -"It is good to have you forget yourself occasionally," said -Croyden--"especially, when your views chime with mine--recently -acquired, I admit. I began to see it about a month ago, when I slowed -down on expenditures. I thought I could notice an answering chill in -the grill-room." - -"Like enough. You must spend to get on. They have no use for one who -doesn't. You have committed the unpardonable sin: had a fortune and -lost it. And they never forgive--unless you make another fortune; then -they will welcome you back, and lay plans to take it, also." - -"You paint a pretty picture!" Croyden laughed. - -Macloud shrugged his shoulders. - -"Tell me of Royster & Axtell," he said. - -"There isn't a great deal to tell," Croyden replied, coming around from -the dressing table, and drawing on his vest as he came. "It is five -years since my father died and left me sole heir to his estate. In -round numbers, it aggregated half a million dollars--all in stocks and -bonds, except a little place down on the Eastern Shore which he took, -some years before he died, in payment of a debt due him. Since my -mother's demise my father had led the life of quiet and retirement in a -small city. I went through college, was given a year abroad, took the -law course at Harvard, and settled down to the business of getting a -practice. Then the pater died, suddenly. Five hundred thousand was a -lot of money in that town. Too much to settle there, I thought. I -abandoned the law, and came to Northumberland. The governor had been a -non-resident member of the Northumberland Club, which made it easy for -me to join. I soon found, however, that what had seemed ample wealth in -the old town, did not much more than make ends meet, here--provided I -kept up my end. I was about the poorest one in the set I affected, so, -naturally, I went into the stock market. Royster was the particular -broker of the gang and the first year I did very well.--You think it -was intended?" (As Macloud smiled.) "Well, I don't doubt now you're -right. The next year I began to lose. Then Royster put me into that -Company of his down in Virginia--the Virginia Improvement Company, you -know. He took me down, in a special car, showed me how much he himself -had in it, how much would be got out of it, offered to let me in on the -ground floor, and made it look so rosy, withal, that I succumbed. Two -hundred thousand was buried there. An equal amount I had lent them, at -six per cent., shortly after I came to Northumberland--selling the -securities that yielded only four per cent. to do it. That accounts for -four hundred thousand--gone up the flume. Eighty thousand I lost in -stocks. The remainder, about twenty thousand, I still have. By some -error I can't account for, they did not get away with it, too.--Such is -the tale of a foolish man," he ended. - -"Will you make any effort to have Royster prosecuted?" Macloud asked. - -"No--I've been pretty much of a baby, but I'm not going to cry over -milk that's spilt." - -"It's not all spilt--some of it will be recovered." - -"My dear Macloud, there won't be enough money recovered to buy me -cigarettes for one evening. Royster has hypothecated and rehypothecated -securities until no man can trace his own, even if it would help him -to do so. You said it would _likely_ prove a disgraceful failure. I am -absolutely sure of it." - -Macloud beat a tattoo on the window-ledge. - -"What do you think of doing?" he said--"or haven't you got to it, -yet--or don't you care to tell?" - -"I've got to it," replied Croyden; "and I don't care to tell--anyone -but you, Colin. I can't stay here----" - -"Not on twelve hundred a year, certainly--unless you spend the little -principal you have left, and, then, drop off for good." - -"Which would be playing the baby act, sure enough." - -Macloud nodded. - -"It would," he said; "but, sometimes, men don't look at it that way. -They cannot face the loss of caste. They prefer to drop overboard by -_accident_." - -"There isn't going to be any dropping overboard by accident in mine," -replied Croyden. "What I've decided to do is this: I shall disappear. I -have no debts, thank God! so no one will care to take the trouble to -search for me. I shall go down to Hampton, to the little property that -was left me on the Eastern Shore, there to mark time, either until I -can endure it, or until I can pick out some other abode. I've a bunch -of expensive habits to get rid of quickly, and the best place for -that, it seems to me, is a small town where they are impossible, as -well as unnecessary." - -"Ever lived in a small town?" Macloud inquired. - -"None smaller than my old home. I suppose it will be very stupid, after -the life here, but beggars can't be choosers." - -"I'm not so sure it will be very stupid," said Macloud. "It depends on -how much you liked this froth and try, we have here. The want to and -can't--the aping the ways and manners of those who have had wealth for -generations, and are well-born, beside. Look at them!" with a fling of -his arm, that embraced the Club-house and its environs.--"One -generation old in wealth, one generation old in family, and about six -months old, some of them scarcely that, in breeding. There are a few -families which belong by right of birth--and, thank God! they show it. -But they are shouldered aside by the others, and don't make much of a -show. The climbers hate them, but are too much awed by their lineage to -crowd them out, entirely. A nice lot of aristocrats! The majority of -them are puddlers of the iron mills, and the peasants of Europe, come -over so recently the soil is still clinging to their clothes. Down on -the Eastern Shore you will find it very different. They ask one, who -you _are_, never how much money you have. Their aristocracy is one of -birth and culture. You may be reduced to manual labor for a livelihood, -but you belong just the same. You have had a sample of the -money-changers and their heartless methods--and it has left a bitter -taste in your mouth. I think you will welcome the change. It will be a -new life, and, in a measure, a quiet life, but there are compensations -to one to whom life holds more than garish living and ostentatious -show." - -"You know the people of the Eastern Shore?" asked Croyden. - -"No!--but I know the people of the Western Shore, and they come from -the same stock--and it's good stock, mighty good stock! Moreover, you -are not burying yourself so deep--Baltimore is just across the Bay, and -Philadelphia and New York are but a few hours distant--less distant -than this place is, indeed." - -"I looked up the time-tables!" laughed Croyden. "My present knowledge -of Hampton is limited to the means and methods of getting away." - -"And getting to it," appended Macloud. "When do you go?" - -"To-morrow night." - -"Hum--rather sudden, isn't it?" - -"I've seen it coming for a month, so I've had time to pay my small -accounts, arrange my few affairs, and be prepared to flit on a moment's -notice. I should have gone a week ago, but I indulged myself with a few -more days of the old life. Now, I'm off to-morrow night." - -"Shall you go direct to Hampton?" - -"Direct to Hampton, via New York," said Croyden. "There probably won't -anyone care enough even to inquire for me, but I'm not taking the -chance." - -Macloud watched him with careful scrutiny. Was it serious or was it -assumed? Had this seemingly sudden resolve only the failure of Royster -& Axtell behind it, or was there a woman there, as well? Was Elaine -Cavendish the real reason? There could be no doubt of Croyden's -devotion to her--and her more than passing regard for him. Was it -because he could not, or because he would not--or both? Croyden was -practically penniless--she was an only child, rich in her own right, -and more than rich in prospect---- - -"Will you dine with me, this evening?" asked Macloud. - -"Sorry, old man, but I'm due at the Cavendishes'--just a pick-up by -telephone. I shall see you, again, shan't I?" - -"I reckon so," was the answer. "I'm down here for the night. Have -breakfast with me in the morning--if I'm not too early a bird, at eight -o'clock." - -"Good! for two on the side piazza!" exclaimed Croyden. - -"I'll speak to Francois," said Macloud, arising. "So long." - -Croyden slowly straightened his tie and drew on his coat. - -"Macloud is a square chap," he reflected. "I've had a lot of so-called -friends, here, but he is the only one who still rings true. I may -imagine it, but I'm sure the rest are beginning to shy off. Well, I -shan't bother them much longer--they can prepare for a new victim." - -He picked up his hat and went downstairs, making his way out by the -front entrance, so as to miss the crowd in the grill-room. He did not -want the trouble of speaking or of being spoken to. He saw Macloud, as -he passed--out on the piazza beyond the porte-cochere, and he waved his -hand to him. Then he signalled the car, that had been sent from -Cavencliffe for him, and drove off to the Cavendishes. - - - - -II - -GOOD-BYE - - -The Cavendishes were of those who (to quote Macloud's words) "did -belong and, thank God, showed it." Henry Cavendish had married -Josephine Marquand in the days before there were any idle-rich in -Northumberland, and when the only leisure class were in jail. Now, when -the idea, that it was respectable not to work, was in the ascendency, -he still went to his office with unfailing regularity--and the fact -that the Tuscarora Trust Company paid sixty per cent. on its capital -stock, and sold in the market (when you could get it) at three thousand -dollars a share, was due to his ability and shrewd financiering as -president. It was because he refused to give up the active management -even temporarily, that they had built their summer home on the Heights, -where there was plenty of pure air, unmixed with the smoke of the mills -and trains, and with the Club near enough to give them its life and -gayety when they wished. - -The original Cavendish and the original Marquand had come to -Northumberland, as officers, with Colonel Harmer and his detachment of -Regulars, at the close of the Revolution, had seen the possibilities of -the place, and, after a time, had resigned and settled down to -business. Having brought means with them from Philadelphia, they -quickly accumulated more, buying up vast tracts of Depreciation lands -and numerous In-lots and Out-lots in the original plan of the town. -These had never been sold, and hence it was, that, by the natural rise -in value from a straggling forest to a great and thriving city, the -Cavendish and the Marquand estates were enormously valuable. And hence, -also, the fact that Elaine Cavendish's grandparents, on both sides of -the house, were able to leave her a goodly fortune, absolutely, and yet -not disturb the natural descent of the bulk of their possessions. - -Having had wealth for generations, the Cavendishes were as natural and -unaffected in their use of it, as the majority of their neighbors were -tawdry and flashy. They did things because they wanted to do them, not -because someone else did them. And they did not do things that others -did, and never thought what the others might think. - -Because an iron-magnate, with only dollars for ballast, had fifteen -bath pools of Sienna marble in his flaunting, gaudy "chateau," and was -immediately aped by the rest of the rattle-brained, moved the -Cavendishes not at all. Because the same bounder gave a bathing-suit -party (with the ocean one hundred and fifty miles away), at which -prizes were bestowed on the man and woman who dared wear the least -clothes, while the others of the _nouveaux riches_ applauded and -marvelled at his audacity and originality, simply made the Cavendishes -stay away. Because another mushroom millionaire bought books for his -library by the foot, had gold mangers and silver stalls for his horses, -and adorned himself with diamonds like an Indian Rajah, were no -incentives to the Cavendishes to do likewise. They pursued the even -tenor of the well-bred way. - -Cavencliffe was a great, roomy country-house, in the Colonial style, -furnished in chintz and cretonnes, light and airy, with wicker -furniture and bird's-eye maple throughout, save in the dining-room, -where there was the slenderest of old Hepplewhite. Wide piazzas flanked -the house on every side, screened and awninged from the sun and wind -and rain. A winding driveway between privet hedges, led up from the -main road half a mile away, through a maze of giant forest trees amid -which the place was set. - -Croyden watched it, thoughtfully, as the car spun up the avenue. He saw -the group on the piazza, the waiting man-servant, the fling upward of a -hand in greeting by a white robed figure. And he sighed. - -"My last welcome to Cavencliffe!" he muttered. "It's a bully place, and -a bully girl--and, I think, I had a chance, if I hadn't been such a -fool." - -Elaine Cavendish came forward a little way to greet him. And Croyden -sighed, again, as--with the grace he had learned as a child from his -South Carolina mother, he bent for an instant over her hand. He had -never known how handsome she was, until this visit--and he had come to -say good-bye! - -"You were good to come," she said. - -"It was good of you to ask me," he replied. - -The words were trite, but there was a note of intenseness in his tones -that made her look sharply at him--then, away, as a trace of color came -faintly to her cheek. - -"You know the others," she said, perfunctorily. - -And Croyden smiled in answer, and greeted the rest of the guests. - -There were but six of them: Mrs. Chichester, a young matron, of less -than thirty, whose husband was down in Panama explaining some contract -to the Government Engineers; Nancy Wellesly, a rather petite blonde, -who was beginning to care for her complexion and other people's -reputations, but was a square girl, just the same; and Charlotte -Brundage, a pink and white beauty, but the crack tennis and golf player -of her sex at the Club and a thorough good sport, besides. - -The men were: Harold Hungerford, who was harmlessly negative and -inoffensively polite; Roderick Colloden, who, after Macloud, was the -most popular man in the set, a tall, red haired chap, who always seemed -genuinely glad to meet anyone in any place, and whose handshake gave -emphasis to it. He had not a particularly good memory for faces, and -the story is still current in the Club of how, when he had been -presented to a newcomer four times in one week, and had always told him -how glad he was to meet him, the man lost patience and blurted out, -that he was damn glad to know it, but, if Colloden would recognize him -the next time they met, he would be more apt to believe it. The -remaining member of the party was Montecute Mattison. He was a small -man, with peevishly pinched features, that wore an incipient smirk when -in repose, and a hyena snarl when in action. He had no friends and no -intimates. He was the sort who played dirty golf in a match: -deliberately moving on the green, casting his shadow across the hole, -talking when his opponent was about to drive, and anything else to -disconcert. In fact, he was a dirty player in any game--because it was -natural. He would not have been tolerated a moment, even at the -Heights, if he had not been Warwick Mattison's son, and the heir to his -millions. He never made an honest dollar in his life, and could not, if -he tried, but he was Assistant-Treasurer of his father's company, did -an hour's work every day signing the checks, and drew fifteen thousand -a year for it. A man's constant inclination was to smash him in the -face--and the only reason he escaped was because it would have been -like beating a child. One man had, when Mattison was more than -ordinarily offensive, laid him across his knee, and, in full sight of -the Club-house, administered a good old-fashioned spanking with a golf -club. Him Montecute thereafter let alone. The others did not take the -trouble, however. They simply shrugged their shoulders, and swore at -him freely and to his face. - -At present, he was playing the devoted to Miss Brundage and hence his -inclusion in the party. She cared nothing for him, but his money was a -thing to be considered--having very little of her own--and she was -doing her best to overcome her repugnance sufficiently to place him -among the eligibles. - -Mattison got through the dinner without any exhibition of ill nature, -but, when the women retired, it came promptly to the fore. - -The talk had turned on the subject of the Club Horse Show. It was -scheduled for the following month, and was quite the event of the -Autumn, in both a social and an equine sense. The women showed their -gowns and hosiery, the men their horses and equipment, and how -appropriately they could rig themselves out--while the general herd -stood around the ring gaping and envious. - -Presently, there came a momentary lull in the conversation and Mattison -remarked: - -"I see Royster & Axtell went up to-day. I reckon," with an insinuating -laugh, "there will be some entries withdrawn." - -"Men or horses?" asked Hungerford. - -"Both--and men who haven't horses, as well," with a sneering glance at -Croyden. - -"Why, bless me! he's looking at you, Geoffrey!" Hungerford exclaimed. - -"I am not responsible for the direction of Mr. Mattison's eyes," -Croyden answered with assumed good nature. - -Mattison smiled, maliciously. - -"Is it so bad as that?" he queried. "I knew, of course, you were hit, -but I hoped it was only for a small amount." - -"Shut up, Mattison!" exclaimed Colloden. "If you haven't any -appreciation of propriety, you can at least keep quiet." - -"Oh, I don't know----" - -"Don't you?" said Colloden, quietly, reaching across and grasping him -by the collar. "Think again,--_and think quickly_!" - -A sickly grin, half of surprise and half of anger, overspread -Mattison's face. - -"Can't you take a little pleasantry?" he asked. - -"We don't like your pleasantries any more than we like you, and that is -not at all. Take my advice and mend your tongue." He shook him, much as -a terrier does a rat, and jammed him back into his chair. "Now, either -be good or go home," he admonished. - -Mattison was weak with anger--so angry, indeed, that he was helpless -either to stir or to make a sound. The others ignored him--and, when he -was a little recovered, he got up and went slowly from the room. - -"It wasn't a particularly well bred thing to do," observed Colloden, -"but just the same it was mighty pleasant. If it were not for the law, -I'd have broken his neck." - -"He isn't worth the exertion, Roderick," Croyden remarked. "But I'm -obliged, old man. I enjoyed it." - -When they rejoined the ladies on the piazza, a little later, Mattison -had gone. - -After a while, the others went off in their motors, leaving Croyden -alone with Miss Cavendish. Hungerford had offered to drop him at the -Club, but he had declined. He would enjoy himself a little -longer--would give himself the satisfaction of another hour with her, -before he passed into outer darkness. - -He had gone along in his easy, bachelor way, without a serious thought -for any woman, until six months ago. Then, Elaine Cavendish came home, -after three years spent in out-of-the-way corners of the globe, and, -straightway, bound him to her chariot wheels. - -At least, so the women said--who make it their particular business to -observe--and they never make mistakes. They can tell when one is -preparing to fall in love, long before he knows himself. Indeed, there -have been many men drawn into matrimony, against their own express -inclination, merely by the accumulation of initiative engendered by -impertinent meddlers. They want none of it, they even fight desperately -against it, but, in the end, they succumb. - -And Geoffrey Croyden would have eventually succumbed, of his own -desires, however, had Elaine Cavendish been less wealthy, and had his -affairs been more at ease. Now, he thanked high Heaven he had not -offered himself. She might have accepted him; and think of all the -heart-burnings and pain that would now ensue, before he went out of her -life! - -"What were you men doing to Montecute Mattison?" she asked presently. -"He appeared perfectly furious when he came out, and he went off -without a word to anyone--even Charlotte Brundage was ignored." - -"He and Colloden had a little difficulty--and Mattison left us," -Croyden answered. "Didn't he stop to say good-night?" - -She shook her head. "He called something as he drove off--but I think -he was swearing at his man." - -"He needed something to swear at, I fancy!" Croyden laughed. - -"What did Roderick do?" she asked. - -"Took him by the collar and shook him--and told him either to go home -or be quiet." - -"And he went home--I see." - -"Yes--when he had recovered himself sufficiently. I thought, at first, -his anger was going to choke him." - -"Imagine big, good-natured Roderick stirred sufficiently to lay hands -on any one!" she laughed. - -"But imagine him _when_ stirred," he said. - -"I hadn't thought of him in that way," she said, slowly--"Ough!" with a -little shiver, "it must have been terrifying--what had Mattison done to -him?" - -"Nothing--Mattison is too much of a coward ever to _do_ anything." - -"What had he said, then?" - -"Oh, some brutality about one of Colloden's friends, I think," Croyden -evaded. "I didn't quite hear it--and we didn't discuss it afterward." - -"I'm told he is a scurrilous little beast, with the men," she -commented; "but, I must say, he is always polite to me, and reasonably -charitable. Indeed, to-night is the only deliberately bad manners he -has ever exhibited." - -"He knows the men won't hurt him," said Croyden, "whereas the women, if -he showed his ill nature to them, would promptly ostracize him. He is -a canny bounder, all right." He made a gesture of repugnance. "We have had -enough of Mattison--let us find something more interesting--yourself, for -instance." - -"Or yourself!" she smiled. "Or, better still, neither. Which reminds -me--Miss Southard is coming to-morrow; you will be over, of course?" - -"I'm going East to-morrow night," he said. "I'm sorry." - -"But she is to stay two weeks--you will be back before she leaves, -won't you?" - -"I fear not--I may go on to London." - -"Before you return here?" - -"Yes--before I return here." - -"Isn't this London idea rather sudden?" she asked. - -"I've been anticipating it for some time," sending a cloud of cigarette -smoke before his face. "But it grew imminent only to-day." - -When the smoke faded, her eyes were looking questioningly into his. -There was something in his words that did not ring quite true. It was -too sudden to be genuine, too unexpected. It struck her as vague and -insincere. Yet there was no occasion to mistrust--it was common enough -for men to be called suddenly to England on business.---- - -"When do you expect to return?" she asked. - -"I do not know," he said, reading something that was in her mind. "If I -must go, the business which takes me will also fix my return." - -A servant approached. - -"What is it, Hudson?" she asked. - -"The telephone, Miss Cavendish. Pride's Crossing wishes to talk with -you." - -Croyden arose--it was better to make the farewell brief--and -accompanied her to the doorway. - -"Good-bye," he said, simply. - -"You must go?" she asked. - -"Yes--there are some things that must be done to-night." - -She gave him another look. - -"Good-bye, then--and _bon voyage_," she said, extending her hand. - -He took it--hesitated just an instant--lifted it to his lips--and, -then, without a word, swung around and went out into the night. - - * * * * * - -The next day--at noon--when, her breakfast finished, she came down -stairs, a scare headline in the morning's paper, lying in the hall, met -her eyes. - - SUICIDE! - - Royster Found Dead in His Bath-room! - The Penalty of Bankruptcy! - - ROYSTER & AXTELL FAIL! - - Many Prominent Persons Among the Creditors. - -She seized the paper, and nervously ran her eyes down the columns until -they reached the list of those involved.---- - -Yes! Croyden's name was among them! That was what had taken him away! - -And Croyden read it, too, as he sped Eastward toward the unknown life. - - - - -III - -CLARENDON - - -Croyden left Northumberland in the morning--and his economy began with -the ride East: he went on Day Express instead of on the Limited, -thereby saving the extra fare. At Philadelphia he sent his baggage to -the Bellevue-Stratford; later in the evening, he had it returned to the -station, and checked it, himself, to Hampton--to avoid the possibility -of being followed by means of his luggage. - -He did not imagine that any one would go to the trouble to trace him, -but he was not taking any chances. He wanted to cut himself away, -utterly, from his former life, to be free of everyone he had ever -known. It was not likely he would be missed. - -Some one would say: "I haven't seen Croyden lately," would be answered: -"I think he went abroad suddenly--about the time of the Royster & -Axtell failure," and, with that, he would pass out of notice. If he -were to return, any time within the next five years, he would be met by -a languid: "Been away, somewhere, haven't you? I thought I hadn't -noticed you around the Club, lately."--And that would be the extent of -it. - -One is not missed in a big town. His going and his coming are not -watched. There is no time to bother with another's affairs. Everyone -has enough to do to look after his own. The curiosity about one's -neighbors--what he wears, what he eats, what he does, every item in his -daily life--that is developed by idleness, thrives in littleness, and -grows to perfection in scandal and innuendo--belongs solely to the -small town. If one comes down street with a grip--instantly: So and so -is "going away"--speculation as to why?--where?--what? One puts on a -new suit, it is observed and noted.--A pair of new shoes, ditto.--A new -necktie, ditto. Every particular of his life is public property, is -inspected for a motive, and, if a motive cannot be discovered, one is -supplied--usually mean and little, the latter unctuously preferred. - -All this Croyden was yet to learn, however. - -He took the night's express on the N. Y., P. & N., whence, at Hampton -Junction, he transferred to a branch line. For twenty miles the train -seemed to crawl along, burrowing into the sand hills and out again into -sand, and in and out again, until, at length, with much whistling and -escaping steam, they wheezed into the station and stopped. - -There were a dozen white men, with slouch hats and nondescript -clothing, standing aimlessly around, a few score of s, and a -couple of antique carriages with horses to match. The white men looked -at the new arrival, listlessly, and the s with no interest at -all--save the two who were porters for the rival hotels. They both made -for Croyden and endeavored to take his grip. - -He waved them away. - -"I don't want your hotel, boys," he said. "But if you can tell me where -Clarendon is, I will be obliged." - -"Cla'endon! seh? yass, seh," said one, "right out at de een' o' de -village, seh--dis street tek's yo dyar, seh, sho nuf." - -"Which end of the village?" Croyden asked. - -"Dis een', seh, de fust house beyon' Majah Bo'den's, seh." - -"How many blocks is it?" - -"Blocks, seh!" said the . "'Tain't no blocks--it's jest de fust -place beyon' Majah Bo'den's." - -Croyden laughed. "Here," he said, "you take my bag out to -Clarendon--I'll walk till I find it." - -"Yass, seh! yass, seh! I'll do it, seh! but yo bettah ride, seh!" - -"No!" said Croyden, looking at the vehicle. "It's safer to walk." - -He tossed the a quarter and turned away. - -"Thankee, seh, thankee, seh, I'll brings it right out, seh." - -Croyden went slowly down the street, while the crowd stared after him, -and the shops emptied their loafers to join them in the staring. He was -a strange man--and a well-dressed man--and they all were curious. - -Presently, the shops were replaced by dwellings of the humbler sort, -then they, in turn, by more pretentious residences--with here and there -a new one of the Queen Anne type. Croyden did not need the information, -later vouchsafed, that they belong to _new_ people. It was as -unmistakable as the houses themselves. - -About a mile from the station, he passed a place built of English -brick, covered on the sides by vines, and shaded by huge trees. It -stood well back from the street and had about it an air of aristocracy -and exclusiveness. - -"I wonder if this is the Bordens'?" said Croyden looking about him for -some one to ask--"Ah!" - -Down the path from the house was coming a young woman. He slowed down, -so as to allow her to reach the entrance gates ahead of him. She was -pretty, he saw, as she neared--very pretty!--positively beautiful! dark -hair and---- - -He took off his hat. - -"I beg your pardon!" he said. "Is this Mr. Borden's?" - -"Yes--this is Major Borden's," she answered, with a deliciously soft -intonation, which instantly stirred Croyden's Southern blood. - -"Then Clarendon is the next place, is it not?" - -She gave him the quickest glance of interest, as she replied in the -affirmative. - -"Colonel Duval is dead, however," she added--"a caretaker is the only -person there, now." - -"So I understood." There was no excuse for detaining her longer. "Thank -you, very much!" he ended, bowed slightly, and went on. - -It is ill bred and rude to stare back at a woman, but, if ever Croyden -had been tempted, it was now. He heard her footsteps growing fainter in -the distance, as he continued slowly on his way. Something behind him -seemed to twitch at his head, and his neck was positively stiff with -the exertion necessary to keep it straight to the fore. - -He wanted another look at that charming figure, with the mass of blue -black hair above it, and the slender silken ankles and slim tan-shod -feet below. He remembered that her eyes were blue, and that they met -him through long lashes, in a languidly alluring glance; that she was -fair; and that her mouth was generous, with lips full but delicate--a -face, withal, that clung in his memory, and that he proposed to see -again--and soon. - -He walked on, so intent on his visual image, he did not notice that the -Borden place was behind him now, and he was passing the avenue that led -into Clarendon. - -"Yass, seh! hyar yo is, marster!--hyar's Clarendon," called the , -hastening up behind him with his bag. - -Croyden turned into the walk--the black followed. - -"Cun'l Duval's done been daid dis many a day, seh," he said. "Folks sez -ez how it's owned by some city fellah, now. Mebbe yo knows 'im, seh?" - -Croyden did not answer, he was looking at the place--and the , -with an inquisitively curious eye, relapsed into silence. - -The house was very similar to the Bordens'--unpretentious, except for -the respectability that goes with apparent age, vine clad and tree -shaded. It was of generous proportions, without being large--with a -central hall, and rooms on either side, that rose to two stories, and -was topped by a pitch-roof. There were no piazzas at front or side, -just a small stoop at the doorway, from which paths branched around to -the rear. - -"I done 'speck, seh, yo go roun' to de back," said the , as -Croyden put his foot on the step. "Ole Mose 'im live dyar. I'll bring -'im heah, ef yo wait, seh." - -"Who is old Mose--the caretaker?" said Croyden. - -The place was looked after by a real estate man of the village, and -neither his father nor he had bothered to do more than meet the -accounts for funds. The former had preferred to let it remain -unoccupied, so as to have it ready for instant use, if he so wished, -and Croyden had done the same. - -"He! Mose he's Cun'l Duval's body-survent, seh. Him an' -Jos'phine--Jos'phine he wif', seh--dey looks arfter de place sence de -ole Cun'l died." - -Croyden nodded. "I'll go back." - -They followed the right hand path, which seemed to be more used than -its fellow. The servants' quarters were disclosed at the far end of the -lot. - -Before the tidiest of them, an old was sitting on a stool, -dreaming in the sun. At Croyden's appearance, he got up hastily, and -came forward--gray-haired, and bent. - -"Survent, seh!" he said, with the remains of what once must have been a -wonderfully graceful bow, and taking in the stranger's attire with a -single glance. "I'se ole Mose. Cun'l Duval's boy--seh, an' I looks -arfter de place, now. De Cun'l he's daid, yo knows, seh. What can I do -fur yo, seh?" - -"I'm Mr. Croyden," said Geoffrey. - -"Yass, seh! yass, seh!" the answered, inquiringly. - -It was evident the name conveyed no meaning to him. - -"I'm the new owner, you know--since Colonel Duval died," Croyden -explained. - -"Hi! yo is!" old Mose exclaimed, with another bow. "Well, praise de -Lawd! I sees yo befo' I dies. So yo's de new marster, is yo? I'm -pow'ful glad yo's come, seh! pow'ful glad. What mout yo name be, seh?" - -"Croyden!" replied Geoffrey. "Now, Moses, will you open the house and -let me in?" - -"Yo seen Marster Dick?" asked the . - -"You mean the agent? No! Why do you ask?" - -"Coz why, seh--I'm beggin' yo pa'den, seh, but Marster Dick sez, sez -he, 'Don' nuvver lets no buddy in de house, widout a writin' from me.' -I ain' doubtin' yo, seh, 'deed I ain', but I ruther hed de writin'." - -"You're perfectly right," Croyden answered. "Here, boy!--do you know -Mr. Dick? Well, go down and tell him that Mr. Croyden is at Clarendon, -and ask him to come out at once. Or, stay, I'll give you a note to -him." - -He took a card from his pocketbook, wrote a few lines on it, and gave -it to the . - -"Yass, seh! Yass, seh!" said the porter, and, dropping the grip where -he stood, he vanished. - -Old Mose dusted the stool with his sleeve, and proffered it. - -"Set down, seh!" with another bow. "Josh won' be long." - -Croyden shook his head. - -"I'll lie here," he answered, stretching himself out on the grass. "You -were Colonel Duval's body-servant, you say." - -"Yass, seh! from de time I wuz so 'igh. I don' 'member when I warn' he -body-survent. I follows 'im all th'oo de war, seh, an' I wus wid 'im -when he died." Tears were in the 's eyes. "Hit's purty nigh time -ole Mose gwine too." - -"And when he died, you stayed and looked after the old place. That was -the right thing to do," said Croyden. "Didn't Colonel Duval have any -children?" - -"No, seh. De Cun'l nuvver married, cuz Miss Penelope----" - -He caught himself. "I toles yo 'bout hit some time, seh, mebbe!" he -ended cautiously--talking about family matters with strangers was not -to be considered. - -"I should like to hear some time," said Croyden, not seeming to notice -the 's reticence. "When did the Colonel die?" - -"Eight years ago cum corn plantin' time, seh. He jes' wen' right off -quick like, when de mis'ry hit 'im in de chist--numonya, de doctors -call'd it. De Cun'l guv de place to a No'thern gent'man, whar was he -'ticular frien', and I done stay on an' look arfter hit. He nuvver been -heah. Hi! listen to dis ! yo's de gent'mans, mebbe." - -"I am his son," said Croyden, amused. - -"An' yo owns Cla'endon, now, seh? What yo goin' to do wid it?" - -"I'm going to live here. Don't you want to look after me?" - -"Goin' to live heah!--yo means it, seh?" the asked, in great -amazement. - -Croyden nodded. "Provided you will stay with me--and if you can find me -a cook. Who cooks your meals?" - -"Lawd, seh! find yo a cook. Didn' Jos'phine cook fur de Cun'l all he -life--Jos'phine, she my wife, seh--she jest gone nex' do', 'bout -some'n." He got up--"I calls her, seh." - -Croyden stopped him. - -"Never mind," he said; "she will be back, presently, and there is ample -time. Any one live in these other cabins?" - -"No, seh! we's all wha' left. De udder s done gone 'way, sence de -Cun'l died, coz deah war nothin' fur dem to do no mo', an' no buddy to -pays dem.--Dyar is Jos'phine, now, sir, she be hear torectly. An' heah -comes Marster Dick, hisself." - -Croyden arose and went toward the front of the house to meet him. - -The agent was an elderly man; he wore a black broadcloth suit, shiny at -the elbows and shoulder blades, a stiff white shirt, a wide roomy -collar, bound around by a black string tie, and a broad-brimmed -drab-felt hat. His greeting was as to one he had known all his life. - -"How do you do, Mr. Croyden!" he exclaimed. "I'm delighted to make your -acquaintance, sir." He drew out a key and opened the front door. -"Welcome to Clarendon, sir, welcome! Let us hope you will like it -enough to spend a little time here, occasionally." - -"I'm sure I too hope so," returned Croyden; "for I am thinking of -making it my home." - -"Good! Good! It's an ideal place!" exclaimed the agent. "It's -convenient to Baltimore; and Philadelphia, and New York, and Washington -aren't very far away. Exactly what the city people who can afford it, -are doing now,--making their homes in the country. Hampton's a town, -but it's country to you, sir, when compared to Northumberland--open the -shutters, Mose, so we can see.... This is the library, with the -dining-room behind it, sir--and on the other side of the hall is the -drawing-room. Open it, Mose, we will be over there presently. You see, -sir, it is just as Colonel Duval left it. Your father gave instructions -that nothing should be changed. He was a great friend of the Colonel, -was he not, sir?" - -"I believe he was," said Croyden. "They met at the White Sulphur, where -both spent their summers--many years before the Colonel died." - -"There, hangs the Colonel's sword--he carried it through the war, -sir--and his pistols--and his silk-sash, and here, in the corner, is -one of his regimental guidons--and here his portrait in -uniform--handsome man, wasn't he? And as gallant and good as he was -handsome. Maryland lost a brave son, when he died, sir." - -"He looks the soldier," Croyden remarked. - -"And he was one, sir--none better rode behind Jeb Stuart--and never far -behind, sir, never far behind!" - -"He was in the cavalry?" - -"Yes, sir. Seventh Maryland Cavalry--he commanded it during the last -two years of the war--went in a lieutenant and came out its colonel. A -fine record, sir, a fine record! Pity it is, he had none to leave it -to!--he was the last of his line, you know, the last of the line--not -even a distant cousin to inherit." - -Croyden looked up at the tall, slender man in Confederate gray, with -clean-cut aristocratic features, wavy hair, and long, drooping -mustache. What a figure he must have been at the head of his command, -or leading a charge across the level, while the guns of the Federals -belched smoke, and flame and leaden death. - -"They offered him a brigade," the agent was saying, "but he declined -it, preferring to remain with his regiment." - -"What did he do when the war was over?" Croyden asked. - -"Came home, sir, and resumed his law practice. Like his great leader, -he accepted the decision as final. He didn't spend the balance of his -life living in the past." - -"And why did he never marry? Surely, such a man" (with a wave of his -hand toward the portrait) "could have picked almost where he chose!" - -"No one ever just knew, sir--it had to do with Miss Borden,--the sister -of Major Borden, sir, who lives on the next place. They were -sweethearts once, but something or somebody came between them--and -thereafter, the Colonel never seemed to think of love. Perhaps, old -Mose knows it, and if he comes to like you, sir, he may tell you the -story. You understand, sir, that Colonel Duval is Mose's old master, -and that every one stands or falls, in his opinion, according as they -measure up to him. I hope you intend to keep him, sir--he has been a -faithful caretaker, and there is still good service in him--and his -wife was the Colonel's cook, so she must have been competent. She would -never cook for anyone, after he died. She thought she belonged to -Clarendon, sort of went with the place, you understand. Just stayed and -helped Mose take care of it. She doubtless will resume charge of the -kitchen again, without a word. It's the way of the old s, sir. -The young ones are pretty worthless--they've got impudent, and -independent and won't work, except when they're out of money. Excuse -me, I ramble on----" - -"I'm much interested," said Croyden; "as I expect to live here, I must -learn the ways of the people." - -"Well, let Mose boss the s for you, at first; he understands -them, he'll make them stand around. Come over to the drawing-room, sir, -I want you to see the furniture, and the family portraits.... There, -sir, is a set of twelve genuine Hepplewhite chairs--no doubt about it, -for the invoice is among the Colonel's papers. I don't know much about -such things, but a man was through here, about a year ago, and, would -you believe it, when he saw the original invoice and looked at the -chairs, he offered me two thousand dollars for them. Of course, as I -had been directed by your father to keep everything as the Colonel had -it, I just laughed at him. You see, sir, they have the three feathers, -and are beautifully carved, otherwise. And, here, is a lowboy, with the -shell and the fluted columns, and the cabriole legs, carved on the -knees, and the claw and ball feet. He offered two hundred dollars for -it. And this sofa, with the lion's claw and the eagle's wing, he wanted -to buy it, too. In fact, sir, he wanted to buy about everything in the -house--including the portraits. There are two by Peale and one by -Stuart--here are the Peales, sir--the lady in white, and the young -officer in Continental uniform; and this is the Stuart--the gentleman -in knee breeches and velvet coat. I think he is the same as the one in -uniform, only later in life. They are the Colonel's grandparents, sir: -Major Daniel Duval, of the Tenth Maryland Line, and his wife; she was a -Miss Paca--you know the family, of course, sir. The Major's commission, -sir, hangs in the hall, between the Colonel's own and his father's--he -was an officer in the Mexican war, sir. It was a fighting family, sir, -a fighting family--and a gentle one as well. 'The bravest are the -tenderest, the loving are the daring.'" - -There was enough of the South Carolinian of the Lowlands in Croyden, -to appreciate the Past and to honor it. He might not know much -concerning Hepplewhite nor the beauty of his lines and carving, and he -might be wofully ignorant of his own ancestors, having been bred in a -State far removed from their nativity, for he had never given a thought -to the old things, whether of furniture or of forebears--they were of -the inanimate; his world had to do only with the living and what was -incidental to it. The Eternal Now was the Fetich and the God of -Northumberland, all it knew and all it lived for--and he, with every -one else, had worshipped at its shrine. - -It was different here, it seemed! and the spirit of his long dead -mother, with her heritage of aristocratic lineage, called to him, -stirring him strangely, and his appreciation, that was sleeping and not -dead, came slowly back to life. The men in buff-and-blue, in -small-clothes, in gray, the old commissions, the savour of the past -that clung around them, were working their due. For no man of culture -and refinement--nay, indeed, if he have but their veneer--can stand in -the presence of an honorable past, of ancestors distinguished and -respected, whether they be his or another's, and be unmoved. - -"And you say there are none to inherit all these things?" Croyden -exclaimed. "Didn't the original Duval leave children?" - -The agent shook his head. "There was but one son to each generation, -sir--and with the Colonel there was none." - -"Then, having succeeded to them by right of purchase, and with no -better right outstanding, it falls to me to see that they are not -shamed by the new owner. Their portraits shall remain undisturbed -either by collectors or by myself. Moreover, I'll look up my own -ancestors. I've got some, down in South Carolina and up in -Massachusetts, and if their portraits be in existence, I'll add -reproductions to keep the Duvals company. Ancestors by inheritance and -ancestors by purchase. The two of them ought to keep me straight, don't -you think?" he said, with a smile. - - - - -IV - -PARMENTER'S BEQUEST - - -Croyden, with Dick as guide and old Mose as forerunner and -shutter-opener, went through the house, even unto the garret. - -As in the downstairs, he found it immaculate. Josephine had kept -everything as though the Colonel himself were in presence. The bed -linen, the coverlids, the quilts, the blankets were packed in trunks, -the table-linen and china in drawers and closets. None of them was -new--practically the entire furnishing antedated 1830, and much of them -1800--except that, here and there, a few old rugs of oriental weaves, -relieved the bareness of the hardwood floors. - -The one concession to modernism was a bath-room, but its tin tub and -painted iron wash-stand, with the plumbing concealed by wainscoting, -proclaimed it, alas, of relatively ancient date. And, for a moment, -Croyden contrasted it with the shower, the porcelain, and the tile, of -his Northumberland quarters, and shivered, ever so slightly. It would -be the hardest to get used to, he thought. As yet, he did not know the -isolation of the long, interminably long, winter evenings, with -absolutely nothing to do and no place to go--and no one who could -understand. - -At length, when they were ready to retrace their steps to the lower -floor, old Mose had disappeared. - -"Gone to tell his wife that the new master has come," said Dick. "Let -us go out to the kitchen." - -And there they found her--bustling around, making the fire, her head -tied up in a bandana, her sleeves rolled to the shoulders. She turned, -as they entered, and dropped them an old-fashioned curtsy. - -"Josephine!" said Dick, "here is Mr. Croyden, the new master. Can you -cook for him, as well as you did for Colonel Duval?" - -"Survent, marster," she said to Croyden, with another curtsy--then, to -the agent, "Kin I cooks, Marster Dick! Kin I cooks? Sut'n'y, I kin. -Don' yo t'inks dis 's forgot--jest yo waits, Marster Croyden, I -shows yo, seh, sho' nuf--jest gives me a little time to get my han' in, -seh." - -"You won't need much time," Dick commented. "The Colonel considered her -very satisfactory, sir, very satisfactory, indeed. And he was a -competent judge, sir, a very competent judge." - -"Oh, we'll get along," said Croyden, with a smile at Josephine. "If you -could please Colonel Duval, you will more than please me." - -"Thankee, seh!" she replied, bobbing down again. "I sho' tries, seh." - -"Have you had any experience with servants?" Dick asked, as they -returned to the library. - -"No," Croyden responded: "I have always lived at a Club." - -"Well, Mose and his wife are of the old times--you can trust them, -thoroughly, but there is one thing you'll have to remember, sir: they -are nothing but overgrown children, and you'll have to discipline them -accordingly. They don't know what it is to be impertinent, sir; they -have their faults, but they are always respectful." - -"Can I rely on them to do the buying?" - -"I think so, sir, the Colonel did, I know. If you wish, I'll send you a -list of the various stores, and all you need do is to pay the bills. Is -there anything else I can do now, sir?" - -"Nothing," said Croyden. "And thank you very much for all you have -done." - -"How about your baggage--can I send it out? No trouble, sir, I assure -you, no trouble. I'll just give your checks to the drayman, as I pass. -By the way, sir, you'll want the telephone in, of course. I'll notify -the Company at once. And you needn't fear to speak to your neighbors; -they will take it as it's meant, sir. The next on the left is Major -Borden's, and this, on the right, is Captain Tilghman's, and across the -way is Captain Lashiel's, and Captain Carrington's, and the house -yonder, with the huge oaks in front, is Major Markoe's." - -"Sort of a military settlement," smiled Croyden. - -"Yes, sir--some of them earned their title in the war, and some of -them in the militia and some just inherited it from their pas. Sort of -handed down in the family, sir. The men will call on you, promptly, -too. I shouldn't wonder some of them will be over this evening." - -Croyden thought instantly of the girl he had seen coming out of the -Borden place, and who had directed him to Clarendon. - -"Would it be safe to speak to the good-looking girls, too--those who -are my neighbors?" he asked, with a sly smile. - -"Certainly, sir; if you tell them your name--and don't try to flirt -with them," Dick added, with a laugh. "Yonder is one, now--Miss -Carrington," nodding toward the far side of the street. - -Croyden turned.--It was she! the girl of the blue-black hair and -slender silken ankles. - -"She's Captain Carrington's granddaughter," Dick went on with the -Southerner's love for the definite in genealogy. "Her father and mother -both died when she was a little tot, sir, and they--that is, the -grandparents, sir--raised her. That's the Carrington place she's -turning in at. Ah----" - -The girl glanced across and, recognizing Dick (and, it must be -admitted, her Clarendon inquirer as well), nodded. - -Both men took off their hats. But Croyden noticed that the older man -could teach him much in the way it should be done. He did it shortly, -sharply, in the city way; Dick, slowly, deferentially, as though it -were an especial privilege to uncover to her. - -"Miss Carrington is a beauty!" Croyden exclaimed, looking after her. -"Are there more like her, in Hampton?" - -"I'm too old, sir, to be a competent judge," returned Dick, "but I -should say we have several who trot in the same class. I mean, -sir----" - -"I understand!" laughed Croyden. "It's no disrespect in a Marylander, I -take it, when he compares the ladies with his race-horses." - -"It's not, sir! At least, that's the way we of the older generation -feel; our ladies and our horses run pretty close together. But that spirit -is fast disappearing, sir! The younger ones are becoming--commercialized, -if you please. It's dollars first, and _then_ the ladies, with them--and -the horses nowhere. Though I don't say it's not wise. Horses and the -war have almost broken us, sir. We lost the dollars, or forgot about -them and they lost themselves, whichever way it was, sir. It's right that -our sons should start on a new track and run the course in their own -way--Yes, sir," suddenly recollecting himself, "Miss Carrington's a -pretty girl, and so's Miss Tayloe and Miss Lashiel and a heap more. -Indeed, sir, Hampton is famed on the Eastern Sho' for her women. I'll -attend to your baggage, and the telephone, sir, and if there is -anything else I can do, pray command me. Drop in and see me when you -get up town. Good day, sir, good day." And removing his hat with a bow -just a little less deferential than the one he had given to Miss -Carrington, he proceeded up the street, leisurely and deliberately, as -though the world were waiting for him. - -"And he is a real estate agent!" reflected Croyden. "The man who, -according to our way of thinking, is the acme of hustle and bustle and -business, and schemes to trap the unwary. Truly, the Eastern Shore has -much to learn--or we have much to unlearn! Well, I have tried the -one--and failed. Now, I'm going to try the other. It seems to promise a -quiet life, at least." - -He turned, to find Moses in the doorway, waiting. - -"Marster Croyden," he said, "shall I puts yo satchel an' things in de -Cun'l's room, seh?" - -Croyden nodded. He did not know which was the Colonel's room, but it -was likely to be the best in the house, and, moreover, it was well to -follow him wherever he could. - -"And see that my luggage is taken there, when the man brings it," he -directed--"and tell Josephine to have luncheon at one and dinner at -seven." - -The hesitated. - -"De Cun'l hed dinner in de middle o' de day, seh," he said, as though -Croyden had inadvertently erred. - -And Croyden appreciating the situation, answered: - -"Well, you see, Moses, I've been used to the other way and I reckon you -will have to change to suit me." - -"Yass, seh! yass, seh! I tell Jose. Lunch is de same as supper, I -s'pose, seh?" - -Croyden had to think a moment. - -"Yes," he said, "that will answer--like a light supper." - -"There may be an objection, after all, to taking over Colonel Duval's -old servants," he reflected. "It may be difficult to persuade them that -he is no longer the master. I run the chance of being ruled by a dead -man." - -Presently his luggage arrived, and he went upstairs to unpack. Moses -looked, in wonder, at the wardrobe trunk, with every suit on a separate -hanger, the drawers for shirts and linen, the apartments for hats, and -collars, and neckties, and the shoes standing neatly in a row below. - -"Whar's de use atak'in de things out t'al, Marster Croyden!" he -exclaimed. - -"So as to put the trunk away." - -"Sho'! I mo'nt a kno'd hit. Hit's mons'us strange, seh, whar yo mon't -a' kno'd ef yo'd only stop to t'ink. F' instance, I mon't a kno'd yo'd -cum back to Clarendon, seh, some day, cuz yo spends yo money on hit. -Heh!" - -Then a bell tinkled softly from below. - -"Dyar's dinner--I means lunch, seh," said Moses. "'Scuse me, seh." - -"And I'm ready for it," said Croyden, as he went to the iron -wash-stand, and then slowly down stairs to the dining-room. - -From some place, Moses had resurrected a white coat, yellow with its -ten years' rest, and was waiting to receive him. He drew out Croyden's -chair, as only a family servant of the olden times can do it, and bowed -him into his place. - -The table was set exactly as in Colonel Duval's day, and very prettily -set, Croyden thought, with napery spotless, and china that was thin and -fine. The latter, if he had but known it, was Lowestoft and had served -the Duvals, on that very table, for much more than a hundred years. - -There was cold ham, and cold chicken, lettuce with mayonnaise, deviled -eggs, preserves, with hot corn bread and tea. When Croyden had about -finished a leisurely meal, it suddenly occurred to him that however -completely stocked Clarendon was with things of the Past, they did not -apply to the larder, and _these_ victuals were undoubtedly fresh and -particularly good. - -"By the way! Moses," he said, "I'm glad you were thoughtful enough to -send out and purchase these things," with an indicating motion to the -table. "They are very satisfactory." - -"Pu'chase!" said the , in surprise. "Dese things not pu'chased. -No, seh! Dey's borro'd, seh, from Majah Bo'den's, yass, seh!" - -"Good God!" Croyden exclaimed. "You don't mean you borrowed my -luncheon!" - -"Yass, seh! Why not, seh? Jose jes' went ovah an' sez to Cassie--she's -de cook, at de Majah's, seh--sez she, Marster Croyden don' cum and -warns some'n to eat. An' she got hit, yass, seh!" - -"Is it the usual thing, here, to borrow an entire meal from the -neighbor's?" asked Croyden. - -"Sut'n'y, seh! We borrows anything we needs from the neighbors, an' -they does de same wid us." - -"Well, I don't want any borrowing by _us_, Moses, please remember," -said Croyden, emphatically. "The neighbors can borrow anything we have, -and welcome, but we won't claim the favor from them, you understand?" - -"Yass, seh!" said the old , wonderingly. - -Such a situation as one kitchen not borrowing from another was -incomprehensible. It had been done by the servants from time -immemorial--and, though Croyden might forbid, yet Josephine would -continue to do it, just the same--only, less openly. - -"And see that everything is returned not later than to-morrow," Croyden -continued. - -"Yass, seh! I tote's dem back dis minut, seh!----" - -"What?" - -"Dese things, heah, whar yo didn' eat, seh----" - -"Do you mean--Oh, Lord!" exclaimed Croyden. - -"Never mind, Moses. I will return them another way. Just forget it." - -"Sut'n'y, seh," returned the . "Dat's what I wuz gwine do in de -fust place." - -Croyden laughed. It was pretty hopeless, he saw. The ways they had, -were the ways that would hold them. He might protest, and order -otherwise, until doomsday, but it would not avail. For them, it was -sufficient if Colonel Duval permitted it, or if it were the custom. - -"I think I shall let the servants manage me," he thought. "They know -the ways, down here, and, besides, it's the line of least resistance." - -He went into the library, and, settling himself in a comfortable chair, -lit a cigarette.... It was the world turned upside down. Less than -twenty-four hours ago it was money and madness, bankruptcy and divorce -courts, the automobile pace--the devil's own. Now, it was quiet and -gentility, easy-living and refinement. Had he been in Hampton a little -longer, he would have added: gossip and tittle-tattle, small-mindedness -and silly vanity. - -He smoked cigarette after cigarette and dreamed. He wondered what -Elaine Cavendish had done last evening--if she had dined at the -Club-house, and what gown she had worn, if she had played golf in the -afternoon, or tennis, and with whom; he wondered what she would do this -evening--wondered if she thought of him more than casually. He shook it -off for a moment. Then he wondered again: who had his old quarters at -the Heights? He knew a number who would be jumping for them--who had -his old table for breakfast? it, too, would be eagerly sought--who -would take his place on the tennis and the golf teams?--what Macloud -was doing? Fine chap was Macloud! the only man in Northumberland he -would trust, the only man in Northumberland, likely, who would care a -rap whether he came back or whether he didn't, or who would ever give -him a second thought. He wondered if Gaspard, his particular waiter, -missed him? yes, he would miss the tips, at least; yes, and the boy who -brushed his clothes and drew his bath would miss him, and his caddie, -as well. Every one whom he _paid_, would miss him.... - -He threw away his cigarette and sat up sharply. It was not pleasant -thinking. - -An old mahogany slant-top escritoire, in the corner by the window, -caught his eye. It had a shell, inlaid in maple, in the front, and the -parquetry, also, ran around the edges of the drawers and up the sides. - -There was one like it in the Cavendish library, he remembered. He went -over to it, and, the key being in the lock, drew out pulls and turned -back the top. Inside, there was the usual lot of pigeon holes and small -drawers, with compartments for deeds and larger papers. All were empty. -Either Colonel Duval, in anticipation of death, had cleaned it out, or -Moses and Josephine, for their better preservation, had packed the -contents away. He was glad of it; he could use it, at least, without -ejecting the Colonel. - -He closed the lid and had turned away, when the secret drawer, which, -sometimes, was in these old desks, occurred to him. He went back and -began to search for it.... And, presently, he found it. Under the -middle drawer was a sliding panel that rolled back, when he pressed on -a carved lion's head ornamentation, and which concealed a hidden -recess. In this recess lay a paper. - -It was yellow with age, and, when Croyden took it in his fingers, he -caught the faint odor of sandal wood. It was brittle in the creases, -and threatened to fall apart. So, opening it gently, he spread it on -the desk before him. Here is what he read: - - "Annapolis, 10 May, 1738. - - "Honoured Sir: - - "I fear that I am about to Clear for my Last Voyage--the old - wounds trouble me, more and more, especially those in my head and - chest. I am confined to my bed, and though Doctor Waldron does - not say it, I know he thinks I am bound for Davy Jones' locker. - So be it--I've lived to a reasonable Age, and had a fair Time in - the living. I've done that which isn't according to Laws, either - of Man or God--but for the Former, I was not Caught, and for the - Latter, I'm willing to chance him in death. When you were last - in Annapolis, I intended to mention a Matter to you, but - something prevented, I know not what, and you got Away ere I was - aware of it. Now, fearing lest I Die before you come again, I - will Write it, though it is against the Doctor's orders--which, - however, I obey only when it pleases me. - - "You are familiar with certain Episodes in my Early Life, spent - under the Jolly Roger on the Spanish Main, and you have - maintained Silence--for which I shall always be your debtor. You - have, moreover, always been my Friend, and for that, I am more - than your debtor. It is, therefore, but Mete that you should be - my Heir--and I have this day Executed my last Will and Testament, - bequeathing to you all my Property and effects. It is left with - Mr. Dulany, the Attorney, who wrote it, to be probated in due - Season. - - "But there still remains a goodly portion which, for obvious - reasons, may not be so disposed of. I mean my buried Treasure. I - buried it in September, 1720, shortly after I came to Annapolis, - trusting not to keep so great an Amount in my House. It amounts - to about half my Fortune, and Approximates near to Fifty Thousand - Pounds, though that may be but a crude Estimate at best, for I am - not skilled in the judging of Precious Stones. Where I obtained - this wealth, I need not mention, though you can likely guess. And - as there is nothing by which it can be identified, you can use it - without Hesitation. Subject, however, to one Restriction: As it - was not honestly come by (according to the World's estimate, - because, forsooth, I only risked my Life in the gathering, - instead of pilfering it from my Fellow man in Business, which is - the accepted fashion) I ask you not to use it except in an - Extremity of Need. If that need does not arise in your Life, you, - in turn, may pass this letter on to your heir, and he, in turn, - to his heir, and so on, until such Time as the Need may come, and - the Restriction be lifted. And now to find the Treasure:-- - - "Seven hundred and fifty feet--and at right angles to the water - line--from the extreme tip of Greenberry Point, below Annapolis, - where the Severn runs into the Chesapeake, are four large Beech - trees, standing as of the corners of a Square, though not - equidistant. Bisect this Square, by two lines drawn from the - Corners. At a Point three hundred and thirty feet, - North-by-North-East, from where these two lines intersect and at - a depth of Six feet, you will come upon an Iron Box. It contains - the Treasure. And I wish you (or whoever recovers it) Joy of - it!--as much joy with it as I had in the Gathering. - - "Lest I die before you come again to Annapolis, I shall leave - this letter with Mr. Dulany, to be delivered to you on the First - Occasion. I judge him as one who will respect a Dead man's seal. - If I see you not again, Farewell. I am, sir, with great - respect, - - "Y'r humb'l & obed't Serv'nt - - "Robert Parmenter. - - "To Marmaduke Duval, Esq'r." - -Below was written, by another hand: - - "The Extremity of Need has not arisen, I pass it on to my son. - - "M.D." - -And below that, by still another hand: - - "Neither has the Need come to me. I pass it to my son. - - "D.D." - -And below that, by still another hand: - - "Nor to me. I pass it to my son. - - "M.D." - -And below that: - - "The Extremity of Need brushed by me so close I heard the - rustling of its gown, but I did not dig. I have sufficient for - me, and I am the last of my line. I pass it, therefore, to my - good friend Hugh Croyden (and, in the event that he predecease - me, to his son Geoffrey Croyden), to whom Clarendon will go upon - my demise. - - "D.D." - -Croyden read the last endorsement again; then he smiled, and the smile -broadened into an audible laugh. - -The heir of a pirate! Well, at least, it promised something to engage -him, if time hung heavily on his hands. The Duvals seem to have taken -the bequest seriously--so, why not he? And, though the extremity of -need seems never to have reached them, it was peculiar that none of the -family had inspected the locality and satisfied himself of the accuracy -of the description. The extreme tip of Greenberry Point had shifted, a -dozen times, likely, in a hundred and ninety years, and the four beech -trees had long since disappeared, but there was no note of these facts -to aid the search. He must start just where Robert Parmenter had left -off: with the letter. - -He found an old history of Maryland in the book-case. It contained a -map. Annapolis was somewhere on the Western Shore, he knew. He ran his -eyes down the Chesapeake. Yes, here it was--with Greenberry Point just -across the Severn. So much of the letter was accurate, at least. The -rest would bear investigation. Some time soon he would go across, and -take a look over the ground. Greenberry Point, for all he knew, might -be built up with houses, or blown half a mile inland, or turned into a -fort, or anything. It was not likely to have remained the same, as in -Parmenter's day; and, yet, if it had changed, why should not the Duvals -have remarked it, in making their endorsements. - -He put the letter back in the secret compartment, where it had rested -for so many years. Evidently, Colonel Duval had forgotten it, in his -last brief illness. And Fortune had helped him in the finding. Would it -help him to the treasure as well? For with him, the restriction was -lifted--the extremity of need was come. Moreover, it was time that the -letter should be put to the test. - - - - -V - -MISS CARRINGTON - - -Croyden was sitting before the house, later in the afternoon, when an -elderly gentleman, returning leisurely from town, turned in at the -Clarendon gates. - -"My first caller," thought Croyden, and immediately he arose and went -forward to meet him. - -"Permit me to present myself, sir," said the newcomer. "I am Charles -Carrington." - -"I am very glad to meet you, Captain Carrington," said Croyden, taking -the proffered hand. - -"This is your first visit to Hampton, I believe, sir," the Captain -remarked, when they were seated under the trees. "It is not -Northumberland, sir; we haven't the push, and the bustle, and the -smoke, but we have a pleasant little town, sir, and we're glad to -welcome you here. I think you will like it. It's a long time since -Clarendon had a tenant, sir. Colonel Duval's been dead nearly ten years -now. Your father and he were particular friends, I believe." - -Croyden assured him that such was the case. - -"Yes, sir, the Colonel often spoke of him to me with great affection. I -can't say I was surprised to know that he had made him his heir. He was -the last of the Duvals--not even a collateral in the family--there was -only one child to a generation, sir." - -Manifestly, it was not known in Hampton how Hugh Croyden came to be the -Colonel's heir, and, indeed, friendship had prompted the money-loan, -without security other than the promise of the ultimate transfer of -Clarendon and its contents. And Croyden, respecting the Colonel's wish, -evident now, though unexpressed either to his father or himself, -resolved to treat the place as a gift, and to suppress the fact that -there had been an ample and adequate consideration. - -After a short visit, Captain Carrington arose to go. - -"Come over and take supper with us, this evening, sir," said he. "I -want you to meet Mrs. Carrington and my granddaughter." - -"I'll come with pleasure," Croyden answered, thinking of the girl with -the blue-black hair and slender ankles. - -"It's the house yonder, with the white pillars--at half-after-six, -then, sir." - - * * * * * - -As Croyden approached the Carrington house, he encountered Miss -Carrington on the walk. - -"We have met before," she said, as he bowed over her hand. "I was your -original guide to Clarendon. Have you forgot?" - -"Have I forgot?" said Croyden. "Do you think it possible?" looking her -in the eyes. - -"No, I don't." - -"But you wanted to hear me say it?" - -"I wanted to know if you could say it," she answered, gayly. - -"And how have I succeeded?" - -"Admirably!" - -"Sufficiently well to pass muster?" - -"Muster--for what?" she asked, with a sly smile. - -"For enrollment among your victims." - -"Shall I put your name on the list--at the foot?" she laughed. - -"Why at the foot?" - -"The last comer--you have to work your way up by merit, you know." - -"Which consists in?" - -"_That_ you will have to discover." - -"I shall try," he said. "Is it so very difficult of discovery?" - -"No, it should not be so difficult--for you," she answered, with a -flash of her violet eyes. "Mother!" as they reached the piazza--"let me -present Mr. Croyden." - -Mrs. Carrington arose to greet him--a tall, slender woman, whose age -was sixty, at least, but who appeared not a day over forty-five, -despite the dark gown and little lace cap she was wearing. She seemed -what the girl had called her--the mother, rather than the grandmother. -And when she smiled! - -"Miss Carrington two generations hence. Lord! how do they do it?" -thought Croyden. - -"You play Bridge, of course, Mr. Croyden," said Miss Carrington, when -the dessert was being served. - -"I like it very much," he answered. - -"I was sure you did--so sure, indeed, I asked a few friends in -later--for a rubber or two--and to meet you." - -"So it's well for me I play," he smiled. - -"It is indeed!" laughed Mrs. Carrington--"that is, if you care aught -for Davila's good opinion. If one can't play Bridge one would better -not be born." - -"When you know Mother a little better, Mr. Croyden, you will recognize -that she is inclined to exaggerate at times," said Miss Carrington. "I -admit that I am fond of the game, that I like to play with people who -know how, and who, at the critical moment, are not always throwing the -wrong card--you understand?" - -"In other words, you haven't any patience with stupidity," said -Croyden. "Nor have I--but we sometimes forget that a card player is -born, not made. All the drilling and teaching one can do won't give -card sense to one who hasn't any." - -"Precisely!" Miss Carrington exclaimed, "and life is too short to -bother with such people. They may be very charming otherwise, but not -across the Bridge table." - -"Yet ought you not to forgive them their misplays, just because they -are charming?" Mrs. Carrington asked. "If you were given your choice -between a poor player who is charming, and a good player who is -disagreeable, which would you choose, Mr. Croyden?--Come, now be -honest." - -"It would depend upon the size of the game," Croyden responded. "If it -were half a cent a point, I should choose the charming partner, but if -it were five cents or better, I am inclined to think I should prefer -the good player." - -"I'll remember that," said Miss Carrington. "As we don't play, here, -for money stakes, you won't care if your partner isn't very expert." - -"Not exactly," he laughed. "The stipulation is that she shall be -charming. I should be willing to take _you_ for a partner though you -trumped my ace and forgot my lead." - -"_Merci_, _Monsieur_," she answered. "Though you know I should do -neither." - -"Ever play poker?" Captain Carrington asked, suddenly. - -"Occasionally," smiled Croyden. - -"Good! We'll go down to the Club, some evening. We old fellows aren't -much on Bridge, but we can handle a pair or three of-a-kind, pretty -good. Have some sherry, won't you?" - -"You must not let the Captain beguile you," interposed Mrs. Carrington. -"The men all play poker with us,--it is a heritage of the old -days--though the youngsters are breaking away from it." - -"And taking up Bridge!" the Captain ejaculated. "And it is just as -well--we have sense enough to stop before we're broke, but they -haven't." - -"To hear father talk, you would think that the present generation is no -earthly good!" smiled Miss Carrington. "Yet I suppose, when he was -young, his elders held the same opinion of him." - -"I dare say!" laughed the Captain. "The old ones always think the young -ones have a lot to learn--and they have, sir, they have! But it's of -another sort than we can teach them, I reckon." He pushed back his -chair. "We'll smoke on the piazza, sir--the ladies don't object." - -As they passed out, a visitor was just ascending the steps. Miss -Carrington gave a smothered exclamation and went forward. - -"How do you do, Miss Erskine!" she said. - -"How do you do, my dear!" returned Miss Erskine, "and Mrs. -Carrington--and the dear Captain, too.--I'm charmed to find you all at -home." - -She spoke with an affected drawl that would have been amusing in a -handsome woman, but was absurdly ridiculous in one with her figure and -unattractive face. - -She turned expectantly toward Croyden, and Miss Carrington presented -him. - -"So this is the new owner of Clarendon," she gurgled with an 'a' so -broad it impeded her speech. "You have kept us waiting a long time, Mr. -Croyden. We began to think you a myth." - -"I'm afraid you will find me a very husky myth," Croyden answered. - -"'Husky' is scarcely the correct word, Mr. Croyden; _animated_ would be -better, I think. We scholars, you know, do not like to hear a word used -in a perverted sense." - -She waddled to a chair and settled into it. Croyden shot an amused -glance toward Miss Carrington, and received one in reply. - -"No, I suppose not," he said, amiably. "But, then, you know, I am not a -scholar." - -Miss Erskine smiled in a superior sort of way. - -"Very few of us are properly careful of our mode of speech," she -answered. "And, oh! Mr. Croyden, I hope you intend to open Clarendon, -so as to afford those of us who care for such things, the pleasure of -studying the pictures, and the china, and the furniture. I am told it -contains a Stuart and a Peale--and they should not be hidden from those -who can appreciate them." - -"I assume you're talking of pictures," said Croyden. - -"I am, sir,--most assuredly!" the dame answered. - -"Well, I must confess ignorance, again," he replied. "I wouldn't know a -Stuart from a--chromo." - -Miss Erskine gave a little shriek of horror. - -"I do not believe it, Mr. Croyden!--you're playing on my credulity. I -shall have to give you some instructions. I will lecture on Stuart and -Peale, and the painters of their period, for your especial -delectation--and soon, very soon!" - -"I'm afraid it would all be wasted," said Croyden. "I'm not fond of -art, I confess--except on the commercial side; and if I've any -pictures, at Clarendon, worth money, I'll be for selling them." - -"Oh! Mrs. Carrington! Will you listen--did you ever hear such heresy?" -she exclaimed. "I can't believe it of you, Mr. Croyden. Let me lend you -an article on Stuart to read. I shall bring it out to Clarendon -to-morrow morning--and you can let me look at all the dear treasures, -while you peruse it." - -"Mr. Croyden has an appointment with me to-morrow, Amelia," said -Carrington, quickly--and Croyden gave him a look of gratitude. - -"It will be but a pleasure deferred, then, Mr. Croyden," said Miss -Erskine, impenetrable in her self conceit. "The next morning will do, -quite as well--I shall come at ten o'clock--What a lovely evening this -is, Mrs. Carrington!" preparing to patronize her hostess. - -The Captain snorted with sudden anger, and, abruptly excusing himself, -disappeared in the library. Miss Carrington stayed a moment, then, with -a word to Croyden, that she would show him the article now, before the -others came, if Miss Erskine would excuse them a moment, bore him off. - -"What do you think of her?" she demanded. - -"Pompous and stupid--an irritating nuisance, I should call her." - -"She's more!--she is the most arrogant, self-opinionated, -self-complacent, vapid piece of humanity in this town or any other -town. She irritates me to the point of impoliteness. She never sees -that people don't want her. She's as dense as asphalt." - -"It is very amusing!" Croyden interjected. - -"At first, yes--pretty soon you will be throwing things at her--or -wanting to." - -"She's art crazy," he said. "Dilettanteism gone mad." - -"It isn't only Art. She thinks she's qualified to speak on every -subject under the sun, Literature--Bridge--Teaching--Music. Oh, she is -intolerable!" - -"What fits her for assuming universal knowledge?" asked Croyden. - -"Heaven only knows! She went away to some preparatory school, and -finished off with another that teaches pedagogy. Straightway she became -an adept in the art of instruction, though, when she tried it, she had -the whole academy by the ears in two weeks, and the faculty asked her -to resign. Next, she got some one to take her to Europe--spent six -weeks in looking at a lot of the famous paintings, with the aid of a -guide book and a catalogue, and came home prepared to lecture on -Art--and, what's more, she has the effrontery to do it--for the benefit -of Charity, she takes four-fifths of the proceeds, and Charity gets the -balance. - -"Music came next. She read the lives of Chopin and Wagner and some of -the other composers, went to a half dozen symphony concerts, looked up -theory, voice culture, and the like, in the encyclopaedias, and now -she's a critic! Literature she imbibed from the bottle, I suppose--it -came easy to _her_! And she passes judgment upon it with the utmost -ease and final authority. And as for Bridge! She doesn't hesitate to -arraign Elwell, and we, of the village, are the very dirt beneath her -feet. I hear she's thinking of taking up Civic Improvement. I hope it -is true--she'll likely run up against somebody who won't hesitate to -tell her what an idiot she is." - -"Why do you tolerate her?" Croyden asked. "Why don't you throw her out -of society, metaphorically speaking." - -"We can't: she belongs--which is final with us, you know. Moreover, she -has imposed on some, with her assumption of superiority, and they -kowtow to her in a way that is positively disgusting." - -"Why don't you, and the rest who dislike her, snub her?" - -"Snub _her_! You can't snub her--she never takes a snub to herself. If -you were to hit her in the face, she would think it a mistake and meant -for some one else." - -"Then, why not do the next best thing--have fun with her?" - -"We do--but even that grows monotonous, with such a mountain of -Egotism--she will stay for the Bridge this evening, see if she -doesn't--and never imagine she's not wanted." Then she laughed: "I -think if she does I'll give her to you!" - -"Very good!" said he. "I'd rather enjoy it. If she is any more -cantankerous than some of the women at the Heights, she'll be an -interesting study. Yes, I'll be glad to play a rubber with her." - -"If you start, you'll play the entire evening with her--we don't change -partners, here." - -"And what will _you_ do?" he asked. - -"Look on--at the _other_ table. She will have my place. I was going to -play with you." - -"Then the greater the sacrifice I'm making, the greater the credit I -should receive." - -"It depends--on how you acquit yourself," she said gayly. "There are -the others, now--come along." - -There were six of them. Miss Tilghman, Miss Lashiel and Miss Tayloe, -Mr. Dangerfield, Mr. Leigh, and Mr. Byrd. They all had heard of -Croyden's arrival, in Hampton, and greeted him as they would one of -themselves. And it impressed him, as possibly nothing else could have -done--for it was distinctly new to him, after the manners of chilliness -and aloofness which were the ways of Northumberland. - -"We are going to play Bridge, Miss Erskine, will you stay and join us?" -asked Miss Carrington. - -"I shall be charmed! charmed!" was the answer. "This is an ideal -evening for Bridge, don't you think so, Mr. Croyden?" - -"Yes, that's what we _thought_!" said Miss Tilghman, dryly. - -"And who is to play with me, dear Davila?" Miss Erskine inquired. - -"I'm going to put Mr. Croyden with you." - -"How nice of you! But I warn you, Mr. Croyden, I am a very exacting -partner. I may find fault with you, if you violate rules--just draw -your attention to it, you know, so you will not let it occur again. I -cannot abide blunders, Mr. Croyden--there is no excuse for them, except -stupidity, and stupidity should put one out of the game." - -"I'll try to do my very best," said Croyden humbly. - -"I do not doubt that you will," she replied easily, her manner plainly -implying further that she would soon see how much that "best" was. - -As they went in to the drawing-room, where the tables were arranged, -Miss Erskine leading, with a feeling of divine right and an appearance -of a Teddy bear, Byrd leaned over to Croyden and said: - -"She's the limit!" - -"No!" said Leigh, "she's past the limit; she's the sublimated It!" - -"Which is another way of saying, she's a superlative d---- fool!" -Dangerfield ended. - -"I think I understand!" Croyden laughed. "Before you came, she tackled -me on Art, and, when I confessed to only the commercial side, and an -intention to sell the Stuart and Peale, which, it seems, are at -Clarendon, the pitying contempt was almost too much for me." - -"My Lord! why weren't we here!" exclaimed Byrd. - -"She's coming out to inspect my 'treasures,' on Thursday morning." - -"Self invited?" - -"I rather think so." - -"And you?" - -"I shall turn her over to Moses, and decamp before she gets there." - -"Gentlemen, we are waiting!" came Miss Erskine's voice. - -"Oh, Lord! the old dragoon!" said Leigh. "I trust I'm not at her -table." - -And he was not--Miss Tilghman and Dangerfield were designated. - -"Come over and help to keep me straight," Croyden whispered to Miss -Carrington. - -She shook her head at him with a roguish smile. - -"You'll find your partner amply able to keep you straight," she -answered. - -The game began. Miss Tilghman won the cut and made it a Royal Spade. - -"They no longer play Royal Spades in New York," said Miss Erskine. - -"Don't know about New York," returned Miss Tilghman, placidly, "but -_we're_ playing them here, this evening. Your lead, Miss Amelia." - -The latter shut her thick lips tightly, an instant. - -"Oh, well, I suppose we must be provincial a little longer," she said, -sarcastically. "Of course, you do not still play Royal Spades in -Northumberland, Mr. Croyden." - -"Yes, indeed! Play anything to keep the game moving," Croyden -answered. - -"Oh, to be sure! I forgot, for the instant, that Northumberland _is_ a -rapid town.--I call that card, Edith--the King of Hearts!" as Miss -Tilghman inadvertently exposed it. - -A moment later, Miss Tilghman, through anger, also committed a revoke, -which her play on the succeeding trick disclosed. - -That it was a game for pure pleasure, without stakes, made no -difference to Miss Erskine. Technically it was a revoke, and she was -within her rights when she exclaimed it. - -"Three tricks!" she said exultantly, "and you cannot make game this -hand." - -"I'm very sorry, partner," Miss Tilghman apologized. - -"It's entirely excusable under the circumstances," said Dangerfield, -with deliberate accent. "You may do it again!" - -"How courteous Mr. Dangerfield is," Miss Erskine smiled. "To my mind, -nothing excuses a revoke except sudden blindness." - -"And you would claim it even then, I suppose?" Dangerfield retorted. - -"I said, sudden blindness was the only excuse, Mr. Dangerfield. Had you -observed my language more closely, you doubtless would have -understood.--It is your lead, partner." - -Dangerfield, with a wink at Croyden, subsided, and the hand was -finished, as was the next, when Croyden was dummy, without further -jangling. But midway in the succeeding hand, Miss Erskine began. - -"My dear Mr. Croyden," she said, "when you have the Ace, King, and _no -more_ in a suit, you should lead the Ace and then the King, to show -that you have no more--give the down-and-out signal. We would have made -an extra trick, if you had done so--I could have given you a diamond to -trump. As it was, you led the King and then the Ace, and I supposed, of -course, you had at least four in suit." - -"I'm very sorry; I'll try to remember in future," said Croyden with -affected contrition. - -But, at the end of the hand, he was in disgrace again. - -"If your original lead had been from your fourth best, partner, I could -have understood you," she said. "As it was, you misinformed me. Under -the rule of eleven, I had but the nine to beat, I played the ten and -Mr. Dangerfield covered with the Knave, which by the rule you should -have held. We lost another trick by it, you see." - -"It's too bad--too bad!" Croyden answered; "that's two tricks we've -lost by my stupid playing. I'm afraid I'm pretty ignorant, Miss -Erskine, for I don't know what is meant by the rule of eleven." - -Miss Erskine's manner of cutting the cards was somewhat indicative of -her contempt--lingeringly, softly, putting them down as though she -scorned to touch them except with the tips of her fingers. - -"The rule of eleven is usually one of the first things learned by a -beginner at Bridge," she said, witheringly. "I do not always agree with -Mr. Elwell, some of whose reasoning and inferences, in my opinion, are -much forced, but his definition of this rule is very fair. I give it in -his exact words, which are: 'Deduct the size of the card led from -eleven, and the difference will show how many cards, higher than the -one led, are held outside the leader's hand.' For example: if you lead -a seven then there are four higher than the seven in the other three -hands." - -"I see!" Croyden exclaimed. "What a bully rule!--It's very informing, -isn't it?" - -"Yes, it's very informing--in more ways than one," she answered. - -Whereat Miss Tilghman laughed outright, and Dangerfield had to retrieve -a card from the floor, to hide his merriment. - -"What's the hilarity?" asked Miss Carrington, coming over to their -table. "You people seem to be enjoying the game." - -Which sent Miss Tilghman into a gale of laughter, in which Dangerfield -joined. - -Miss Erskine frowned in disapproval and astonishment. - -"Don't mind them, Mr. Croyden," she said. "They really know better, but -this is the silly season, I suppose. They have much to learn, too--much -to learn, indeed." She turned to Miss Carrington. "I was explaining a -few things about the game to Mr. Croyden, Davila, the rule of eleven -and the Ace-King lead, and, for some reason, it seemed to move them to -jollity." - -"I'm astonished!" exclaimed Miss Carrington, her violet eyes gleaming -with suppressed mirth. - -"I hope Mr. Croyden does not think we were laughing at _him_!" cried -Miss Tilghman. - -"Of course not!" returned Croyden solemnly, "and, if you were, my -stupidity quite justified it, I'm sure. If Miss Erskine will only bear -with me, I'll try to learn--Bully thing, that rule of eleven!" - -It was now Croyden's deal and the score, games all--Miss Erskine having -made thirty-six on hers, and Dangerfield having added enough to Miss -Tilghman's twenty-eight to, also, give them game. - -"How cleverly you deal the cards," Miss Erskine remarked. "You're -particularly nimble in the fingers." - -"I acquired it dealing faro," Croyden returned, innocently. - -"Faro!" exclaimed Miss Carrington, choking back a laugh. "What is -faro?" - -"A game about which you should know nothing, my dear," Miss Erskine -interposed. "Faro is played only in gambling hells and mining camps." - -"And in some of the Clubs _in New York_," Croyden added--at which Miss -Tilghman's mirth burst out afresh. "That's where I learned to copper -the ace or to play it open.--I'll make it no trumps." - -"I'll double!" said Miss Tilghman. - -"I'll go back!" - -"Content." - -"Somebody will win the rubber, this hand," Miss Erskine -platitudinized,--with the way such persons have of announcing a self -evident fact--as she spread out her hand. "It is fair support, -partner." - -Croyden nodded. Then proceeded with much apparent thought and -deliberation, to play the hand like the veriest tyro. - -Miss Erskine fidgeted in her seat, gave half smothered exclamations, -looked at him appealingly at every misplay. All with no effect. Croyden -was wrapped in the game--utterly oblivious to anything but the -cards--leading the wrong one, throwing the wrong one, matching -pasteboards, that was all. - -Miss Erskine was frantic. And when, at the last, holding only a -thirteener and a fork in Clubs, he led the losing card of the latter, -she could endure the agony no longer. - -"That is five tricks you have lost, Mr. Croyden, to say nothing of the -rubber!" she snapped. "I must go, now--a delightful game! thank you, my -dear Davila. So much obliged to you all, don't you know. Ah, Captain -Carrington, will you see me as far as the front gate?--I won't disturb -the game. Davila can take my place." - -"Yes, I'll take her to the gate!" muttered the Captain aside to -Croyden, who was the very picture of contrition. "But if she only were -a man! Are you ready, Amelia?" and he bowed her out. - -"You awful man!" cried Miss Carrington. "How could you do it!" - -"I think it was lovely--perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Miss -Tilghman.--"Oh! that last hand was too funny for words.--If only you -could have seen her face, Mr. Croyden." - -[Illustration: LEADING THE WRONG ONE, THROWING THE WRONG ONE, MATCHING -PASTEBOARDS, THAT WAS ALL] - -"I didn't dare!" laughed he. "One look, and I'd have given the whole -thing away." - -"She never suspected.--I tell you, she is as dense as asphalt," said -Miss Carrington. "Come, now we'll have some Bridge." - -"And I'll try to observe the rule of eleven!" said Croyden. - -He lingered a moment, after the game was ended and the others had gone. -When he came to say good-night, he held Miss Carrington's slender -fingers a second longer than the occasion justified. - -"And may I come again soon?" he asked. - -"As often as you wish," she answered. "You have the advantage of -proximity, at least." - - - - -VI - -CONFIDENCE AND SCRUPLES - - -The next month, to Croyden, went pleasantly enough. He was occupied -with getting the household machinery to run according to his ideas--and -still retain Moses and Josephine, who, he early discovered, were -invaluable to him; in meeting the people worth knowing in the town and -vicinity, and in being entertained, and entertaining--all very quietly -and without ostentation. - -He had dined, or supped, or played Bridge at all the houses, had given -a few small things himself, and ended by paying off all scores with a -garden party at Clarendon, which Mrs. Carrington had managed for him -with exquisite taste (and, to him, amazing frugality)--and, more -wonderful still, with an entire effacement of _self_. It was Croyden's -party throughout, though her hand was at the helm, her brain -directed--and Hampton never knew. - -And the place _had_ looked attractive; with the house set in its wide -sweep of velvety lawn amid great trees and old-fashioned flowers and -hedges. With the furniture cleaned and polished, the old china -scattered in cupboard and on table, the portraits and commissions -freshly dusted, the swords glistening as of yore. - -And in that month, Croyden had come to like Hampton immensely. The -absence, in its society, of all attempts at show, to make-believe, to -impress, to hoodwink, was refreshingly novel to him, who, hitherto, had -known it only as a great sham, a huge affectation, with every one -striving to outdo everyone else, and all as hollow as a rotten gourd. - -He had not got used, however, to the individual espionage of the -country town--the habit of watching one's every movement, and telling -it, and drawing inferences therefrom--inferences tinctured according to -the personal feelings of the inferer. - -He learned that, in three weeks, they had him "taken" with every -eligible girl in town, engaged to four and undecided as to two more. -They busied themselves with his food,--they nosed into his drinks, his -cigars, his cigarettes, his pipes,--they bothered themselves about his -meal hours,--they even inspected his wash when it hung on the line! -Some of them, that is. The rest were totally different; they let every -one alone. They did not intrude nor obtrude--they went their way, and -permitted every one to go his. - -So much had been the way of Northumberland, so much he had been used to -always. But--and here was the difference from Northumberland, the vital -difference, indeed--they were interested in you, if _you_ wished them -to be--and it was genuine interest, not pretense. This, and the way -they had treated him as one of them, because Colonel Duval had been -his father's friend, made Croyden feel very much at home. - -At intervals, he had taken old Parmenter's letter from its secret -drawer, and studied it, but he had been so much occupied with getting -acquainted, that he had done nothing else. Moreover, there was no -pressing need for haste. If the treasure had kept on Greenberry Point -for one hundred and ninety years, it would keep a few months longer. -Besides, he was a bit uncertain whether or not he should confide in -someone, Captain Carrington or Major Borden. He would doubtless need -another man to help him, even if the location should be easily -determined, which, however, was most unlikely. For him, alone, to go -prying about on Greenberry Point, would surely occasion comment and -arouse suspicion--which would not be so likely if there were two of -them, and especially if one were a well-known resident of Maryland. - -He finally determined, however, to go across to Annapolis and look over -the ground, before he disclosed the secret to any one. Which was the -reasonable decision. - -When he came to look up the matter of transportation, however, he was -surprised to find that no boat ran between Annapolis and Hampton--or -any other port on the Eastern Shore. He either had to go by water to -Baltimore (which was available on only three days a week) and thence -finish his journey by rail or transfer to another boat, or else he had -to go by steam cars north to Wilmington, and then directly south again -to Annapolis. In either case, a day's journey between two towns that -were almost within seeing distance of each other, across the Bay. Of -the two, he chose to go by boat to Baltimore. - -Then, the afternoon of the day before it sailed, he received a -wire--delivered two hours and more after its receipt, in the leisurely -fashion of the Eastern Shore. It was from Macloud, and dated -Philadelphia. - - "Can I come down to-night? Answer to Bellevue-Stratford." - -His reply brought Macloud in the morning train. - -Croyden met him at the station. Moses took his bag, and they walked out -to Clarendon. - -"Sorry I haven't a car!" said Croyden--then he laughed. "The truth is, -Colin, they're not popular down here. The old families won't have -them--they're innovations--the saddle horse and the family carriage are -still to the fore with them. Only the butcher, and the baker and the -candlestick maker have motors. There's one, now--he's the candlestick -maker, I think. This town is nothing if not conservative. It reminds me -of the one down South, where they wouldn't have electric cars. Finally -all the street car horses died. Then rather than commit the awful sin -of letting _new_ horses come into the city, they accepted the trolley. -The fashion suits my pocketbook, however, so I've no kick coming." - -"What do you want with a car here, anyway?" Macloud asked. "It looks as -if you could walk from one end of the town to the other in fifteen -minutes." - -"You can, easily." - -"And the baker et cetera have theirs only for show, I suppose?" - -"Yes, that's about it--the roads, hereabout, are sandy and poor." - -"Then, I'm with your old families. They may be conservative, at times a -trifle too much so, but, in the main, their judgment's pretty reliable, -according to conditions. What sort of place did you find--I mean the -house?" - -"Very fair!" - -"And the society?" - -"Much better than Northumberland." - -"Hum--I see--the aristocracy of birth, not dollars." - -"Exactly!--How do you do, Mr. Fitzhugh," as they passed a policeman in -uniform. - -"Good morning, Mr. Croyden!" was the answer. - -"There! that illustrates," said Croyden. "You meet Fitzhugh every place -when he is off duty. He _belongs_. His occupation does not figure, in -the least." - -"So you like it--Hampton, I mean?" said Macloud. - -"I've been here a month--and that month I've enjoyed--thoroughly -enjoyed. However, I do miss the Clubs and their life." - -"I can understand," Macloud interjected. - -"And the ability to get, instantly, anything you want----" - -"Much of which you don't want--and wouldn't get, if you had to write -for it, or even to walk down town for it--which makes for economy," -observed Macloud sententiously. - -"But, more than either, I miss the personal isolation which one can -have in a big town, when he wishes it--and has always, in some -degree." - -"And _that_ gets on your nerves!" laughed Macloud. "Well, you won't -mind it after a while, I think. You'll get used to it, and be quite -oblivious. Is that all your objections?" - -"I've been here only a short time, remember. Come back in six months, -say, and I may have kicks in plenty." - -"You may find it a bit dreary in winter--who the deuce is that girl -yonder, Geoffrey?" he broke off. - -They were opposite Carrington's, and down the walk toward the gate was -coming the maid of the blue-black hair, and slender ankles. She wore a -blue linen gown, a black hat, and her face was framed by a white silk -parasol. - -"That is Miss Carrington," said Croyden. - -"Hum!--Your house near here?" - -"Yes--pretty near." - -Macloud looked at him with a grin. - -"She has nothing to do with your liking the town, I suppose?" he said, -knowingly. - -"Well, she's not exactly a deterrent--and there are half a dozen more -of the same sort. Oh, on that score, Hampton's not half bad, my -friend!" he laughed. - -"You mean there are half a dozen of _that_ sort," with a slight jerk of -his head toward Miss Carrington, "who are unmarried?" - -Croyden nodded--then looked across; and both men raised their hats and -bowed. - -"And how many married?" Macloud queried. - -"Several--but you let them _alone_--it's not fashionable here, as yet, -for a pretty married woman to have an affair. She loves her husband, or -acts it, at least. They're neither prudes nor prigs, but they are not -_that_." - -"So far as you know!" laughed Macloud. "But my experience has been that -the pretty married woman who won't flirt, if occasion offers where -there is no danger of being compromised, is a pretty scarce article. -However, Hampton may be an exception." - -"You're too cynical," said Croyden. "We turn in here--this is -Clarendon." - -"Why! you beggar!" Macloud exclaimed. "I've been sympathizing with -you, because I thought you were living in a shack-of-a-place--and, -behold!" - -"Yes, it is not bad," said Croyden. "I've no ground for complaint, on -that head. I can, at least, be comfortable here. It's not bad inside, -either." - -That evening, after dinner, when the two men were sitting in the -library while a short-lived thunder storm raged outside, Macloud, after -a long break in the conversation--which is the surest sign of -camaraderie among men--observed, apropos of nothing except the talk of -the morning: - -"Lord! man, you've got no kick coming!" - -"Who said I had?" Croyden demanded. - -"You did, by damning it with faint praise." - -"Damning what?" - -"Your present environment--and yet, look you! A comfortable house, fine -grounds, beautiful old furnishings, delicious victuals, and two -servants, who are devoted to you, or the place--no matter which, for it -assures their permanence; the one a marvelous cook, the other a -competent man; and, by way of society, a lot of fine, old antebellum -families, with daughters like the Symphony in Blue, we saw this -morning. God! you're hard to please." - -"And that is not all," said Croyden, laughing and pointing to the -portraits. "I've got ancestors--by purchase." - -"And you have come by them clean-handed, which is rare.--Moreover, I -fancy you are one who has them by inheritance, as well." - -Croyden nodded. "I'm glad to say I have--ancestors are distinctly -fashionable down here. But _that's_ not all I've got." - -"There is only one thing more--money," said Macloud. "You haven't found -any of it down here, have you?" - -"That is just what I don't know," Croyden replied, tossing away his -cigarette, and crossing to the desk by the window. "It depends--on -this." He handed the Parmenter letter to Macloud. "Read it through--the -endorsements last, in their order--and then tell me what you think of -it."... - -"These endorsements, I take it," said Macloud, "though without date and -signed only with initials, were made by the original addressee, -Marmaduke Duval, his son, who was presumably Daniel Duval, and Daniel -Duval's son, Marmaduke; the rest, of course, is plain." - -"That is correct," Croyden answered. "I have made inquiries--Colonel -Duval's father was Marmaduke, whose son was Daniel, whose son was -Marmaduke, the addressee." - -"Then why isn't it true?" Macloud demanded. - -"My dear fellow, I'm not denying it! I simply want your opinion--what -to do?" - -"Have you shown this letter to anyone else?" - -"No one." - -"Well, you're a fool to show it even to me. What assurance have you -that, when I leave here, I won't go straight to Annapolis and steal -your treasure?" - -"No assurance, except a lamblike trust in your friendship," said -Croyden, with an amused smile. - -"Your recent experience with Royster & Axtell and the Heights should -beget confidences of this kind?" he said sarcastically, tapping the -letter the while. "You trust too much in friendship, Croyden. Tests of -half a million dollars aren't human!" Then he grinned. "I always -thought there was something God-like about me. So, maybe, you're safe. -But it was a fearful risk, man, a fearful risk!" He looked at the -letter again. "Sure, it's true! The man to whom it was addressed -believed it--else why did he endorse it to his son? And we can assume -that Daniel Duval knew his father's writing, and accepted it.--Oh, it's -genuine enough. But to prove it, did you identify Marmaduke Duval's -writing--any papers or old letters in the house?" - -"I don't know," returned Croyden. "I'll ask Moses to-morrow." - -"Better not arouse his curiosity--s are most inquisitive, you -know--where did you find the letter?" - -Croyden showed him the secret drawer. - -"Another proof of its genuineness," said Macloud. "Have you made any -effort to identify this man Parmenter--from the records at -Annapolis." - -"No--I've done nothing but look at the letter--except to trace the -Duval descent," Croyden replied. - -"He speaks, here, of his last will and testament being left with Mr. -Dulany. If it were probated, that will establish Parmenter, especially -if Marmaduke Duval is the legatee. What do you know of Annapolis?" - -"Nothing! I never was there--I looked it up on the map I found, here, -and Greenberry Point is as the letter says--across the Severn River -from it." - -Macloud laughed, in good-natured raillery. - -"You seem to have been in a devil of a hurry!" he said. "At the same -rate of progression, you will go to Annapolis some time next spring, -and get over to Greenberry Point about autumn." - -"On the contrary, it's your coming that delayed me," Croyden smiled. -"But for your wire, I would have started this morning--now, if you will -accompany me, we'll go day-after-to-morrow." - -"Why delay?" said Macloud. "Why not go to-night?" - -"It's a long journey around the Bay by rail--I'd rather cross to Baltimore -by boat; from there it's only an hour's ride to Annapolis by electric -cars. And there isn't any boat sailing until day-after-to-morrow." - -"Where's the map?" said Macloud. "Let me see where we are, and where -Annapolis is.... Hum! we're almost opposite! Can't we get a boat in -the morning to take us across direct--charter it, I mean? The -Chesapeake isn't wide at this point--a sailing vessel ought to make it -in a few hours." - -"I'll go you!" exclaimed Croyden. He went to the telephone and called -up Dick. "This is Geoffrey Croyden!" he said.--"I've a friend who wants -to go across the Bay to Annapolis, in the morning. Where can I find out -if there is a sailing vessel, or a motor boat, obtainable?... what's -that you say?... Miles Casey?--on Fleet Street, near the wharf?... -Thank you!--He says," turning to Macloud, "Casey will likely take -us--he has a fishing schooner and it is in port. He lives on Fleet -Street--we will walk down, presently, and see him." - -Macloud nodded assent, and fell to studying the directions again. -Croyden returned to his chair and smoked in silence, waiting for his -friend to conclude. At length, the latter folded the letter and looked -up. - -"It oughtn't to be hard to find," he observed. - -"Not if the trees are still standing, and the Point is in the same -place," said Croyden. "But we're going to find the Point shifted about -ninety degrees, and God knows how many feet, while the trees will have -long since disappeared." - -"Or the whole Point may be built over with houses!" Macloud responded. -"Why not go the whole throw-down at once--make it impossible to -recover rather than only difficult to locate!" He made a gesture of -disbelief. "Do you fancy that the Duvals didn't keep an eye on -Greenberry Point?--that they wouldn't have noted, in their -endorsements, any change in the ground? So it's clear, in my mind, -that, when Colonel Duval transferred this letter to you, the Parmenter -treasure could readily be located." - -"I'm sure I shan't object, in the least, if we walk directly to the -spot, and hit the box on the third dig of the pick!" laughed Croyden. -"But let us forget the old pirate, until to-morrow; tell me about -Northumberland--it seems a year since I left! When one goes away for -good and all, it's different, you know, from going away for the -summer." - -"And you think you have left it for good and all?" asked Macloud, -blowing a smoke-ring and watching him with contemplative eyes--"Well, -the place is the same--only more so. A good many people have come back. -The Heights is more lively than when you left, teas, and dinners, and -tournaments and such like.--In town, the Northumberland's resuming its -regulars--the theatres are open, and the Club has taken the bald-headed -row on Monday nights as usual. Billy Cain has turned up engaged, also -as usual--this time, it's a Richmond girl, 'regular screamer,' he says. -It will last the allotted time, of course--six weeks was the limit for -the last two, you'll remember. Smythe put it all over Little in the -tennis tournament, and 'Pud' Lester won the golf championship. Terry's -horse, _Peach Blossom_, fell and broke its neck in the high jump, at -the Horse Show; Terry came out easier--he broke only his collar-bone. -Mattison is the little bounder he always was--a month hasn't changed -him--except for the worse. Hungerford is a bit sillier. Colloden is the -same bully fellow; he is disconsolate, now, because he is beginning to -take on flesh." Whereat both laughed. "Danridge is back from the North -Cape, via Paris, with a new drink he calls _The Spasmodic_--it's made -of gin, whiskey, brandy, and absinthe, all in a pint of sarsaparilla. -He says it's great--I've not sampled it, but judging from those who -have he is drawing it mild.... Betty Whitridge and Nancy Wellesly have -organized a Sinners Class, prerequisites for membership in which are -that you play Bridge on Sundays and have abstained from church for at -least six months. It's limited to twenty. They filled it the first -morning, and have a waiting list of something over seventy-five.... -That is about all I can think of that's new." - -"Has any one inquired about me?" Croyden asked--with the lingering -desire one has not to be forgot. - -Macloud shot a questioning glance at him. - -"Beyond the fact that the bankruptcy schedules show you were pretty -hard hit, I've heard no one comment," he said. "They think you're in -Europe. Elaine Cavendish is sponsor for that report--she says you told -her you were called, suddenly, abroad." - -Croyden nodded. Then, after a pause: - -"Any one inclined to play the devoted, there?" he asked. - -"Plenty inclined--plenty anxious," replied Macloud. "I'm looking a bit -that way myself--I may get into the running, since you are out of it," -he added. - -Croyden made as though to speak, then bit off the words. - -"Yes, I'm out of it," he said shortly. - -"But you're not out of it--if you find the pirate's treasure." - -"Wait until I find it--at present, I'm only an 'also ran.'" - -"Who had the field, however, until withdrawn," said Macloud. - -"Maybe!" Croyden laughed. "But things have changed with me, Macloud; -I've had time for thought and meditation. I'm not sure I should go back -to Northumberland, even if the Parmenter jewels are real. Had I stayed -there I suppose I should have taken my chance with the rest, but I'm -becoming doubtful, recently, of giving such hostages to fortune. It's -all right for a woman to marry a rich man, but it is a totally -different proposition for a poor man to marry a rich woman. Even with -the Parmenter treasure, I'd be poor in comparison with Elaine Cavendish -and her millions--and I'm afraid the sweet bells would soon be jangling -out of tune." - -"Would you condemn the girl to spinsterhood, because there are few men -in Northumberland, or elsewhere, who can match her in wealth?" - -"Not at all! I mean, only, that the man should be able to support her -according to her condition in life.--In other words, pay all the bills, -without drawing on her fortune." - -"Those views will never make you the leader of a popular propaganda!" -said Macloud, with an amused smile. "In fact, you're alone in the -woods." - -"Possibly! But the views are not irrevocable--I may change, you know. -In the meantime, let us go down to Fleet Street and interview Casey. -And then, if you're good, I'll take you to call on Miss Carrington." - -"The Symphony in Blue!" exclaimed Macloud. "Come along, man, come -along!" - - - - -VII - -GREENBERRY POINT - - -There was no trouble with Casey--he had been mighty glad to take them. -And, at about noon of the following day, they drew in to the ancient -capital, having made a quick and easy run from Hampton. - -It was clear, bright October weather, when late summer seems to linger -for very joy of staying, and all nature is in accord. The State House, -where Washington resigned his commission--with its chaste lines and -dignified white dome, when viewed from the Bay (where the monstrosity -of recent years that has been hung on behind, is not visible) stood out -clearly in the sunlight, standing high above the town, which slumbers, -in dignified ease, within its shadow. A few old mansions, up the Spa, -seen before they landed, with the promise of others concealed among the -trees, higher up, told their story of a Past departed--a finished -city. - -"Where is Greenberry Point?" demanded Macloud, suddenly. - -"Yonder, sir, on the far side of the Severn--the strip of land which -juts out into the Bay." - -"First hypothesis, dead as a musket!" looking at Croyden. "There isn't -a house in sight--except the light-house, and it's a bug-light." - -"No houses--but where are the trees?" Croyden returned. "It seems -pretty low," he said, to the skipper; "is it ever covered with water?" - -"I think not, sir--the water's just eating it slowly away." - -Croyden nodded, and faced townward. - -"What is the enormous white stone building, yonder?" he asked. - -"The Naval Academy--that's only one of the buildings, sir, Bancroft -Hall. The whole Academy occupies a great stretch of land along the -Severn." - -They landed at the dock, at the foot of Market Place and inquired the -way to Carvel Hall--that being the hotel advised by Dick. They were -directed up Wayman's alley--one of the numerous three foot -thoroughfares between streets, in which the town abounds--to Prince -George Street, and turning northward on it for a block, past the once -splendid Brice house, now going slowly to decay, they arrived at the -hotel:--the central house of English brick with the wings on either -side, and a modern hotel building tacked on the rear. - -"Rather attractive!" was Macloud's comment, as they ascended the steps -to the brick terrace and, thence, into the hotel. "Isn't this an old -residence?" he inquired of the clerk, behind the desk. - -"Yes, sir! It's the William Paca (the Signer) mansion, but it served as -the home of Dorothy Manners in _Richard Carvel_, and hence the name, -sir: Carvel Hall. We've many fine houses here: the Chase House--he -also was a Signer; the Harwood House, said to be one of the most -perfect specimens of Colonial architecture in America; the Scott House, -on the Spa; the Brice House, next door; McDowell Hall, older than any -of them, was gutted by fire last year, but has been restored; the Ogle -mansion--he was Governor in the 1740's, I think. Oh! this was the Paris -of America before and during the Revolution. Why, sir, the tonnage of -the Port of Annapolis, in 1770, was greater than the tonnage of the -Port of Baltimore, to-day." - -"Very interesting!" said Macloud. "Very interesting, indeed. What's -happened to it since 1770?" - -"Nothing, sir--that's the trouble, it's progressed backward--and -Baltimore has taken its place." - -"I see!" said Macloud, laughing. "What time is luncheon?" - -"It's being served now, sir--twelve-thirty to two." - -"Order a pair of saddle horses, and have them around at one-thirty, -please." - -"There is no livery connected with the hotel, sir, but I'll do what I -can. There isn't any saddlers for hire, but we will get you a pair of -'Cheney's Best,' sir--they're sometimes ridden. However, you had -better drive, if you will permit me to suggest, sir." - -Croyden glanced at Macloud. - -"No!--we will try the horses," he said. - -It had been determined that they should ride for the reasons, as urged -by Macloud, that they could go on horseback where they could not in a -conveyance, and they would be less likely to occasion comment. The -former of which appealed to Croyden, though the latter did not. - -Macloud had borrowed an extra pair of riding breeches and puttees, from -his friend, and, at the time appointed, the two men passed through the -office. - -"The horses are waiting, sir!" the clerk informed them. - -Two lads were holding a pair of rawboned nags, that resembled -saddlers about as much as a cigar-store Indian does a sonata. Croyden -looked them over in undisguised disgust. - -"If these are Cheney's Best," he commented, "what in Heaven's name are -his worst?" - -"Come on!" said Macloud, adjusting the stirrups. "Get aboard and leave -the kicking to the horses, they may be better than they look. Where -does one cross the Severn?" he asked a man who was passing. - -"Straight up to the College green," he replied, pointing; "then one -square to the right to King George Street, and on out it, across -College Creek, to the Marine Barracks. The road forks there; you turn -to the right; and the bridge is at the foot of the hill." - -They thanked him, and rode away. - -"He ought to write a guide book," said Croyden. - -"How do you know he hasn't?" Macloud retorted. "Well paved -streets,--but a trifle hard for riding." - -"And more than a trifle dirty," Croyden added. "My horse isn't so -bad--how's yours?" - -"He'll do!--This must be the Naval Academy," as they passed along a -high brick wall--"Yonder, are the Barracks--the Marines are drilling in -front." - -They clattered over the creek, rounded the quarters of the -"Hermaphrodites," and saw below them the wide bridge, almost a half a -mile long, which spans the Severn. The draw was open, to let a motor -boat pass through, but it closed before they reached it. - -"This is exceptionally pretty!" Macloud exclaimed, drawing rein, -midway. "Look at the high bluff, on the farther shore, with the view up -the river, on one side, and down the Bay, and clear across on the -other.... Now," as they wound up on the hill, "for the first road to -the right." - -"This doesn't look promising!" laughed Croyden, as the road swung -abruptly westward and directly away from Greenberry Point. - -"Let us go a little farther," said Macloud. "There must be a way--a -bridle path, if nothing better--and, if we must, we can push straight -through the timber; there doesn't seem to be any fences. You see, it -was rational to ride." - -"You're a wise old owl!" Croyden retorted. - -"Ah!--there's our road!" as one unexpectedly took off to the right, -among the trees, and bore almost immediately eastward. "Come along, my -friend!" - -Presently they were startled by a series of explosions, a short -distance ahead. - -"What are we getting into?" Macloud exclaimed, drawing up sharply. - -"Parmenter's defending his treasure!" said Croyden, with mock -seriousness. "He is warning us off." - -"A long way off, then! We must be a mile and more from the Point. It's -some one blasting, I think." - -"It wasn't sufficiently muffled," Croyden answered. - -They waited a few moments: hearing no further noises, they proceeded--a -trifle cautiously, however. A little further on, they came upon a wood -cutter. - -"He doesn't appear at all alarmed," Croyden observed. "What were the -explosions, a minute ago?" he called. - -"They weren't nothing," said the man, leaning on his axe. "The Navy's -got a 'speriment house over here. They're trying things. Yer don't -need be skeered. If yer goin' to the station, it's just a little ways, -now," he added, with the country-man's curiosity--which they did not -satisfy. - -They passed the buildings of the Experiment Station and continued on, -amid pine and dogwood, elms and beeches. They were travelling parallel -with the Severn, and not very distant, as occasional glimpses of blue -water, through the trees, revealed. Gradually, the timber thinned. The -river became plainly visible with the Bay itself shimmering to the -fore. Then the trees ended abruptly, and they came out on Greenberry -Point: a long, flat, triangular-shaped piece of ground, possibly two -hundred yards across the base, and three hundred from base to point. - -The two men halted, and looked around. - -"Somewhere near here, possibly just where your horse is standing, is -the treasure," said Macloud. "Can't you feel its presence?" - -"No, I can't!" laughed Croyden, "and that appears to be my only chance, -for I can't see a trace of the trees which formed the square." - -"Be not cast down!" Macloud admonished. "Remember, you didn't expect to -find things marked off for you." - -"No, _I_ didn't! but I thought _you_ did." - -"That was only to stir you up. I anticipated even more adverse -conditions. It's amazingly easier than I dared to hope." - -"Thunder! man! we can't dig six feet deep over all of forty acres. We -shall have the whole of Annapolis over to help us before we've done a -square of forty feet." - -"You're too liberal!" laughed Macloud. "Twenty feet would be ample." -Then he sobered. "The instructions say: seven hundred and fifty feet -back, from the extreme tip of Greenberry Point, is the quadrangle of -trees. That was in 1720, one hundred and ninety years ago. They must -have been of good size then--hence, they would be of the greater size, -now, or else have disappeared entirely. There isn't a single tree which -could correspond with Parmenter's, closer than four hundred yards, and, -as the point would have been receding rather than gaining, we can -assume, with tolerable certainty, that the beeches have -vanished--either from decay or from wind storms, which must be very -severe over in this exposed land. Hence, must not our first quest be -for some trace of the trees?" - -"That sounds reasonable," said Croyden, "and, if the Point has receded, -which is altogether likely, then we are pretty near the place." - -"Yes!--if the Point has simply receded, but if it has shifted -laterally, as well, the problem is not so simple." - -"Let us go out to the Point, and look at the ruins of the light-house. -If we can get near enough to ascertain when it was built, it may help -us. Evidently there was none erected here, in Parmenter's time, else -he would not have chosen this place to hide his treasure." - -But the light-house was a barren yield. It was a crumbling mass of -ruins, lying out in water, possibly fifty feet--the real house was a -bug-light farther out in the Bay. - -"Well, there's no one to see us, so why shouldn't we make a search for -the trees?" said Croyden. - -"Hold my horse!" said Macloud, dismounting. - -He went out on the extreme edge, faced about, and taking a line at -right angles to it, stepped two hundred and fifty paces. He ended in -sand--and, for another fifty paces, sand--sand unrelieved by aught save -some low bushes sparsely scattered here and there. - -"Somewhere hereabout, according to present conditions, the trees should -be," he said. - -"Not very promising," was Croyden's comment. - -"Let us assume that the diagonal lines drawn between the trees -intersect at this point," Macloud continued, producing a compass. -"Then, one hundred and ten paces North-by-North-East is the place we -seek." - -He stepped the distance carefully--Croyden following with the -horses--and sunk his heel into the sand beside a clump of wire grass. - -"Here is the old buccaneer's hoard!" he exclaimed, dramatically. - -"Shall we dig, immediately?" Croyden laughed. - -[Illustration: HE WENT OUT ON THE EXTREME EDGE, FACED ABOUT, AND STEPPED -TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PACES] - -"You dig--I'll hold the horses; your hands are tougher than mine." - -"I wonder who owns this land?" said Croyden, suddenly. - -"We can ascertain very readily. You mean, you would try to purchase -it?" - -"Yes, as a site for a house, ostensibly. I might buy a lot beginning, -say one hundred and fifty yards back from the Point, and running, at an -even width of two hundred yards, from the Severn to the Bay. That would -surely include the treasure." - -"A fine idea!" Macloud agreed. - -"If the present owner will sell," appended Croyden--"and if his price -isn't out of all reason. I can't go much expense, you know." - -"Never mind the expense--that can be arranged. If he will sell, the -rest is easy. I'll advance it gladly to you." - -"And we will share equally, then," said Croyden. - -"Bosh!" Macloud answered. "I've got more money than I want, let me have -some fun with the excess, Croyden. And this promises more fun than I've -had for a year--hunting a buried treasure, within sight of Maryland's -capital. Moreover, it won't likely be out of reach of your own -pocketbook, this can't be very valuable land." He remounted his horse. -"Let us ride around over the intended site, and prospect--we may -discover something." - -But, though, they searched for an hour, they were utterly unsuccessful. -The four beech trees had disappeared as completely as though they never -were. - -"I'm perfectly confident, however," Macloud remarked as they turned -away toward town, "that somewhere, within the lines of your proposed -lot, lie the Parmenter jewels. Now, for the lot. Once you have title to -it, you may plow up the whole thing to any depth you please, and no one -may gainsay you." - -"I'm not so sure," replied Croyden. "My knowing that the treasure was -on it when purchased, may make me liable to my grantor for an -accounting." - -"But you don't _know_!" objected Macloud. - -"Yet, I have every reason to believe--the letter is most specific." - -"Suppose, after you've paid a big price for the land, you don't find -the treasure, could you make him take it back and refund the purchase -money?" - -"No, most assuredly, no," smiled Croyden. - -"Mighty queer doctrine! You must account for what you find--if you -don't find it, you must keep the land, anyway. The other fellow wins -whatever happens." - -"It's predicated on the proposition that I have knowingly deceived him -into selling something for nothing. However, I'm not at all clear about -it; and we will buy if we can--and take the chances. But we won't go to -work with a brass band, old man." - -At the top of the hill, beyond the Severn, there was a road which took -off to the left. - -"This parallels the road by the Marine Barracks, suppose we turn in -here," Macloud said. "It probably goes through the Academy grounds." - -A little way on, they passed what was evidently a fine hospital, with -the United States flag flying over it. Just beyond, occupying the point -of land where College Creek empties into the Severn, was the Naval -Cemetery. - -"Very fitting!" Croyden laughed. "They have the place of interment -exceedingly handy to the hospital. What in thunder's that?" he asked, -indicating a huge dome, hideously ornate with gold and white, that -projected above the trees, some distance ahead. - -"Give it up!" said Macloud. "Unless it's a custard-and-cream pudding -for the Midshipmen's supper. Awful looking thing, isn't it! Oh! I -recollect now: the Government has spent millions in erecting new -Academy buildings; and someone in the Navy remarked, 'If a certain chap -_had_ to kill somebody, he couldn't see why he hadn't selected the -fellow who was responsible for them--his work at Annapolis would have -been ample justification.' Judging from the atrocity to our fore, the -officer didn't overdraw it." - -They took the road along the officers' quarters on Upshur Row, and came -out the upper gate into King George Street, thereby missing the Chapel -(of the custard-and-cream dome) and all the other Smith buildings. - -"We can see them again!" said Croyden. "The real estate agent is more -important now." - -It was the quiet hour when they got back to the hotel, and the clerk -was standing in the doorway, sunning himself. - -"Enjoy your ride, sirs?" he asked. - -"It wasn't bad," returned Croyden. Then he stopped. "Can you tell me -who owns Greenberry Point?" - -"Yes, sir! The Government owns it--they bought it for the Rifle -Range." - -"The whole of it?" - -"Yes, sir!--from the Point clear up to the Experiment Station." - -Croyden thanked him and passed on. - -"That's the end of the purchase idea!" he said. "I thought it was 'most -too good to last." - -"It got punctured very early," Macloud agreed. - -"And the question is, what to do, now? Might the clerk be wrong?" - -Macloud shook his head. "There isn't a chance of it. Titles in a small -town are known, particularly, when they're in the United States. -However, it's easy to verify--we'll hunt up a real estate -office--they'll know." - -But when they had dressed, and sought a real estate office, the last -doubt vanished: it confirmed the clerk. - -"If you haven't anything particularly pressing," said Macloud, "I -suggest that we remain here for a few days and consider what is best to -do." - -"My most pressing business is to find the treasure!" Croyden laughed. - -"Good! then we're on the job until it's found--if it takes a year or -longer." And when Croyden looked his surprise: "I've nothing to do, old -chap, and one doesn't have the opportunity to go treasure hunting more -than once in a lifetime. Picture our satisfaction when we hear the pick -strike the iron box, and see the lid turned back, and the jewels -coruscating before us." - -"But what if there isn't any coruscating--that's a good word, old -man--nor any iron box?" - -"Don't be so pessimistic--_think_ we're going to find it, it will help -a lot." - -"How about if we _don't_ find it?" - -"Then, at least, we'll have had a good time in hunting, and have done -our best to succeed." - -"It's a new thing to hear old cynical Macloud preaching optimism!" -laughed Croyden--"our last talk, in Northumberland, wasn't particularly -in that line, you'll remember." - -"Our talk in Northumberland had to do with other people and -conditions. This is an adventure, and has to do solely with ourselves. -Some difference, my dear Croyden, some difference! What do you say to -an early breakfast to-morrow, and then a walk over to the Point. It's -something like your Eastern Shore to get to, however,--just across the -river by water, but three miles around by the Severn bridge. We can -have the whole day for prospecting." - -"I'm under your orders," said Croyden. "You're in charge of this -expedition." - -They had been passing numerous naval officers in uniform, some well -set-up, some slouchy. - -"The uniform surely does show up the man for what he is," said Macloud. -"Look at these two for instance--from the stripes on the sleeves, a -Lieutenant-Commander and a Senior Lieutenant. Did you ever see a real -Bowery tough?--they are in that class, with just enough veneer to -deceive, for an instant. There, are two others, opposite. They look -like soldiers. Observe the dignity, the snappy walk, the inherent air -of command." - -"Isn't it the fault of the system?" asked Croyden. "Every Congressman -holds a competitive examination in his district; and the appointment -goes to the applicant who wins--be he what he may. For that reason, I -dare say, the Brigade of Midshipmen contains muckers as well as -gentlemen--and officers are but midshipmen of a larger growth." - -"Just so! and it's wrong--all wrong! To be a commissioned officer, in -either Army or Navy, ought to attest one's gentle birth." - -"It raises a presumption in their favor, at least." - -"Presumption! do you think the two who passed us could hide behind that -presumption longer than the fraction of an instant?" - -"Don't get excited, old man! I was accounting for it, not defending it. -It's a pity, of course, but that's one of the misfortunes of a Republic -where all men are equal." - -"Rot! damn rot!" Macloud exclaimed. "Men aren't equal!--they're born to -different social scales, different intellectualities, different -conditions otherwise. For the purpose of suffrage they may, in the -theory of our government, be equal--but we haven't yet demonstrated it. -We exclude the Japanese and Chinese. We have included the , only -within the living generation--and it's entirely evident, now, we made a -monstrous mistake by doing it. Equal! Equal! Never in this world!" - -"How about the next world?" asked Croyden. - -"I don't know!" laughed Macloud, as they ascended the steps of the -hotel. "For my part, I'm for the Moslem's Paradise and the Houris who -attend the Faithful. And, speaking of houris!--see who's here!" - -Croyden glanced up--to see Elaine Cavendish and Charlotte Brundage -standing in the doorway. - - - - -VIII - -STOLEN - - -"This is, truly, a surprise!" Miss Cavendish exclaimed. "Who would ever -have thought of meeting you two in this out-of-the-way place." - -"Here, too!" replied Macloud. - -"When did you return, Geoffrey?" she inquired. - -"From abroad?--I haven't gone," said Croyden. "The business still holds -me." - -She looked at him steadily a moment--Macloud was talking to Miss -Brundage. - -"How much longer will it hold you?" she asked. - -He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know--it's difficult of -adjustment.--What brings you here, may I inquire?" - -"We were in Washington and came over with the Westons to the Officers' -Hop to-night--given for the Secretary of something. He's one of the -Cabinet. We return in the morning." - -"Oh, I see," he answered; the relief in his voice would have missed a -less acute ear. "Where are you going now?" - -"To a tea at the Superintendent's, when the Westons join us. Come -along!" - -"I haven't acquired the Washington habit,--yet!" he laughed. "A man at -a tea fight! Oh, no!" - -"Then go to the dance with us--Colin! you'll go, won't you?" - -"Sure!" said Macloud. "I'll follow your voice any place. Where shall it -be?" - -"To the Hop, to-night." - -"We're not invited--if that cuts any figure." - -"You'll go in our party. Ah! Mrs. Weston, I've presumed to ask Mr. -Macloud and Mr. Croyden to join our party to-night." - -"The Admiral and I shall be delighted to have them," Mrs. Weston -answered--"Will they also go with us to the tea? No? Well, then, -to-night." - -Macloud and Croyden accompanied them to the Academy gates, and then -returned to the hotel. - -In the narrow passage between the news-desk and the office, they -bumped, inadvertently, into two men. There were mutual excuses, and the -men went on. - -An hour or so later, Macloud, having changed into his evening clothes, -came into Croyden's room and found him down on his knees looking under -the bureau, and swearing vigorously. - -"Whee!" he said; "you _are_ a true pirate's heir! Old Parmenter, -himself, couldn't do it better. What's the matter--lose something?" - -"No, I didn't lose anything!" said Croyden sarcastically. "I'm saying -my prayers." - -"And incidentally searching for this, I suppose?" picking up a pearl -stud from under the bed. - -Croyden took it without a word. - -"And when you've sufficiently recovered your equanimity," Macloud went -on, "you might let me see the aforesaid Parmenter's letter. I want to -cogitate over it." - -"It's in my wallet!" grinding in the stud--"my coat's on the chair, -yonder." - -"I don't find it!" said Macloud, searching. "What pocket is it in?" - -"The inside breast pocket!" exclaimed Croyden, ramming the last stud -home. "Where would you think it is--in the small change pocket?" - -"Then suppose you find it for me." - -"I'll do it with----" He stopped. "Do you mean it isn't there?" he -exclaimed. - -"It isn't there!" said Macloud, holding up the coat. - -Croyden's fingers flew to the breast pocket--empty! to the other -pockets--no wallet! He seized his trousers; then his waistcoat--no -wallet. - -"My God! I've lost it!" he cried. - -"Maybe you left it in Hampton?" said Macloud. - -Croyden shook his head. "I had it when we left the Weston party--I felt -it in my pocket, as I bent to tie Miss Cavendish's shoe." - -"Then, it oughtn't to be difficult to find--it's lost between the -Sampson Gate and the hotel. I'm going out to search, possibly in the -fading light it has not been noticed. You telephone the office--and -then join me, as quickly as you can get into your clothes." - -He dashed out and down the stairs into the Exchange, passing midway, -with the barest nod, the Weston party, nor pausing to answer the -question Miss Cavendish flung after him. - -Once on the rear piazza, however, he went slowly down the broad white -steps to the broad brick walk--the electric lights were on, and he -noted, with keen regret, how bright they made it--and thence to the -Sampson Gate. It was vain! He inquired of the guard stationed there, -and that, too, proving unavailing, left directions for its return, if -found. - -"What a misfortune!" he muttered, as he renewed the search. "What a -misfortune! If any one reads that letter, the jig is up for us.... -Here! boys," to a crowd of noisy urchins, sitting on the coping along -the street, "do you want to make a dollar?" - -The enthusiasm of the response, not to mention its unanimity, -threatened dire disaster to Macloud's toilet. - -"Hold on!" he said. "Don't pull me apart. You all can have a chance for -it. I've lost a wallet--a pocketbook--between the gate yonder and the -hotel. A dollar to the boy who finds it." - -With a shout, they set to work. A moment later Croyden came down the -walk. - -"I haven't got it," Macloud said, answering his look. "I've been over -to the gate and back, and now I've put these gamins to work. They will -find it, if it's to be found. Did you telephone the office?" - -"Nothing doing there!" Croyden answered. "And what's more, there won't -be anything doing here--we shall never find the letter, Macloud." - -"That's my fear," Macloud admitted. "Somebody's already found it." - -"Somebody's _stolen_ it," Croyden answered. - -"What?" - -"Precisely!--do you recall our being jostled by two men in the narrow -corridor of the hotel? Well, then is when I lost my wallet. I am sure -of it. I wasn't in a position to drop it from my pocket." - -Macloud's hand sought his own breast pocket and stopped. - -"I forgot to change, when I dressed. Maybe the other fellow made off -with mine. I'll go and investigate--you keep an eye on the boys." - -Presently he returned. - -"You're right!" he said. "Mine is missing, too. We'll call off the -boys." - -He flung them some small coins, thereby precipitating a scramble and a -fight, and they went slowly in. - -"There is just one chance," he continued. "Pickpockets usually abstract -the money, instantly, and throw the book and papers away. They want no -tell-tale evidence. It may be the case here--they, likely, didn't -examine the letter, just saw it _was_ a letter and went no further." - -"That won't help us much," said Croyden. "It will be found--it's only a -question of the pickpockets or some one else." - -"But the some one else may be honest. Your card is in the wallet?" - -"With Hampton on it." - -"The finder may advertise--may look you up at the hotel--may----" - -"May bring it back on a gold salver!" Croyden interjected. "No! No! -Colin. Our only hope is that the thief threw away the letter, and that -no one finds it until after we have the treasure. The man isn't born -who, under the circumstances, will renounce the opportunity for a half -million dollars." - -"Well, at the worst, we have an even chance! Thank Heaven! We know the -directions without the letter. Don't be discouraged, old man--we'll win -out, yet." - -"I'm not discouraged!" laughed Croyden. "I have never anticipated -success. It was sport--an adventure and a problem to work out, nothing -more. Now, if we have some one else to combat, so much greater the -adventure, and more intricate the problem." - -"Shall we notify the police?" Macloud asked. "Or isn't it well to get -them into it?" - -"I'll confess I don't know. If we could jug the thieves quickly, and -recover the plunder, it might be well. On the other hand, they might -disclose the letter to the police or to some pal, or try even to treat -with us, on the threat of publicity. On the whole, I'm inclined to -secrecy--and, if the thieves show up on the Point, to have it out with -them. There are only two, so we shall not be overmatched. Moreover, we -can be sure they will keep it strictly to themselves, if we don't force -their hands by trying to arrest them." - -Macloud considered a moment. "I incline to your opinion. We will simply -advertise for the wallets to-morrow, as a bluff--and go to work in -earnest to find the treasure." - -They had entered the hotel again; in the Exchange, the rocking chair -brigade and the knocker's club were gathered. - -"The usual thing!" Croyden remarked. "Why can't a hotel ever be free of -them?" - -"Because it's a hotel!" laughed Macloud. "Let's go in to dinner--I'm -hungry." - -The tall head-waiter received them like a host himself, and conducted -them down the room to a small table. A moment later, the Weston party -came in, with Montecute Mattison in tow, and were shown to one nearby, -with Harvey's most impressive manner. - -An Admiral is some pumpkins in Annapolis, when he is on the _active_ -list. - -Mrs. Weston and the young ladies looked over and nodded; Croyden and -Macloud arose and bowed. They saw Miss Cavendish lean toward the -Admiral and say a word. He glanced across. - -"We would be glad to have you join us," said he, with a man's fine -indifference to the fact that their table was, already, scarcely large -enough for five. - -"I am afraid we should crowd you, sir. Thank you!--we'll join you -later, if we may," replied Macloud. - -A little time after, they heard Mattison's irritating voice, pitched -loud enough to reach them: - -"I wonder what Croyden's doing here with Macloud?" he remarked. "I -thought you said, Elaine, that he had skipped for foreign parts, after -the Royster smash, last September." - -"I did say, Mr. Mattison, I _thought_ he had gone abroad, but I most -assuredly did not say, nor infer, that he had _skipped_, nor connect -his going with Royster's failure!" Miss Cavendish responded. "If you -must say unjust and unkind things, don't make other people responsible -for them, please. Shoulder them yourself." - -"Good girl!" muttered Macloud. "Hand him another!" Then he shot a look -at his friend. - -"I don't mind," said Croyden. "They may think what they please--and -Mattison's venom is sprinkled so indiscriminately it doesn't hurt. -Everyone comes in for a dose." - -They dallied through dinner, and finished at the same time as the -Westons. Croyden walked out with Miss Cavendish. - -"I couldn't help overhearing that remark of Mattison's--the beggar -intended that I should," said he--"and I want to thank you, Elaine, for -your 'come back' at him." - -"I'm sorry I didn't come back harder," said she. - -"And if you prefer me not to go with you to the Hop to-night don't -hesitate to say so--I'll understand, perfectly. The Westons may have -got a wrong impression----" - -"The Westons haven't ridden in the same motor, from Washington to -Annapolis, with Montecute for nothing; but I'll set you straight, never -fear. We are going over in the car--there is room for you both, and -Mrs. Weston expects you. We will be down at nine. It's the fashion to -go early, here, it seems." - -Zimmerman was swinging his red-coated military band through a dreamy, -sensuous waltz, as they entered the gymnasium, where the Hops, at the -Naval Academy, are held. The bareness of the huge room was gone -entirely--concealed by flags and bunting, which hung in brilliant -festoons from the galleries and the roof. Myriads of variegated lights -flashed back the glitter of epaulet and the gleam of white shoulders, -with, here and there, the black of the civilian looking strangely -incongruous amid the throng that danced itself into a very kaleidoscope -of color. - -The Secretary was a very ordinary man, who had a place in the Cabinet -as a reward for political deeds done, and to be done. He represented a -State machine, nothing more. Quality, temperament, fitness, poise had -nothing to do with his selection. His wife was his equivalent, though, -superficially, she appeared to better advantage, thanks to a Parisian -modiste with exquisite taste, and her fond husband's bottomless bank -account. - -Having passed the receiving line, the Westons held a small reception of -their own. The Admiral was still upon the active list, with four years -of service ahead of him. He was to be the next Aide on Personnel, the -knowing ones said, and the orders were being looked for every day. -Therefore he was decidedly a personage to tie to--more important even -than the Secretary, himself, who was a mere figurehead in the -Department. And the officers--and their wives, too, if they were -married--crowded around the Westons, fairly walking over one another in -their efforts to be noticed. - -"What's the meaning of it?" Croyden asked Miss Cavendish as they joined -the dancing throng. "Are the Westons so amazingly popular?" - -"Not at all! they're hailing the rising sun," she said--and explained: -"They would do the same if he were a mummy or had small-pox. 'Grease,' -they call it." - -(The watchword, in the Navy, is "grease." From the moment you enter the -Academy, as a plebe, until you have joined the lost souls on the -retired list, you are diligently engaged in greasing every one who -ranks you and in being greased by every one whom you rank. And the more -assiduous and adroit you are at the greasing business, the more -pleasant the life you lead. The man who ranks you can, when placed over -you, make life a burden or a pleasure as his fancy and his disposition -dictate. Consequently the "grease," and the higher the rank the greater -the "grease," and the number of "greasers.") - -"Well-named!--dirty, smeary, contaminating business," said Croyden. -"And the best 'greasers' have the best places, I reckon. I prefer the -unadorned garb of the civilian--and independence. I'll permit those -fellows to fight the battles and draw the rewards--they can do both -very well." - -He did not get another dance with her until well toward the end--and -would not then, if the lieutenant to whom it belonged had not been a -second late--late enough to lose her. - -"We are going back to Washington, in the morning," she said. "Can't you -come along?" - -"Impossible!" he answered. "Much as I'd like to do it." - -She looked up at him, quickly. - -"Are you sure you would like to do it?" she asked. - -"What a question!" he exclaimed. - -"Geoffrey!--what is this business which keeps you here--in the East?" - -"Business!" he replied, smiling. - -"Which means, I must not ask, I suppose." - -He did not answer. - -"Will you tell me one thing--just one?" she persisted. "Has Royster & -Axtell's failure anything to do with it?" - -"Yes--it has!" he said, after a moment's hesitation. - -"And is it true that you are seriously embarrassed--have lost most of -your fortune?" - -"It was to be just one question!" he smiled. - -"I'm a woman," she explained. - -They danced half the length of the room before he replied. He would -tell her. She, alone, deserved to know--and, if she cared, would -understand. - -"I have lost most of my fortune!" he admitted. "I am not, however, in -the least embarrassed--I have no debts." - -"And is it 'business,' which keeps you?--will you ever come back to -Northumberland?" - -"Yes, it is business that keeps me--important business. Whether or not -I shall return to Northumberland, depends on the outcome of that -business." - -"Why did you leave without a word of farewell to your friends?" she -persisted. - -"Was that unusual?" said Croyden. "Has any of my friends -cared--sincerely cared? Has any one so much as inquired for me?" - -She looked away. - -"They thought you were called to Europe, suddenly," she replied. - -"For which thinking you were responsible, Elaine." - -"Why I?" she demanded. - -"You were the only one I told." - -Her eyes sought his, then fell. - -"It was because of the failure," she said. "You were the largest -creditor--you disappeared--there were queries and rumors--and I thought -it best to tell. I hope I did no harm." - -"On the contrary," he said, "I am very, very grateful to know that some -one thought of me." - -The music stopped. It was just in time. Another moment, and he might -have said what he knew was folly. Her body close to his, his arm around -her, the splendor of her bared shoulders, the perfume of her hair, the -glory of her face, were overcoming him, were intoxicating his senses, -were drugging him into non-resistance. The spell was broken not an -instant too soon. He shook himself--like a man rousing from dead -sleep--and took her back to their party. - -The next instant, as she was whirled away by another, she shot him an -alluringly fascinating smile, of intimate camaraderie, of -understanding, which well-nigh put him to sleep again. - -"I would that I might get such a smile," sighed Macloud. - -"You go to the devil!" said Croyden. "She has the same smile for all -her friends, so don't be silly." - -"And don't be blind!" Macloud laughed. - -"Moreover, if it's a different smile, the field is open. I'm scratched, -you know." - -"Can a man be scratched _after_ he has won?" asked Macloud. - -"More silliness!" Croyden retorted, as he turned away to search for his -partner. - -When the Hop was over, they said good-night at the foot of the stairs, -in the Exchange. - -"We shall see you in the morning, of course--we leave about ten -o'clock," said Miss Cavendish. - -"We shall be gone long before you are awake," answered Croyden. And, -when she looked at him inquiringly, he added: "It's an appointment that -may not be broken." - -"Well, till Northumberland, then!" Miss Brundage remarked. - -But Elaine Cavendish's only reply was a meaning nod and another -fascinating smile. She wished him success. - -As they entered their own rooms, a little later, Macloud, in the lead, -switched on the lights--and stopped! - -"Hello!--our wallets, by all that's good!" he exclaimed. - -"Hurrah!" cried Croyden, springing in, and stumbling over Macloud in -his eagerness. - -He seized his wallet!--A touch, and the story was told. No need to -investigate--it was as empty as the day it came from the shop, save for -a few visiting cards, and some trifling memoranda. The letter and the -money were gone. - -"Damn!" said Croyden. - -Macloud laughed. - -"You didn't fancy you would find it?" he said. - -"No, I didn't, but damn! anyway--who wouldn't?" - -"Oh, you're strictly orthodox!" Macloud laughed. "But the pity is that -won't help us. They've got old Parmenter's letter--and our ready cash -as well; but the cash does not count." - -"It counts with me," said Croyden. "I'm out something over a -hundred--and that's considerable to me now. Anything to show where they -were recovered?" - -Macloud was nearest the telephone. He took down the receiver. After a -time he was answered. - -"What do you know about our wallets?" he asked.... "Thank you!--The -office says, they were found by one of the bell-boys in a garbage can -on King George Street." - -"Very good," said Croyden. "If they mean fight, I reckon we can -accommodate them. Greenberry Point early in the morning." - - - - -IX - -THE WAY OUT - - -"I've been thinking," said Croyden, as they footed it across the Severn -bridge, "that, if we knew the year in which the light-house was -erected, we could get the average encroachment of the sea every year, -and, by a little figuring, arrive at where the point was in 1720. It -would be approximate, of course, but it would give us a -start--something more definite than we have now. For all we know -Parmenter's treasure may be a hundred yards out in the Bay." - -Macloud nodded. "And if we don't find the date, here," he added, "we -can go to Washington and get it from the Navy Department. An inquiry -from Senator Rickrose will bring what we want, instantly." - -"At the same time, why shouldn't we get permission to camp on the Point -for a few weeks?" Croyden suggested. "It would make it easy for us to -dig and investigate, and fish and measure, in fact, do whatever we -wished. Having a permit from the Department, would remove all -suspicion." - -"Bully! We're fond of the open--with a town convenient!" Macloud -laughed. "I know Rickrose well, we can go down this afternoon and see -him. He will be so astonished that we are not seeking a political -favor, he will go to the Secretary himself and make ours a personal -request. Then we will get the necessary camp stuff, and be right on the -job." - -They had passed the Experiment Station and the Rifle Range, and were -rounding the shoal onto the Point, when the trotting of a rapidly -approaching horse came to them from the rear. - -"Suppose we conceal ourselves, and take a look," suggested Macloud. -"Here is a fine place." - -He pointed to some rocks and bushes that lined the roadway. The next -instant, they had disappeared behind them. - -A moment more, and the horse and buggy came into view. In it were two -men--of medium size, dressed quietly, with nothing about them to -attract attention, save that the driver had a hook-nose, and the other -was bald, as the removal of his hat, an instant, showed. - -"The thieves!" whispered Croyden. - -"Yes--I'll bet a hundred on it!" Macloud answered. - -"Greenberry Point seems far off," said the driver--"I wonder if we can -have taken the wrong road?" - -"This is the only one we could take," the other answered, "so we must -be right. I wonder what that jay's doing?" he added, with a laugh. - -"Cussing himself for----" The rest was lost in the noise of the team. - -"Right, you are!" said Croyden, lifting himself from a bed of stones -and vines. "Right, you are, my friend! And if I had a gun, I'd give the -Coroner a job with both of you." - -Macloud looked thoughtful. - -"It would be most effective," he said. "But could we carry it off -cleanly? The law is embarrassing if we're detected, you know." - -"You're not serious?" said Croyden. - -"I never was more so," the other answered. "I'd shoot those scoundrels -down without a second's hesitation, if I could do it and not be -caught." - -"A trifle unconventional!" commented Croyden. "However, your idea isn't -half bad; they wouldn't hesitate to do the same to us." - -"Exactly! They won't hesitate--and, what's more, they have the nerve to -take the chance. That is the difference between us and them." - -They waited until they could no longer hear the horse's hoof-falls nor -the rumble of the wheels. Then they started forward, keeping off the -road and taking a course that afforded the protection of the trees and -undergrowth. Presently, they caught sight of the two men--out in the -open, their heads together, poring over a paper, presumably the -Parmenter letter. - -"It is not as easy finding the treasure, as it was to pick my pocket!" -chuckled Croyden. "There's the letter--and there are the men who stole -it. And we are helpless to interfere, and they know it. It's about as -aggravating as----" He stopped, for want of a suitable comparison. - -Macloud only nodded in acquiescence. - -The men finished with the letter. Hook-nose went on to the Point, and -stood looking at the ruins of the light-house out in the Bay; the other -turned and viewed the trees that were nearest. - -"Much comfort you'll get from either," muttered Croyden. - -Hook-nose returned, and the two held a prolonged conversation, each of -them gesticulating, now toward the water, and again toward the timber. -Finally, one went down to the extreme point and stepped off two hundred -and fifty paces inland. He marked this point with a stone. - -Bald-head pointed to the trees, a hundred yards away, and shook his -head. More talk followed. Then they produced a compass, and ran the -additional distance to the North-east. - -"Dig! damn you, dig!" exclaimed Macloud. "The treasure's not there." - -"You'll have to work your brain a bit," Croyden added. "The letter's -not all that's needed, thank Heaven! You've stolen the one, but you -can't steal the other." - -The men, after consulting together, went to the buggy, took out two -picks and shovels, and, returning to the place, fell to work. - -"Did you ever see such fools?" said Macloud. "Dig! damn you, dig!" - -After a short while, Bald-head threw down his pick and hoisted himself -out of the hole. An animated discussion followed. - -"He's got a glimmer of intelligence, at last," Croyden muttered. - -The discussion grew more animated, they waved their arms toward the -Bay, and toward the Severn, and toward the land. Hook-nose slammed his -pick up and down to emphasize his argument. Bald-head did likewise. - -"They'll be doing the war dance, next!" laughed Macloud. - -"'When thieves fall out, honest men come by their own,'" Croyden -quoted. - -"_More_ honest men, you mean--the comparative degree." - -"Life is made up of comparatives," said Croyden. "What's the matter -now?" as Bald-head faced about and stalked back to the buggy. "Has he -quit work so soon?" - -"He has simply quit digging a hole at random," Macloud said. "My Lord, -he's taking a drink!" - -Bald-head, however, did not return to his companion. Instead, he went -out to the Bay and stood looking across the water toward the bug-light. -Then he turned and looked back toward the timber. - -He was thinking, as they had. The land had been driving inward by the -encroachment of the Bay--the beeches had, long since, disappeared, the -victims of the gales which swept the Point. There was no place from -which to start the measurements. Beyond the fact that, somewhere near -by, old Parmenter had buried his treasure, one hundred and ninety years -before, the letter was of no definite use to anyone. - -From the Point, he retraced his steps leisurely to his companion, who -had continued digging, said something--to which Hook-nose seemingly -made no reply, save by a shovel of sand--and continued directly toward -the timber. - -"Has he seen us?" said Croyden. - -"I think not--these bushes are ample protection. Lie low.... He's not -coming this way--he's going to inspect the big trees, on our left.... -They won't help you, my light-fingered friend; they're not the right -sort." - -After a time, Bald-head abandoned the search and went back to his -friend. Throwing himself on the ground, he talked vigorously, and, -apparently, to some effect, for, presently, the digging ceased and -Hook-nose began to listen. At length, he tossed the pick and shovel -aside, and lifted himself out of the hole. After a few more -gesticulations, they picked up the tools and returned to the buggy. - -"Have they decided to abandon it?" said Croyden, as they drove away. - -The thieves, themselves, answered the question. At the first heavy -undergrowth, they stopped the horse and proceeded carefully to conceal -the tools. This accomplished, they drove off toward the town. - -"Hum!" said Macloud. "So you're coming back are you? I wonder what you -intend to do?" - -"I wish we knew," Croyden returned. "It might help us--for quite -between ourselves, Macloud, I think we're stumped." - -"Our first business is to move on Washington and get the permit," -Macloud returned. "Hook-nose and his friend may have the Point, for -to-day; they're not likely to injure it. Come along!" - -They were passing the Marine Barracks when Croyden, who had been -pondering over the matter, suddenly broke out: - -"We've got to get rid of those two fellows, Colin!" - -"Granted!" said Macloud. "But how are we to manage it?" - -"We agree that we dare not have them arrested--they would blow -everything to the police. And the police would either graft us for all -the jewels are worth, or inform the Government." - -"Yes, but we may have to take the risk--or else divide up with the -thieves. Which do you prefer to do?" - -"Neither!" said Croyden. "There is another way--except killing them, -which, of course, would be the most effective. Why shouldn't we -imprison them--be our own jailers?" - -Macloud threw away his cigarette and lit another before he replied, -then he shook his head. - -"Too much risk to ourselves," he said. "Somebody would likely be killed -in the operation, with the chances strongly favoring ourselves. I'd -rather shoot them down from ambush, at once." - -"That may require an explanation to a judge and jury, which would be a -trifle inconvenient. I'd prefer to risk my life in a fight. Then, if it -came to court, our reputation is good, while theirs is in the rogues' -gallery." - -"Where would you imprison them?" asked Macloud, dubiously. - -"That is the difficulty, I admit. Think over it, while we're going to -Washington and back; see if you can't find a way out. Either we must -jug them, securely, for a week or two, or we must arrest them. On the -whole, it might be wiser to let them go free--let them make a try for -the treasure, unmolested. When they fail and retire, we can begin." - -"Your last alternative doesn't sound particularly attractive to me--or -to you, either, I fancy." - -"This isn't going to be a particularly attractive quest, if we want to -succeed," said Croyden. "Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways, I -reckon--blood and violence and sudden death. We'll try to play it -without death, however, if our opponents will permit. Such title, as -exists to Parmenter's hoard, is in me, and I am not minded to -relinquish it without a struggle. I wasn't especially keen at the -start, but I'm keen enough, now--and I don't propose to be blocked by -two rogues, if there is a way out." - -"And the way out, according to your notion, is to be our own jailers, -think you?" said Macloud. "Well, we can chew on it--the manner of -procedure is apt to keep us occupied a few hours." - -They took the next train, on the Electric Line, to Washington, Macloud -having telephoned ahead and made an appointment with Senator -Rickrose--whom, luckily, they found at the Capital--to meet them at the -Metropolitan Club for luncheon. At Fourteenth Street, they changed to a -Connecticut Avenue car, and, dismounting at Seventeenth and dodging a -couple of automobiles, entered the Pompeian brick and granite building, -the home of the Club which has the most representative membership in -the country. - -Macloud was on the non-resident list, and the door-man, with the memory -for faces which comes from long practice, greeted him, instantly, by -name, though he had not seen him for months. - -"Yes, Mr. Macloud, Senator Rickrose just came in," he said. - -They met the Senator in the Red Room. He was very tall, with a tendency -to corpulency, which, however, was lost in his great height; very -dignified, and, for one of his service, very young--of immense -influence in the councils of his party, and the absolute dictator in -his own State. Inheriting a superb machine from a "matchless -leader,"--who died in the harness--he had developed it into a well -nigh perfect organization for political control. All power was in his -hands, from the lowest to the highest, he ruled with a sway as absolute -as a despot. His word was the ultimate law--from it an appeal did not -lie. - -"How are you, old fellow?" he said to Macloud, dropping a hand on his -shoulder. "I haven't seen you for a long time--and, Mr. Croyden, I -think I have met you in Northumberland. I'm glad, indeed, to see you -both." He touched a bell. "Take the orders!" he said, to the boy. - -"Senator!" said Macloud, a little later, when they had finished -luncheon. "I want to ask a slight favor--not political however--so it -won't have to be endorsed by the organization." - -The Senator laughed. "In that event, it is granted before you ask. What -is it I can do?" - -"Have the Secretary of the Navy issue us a permit to camp on Greenberry -Point." - -"Where the devil is Greenberry Point?" said Rickrose. - -"Across the Severn River from Annapolis." - -Rickrose turned in his chair and glanced over the dining-room. Then he -raised his hand to the head waiter. - -"Has the Secretary of the Navy had luncheon?" he asked. - -"Yes, sir--before you came in." - -The Senator nodded. - -"We would better go over to the Department, at once, or we shall miss -him," he said. "Chevy Chase is the drawing card, in the afternoon." - -The reception hour was long passed, but the Secretary was in and would -see Senator Rickrose. He came forward to meet him--a tall, middle-aged, -well-groomed man, with sandy hair, whose principal recommendation for -the post he filled was the fact that he was the largest contributor to -the campaign fund in his State, and his senior senator needed him in -his business, and had refrigerated him into the Cabinet for safe -keeping--that being the only job which insured him from being a -candidate for the Senator's own seat. It is a great game, is politics! - -"Mr. Secretary!" said Rickrose, "my friends want a permit to camp for -two weeks on Greenberry Point." - -"Greenbury Point!" said the Secretary, vaguely--"that's somewhere out -in San Francisco harbor?" - -"Not the Greenberry Point they mean," the Senator replied. "It's down -at Annapolis--across the Severn from the Naval Academy, and forms part -of that command, I presume. It is waste land, unfortified and wind -swept." - -"Oh! to be sure. I know it. Why wouldn't the Superintendent give you a -permit?" turning to Macloud. "It is within his jurisdiction." - -"We didn't think to ask him," said Macloud. "We supposed it was -necessary to apply direct to you." - -"They are not familiar with the customs of the service," explained -Rickrose, "and, as I may run down to see them, just issue the permit to -me and party. The Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee is inspecting -the Point, if you need an excuse." - -"Oh, no! none whatever--however, a duplicate will be forwarded to the -Superintendent. If it should prove incompatible with the interests of -the service," smiling, "he will inform the Department, and we shall -have to revoke it." - -He rang for his stenographer and dictated the permit. When it came in, -he signed it and passed it over to Rickrose. - -"Anything else I can do for you, Senator?" he asked. - -"Not to-day, thank you, Mr. Secretary," Rickrose answered. - -"Do you actually intend to come down?" asked Macloud, when they were in -the corridor. "That will be bully." - -He shot a look at Croyden. His face was a study. Hunting the Parmenter -treasure, with the Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee as a -disinterested spectator, was rather startling, to say the least. The -Senator's reply reassured them. - -"Impossible!" he said. "The campaign opens next week, and I'm drawn as -a spell-binder in the Pacific States. That figurehead was ruffling his -feathers on you, just to show himself, so I thought I'd comb him down a -bit. You'll experience no difficulty, I fancy. If you do, wire me, and -I'll get busy. I've got to go over to the State Department now, so I'll -say good-bye--anything else you want let me know." - -"Next for a sporting goods shop," said Macloud as they went down the -steps into Pennsylvania Avenue; "for a supply of small arms and -ammunition--and, incidentally, a couple of tents. We can get a few -cooking utensils in Annapolis, but we will take our meals at Carvel -Hall. I think neither of us is quite ready to turn cook." - -"I am sure, I'm content!" laughed Croyden. "We can hire a horse and -buggy by the week, and keep them handy--better get a small tent for the -horse, while we're about it." - -They went to a shop on F Street, where they purchased three tents of -suitable size, two Winchester rifles, and a pair of Colt's military -revolvers with six-and-a-half inch barrels, and the necessary -ammunition. These they directed should be sent to Annapolis -immediately. Cots and blankets could be procured there, with whatever -else was necessary. - -They were bound up F Street, toward the Electric Station, when Macloud -broke out. - -"If we had another man with us, your imprisonment idea would not be so -difficult--we could bag our game much more easily, and guard them more -securely when we had them. As it is, it's mighty puzzling to -arrange." - -"True enough!" said Croyden, "but where is the man who is -trustworthy--not to mention willing to take the risk, of being killed -or tried for murder, for someone else's benefit? They're not many like -you, Colin." - -A man, who was looking listlessly in a window just ahead, turned away. -He bore an air of dejection, and his clothes, while well cut, were -beginning to show hard usage and carelessness. - -"Axtell!" Macloud observed--"and on his uppers!" - -"There's our man!" exclaimed Croyden. "He is down hard, a little money -with a small divide, if successful, will get him. What do you say?" - -"Nothing!" replied Macloud. "It's up to you." - -Axtell saw them; he hesitated, whether to speak or to go on. Croyden -solved the question. - -"Hello! Axtell, what are you doing here?" he said, extending his hand. - -Axtell grasped it, as a drowning man a straw. - -"You're kind to ask, Mr. Croyden! Mighty kind in one who lost so much -through us." - -"You were not to blame--Royster's responsible, and he's gone----" - -"To hell!" Axtell interrupted, bitterly. "May he burn forever!" - -"Amen to that wish!" Croyden smiled. "Meanwhile, can I do anything for -you? You're having a run of hard luck, aren't you?" - -For a moment, Axtell did not answer--he was gulping down his thoughts. - -"I am," he said. "I've just ten dollars to my name. I came here -thinking the Congressmen, who made piles through our office, would get -me something, but they gave me the marble stare. I was good enough to -tip them off and do favors for them, but they're not remembering me -now. Do you know where I can get a job?" - -"Yes--I'll give you fifty dollars and board, if you will come with us -for two weeks. Will you take it?" - -"Will I take it?--Well, rather!" - -"What you're to do, with Mr. Macloud and myself, we will disclose -later. If, then, you don't care to aid us, we must ask you to keep -silence about it." - -"I don't want to know anything!" said Axtell. "I'll do my part, and ask -no questions--and thank you for trusting me. You're the first man since -our failure, who hasn't hit me in the face--don't you think I -appreciate it?" - -"Very good!" said Croyden. "Have you any other baggage?" nodding toward -a small bag, which Axtell had in his hand. - -"No." - -"Then, come along--we're bound for Annapolis, and the car leaves in ten -minutes." - - - - -X - -PIRATE'S GOLD BREEDS PIRATE'S WAYS - - -That evening, in the seclusion of their apartment at Carvel Hall, they -took Axtell into their confidence--to a certain extent (though, again, -he protested his willingness simply to obey orders). They told him, in -a general way, of Parmenter's bequest, and how Croyden came to be the -legatee--saying nothing of its great value, however--its location, the -loss of the letter the previous evening, the episode of the thieves on -the Point, that morning, and their evident intention to return to the -quest. - -"Now, what we want to know is: are you ready to help us--unaided by the -law--to seize these men and hold them prisoners, while we search for -the treasure?" Croyden asked. "We may be killed in the attempt, or we -may kill one or both of them, and have to stand trial if detected. If -you don't want to take the risk, you have only to decline--and hold -your tongue." - -"My dear Mr. Croyden!" said Axtell, "I don't want you to pay me a -cent--just give me my board and lodging and I'll gladly aid you as long -as necessary. It's a very little thing to do for one who has lost so -much through us. You provide for our defense, if we're apprehended by -the law, and _that_" (snapping his fingers) "for the risk." - -Croyden held out his hand. - -"We'll shake hands on that, Axtell, if you please," he said; "and, if -we recover what Parmenter buried, you'll not regret it." - -The following morning saw them down at the Point with the equipage and -other paraphernalia. The men, whom they had brought from Annapolis for -the purpose, pitched the tents under the trees, ditched them, received -their pay, climbed into the wagons and rumbled away to town--puzzled -that anyone should want to camp on Greenberry Point when they had the -price of a hotel, and three square meals a day. - -"It looks pretty good," said Croyden, when the canvases were up and -everything arranged--"and we shan't lack for the beautiful in nature. -This is about the prettiest spot I've ever seen, the Chesapeake and the -broad river--the old town and the Academy buildings--the warships at -anchor--the _tout ensemble!_ We may not find the treasure, but, at -least, we've got a fine camp--though, I reckon, it is a bit breezy when -the wind is from the Bay." - -"I wonder if we should have paid our respects to the Superintendent -before poaching on his preserves?" said Macloud. - -"Hum--hadn't thought of that!" Croyden answered. "Better go in and show -ourselves to him, this afternoon. He seems to be something of a -personage down here, and we don't want to offend him. These naval -officers, I'm told, are sticklers for dignity and the prerogatives due -their rank." - -"Hold on!" exclaimed Macloud. "On that score, we've got some rank -ourselves to uphold." - -"What!" said Croyden. - -"Certainly! the Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, of the -United States Senate, is with us. According to the regulations, is it -his duty to call _first_ on the Superintendent?--that's the point." - -"Give it up!" laughed Croyden. "However, the Superintendent has a copy -of the letter, and he will know the ropes. We will wait a day, then, if -he's quiescent, it's up to us." - -"Great head!" laughed Macloud. "You should have been a diplomat, -Croyden--nothing less than an Ambassadorship for you, my boy!" - -Croyden smiled. - -"A motor boat would be mighty convenient to go back and forth to -Annapolis," he said. "Look at the one cutting through the water there, -midway across!" - -It came nearer, halted a little way off in deep water, and an officer -in uniform swept the tents and them with a glass. Then the boat put -about and went chugging upstream. - -"We didn't seem to please him," remarked Macloud, gazing after the -boat. Suddenly it turned in toward shore and made the landing at the -Experiment Station. - -"We are about to be welcomed or else ordered off--I'll take a bet -either way," said Macloud. - -"Welcomed!" Croyden responded. "Otherwise, they wouldn't have -despatched an officer--it would have been a file of marines instead. -You haven't lost the permit, Macloud!" - -"You don't seem very sure!" Macloud laughed. - -Presently, the officer appeared, walking rapidly down the roadway. As -soon as he sighted the tents, he swung over toward them. Macloud went a -few steps forward to meet him. - -"Is this Senator Rickrose?" the Lieutenant inquired. - -"No," said Macloud. "Senator Rickrose isn't coming until later. I am -one of his friends, Colin Macloud, and this is Mr. Croyden and Mr. -Axtell." - -"Very glad to meet you, gentlemen!" said the Lieutenant. "The -Superintendent presents his compliments and desires to place himself -and the Academy at your disposal." (He was instructed to add, that -Captain Boswick would pay his respects to-morrow, having been called to -Washington to-day by an unexpected wire, but the absence of the -Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee rendered it unnecessary.) - -"Thank Captain Boswick, for Senator Rickrose and us, and tell him we -appreciate his kindness exceedingly," Macloud answered. "We're camping -here for a week or so, to try sleeping in the open, under sea air. -We're not likely to prove troublesome!" he added. - -Then they took several drinks, and the aide departed. - -"So far, we're making delightful progress," said Croyden; "but there -are breakers ahead when Hook-nose and his partner get in the game. -Suppose we inspect the premises and see if they have been here in our -absence." - -They went first to the place where they had seen them conceal the -tools--these were gone; proof that the thieves had paid a second visit -to the Point. But, search as they might, no evidence of work was -disclosed. - -"What does it mean?" said Croyden. "Have they abandoned the quest?" - -"Not very likely," replied Macloud, "with half a million at stake. They -probably are seeking information; when they have it, we shall see them -back again." - -"Suppose they bring four or five others to help them?" - -"They won't--never fear!--they're not sharing the treasure with any one -else. Rather, they will knife each other for it. Honor among thieves is -like the Phoenix--it doesn't exist." - -"If the knifing business were to occur before the finding, it would -help some!" laughed Croyden. "Meantime, I'm going to look at the ruins -of the light-house. I discovered in an almanac I found in the hotel -last night, that the original light-house was erected on Greenberry -Point in 1818. This fact may help us a lot." - -They went out to the extreme edge, and stood gazing across the shoals -toward the ruins. - -"What do you make the distance from the land?" Croyden asked. - -"About one hundred yards--but it's very difficult to estimate over -water. It may be two hundred for all I can tell." - -"It is exactly three hundred and twenty-two feet from the Point to the -near side of the ruins," said Croyden. - -"Why not three hundred and twenty-two and a half feet!" scoffed -Macloud. - -"I measured it this morning while you were dawdling over your -breakfast," answered Croyden. - -"Hitched a line to the land and waded out, I suppose." - -"Not exactly; I measured it on the Government map of the Harbor. It -gives the distance as three hundred and twenty-two feet, in plain -figures." - -"I said you had a great head!" Macloud exclaimed. "Now, what's the rest -of the figures--or haven't you worked it out?" - -Croyden drew out a paper. "The calculation is of value only on the -assumption--which, however, is altogether reasonable--that the -light-house, when erected, stood on the tip of the Point. It is now -three hundred and twenty-two feet in water. Therefore, dividing -ninety-two--the number of years since erection--into three hundred and -twenty-two, gives the average yearly encroachment of the Bay as three -and a half feet. Parmenter buried the casket in 1720, just a hundred -and ninety years ago; so, multiplying a hundred and ninety by three and -a half feet gives six hundred and sixty-five feet. In other words, the -Point, in 1720, projected six hundred and sixty-five feet further out -in the Bay than it does to-day." - -"Then, with the point moved in six hundred and sixty-five feet -Parmenter's beeches should be only eighty-five feet from the shore -line, instead of seven hundred and fifty!" Macloud reflected. - -"Just so!" said Croyden. - -"But where are the beeches?" asked Axtell. - -"Disappeared!" Croyden replied. "As the Point from year to year slipped -into the Bay, the fierce gales, which sweep up the Chesapeake, -gradually ate into the timber. It is seventy years, at least, since -Parmenter's beeches went down." - -"Why shouldn't the Duvals have noticed the encroachment of the Bay, and -made a note of it on the letter?" Macloud asked. - -"Probably, because it was so gradual they did not observe it. They, -likely, came to Annapolis only occasionally, and Greenberry Point -seemed unchanged--always the same narrow stretch of sand, with large -trees to landward." - -Macloud nodded. "I reckon that's reasonable." - -"Next let us measure back eighty-five feet," said Croyden, producing a -tape-line.... "There! this is where the beech tree should stand. But -where were the other trees, and where did the two lines drawn from them -intersect?"... - -"Yes, now you have it!" said Macloud--"where were the trees, and where -did the lines intersect? I reckon you're stumped." - -"Let us try some more assuming. You had a compass yesterday, still got -it?" - -Macloud drew it out and tossed it over. - -"I took the trouble to make a number of diagrams last night, and they -disclosed a peculiar thing. With the location of the first tree fixed, -it matters little where the others were, in determining the direction -of the treasure. It is practically the same. The _objective point_ will -change as you change the position of the trees, but the _direction_ -will vary scarcely at all. It is self-evident, of course, to those who -understand such things, but it was a valuable find for me. Now, if we -are correct in our assumption, thus far, the treasure is buried----" - -He opened the compass, and having brought North under the needle, ran -his eye North-by-North-east. A queer look passed over his face, then he -glanced at Macloud and smiled. - -"The treasure is buried," he repeated--"the treasure is buried--_out in -the Bay_." - -Macloud laughed! - -"Looks as if wading would be a bit difficult," he said dryly. - -Croyden produced the tape-line again, and they measured to the low -bluff at the water's edge. - -"Two hundred and eighty-two feet to here," he said, "and Parmenter -buried the treasure at three hundred and thirty feet--therefore, it's -forty-eight feet out in the Bay." - -"Then your supposition is that, since Parmenter's time, the Bay has not -only encroached on the Point, but also has eaten in on the sides." - -"It would seem so." - -"It's hard to dig in water," Macloud remarked. "It's apt to fill in the -hole, you know." - -"Don't be sarcastic," Croyden retorted. "I'm not responsible for the -Bay, nor the Point, nor Parmenter, nor anything else connected with the -fool quest, please remember." - -"Except the present measurements and the theory on which they're -based," Macloud replied. "And as the former seem to be accurate, and -the latter more than reasonable, we'd best act on them." - -"At least, I am satisfied that the treasure lies either in the Bay, or -close on shore; if so, we have relieved ourselves from digging up the -entire Point." - -"You have given us a mighty plausible start," said Macloud. - -"Land or water?" Croyden laughed. "Hello, whom have we here?" as a -buggy emerged from among the timber, circled around, and halted before -the tents. - -"It is Hook-nose back again," said Macloud. "Come to pay a social call, -I suppose! Anything about for them to steal?" - -"Nothing but the shooting-irons." - -"They're safe--I put them under the blankets." - -"What the devil do they want?" - -"Come to treat with us--to share the treasure." - -"Hum! they've got their nerve!" exclaimed Croyden. - -By this time, they had been observed by the men in the buggy who, -immediately, came toward them. - -"Let us get away from this place!" said Croyden, and they sauntered -along landward. - -"And make them stop us--don't give the least indication that we know -them," added Macloud. - -As the buggy neared, Macloud and Croyden glanced carelessly at the -occupants, and were about to pass on, when Hook-nose calmly drew the -horse over in front of them. - -"Which of you men is named Croyden?" he asked. - -"I am," said Geoffrey. - -"Well, you're the man we're lookin' for. Geoffrey is the rest of your -handle, isn't it?" - -"You have the advantage of me," Croyden assured him. - -"Yes, I think I have, in more ways than your name. Where can we have a -little private talk?" - -"We can't!" said Croyden, stepping quickly around the horse and -continuing on his way--Macloud and Axtell following. - -"If you'd rather have it before your friends, I'm perfectly ready to -accommodate you," said the fellow. "I thought, however, you'd rather -keep the little secret. Well, we'll be waiting for you at the tents, -all right, my friend!" and he drove ahead. - -"Macloud, we are going to bag those fellows right now--and easy, too," -said Croyden. "When we get to the tents, I'll take them into one--and -give them a chance to talk. When you and Axtell have the revolvers, -with one for me, you can join us. They are armed, of course, but only -with small pistols, likely, and you should have the drop on them before -they can draw. Come, at any time--I'll let down the tent flaps on the -plea of secrecy (since they've suggested it), so you can approach with -impunity." - -"This is where _we_ get killed, Axtell!" said Macloud. "I would that I -were in my happy home, or any old place but here. But I've enlisted for -the war, so here goes! If you think it will do any good to pray, we can -just as well wait until you've put up a few. I'm not much in that line, -myself." - -"Imagine a broker praying!" laughed Axtell. - -"I can't," said Macloud. "But there seem to be no rules to the game -we're playing, so I wanted to give you the opportunity." - -As they approached the tents, Hook-nose passed the reins to Bald-head -and got out. - -"What's to do now?" asked Macloud. "They're separated." - -"Leave it to me, I'll get them together," Croyden answered.... "You -wish to see me, privately?" to Hook-nose. - -"I wish to see you--it's up to you whether to make it private or not." - -"Come along!" said Croyden, leading the way toward the tent, which was -pitched a trifle to one side.... "Now, sir, what is it?" as the flaps -dropped behind them. - -"You've a business way about you, which I like----" began Hook-nose. - -"Never mind my ways!" Croyden interrupted. "Come to the point--what do -you want?" - -"There's no false starts with you, my friend, are there!" laughed the -other. "That's the thing--bang! and we are off. Good!--we'll get to -business. You lost a letter recently----" - -"Not at all," Croyden cut in. "I had a letter _stolen_--you, I suppose, -are the thief." - -"I, or my pal--it matters not which," the fellow replied easily. "Now, -what we want, is to make some arrangement as to the division of the -treasure, when you've found it." - -"I thought as much!" said Croyden. "Well, let me tell you there won't -be any arrangement made with you, alone. You must get your pal here--I -don't agree with one. I agree with both or none." - -"Oh, very well, I'll have him in, if you wish." - -Croyden bowed. - -"I do wish," he said. - -Hook-nose went to the front of the tent and raised the flap. - -"Bill!" he called, "hitch the horse and come in." - -And Macloud and Axtell heard and understood. - -While Hook-nose was summoning his partner, Croyden very naturally -retired to the rear of the tent, thus obliging the rogues to keep their -backs to the entrance. - -"Mr. Smith, this is Mr. Croyden!" said Hook-nose. - -"I'm glad to make your acquaint----" began Smith. - -"There is no need for an introduction," Croyden interrupted curtly. -"You're thieves, by profession, and blackmailers, in addition. Get down -to business, if you please!" - -"You're not overly polite, my friend--but we'll pass that by. You're -hell for business, and that's our style. You understand, I see, that -this treasure hunt has got to be kept quiet. If anyone peaches, the -Government's wise and Parmenter's chest is dumped into its strong -box--that is, as much as is left after the officials get their own -flippers out. Now, my idea is for you people to do the searching, and, -when the jewels is found, me and Bill will take half and youn's half. -Then we all can knock off work, and live respectable." - -"Rather a good bargain for you," said Croyden. "We supply the -information, do all the work and give up half the spoils--for what, -pray?" - -"For our silence, and an equal share in the information. You have -doubtless forgot that we have the letter now." - -"And what if I refuse?" Croyden asked. - -"You're not likely to refuse!" the fellow laughed, impudently. "Better -half a big loaf than no loaf at all." - -"But _if_ I refuse?" Croyden repeated. - -"I see what's in your mind, all right. But it won't work, and you know -it. You can have us arrested, yes--and lose your plunder. Parmenter's -money belongs to the United States because it's buried in United States -land. A word to the Treasury Department, with the old pirate's letter, -and the jig is up. We'll risk your giving us to the police, my friend!" -with a sneering laugh. "If you're one to throw away good money, I miss -my guess." - -Croyden affected to consider. - -"I forgot to say, that as you're fixed so comfortable here, me and Bill -might as well stay with you--it will be more convenient, when you -uncover the chest, you know; in the excitement, you're liable to forget -that we come in for a share." - -"Anything else you are moved to exact?" said Croyden. His ears were -primed, and they told him that Macloud and Axtell were coming--"Let us -have them all, so I can decide--I want no afterthoughts." - -"You've got them all--and very reasonable they are!" laughed -Hook-nose. - -Just then, Macloud and Axtell stepped noiselessly into the tent. - -Something in Croyden's face caused Hook-nose's laugh to end abruptly. -He swung sharply around--and faced Macloud's leveled revolver--Axtell's -covered his pal. - -"Hands up! Both of you!"--Croyden cried--"None of that, -Hook-nose!--make another motion to draw a gun, and we'll scatter your -brains like chickenfeed." His own big revolver was sticking out of -Macloud's pocket. He took it. "Now, I'll look after you, while my -friends tie up your pal, and the first one to open his head gets a -bullet down his throat." - -"Hands behind your back, Bald-head," commanded Axtell, briskly. "Be -quick about it, Mr. Macloud is wonderfully easy on the trigger. So, -that's better! just hold them there a moment." - -He produced a pair of nippers, and snapped them on. - -"Now, lie down and put your feet together--closer! closer!" Another -pair were snapped on them. - -"Now, I'll do for you," Axtell remarked, turning toward Hook-nose. - -With Croyden's and Macloud's guns both covering him, the fellow was -quickly secured. - -"With your permission, we will search you," said Croyden. "Macloud, if -you will look to Mr. Smith, I'll attend to Hook-nose. We'll give them a -taste of their own medicine." - -"You think you're damn smart!" exclaimed Hook-nose. - -"Shut up!" said Croyden. "I don't care to shoot a prisoner, but I'll do -it without hesitation. It's going to be either perfect quiet or -permanent sleep--and you may do the choosing." - -He slowly went through Hook-nose's clothes--finding a small pistol, -several well-filled wallets, and, in his inside waistcoat pocket, the -Parmenter letter. Macloud did the same for Bald-head. - -"You stole one hundred and seventy-nine dollars from Mr. Macloud and -one hundred and eight from me," said Croyden. "You may now have the -privilege of returning it, and the letter. If you make no more trouble, -lie quiet and take your medicine, you'll receive no further harm. If -you're stubborn, we'll either kill you and dump your bodies in the Bay, -or give you up to the police. The latter would be less trouble, for, -without the letter, you can tell your story to the Department, or -whomever else you please--it's your word against ours--and you are -thieves!" - -"How long are you going to hold us prisoners?" asked Bald-head--"till -you find the treasure? Oh, Lord!" - -"As long as it suits our convenience." - -"And luck is with you," Hook-nose sneered. - -"At present, it _is_ with us--very much with us, my friend," said -Croyden. "You will excuse us, now, we have pressing business, -elsewhere." - -When they were out of hearing, Macloud said: - -"Doesn't our recovery of Parmenter's letter change things very -materially?" - -"It seems to me it does," Croyden answered. "Indeed, I think we need -fear the rogues no longer--we can simply have them arrested for the -theft of our wallets, or even release them entirely." - -"Arrest is preferable," said Macloud. "It will obviate all danger of -our being shot at long range, by the beggars. Let us put them where -they're safe, for the time." - -"But the arrest must not be made here!" interposed Croyden. "We can't -send for the police: if they find them here it would give color to -their story of a treasure on Greenberry Point." - -"Then Axtell and I will remain on guard, while you go to town and -arrange for their apprehension--say, just as they come off the Severn -bridge. When you return, we can release them." - -"What if they don't cross the Severn--what if they scent our game, and -keep straight on to Baltimore? They can abandon their team, and catch a -Short Line train at a way station." - -"Then the Baltimore police can round them up. I'm for chancing it. -They've lost Parmenter's letter; haven't anything to substantiate their -story. Furthermore, we have a permit for the Chairman of the Naval -Affairs Committee and friends to camp here. I think that, now, we can -afford to ignore them--the recovery of the letter was exceedingly -lucky." - -"Very good!" said Macloud--"you're the one to be satisfied; it's a -whole heap easier than running a private prison ourselves." - -Croyden looked the other's horse over carefully, so he could describe -it accurately, then they hitched up their own team and he drove off to -Annapolis. - -In due time, he returned. - -"It's all right!" he said. "I told the Mayor we had passed two men on -the Severn bridge whom we identified as those who picked our pockets, -Wednesday evening, in Carvel Hall--and gave him the necessary -descriptions. He recognized the team as one of 'Cheney's Best,' and -will have the entire police force--which consists of four men--waiting -at the bridge on the Annapolis side." He looked at his watch. "They are -there, now, so we can turn the prisoners loose." - -Croyden and Macloud resumed their revolvers, and returned to the -tent--to be greeted with a volley of profanity which, for fluency and -vocabulary, was distinctly marvelous. Gradually, it died away--for want -of breath and words. - -"Choice! Choice!" said Croyden. "In the cuss line, you two are the real -thing. Why didn't you open up sooner?--you shouldn't hide such -proficiency from an admiring world." - -Whereat it flowed forth afresh from Hook-nose. Bald-head, however, -remained quiet, and there was a faint twinkle in his eyes, as though he -caught the humor of the situation. They were severely cramped, and in -considerable pain, but their condition was not likely to be benefited -by swearing at their captors. - -"Just listen to him!" said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start. -"Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you'll be quiet a moment, like -your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you'll not be averse -to hear.... So, that's better. We're about to release you--let you go -free; it's too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns -of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the -public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?... -Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves--you'll, likely, -find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes." - -Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head -grinned broadly. - -"Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your -carriage! Forward, march!" - -And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up -the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in. - -"We wish you a very good day!" said Croyden. "Drive on, please!" - - - - -XI - -ELAINE CAVENDISH - - -"May we have seen the last of you!" said Macloud, as the buggy -disappeared among the trees; "and may the police provide for you in -future." - -"And while you're about it," said Croyden, "you might pray that we find -the treasure--it would be quite as effective." He glanced at his watch. -"It's four o'clock. Now, to resume where those rogues interrupted us. -We had the jewels located, somewhere, within a radius of fifty feet. -They must be, according to our theory, either on the bank or in the -Bay. We can't go at the water without a boat. Shall we tackle the land -at once? or go to town and procure a boat, and be ready for either in -the morning." - -"I have an idea," said Macloud. - -"Don't let it go to waste, old man, let's have it!" Croyden -encouraged. - -"If you can give up hearing yourself talk, for a moment, I'll try!" -laughed Macloud. "It is conceded, I believe, that digging on the Point -by day may, probably will, provoke comment and possibly investigation -as well. My idea is this. Do no work by day. Then as soon as dusky -Night has drawn her robes about her----" - -"Oh, Lord!" ejaculated Croyden, with upraised hands. - -"Then, as soon as dusky Night has drawn her robes about her," Macloud -repeated, imperturbably, "we set to work, by the light of the silvery -moon. We arouse no comment--provoke no investigation. When morning -dawns, the sands are undisturbed, and we are sleeping as peacefully as -guinea pigs." - -"And if there isn't a moon, we will set to work by the light of the -silvery lantern, I reckon!" said Croyden. - -"And, when we tackle the water, it will be in a silver boat and with -silver cuirasses and silver helmets, a la Lohengrin." - -"And I suppose, our swan-song will be played on silver flutes!" laughed -Croyden. - -"There won't be a swan-song--we're going to find Parmenter's treasure," -said Macloud. - -Leaving Axtell in camp, they drove to town, stopping at the North end -of the Severn bridge to hire a row-boat,--a number of which were drawn -up on the bank--and to arrange for it to be sent around to the far end -of the Point. At the hotel, they found a telephone call from the -Mayor's office awaiting them. - -The thieves had been duly captured, the Mayor said, and they had been -sent to Baltimore. The Chief of Detectives happened to be in the -office, when they were brought in, and had instantly recognized them as -well-known criminals, wanted in Philadelphia for a particularly -atrocious hold-up. He had, thereupon, thought it best to let the Chief -take them back with him, thus saving the County the cost of a trial, -and the penitentiary expense--as well as sparing Mr. Croyden and his -friend much trouble and inconvenience in attending court. He had had -them searched, but found nothing which could be identified. He hoped -this was satisfactory. - -Croyden assured him it was more than satisfactory. - -That night they began the hunt. That night, and every night for the -next three weeks, they kept at it. - -They tested every conceivable hypothesis. They dug up the entire zone -of suspicion--it being loose sand and easy to handle. On the plea that -a valuable ruby ring had been lost overboard while fishing, they -dragged and scraped the bottom of the Bay for a hundred yards around. -All without avail. Nothing smiled on them but the weather--it had -remained uniformly good until the last two days before. Then there had -set in, from the North-east, such a storm of rain as they had never -seen. The very Bay seemed to be gathered up and dashed over the Point. -They had sought refuge in the hotel, when the first chilly blasts of -wind and water came up the Chesapeake. As it grew fiercer,--and a -sent out for information returned with the news that their tents had -been blown away, and all trace of the camp had vanished--it was -decided that the quest should be abandoned. - -"It's a foolish hunt, anyway!" said Croyden. "We knew from the first it -couldn't succeed." - -"But we wanted to prove that it couldn't succeed," Macloud observed. -"If you hadn't searched, you always would have thought that, maybe, you -could have been successful. Now, you've had your try--and you've -failed. It will be easier to reconcile yourself to failure, than not to -have tried." - -"In other words, it's better to have tried and lost, than never to have -tried at all," Croyden answered. "Well! it's over and there's no profit -in thinking more about it. We have had an enjoyable camp, and the camp -is ended. I'll go home and try to forget Parmenter, and the jewel box -he buried down on Greenberry Point." - -"I think I'll go with you," said Macloud. - -"To Hampton!" Croyden exclaimed, incredulously. - -"To Hampton--if you can put up with me a little longer." - -A knowing smile broke over Croyden's face. - -"The Symphony in Blue?" he asked. - -"Maybe!--and maybe it is just you. At any rate, I'll come if I may." - -"My dear Colin! You know you're more than welcome, always!" - -Macloud bowed. "I'll go out to Northumberland to-night, arrange a few -matters which are overdue, and come down to Hampton as soon as I can -get away." - - * * * * * - -The next afternoon, as Macloud was entering the wide doorway of the -Tuscarora Trust Company, he met Elaine Cavendish coming out. - -"Stranger! where have you been these many weeks?" she said, giving him -her hand. - -"Out of town," he answered. "Did you miss me so much?" - -"I did! There isn't a handy dinner man around, with you and Geoffrey -both away. Dine with us this evening, will you?--it will be strictly -_en famille_, for I want to talk business." - -"Wants to talk business!" he thought, as, having accepted, he went on -to the coupon department. "It has to do with that beggar Croyden, I -reckon." - - * * * * * - -And when, the dinner over, they were sitting before the open grate -fire, in the big living room, she broached the subject without -timidity, or false pride. - -"You are more familiar with Geoffrey Croyden's affairs than any one -else, Colin," she said, crossing her knees, in the reckless fashion -women have now-a-days, and exposing a ravishing expanse of blue silk -stockings, with an unconscious consciousness that was delightfully -naive. "And I want to ask you something--or rather, several things." - -Macloud blew a whiff of cigarette smoke into the fire, and waited. - -"I, naturally, don't ask you to violate any confidence," she went on, -"but I fancy you may tell me this: was the particular business in which -Geoffrey was engaged, when I saw him in Annapolis, a success or a -failure?" - -"Why do you ask!" Macloud said. "Did he tell you anything concerning -it?" - -"Only that his return to Northumberland would depend very much on the -outcome." - -"But nothing as to its character?" - -"No," she answered. - -"Well, it wasn't a success; in fact, it was a complete failure." - -"And where is Geoffrey, now?" she asked. - -"I do not know," he replied. - -She laughed lightly. "I do not mean, where is he this minute, but where -is he in general--where would you address a wire, or a letter, and know -that it would be received?" - -He threw his cigarette into the grate and lit another. - -"I am not at liberty to tell," he said. - -"Then, it is true--he is concealing himself." - -"Not exactly--he is not proclaiming himself----" - -"Not proclaiming himself or his whereabouts to his Northumberland -friends, you mean?" - -"Friends!" said Macloud. "Are there such things as friends, when one -has been unfortunate?" - -"I can answer only for myself," she replied earnestly. - -"I believe you, Elaine----" - -"Then tell me this--is he in this country or abroad?" - -"In this country," he said, after a pause. - -"Is he in want,--I mean, in want for the things he has been used to?" - -"He is not in want, I can assure you!--and much that he was used to -having, he has no use for, now. Our wants are relative, you know." - -"Why did he leave Northumberland so suddenly?" she asked. - -"To reduce expenses. He was forced to give up the old life, so he chose -wisely, I think--to go where his income was sufficient for his needs." - -"But _is_ it sufficient?" she demanded. - -"He says it is." - -She was silent for a while, staring into the blaze. He did not -interrupt--thinking it wise to let her own thoughts shape the way. - -"You will not tell me where he is?" she said suddenly, bending her blue -eyes hard upon his face. - -"I may not, Elaine. I ought not to have told you he was not abroad." - -"This business which you and he were on, in Annapolis--it failed, you -say?" - -He nodded. - -"And is there no chance that it may succeed, some time?" - -"He has abandoned it." - -"But may not conditions change--something happen----" she began. - -"It is the sort that does not happen. In this case, abandonment spells -finis." - -"Did he know, when we were in Annapolis?" she asked. - -"On the contrary, he was very sanguine--it looked most promising -then." - -Her eyes went back to the flames. He blew ring after ring of smoke, and -waited, patiently. He was the friend, he saw, now. He could never hope -to be more. Croyden was the lucky fellow--and would not! Well, he had -his warning and it was in time. Since she was baring her soul to him, -as friend to friend, it was his duty to help her to the utmost of his -power. - -Suddenly, she uncrossed her knees and sat up. - -"I have bought all the stock, and the remaining bonds of the Virginia -Development Company, from the bank that held them as collateral for -Royster & Axtell's loan," she said. "Oh, don't be alarmed! I didn't -appear in the matter--my broker bought them in _your_ name, and paid -for them in actual money." - -"I am your friend--use me!" he said, simply. - -She arose, and bending swiftly over, kissed him on the cheek. - -"Don't, Elaine," he said. "I am, also, Geoffrey Croyden's friend, but -there are temptations which mortal man cannot resist." - -"You think so?" she smiled, leaning over the back of his chair, and -putting her head perilously close to his--"but I trust you--though I -shan't kiss you again--at least, for the present. Now, you have been so -_very_ good about the bonds, I want you to be good some more. Will you, -Colin?" - -He held his hands before him, to put them out of temptation. - -"Ask me to crawl in the grate, and see how quickly I do it!" he -declared. - -"It might prove my power, but I should lose my friend," she whispered. - -"And that would be inconvenient!" he laughed. "Come, speak up! it's -already granted, that you should know, Elaine." - -"You're a very sweet boy," she said, going back to her seat. - -"Which needs demonstration. But that you're a very sweet girl, needs no -proof--unless----" looking at her with a meaning smile. - -"Would that be proof, think you?" with a sidelong glance. - -"I should accept it as such," he averred--"whenever you choose to -confer it." - -"_Confer_ smacks of reward for service done," she said. "Will it bide -till then?" - -"Not if it may come sooner?" - -"Wait--If you choose such pay, the----" - -"I choose no pay," he interrupted. - -"Then, the reward will be in kind," she answered enigmatically. "I want -you----" She put one slender foot on the fender, and gazed at it, -meditatively, while the firelight stole covert glances at the silken -ankles thus exposed. "I want you to purchase for me, from Geoffrey -Croyden, at par, his Virginia Development Company bonds," she said. -"You can do it through your broker. I will give you a check, now----" - -"Wait!" he said; "wait until he sells----" - -"You think he won't sell?" she inquired. - -"I think he will have to be satisfied, first, as to the purchaser--in -plain words, that it isn't either you or I. We can't give Geoffrey -money! The bonds are practically worthless, as he knows only too -well." - -"I had thought of that," she said, "but, isn't it met by this very -plan? Your broker purchases the bonds for your account, but he, -naturally, declines to reveal the identity of his customer. You can, -truthfully, tell Geoffrey that _you_ are not buying them--for you're -not. And _I_--if he will only give me the chance--will assure him that -I am _not_ buying them from him--and you might confirm it, if he -asked." - -"Hum! It's juggling with the facts--though true on the face," said -Macloud, "but it's pretty thin ice we're skating on." - -"You are assuming he suspects or questions. He may take the two hundred -thousand and ask no question." - -"You don't for a moment believe that!" he laughed. - -"It _is_ doubtful," she admitted. - -"And you wouldn't think the same of him, if he did." - -"I admit it!" she said. - -"So, we are back to the thin ice. I'll do what I can; but, you forgot, -I am not at liberty to give his address to my brokers. I shall have to -take their written offer to buy, and forward it to him, which, in -itself will oblige me, at the same time, to tell him that _I_ am not -the purchaser." - -"I leave it entirely to you--manage it any way you see fit. All I ask, -is that you get him to sell. It's horrible to think of Geoffrey being -reduced to the bare necessities of life--for that's what it means, when -he goes 'where his income is sufficient for his needs.'" - -"It's unfortunate, certainly: it would be vastly worse for a woman--to -go from luxury to frugality, from everything to relatively nothing is -positively pathetic. However, Croyden is not suffering--he has an -attractive house filled with old things, good victuals, a more than -competent cook, and plenty of society. He has cut out all the -non-essentials, and does the essentials economically." - -"You have been there?" she demanded. "You speak of your own knowledge, -not from his inferences?" - -"I have been there!" he answered. - -"And the society--what of it?" she asked quickly. - -"Better than our own!" he said, instantly. - -"Indeed!" she replied with lifted eye-brows. "Our own in the aggregate -or differentiated?" - -"In the aggregate!" he laughed; "but quite the equal of our own -differentiated. If Croyden were a marrying man--with sufficient income -for two--I should give him about six months, at the outside." - -"And how much would you give one with sufficient for two--_yourself_, -for instance?" - -"Just long enough to choose the girl--and convince her of the propriety -of the choice." - -"And do you expect to join Geoffrey, soon?" meaningly. - -"As soon as I can get through here,--probably in a day or two." - -"Then, we may look for the new Mrs. Macloud in time for the holidays, I -presume.--Sort of a Christmas gift?" - -"About then--if I can pick among so many, and she ratifies the pick." - -"You haven't, yet, chosen?" - -"No!--there are so many I didn't have time to more than look them over. -When I go back, I'll round them up, cut out the most likely, and try to -tie and brand her." - -"Colin!" cried Miss Cavendish. "One would think, from your talk, that -Geoffrey was in a cowboy camp, with waitresses for society." - -He grinned, and lighted a fresh cigarette. - -She tossed him an alluring look. - -"And nothing can induce you to tell me the location of the camp?" she -implored. - -He smoked, a bit, in silence. Should he or should he not?... - -"No!--not now!" he said, slowly. "Let us try the bond matter, first. If -he sells, I think he will return; if not, I'll then consider telling." - -"You're a good fellow, Colin, dear!" she whispered, leaning over and -giving his hand an affectionate little pat. "You're so nice and -comfortable to have around--you never misunderstand, nor draw -inferences that you shouldn't." - -"Which means, I'm not to draw inferences now?" he said. - -"Nor at any other time," she remarked. - -"And the reward?" - -"Will be forthcoming," with an alluring smile. - -"I've a mind to take part payment now," said he, intercepting the hand -before she could withdraw it. - -"If you can, sir!" whisking it loose, and darting around a table. - -"A challenge, is it? Oh, very well!" and he sprang after. - -With a swift movement, she swept up her skirts and fled--around chairs, -and tables, across rugs, over sofas and couches--always manoeuvring to -gain the doorway, yet always finding him barring the way;--until, at -last, she was forced to refuge behind a huge davenport, standing with -one end against the wall. - -"Now, will you surrender?" he demanded, coming slowly toward her in the -cul de sac. - -She shook her head, smiling the while. - -"I'll be merciful," he said. "It is five steps, until I reach -you--One!--Will you yield?" - -"No!" - -"Two!--will you yield?" - -"No!" - -"Three!--will you yield?" - -"No!" - -"Four----" - -Quick as thought, she dropped one hand on the back of the davenport; -there was a flash of slippers, lingerie and silk, and she was across -and racing for the door, now fair before her, leaving him only the echo -of a mocking laugh. - -"Five!" she counted, tauntingly, from the hall. "Why don't you -continue, sir?" - -"I stop with four," he said. "I'll be good for to-night, Elaine--you -need have no further fear." - -She tossed her head ever so slightly, while a bantering look came into -her eyes. - -"I'm not much afraid of you, now--nor any time," she answered. "But you -have more courage than I would have thought, Colin--decidedly more!" - - - - -XII - -ONE LEARNED IN THE LAW - - -It was evening, when Croyden returned to Hampton--an evening which -contained no suggestion of the Autumn he had left behind him on the -Eastern Shore. It was raw, and damp, and chill, with the presage of -winter in its cold; the leaves were almost gone from the trees, the -blackening hand of frost was on flower and shrubbery. As he passed up -the dreary, deserted street, the wind was whistling through the -branches over head, and moaning around the houses like spirits of the -damned. - -He turned in at Clarendon--shivering a little at the prospect. He was -beginning to appreciate what a winter spent under such conditions -meant, where one's enjoyments and recreations are circumscribed by the -bounds of comparatively few houses and few people--people, he -suspected, who could not understand what he missed, of the hurly-burly -of life and amusement, even if they tried. Their ways were sufficient -for them; they were eminently satisfied with what they had; they could -not comprehend dissatisfaction in another, and would have no patience -with it. - -He could imagine the dismalness of Hampton, when contrasted with the -brightness of Northumberland. The theatres, the clubs, the constant -dinners, the evening affairs, the social whirl with all that it -comprehended, compared with an occasional dinner, a rare party, -interminable evenings spent, by his own fireside, alone! Alone! Alone! - -To be sure, Miss Carrington, and Miss Borden, and Miss Lashiel, and -Miss Tilghman, would be available, when they were home. But the winter -was when they went visiting, he remembered, from late November until -early April, and, at that period, the town saw them but little. There -was the Hampton Club, of course, but it was worse than nothing--an -opportunity to get mellow and to gamble, innocent enough to those who -were habituated to it, but dangerous to one who had fallen, by -adversity, from better things.... - -However, Macloud would be there, shortly, thank God! And the dear girls -were not going for a week or so, he hoped. And, when the worst came, he -could retire to the peacefulness of his library and try to eke out a -four months' existence, with the books, and magazines and papers. - -Moses held open the door, with a bow and a flourish, and the lights -leaped out to meet him. It was some cheer, at least, to come home to a -bright house, a full larder, faithful servants--and supper ready on the -table, and tuned to even a Clubman's taste. - -"Moses, do you know if Miss Carrington's at home?" he asked, the coffee -on and his cigar lit. - -"Yass, seh! her am home, seh, I seed she herse'f dis mornin' cum down -de parf from de front poach wid de dawg, seh." - -Croyden nodded and went across the hall to the telephone. - -Miss Carrington, herself, answered his call.--Yes, she intended to be -home all evening. She would be delighted to see him and to hear a full -account of himself. - -He was rather surprised at his own alacrity, in finishing his cigar and -changing his clothes--and he wondered whether it was the girl, or the -companionship, or the opportunity to be free of himself? A little of -all three, he concluded.... But, especially, the _girl_, as she came -from the drawing-room to meet him. - -"So you have really returned," she said, as he bowed over her slender -fingers. "We were beginning to fear you had deserted us." - -"You are quite too modest," he replied. "You don't appreciate your own -attractions." - -The "you" was plainly singular, but she refused to see it. - -"Our own attractions require us to be modest," she returned; "with -a--man of the world." - -"Don't!" he laughed. "Whatever I may have been, I am, now, a man of -Hampton." - -She shook her head. "You can never be a man of Hampton." - -"Why not, if I live among you?" - -"If you live here--take on our ways, our beliefs, our mode of thinking, -you may, in a score of years, grow like us, outwardly; but, inwardly, -where the true like must start, _never_!" - -"How do we differ?" - -"Ask me something easier! You've been bred differently, used to -different things, to doing them in a different way. We do things -slowly, leisurely, with a fine disregard of time, you, with the modern -rush, and bustle, and hurry. You are a man of the world--I repeat -it--up to the minute in everything--never lagging behind, unless you -wish. You never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. We never -do anything to-day that can be put off till to-morrow." - -"And which do you prefer, the to-day or the to-morrow?" he asked. - -"It depends on my humor, and my location, at the time--though, I must -admit, the to-day makes for thrift, and business, and success in -acquiring wealth." - -"And success also in getting rid of it. It is a return toward the -primitive condition--the survival of the fittest. There must be losers -as well as acquirers." - -"There's the pity of it!" she exclaimed, "that one must lose in order -that another may gain." - -"But as we are not in Utopia or Altruria," he smiled, "it will continue -so to be. Why, even in Baltimore, they----" - -"Oh, Baltimore is only an overgrown country town!" she exclaimed. - -"Granted!" he replied. "With half a million population, it is as -provincial as Hampton, and thanks God for it--the most smug, -self-satisfied, self-sufficient municipality in the land, with its -cobblestones, its drains-in-the-gutters, its how much-holier-than-thou -air about everything." - -"But it has excellent railway facilities!" she laughed. - -"Because it happens to be on the main line between Washington and the -North." - -"At least, the people are nice, barring a few mushrooms who are making -a great to-do." - -"Yes, the people _are_ delightful!--And, when it comes to mushrooms, -Northumberland has Baltimore beaten to a frazzle. We raise a fresh crop -every night." - -"Northumberland society must be exceedingly large!" she laughed. - -"It is--but it's not overcrowded. About as many die every day, as are -born every night; and, at any rate, they don't interfere with those who -really belong--except to increase prices, and the cost of living, and -clog the avenue with automobiles." - -"That is progress!" - -"Yes, it's progress! but whither it leads no one knows--to the devil, -likely--or a lemon garden." - -"'Blessed are the lemons on earth, for they shall be peaches in -Heaven!'" she quoted. - -"What a glorious peach your Miss Erskine will be," he replied. - -"I'm afraid you don't appreciate the great honor the lady did you, in -condescending to view the _treasures_ of Clarendon, and to talk about -them afterward. To hear her, she is the most intimate friend you have -in Hampton." - -"Good!" he said, "I'm glad you told me. Somehow, I'm always drawing -lemons." - -"Am I a lemon?" she asked, abruptly. - -"You! do you think you are?" - -"One can never know." - -"Have I drawn _you_?" he inquired. - -"Quite immaterial to the question, which is: A lemon or not a lemon?" - -"If you could but see yourself at this moment, you would not ask," he -said, looking at her with amused scrutiny. - -The lovely face, the blue black hair, the fine figure in the simple -pink organdie, the slender ankles, the well-shod feet--a lemon! - -"But as I can't see myself, and have no mirror handy, your testimony is -desired," she insisted. "A lemon or not a lemon?" - -"A lemon!" he answered. - -"Then you can't have any objection----" - -"If you bring Miss Erskine in?" he interrupted. "Nay! Nay! _Nay!_ NAY!" - -"----if I take you there for a game of Bridge--shall we go this very -evening?" - -"If you wish," he answered. - -She laughed. "I don't wish--and we are growing very silly. Come, tell -about your Annapolis trip. You stayed a great while." - -"Something more than three weeks!" - -"It's a queer old town, Annapolis--they call it the 'Finished City!' -It's got plenty of landmarks, and relics, but nothing more. If it were -not for the State Capitol and Naval Academy, it would be only a lot of -ruins, lost in the sand. In midsummer, it's absolutely dead. No one on -the streets, no one in the shops, no one any place.--Deserted--until -there's a fire. Then you should see them come out!" - -"That is sufficiently expressed!" laughed Croyden. "But, with the -autumn and the Academy in session, the town seemed very much alive. We -sampled 'Cheney's Best,' Wegard's Cakes, and saw the Custard-and-Cream -Chapel." - -"You've been to Annapolis, sure!" she replied. "There's only one thing -more--did you see Paul Jones?" - -He shook his head. "We missed him." - -"Which isn't surprising. You can't find him without the aid of a -detective or a guide." - -"Then, who ever finds him?" - -"No one!--and there is the shame. We accepted the vast labors and the -money of our Ambassador to France in locating the remains of America's -first Naval Hero; we sent an Embassy and a warship to bring them back; -we received them with honor, orated over them, fired guns over them. -And then, when the spectators had departed--assuming they were to be -deposited in the crypt of the Chapel--we calmly chucked them away on a -couple of trestles, under a stairway in Bancroft Hall, as we would an -old broom or a tin can. That's _our_ way of honoring the only Naval -Commander we had in the Revolution. It would have been better, much -better, had we left him to rest in the quiet seclusion of his grave in -France--lost, save in memory, with the halo of the past and privacy of -death around him." - -"And why didn't we finish the work?" said Croyden. "Why bring him here, -with the attendant expense, and then stop, just short of completion? -Why didn't we inter him in the Chapel (though, God save me from burial -there), or any place, rather than on trestles under a stairway in a -midshipmen's dormitory?" - -"Because the appropriation was exhausted, or because the Act wasn't -worded to include burial, or because the Superintendent didn't want the -bother, or because it was a nuisance to have the remains around--or -some other absurd reason. At all events, he is there in the cellar, and -he is likely to stay there, till Bancroft Hall is swallowed up by the -Bay. The junket to France, the parade, the speeches, the spectacular -part are over, so, who cares for the entombment, and the respect due -the distinguished dead?" - -"I don't mean to be disrespectful," he observed, "but it's hard luck to -have one's bones disturbed, after more than a hundred years of -tranquillity, to be conveyed clear across the Atlantic, to be orated -over, and sermonized over, and, then, to be flung aside like old junk -and forgot. However, we have troubles of our own--I know I have--more -real than Paul Jones! He may be glad he's dead, so he won't have any to -worry over. In fact, it's a good thing to be dead--one is saved from a -heap of worry." - -She looked at him, without replying. - -"What's the use?" he said. "A daily struggle to procure fuel sufficient -to keep up the fire." - -"What's the use of anything! Why not make an end of life, at once?" she -asked. - -"Sometimes, I'm tempted," he admitted. "It's the leap in the dark, and -no returning, that restrains, I reckon--and the fact that we must face -it alone. Otherwise----" - -She laughed softly. "Otherwise death would have no terrors! You have -begged the question, or what amounts to it. But, to return to -Annapolis; what else did you see?" - -"You have been there?" - -"Many times." - -"Then you know what I saw," he replied. "I had no wonderful -adventures. This isn't the day of the rapier and the mask." - -She half closed her eyes and looked at him through the long lashes. - -"What were you doing down on Greenberry Point?" she demanded. - -"How did you know?" he asked, surprised. - -"Oh! very naturally. I was in Annapolis--I saw your name on the -register--I inquired--and I had the tale of the camp. No one, however, -seemed to think it queer!" laughing. - -"Why should they? Camping out is entirely natural," Croyden answered. - -"With the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs?" - -"We were in his party!" - -"A party which until five days ago he had not joined--at least, so the -Superintendent told me, when I dined at his house. He happened to -mention your name, found I knew you--and we gossiped. Perhaps we -shouldn't, but we did." - -"What else did he tell you?" - -"Nothing! he didn't seem even to wonder at your being there----" - -"But _you_ did?" - -"It's the small town in me, I suppose--to be curious about other people -and their business; and it was most suspicious." - -"What was most suspicious?" he asked. - -"Your actions. First, you hire a boat and cross the Bay direct from -Hampton to Annapolis. Second, you procure, through Senator Rickrose, a -permit from the Secretary of the Navy to camp on Greenberry Point. -Third, you actually do camp, there, for nearly, or quite three weeks. -Query:--Why? Why go clear to the Western Shore, and choose a -comparatively inaccessible and exposed location on United States -property, if the idea were only a camp? Why not camp over on Kent -Island, or on this coast? Anywhere, within a few miles of Hampton, -there are scores of places better adapted than Greenberry Point." - -"You should be a story teller!" he laughed. "Your imagination is -marvelous. With a series of premises, you can reach whatever conclusion -you wish--you're not bound by the probabilities." - -"You're simply obscuring the point," she insisted. "In this instance, -my premises are facts which are not controverted. You admit them to be -correct. So, why? Why?----" She held up her hand. "Don't answer! I'm -not asking for information. I don't want to be told. I'm simply -'chaffing of you,' don't you know!" - -"With just a lingering curiosity, however," he added. - -"A casual curiosity, rather," she amended. - -"Which, some time, I shall gratify. You've trailed me down--we _were_ -on Greenberry Point for a purpose, but nothing has come of it, yet--and -it's likely a failure." - -"My dear Mr. Croyden, I don't wish to know. It was a mistake to refer -to it. I should simply have forgot what I heard in Annapolis--I'll -forget now, if you will permit." - -"By no means, Miss Carrington. You can't forget, if you would--and I -would not have you, if you could. Moreover, I inherited it along with -Clarendon, and, as you were my guide to the place, it's no more than -right that you should know. I think I shall confide in you--no use to -protest, it's got to come!" he added. - -"You are determined?--Very well, then, come over to the couch in the -corner, where we can sit close and you can whisper." - -He arose, with alacrity. She put out her hand and led him--and he -suffered himself to be led. - -"Now!" when they were seated, "you may begin. Once upon a time----" and -laughed, softly. "I'll take this, if you've no immediate use for it," -she said, and released her hand from his. - -"For the moment," he said. "I shall want it back, presently, however." - -"Do you, by any chance, get all you want?" she inquired. - -"Alas! no! Else I would have kept what I already had." - -She put her hands behind her, and faced around. - -"Begin, sir!" she said. "Begin! and try to be serious." - -"Well,--once upon a time----" Then he stopped. "I'll go over to the -house and get the letter--it will tell you much better than I can. You -will wait here, _right here_, until I return?" - -She looked at him, with a tantalizing smile. - -"Won't it be enough, if I am here _when_ you return?" she asked. - -When he came out on the piazza the rain had ceased, the clouds were -gone, the temperature had fallen, and the stars were shining brightly -in a winter sky. - -He strode quickly down the walk to the street and crossed it diagonally -to his own gates. As he passed under the light, which hung near the -entrance, a man walked from the shadow of the Clarendon grounds and -accosted him. - -"Mr. Croyden, I believe?" he said. - -Croyden halted, abruptly, just out of distance. - -"Croyden is my name?" he replied, interrogatingly. - -"With your permission, I will accompany you to your house--to which I -assume you are bound--for a few moments' private conversation." - -"Concerning what?" Croyden demanded. - -"Concerning a matter of business." - -"My business or yours?" - -"Both!" said the man, with a smile. - -Croyden eyed him suspiciously. He was about thirty years of age, tall -and slender, was well dressed, in dark clothes, a light weight -top-coat, and a derby hat. His face was ordinary, however, and Croyden -had no recollection of ever having seen it--certainly not in Hampton. - -"I'm not in the habit of discussing business with strangers, at night, -nor of taking them to my house," he answered, brusquely. "If you have -anything to say to me, say it now, and be brief. I've no time to -waste." - -"Some one may hear us," the man objected. - -"Let them--I've no objection." - -"Pardon me, but I think, in this matter, you would have objection." - -"You'll say it quickly, and here, or not at all," snapped Croyden. - -The man shrugged his shoulders. - -"It's scarcely a subject to be discussed on the street," he observed, -"but, if I must, I must. Did you ever hear of Robert Parmenter? Oh! I -see that you have! Well, the business concerns a certain letter--need I -be more explicit?" - -"If you wish to make your business intelligible." - -The fellow shrugged his shoulders again. - -"As you wish," he said, "though it only consumes time, and I was under -the impression that you were in a hurry. However: To repeat--the -business concerns a letter, which has to do with a certain treasure -buried long ago, on Greenberry Point, by the said Robert Parmenter. Do -I make myself plain, now, sir?" - -"Your language is entirely intelligible--though I cannot answer for the -facts recited." - -The man smiled imperturbably, and went on: - -"The letter in question having come into your possession recently, you, -with two companions, spent three weeks encamped on Greenberry Point, -ostensibly for your health, or the night air, or anything else that -would deceive the Naval authorities. During which time, you dug up the -entire Point, dragged the waters immediately adjoining--and then -departed, very strangely choosing for it a time of storm and change of -weather. My language is intelligible, thus far?" - -Croyden nodded--rather amused. Evidently, the thieves had managed to -communicate with a confederate, and this was a hold-up. They assumed he -had been successful. - -"Therefore, it is entirely reasonable to suppose that your search was -not ineffectual. In plain words, you have recovered the treasure." - -The man paused, waiting for an answer. - -Croyden only smiled, and waited, too. - -"Very good!--we will proceed," said the stranger. "The jewels were -found on Government land. It makes no difference whether recovered on -the Point or on the Bay--the law covering treasure trove, I am -informed, doesn't apply. The Government is entitled to the entire find, -it being the owner in fee of the land." - -"You talk like a lawyer!" said Croyden. - -The stranger bowed. "I have devoted my spare moments to the study of -the law----" - -"And how to avoid it," Croyden interjected. - -The other bowed again. - -"And also how to prevent _others_ from avoiding it," he replied, -suggestively. "Let us take up that phase, if it please you." - -"And if it doesn't please?" asked Croyden, suppressing an inclination -to laugh. - -"Then let us take it up, any way--unless you wish to forfeit your find -to the Government." - -"Proceed!" said Croyden. "We are arriving, now, at the pith of the -matter. What do you offer?" - -"We want an equal divide. We will take Parmenter's estimate and -multiply it by two, though jewels have appreciated more than that in -valuation. Fifty thousand pounds is two hundred and fifty thousand -dollars, which will total, according to the calculation, half a million -dollars,--one half of which amount you pay us as our share." - -"Your share! Why don't you call it properly--blackmail?" Croyden -demanded. - -"As you wish!" the other replied, airily. "If you prefer blackmail to -share, it will not hinder the contract--seeing that it is quite as -illegal on your part as on ours. Share merely sounds a little better -but either obtains the same end. So, suit yourself. Call it what you -will--but _pay_." - -"Pay--or what?" - -"Pay--or lose everything!" was the answer. "If you are not familiar -with the law covering the subject under discussion, let me enlighten -you." - -"Thunder! how you do roll it out!" laughed Croyden. "Get on! man, get -on!" - -"I was endeavoring to state the matter succinctly," the stranger -replied, refusing to be hurried or flustered. "The Common Law and the -practice of the Treasury Department provide, that all treasure found on -Government land or within navigable waters, is Government property. If -declared by the finder, immediately, he shall be paid such reward as -the Secretary may determine. If he does not declare, and is informed -on, the informer gets the reward. You will observe that, under the law, -you have forfeited the jewels--I fancy I do not need to draw further -deductions." - -"No!--it's quite unnecessary," Croyden remarked. "Your fellow thieves -went into that phase (good word, I like it!) rather fully, down on -Greenberry Point. Unluckily, they fell into the hands of the police, -almost immediately, and we have not been able to continue the -conversation." - -"I have the honor to continue the conversation--and, in the interim, -you have found the treasure. So, Parmenter's letter won't be -essential--the facts, circumstances, your own and Mr. Macloud's -testimony, will be sufficient to prove the Government's case. Then, as -you are aware, it's pay or go to prison for larceny." - -"There is one very material hypothesis, which you assume as a fact, but -which is, unfortunately, not a fact," said Croyden. "We did not find -the treasure." - -The man laughed, good-humoredly. - -"Naturally!" he replied. "We don't ask you to acknowledge the -finding--just pay over the quarter of a million and we will forget -everything." - -"My good man, I'm speaking the truth!" Croyden answered. "Maybe it's -difficult for you to recognize, but it's the truth, none the less. I -only wish I _had_ the treasure--I think I'd be quite willing to share -it, even with a blackmailer!" - -The man laughed, again. - -"I trust it will give no offence if I say I don't believe you." - -"You can believe what you damn please!" Croyden retorted. - -And, without more ado, he turned his back and went up the path to -Clarendon. - - - - -XII - -I COULD TELL SOME THINGS - - -When Croyden had got Parmenter's letter from the secret drawer in the -escritoire, he rang the old-fashioned pull-bell for Moses. It was only -a little after nine, and, though he did not require the to remain -in attendance until he retired, he fancied the kitchen fire still held -him. - -And he was not mistaken. In a moment Moses appeared--his eyes heavy -with the sleep from which he had been aroused. - -"Survent, marster!" he said, bowing from the doorway. - -"Moses, did you ever shoot a pistol?" Croyden asked. - -"Fur de Lawd, seh! Hit's bin so long sence I dun hit, I t'ink I'se -gun-shy, seh." - -"But you have done it?" - -"Yass, seh, I has don hit." - -"And you could do it again, if necessary?" - -"I speck so, seh--leas'wise, I kin try--dough I'se mons'us unsuttin, -seh, mons'us unsuttin!" - -"Uncertain of what--your shooting or your hitting?" - -"My hittin', seh." - -"Well, we're all of us somewhat uncertain in that line. At least you -know enough not to point the revolver toward yourself." - -"Hi!--I sut'n'y does! seh, I sut'n'y does!" said the , with a -broad grin. - -"There is a revolver, yonder, on the table," said Croyden, indicating -one of those they used on Greenberry Point. "It's a self-cocker--you -simply pull the trigger and the action does the rest. You understand?" - -"Yass, seh, I onderstands," said Moses. - -"Bring it here," Croyden ordered. - -Moses' fingers closed around the butt, a bit timorously, and he carried -it to his master. - -"I'll show you the action," said Croyden. "Here, is the ejector," -throwing the chamber out, "it holds six shots, you see: but you never -put a cartridge under the firing-pin, because, if anything strikes the -trigger, it's likely to be discharged." - -"Yass, seh!" - -Croyden loaded it, closed the cylinder, and passed it over to Moses, -who took it with a little more assurance. He was harkening back thirty -years, and more. - -"What do yo warn me to do, seh?" he asked. - -"I want you to sit down, here, while I'm away, and if any one tries to -get in this house, to-night, you're to shoot him. I'm going over to -Captain Carrington's--I'll be back by eleven o'clock. It isn't likely -you will be disturbed; if you are, one shot will frighten him off, even -if you don't hit him, and I'll hear the shot, and come back at once. -You understand?" - -"Yass, seh!--I'm to shoot anyone what tries to get in." - -"Not exactly!" laughed Croyden. "You're to shoot anyone who tries to -_break_ in. For Heaven's sake! don't shoot me, when I return, or any -one else who comes legitimately. Be sure he is an intruder, then bang -away." - -"Sut'n'y, seh! I onderstands. I'se dub'us bout hittin', but I kin bang -away right nuf. Does yo' spose any one will try to git in, seh?" - -"No, I don't!" Croyden smiled--"but you be ready for them, Moses, be -ready for them. It's just as well to provide against contingencies." - -"Yass, seh!" as Croyden went out and the front door closed behind him, -"but dem 'tingencies is monty dang'ous t'ings to fools wid. I don' -likes hit, dat's whar I don'." - -Croyden found Miss Carrington just where he had left her--a quick -return to the sofa having been synchronous with his appearance in the -hall. - -"I had a mind not to wait here," she said; "you were an inordinately -long time, Mr. Croyden." - -"I was!" he replied, sitting down beside her. "I was, and I admit -it--but it can be explained." - -"I'm listening!" she smiled. - -"Before you listen to me, listen to Robert Parmenter, deceased!" said -he, and gave her the letter. - -"Oh, this is the letter--do you mean that I am to read it?" - -"If you please!" he answered. - -She read it through without a single word of comment--an amazing thing -in a woman, who, when her curiosity is aroused, can ask more questions -to the minute than can be answered in a month. When she had finished, -she turned back and read portions of it again, especially the direction -as to finding the treasure, and the postscript bequests by the Duvals. - -At last, she dropped the letter in her lap and looked up at Croyden. - -"A most remarkable document!" she said. "Most extraordinary in its -ordinariness, and most ordinary in its extraordinariness. And you -searched, carefully, for three weeks and found--nothing?" - -"We did," he replied. "Now, I'll tell you about it." - -"First, tell me where you obtained this letter?" - -"I found it by accident--in a secret compartment of an escritoire at -Clarendon," he answered. - -She nodded. - -"Now you may tell me about it?" she said, and settled back to listen. - -"This is the tale of Parmenter's treasure--and how we did _not_ find -it!" he laughed. - -Then he proceeded to narrate, briefly, the details--from the finding of -the letter to the present moment, dwelling particularly on the episode -of the theft of their wallets, the first and second coming of the -thieves to the Point, their capture and subsequent release, together -with the occurrence of this evening, when he was approached, by the -well-dressed stranger, at Clarendon's gates. - -And, once again, marvelous to relate, Miss Carrington did not -interrupt, through the entire course of the narrative. Nor did she -break the silence for a time after he had concluded, staring -thoughtfully, the while, down into the grate, where a smouldering back -log glowed fitfully. - -"What do you intend to do, as to the treasure?" she asked, slowly. - -"Give it up!" he replied. "What else is there to do?" - -"And what about this stranger?" - -"He _must_ give it up!" laughed Croyden. "He has no recourse. In the -words of the game, popular hereabout, he is playing a bobtail!" - -"But he doesn't know it's a bobtail. He is convinced you found the -treasure," she objected. - -"Let him make whatever trouble he can, it won't bother me, in the -least." - -"He is not acting alone," she persisted. "He has confederates--they may -attack Clarendon, in an effort to capture the treasure." - -"My dear child! this is the twentieth century, not the seventeenth!" he -laughed. "We don't 'stand-by to repel boarders,' these days." - -"Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways!" she answered. - -He stared at her, in surprise. - -"Rather queer!--I've heard those same words before, in this -connection." - -"Community of minds." - -"Is it a quotation?" he asked. - -"Possibly--though I don't recall it. Suppose you are attacked and -tortured till you reveal where you've hidden the jewels?" she -insisted. - -"I cannot suppose them so unreasonable!" he laughed, again. "However, I -put Moses on guard--with a big revolver and orders to fire at anyone -molesting the house. If we hear a fusillade we'll know it's he shooting -up the neighborhood." - -"Then the same idea _did_ suggest itself to you!" - -"Only to the extent of searching for the jewels--I regarded that as -vaguely possible, but there isn't the slightest danger of any one being -tortured." - -"You know best, I suppose," she said--"but you've had your warning--and -pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. You've given up all hope of finding -the treasure--abandoned jewels worth--how many dollars?" - -"Possibly half a million," he filled in. - -"Without a further search? Oh! Mr. Croyden!" - -"If you can suggest what to do--anything which hasn't been done, I -shall be only too glad to consider it." - -"You say you dug up the entire Point for a hundred yards inland?" - -"We did." - -"And dredged the Bay for a hundred yards?" - -"Yes." - -She puckered her brows in thought. He regarded her with an amused -smile. - -"I don't see what you're to do, except to do it all over again," she -announced--"Now, don't laugh! It may sound foolish, but many a thing -has been found on a second seeking--and this, surely, is worth a -second, or a third, or even many seekings." - -"If there were any assurance of ultimate success, it would pay to spend -a lifetime hunting. The two essentials, however, are wanting: the -extreme tip of Greenberry Point in 1720, and the beech-trees. We made -the best guess at their location. More than that, the zone of -exploration embraced every possible extreme of territory--yet, we -failed. It will make nothing for success to try again." - -"But it is somewhere!" she reflected. - -"Somewhere, in the Bay!--It's shoal water, for three or four hundred -feet around the Point, with a rock bottom. The Point itself has been -eaten into by the Bay, down to this rock. Parmenter's chest disappeared -with the land in which it was buried, and no man will find it now, -except by accident." - -"It seems such a shame!" she exclaimed. "A fortune gone to waste!" - -"Without anyone having the fun of wasting it!" laughed Croyden. - -She took up Parmenter's letter again, and glanced over it. Then she -handed it back, and shook her head. - -"It's too much for my poor brain," she said. "I surrender." - -"Precisely where we landed. We gave it rather more than a fair trial, -and, then, we gave it up. I'm done. When I go home, to-night, I shall -return the letter to the escritoire where I found it, and forget it. -There is no profit in speculating further." - -"You can return it to its hiding place," she reflected, "but you can't -cease wondering. Why didn't Marmaduke Duval get the treasure while the -landmarks were there? Why did he leave it for his heirs?" - -"Probably on account of old Parmenter's restriction that it be left -until the 'extremity of need.'" - -She nodded, in acquiescence. - -"Probably," she said, "the Duvals would regard it as a matter of honor -to observe the exact terms of the bequest. Alas! Alas! that they did -so!" - -"It's only because they did so, that I got a chance to search!" Croyden -laughed. - -"You mean that, otherwise, there would be no buried treasure!" she -exclaimed. "Of course!--how stupid! And with all that money, the Duvals -might have gone away from Hampton--might have experienced other -conditions. Colonel Duval might never have met your father--you might -have never come to Clarendon.--My goodness! Where does it end?" - -"In the realm of pure conjecture," he answered. "It is idle to theorize -on the might-have-beens, or what might-have-happened if the -what-did-happen hadn't happened. Dismiss it, at least, for this -evening. You asked what I was doing for three weeks at Annapolis, and I -have consumed a great while in answering--let us talk of something -else. What have you been doing in those three weeks?" - -"Nothing! A little Bridge, a few riding parties, some sails on the Bay, -with an occasional homily by Miss Erskine, when she had me cornered, -and I couldn't get away. Then is when I learned what a deep impression -you had made!" she laughed. - -"We both were learning, it seems," he replied. - -She looked at him, inquiringly. - -"I don't quite understand," she said. - -"You made an impression, also--of course, that's to be expected, but -this impression is much more than the ordinary kind!" - -_"Merci, Monsieur_," she scoffed. - -"No, it isn't _merci_, it's a fact. And he is a mighty good fellow on -whom to make an impression." - -"You mean, Mr.--Macloud?" - -"Just so! I mean Macloud." - -"You're very safe in saying it!" - -"Wherefore?" - -"He is absent. It's not susceptible of proof." - -"You think so?" - -"Yes, I think so!" - -"I don't!" - -She shrugged her shoulders. - -"For he's coming back----" - -"To Hampton?" - -"To Hampton." - -"When?" she said, sceptically. - -"Very soon!" - -"Delightfully indefinite!" she laughed. - -"In fact, within a week." - -She laughed, again! - -"To be accurate, I expect him not later than the day-after-to-morrow." - -"I shall believe you, when I see him!" incredulously. - -"He is, I think, coming solely on your account." - -"But you're not quite sure?--oh! modest man!" - -"Naturally, he hasn't confided in me." - -"So you're confiding in me--how clever!" - -"I could tell some things----" - -"Which are fables." - -"----but I won't--they might turn your head----" - -"Which way--to the right or left?" - -"----and make you too confident and too cruel. He saw you but -twice----" - -"Once!" she corrected. - -"Once, on the street; again, when we called in the evening--but he gave -you a name, the instant he saw you----" - -"How kind of him!" - -"He called you: 'The Symphony in Blue.'" - -"Was I in blue?" she asked. - -"You were--and looking particularly fit." - -"Was that the first time you had noticed it?" she questioned blandly. - -"Do you think so?" he returned. - -"I am asking you, sir." - -"Do I impress you as being blind?" - -"No, you most assuredly do not!" she laughed. - -He looked at her with daring eyes. - -"Yes!" she said, "I know you're intrepid--but you _won't_!" - -"Why?--why won't I?" - -"Because, it would be false to your friend. You have given me to him." - -"I have given you to him!" he exclaimed, with denying intonation. - -"Yes!--as between you two, you have renounced, in his favor." - -"I protest!" - -"At least, I so view it," with a teasingly fascinating smile. - -"I protest!" he repeated. - -"I heard you." - -"I protest!" he reiterated. - -"Don't you think that you protest over-much?" she inquired sweetly. - -"If we were two children, I'd say: 'You think you're smart, don't -you?'" - -"And I'd retort: 'You got left, didn't you?'" - -Then they both laughed. - -"Seriously, however--do you really expect Mr. Macloud?" she asked. - -"I surely do--probably within two days; and I'm not chaffing when I say -that you're the inducement. So, be good to him--he's got more than -enough for two, I can assure you." - -"Mercenary!" she laughed. - -"No--just careful!" he answered. - -"And what number am I--the twenty-first, or thereabout?" - -"What matters it, if you're _the_ one, at present?" - -She raised her shoulders in the slightest shrug. - -"I'd sooner be the present one than all the has-beens," he insisted. - -"Opinions differ," she remarked. - -"If it will advantage any----" - -"I didn't say so," she interrupted. - -"----I can tell you----" - -"Many fables, I don't doubt!" she cut in, again. - -"----that we have been rather intimate, for a few years, and I have -never before known him to exhibit particular interest in any woman." - -"'Why don't you speak for yourself, John,'" she quoted, merrily. - -"Because, to be frank, I haven't enough for two," he answered, gayly. - -But beneath the gayety, she thought she detected the faintest note of -regret. So! there was some one! - -And, woman-like, when he had gone, she wondered about her--whether she -was dark or fair, tall or small, vivacious or reserved, flirtatious or -sedate, rich or poor--and whether they loved each other--or whether it -was he, alone, who loved--or whether he had not permitted himself to be -carried so far--or whether--then, she dropped asleep. - -Croyden went back to Clarendon, keeping a sharp look-out for anyone -under the trees around the house. He found Moses in the library, -evidently just aroused from slumber by the master's door key. - -"No one's bin heah, seh, 'cep de boy wid dis 'spatch," he hastened to -say. - -Croyden tore open the envelope:--It was a wire from Macloud, that he -would be down to-morrow. - -"You may go to bed, Moses." - -"Yass, seh! yass, seh!--I'se pow'ful glad yo's back, seh. Nothin' I kin -git yo befo I goes?" - -"Nothing!" said Croyden. "You're a good soldier, Moses, you didn't -sleep on guard." - -"No, seh! I keps wide awake, Marster Croyden, wide awake all de time, -seh. Survent, seh!" and, with a bow, he disappeared. - -Croyden finished his cigar, put out the light, and went slowly -upstairs--giving not a thought to the Parmenter treasure nor the man he -had met outside. His mind was busy with Elaine Cavendish--their last -night on the moonlit piazza--the brief farewell--the lingering pressure -of her fingers--the light in her eyes--the subdued pleasure, when they -met unexpectedly in Annapolis--her little ways to detain him, keep him -close to her--her instant defense of him at Mattison's scurrilous -insinuation--the officers' hop--the rhythmic throb of the melody--the -scented, fluttering body held close in his arms--the lowered head--the -veiled eyes--the trembling lashes--his senses steeped in the fragrance -of her beauty--the temptation well-nigh irresistible--his resolution -almost gone--trembling--trembling---- - - * * * * * - -The vision passed--music ceased--the dance was ended. Sentiment -vanished--reason reigned once more. - -He was a fool! a fool! to think of her, to dream of the past, even. But -it is pleasant, sometimes, to be a fool--where a beautiful woman is -concerned, and only one's self to pay the piper. - - - - -XIV - -THE SYMPHONY IN BLUE - - -Macloud arrived the next day, bringing for his host a great batch of -mail, which had accumulated at the Club. - -"I thought of it at the last moment--when I was starting for the -station, in fact," he remarked. "The clerk said he had no instructions -for forwarding, so I just poked it in my bag and brought it along. -Stupid of me not to think of it sooner. Why didn't you mention it? I -can understand why you didn't leave an address, but not why I shouldn't -forward it." - -"I didn't care, when I left--and I don't care much, now--but I'm -obliged, just the same!" said Croyden. "It's something to do; the most -exciting incident of the day, down here, is the arrival of the mail. -The people wait for it, with bated breath. I am getting in the way, -too, though I don't get much.... I never did have any extensive -correspondence, even in Northumberland--so this is just circulars and -such trash." - -He took the package, which Macloud handed him, and tossed it on the -desk. - -"What's new?" he asked. - -"In Northumberland? Nothing--beyond the usual thing. Everybody is -back--everybody is hard up or says he is--everybody is full of lies, -as usual, and is turning them loose on anyone who will listen, -credulous or sophisticated, it makes no difference. It's the telling, -not the believing that's the thing. Oh! the little cad Mattison is -engaged--Charlotte Brundage has landed him, and the wedding is set for -early next month." - -"I don't envy her the job," Croyden remarked. - -"It won't bother her!" Macloud laughed. "She'll be privileged to draw -on his bank account, and that's the all important thing with her. He -will fracture the seventh commandment, and she won't turn a hair. She -is a chilly proposition, all right." - -"Well, I wish her joy of her bargain," said Croyden. "May she have -everything she wants, and see Mattison not at all, after the wedding -journey--and but very occasionally, then." - -He took up the letters and ran carelessly through them. - -"Trash! Trash! Trash!" he commented, as he consigned them, one by one, -to the waste-basket. - -Macloud watched him, languidly, behind his cigar smoke, and made no -comment. - -Presently Croyden came to a large, white envelope--darkened on the -interior so as to prevent the contents from being read until opened. It -bore the name of a firm of prominent brokers in Northumberland. - -"Humph! Blaxham & Company!" he grunted. "'We own and offer, subject to -prior sale, the following high grade investment bonds.' Oh yes! I'll -take the whole bundle." He drew out the letter and looked at it, -perfunctorily, before sending it to rest with its fellows.--It wasn't -in the usual form.--He opened it, wider.--It was signed by the senior -partner. - - "My dear Mr. Croyden: - - "We have a customer who is interested in the Virginia Development - Company. He has purchased the Bonds and the stock of Royster & - Axtell, from the bank which held them as collateral. He is - willing to pay you par for your Bonds, without any accrued - interest, however. If you will consent to sell, the Company can - proceed without reorganization but, if you decline, he will - foreclose under the terms of the mortgage. We have suggested the - propriety and the economy to him--since he owns or controls all - the stock--of not purchasing your bonds, and, frankly, have told - him it is worse than bad business to do so. But he refuses to be - advised, insisting that he must be the sole owner, and that he is - willing to submit to the additional expense rather than go - through the tedious proceeding for foreclosure and sale. We are - prepared to honor a sight-draft with the Bonds attached, or to - pay cash on presentation and transfer. We shall be obliged for a - prompt reply. - - "Yours very truly, - - "R. J. Blaxham." - -"What the devil!----" - -He read it a second time. No, he wasn't asleep--it was all there, -typewritten and duly signed. Two hundred thousand dollars!--honor sight -draft, or pay cash on presentation and transfer! - -"What the devil!" he said, again. Then he passed it across to Macloud. -"Read this aloud, will you,--I want to see if I'm quite sane!" - -Macloud was at his favorite occupation--blowing smoke rings through one -another, and watching them spiral upward toward the ceiling. - -"I beg your pardon!" he said, as Croyden's words roused him from his -meditation. "I must have been half asleep. What did you say--read it?" -taking the letter. - -He and Blaxham had spent considerable time on that letter, trying to -explain the reason for the purchase, and the foolishly high price they -were offering, in such a way as to mislead Croyden. - -"Yes,--aloud! I want to hear someone else read it." - -Macloud looked at him, curiously. - -"It is typewritten, you haven't a chance to get wrong!" he said, -wonderingly. - -Croyden laughed! - -"Read it, please!" he exclaimed.... "So, I wasn't crazy: and either -Blaxham is lying or his customer needs a guardian--which is it?" - -"I don't see that it need concern you, in the least, which it is," said -Macloud. "Be grateful for the offer--and accept by wireless or any -other way that's quicker." - -"But the bonds aren't worth five cents on the dollar!" - -"So much the more reason to hustle the deal through. Sell them! man, -sell them! You may have slipped up on the Parmenter treasure, but you -have struck it here." - -"Too rich," Croyden answered. "There's something queer about that -letter." - -Macloud smoked his cigar, and smiled. - -"There's nothing queer about the letter!"--he said. "Blaxham's customer -may have the willies--indeed, he as much as intimates that such is the -case--but, thank God! we're not obliged to have a commission-in-lunacy -appointed on everybody who makes a silly stock or bond purchase. If we -were, we either would have no markets, or the courts would have time -for nothing else. No! no! old man! take what the gods have given you -and be glad. There's ten thousand a year in it! You can return to -Northumberland, resume the old life, and be happy ever after;--or you -can live here, and there, and everywhere. You're unattached--not even a -light-o'-love to squander your money, and pester you for gowns and -hats, and get in a hell of a temper--and be false to you, besides." - -"No, I haven't one of them, thank God!" laughed Croyden. "I've got -troubles enough of my own. The present, for instance." - -"Troubles!" marvelled Macloud. "You haven't any troubles, now. This -clears them all away." - -"It clears some of them away--if I take it." - -"Thunder! man, you're not thinking, seriously, of refusing?" - -"It will put me on 'easy street,'" Croyden observed. - -"So, why hesitate an instant?" - -"And it comes with remarkable timeliness--so timely, indeed, as to be -suspicious." - -"Suspicious? Why suspicious? It's a bona fide offer." - -"It's a bona fide offer--there's no trouble on that score." - -"Then, what is the trouble?" - -"This," said Croyden: "I'm broke--finally. The Parmenter treasure is -moonshine, so far as I'm concerned. I'm down on my uppers, so to -speak--my only assets are some worthless bonds. Behold! along comes an -offer for them at par--two hundred thousand dollars for nothing! I -fancy, old man, there is a friend back of this offer--the only friend I -have in the world--and I did not think that even he was kind and -self-sacrificing enough to do it.--I'm grateful, Colin, grateful from -the heart, believe me, but I can't take your money." - -"My money!" exclaimed Macloud--"you do me too much credit, Croyden. I'm -ashamed to admit it, but I never thought of the bonds, or of helping -you out, in your trouble. It's a way we have in Northumberland. We may -feel for misfortune, but it rarely gets as far as our pockets. Don't -imagine for a moment that I'm the purchaser. I'm not, though I wish, -now, that I was." - -"Will you give me your word on that?" Croyden demanded. - -"I most assuredly will," Macloud answered. - -Croyden nodded. He was satisfied. - -"There is no one else!" he mused, "no one else!" He looked at the -letter again.... "And, yet, it is very suspicious, very suspicious.... -I wonder, could I ascertain the name of the purchaser of the stocks and -bonds, from the Trust Company who held them as collateral?" - -"They won't know," said Macloud. "Blaxham & Company bought them at the -public sale." - -"I could try the transfer agent, or the registrar." - -"They never tell anything, as you are aware," Macloud replied. - -"I could refuse to sell unless Blaxham & Company disclosed their -customer." - -"Yes, you could--and, likely, lose the sale; they won't disclose. -However, that's your business," Macloud observed; "though, it's a pity -to tilt at windmills, for a foolish notion." - -Croyden creased and uncreased the letter--thinking. - -Macloud resumed the smoke rings--and waited. It had proved easier than -he had anticipated. Croyden had not once thought of Elaine -Cavendish--and his simple word had been sufficient to clear -himself.... - -At length, Croyden put the letter back in its envelope and looked up. - -"I'll sell the bonds," he said--"forward them at once with draft -attached, if you will witness my signature to the transfer. But it's a -queer proceeding, a queer proceeding: paying good money for bad!" - -"That's his business--not yours," said Macloud, easily. - -Croyden went to the escritoire and took the bonds from one of the -drawers. - -"You can judge, from the place I keep them, how much I thought them -worth!" he laughed. - -When they were duly transferred and witnessed, Croyden attached a draft -drawn on an ordinary sheet of paper, dated Northumberland, and payable -to his account at the Tuscarora Trust Company. He placed them in an -envelope, sealed it and, enclosing it in a second envelope, passed it -over to Macloud. - -"I don't care to inform them as to my whereabouts," he remarked, "so, -if you don't mind, I'll trouble you to address this to some one in New -York or Philadelphia, with a request that he mail the enclosed envelope -for you." - -Macloud, when he had done as requested, laid aside the pen and looked -inquiringly at Croyden. - -"Which, being interpreted," he said, "might mean that you don't intend -to return to Northumberland." - -"The interpretation does not go quite so far; it means, simply, that I -have not decided." - -"Don't you want to come back?" Macloud asked. - -"It's a question of resolution, not of inclination," Croyden answered. -"I don't know whether I've sufficient resolution to go, and sufficient -resolution to stay, if I do go. It may be easier not to go, at all--to -live here, and wander, elsewhere, when the spirit moves." - -And Macloud understood. "I've been thinking over the proposition you -recently advanced of the folly of a relatively poor man marrying a rich -girl," he said, "and you're all wrong. It's a question of the -respective pair, not a theory that can be generalized over. I admit, -the man should not be a pauper, but, if he have enough money to support -_himself_, and the girl love him and he loves the girl, the fact that -she has gobs more money, won't send them on the rocks. It's up to the -pair, I repeat." - -"Meaning, that it would be up to Elaine Cavendish and me?" answered -Croyden. - -"If you please, yes!" said Macloud. - -"I wish I could be so sure," Croyden reflected. "Sure of the girl, as -well as sure of myself." - -"What are you doubtful about--yourself?" - -Croyden laughed, a trifle self-consciously. - -"I fancy I could manage myself," he said. - -"Elaine?" - -"Yes, Elaine!" - -"Try her!--she's worth the try." - -"From a monetary standpoint?" smiling. - -"Get the miserable money out of your mind a moment, will you?--you're -hipped on it!" - -"All right, old man, anything for peace! Tell me, did you see her, when -you were home?" - -"I did--I dined with her." - -"Who else was there?" - -"You--she talked Croyden at least seven-eighths of the time; I, the -other eighth." - -"Must have been an interesting conversation. Anything left of the -victim, afterward?" - -"I refuse to become facetious," Macloud responded. Then he threw his -cigar into the grate and arose. "It matters not what was said, nor who -said it! If you will permit me the advice, you will take your chance -while you have it." - -"Have I a--chance?" Croyden asked. - -"You have--more than a chance, if you act, now----" He walked across to -the window. He would let that sink in.--"How's the Symphony in Blue?" -he asked. - -"As charming as ever--and prepared for your coming." - -"What?" - -"As charming as ever, and prepared for your coming." - -"Some of your work!" he commented. "Did you propose for me?" - -"I left that finality for you--being the person most interested." - -"Thanks! you're exceedingly considerate." - -"I thought you would appreciate it." - -"When did you arrange for me to go over?" asked Macloud. - -"Any time--the sooner the quicker. She'll be glad to see you." - -"She confided in you, I suppose?" - -"Not directly; she let me infer it." - -"In other words, you worked your imagination--overtime!" laughed -Macloud. "It's a pity you couldn't work it a bit over the Parmenter -jewels. You might locate them." - -"I'm done with the Parmenter jewels!" said Croyden. - -"But they're not done with you, my friend. So long as you live, they'll -be present with you. You'll be hunting for them in your dreams." - -"Meet me to-night in dream-land!" sang Croyden. "Well, they're not -likely to disturb my slumbers--unless--there was a rather queer thing -happened, last night, Colin." - -"Here?" - -"Yes!--I got in to Hampton, in the evening; about nine o'clock, I was -returning to Clarendon when, at the gates, I was accosted by a tall, -well-dressed stranger. Here is the substance of our talk.... What do -you make of it?" he ended. - -"It seems to me the fellow made it very plain," Macloud returned, -"except on one possible point. He evidently believes we found the -treasure." - -"He is convinced of it." - -"Then, he knows that you came direct from Annapolis to Hampton--I mean, -you didn't visit a bank nor other place where you could have deposited -the jewels. Ergo, the jewels are still in your possession, according to -his theory, and he is going to make a try for them while they are -within reach. Informing the Government is a bluff. He hoped, by that -means, to induce you to keep the jewels on the premises--not to make -evidence against yourself, which could be traced by the United States, -by depositing them in any bank." - -"Why shouldn't I have taken them to a dealer in precious stones?" said -Croyden. - -"Because that would make the best sort of evidence against you. You -must remember, he thinks you have the jewels, and that you will try to -conceal it, pending a Government investigation." - -"You make him a very canny gentleman." - -"No--I make him only a clever rogue, which, by your own account, he -is." - -"And the more clever he is, the more he will have his wits' work for -naught. There's some compensation in everything--even in failure!" - -"It would be a bit annoying," observed Macloud, "to be visited by -burglars, who are obsessed with the idea that you have a fortune -concealed on the premises, and are bent on obtaining it." - -"Annoying?--not a bit!" smiled Croyden. "I should rather enjoy the -sport of putting them to flight." - -"Or of being bound, and gagged, and ill-treated." - -"Bosh! you've transferred your robber-barons from Northumberland to the -Eastern Shore." - -"No, I haven't!" laughed Macloud. "The robber-barons were still on the -job in Northumberland. These are banditti, disguised as burglars, about -to hold you up for ransom." - -"I wish I had your fine imagination," scoffed Croyden. "I could make a -fortune writing fiction." - -"Oh, you're not so bad yourself!" Macloud retorted. Then he smiled. -"Apropos of fortunes!" and nodded toward the envelope on the table. -"It's bully good to think you're coming back to us!" - -At that moment Moses passed along the hall. - -"Here, Moses," said Croyden, "take this letter down to the post -office--I want it to catch the first mail." - -"I fancy you haven't heard of the stranger since last evening?" Macloud -asked. - -Croyden shook his head. - -"And of course you haven't told any one?" - -"Yes, I have!" said Croyden. - -"A woman?" - -"A woman." - -"How strange!" commented Macloud, mockingly. "I suppose you even told -her the entire story--from the finding of the letter down to date." - -"I did!--and showed her the letter besides. Why shouldn't I have done -it?" - -"No reason in the world, my dear fellow--except that in twenty-four -hours the dear public will know it, and we shall be town curiosities." - -"We don't have to remain," said Croyden, with affected seriousness--"there -are trains out, you know, as well as in." - -"I don't want to go away--I came here to visit you." - -"We will go together." - -"But we can't take the Symphony in Blue!" - -"Oh! that's it!" Croyden laughed. - -"Certainly, that's it! You don't think I came down here to see only -you, after having just spent nearly four weeks with you, in that fool -quest on Greenberry Point?" He turned, suddenly, and faced Croyden. -"Who was the woman you told?" - -"Miss Carrington!" Croyden laughed. "Think she will retail it to the -dear public?" - -"Oh, go to thunder!" - -"Because, if you do, you might mention it to her--there, she goes, -now!" - -"Where?" said Macloud, whirling around toward the window. - -Croyden made no reply. It was not necessary. On the opposite side of -the street, Miss Carrington--in a tailored gown of blue broadcloth, -close fitting and short in the skirt, with a velvet toque to match--was -swinging briskly back from town. - -Macloud watched her a moment in silence. - -"The old man is done for, at last!" Croyden thought. - -"Isn't she a corker!" Macloud broke out. "Look at the poise of the -head, and ease of carriage, and the way she puts down her feet!--that's -the way to tell a woman. God! Croyden, she's thoroughbred!" - -"You better go over," said his friend. "It's about the tea hour, she'll -brew you a cup." - -"And I'll drink it--as much as she will give me. I despise the stuff, -but I'll drink it!" - -"She'll put rum in it, if you prefer!" laughed Croyden; "or make you a -high ball, or you can have it straight--just as you want." - -"Come along!" exclaimed Macloud. "We're wasting time." - -"I'll be over, presently," Croyden replied. "_I_ don't want any tea, -you know." - -"Good!" Macloud answered, from the hallway. "Come along, as soon as you -wish--but don't come _too soon_." - - - - -XV - -AN OLD RUSE - - -Macloud found Miss Carrington plucking a few belated roses, which, -somehow, had escaped the frost. - -She looked up at his approach, and smiled--the bewilderingly bewitching -smile which lighted her whole countenance and seemed to say so much. - -"Back again! to Clarendon and its master?" was her greeting. - -"And, if I may, to you," he replied. - -"Very good! After them, you belong to _me_," she laughed. - -"Why after?" he inquired. - -"I don't know--it was the order of speech, and the order of -acquaintance," with a naive look. - -"But not the order of--regard." - -"Content!" she exclaimed. "You did it very well for a--novice." - -He tapped the gray hair upon his temples. - -"A novice?" he inflected. - -"You decline to accept it?--Very well, sir, very well!" - -"I can't accept, and be honest," he replied. - -"And you must be honest! Oh, brave man! Oh, noble gentleman! Perchance, -you will accept a reward: a cup of tea--or a high ball!" - -"Perchance, I will--the high ball!" - -"I thought so! come along." - -"You were not going out?" - -She looked at him, with a sly smile. - -"You know that I have just returned," she said. "I saw you in the -window at Clarendon." - -"I was there," he admitted. - -"And you came over at once--prepared to be surprised that I was here." - -"And found you waiting for me--just as I expected." - -"Oh!" she cried. "You're horrid! perfectly horrid!" - -"_Peccavi! Peccavi!_" he said humbly. - -"_Te absolvo!_" she replied, solemnly. "Now, let us make a fresh -start--by going for a walk. You can postpone the high ball until we -return." - -"I can postpone the high ball for ever," he averred. - -"Meaning, you could walk forever, or you're not thirsty?" she laughed. - -"Meaning, I could walk forever _with you_--on, and on, and on----" - -"Until you walked into the Bay--I understand. I'll take the will for -the deed--the water's rather chilly at this season of the year." - -Macloud held up his hand, in mock despair. - -"Let us make a third start--drop the attempt to be clever and talk -sense. I think I can do it, if I try." - -"Willingly!" she responded. - -As they came out on the side walk, Croyden was going down the street. -He crossed over and met them. - -"I've not forgot your admonition, so don't be uneasy," he observed to -Macloud. "I'm going to town now, I'll be back in about half an hour--is -that too soon?" - -"It's quite soon enough!" was the answer. - -Miss Carrington looked at Macloud, quizzically, but made no comment. - -"Shall we take the regulation walk?" she asked. - -"The what?" - -"The regulation walk--to the Cemetery and back." - -"I'm glad we're coming back?" he laughed. - -"It's the favorite walk, here," she explained--"the most picturesque -and the smoothest." - -"To say nothing of accustoming the people to their future home," -Macloud remarked. - -"You're not used to the ways of small towns--the Cemetery is a resort, -a place to spend a while, a place to visit." - -"Does it make death any easier to hob-nob with it?" he asked. - -"I shouldn't think so," she replied. "However, I can see how it would -induce morbidity, though there are those who are happiest only when -they're miserable." - -"Such people ought to live in a morgue," agreed Macloud. "However -we're safe enough--we can go to the Cemetery with impunity." - -"There are some rather queer old headstones, out there," she said. -"Remorse and the inevitable pay-up for earthly transgression seem to be -the leading subjects. There is one in the Duval lot--the Duvals from -whom Mr. Croyden got Clarendon, you know--and I never have been able to -understand just what it means. It is erected to the memory of one -Robert Parmenter, and has cut in the slab the legend: 'He feared nor -man, nor god, nor devil,' and below it, a man on his knees making -supplication to one standing over him. If he feared nor man, nor god, -nor devil, why should he be imploring mercy from any one?" - -"Do you know who Parmenter was?" said Macloud. - -"No--but I presume a connection of the family, from having been buried -with them." - -"You read his letter only last evening--his letter to Marmaduke -Duval." - -"His letter to Marmaduke Duval!" she repeated. "I didn't read any----" - -"Robert Parmenter is the pirate who buried the treasure on Greenberry -Point," he interrupted. - -Then, suddenly, a light broke in on her. - -"I see!--I didn't look at the name signed to the letter. And the -cutting on the tombstone----?" - -"Is a victim begging mercy from him," said Macloud. "I like that -Marmaduke Duval--there's something fine in a man, in those times, -bringing the old buccaneer over from Annapolis and burying him beside -the place where he, himself, some day would rest.--That is -friendship!" - -"And that is like the Duvals!" said she. "It was a sad day in Hampton -when the Colonel died." - -"He left a good deputy," Macloud replied. "Croyden is well-born and -well-bred (the former does not always comprehend the latter, these -days), and of Southern blood on his mother's side." - -"Which hasn't hurt him with us!" she smiled. "We are a bit clannish, -still." - -"Delighted to hear you confess it! I've got a little of it myself." - -"Southern blood?" - -He nodded. "Mine doesn't go so far South, however, as Croyden's--only, -to Virginia." - -"I knew it! I knew there was some reason for my liking you!" she -laughed. - -"Can I find any other reason?" - -"Than your Southern ancestors?--isn't that enough?" - -"Not if there be a means to increase it." - -"Southern blood is never satisfied with _some_ things--it always wants -more!" - -"Is the disposition to want more, in Southerners, confined to the male -sex?" he laughed. - -"In _some things_--yes, unquestionably yes!" she retorted. Then changed -the subject. "Has Mr. Croyden told you of his experience, last -evening?" - -"With the stranger, yes?" - -"Do you think he is in danger?" - -"What possible danger could there be--the treasure isn't at -Clarendon." - -"But they think it is--and desperate men sometimes take desperate -means, when they feel sure that money is hidden on the premises." - -"In a town the size of Hampton, every stranger is known." - -"How will that advantage, in the prevention of the crime?" she asked. - -"By making it difficult." - -"They don't need stay in the town--they can come in an automobile." - -"They could also drive, or walk, or come by boat," he added. - -"They are not so likely to try it if there are two in the house. Do you -intend to remain at Clarendon some time?" - -"It depends--on how you treat me." - -"I engage to be nice for--two weeks!" she smiled. - -"Done!--I'm booked for two weeks, at least." - -"And when the two weeks have expired we shall consider whether to -extend the period." - -"To--life?" smiling down at her. - -She flung him a look that was delightfully alluring. - -"Do you wish me to--consider that?" she asked, softly. - -"If you will," he said, bending down. - -She laughed, gayly. - -"We are coming on!" she exclaimed. "This pace is getting rather -brisk--did you notice it, Mr. Macloud?" - -"You're in a fast class, Miss Carrington." - -She glanced up quickly. - -"Now don't misunderstand me----" - -"You were speaking in the language of the race track, I presume." - -"I was--you understand?" - -"A Southern girl usually loves--horses," with a tantalizing smile. - -"It is well for you this is a public street," he said. - -"Why?" she asked, with assumed innocence. - -"But then if it hadn't been, you would not have ventured to tempt me," -he added. "I'm grateful for the temptation, at any rate." - -"His first temptation!" she mocked. - -"No, not likely--but his first that he has resisted." - -"And why did you resist? The fact that we are on a public street would -not restrain you. There was absolutely no one within sight--and you -knew it." - -"How do _you_ know it?" - -"Because I looked." - -"You were afraid?" - -"Not at all!--only careful." - -"This is rather faster than the former going!" he laughed. - -"We would better slow down a bit!" she laughed back. "Any way, here is -the Cemetery, and we dare not go faster than a walk in it. Yonder, just -within the gates, is the Duval burial place. Come, I'll show you -Parmenter's grave?" - -They crossed to it--marked by a blue slate slab, which covered it -entirely. The inscription, cut in script, was faint in places and -blurred by moss, in others. - -Macloud stooped and, with his knife, scratched out the latter. - -"He died two days after the letter was written: May 12, 1738," said he. -"His age is not given. Duval did not know it, I reckon." - -"See, here is the picture--it stands out very plainly," said Miss -Carrington, indicating with the point of her shoe. - -"I'm not given to moralizing, particularly over a grave," observed -Macloud, "but it's queer to think that the old pirate, who had so much -blood and death on his hands, who buried the treasure, and who wrote -the letter, lies at our feet; and we--or rather Croyden is the heir of -that treasure, and that we searched and dug all over Greenberry Point, -committed violence, were threatened with violence, did things -surreptitiously, are threatened, anew, with blackmail and -violence----" - -"Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways," she quoted. - -"It does seem one cannot get away from its pollution. It was gathered -in crime and crime clings to it, still. However, I fancy Croyden would -willingly chance the danger, if he could unearth the casket." - -"And is there no hope of finding it?" she asked. - -"Absolutely none--there's half a million over on Greenberry Point, or -in the water close by, and none will ever see it--except by accident." - -"What sort of accident?" - -"I don't know!" he laughed. "My own idea--and Croyden's (as he has, -doubtless, explained to you) is that the place, where Parmenter buried -the jewels, is now under water, possibly close to the shore. We dragged -every inch of the bottom, which has been washed away to a depth more -than sufficient to uncover the iron box, but found nothing. A great -storm, such as they say sometimes breaks over the Chesapeake, may wash -it on the beach--that, I think, is the only way it will ever be -found.... It makes everything seem very real to have stood by -Parmenter's grave!" he said, thoughtful, as they turned back toward -town. - -On nearing the Carrington house, they saw Croyden approaching. They met -him at the gates. - -"I've been communing with Parmenter," said Macloud. - -"I didn't know there was a spiritualistic medium in Hampton! What does -the old man look like?" smiled Croyden. - -"I didn't see him." - -"Well, did he help you to locate his jewel box?" - -"He wasn't especially communicative--he was in his grave." - -"That isn't surprising--he's been dead something over one hundred and -seventy years. Did he confide where he's buried?" - -"He's buried with the Duvals in the Cemetery, here." - -"He is!" Croyden exclaimed. "Humph! one more circumstance to prove the -letter speaks the truth. Everything but the thing itself. We find his -will, probated with Marmaduke Duval as executor, we even discover a -notice of his death in the _Gazette_, and now, finally, you find his -body--or the place of its interment! But, hang it all! what is really -worth while, we can't find." - -"Come into the house--I'll give you something to soothe your feelings -temporarily," said Miss Carrington. - -They encountered Miss Erskine just coming from the library on her way -to the door. - -"My dear Davila, so glad to see you!" she exclaimed. "And Mr. Croyden, -we thought you had deserted us, and just when we're trying to make you -feel at home. So glad to welcome you back!" holding out her fat hand. - -"I'm delighted to be back," said Croyden. "The Carringtons seemed -genuinely glad to see me--and, now, if I may include you, I'm quite -content to return," and he shook her hand, as though he meant it. - -"Of course you may believe it," with an inane giggle. "I'm going to -bring my art class over to Clarendon to revel in your treasures, some -day, soon. You'll be at home to them, won't you, dear Mr. Croyden?" - -"Surely! I shall take pleasure in being at home," Croyden replied, -soberly. - -Then Macloud, who was talking with the Captain, was called over and -presented, that being, Miss Carrington thought, the quickest method of -getting rid of her. The evident intention to remain until he was -presented, being made entirely obvious by Miss Erskine, who, after she -had bubbled a bit more, departed. - -"What is her name, I didn't catch it?--and" (observing smiles on -Croyden and Miss Carrington's faces) "what is she?" - -"I think father can explain, in more appropriate language!" Miss -Carrington laughed. - -"She's the most intolerable nuisance and greatest fool in Hampton!" -Captain Carrington exploded. - -"A red flag to a bull isn't in it with Miss Erskine and father," Miss -Carrington observed. - -"But I hide it pretty well--while she's here," he protested. - -"If she's not here too long--and you can get away, in time." - -When the two men left the Carrington place, darkness had fallen. As -they approached Clarendon, the welcoming brightness of a well-lighted -house sprang out to greet them. It was Croyden's one extravagance--to -have plenty of illumination. He had always been accustomed to it, and -the gloom, at night, of the village residence, bright only in library -or living room--with, maybe, a timid taper in the hall--set his nerves -on edge. He would have none of it. And Moses, with considerable wonder -at, to his mind, the waste of gas, and much grumbling to himself and -Josephine, obeyed. - -They had finished dinner and were smoking their cigars in the library, -when Croyden, suddenly bethinking himself of a matter which he had -forgotten, arose and pulled the bell. - -"Survent, seh!" said old Mose a moment later from the doorway. - -"Moses, who is the best carpenter in town?" Croyden asked. - -"Mistah Snyder, seh--he wuz heah dis arfternoon, yo knows, seh!" - -"I didn't know it," said Croyden. - -"Why yo sont 'im, seh." - -"_I_ sent him! I don't know the man." - -"Dat's mons'us 'culiar, seh--he said yo sont 'im. He com'd 'torrectly -arfter yo lef! Him an' a'nudder man, seh--I didn't know the nudder man, -hows'ever." - -"What did they want?" Croyden asked. - -"Dey sed yo warn dem to look over all de place, seh, an' see what -repairs wuz necessary, and fix dem. Dey wuz heah a'most two hours, I -s'pose." - -"This is most extraordinary!" Croyden exclaimed. "Do you mean they were -in this house for two hours?" - -"Yass, seh." - -"What were they doing?" - -"'Zaminin the furniture everywhere. I didn't stays wid em, seh--I knows -Mistah Snyder well; he's bin heah off'n to wuk befo' yo cum, seh. But I -seed dem gwine th'oo de drawers, an' poundin on the floohs, seh. Dey -went down to de cellar, too, seh, an wuz dyar quite a while." - -"Are you sure it was Snyder?" Croyden asked. - -"Sut'n'y! seh, don't you t'inks I knows 'im? I knows 'im from de time -he wuz so high." - -Croyden nodded. "Go down and tell Snyder I want to see him, either -to-night or in the morning." - -The bowed, and departed. - -Croyden got up and went to the escritoire: the drawers were in -confusion. He glanced at the book-cases: the books were disarranged. He -turned and looked, questioningly, at Macloud--and a smile slowly -overspread his face. - -"Well, the tall gentleman has visited us!" he said. - -"I wondered how long you would be coming to it!" Macloud remarked. -"It's the old ruse, in a slightly modified form. Instead of a -telephone or gas inspector, it was a workman whom the servant knew; a -little more trouble in disguising himself, but vastly more satisfactory -in results." - -"They are clever rogues," said Croyden--"and the disguise must have -been pretty accurate to deceive Moses." - -"Disguise is their business," Macloud replied, laconically. "If they're -not proficient in it, they go to prison--sure." - -"And if they _are_ proficient, they go--sometimes." - -"Certainly!--sometimes." - -"We'll make a tour of inspection--they couldn't find what they wanted, -so we'll see what they took." - -They went over the house. Every drawer was turned upside down, every -closet awry, every place, where the jewels could be concealed, bore -evidence of having been inspected--nothing, apparently, had been -missed. They had gone through the house completely, even into the -garret, where every board that was loose had evidently been taken up -and replaced--some of them carelessly. - -Not a thing was gone, so far as Croyden could judge--possibly, because -there was no money in the house; probably, because they were looking -for jewels, and scorned anything of moderate value. - -"Really, this thing grows interesting--if it were not so ridiculous," -said Croyden. "I'm willing to go to almost any trouble to convince them -I haven't the treasure--just to be rid of them. I wonder what they -will try next?" - -"Abduction, maybe," Macloud suggested. "Some night a black cloth will -be thrown over your head, you'll be tossed into a cab--I mean, an -automobile--and borne off for ransom like Charlie Ross of fading -memory." - -"Moral--don't venture out after sunset!" laughed Croyden. - -"And don't venture out at any time without a revolver handy and a good -pair of legs," added Macloud. - -"I can work the legs better than I can the revolver." - -"Or, to make sure, you might have a guard of honor and a gatling gun." - -"You're appointed to the position--provide yourself with the gun!" - -"But, seriously!" said Macloud, "it would be well to take some -precaution. They seem obsessed with the idea that you have the jewels, -here--and they evidently intend to get a share, if it's possible." - -"What precaution, for instance?" scoffed Croyden. - -Macloud shrugged his shoulders, helplessly. - -"I wish I knew," he said. - - - - -XVI - -THE MARABOU MUFF - - -The next two weeks passed uneventfully. The thieves did not manifest -themselves, and the Government authorities did nothing to suggest that -they had been informed of the Parmenter treasure. - -Macloud had developed an increasing fondness for Miss Carrington's -society, which she, on her part, seemed to accept with placid -equanimity. They rode, they drove, they walked, they sailed when the -weather warranted--and the weather had recovered from its fit of the -blues, and was lazy and warm and languid. In short, they did everything -which is commonly supposed to denote a growing fondness for each -other. - -Croyden had been paid promptly for the Virginia Development Company -bonds, and was once more on "comfortable street," as he expressed it. -But he spoke no word of returning to Northumberland. On the contrary, -he settled down to enjoy the life of the village, social and otherwise. -He was nice to all the girls, but showed a marked preference for Miss -Carrington; which, however, did not trouble his friend, in the least. - -Macloud was quite willing to run the risk with Croyden. He was -confident that the call of the old life, the memory of the girl that -was, and that was still, would be enough to hold Geoffrey from more -than firm friendship. He was not quite sure of himself, however--that -he wanted to marry. And he was entirely sure she had not decided -whether she wanted him--that was what gave him his lease of life; if -she decided _for_ him, he knew that he would decide for her--and -quickly. - -Then, one day, came a letter--forwarded by the Club, where he had left -his address with instructions that it be divulged to no one. It was -dated Northumberland, and read: - - "My dear Colin-- - - "It is useless, between us, to dissemble, and I'm not going to - try it. I want to know whether Geoffrey Croyden is coming back to - Northumberland? You are with him, and should know. You can tell - his inclination. You can ask him, if necessary. If he is not - coming and there is no one else--won't you tell me where you are? - (I don't ask you to reveal his address, you see.) I shall come - down--if only for an hour, between trains--and give him his - chance. It is radically improper, according to accepted - notions--but notions don't bother me, when they stand (as I am - sure they do, in this case), in the way of happiness. - - "Sincerely, - - "Elaine Cavendish." - -At dinner, Macloud casually remarked: - -"I ought to go out to Northumberland, this week, for a short time, -won't you go along?" - -Croyden shook his head. - -"I'm not going back to Northumberland," he said. - -"I don't mean to stay!" Macloud interposed. "I'll promise to come back -with you in two days at the most." - -"Yes, I suppose you will!" Croyden smiled. "You can easily find your -way back. For me, it's easier to stay away from Northumberland, than to -go away from it, _again_." - -And Macloud, being wise, dropped the conversation, saying only: - -"Well, I may not have to go." - -A little later, as he sat in the drawing-room at Carringtons', he -broached a matter which had been on his mind for some time--working -around to it gradually, with Croyden the burden of their talk. When his -opportunity came--as it was bound to do--he took it without -hesitation. - -"You are right," he replied. "Croyden had two reasons for leaving -Northumberland: one of them has been eliminated; the other is stronger -than ever." - -She looked at him, shrewdly. - -"And that other is a woman?" she said. - -He nodded. "A woman who has plenty of money--more than she can ever -spend, indeed." - -"And in looks?" - -"The only one who can approach yourself." - -"Altogether, most desirable!" she laughed. "What was the -trouble--wouldn't she have him?" - -"He didn't ask her." - -"Useless?" - -"Anything but useless." - -"You mean she was willing?" - -"I think so." - -"And Croyden?" - -"More than willing, I take it." - -"Then, what was the difficulty?" - -"Her money--she has so much!--So much, that, in comparison, he is a -mere pauper:--twenty millions against two hundred thousand." - -"If she be willing, I can't see why he is shy?" - -"He says it is all right for a poor girl to marry a rich man, but not -for a poor man to marry a rich girl. His idea is, that the husband -should be able to maintain his wife according to her condition. To -marry else, he says, is giving hostages to fortune, and is derogatory -to that mutual respect which should exist between them." - -"We all give hostages to fortune when we marry!" Miss Carrington -exclaimed. - -"Not all!" replied Macloud, meaningly. - -She flushed slightly. - -"What is it you want me to do?" she asked hastily--"or can I do -anything?" - -"You can," he answered. "You can ask Miss Cavendish to visit you for a -few days." - -"Can you, by any possibility, mean Elaine Cavendish?" - -"That's exactly who I do mean--do you know her?" - -"After a fashion--we went to Dobbs Ferry together." - -"Bully!" exclaimed Macloud. "Why didn't you tell me?" - -"You never mentioned her before." - -"True!" he laughed. "This is fortunate, very fortunate! Will you ask -her down?" - -"She will think it a trifle peculiar." - -"On the contrary, she'll think it more than kind--a positive favor. You -see, she knows I'm with Croyden, but she doesn't know where; so she -wrote to me at my Club and they forwarded it. Croyden left -Northumberland without a word--and no one is aware of his residence but -me. She asks that I tell her where _I_ am. Then she intends to come -down and give Croyden a last chance. I want to help her--and your -invitation will be right to the point--she'll jump at it." - -"You're a good friend!" she reflected. - -"Will you do it?" he asked. - -She thought a moment before she answered. - -"I'll do it!" she said at length. "Come, we'll work out the letter -together." - -"Would I not be permitted to kiss you as Miss Cavendish's deputy?" he -exclaimed. - -"Miss Cavendish can be her own deputy," she answered.--"Moreover, it -would be premature." - -The second morning after, when Elaine Cavendish's maid brought her -breakfast, Miss Carrington's letter was on the tray among tradesmen's -circulars, invitations, and friendly correspondence. - -She did not recognize the handwriting, and the postmark was unfamiliar, -wherefore, coupled with the fact that it was addressed in a -particularly stylish hand, she opened it first. It was very brief, very -succinct, very informing, and very satisfactory. - - "Ashburton, - - "Hampton, Md. - - "My dear Elaine:-- - - "Mr. Macloud tells me you are contemplating coming down to the - Eastern Shore to look for a country-place. Let me advise - Hampton--there are some delightful old residences in this - vicinity which positively are crying for a purchaser. Geoffrey - Croyden, whom you know, I believe, is resident here, and is - thinking of making it his home permanently. If you can be - persuaded to come, you are to stay with me--the hotels are simply - impossible, and I shall be more than delighted to have you. We - can talk over old times at Dobbs, and have a nice little visit - together. Don't trouble to write--just wire the time of your - arrival--and come before the good weather departs. Don't - disappoint me. - - "With lots of love, - - "Davila Carrington." - -Elaine Cavendish read the letter slowly--and smiled. - -"Clever! very clever!" she mused. "Colin is rather a diplomat--he -managed it with exceeding adroitness--and the letter is admirably -worded. It tells me everything I wanted to know. I'd forgotten about -Davila Carrington, and I reckon she had forgotten me, till he somehow -found it out and jogged her memory. Surely! I shall accept." - -To-morrow would be Thursday. She went to her desk and wrote this wire, -in answer: - - "Miss Davila Carrington, - - "Hampton, Md. - - "I shall be with you Friday, on morning train. You're very, very - kind. - - "Elaine Cavendish." - -Miss Carrington showed the wire to Macloud. - -"Now, I've done all that I can; the rest is in your hands," she said. -"I'll cooperate, but you are the general." - -"Until Elaine comes--she will manage it then," Macloud answered. - -And on Friday morning, a little before noon, Miss Cavendish arrived. -Miss Carrington, alone, met her at the station. - -"You're just the same Davila I'd forgotten for years," said she, -laughingly, as they walked across the platform to the waiting carriage. - -"And you're the same I had forgotten," Davila replied. - -"But it's delightful to be remembered!" said Elaine, meaningly. - -"And it's just as delightful to be able to remember," was the reply. - -Just after they left the business section, on the drive out, Miss -Carrington saw Croyden and Macloud coming down the street. Evidently -Macloud had not been able to detain him at home until she got her -charge safely into Ashburton. She glanced at Miss Cavendish--she had -seen them, also, and, settling back into the corner of the phaeton, she -hid her face with her Marabou muff. - -"Don't stop!" she said. - -Miss Carrington smiled her understanding. - -"I won't!" she answered. "Good morning!" as both men raised their -hats--and drove straight on. - -"Who was the girl with Miss Carrington?" Croyden asked. "I didn't see -her face." - -"I couldn't see it!" said Macloud. "I noticed a bag in the trap, -however, so I reckon she's a guest." - -"Unfortunate for you!" Croyden sympathized. "Your opportunity, for the -solitariness of two, will be limited." - -"I'll look to you for help!" Macloud answered. - -"Humph! You may look in vain. It depends on what she is--I'm not -sacrificing myself on the altar of general unattractiveness." Then he -laughed. "Rest easy, I'll fuss her to the limit. You shan't have her to -plead for an excuse." - -"An excuse for what?" - -"For not winning the Symphony in Blue." - -"You're overly solicitous. I'm not worried about the guest," Macloud -remarked. - -"There was a certain style about as much of her as I could see which -promised very well," Croyden remarked. "I think this would be a good -day to drop in for tea." - -"And if you find her something over sixty, you'll gallantly shove her -off on me, and preempt Miss Carrington. Oh! you're very kind." - -"She's not over sixty--and you know it. You're by no means as blind as -you would have me believe. In fact, now that I think of it, there was -something about her that seems familiar." - -"You're an adept in many things," laughed Macloud, "but, I reckon, -you're not up to recognizing a brown coat and a brown hat. I think I've -seen the combination once or twice before on a woman." - -"Well, what about tea-time--shall we go over?" demanded Croyden. - -"I haven't the slightest objection----" - -"Really!" - -"----to your going along with me--I'm expected!" - -"Oh! you're expected, are you! pretty soon it will be: 'Come over and -see us, won't you?'" - -"I trust so," said Macloud, placidly.--"But, as you're never coming -back to Northumberland, it's a bit impossible." - -"Oh! damn Northumberland!" said Croyden. - -"I've a faint recollection of having heard that remark before." - -"I dare say, it's popular there on smoky days." - -"Which is the same as saying it's popular there any time." - -"No, I don't mean that; Northumberland isn't half so bad as it's -painted. We may make fun of it--but we like it, just the same." - -"Yes, I suppose we do," said Macloud. "Though we get mighty sick of -seeing every scatterbrain who sets fire to the Great White Way branded -by the newspapers as a Northumberland millionaire. We've got our share -of fools, but we haven't a monopoly of them, by any means." - -"We had a marvelously large crop, however, running loose at one time, -recently!" laughed Croyden. - -"True!--and there's the reason for it, as well as the fallacy. Because -half a hundred light-weights were made millionaires over night, and, -top heavy, straightway went the devil's pace, doesn't imply that the -entire town is mad." - -"Not at all!" said Croyden. "It's no worse than any other big town--and -the fellows with unsavory reputations aren't representative. They just -came all in a bunch. The misfortune is, that the whole country saw the -fireworks, and it hasn't forgot the lurid display." - -"And isn't likely to very soon," Macloud responded, "with the whole -Municipal Government rotten to the core, councilmen falling over one -another in their eagerness to plead _nolle contendere_ and escape the -penitentiary, bankers in jail for bribery, or fighting extradition; and -graft! graft! graft! permeating every department of the civic life--and -published by the newspapers' broadcast, through the land, for all the -world to read, while the people, as a body, sit supine, and meekly -suffer the robbers to remain. The trouble with the Northumberlander is, -that so long as he is not the immediate victim of a hold up, he is -quiescent. Let him be touched direct--by burglary, by theft, by -embezzlement--and the yell he lets out wakes the entire bailiwick." - -"It's the same everywhere," said Croyden. - -"No, it's not,--other communities have waked up--Northumberland hasn't. -There is too much of the moneyed interest to be looked after; and the -councilmen know it, and are out for the stuff, as brazen as the -street-walker, and vastly more insistent.--I'm going in here, for some -cigarettes--when I come out, we'll change the talk to something less -irritating. I like Northumberland, but I despise about ninety-nine one -hundredths of its inhabitants." - -When he returned, Croyden was gazing after an automobile which was -disappearing in a cloud of dust. - -"Ever see a motor before?" he asked. - -Croyden did not hear him. "The fellow driving, unless I am mightily -fooled, is the same who stopped me on the street, in front of -Clarendon," he said. - -"That's interesting--any one with him?" - -"A woman." - -"A woman! You're safe!" said Macloud. "He isn't travelling around with -a petticoat--at least, if he's thinking of tackling you." - -"It isn't likely, I admit--but suppose he is?" - -The car was rapidly vanishing in the distance. Macloud nodded toward -it. - -"He is leaving here as fast as the wheels will turn." - -"I've got a very accurate memory for faces," said Croyden. "I couldn't -well be mistaken." - -"Wait and see. If it was he, and he has some new scheme, it will be -declared in due time. Nothing yet from the Government?" - -"No!" - -"It's a bluff! So long as they think you have the jewels, they will try -for them. There's Captain Carrington standing at his office door. -Suppose we go over." - -"Sitting up to grandfather-in-law!" laughed Croyden. "Distinctly -proper, sir, distinctly proper! Go and chat with him; I'll stop for -you, presently." - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, the two women had continued on to Ashburton. - -"Did he recognize me?" Elaine asked, dropping her muff from before her -face, when they were past the two men. - -"I think not," answered Davila. - -"Did he give any indication of it?" - -"None, whatever." - -"It would make a difference in my--attitude toward him when we met!" -she smiled. - -"Naturally! a very great difference." Elaine was nervous, she saw. The -fact that Croyden did not come out and stop them, that he let them go -on, was sufficient proof that he had not recognized her. - -"You see, I am assuming that you know why I wanted to come to Hampton," -Elaine said, when, her greeting made to Mrs. Carrington, she had -carried Davila along to her room. - -"Yes, dear," Davila responded. - -"And you made it very easy for me to come." - -"I did as I thought you would want--and as I know you would do with me -were I in a similar position." - -"I'm sadly afraid I should not have thought of you, were you----" - -"Oh, yes, you would! If you had been in a small town, and Mr. Croyden -had told you of my difficulty----" - -"As _Mr. Macloud_ told you of mine--I see, dear." - -"Not exactly that," said Davila, blushing. "Mr. Macloud has been very -attentive and very nice and all that, you know, but you mustn't forget -there are not many girls here, and I'm convenient, and--I don't take -him seriously." - -"How does he take you?" Elaine asked. - -"I don't know--sometimes I think he does, and sometimes I think he -doesn't!" she laughed. "He is an accomplished flirt and difficult to -gauge." - -"Well, let me tell you one fact, for your information: there isn't a -more indifferent man in Northumberland. He goes everywhere, is in great -demand, is enormously popular, yet, I've never known him to have even -an affair. He is armor-plated--but he is a dear, a perfect dear, -Davila!" - -"I know it!" she said, with heightening color--and Elaine said no more, -then. - -"Shall you prefer to meet Mr. Croyden alone, for the first time, or in -company?" Davila asked. - -"I confess I don't know, but I think, however, it would be better to -have a few words with Colin, first--if it can be arranged." - -Miss Carrington nodded. "Mr. Macloud is to come in a moment before -luncheon, if he can find an excuse that will not include Mr. Croyden." - -"Is an excuse difficult to find--or is any, even, needed?" - -Elaine smiled. - -"He doesn't usually come before four--that's the tea hour in Hampton." - -"Tea!" exclaimed Elaine. "If you've got him into the tea habit, you can -do what you want with him--he will eat out of your hand." - -"I never tried him with tea," said Davila. "He chose a high ball the -first time--so it's been a high ball ever since." - -"With gratifying regularity?" - -"I admit it!" laughed Davila. - -Elaine sat down on the couch and put her arm about Davila. - -"These awful men!" she said. "But we shall be good friends, better -friends than ever, Davila, when you come to Northumberland to live." - -"That is just the question, Elaine," was the quick answer; "whether I -shall be given the opportunity, and whether I shall take it, if I am. I -haven't let it go so far, because I don't feel sure of him. Until I do, -I intend to keep tight hold on myself." - -"Do it--if you can. You'll find it much the happier way." - -Just before luncheon, Macloud arrived. - -"Bully for you!" was his greeting to Miss Cavendish. "I'm glad to see -you here." - -"Yes, I'm here, thanks to you," said Elaine--and Davila not being -present, she kissed him. - -"I'm more than repaid!" he said. - -"But you wish it were--another?" - -"No--but I wish the other--would, too!" he laughed. - -"Give her the chance, Colin." - -"You think I may dare?" eagerly. - -"You're not wont to be so timid," she returned. - -"I wish I had some of your bravery," he said. - -"Is it bravery?" she demanded. "Isn't it impetuous womanliness." - -"Not a bit! There isn't a doubt as to his feelings." - -"But there is a doubt as to his letting them control--I see." - -"Yes! And you alone can help him solve it--if any one can. And I have -great hopes, Elaine, great hopes!" regarding her with approving eyes. -"How any chap could resist you is inconceivable--I could not." - -"You could not at one time, you mean." - -"You gave me no encouragement,--so I must, perforce, fare elsewhere." - -"And now?" she asked. - -"How many love affairs have you come down here to settle?" he laughed. -"By the way, Croyden is impatient to come over this afternoon. The -guest in the trap with Miss Carrington has aroused his curiosity. He -could see only a long brown coat and a brown hat, but the muff before -your face, and his imagination, did the rest." - -"Does he suspect?" she inquired, anxiously. - -"That it's you? No! no! It's simply the country town beginning to tell -on him. He is curious about new guests, and Miss Carrington hadn't -mentioned your coming! He suggested, in a vague sort of way, that there -was something familiar about you, but he didn't attempt to -particularize. It was only a momentary idea." - -She looked her relief. - -"Shall you meet him alone?" - -"I think not--we shall all be present." - -"And _how_ shall you meet him?" - -"It depends on how he meets me." - -"I reckon you don't know much about it--haven't any plans?" - -"No, I haven't. Everything depends on the moment. He will know why I'm -here, and whether he is glad or sorry or displeased at my coming, I -shall know instantly. I shall then have my cue. It's absurd, this -notion of his, and why let it rule him and me! I've always got what I -wanted, and I'm going to get Geoffrey. A Queen of a Nation must propose -to a suitor, so why not a Queen of Money to a man less rich than -she--especially when she is convinced that that alone keeps them apart. -I shall give him a chance to propose to me first; several chances, -indeed!" she laughed. "Then, if he doesn't respond--I shall do it -myself." - - - - -XVII - -A HANDKERCHIEF AND A GLOVE - - -Miss Cavendish was standing behind the curtains in the window of her -room, when Croyden and Macloud came up the walk, at four o'clock. - -She was waiting!--not another touch to be given to her attire. Her -gown, of shimmering blue silk, clung to her figure with every movement, -and fell to the floor in suggestively revealing folds. Her dark hair -was arranged in simple fashion--the simplicity of exquisite -taste--making the fair face below it, seem fairer even than it was. She -was going to win this man. - -She heard them enter the lower hall, and pass into the drawing-room. -She glided out to the stairway, and stood, peering down over the -balustrade. She heard Miss Carrington's greeting and theirs--heard -Macloud's chuckle, and Croyden's quiet laugh. Then she heard Macloud -say: - -"Mr. Croyden is anxious to meet your guest--at least, we took her to be -a guest you were driving with this morning." - -"My guest is equally anxious to meet Mr. Croyden," Miss Carrington -replied. - -"Why does she tarry, then?" laughed Croyden. - -"Did you ever know a woman to be ready?" - -"You were." - -"I am the hostess!" she explained. - -"Mr. Croyden imagined there was something familiar about her," Macloud -remarked. - -"Do you mean you recognized her?" Miss Carrington asked. - -(Elaine strained her ears to catch his answer.) - -"She didn't let me have the chance to recognize her," said he--"she -wouldn't let me see her face." - -(Elaine gave a little sigh of relief.) - -"Wouldn't?" Miss Carrington interrogated. - -"At least, she didn't." - -"She couldn't have covered it completely--she saw you." - -"Don't raise his hopes too high!" Macloud interjected. - -"She can't--I'm on the pinnacle of expectation, now." - -"Humpty-Dumpty risks a great fall!" Macloud warned. - -"Not at all!" said Croyden. "If the guest doesn't please me, I'm going -to talk to Miss Carrington." - -"You're growing blase," she warned. - -"Is that an evidence of it?" he asked. "If it is, I know one who must -be too blase even to move," with a meaning glance at Macloud. - -A light foot-fall on the stairs, the soft swish of skirts in the -hallway, Croyden turned, expectantly--and Miss Cavendish entered the -room. - -There was an instant's silence. Croyden's from astonishment; the -others' with watching him. - -Elaine's eyes were intent on Croyden's face--and what she saw there -gave her great content: he might not be persuaded, but he loved her, -and he would not misunderstand. Her face brightened with a fascinating -smile. - -"You are surprised to see me, messieurs?" she asked, curtsying low. - -Croyden's eyes turned quickly to his friend, and back again. - -"I'm not so sure as to Monsieur Macloud," he said. - -"But for yourself?" - -"Surprised is quite too light a word--stunned would but meekly express -it." - -"Did neither of you ever hear me mention Miss Carrington?--We were -friends, almost chums, at Dobbs Ferry." - -"If I did, it has escaped me?" Croyden smiled. - -"Well, you're likely not to forget it again." - -"Did you know that I--that we were here?" - -"Certainly! I knew that you and Colin were both here," Elaine replied, -imperturbably. "Do you think yourself so unimportant as not to be -mentioned by Miss Carrington?" - -"What will you have to drink, Mr. Croyden?" Davila inquired. - -"A sour ball, by all means." - -"Is that a reflection on my guest?" she asked--while Elaine and Macloud -laughed. - -"A reflection on your guest?" he inflected, puzzled. - -"You said you would take a _sour_ ball." - -Croyden held up his hands. - -"I'm fussed!" he confessed. "I have nothing to plead. A man who mixes a -high ball with a sour ball is either rattled or drunk, I am not the -latter, therefore----" - -"You mean that my coming has rattled you?" Elaine inquired. - -"Yes--I'm rattled for very joy." - -She put her hands before her face. - -"Spare my blushes, Geoffrey!" - -"You could spare a few--and not miss them!" he laughed. - -"Davila, am I?" she demanded. - -"Are you what?" - -"Blushing?" - -"Not the slightest, dear." - -"Here's your sour ball!" said Macloud, handing him the glass. - -"Sweetened by your touch, I suppose!" - -"No! By the ladies' presence--God save them!" - -"Colin," said Croyden, as, an hour later, they walked back to -Clarendon, "you should have told me." - -"Should have told you what?" Macloud asked. - -"Don't affect ignorance, old man--you knew Elaine was coming." - -"I did--yesterday." - -"And that it was she in the trap." - -"The muff hid her face from me, too." - -"But you knew." - -"I could only guess." - -"Do you think it was wise to let her come?" Croyden demanded. - -"I had nothing to do with her decision. Miss Carrington asked her, she -accepted." - -"Didn't you give her my address?" - -"I most assuredly did not." - -Croyden looked at him, doubtfully. - -"I'm telling you the truth," said Macloud. "She tried to get your -address, when I was last in Northumberland, and I refused." - -"And then, she stumbles on it through Davila Carrington! The world _is_ -small. I reckon, if I went off into some deserted spot in Africa, it -wouldn't be a month until some fellow I knew, or who knows a mutual -friend, would come nosing around, and blow on me." - -"Are you sorry she came?" Macloud asked. - -"No! I'm not sorry she came--at least, not now, since she's here.--I'll -be sorry enough when she goes, however." - -"And you will let her go?" - -Croyden nodded. "I must--it's the only proper thing to do." - -"Proper for whom?" - -"For both!" - -"Would it not be better that _she_ should decide what is proper for -her?" - -"Proper for me, then." - -"Based on your peculiar notion of relative wealth between husband and -wife--without regard to what she may think on the subject. In other -words, have you any right to decline the risk, if she is willing to -undertake it?" - -"The risk is mine, not hers. She has the money. Her income, for three -months, about equals my entire fortune." - -"Can't you forget her fortune?" - -"And live at the rate of pretty near two hundred thousand dollars a -year?" Croyden laughed. "Could you?" - -"I think I could, if I loved the girl." - -"And suffer in your self-respect forever after?" - -"There is where we differ. You're inclined to be hyper-critical. If you -play _your_ part, you won't lose your self-respect." - -"It is a trifle difficult to do--to play my part, when all the world is -saying, 'he married her for her money,' and shows me scant regard in -consequence." - -"Why the devil need you care what the world says!" - -"I don't!" - -"What?" Macloud exclaimed. - -"I don't--the world may go hang. But the question is, how long can the -man retain the woman's esteem, with such a handicap." - -"Ah! that is easy! so long as he retains her love." - -"Rather an uncertain quantity." - -"It depends entirely on yourself.--If you start with it, you can hold -it, if you take the trouble to try." - -"You're a strong partisan!" Croyden laughed, as they entered -Clarendon. - -"And what are you?" Macloud returned. - -"Just what I should like to know----" - -"Well, I'll tell you what you are if you don't marry Elaine Cavendish," -Macloud interrupted--"You're an unmitigated fool!" - -"Assuming that Miss Cavendish would marry me." - -"You're not likely to marry her, otherwise," retorted Macloud, as he -went up the stairs. On the landing he halted and looked down at Croyden -in the hall below. "And if you don't take your chance, the chance she -has deliberately offered you by coming to Hampton, you are worse -than----" and, with an expressive gesture, he resumed the ascent. - -"How do you know she came down here just for that purpose?" Croyden -called. - -But all that came back in answer, as Macloud went down the hall and -into his room, was the whistled air from a popular opera, then running -in the Metropolis. - - "Ev'ry little movement has a meaning all its own, - Ev'ry thought and action----" - -The door slammed--the music ceased. - -"I won't believe it," Croyden reflected, "that Elaine would do anything -so utterly unconventional as to seek me out deliberately.... I might -have had a chance if--Oh, damn it all! why didn't we find the old -pirate's box--it would have clarified the whole situation." - -As he changed into his evening clothes, he went over the matter, -carefully, and laid out the line of conduct that he intended to -follow. - -He would that Elaine had stayed away from Hampton. It was putting him -to too severe a test--to be with her, to be subject to her alluring -loveliness, and, yet, to be unmoved. It is hard to see the luscious -fruit within one's reach and to refrain from even touching it. It grew -harder the more he contemplated it.... - -"It's no use fighting against it, here!" he exclaimed, going into -Macloud's room, and throwing himself on a chair. "I'm going to cut the -whole thing." - -"What the devil are you talking about?" Macloud inquired, pausing with -his waistcoat half on. - -"What the devil do you think I'm talking about?" Croyden demanded. - -"Not being a success at solving riddles, I give it up." - -"Oh, very well!" said Croyden. "Can you comprehend this:--I'm going to -leave town?" - -"Certainly--that's plain English. When are you going?" - -"To-morrow morning." - -"Why this suddenness?" - -"To get away quickly--to escape." - -"From Elaine?" - -Croyden nodded. - -Macloud smiled. - -"He is coming to it, at last," he thought. What he said was:--"You're -not going to be put to flight by a woman?" - -"I am.--If I stay here I shall lose." - -"You mean?" - -"I shall propose." - -"And be refused?" - -"Be accepted." - -"Most people would not call that _losing_," said Macloud. - -"I have nothing to do with most people--only, with myself." - -"It seems so!--even Elaine isn't to be considered." - -"Haven't we gone over all that?" - -"I don't know--but, if we have, go over it again." - -"You assume she came down here solely on my account--because I'm -here?" - -"I assume nothing," Macloud answered, with a quiet chuckle. "I said you -have a chance, and urged you not to let it slip. I should not have -offered any suggestion--I admit that----" - -"Oh, bosh!" Croyden interrupted. "Don't be so humble--you're rather -proud of your interference." - -"I am! Certainly, I am! I'm only sorry it is so unavailing." - -"Who said it was unavailing!" - -"You did!--or, at least, I inferred as much." - -"I'm not responsible for your inferences." - -"What are you responsible for?" asked Macloud. - -"Nothing! Nothing!--not even for my resolution--I haven't any--I can't -make any that holds. I'm worse than a weather-cock. Common sense bids -me go. Desire clamors for me to stay--to hasten over to Ashburton--to -put it to the test. When I get to Ashburton, common sense will be in -control. When I come away, desire will tug me back, again--and so on, -and so on--and so on." - -"You're in a bad way!" laughed Macloud. "You need a cock-tail, instead -of a weather-cock. Come on! if we are to dine at the Carringtons' at -seven, we would better be moving. Having thrown the blue funk, usual to -a man in your position, you'll now settle down to business." - -"To be or not to be?" - -"Let future events determine--take it as it comes," Macloud urged. - -"Sage advice!" returned Croyden mockingly. "If I let future events -decide for me, the end's already fixed." - -The big clock on the landing was chiming seven when they rang the bell -at Ashburton and the maid ushered them into the drawing-room. Mrs. -Carrington was out of town, visiting in an adjoining county, and the -Captain had not appeared. He came down stairs a moment later, and took -Macloud and Croyden over to the library. - -After about a quarter of an hour, he glanced at his watch a trifle -impatiently.--Another fifteen minutes, and he glanced at it again. - -"Caroline!" he called, as the maid passed the door. "Go up to Miss -Davila's room and tell her it's half-after-seven." - -Then he continued with the story he was relating. - -Presently, the maid returned; the Captain looked at her, -interrogatingly. - -"Mis' Davila, she ain' deah, no seh," said the girl. - -"She is probably in Miss Cavendish's room,--look, there, for her," the -Captain directed. - -"No, seh! I looks dyar--she ain' no place up stairs, and neither is -Mis' Cav'dish, seh. Hit's all dark, in dey rooms, seh, all dark." - -"Very singular," said the Captain. "Half-after-seven, and not here?" - -"They were here, two hours ago," said Croyden. "We had tea with them." - -"Find out from the other servants whether they left any word." - -"Dey didn', seh! no, seh! I ax'd dem, seh!" - -"Very singular, indeed! excuse me, sirs, I'll try to locate them." - -He went to the telephone, and called up the Lashiels, the Tilghmans, -the Tayloes, and all their neighbors and intimates, only to receive the -same answer: "They were not there, and hadn't been there that -afternoon." - -"This is amazing, sirs!" he exclaimed. "I will go up myself and see." - -"We are at your service, Captain Carrington," said Macloud -instantly.--"At your service for anything we can do." - -"They knew, of course, you were expected for dinner?" he asked, as he -led the way upstairs.--"I can't account for it." - -The Captain inspected his granddaughter's and Miss Cavendish's rooms, -Macloud and Croyden, being discreet, the rooms on the other side of the -house. They discovered nothing which would explain. - -"We will have dinner," said the Captain. "They will surely turn up -before we have finished." - -The dinner ended, however, and the missing ones had not returned. - -"Might they have gone for a drive?" Macloud suggested. - -The Captain shook his head. "The keys of the stable are on my desk, -which shows that the horses are in for the night. I admit I am at a -loss--however, I reckon they will be in presently, with an explanation -and a good laugh at us for being anxious." - -But when nine o'clock came, and then half-after-nine, and still they -did not appear, the men grew seriously alarmed. - -The Captain had recourse to the telephone again, getting residence -after residence, without result. At last he hung up the receiver. - -"I don't know what to make of it," he said, bewildered. "I've called -every place I can think of, and I can't locate them. What can have -happened?" - -"Let us see how the matter stands," said Macloud. "We left them here -about half-after-five, and, so far as can be ascertained, no one has -seen them since. Consequently, they must have gone out for a walk or a -drive. A drive is most unlikely, at this time of the day--it is dark -and cold. Furthermore, your horses are in the stable, so, if they went, -they didn't go alone--some one drove them. The alternative--a walk--is -the probable explanation; and that remits us to an accident as the -cause of delay. Which, it seems to me, is the likely explanation." - -"But if there were an accident, they would have been discovered, long -since; the walks are not deserted," the Captain objected. - -"Possibly, they went out of the town." - -"A young woman never goes out of town, unescorted," was the decisive -answer. "This is a Southern town, you know." - -"I suppose you don't care to telephone the police?" asked Croyden. - -"No--not yet," the Captain replied. "Davila would never forgive me, if -nothing really were wrong--besides, I couldn't. The Mayor's office is -closed for the night--we're not supposed to need the police after six -o'clock." - -"Then Croyden and I will patrol the roads, hereabout," said Macloud. - -"Good! I will go out the Queen Street pike a mile or two," the Captain -said. "You and Mr. Croyden can take the King Street pike, North and -South. We'll meet here not later than eleven o'clock. Excuse me a -moment----" - -"What do you make of it?" said Macloud. - -"It is either very serious or else it's nothing at all. I mean, if -anything _has_ happened, it's far out of the ordinary," Croyden -answered. - -"Exactly my idea--though, I confess, I haven't a notion what the -serious side could be. It's safe to assume that they didn't go into the -country--the hour, alone, would have deterred them, even if the danger -from the were not present, constantly, in Miss Carrington's mind. -On the other hand, how could anything have happened in the town which -would prevent one of them from telephoning, or sending a message, or -getting some sort of word to the Captain." - -"It's all very mysterious--yet, I dare say, easy of solution and -explanation. There isn't any danger of the one thing that is really -terrifying, so I'm not inclined to be alarmed, unduly--just -disquieted." - -At this moment Captain Carrington returned. - -"Here! take these," he said, giving each a revolver. "Let us hope there -won't be any occasion to use them, but it is well to be prepared." - -They went out together--at the intersection of Queen and King Streets, -they parted. - -"Remember! eleven o'clock at my house," said the Captain. "If any one -of us isn't there, the other two will know he needs assistance." - -Croyden went north on King Street. It was a chilly November night, with -frost in the air. The moon, in its second quarter and about to sink -into the waters of the Bay, gave light sufficient to make walking easy, -where the useless street lamps did not kill it with their timid -brilliancy. He passed the limits of the town, and struck out into the -country. It had just struck ten, when they parted--he would walk for -half an hour, and then return. He could do three miles--a mile and a -half each way--and still be at the Carrington house by eleven. He -proceeded along the east side of the road, his eyes busy lest, in the -uncertain light, he miss anything which might serve as a clue. For the -allotted time, he searched but found nothing--he must return. He -crossed to the west side of the road, and faced homeward. - -A mile passed--a quarter more was added--the feeble lights of the town -were gleaming dimly in the fore, when, beside the track, he noticed a -small white object. - -It was a woman's handkerchief, and, as he picked it up, a faint odor of -violets was clinging to it still. Here might be a clue--there was a -monogram on the corner, but he could not distinguish it, in the -darkness. He put it in his pocket and hastened on. A hundred feet -farther, and his foot hit something soft. He groped about, with his -hands, and found--a woman's glove. It, also, bore the odor of violets. - -At the first lamp-post, he stopped and examined the handkerchief--the -monogram was plain: E. C.--and violets, he remembered, were her -favorite perfume. He took out the glove--a soft, undressed kid -affair--but there was no mark on it to help him. He glanced at his -watch. His time had almost expired. He pushed the feminine trifles back -into his pocket, and hurried on. - -He was late, and when he arrived at Ashburton, Captain Carrington and -Macloud were just about to start in pursuit. - -"I found these!" he said, tossing the glove and the handkerchief on the -table--"on the west side of the road, about half a mile from town." - -Macloud picked them up. - -"The violets are familiar--and the handkerchief is Elaine's," said he. -"I recognize the monogram as hers." - -"What do you make of it?" Captain Carrington demanded. - -"Nothing--it passes me." - -His glance sought Croyden's. - -A shake of the head was his answer. - -The Captain strode to the telephone. - -"I'm going to call in our friends," he said. "I think we shall need -them." - - - - -XVIII - -THE LONE HOUSE BY THE BAY - - -When Croyden and Macloud left the Carrington residence that evening, -after their call and tea, Elaine and Davila remained for a little while -in the drawing-room rehearsing the events of the day, as women will. -Presently, Davila went over to draw the shades. - -"What do you say to a walk before we dress for dinner?" she inquired. - -"I should like it, immensely," Elaine answered. - -They went upstairs, changed quickly to street attire, and set out. - -"We will go down to the centre of the town and back," said Davila. -"It's about half a mile each way, and there isn't any danger, so long -as you keep in the town. I shouldn't venture beyond it unescorted, -however, even in daylight." - -"Why?" asked Elaine. "Isn't Hampton orderly?" - -"Hampton is orderly enough. It's the curse that hangs over the South -since the Civil War: the ." - -"Oh! I understand," said Elaine, shuddering. - -"I don't mean that all black men are bad, for they are not. Many are -entirely trustworthy, but the trustworthy ones are much, very much, in -the minority. The vast majority are worthless--and a worthless -is the worst thing on earth." - -"I think I prefer only the lighted streets," Elaine remarked. - -"And you will be perfectly safe there," Davila replied. - -They swung briskly along to the centre of the town--where the two main -thoroughfares, King and Queen Streets, met each other in a wide circle -that, after the fashion of Southern towns, was known, incongruously -enough, as "The Diamond." Passing around this circle, they retraced -their steps toward home. - -As they neared Ashburton, an automobile with the top up and side -curtains on shot up behind them, hesitated a moment, as though -uncertain of its destination and then drew up before the Carrington -place. Two men alighted, gave an order to the driver, and went across -the pavement to the gate, while the engine throbbed, softly. - -Then they seemed to notice the women approaching, and stepping back -from the gate, they waited. - -"I beg your pardon!" said one, raising his hat and bowing, "can you -tell me if this is where Captain Carrington lives?" - -"It is," answered Davila. - -"Thank you!" said the man, standing aside to let them pass. - -"I am Miss Carrington--whom do you wish to see?" - -"Captain Carrington, is he at home?" - -"I do not know--if you will come in, I'll inquire." - -"You're very kind!" with another bow. - -He sprang forward and opened the gate. Davila thanked him with a smile, -and she and Elaine went in, leaving the strangers to follow. - -The next instant, each girl was struggling in the folds of a shawl, -which had been flung over her from behind and wrapped securely around -her head and arms, smothering her cries to a mere whisper. In a trice, -despite their struggles--which, with heads covered and arms held close -to their sides, were utterly unavailing--they were caught up, tossed -into the tonneau, and the car shot swiftly away. - -In a moment, it was clear of the town, the driver "opened her up," and -they sped through the country at thirty miles an hour. - -"Better give them some air," said the leader. "It doesn't matter how -much they yell here." - -He had been holding Elaine on his lap, his arms keeping the shawl tight -around her. Now he loosed her, and unwound the folds. - -"You will please pardon the liberty we have taken," he said, as he -freed her, "but there are----" - -Crack! - -Elaine had struck him straight in the face with all her strength, and, -springing free, was on the point of leaping out, when he seized her -and forced her back, caught her arms in the shawl, which was still -around her, and bound them tight to her side. - -"Better be a little careful, Bill!" he said. "I got an upper cut on the -jaw that made me see stars." - -"I've been very easy with mine," his companion returned. "She'll not -hand me one." However, he took care not to loosen the shawl from her -arms. "There you are, my lady, I hope you've not been greatly -inconvenienced." - -"What do you mean by this outrage?" said Davila. - -"Don't forget, Bill!--mum's the word!" the chief cautioned. - -"At least, you can permit us to sit on the floor of the car," said -Elaine. "Whatever may be your scheme, it's scarcely necessary to hold -us in this disgusting position." - -"Will you make no effort to escape?" the chief asked. - -"No!" - -"I reckon that is a trifle overstated!" he laughed. "What about you, -Miss Carrington?" - -Davila did not answer--contenting herself with a look, which was far -more expressive than words. - -"Well, we will take pleasure in honoring your first request, Miss -Cavendish." - -He caught up a piece of rope, passed it around her arms, outside the -shawl, tied it in a running knot, and quietly lifted her from his lap -to the floor. - -"I trust that is satisfactory?" he asked. - -"By comparison, eminently so." - -"Thank you!" he said. "Do you, Miss Carrington, wish to sit beside your -friend?" - -"If you please!" said Davila, with supreme contempt. - -He took the rope and tied her, likewise. - -"Very good, Bill!" he said, and they placed her beside Elaine. - -"If you will permit your legs to be tied, we will gladly let you have -the seat----" - -"No!----" - -"Well, I didn't think you would--so you will have to remain on the -floor; you see, you might be tempted to jump, if we gave you the -seat." - -They were running so rapidly, through the night air, that the country -could scarcely be distinguished, as it rushed by them. To Elaine, it -was an unknown land. Davila, however, was looking for something she -could recognize--some building that she knew, some stream, some -topographical formation. But in the faint and uncertain moonlight, -coupled with the speed at which they travelled, she was baffled. The -chief observed, however. - -"With your permission!" he said, and taking two handkerchiefs from his -pocket, he bound the eyes of both. - -"It is only for a short while," he explained--"matter of an hour or -so, and you suffer no particular inconvenience, I trust." - -Neither Elaine nor Davila condescended to reply. - -After a moment's pause, the man went on: - -"I neglected to say--and I apologize for my remissness--that you need -fear no ill-treatment. You will be shown every consideration--barring -freedom, of course--and all your wants, within the facilities at our -command, will be gratified. Naturally, however, you will not be -permitted to communicate with your friends." - -"How nice of you!" said Elaine. "But I should be better pleased if you -would tell us the reason for this abduction." - -"That, I regret, I am not at liberty to discuss." - -"How long are we to remain prisoners?" demanded Davila. - -"It depends." - -"Upon what?" - -"Upon whether something is acceded to." - -"By whom?" - -"I am not at liberty to say." - -"And if it is not acceded to?" Elaine inquired. - -"In that event--it would be necessary to decide what should be done -with you." - -"Done with us! What do you mean to imply?" - -"Nothing!--the time hasn't come to imply--I hope it will not come." - -"Why?" said Davila. - -"Because." - -"Because is no reason." - -"It is a woman's reason!" said he, laughing lightly. - -"Do you mean that your failure would imperil our lives?" - -"Something like it?" he replied, after a moment's thought. - -"Our lives!" Davila cried. "Do you appreciate what you are saying!" - -The man did not answer. - -"Is it possible you mean to threaten our lives?" Davila persisted. - -"I threaten nothing--yet." - -"Oh, you threaten nothing, yet!" she mocked. "But you will threaten, -if----" - -"Exactly! if--you are at liberty to guess the rest." - -"I don't care to guess!" she retorted. "Do you appreciate that the -whole Eastern Shore will be searching for us by morning--and that, if -the least indignity is offered us, your lives won't be worth a penny?" - -"We take the risk, Miss Carrington," replied the man, placidly. - -Davila shrugged her shoulders, and they rode in silence, for half an -hour. - -Then the speed of the car slackened, they ran slowly for half a mile, -and stopped. The chief reached down, untied the handkerchiefs, and -sprang out. - -"You may descend," he said, offering his hand. - -Elaine saw the hand, and ignored it; Davila refused even to see the -hand. - -They could make out, in the dim light, that they were before a long, -low, frame building, with the waters of the Bay just beyond. A light -burned within, and, as they entered, the odor of cooking greeted them. - -"Thank goodness! they don't intend to starve us!" said Elaine. "I -suppose it's scarcely proper in an abducted maiden, but I'm positively -famished." - -"I'm too enraged to eat," said Davila. - -"Are you afraid?" Elaine asked. - -"Afraid?--not in the least!" - -"No more am I--but oughtn't we be afraid?" - -"I don't know! I'm too angry to know anything." - -They had been halted on the porch, while the chief went in, presumably, -to see that all was ready for their reception. Now, he returned. - -"If you will come in," he said, "I will show you to your apartment." - -"Prison, you mean," said Davila. - -"Apartment is a little better word, don't you think?" said he. -"However, as you wish, Miss Carrington, as you wish! We shall try to -make you comfortable, whatever you may call your temporary -quarters.--These two rooms are yours," he continued, throwing open the -door. "They are small, but quiet and retired; you will not, I am sure, -be disturbed. Pardon me, if I remove these ropes, you will be less -hampered in your movements. There! supper will be served in fifteen -minutes--you will be ready?" - -"Yes, we shall be ready," said Elaine, and the man bowed and retired. -"He has some manners!" she reflected. - -"They might be worse," Davila retorted. - -"Which is some satisfaction," Elaine added. - -"Yes!--and we best be thankful for it." - -"The rooms aren't so bad," said Elaine, looking around. - -"We each have a bed, and a bureau, and a wash-stand, and a couple of -chairs, a few chromos, a rug on the floor--and bars at the window." - -"I noticed the bars," said Davila. - -Elaine crossed to her wash-stand. - -"They've provided us with water, so we may as well use it," she said. -"I think my face needs--Heavens! what a sight I am!" - -"Haven't you observed the same sight in me?" Davila asked. "I've lost -all my puffs, I know--and so have you--and your hat is a trifle awry." - -"Since we're not trying to make an impression, I reckon it doesn't -matter!" laughed Elaine. "We will have ample opportunity to put them to -rights before Colin and Geoffrey see us." - -She took off her hat, pressed her hair into shape, replaced a few pins, -dashed water on her face, and washed her hands. - -"Now," she said, going into the other room where Miss Carrington was -doing likewise, "if I only had a powder-rag, I'd feel dressed." - -Davila turned, and, taking a little book, from the pocket of her coat, -extended it. - -"Here is some Papier Poudre," she said. - -"You blessed thing!" Elaine exclaimed, and, tearing out a sheet, she -rubbed it over her face. "Is my nose shiny?" she ended. - -A door opened and a young girl appeared, wearing apron and cap. - -"The ladies are served!" she announced. - -The two looked at each other and laughed. - -"This is quite some style!" Davila commented. - -"It is, indeed!" said Elaine as she saw the table, with its candles and -silver (plated, to be sure), dainty china, and pressed glass. - -"If the food is in keeping, I think we can get along for a few days. We -may as well enjoy it while it lasts." - -Davila smiled. "You always were of a philosophic mind." - -"It's the easiest way." - -She might have added, that it was the only way she knew--her wealth -having made all roads easy to her. - -The meal finished, they went back to their apartment, to find the bed -turned down for the night, and certain lingerie, which they were -without, laid out for them. - -"Better and better!" exclaimed Elaine. "You might think this was a -hotel." - -"Until you tried to go out." - -"We haven't tried, yet--wait until morning." A pack of cards was on the -table. "See how thoughtful they are! Come, I'll play you Camden for a -cent a point." - -"I can't understand what their move is?" said Davila, presently. "What -can they hope to accomplish by abducting us--or me, at any rate. It -seems they don't want anything from us." - -"I make it, that they hope to extort something, from a third party, -through us--by holding us prisoners." - -"Captain Carrington has no money--it can't be he," said Davila, "and -yet, why else should they seize me?" - -"The question is, whose hand are they trying to force?" reflected -Elaine. "They will hold us until something is acceded to, the man said. -Until _what_ is acceded to, and _by whom_?" - -"You think that we are simply the pawns?" asked Davila. - -"Undoubtedly!" - -"And if it isn't acceded to, they will kill us?" - -"They will doubtless make the threat." - -"Pleasant prospect for us!" - -"We won't contemplate it, just yet. They may gain their point, or we may -be rescued; in either case, we'll be saved from dying!" Elaine laughed. -"And, at the worst, I may be able to buy them off--to pay our own -ransom. If it's money they want, we shall not die, I assure you." - -"You would pay what they demand?" Davila asked, quickly. - -"If I have to choose between death and paying, I reckon I'll pay." - -"But can you pay?" - -"Yes, I think I can pay," she said quietly. "I'm not used to boasting -my wealth, but I can draw my check for a million, and it will be -honored without a moment's question. Does that make you feel easier, my -dear?" - -"Considerably easier," said Davila, with a glad laugh. "I couldn't draw -my check for much more than ten thousand cents. I am only----" She -stopped, staring. - -"What on earth is the matter, Davila?" Elaine exclaimed. - -"I have it!--it's the thieves!" - -"Have you suddenly lost your mind?" - -"No! I've found it! I've come out of my trance. It's Parmenter's -chest." - -"Parmenter's chest?" echoed Elaine. "I reckon I must be in a trance, -also." - -"Hasn't Mr. Croyden told you--or Mr. Macloud?" - -"No!" - -"Then maybe I shouldn't--but I will. Parmenter's chest is a fortune in -jewels." - -"A what?" - -"A fortune in jewels, which Mr. Croyden has searched for and not -found--and the thieves think----" - -"You would better tell me the story," said Elaine, pushing back the -cards. - -And Davila told her.... - -"It is too absurd!" laughed Elaine, "those rogues trying to force -Geoffrey to divide what he hasn't got, and can't find, and we abducted -to constrain him. He couldn't comply if he wanted to, poor fellow!" - -"But they will never believe it," said Davila. - -"And, meanwhile, we suffer. Well, if we're not rescued shortly, I can -advance the price and buy our freedom. They want half a million. Hum! I -reckon two hundred thousand will be sufficient--and, maybe, we can -compromise for one hundred thousand. Oh! it's not so bad, Davila, it's -not so bad!" - -She smiled, shrewdly. Unless she were wofully mistaken, this abduction -would release her from the embarrassment of declaring herself to -Geoffrey. She could handle the matter, now. - -"What is it?" asked Davila. "Why are you smiling so queerly?" - -"I was thinking of Colin and Geoffrey--and how they are pretty sure to -know their minds when this affair is ended." - -"You mean?" - -"Exactly! I mean, if this doesn't bring Colin to his senses, he is -hopeless." - -"And Mr. Croyden?" Davila queried. "How about him?" - -"He will surrender, too. All his theoretical notions of relative wealth -will be forgotten. I've only to wait for rescue or release. On the -whole, Davila, I'm quite satisfied with being abducted. Moreover, it is -an experience which doesn't come to every girl." She looked at her -friend quizzically. "What are you going to do about Colin? I rather -think you should have an answer ready; the circumstances are apt to -make him rather precipitate." - -The next morning after breakfast, which was served in their rooms, -Elaine was looking out through the bars on her window, trying to get -some notion of the country, when she saw, what she took to be, the -chief abductor approaching. He was a tall, well-dressed man of middle -age, with the outward appearance of a gentleman. She looked at him a -moment, then rang for the maid. - -"I should like to have a word with the man who just came in," she -said. - -"I will tell him, Miss." - -He appeared almost immediately, an inquiring look on his face. - -"How can I serve you, Miss Cavendish?" he said, deferentially. - -"By permitting us to go out for some air--these rooms were not -designed, apparently, for permanent residence." - -"It can be arranged," he answered. "When do you wish to go?" - -"At once!" - -"Very good!" he said. "You will have no objection to being attended, to -make sure you don't stray off too far, you know?" - -"None whatever, if the attendant remains at a reasonable distance." - -He bowed and stood aside. - -"You may come," he said. - -"Is the locality familiar?" Elaine asked, when they were some distance -from the house. - -Davila shook her head. "It is south of Hampton, I think, but I can't -give any reason for my impression. The car was running very rapidly; we -were, I reckon, almost two hours on the way, but we can't be more than -fifty miles away." - -"If they came direct--but if they circled, we could be much less," -Elaine observed. - -"It's a pity we didn't think to drop something from the car to inform -our friends which way to look for us." - -"I did," said Elaine. "I tossed out a handkerchief and a glove a short -distance from Hampton--just as I struck that fellow. The difficulty is, -there isn't any assurance we kept to that road. Like as not, we started -north and ended east or south of town. What is this house, a fishing -club?" - -"I rather think so. There is a small wharf, and a board-walk down to -the Bay, and the house itself is one story and spread-out, so to -speak." - -"Likely it's a summer club-house, which these men have either rented or -preempted for our prison." - -"The country around here is surely deserted!" said Davila. - -"Hence, a proper choice for our temporary residence." - -"I can't understand the care they are taking of us--the deference with -which we are treated, the food that is given us." - -"Parmenter's treasure, and the prize they think they're playing for, -has much to do with it. We are of considerable value, according to -their idea." - -After a while, they went back to the house. The two men, who had -remained out of hearing, but near enough to prevent any attempt to -escape, having seen them safely within, disappeared. As they passed -through the hall they encountered the chief. He stepped aside. - -"You enjoyed your walk, I trust?" he said. - -Davila nodded curtly. Elaine stopped. - -"I feel sorry for you!" she said, smiling. - -"You are very kind," he replied. "But why?" - -"You are incurring considerable expense for nothing." - -He grinned. "It is a very great pleasure, I assure you." - -"You are asking the impossible," she went on. "Mr. Croyden told you -the simple truth. He _didn't_ find the Parmenter jewels." - -The man's face showed his surprise, but he only shrugged his shoulders -expressively, and made no reply. - -"I know you do not believe it--yet it's a fact, nevertheless. Mr. -Croyden couldn't pay your demands, if he wished. Of course, we enjoy -the experience, but, as I said, it's a trifle expensive for you." - -The fellow's grin broadened. - -"You're a good sport!" he said--"a jolly good sport! But we're dealing -with Mr. Croyden and Mr. Macloud, so, you'll pardon me if I decline to -discuss the subject." - - - - -XIX - -ROBERT PARMENTER'S SUCCESSORS - - -In half-an-hour from the time Captain Carrington strode to the -telephone to arouse his friends, all Hampton had the startling news: -Davila Carrington and her guest, Miss Cavendish, had disappeared. - -How, when, and where, it could not learn, so it supplied the deficiency -as best pleased the individual--by morning, the wildest tales were -rehearsed and credited. - -The truth was bad enough, however. Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish -were not in the town, nor anywhere within a circuit of five miles. -Croyden, Macloud, all the men in the place had searched the night -through, and without avail. Every horse, and every boat had been -accounted for. It remained, that they either had fallen into the Bay, -or had gone in a strange conveyance. - -Croyden and Macloud had returned to Clarendon for a bite of -breakfast--very late breakfast, at eleven o'clock. They had met by -accident, on their way to the house, having come from totally different -directions of search. - -"It's Parmenter again!" said Croyden, suddenly. - -"It's what?" said Macloud. - -"Parmenter:--Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. The lawyer villain has -reappeared. I told you it was he I saw, yesterday, driving the -automobile." - -"I don't quite understand why they selected Elaine and Miss Carrington -to abduct," Macloud objected, after a moment's consideration. "Why -didn't they take you?" - -"Because they thought we would come to time more quickly, if they took -the women. They seem to be informed on everything, so, we can assume, -they are acquainted with your fondness for Miss Carrington and mine for -Elaine. Or, it's possible they thought that we both were interested in -Davila--for I've been with her a lot this autumn--and then, at the -pinch, were obliged to take Elaine, also, because she was with her and -would give the alarm if left behind." - -"A pretty fair scheme," said Macloud. "The fellow who is managing this -business knew we would do more for the women than for ourselves." - -"It's the same old difficulty--we haven't got Parmenter's treasure, but -they refuse to be convinced." - -The telephone rang, and Croyden himself answered it. - -"Captain Carrington asks that we come over at once," he said, hanging -up the receiver. "The Pinkerton men have arrived." - -They finished their breakfast and started. Half way to the gate, they -met the postman coming up the walk. He handed Croyden a letter, faced -about and trudged away. - -Croyden glanced at it, mechanically tore open the envelope, and drew it -out. As his eyes fell on the first line, he stopped, abruptly. - -"Listen to this!" he said. - - "On Board The Parmenter, - "Pirate Sloop of War, - "Off the Capes of the Chesapeake. - - "Dear Sir:-- - - "It seems something is required to persuade you that we mean - business. Therefore, we have abducted Miss Carrington and her - friend, Miss Cavendish, in the hope that it will rouse you to a - proper realization of the eternal fitness of things, and of our - intention that there shall be a division of the jewels--or their - value in money. Our attorney had the pleasure of an interview - with you, recently, at which time he specified a sum of two - hundred and fifty thousand dollars, as being sufficient. A - further investigation of the probable value of the jewels, having - convinced us that we were in slight error as to their present - worth, induces us to reduce the amount, which we claim as our - share, to two hundred thousand dollars. This is the minimum of - our demand, however, and we have taken the ladies, aforesaid, as - security for its prompt payment. - - "They will be held in all comfort and respect (if no effort at - rescue be attempted--otherwise we will deal with them as we see - fit), for the period of ten days from the receipt of this letter, - which will be at noon to-morrow. If the sum indicated is not - paid, they will, at the expiration of the ten days, be turned - over to the tender mercies of the crew.--Understand? - - "As to the manner of payment--You, yourself, must go to - Annapolis, and, between eleven and twelve in the morning, proceed - to the extreme edge of Greenberry Point and remain standing, in - full view from the Bay, for the space of fifteen minutes. You - will, then, face about, step ten paces, and bury the money, which - must be in thousand dollar bills, under a foot of sand. You will - then, immediately, return to Annapolis and take the first car to - Baltimore, and, thence, to Hampton. - - "In the event that you have not reduced the jewels to cash, we - will be content with such a division as will insure us a moiety - thereof. It will be useless to try deception concerning - them,--though a few thousand dollars, one way or the other, won't - matter. When you have complied with these terms, the young women - will be released and permitted to return to Hampton. If not--they - will wish they were dead, even before they are. We are, sir, with - deep respect, - - "Y'r h'mbl. and ob'dt. serv'ts, - - "Robert Parmenter's Successors. - - "Geoffrey Croyden, Esq'r. - "Hampton, Md." - -"Where was it mailed?" Macloud asked. - -Croyden turned over the envelope. It was postmarked Hampton, 6.30 A.M., -of that day. - -"Which implies that it was mailed some time during the night," said -he. - -"What do you make of it?" - -"Do you mean, will they carry out their threat?" - -Croyden nodded. - -"They have been rather persistent," Macloud replied. - -"It's absurd!" Croyden exclaimed. "We haven't the jewels. Damn -Parmenter and his infernal letter!" - -"Parmenter is not to blame," said Macloud. "Damn the thieves." - -"And damn my carelessness in letting them pick my pocket! there lies -the entire difficulty." - -"Well, the thing, now, is to save the women--and how?" - -"Pay, if need be!" exclaimed Croyden. "The two hundred thousand I got -for the Virginia Development bonds will be just enough." - -Macloud nodded. "I'm in for half, old man. Aside from any personal -feelings we may have for the women in question," he said, with a -serious sort of smile, "we owe it to them--they were abducted solely -because of us--to force us to disgorge." - -"I'm ready to pay the cash at once." - -"Don't be hasty!" Macloud cautioned. "We have ten days, and the police -can take a try at it." - -"_That_, for the police!" said Croyden, snapping his fingers. "They're -all bunglers--they will be sure to make a mess of it, and, then, no man -can foresee what will happen. It's not right to subject the women to -the risk. Let us pay first, and punish after--if we can catch the -scoundrels. How long do you think Henry Cavendish will hesitate when he -learns that Elaine has been abducted, and the peril which menaces -her?" - -"Thunder! we have clean forgot her father!" exclaimed Macloud. "He -should be informed at once." - -"Just what he shouldn't be," Croyden returned. "What is the good in -alarming him? Free her--then she may tell him, or not, as it pleases -her." - -Macloud held out his hand. - -"Done!" he said. "Our first duty _is_ to save the women, the rest can -bide until they are free. How about the money? Are your stocks readily -convertible? If not, I'll advance your share." - -"Much obliged, old man," said Croyden, "but a wire will do it--they're -all listed on New York." - -"Will you lose much, if you sell now?" asked Macloud. He wished Croyden -would let him pay the entire amount. - -"Just about even; a little to the good, in fact," was the answer. - -And Macloud said no more--he knew it was useless. - -At Ashburton, they found Captain Carrington pacing the long hall, in -deep distress--uncertain what course to pursue, because there was no -indication as to what had caused the disappearance. He turned, as the -two men entered. - -"The detectives are quizzing the servants in the library," he said. "I -couldn't sit still.--You have news?" he exclaimed, reading Croyden's -face. - -"I have!" said Croyden, and gave him the letter. - -He seized it. As he read, concern, perplexity, amazement, anger, all -showed in his countenance. - -"They have been abducted!--Davila and Miss Cavendish, and are held for -ransom!--a fabulous ransom, which you are asked to pay," he said, -incredulously. "So much, at least, is intelligible. But why? why? Who -are Robert Parmenter's Successors?--and who was he? and the jewels?--I -cannot understand----" - -"I'm not surprised," said Croyden. "It's a long story--too long to -tell--save that Parmenter was a pirate, back in 1720, who buried a -treasure on Greenberry Point, across the Severn from Annapolis, you -know, and died, making Marmaduke Duval his heir, under certain -conditions. Marmaduke, in turn, passed it on to his son, and so on, -until Colonel Duval bequeathed it to me. We searched--Mr. Macloud and -I--for three weeks, but did not find it. Our secret was chanced upon by -two rogues, who, with their confederates, however, are under the -conviction we _did_ find it. They wanted a rake-off. I laughed at -them--and this abduction is the result." - -"But why abduct the women?" asked the old man. - -"Because they think I can be coerced more easily. They are under the -impression that I am--fond of Miss Carrington. At any rate, they know -I'm enough of a friend to pay, rather than subject her to the hazard." - -"Pay! I can't pay! My whole fortune isn't over twenty thousand dollars. -It I will gladly sacrifice, but more is impossible." - -"You're not to pay, my old friend," said Croyden. "Mr. Macloud and I -are the ones aimed at and we will pay." - -"I won't permit it, sir!" the Captain exclaimed. "There is no reason -for you----" - -"Tut! tut!" said Croyden, "you forget that we are wholly responsible; -but for us, Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish would not have been -abducted. The obligation is ours, and we will discharge it. It is our -plain, our very plain, duty." - -The old man threw up his hands in the extremity of despair. - -"I don't know what to do!" he said. "I don't know what to do!" - -"Do nothing--leave everything to us. We'll have Miss Carrington back in -three days." - -"And safe?" - -"And safe--if the letter is trustworthy, and I think it is. The police -can't do as well--they may fail entirely--and think of the possible -consequences! Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish are very handsome -women." - -"My God, yes!" exclaimed the Captain. "Anything but that! If they were -men, or children, it would be different--they could take some chances. -But women!"--He sank on a chair and covered his face with his hands. -"You must let me pay what I am able," he insisted. "All that I -have----" - -Croyden let his hand fall sympathizingly on the other's shoulder. - -"It shall be as you wish," he said quietly. "We will pay, and you can -settle with us afterward--our stocks can be converted instantly, you -see, while yours will likely require some time." - -The Captain pulled himself together and arose. - -"Thank you," he said. "I've been sort of unmanned--I'm better now. -Shall you show the detectives the letter--tell them we are going to pay -the amount demanded?" - -"I don't know," said Croyden, uncertainly. "What's your opinion, -Colin?" - -"Let them see the letter," Macloud answered, "but on the distinct -stipulation, that they make no effort to apprehend 'Robert Parmenter's -Successors' until the women are safely returned. They may pick up -whatever clues they can obtain for after use, but they must not do -anything which will arouse suspicion, even." - -"Why take them into our confidence at all?" asked Croyden. - -"For two reasons: It's acting square with them (which, it seems to me, -is always the wise thing to do). And, if they are not let in on the -facts, they may blunder in and spoil everything. We want to save the -women at the earliest moment, without any possible handicaps due to -ignorance or inadvertence." - -"But can we trust them?" Croyden asked, doubtfully. - -"It's the lesser of two evils." - -"We will have to explain the letter, its reference to the Parmenter -jewels, and all that it contains." - -"I can see no objection. We didn't find the treasure, and, I reckon, -they're welcome to search, if they think there is a chance." - -"Well, let it be exactly as you wish--you're quite as much concerned -for success as I am," said Croyden. - -"Possibly, more so," returned Macloud, seriously. - -And Croyden understood. - -Then, they went into the library. The two detectives arose at their -entrance. The one, Rebbert, was a Pinkerton man, the other, Sanders, -was from the Bureau at City Hall. Both were small men, with clean -shaven faces, steady, searching eyes, and an especially quiet manner. - -"Mr. Croyden," said Rebbert, "we have been questioning the servants, -but have obtained nothing of importance, except that the ladies wore -their hats and coats (at least, they have disappeared). This, with the -fact that you found Miss Cavendish's glove and handkerchief, on a road -without the limits of Hampton, leads to the conclusion that they have -been abducted. But why? Miss Carrington, we are informed, has no great -wealth--how as to Miss Cavendish?" - -"She has more than sufficient--in fact, she is very rich----" - -"Ah! then we _have_ a motive," said the detective. - -"There is a motive, but it is not Miss Cavendish," Croyden answered. -"You're correct as to the abduction, however--this will explain," and -he handed him the letter. - -The two men read it. - -"When did you receive this?" said one. - -"At noon to-day," replied Croyden, passing over the envelope. - -They looked carefully at the postmark. - -"Do you object to explaining certain things in this letter?" Rebbert -asked. - -"Not in the least," replied Croyden. "I'll tell you the entire -story.... Is there anything I have missed?" he ended. - -"I think not, sir." - -"Very well! Now, we prefer that you should take no measures to -apprehend the abductors, until after Miss Cavendish and Miss -Carrington have been released. We are going to pay the amount -demanded." - -"Going to pay the two hundred thousand dollars!" cried the detectives, -in one breath. - -Croyden nodded. "Afterward, you can get as busy as you like." - -A knowing smile broke over the men's faces, at the same instant. - -"You too think we found the treasure?" Croyden exclaimed. - -"It looks that way, sir," said Rebbert; while Sanders acquiesced, with -another smile. - -Croyden turned to Macloud and held up his hands, hopelessly. - -"If we only had!" he cried. "If we only had!" - - - - -XX - -THE CHECK - - -On the second morning after their abduction, when Elaine and Davila -arose, the sky was obscured by fog, the trees exuded moisture, and only -a small portion of the Bay was faintly visible through the mist. - -"This looks natural!" said Elaine. "We must have moved out to -Northumberland, in the night." - -Davila smiled, a feeble sort of smile. It was not a morning to promote -light-heartedness, and particularly under such circumstances. - -"Is this anything like Northumberland?" she asked. - -"Yes!--Only Northumberland is more so. For a misty day, this would be -remarkably fine.--With us, it's midnight at noon--all the lights -burning, in streets, and shops, and electric cars, bells jangling, -people rushing, pushing, diving through the dirty blackness, like -devils in hell. Oh, it's pleasant, when you get used to it.--Ever been -there?" - -"No," said Davila, "I haven't." - -"We must have you out--say, immediately after the holidays. Will you -come?" - -"I'll be glad to come, if I'm alive--and we ever get out of this awful -place." - -"It _is_ stupid here," said Elaine. "I thought there was something -novel in being abducted, but it's rather dreary business. I'm ready to -quit, are you?" - -"I was ready to quit before we started!" Davila laughed. - -"We will see what can be done about it. We'll have in the head jailer." -She struck the bell. "Ask the chief to be kind enough to come here a -moment," she said, to the girl who attended them. - -In a few minutes, he appeared--suave, polite, courteous. - -"You sent for me, Miss Cavendish?" he inquired. - -"I did. Sit down, please, I've something to say to you, Mr.----" - -"Jones, for short," he replied. - -"Thank you!" said Elaine, with a particularly winning smile. "Mr. -Jones, for short--you will pardon me, I know, if I seem unduly -personal, but these quarters are not entirely to our liking." - -"I'm very sorry, indeed," he replied. "We tried to make them -comfortable. In what are they unsatisfactory?--we will remedy it, if -possible." - -"We would prefer another locality--Hampton, to be specific." - -"You mean that you are tired of captivity?" he smiled. "I see your -point of view, and I'm hopeful that Mr. Croyden will see it, also, and -permit us to release you, in a few days." - -"It is that very point I wish to discuss a moment with you," she -interrupted. "I told you before, that Mr. Croyden didn't find the -jewels and that, therefore, it is impossible for him to pay." - -"You will pardon me if I doubt your statement.--Moreover, we are not -privileged to discuss the matter with you. We can deal only with Mr. -Croyden, as I think I have already intimated." - -"Then you will draw an empty covert," she replied. - -"That remains to be seen, as I have also intimated," said Mr. Jones, -easily. - -"But you don't want to draw an empty covert, do you--to have only your -trouble for your pains?" she asked. - -"It would be a great disappointment, I assure you." - -"You have been at considerable expense to provide for our -entertainment?" - -"Pray do not mention it!--it's a very great pleasure." - -"It would be a greater pleasure to receive the cash?" she asked. - -"Since the cash is our ultimate aim, I confess it would be equally -satisfactory," he replied. - -"Then why not tell me the amount?" - -He shook his head. - -"Such matters are for Mr. Croyden," he said. - -"Just assume that Mr. Croyden cannot pay," she insisted. "Are _we_ not -to be given a chance to find the cash?" - -"Mr. Croyden can pay." - -"But assume that he cannot," she reiterated, "or won't--it's the same -result." - -"In that event, you----" - -"Would be given the opportunity," she broke in. - -He bowed. - -"Then why not let us consider the matter in the first instance?" she -asked. "The money is the thing. It can make no difference to you whence -it comes--from Mr. Croyden or from me." - -"None in the world!" he answered. - -"And it would be much more simple to accept a check and to release us -when it is paid?" - -"Checks are not accepted in this business!" he smiled. - -"Ordinarily not, it would be too dangerous, I admit. But if it could be -arranged to your satisfaction, what then?" - -"I don't think it can be arranged," he replied. "The amount is much too -great." - -"And that amount is----" she persisted, smiling at him the while. - -"Two hundred thousand dollars," he replied. - -"With what per cent. off for cash?" - -"None--not a fraction of a penny!" - -She nodded, slightly. "Why can't it be arranged?" - -"You're thinking of paying it?" he asked, incredulously. - -"I want to know why you think it can't be arranged?" she repeated. - -"The danger of detection. No bank would pay a check for that amount to -an unknown party, without the personal advice of the drawer." - -"Not if it were made payable to self, and properly indorsed for -identification?" - -"I fear not." - -"You can try it--there's no harm in trying. You have a bank that knows -you?" - -"But scarcely for such large amounts." - -"What of it? You deposit the check for collection only. They will send -it through. When it's paid, they will pay you. If it's not paid, there -is no harm done--and we are still your prisoners. You stand to win -everything and lose nothing." - -The man looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. - -"The check will be paid?" he asked, presently. - -"If it isn't paid, you still have us," said Elaine. - -"It might be managed." - -"That is your part. If the check is presented, it will be paid--you may -rest easy, on that score." - -Jones resumed his contemplation of the ceiling. - -"But remember," she cautioned, "when it is paid, we are to be released, -instantly. No holding us for Mr. Croyden to pay, also. If we play -square with you, you must play square with us. I risk a fortune, see -that you make good." - -"Your check--it should be one of the sort you always use----" - -"I always carry a few blank checks in my handbag--and fortunately, I -have it with me. You were careful to wrap it in with my arms. I will -get it." - -She went into her room. In a moment she returned, the blank check in -her fingers, and handed it to him. It was of a delicate robin's-egg -blue, with "The Tuscarora Trust Company" printed across the face in a -darker shade, and her monogram, in gold, at the upper end. - -"Is it sufficiently individual to raise a presumption of regularity?" -she said. - -"Undoubtedly!" he answered. - -"Then, let us understand each other," she said. - -"By all means," he agreed. - -"I give you my check for two hundred thousand dollars, duly executed, -payable to my order, and endorsed by me, which, when paid, you, on -behalf of your associates and yourself, engage to accept in lieu of the -amount demanded from Mr. Croyden, and to release Miss Carrington and -myself forthwith." - -"There is one thing more," he said. "You, on your part, are to -stipulate that no attempt will be made to arrest us." - -"We will engage that _we_ will do nothing to apprehend you." - -"Directly or indirectly?" he questioned. - -"Yes!--more than that is not in our power. You will have to assume the -general risk you took when you abducted us." - -"We will take it," was the quiet answer. - -"Is there anything else?" she asked. - -"I think not--at least, everything is entirely satisfactory to us." - -"Despite the fact that it couldn't be made so!" she smiled. - -"I didn't know we had to deal with a woman of such business sense -and--wealth," he answered gallantly. - -She smiled. "If you will get me ink and pen, I will sign the check," -she said. - -She filled it in for the amount specified, signed and endorsed it. Then -she took, from her handbag, a correspondence card, embossed with her -initials, and wrote this note: - - "Hampton, Md. - "Nov. --'10. - - "My dear Mr. Thompson:-- - - "I have made a purchase, down here, and my check for Two Hundred - Thousand dollars, in consideration, will come through, at once. - Please see that it is paid, promptly. - - "Yours very sincerely, - - "Elaine Cavendish. - - "To James Thompson, Esq'r., "Treasurer, The Tuscarora Trust Co., - "Northumberland." - -She addressed the envelope and passed it and the card across to Mr. -Jones, together with the check. - -"If you will mail this, to-night, it will provide against any chance of -non-payment," she said. - -"You are a marvel of accuracy," he answered, with a bow. "I would I -could always do business with you." - -"At two hundred thousand the time? No! no! monsieur, I pray thee, no -more!" - -There was a knock on the door; the maid entered and spoke in a low tone -to Jones. He nodded. - -"I am sorry to inconvenience you again," he said, turning to them, "but -I must trouble you to go aboard the tug." - -"The tug--on the water?" Elaine exclaimed. - -"On the water--that is usually the place for well behaved tugs!" he -laughed. - -"Now!" Elaine persisted. - -"Now--before I go to deposit the check!" he smiled. "You will be safer -on the tug. There will be no danger of an escape or a rescue--and it -won't be for long, I trust." - -"Your trust is no greater than ours, I assure you," said Elaine. - -Their few things were quickly gathered, and they went down to the -wharf, where a small boat was drawn up ready to take them to the tug, -which was lying a short distance out in the Bay. - -"One of the Baltimore tugs, likely," said Davila. "There are scores of -them, there, and some are none too chary about the sort of business -they are employed in." - -"Witness the present!" commented Elaine. - -They got aboard without accident. Jones conducted them to the little -cabin, which they were to occupy together--an upper and a lower bunk -having been provided. - -"The maid will sleep in the galley," said he. "She will look after the -cooking, and you will dine in the small cabin next to this one. It's a -bit contracted quarters for you, and I'm sorry, but it won't be for -long--as we both trust, Miss Cavendish." - -"And you?" asked Elaine. - -"I go to deposit the check. I will have my bank send it direct for -collection, with instructions to wire immediately if paid. I presume -you don't wish it to go through the ordinary course." - -"Most assuredly not!" Elaine answered. - -"This is Thursday," said Jones. "The check, and your note, should reach -the Trust Company in the same mail to-morrow morning; they can be -depended upon to wire promptly, I presume?" - -"Undoubtedly!" - -"Then, we may be able to release you to-morrow night, certainly by -Saturday." - -"It can't come too soon for us." - -"You don't seem to like our hospitality," Jones observed. - -"It's excellent of its sort, but we don't fancy the sort--you -understand, monsieur. And then, too, it is frightfully expensive." - -"We have done the best we could under the circumstances," he smiled. -"Until Saturday at the latest--meanwhile, permit me to offer you a very -hopeful farewell." - -Elaine smiled sweetly, and Mr. Jones went out. - -"Why do you treat him so amiably?" Davila asked. "I couldn't, if I -would." - -"Policy," Elaine answered. "We get on better. It wouldn't help our case -to be sullen--and it might make it much worse. I would gladly shoot -him, and hurrah over it, too, as I fancy you would do, but it does no -good to show it, now--when we _can't_ shoot him." - -"I suppose not," said Davila. "But I'm glad I don't have to play the -part." She hesitated a moment. "Elaine, I don't know how to thank you -for my freedom----" - -"Wait until you have it!" the other laughed. "Though there isn't a -doubt of the check being paid." - -"My grandfather, I know, will repay you with his entire fortune, but -that will be little----" - -Elaine stopped her further words by placing a hand over her mouth, and -kissing her. - -"That's quite enough, dear!" she said. "Take it that the reward is for -my release, and that you were just tossed in for good measure--or, that -it is a slight return for the pleasure of visiting you--or, that the -money is a small circumstance to me--or, that it is a trifling sum to -pay to be saved the embarrassment of proposing to Geoffrey, -myself--or, take it any way you like, only, don't bother your pretty -head an instant more about it. In the slang of the day: 'Forget it,' -completely and utterly, as a favor to me if for no other reason." - -"I'll promise to forget it--until we're free," agreed Davila. - -"And, in the meantime, let us have a look around this old boat," said -Elaine. "You're nearer the door, will you open it? Two can't pass in -this room." - -Davila tried the door--it refused to open. - -"It's locked!" she said. - -"Oh, well! we will content ourselves with watching the Bay through the -port hole, and when one wants to turn around the other can crawl up in -her bunk. I'm going to write a book about this experience, some -time.--I wonder what Geoffrey and Colin are doing?" she -laughed--"running around like mad and stirring up the country, I -reckon." - - - - -XXI - -THE JEWELS - - -Macloud went to New York on the evening train. He carried Croyden's -power of attorney with stock sufficient, when sold, to make up his -share of the cash. He had provided for his own share by a wire to his -brokers and his bank in Northumberland. A draft would be awaiting him. -He would reduce both amounts to one thousand dollar bills and hurry -back to Annapolis to meet Croyden. - -But they counted not on the railroads,--or rather they did count on -them, and they were disappointed. A freight was derailed just south of -Hampton, tearing up the track for a hundred yards, and piling the right -of way with wreckage of every description. Macloud's train was twelve -hours late leaving Hampton. Then, to add additional ill luck, they ran -into a wash out some fifty miles further on; with the result that they -did not reach New York until after the markets were over and the banks -had closed for the day. - -He wired the facts to Croyden. The following day, he sold the stocks, -the brokers gave him the proceeds in the desired bills, after the -delivery hour, and he made a quick get-away for Annapolis, arriving -there at nine o'clock in the evening. - -Croyden was awaiting him, at Carvel Hall. - -"I'm sorry, for the girls' sake," said he, "but it's only a day lost. -We will deliver the goods to-morrow. And, then, pray God, they be freed -before another night! That lawyer thief is a rogue and a robber, but -something tells me he will play straight." - -"I reckon we will have to trust him," returned Macloud. "Where is the -Pinkerton man?" - -"He is in town. He will be over on the Point in the morning, disguised -as a and chopping wood, on the edge of the timber. There isn't -much chance of him identifying the gang, but it's the best we can do. -It's the girls first, the scoundrels afterward, if possible." - -At eleven o'clock the following day, Croyden, mounted on one of -"Cheney's Best," rode away from the hotel. There had been a sudden -change in the weather, during the night; the morning was clear and -bright and warm, as happens, sometimes, in Annapolis, in late November. -The Severn, blue and placid, flung up an occasional white cap to greet -him, as he crossed the bridge. He nodded to the draw-keeper, who -recognized him, drew aside for an automobile to pass, and then trotted -sedately up the hill, and into the woods beyond. - -He could hear the Band of the Academy pounding out a quick-step, and -catch a glimpse of the long line of midshipmen passing in review, -before some notable. The "custard and cream" of the chapel dome -obtruded itself in all its hideousness; the long reach of Bancroft Hall -glowed white in the sun; the library with its clock--the former, by -some peculiar idea, placed at the farthest point from the dormitory, -and the latter where the midshipmen cannot see it--dominated the -opposite end of the grounds. Everywhere was quiet, peace, and -discipline--the embodiment of order and law,--the Flag flying over -all. - -And yet, he was on his way to pay a ransom of very considerable amount, -for two women who were held prisoners! - -He tied his horse to a limb of a maple, and walked out on the Point. -Save for a few trees, uprooted by the gales, it was the same Point they -had dug over a few weeks before. A , chopping at a log, stopped -his work, a moment, to look at him curiously, then resumed his labor. - -"The Pinkerton man!" thought Croyden, but he made no effort to speak to -him. - -Somewhere,--from a window in the town, or from one of the numerous -ships bobbing about on the Bay or the River--he did not doubt a glass -was trained on him, and his every motion was being watched. - -For full twenty minutes, he stood on the extreme tip of the Point, and -looked out to sea. Then he faced directly around and stepped ten paces -inland. Kneeling, he quickly dug with a small trowel a hole a foot deep -in the sand, put into it the package of bills, wrapped in oil-skin, -and replaced the ground. - -"There!" said he, as he arose. "Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. May -we have seen the last of you--and may the devil take you all!" - -He went slowly back to his horse, mounted, and rode back to town. They -had done their part--would the thieves do theirs? - -Adhering strictly to the instructions, Croyden and Macloud left -Annapolis on the next car, caught the boat at Baltimore, and arrived in -Hampton in the evening, in time for dinner. They stopped a few minutes -at Ashburton, to acquaint Captain Carrington with their return, and -then went on to Clarendon. - -Both men were nervous. Neither wanted the other to know and each -endeavored to appear at ease. - -Croyden gave in first. He threw his cigarette into his coffee cup, and -pushed his chair back from the table. - -"It's no use, Colin!" he laughed. "You're trying to appear nonchalant, -and you're doing it very well, too, but you can't control your fingers -and your eyes--and neither can I, I fancy, though I've tried hard -enough, God knows! We are about all in! These four days of strain and -uncertainty have taken it all out of us. If I had any doubt as to my -affection for Elaine, it's vanished, now.----I don't say I'm fool -enough to propose to her, yet I'm scarcely responsible, at present. If -I were to see her this minute, I'd likely do something rash." - -"You're coming around to it, gradually," said Macloud. - -"Gradually! Hum! I don't know about the 'gradually.' I want to pull -myself together--to get a rein on myself--to--what are you smiling at; -am I funny?" - -"You are!" said Macloud. "I never saw a man fight so hard against his -personal inclinations, and a rich wife. You don't deserve her!--if I -were Elaine, I'd turn you down hard, hard." - -"Thank God! you're not Elaine!" Croyden retorted. - -"And hence, with a woman's unreasonableness and trust in the one she -loves, she will likely accept you." - -"How do you know she loves me?" - -Macloud blew a couple of smoke rings and watched them sail upward. - -"I suppose you're equally discerning as to Miss Carrington, and her -love for you," Croyden commented. - -"I regret to say, I'm not," said Macloud, seriously. "That is what -troubles me, indeed. Unlike my friend, Geoffrey Croyden, I'm perfectly -sure of my own mind, but I'm not sure of the lady's." - -"Then, why don't you find out?" - -"Exactly what I shall do, when she returns." - -"It's sure as fate!" said Croyden. - -"Thanks! We each seem to be able to answer the other's uncertainty," he -remarked, calmly. - -Presently, Macloud arose. - -"I'm going over to Ashburton, and talk with the Captain a little--sort -of cheer him up. Come along?" - -Croyden shook his head. - -"Go on!" said he. "It's a very good occupation for you, sitting up to -the old gent. I'll give you a chance by staying away, to-night. Make a -hit with grandpa, Colin, make a hit with grandpa!" - -"And you make a hit with yourself--get rid of your foolish theory, and -come down to simple facts," Macloud retorted, and he went out. - -"Get rid of your foolish theory," Croyden soliloquized. "Well, -maybe--but _is_ it foolish, that's the question? I'm poor, once -more--I've not enough even for Elaine Cavendish's husband--there's the -rub! she won't be Geoffrey Croyden's wife, it's I who will be Elaine -Cavendish's husband. 'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ dine with us -to-night!'--'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ were at the horse -show!' 'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ were here!--or there!--or -thus and so!'" - -He could not endure it. It would be too belittling, too disparaging of -self-respect.--Elaine Cavendish's husband!--Elaine Cavendish's -husband! Might he out-grow it--be known for himself? He glanced up at -the portrait of the gallant soldier of a lost cause, with the high-bred -face and noble bearing. - -"You were a brave man, Colonel Duval!" he said. "What would you have -done?" - -He took out a cigar, lit it very deliberately, and fell to thinking.... -Presently, worn out by fatigue and anxiety, he dozed.... - - * * * * * - -And as he dozed, the street door opened softly, a light step crossed -the hall, and Elaine Cavendish stood in the doorway. - -She was clad in black velvet, trimmed in sable. Her head was bare. A -blue cloak was thrown, with careless grace, about her gleaming -shoulders. One slender hand lifted the gown from before her feet. She -saw the sleeping man and paused, and a smile of infinite tenderness -passed across her face. - -A moment she hesitated, and at the thought, a faint blush suffused her -face. Then she glided softly over, bent and kissed him on the lips. - -He opened his eyes, and sprang up! Startled! She was there, before him, -the blush still on cheek and brow. - -"Elaine! sweetheart!" he cried. And, straightway took her, unresisting, -in his arms.... - -"Tell me all about yourself," he said, at last, drawing her down into -the chair and seating himself on the arm. "Where is Miss -Carrington--safe?" - -"Colin's with her--I reckon she's safe!" smiled Elaine. "It won't be -his fault if she isn't, I'm sure.--I left them at Ashburton, and came -over here to--you." - -"Alone!" said Croyden, bending over her. - -She nodded, eyes half downcast. - -"You foolish girl!" - -"I'll go back at once----" - -He laughed, joyously. - -"Not yet a little while!" and bent again. - -"Geoffrey! you're dreadful!" she exclaimed, half smothered. "My hair, -dear,--do be careful!" - -"I'll be good--if you will kiss me again!" he said. - -"But you're not asleep," she objected. - -"That's why I want it." - -"And you will promise--not to kiss me again?" - -"For half an hour." - -"Honest?" - -"Honest." - -She looked up at him tantalizingly, her red lips parted, her bosom -fluttering below. - -"If it's worth coming half way for, sweetheart--you may," she said.... - -"Now, if you're done with foolishness--for a little while," she said, -gayly, "I'll tell you how we managed to get free." - -"You know why you were abducted?" he asked. - -"Oh, yes!--the Parmenter jewels. Davila told me the story, and how you -didn't find them, though our abductors think you did, and won't believe -otherwise." - -"You suffered no hurt?" he asked, sharply. - -"None--we were most courteously treated; and they released us, as -quickly as the check was paid." - -"What do you mean?" he demanded. - -"I mean, that I gave them my check for the ransom money--you hadn't the -jewels, you couldn't comply with the demand. How do you suppose we got -free?" she questioned. - -"You paid the money?" he asked, again. - -"Certainly! I knew you couldn't pay it, so I did. Don't let us think of -it, dear!--It's over, and we have each other, now. What is money -compared to that?" Then suddenly she, woman-like, went straight back to -it. "How did you think we managed to get free--escaped?" she asked. - -"Yes!" he answered. "Yes--I never thought of your paying the money." - -She regarded him critically. - -"No!" she said, "you are deceiving me!--you are--_you_ paid the money, -also!" she cried. - -"What matters it?" he said joyfully. "What matters anything now? -Macloud and I _did_ pay the ransom to-day--but of what consequence is -it; whether you bought your freedom, or we bought it, or both bought -it? You and Davila are here, again--that's the only thing that -matters!" - -"Right you are! Geoffrey, right you are!" came Macloud's voice from the -hallway, and Davila and he walked into the room. - -Elaine, with a little shriek, sprang up. - -"Don't be bashful!" said Macloud. "Davila and I were occupying similar -positions at Ashburton, a short time ago. Weren't we, little girl?" as -he made a motion to put his arm around her. - -Davila eluded him--though the traitor red confirmed his words--and -sought Elaine's side for safety. - -"It's a pleasure only deferred, my dear!" he laughed. "By the way, -Elaine, how did Croyden happen to give in? He was shying off at your -wealth--said it would be giving hostages to fortune, and all that -rot." - -"Shut up, you beggar!" Croyden exclaimed. "I'm going to try to make -good." - -"Geoffrey," said Elaine, "won't you show us the old pirate's -letter--we're all interested in it, now." - -"Certainly, I will!" he said. "I'll show you the letter, and where I -found it, and anything else you want to see. Nothing is locked, -to-night." - -They went over to the escritoire. Croyden opened the secret drawer, and -took out the letter. - -"A Message from the Dead!" he said, solemnly, and handed it to Elaine. - -She carried it to the table, spread it out under the lamp, and Davila -and she studied it, carefully, even as Croyden and Macloud had -done--reading the Duval endorsements over and over again. - -"It seems to me there is something queer about these postscripts," she -said, at last; "something is needed to make them clear. Is this the -entire letter?--didn't you find anything else?" - -"Nothing!" said Croyden. - -"May I look?" she asked. - -"Most assuredly, sweetheart." - -"It's a bit dark in this hole. Let me have a match." - -She struck it, and peered back into the recess. - -"Ah!" she exclaimed. "Here is something!--only a corner visible." She -put in her hand. "It has slipped down, back of the false partition. -I'll get it, presently.--There!" - -She drew out a tiny sheet of paper, and handed it to Croyden. - -"Does that help?" she asked. - -Croyden glanced at it; then gave a cry of amazed surprise. - -"It does!" he said. "It does! It's the key to the mystery. Listen!" - -The rest crowded around him while he read: - - "Hampton, Maryland. - "5 Oct. 1738. - - "Memorandum to accompany the letter of Robert Parmenter, dated 10 - May 1738. - - "Whereas, it is stipulated by the said Parmenter that the Jewels - shall be used only in the Extremity of Need; and hence, as I have - an abundance of this world's Goods, that Need will, likely, not - come to me. And judging that Greenberry Point will change, in - time--so that my son or his Descendants, if occasion arise, may - be unable to locate the Treasure--I have lifted the Iron box, - from the place where Parmenter buried it, and have reinterred it - in the cellar of my House in Hampton, renewing the Injunction - which Parmenter put upon it, that it shall be used only in the - Extremity of Need. When this Need arise, it will be found in the - south-east corner of the front cellar. At the depth of two feet, - between two large stones, is the Iron box. It contains the - jewels, the most marvelous I have ever seen. - - "Marmaduke Duval." - -For a moment, they stood staring at one another too astonished to -speak. - -"My Lord!" Macloud finally ejaculated. "To think that it was here, all -the time!" - -Croyden caught up the lamp. - -"Come on!" he said. - -They trooped down to the cellar, Croyden leading the way. Moses was off -for the evening, they had the house to themselves. As they passed the -foot of the stairs, Macloud picked up a mattock. - -"Me for the digging!" he said. "Which is the south-east corner, -Davila?" - -"There, under those boxes!" said she. - -They were quickly tossed aside. - -"The ground is not especially hard," observed Macloud, with the first -stroke. "I reckon a yard square is sufficient.--At a depth of two feet -the memorandum says, doesn't it?" - -No one answered. Fascinated, they were watching the fall of the pick. -With every blow, they were listening for it to strike the stones. - -"Better get a shovel, Croyden, we'll need it," said Macloud, pausing -long enough, to throw off his coat.... "Oh! I forgot to say, I wired -the Pinkerton man to recover the package you buried this morning." - -Croyden only nodded--stood the lamp on a box, and returned with the -coal scoop. - -"This will answer, I reckon," he said, and fell to work. - -"It seems absurd!" remarked Macloud, between strokes. "To have hunted -the treasure, for weeks, all over Greenberry Point, and then to find it -in the cellar, like a can of lard or a bushel of potatoes." - -"You haven't found it, yet," Croyden cautioned. "And we've gone the -depth mentioned." - -"No! we haven't found it, yet!--but we're going to find it!" Macloud -answered, sinking the pick, viciously, in the ground, with the last -word. - -Crack! - -It had struck hard against a stone. - -"What did I tell you?" Macloud cried, sinking the pick in at another -place. - -Crack! - -Again, it struck! and again! and again! The fifth stroke laid the stone -bare--the sixth and seventh loosened it, still more--the eighth and -ninth completed the task. - -"Give me the shovel!" said he. - -When the earth was away and the stone exposed, he stooped and, putting -his fingers under the edges, heaved it out. - -"The rest is for you, Croyden!" and stepped aside. - -The iron box was found! - -For a moment, Croyden looked at it, rather dazedly. Could it be the -jewels were _there_!--within his reach!--under that lid! Suddenly, he -laughed!--gladly, gleefully, as a boy--and sprang down into the hole. - -The box clung to its resting place for a second, as though it was -reluctant to be disturbed--then it yielded, and Croyden swung it onto -the bank. - -"We'll take it to the library," he said, scraping it clean of the -adhering earth. - -And carrying it before them, like the Ark of the Covenant, they went -joyously up to the floor above. - -He placed it on the table under the chandelier, where all could see. It -was of iron, rusty with age; in dimension, about a foot square; and -fastened by a hasp, with the bar of the lock thrust through but not -secured. - -"Light the gas, Colin!--every burner," he said. "We'll have the full -effulgence, if you please."... - -For a little time, the lid resisted. Suddenly, it yielded. - -"Behold!" he heralded, and flung it back. - -The scintillations which leaped out to meet them, were like the rays -from myriads of gleaming, glistening, varicolored lights, of dazzling -brightness and infinite depth. A wonderful cavern of coruscating -splendor--rubies and diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, pearls and opals -glowing with all the fire of self, and the resentment of long neglect. - -"Heaven! What beauty!" exclaimed Davila. - -It broke the spell. - -"They are real!" Croyden laughed. "You may touch them--they will not -fade." - -They put them out on the table--in little heaps of color. The women -exclaiming whene'er they touched them, cooingly as a woman does when -handling jewels--fondling them, caressing them, loving them. - -At last, the box was empty. They stood back and gazed--fascinated by it -all:--the color--the glowing reds and whites, and greens and blues. - -"It is wonderful! wonderful!" breathed Elaine. - -"It is wonderful--and it's true!" said Croyden. - -Two necklaces lay among the rubies, alike as lapidary's art could make -them. Croyden handed one to Macloud, the other he took. - -"In remembrance of your release, and of Parmenter's treasure!" he said, -and clasped it around Elaine's fair neck. - -Macloud clasped his around Davila's. - -"Who cares, now, for the time spent on Greenberry Point or the double -reward!" he laughed. - - - - - * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; -otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the -author's words and intent. - - - + + +E-text prepared by Roger Frank, Darleen Dove, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 27454-h.htm or 27454-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/2/7/4/5/27454/27454-h/27454-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/2/7/4/5/27454/27454-h.zip) + + + + + +IN HER OWN RIGHT + +by + +JOHN REED SCOTT + +Author of "The Last Try," "The Woman In Question," "The Princess +Dehra," Etc. + +With Illustrations in Color By Clarence F. Underwood + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOURSELF," HE SAID + _Page 328_] + + +A. L. Burt Company +Publishers +New York + +Copyright, 1911 +by John Reed Scott + +Published May, 1911 + + + + + DEDICATED + + TO + + S. W. C + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER + I. Broken 11 + II. Good-bye 23 + III. Clarendon 35 + IV. Parmenter's Bequest 51 + V. Miss Carrington 68 + VI. Confidence and Scruples 88 + VII. Greenberry Point 104 + VIII. Stolen 120 + IX. The Way Out 135 + X. Pirate's Gold Breeds Pirate's Ways 150 + XI. Elaine Cavendish 170 + XII. One Learned in the Law 185 + XII. I Could Tell Some Things 203 + XIV. The Symphony in Blue 217 + XV. An Old Ruse 232 + XVI. The Marabou Muff 247 + XVII. A Handkerchief and a Glove 264 + XVIII. The Lone House by the Bay 281 + XIX. Robert Parmenter's Successors 298 + XX. The Check 310 + XXI. The Jewels 321 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + Page + + "TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOURSELF," HE SAID _Frontispiece_ + + LEADING THE WRONG ONE, THROWING THE WRONG ONE, + MATCHING PASTEBOARDS, THAT WAS ALL 86 + + HE WENT OUT ON THE EXTREME EDGE, FACED ABOUT, + AND STEPPED TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PACES 112 + + +IN HER OWN RIGHT + + + + +I + +BROKEN + + +"The expected has happened, I see," said Macloud, laying aside the +paper he had been reading, and raising his hand for a servant. + +"I thought it was the unexpected that happens," Hungerford drawled, +languidly. "What do you mean?" + +"Royster & Axtell have been thrown into bankruptcy. Liabilities of +twenty million, assets problematical." + +"You don't say!" ejaculated Hungerford, sitting up sharply. "Have they +caught any of our friends?" + +"All who dealt with them, I reckon." + +"Too bad! Too bad!--Well, they didn't catch me." + +"Oh, no! you're not caught!" said Macloud. "Your father was wise enough +to put your estate into Government threes, with a trustee who had no +power to change the investment." + +"And I'm thankful he did," Hungerford answered. "It saves me all +trouble; I need never look at the stock report, don't you know; +Government bonds are always the same.--I suppose it's a reflection on +my ability, but that is of small consequence. I don't care what people +think, so long as I have the income and no trouble. If I had control of +my capital, I might have lost all of it with Royster & Axtell, who +knows?" + +Macloud shook his head. + +"It isn't likely," he commented, "you wouldn't have had it to lose." + +Hungerford's momentarily vague look suddenly became knowing. + +"You mean I would have lost it long ago?" he asked. "Oh, I say, old +man, you're a bit hard on me. I may not have much head for business, +but I'm not altogether a fool, don't you know." + +"Glad to know it," laughed Macloud, as he arose and sauntered away. + +Hungerford drew out his cigarettes and thoughtfully lighted one. + +"I wonder--did he mean I am or I am not?" he said. "I wonder. I shall +have to ask him some time.--Boy! a Scotch and soda." + +Meanwhile, Macloud passed into the Club-house and, mounting the stairs +to the second floor, knocked sharply at a door in the north-west corner +of the corridor. + +"Come in," called a voice.--"Who is it?--Oh! it's you, Macloud. Make +yourself at home--I'll be out in a moment." + +There was the noise of splashing water, accompanied by sundry +exclamations and snorts, followed by a period of silence; and, then, +from the bath room, emerged Croyden clad in robe, slippers and a +smile. + +"Help yourself," he said, pointing to the smoking materials. He filled +a pipe, lit it carefully, blew a few whiffs to the ceiling and watched +them slowly dissipate. + +"Well, it's come," he remarked: "Royster & Axtell have smashed clean." + +"Not clean," said Macloud. "It is going to be the most criminal failure +this town has ever known." + +"I mean they have busted wide open--and I'm one of the suckers." + +"You are going to have plenty of company, among your friends," Macloud +answered. + +"I suppose so--but I hope none of them is hit quite so bad." He blew +another cloud of smoke and watched it fade. "The truth is, Colin, I'm +done for." + +"What!" exclaimed Macloud. "You don't mean you are cleaned out?" + +The other nodded. "That's about it.... I've a few thousand left--enough +to pay laundry bills, and to board on Hash Alley for a few months a +year. Oh! I was a sucker, all right!--I was so easy it makes me ashamed +to have saved _anything_ from the wreck. I've a notion to go and offer +it to them, now." + +There were both bitterness and relief in his tones; bitterness over +the loss, relief that the worst, at last, had happened. + +For a while, there was silence. Croyden turned away and began to dress; +Macloud sat looking out on the lawn in front, where a foursome were +playing the home hole, and another waiting until they got off the +green. + +Presently, the latter spoke. + +"How did it happen, old man?" he asked--"that is, if you care to +tell." + +Croyden laughed shortly. "It isn't pleasant to relate how one has been +such an addle-pated ass----" + +"Then, forgive me.--I didn't mean to----" + +"Nonsense! I understand--moreover, it will ease my mortification to +confide in one who won't attempt to sympathize. I don't care for +sympathy, I don't deserve it, and what's more, I won't have it." + +"Don't let that worry you," Macloud answered. "You won't be oppressed +by any rush of sympathy. No one is who gets pinched in the stock +market. We all go in, and--sooner or later, generally sooner--we all +get burnt--and we all think every one but ourselves got only what was +due him. No, my boy, there is no sympathy running loose for the lamb +who has been shorn. And you don't need to expect it from your friends +of the Heights. They believe only in success. The moment you're +fleeced, they fling you aside. They fatten off the carcasses of +others--yours and mine and their own brothers. Friendship does not +enter into the game. They will eat your bread and salt to-night, and +dance on your financial corpse to-morrow. The only respect they have is +for money, and clothes, and show; and the more money, and the more show +the greater their deference--while they last--and the farther the fall +when they fail. The women are as bad as the men, in a smaller way. They +will blacken one another's reputation with an ease and zest that is +simply appalling, and laugh in your face while doing it. I'm speaking +generally, there are exceptions, of course, but they only prove the +rule. Yet, what can you expect, where aristocracy is based on one's +bank account, and the ability to keep the other fellows from laying +violent hands on it. It reminds one of the Robbers of the Rhine! Steal +everything within reach and give up nothing. Oh! it is a fine system of +living!--Your pardon! I forgot myself." + +"It is good to have you forget yourself occasionally," said +Croyden--"especially, when your views chime with mine--recently +acquired, I admit. I began to see it about a month ago, when I slowed +down on expenditures. I thought I could notice an answering chill in +the grill-room." + +"Like enough. You must spend to get on. They have no use for one who +doesn't. You have committed the unpardonable sin: had a fortune and +lost it. And they never forgive--unless you make another fortune; then +they will welcome you back, and lay plans to take it, also." + +"You paint a pretty picture!" Croyden laughed. + +Macloud shrugged his shoulders. + +"Tell me of Royster & Axtell," he said. + +"There isn't a great deal to tell," Croyden replied, coming around from +the dressing table, and drawing on his vest as he came. "It is five +years since my father died and left me sole heir to his estate. In +round numbers, it aggregated half a million dollars--all in stocks and +bonds, except a little place down on the Eastern Shore which he took, +some years before he died, in payment of a debt due him. Since my +mother's demise my father had led the life of quiet and retirement in a +small city. I went through college, was given a year abroad, took the +law course at Harvard, and settled down to the business of getting a +practice. Then the pater died, suddenly. Five hundred thousand was a +lot of money in that town. Too much to settle there, I thought. I +abandoned the law, and came to Northumberland. The governor had been a +non-resident member of the Northumberland Club, which made it easy for +me to join. I soon found, however, that what had seemed ample wealth in +the old town, did not much more than make ends meet, here--provided I +kept up my end. I was about the poorest one in the set I affected, so, +naturally, I went into the stock market. Royster was the particular +broker of the gang and the first year I did very well.--You think it +was intended?" (As Macloud smiled.) "Well, I don't doubt now you're +right. The next year I began to lose. Then Royster put me into that +Company of his down in Virginia--the Virginia Improvement Company, you +know. He took me down, in a special car, showed me how much he himself +had in it, how much would be got out of it, offered to let me in on the +ground floor, and made it look so rosy, withal, that I succumbed. Two +hundred thousand was buried there. An equal amount I had lent them, at +six per cent., shortly after I came to Northumberland--selling the +securities that yielded only four per cent. to do it. That accounts for +four hundred thousand--gone up the flume. Eighty thousand I lost in +stocks. The remainder, about twenty thousand, I still have. By some +error I can't account for, they did not get away with it, too.--Such is +the tale of a foolish man," he ended. + +"Will you make any effort to have Royster prosecuted?" Macloud asked. + +"No--I've been pretty much of a baby, but I'm not going to cry over +milk that's spilt." + +"It's not all spilt--some of it will be recovered." + +"My dear Macloud, there won't be enough money recovered to buy me +cigarettes for one evening. Royster has hypothecated and rehypothecated +securities until no man can trace his own, even if it would help him +to do so. You said it would _likely_ prove a disgraceful failure. I am +absolutely sure of it." + +Macloud beat a tattoo on the window-ledge. + +"What do you think of doing?" he said--"or haven't you got to it, +yet--or don't you care to tell?" + +"I've got to it," replied Croyden; "and I don't care to tell--anyone +but you, Colin. I can't stay here----" + +"Not on twelve hundred a year, certainly--unless you spend the little +principal you have left, and, then, drop off for good." + +"Which would be playing the baby act, sure enough." + +Macloud nodded. + +"It would," he said; "but, sometimes, men don't look at it that way. +They cannot face the loss of caste. They prefer to drop overboard by +_accident_." + +"There isn't going to be any dropping overboard by accident in mine," +replied Croyden. "What I've decided to do is this: I shall disappear. I +have no debts, thank God! so no one will care to take the trouble to +search for me. I shall go down to Hampton, to the little property that +was left me on the Eastern Shore, there to mark time, either until I +can endure it, or until I can pick out some other abode. I've a bunch +of expensive habits to get rid of quickly, and the best place for +that, it seems to me, is a small town where they are impossible, as +well as unnecessary." + +"Ever lived in a small town?" Macloud inquired. + +"None smaller than my old home. I suppose it will be very stupid, after +the life here, but beggars can't be choosers." + +"I'm not so sure it will be very stupid," said Macloud. "It depends on +how much you liked this froth and try, we have here. The want to and +can't--the aping the ways and manners of those who have had wealth for +generations, and are well-born, beside. Look at them!" with a fling of +his arm, that embraced the Club-house and its environs.--"One +generation old in wealth, one generation old in family, and about six +months old, some of them scarcely that, in breeding. There are a few +families which belong by right of birth--and, thank God! they show it. +But they are shouldered aside by the others, and don't make much of a +show. The climbers hate them, but are too much awed by their lineage to +crowd them out, entirely. A nice lot of aristocrats! The majority of +them are puddlers of the iron mills, and the peasants of Europe, come +over so recently the soil is still clinging to their clothes. Down on +the Eastern Shore you will find it very different. They ask one, who +you _are_, never how much money you have. Their aristocracy is one of +birth and culture. You may be reduced to manual labor for a livelihood, +but you belong just the same. You have had a sample of the +money-changers and their heartless methods--and it has left a bitter +taste in your mouth. I think you will welcome the change. It will be a +new life, and, in a measure, a quiet life, but there are compensations +to one to whom life holds more than garish living and ostentatious +show." + +"You know the people of the Eastern Shore?" asked Croyden. + +"No!--but I know the people of the Western Shore, and they come from +the same stock--and it's good stock, mighty good stock! Moreover, you +are not burying yourself so deep--Baltimore is just across the Bay, and +Philadelphia and New York are but a few hours distant--less distant +than this place is, indeed." + +"I looked up the time-tables!" laughed Croyden. "My present knowledge +of Hampton is limited to the means and methods of getting away." + +"And getting to it," appended Macloud. "When do you go?" + +"To-morrow night." + +"Hum--rather sudden, isn't it?" + +"I've seen it coming for a month, so I've had time to pay my small +accounts, arrange my few affairs, and be prepared to flit on a moment's +notice. I should have gone a week ago, but I indulged myself with a few +more days of the old life. Now, I'm off to-morrow night." + +"Shall you go direct to Hampton?" + +"Direct to Hampton, via New York," said Croyden. "There probably won't +anyone care enough even to inquire for me, but I'm not taking the +chance." + +Macloud watched him with careful scrutiny. Was it serious or was it +assumed? Had this seemingly sudden resolve only the failure of Royster +& Axtell behind it, or was there a woman there, as well? Was Elaine +Cavendish the real reason? There could be no doubt of Croyden's +devotion to her--and her more than passing regard for him. Was it +because he could not, or because he would not--or both? Croyden was +practically penniless--she was an only child, rich in her own right, +and more than rich in prospect---- + +"Will you dine with me, this evening?" asked Macloud. + +"Sorry, old man, but I'm due at the Cavendishes'--just a pick-up by +telephone. I shall see you, again, shan't I?" + +"I reckon so," was the answer. "I'm down here for the night. Have +breakfast with me in the morning--if I'm not too early a bird, at eight +o'clock." + +"Good! for two on the side piazza!" exclaimed Croyden. + +"I'll speak to Francois," said Macloud, arising. "So long." + +Croyden slowly straightened his tie and drew on his coat. + +"Macloud is a square chap," he reflected. "I've had a lot of so-called +friends, here, but he is the only one who still rings true. I may +imagine it, but I'm sure the rest are beginning to shy off. Well, I +shan't bother them much longer--they can prepare for a new victim." + +He picked up his hat and went downstairs, making his way out by the +front entrance, so as to miss the crowd in the grill-room. He did not +want the trouble of speaking or of being spoken to. He saw Macloud, as +he passed--out on the piazza beyond the porte-cochere, and he waved his +hand to him. Then he signalled the car, that had been sent from +Cavencliffe for him, and drove off to the Cavendishes. + + + + +II + +GOOD-BYE + + +The Cavendishes were of those who (to quote Macloud's words) "did +belong and, thank God, showed it." Henry Cavendish had married +Josephine Marquand in the days before there were any idle-rich in +Northumberland, and when the only leisure class were in jail. Now, when +the idea, that it was respectable not to work, was in the ascendency, +he still went to his office with unfailing regularity--and the fact +that the Tuscarora Trust Company paid sixty per cent. on its capital +stock, and sold in the market (when you could get it) at three thousand +dollars a share, was due to his ability and shrewd financiering as +president. It was because he refused to give up the active management +even temporarily, that they had built their summer home on the Heights, +where there was plenty of pure air, unmixed with the smoke of the mills +and trains, and with the Club near enough to give them its life and +gayety when they wished. + +The original Cavendish and the original Marquand had come to +Northumberland, as officers, with Colonel Harmer and his detachment of +Regulars, at the close of the Revolution, had seen the possibilities of +the place, and, after a time, had resigned and settled down to +business. Having brought means with them from Philadelphia, they +quickly accumulated more, buying up vast tracts of Depreciation lands +and numerous In-lots and Out-lots in the original plan of the town. +These had never been sold, and hence it was, that, by the natural rise +in value from a straggling forest to a great and thriving city, the +Cavendish and the Marquand estates were enormously valuable. And hence, +also, the fact that Elaine Cavendish's grandparents, on both sides of +the house, were able to leave her a goodly fortune, absolutely, and yet +not disturb the natural descent of the bulk of their possessions. + +Having had wealth for generations, the Cavendishes were as natural and +unaffected in their use of it, as the majority of their neighbors were +tawdry and flashy. They did things because they wanted to do them, not +because someone else did them. And they did not do things that others +did, and never thought what the others might think. + +Because an iron-magnate, with only dollars for ballast, had fifteen +bath pools of Sienna marble in his flaunting, gaudy "chateau," and was +immediately aped by the rest of the rattle-brained, moved the +Cavendishes not at all. Because the same bounder gave a bathing-suit +party (with the ocean one hundred and fifty miles away), at which +prizes were bestowed on the man and woman who dared wear the least +clothes, while the others of the _nouveaux riches_ applauded and +marvelled at his audacity and originality, simply made the Cavendishes +stay away. Because another mushroom millionaire bought books for his +library by the foot, had gold mangers and silver stalls for his horses, +and adorned himself with diamonds like an Indian Rajah, were no +incentives to the Cavendishes to do likewise. They pursued the even +tenor of the well-bred way. + +Cavencliffe was a great, roomy country-house, in the Colonial style, +furnished in chintz and cretonnes, light and airy, with wicker +furniture and bird's-eye maple throughout, save in the dining-room, +where there was the slenderest of old Hepplewhite. Wide piazzas flanked +the house on every side, screened and awninged from the sun and wind +and rain. A winding driveway between privet hedges, led up from the +main road half a mile away, through a maze of giant forest trees amid +which the place was set. + +Croyden watched it, thoughtfully, as the car spun up the avenue. He saw +the group on the piazza, the waiting man-servant, the fling upward of a +hand in greeting by a white robed figure. And he sighed. + +"My last welcome to Cavencliffe!" he muttered. "It's a bully place, and +a bully girl--and, I think, I had a chance, if I hadn't been such a +fool." + +Elaine Cavendish came forward a little way to greet him. And Croyden +sighed, again, as--with the grace he had learned as a child from his +South Carolina mother, he bent for an instant over her hand. He had +never known how handsome she was, until this visit--and he had come to +say good-bye! + +"You were good to come," she said. + +"It was good of you to ask me," he replied. + +The words were trite, but there was a note of intenseness in his tones +that made her look sharply at him--then, away, as a trace of color came +faintly to her cheek. + +"You know the others," she said, perfunctorily. + +And Croyden smiled in answer, and greeted the rest of the guests. + +There were but six of them: Mrs. Chichester, a young matron, of less +than thirty, whose husband was down in Panama explaining some contract +to the Government Engineers; Nancy Wellesly, a rather petite blonde, +who was beginning to care for her complexion and other people's +reputations, but was a square girl, just the same; and Charlotte +Brundage, a pink and white beauty, but the crack tennis and golf player +of her sex at the Club and a thorough good sport, besides. + +The men were: Harold Hungerford, who was harmlessly negative and +inoffensively polite; Roderick Colloden, who, after Macloud, was the +most popular man in the set, a tall, red haired chap, who always seemed +genuinely glad to meet anyone in any place, and whose handshake gave +emphasis to it. He had not a particularly good memory for faces, and +the story is still current in the Club of how, when he had been +presented to a newcomer four times in one week, and had always told him +how glad he was to meet him, the man lost patience and blurted out, +that he was damn glad to know it, but, if Colloden would recognize him +the next time they met, he would be more apt to believe it. The +remaining member of the party was Montecute Mattison. He was a small +man, with peevishly pinched features, that wore an incipient smirk when +in repose, and a hyena snarl when in action. He had no friends and no +intimates. He was the sort who played dirty golf in a match: +deliberately moving on the green, casting his shadow across the hole, +talking when his opponent was about to drive, and anything else to +disconcert. In fact, he was a dirty player in any game--because it was +natural. He would not have been tolerated a moment, even at the +Heights, if he had not been Warwick Mattison's son, and the heir to his +millions. He never made an honest dollar in his life, and could not, if +he tried, but he was Assistant-Treasurer of his father's company, did +an hour's work every day signing the checks, and drew fifteen thousand +a year for it. A man's constant inclination was to smash him in the +face--and the only reason he escaped was because it would have been +like beating a child. One man had, when Mattison was more than +ordinarily offensive, laid him across his knee, and, in full sight of +the Club-house, administered a good old-fashioned spanking with a golf +club. Him Montecute thereafter let alone. The others did not take the +trouble, however. They simply shrugged their shoulders, and swore at +him freely and to his face. + +At present, he was playing the devoted to Miss Brundage and hence his +inclusion in the party. She cared nothing for him, but his money was a +thing to be considered--having very little of her own--and she was +doing her best to overcome her repugnance sufficiently to place him +among the eligibles. + +Mattison got through the dinner without any exhibition of ill nature, +but, when the women retired, it came promptly to the fore. + +The talk had turned on the subject of the Club Horse Show. It was +scheduled for the following month, and was quite the event of the +Autumn, in both a social and an equine sense. The women showed their +gowns and hosiery, the men their horses and equipment, and how +appropriately they could rig themselves out--while the general herd +stood around the ring gaping and envious. + +Presently, there came a momentary lull in the conversation and Mattison +remarked: + +"I see Royster & Axtell went up to-day. I reckon," with an insinuating +laugh, "there will be some entries withdrawn." + +"Men or horses?" asked Hungerford. + +"Both--and men who haven't horses, as well," with a sneering glance at +Croyden. + +"Why, bless me! he's looking at you, Geoffrey!" Hungerford exclaimed. + +"I am not responsible for the direction of Mr. Mattison's eyes," +Croyden answered with assumed good nature. + +Mattison smiled, maliciously. + +"Is it so bad as that?" he queried. "I knew, of course, you were hit, +but I hoped it was only for a small amount." + +"Shut up, Mattison!" exclaimed Colloden. "If you haven't any +appreciation of propriety, you can at least keep quiet." + +"Oh, I don't know----" + +"Don't you?" said Colloden, quietly, reaching across and grasping him +by the collar. "Think again,--_and think quickly_!" + +A sickly grin, half of surprise and half of anger, overspread +Mattison's face. + +"Can't you take a little pleasantry?" he asked. + +"We don't like your pleasantries any more than we like you, and that is +not at all. Take my advice and mend your tongue." He shook him, much as +a terrier does a rat, and jammed him back into his chair. "Now, either +be good or go home," he admonished. + +Mattison was weak with anger--so angry, indeed, that he was helpless +either to stir or to make a sound. The others ignored him--and, when he +was a little recovered, he got up and went slowly from the room. + +"It wasn't a particularly well bred thing to do," observed Colloden, +"but just the same it was mighty pleasant. If it were not for the law, +I'd have broken his neck." + +"He isn't worth the exertion, Roderick," Croyden remarked. "But I'm +obliged, old man. I enjoyed it." + +When they rejoined the ladies on the piazza, a little later, Mattison +had gone. + +After a while, the others went off in their motors, leaving Croyden +alone with Miss Cavendish. Hungerford had offered to drop him at the +Club, but he had declined. He would enjoy himself a little +longer--would give himself the satisfaction of another hour with her, +before he passed into outer darkness. + +He had gone along in his easy, bachelor way, without a serious thought +for any woman, until six months ago. Then, Elaine Cavendish came home, +after three years spent in out-of-the-way corners of the globe, and, +straightway, bound him to her chariot wheels. + +At least, so the women said--who make it their particular business to +observe--and they never make mistakes. They can tell when one is +preparing to fall in love, long before he knows himself. Indeed, there +have been many men drawn into matrimony, against their own express +inclination, merely by the accumulation of initiative engendered by +impertinent meddlers. They want none of it, they even fight desperately +against it, but, in the end, they succumb. + +And Geoffrey Croyden would have eventually succumbed, of his own +desires, however, had Elaine Cavendish been less wealthy, and had his +affairs been more at ease. Now, he thanked high Heaven he had not +offered himself. She might have accepted him; and think of all the +heart-burnings and pain that would now ensue, before he went out of her +life! + +"What were you men doing to Montecute Mattison?" she asked presently. +"He appeared perfectly furious when he came out, and he went off +without a word to anyone--even Charlotte Brundage was ignored." + +"He and Colloden had a little difficulty--and Mattison left us," +Croyden answered. "Didn't he stop to say good-night?" + +She shook her head. "He called something as he drove off--but I think +he was swearing at his man." + +"He needed something to swear at, I fancy!" Croyden laughed. + +"What did Roderick do?" she asked. + +"Took him by the collar and shook him--and told him either to go home +or be quiet." + +"And he went home--I see." + +"Yes--when he had recovered himself sufficiently. I thought, at first, +his anger was going to choke him." + +"Imagine big, good-natured Roderick stirred sufficiently to lay hands +on any one!" she laughed. + +"But imagine him _when_ stirred," he said. + +"I hadn't thought of him in that way," she said, slowly--"Ough!" with a +little shiver, "it must have been terrifying--what had Mattison done to +him?" + +"Nothing--Mattison is too much of a coward ever to _do_ anything." + +"What had he said, then?" + +"Oh, some brutality about one of Colloden's friends, I think," Croyden +evaded. "I didn't quite hear it--and we didn't discuss it afterward." + +"I'm told he is a scurrilous little beast, with the men," she +commented; "but, I must say, he is always polite to me, and reasonably +charitable. Indeed, to-night is the only deliberately bad manners he +has ever exhibited." + +"He knows the men won't hurt him," said Croyden, "whereas the women, if +he showed his ill nature to them, would promptly ostracize him. He is +a canny bounder, all right." He made a gesture of repugnance. "We have had +enough of Mattison--let us find something more interesting--yourself, for +instance." + +"Or yourself!" she smiled. "Or, better still, neither. Which reminds +me--Miss Southard is coming to-morrow; you will be over, of course?" + +"I'm going East to-morrow night," he said. "I'm sorry." + +"But she is to stay two weeks--you will be back before she leaves, +won't you?" + +"I fear not--I may go on to London." + +"Before you return here?" + +"Yes--before I return here." + +"Isn't this London idea rather sudden?" she asked. + +"I've been anticipating it for some time," sending a cloud of cigarette +smoke before his face. "But it grew imminent only to-day." + +When the smoke faded, her eyes were looking questioningly into his. +There was something in his words that did not ring quite true. It was +too sudden to be genuine, too unexpected. It struck her as vague and +insincere. Yet there was no occasion to mistrust--it was common enough +for men to be called suddenly to England on business.---- + +"When do you expect to return?" she asked. + +"I do not know," he said, reading something that was in her mind. "If I +must go, the business which takes me will also fix my return." + +A servant approached. + +"What is it, Hudson?" she asked. + +"The telephone, Miss Cavendish. Pride's Crossing wishes to talk with +you." + +Croyden arose--it was better to make the farewell brief--and +accompanied her to the doorway. + +"Good-bye," he said, simply. + +"You must go?" she asked. + +"Yes--there are some things that must be done to-night." + +She gave him another look. + +"Good-bye, then--and _bon voyage_," she said, extending her hand. + +He took it--hesitated just an instant--lifted it to his lips--and, +then, without a word, swung around and went out into the night. + + * * * * * + +The next day--at noon--when, her breakfast finished, she came down +stairs, a scare headline in the morning's paper, lying in the hall, met +her eyes. + + SUICIDE! + + Royster Found Dead in His Bath-room! + The Penalty of Bankruptcy! + + ROYSTER & AXTELL FAIL! + + Many Prominent Persons Among the Creditors. + +She seized the paper, and nervously ran her eyes down the columns until +they reached the list of those involved.---- + +Yes! Croyden's name was among them! That was what had taken him away! + +And Croyden read it, too, as he sped Eastward toward the unknown life. + + + + +III + +CLARENDON + + +Croyden left Northumberland in the morning--and his economy began with +the ride East: he went on Day Express instead of on the Limited, +thereby saving the extra fare. At Philadelphia he sent his baggage to +the Bellevue-Stratford; later in the evening, he had it returned to the +station, and checked it, himself, to Hampton--to avoid the possibility +of being followed by means of his luggage. + +He did not imagine that any one would go to the trouble to trace him, +but he was not taking any chances. He wanted to cut himself away, +utterly, from his former life, to be free of everyone he had ever +known. It was not likely he would be missed. + +Some one would say: "I haven't seen Croyden lately," would be answered: +"I think he went abroad suddenly--about the time of the Royster & +Axtell failure," and, with that, he would pass out of notice. If he +were to return, any time within the next five years, he would be met by +a languid: "Been away, somewhere, haven't you? I thought I hadn't +noticed you around the Club, lately."--And that would be the extent of +it. + +One is not missed in a big town. His going and his coming are not +watched. There is no time to bother with another's affairs. Everyone +has enough to do to look after his own. The curiosity about one's +neighbors--what he wears, what he eats, what he does, every item in his +daily life--that is developed by idleness, thrives in littleness, and +grows to perfection in scandal and innuendo--belongs solely to the +small town. If one comes down street with a grip--instantly: So and so +is "going away"--speculation as to why?--where?--what? One puts on a +new suit, it is observed and noted.--A pair of new shoes, ditto.--A new +necktie, ditto. Every particular of his life is public property, is +inspected for a motive, and, if a motive cannot be discovered, one is +supplied--usually mean and little, the latter unctuously preferred. + +All this Croyden was yet to learn, however. + +He took the night's express on the N. Y., P. & N., whence, at Hampton +Junction, he transferred to a branch line. For twenty miles the train +seemed to crawl along, burrowing into the sand hills and out again into +sand, and in and out again, until, at length, with much whistling and +escaping steam, they wheezed into the station and stopped. + +There were a dozen white men, with slouch hats and nondescript +clothing, standing aimlessly around, a few score of s, and a +couple of antique carriages with horses to match. The white men looked +at the new arrival, listlessly, and the s with no interest at +all--save the two who were porters for the rival hotels. They both made +for Croyden and endeavored to take his grip. + +He waved them away. + +"I don't want your hotel, boys," he said. "But if you can tell me where +Clarendon is, I will be obliged." + +"Cla'endon! seh? yass, seh," said one, "right out at de een' o' de +village, seh--dis street tek's yo dyar, seh, sho nuf." + +"Which end of the village?" Croyden asked. + +"Dis een', seh, de fust house beyon' Majah Bo'den's, seh." + +"How many blocks is it?" + +"Blocks, seh!" said the . "'Tain't no blocks--it's jest de fust +place beyon' Majah Bo'den's." + +Croyden laughed. "Here," he said, "you take my bag out to +Clarendon--I'll walk till I find it." + +"Yass, seh! yass, seh! I'll do it, seh! but yo bettah ride, seh!" + +"No!" said Croyden, looking at the vehicle. "It's safer to walk." + +He tossed the a quarter and turned away. + +"Thankee, seh, thankee, seh, I'll brings it right out, seh." + +Croyden went slowly down the street, while the crowd stared after him, +and the shops emptied their loafers to join them in the staring. He was +a strange man--and a well-dressed man--and they all were curious. + +Presently, the shops were replaced by dwellings of the humbler sort, +then they, in turn, by more pretentious residences--with here and there +a new one of the Queen Anne type. Croyden did not need the information, +later vouchsafed, that they belong to _new_ people. It was as +unmistakable as the houses themselves. + +About a mile from the station, he passed a place built of English +brick, covered on the sides by vines, and shaded by huge trees. It +stood well back from the street and had about it an air of aristocracy +and exclusiveness. + +"I wonder if this is the Bordens'?" said Croyden looking about him for +some one to ask--"Ah!" + +Down the path from the house was coming a young woman. He slowed down, +so as to allow her to reach the entrance gates ahead of him. She was +pretty, he saw, as she neared--very pretty!--positively beautiful! dark +hair and---- + +He took off his hat. + +"I beg your pardon!" he said. "Is this Mr. Borden's?" + +"Yes--this is Major Borden's," she answered, with a deliciously soft +intonation, which instantly stirred Croyden's Southern blood. + +"Then Clarendon is the next place, is it not?" + +She gave him the quickest glance of interest, as she replied in the +affirmative. + +"Colonel Duval is dead, however," she added--"a caretaker is the only +person there, now." + +"So I understood." There was no excuse for detaining her longer. "Thank +you, very much!" he ended, bowed slightly, and went on. + +It is ill bred and rude to stare back at a woman, but, if ever Croyden +had been tempted, it was now. He heard her footsteps growing fainter in +the distance, as he continued slowly on his way. Something behind him +seemed to twitch at his head, and his neck was positively stiff with +the exertion necessary to keep it straight to the fore. + +He wanted another look at that charming figure, with the mass of blue +black hair above it, and the slender silken ankles and slim tan-shod +feet below. He remembered that her eyes were blue, and that they met +him through long lashes, in a languidly alluring glance; that she was +fair; and that her mouth was generous, with lips full but delicate--a +face, withal, that clung in his memory, and that he proposed to see +again--and soon. + +He walked on, so intent on his visual image, he did not notice that the +Borden place was behind him now, and he was passing the avenue that led +into Clarendon. + +"Yass, seh! hyar yo is, marster!--hyar's Clarendon," called the , +hastening up behind him with his bag. + +Croyden turned into the walk--the black followed. + +"Cun'l Duval's done been daid dis many a day, seh," he said. "Folks sez +ez how it's owned by some city fellah, now. Mebbe yo knows 'im, seh?" + +Croyden did not answer, he was looking at the place--and the , +with an inquisitively curious eye, relapsed into silence. + +The house was very similar to the Bordens'--unpretentious, except for +the respectability that goes with apparent age, vine clad and tree +shaded. It was of generous proportions, without being large--with a +central hall, and rooms on either side, that rose to two stories, and +was topped by a pitch-roof. There were no piazzas at front or side, +just a small stoop at the doorway, from which paths branched around to +the rear. + +"I done 'speck, seh, yo go roun' to de back," said the , as +Croyden put his foot on the step. "Ole Mose 'im live dyar. I'll bring +'im heah, ef yo wait, seh." + +"Who is old Mose--the caretaker?" said Croyden. + +The place was looked after by a real estate man of the village, and +neither his father nor he had bothered to do more than meet the +accounts for funds. The former had preferred to let it remain +unoccupied, so as to have it ready for instant use, if he so wished, +and Croyden had done the same. + +"He! Mose he's Cun'l Duval's body-survent, seh. Him an' +Jos'phine--Jos'phine he wif', seh--dey looks arfter de place sence de +ole Cun'l died." + +Croyden nodded. "I'll go back." + +They followed the right hand path, which seemed to be more used than +its fellow. The servants' quarters were disclosed at the far end of the +lot. + +Before the tidiest of them, an old was sitting on a stool, +dreaming in the sun. At Croyden's appearance, he got up hastily, and +came forward--gray-haired, and bent. + +"Survent, seh!" he said, with the remains of what once must have been a +wonderfully graceful bow, and taking in the stranger's attire with a +single glance. "I'se ole Mose. Cun'l Duval's boy--seh, an' I looks +arfter de place, now. De Cun'l he's daid, yo knows, seh. What can I do +fur yo, seh?" + +"I'm Mr. Croyden," said Geoffrey. + +"Yass, seh! yass, seh!" the answered, inquiringly. + +It was evident the name conveyed no meaning to him. + +"I'm the new owner, you know--since Colonel Duval died," Croyden +explained. + +"Hi! yo is!" old Mose exclaimed, with another bow. "Well, praise de +Lawd! I sees yo befo' I dies. So yo's de new marster, is yo? I'm +pow'ful glad yo's come, seh! pow'ful glad. What mout yo name be, seh?" + +"Croyden!" replied Geoffrey. "Now, Moses, will you open the house and +let me in?" + +"Yo seen Marster Dick?" asked the . + +"You mean the agent? No! Why do you ask?" + +"Coz why, seh--I'm beggin' yo pa'den, seh, but Marster Dick sez, sez +he, 'Don' nuvver lets no buddy in de house, widout a writin' from me.' +I ain' doubtin' yo, seh, 'deed I ain', but I ruther hed de writin'." + +"You're perfectly right," Croyden answered. "Here, boy!--do you know +Mr. Dick? Well, go down and tell him that Mr. Croyden is at Clarendon, +and ask him to come out at once. Or, stay, I'll give you a note to +him." + +He took a card from his pocketbook, wrote a few lines on it, and gave +it to the . + +"Yass, seh! Yass, seh!" said the porter, and, dropping the grip where +he stood, he vanished. + +Old Mose dusted the stool with his sleeve, and proffered it. + +"Set down, seh!" with another bow. "Josh won' be long." + +Croyden shook his head. + +"I'll lie here," he answered, stretching himself out on the grass. "You +were Colonel Duval's body-servant, you say." + +"Yass, seh! from de time I wuz so 'igh. I don' 'member when I warn' he +body-survent. I follows 'im all th'oo de war, seh, an' I wus wid 'im +when he died." Tears were in the 's eyes. "Hit's purty nigh time +ole Mose gwine too." + +"And when he died, you stayed and looked after the old place. That was +the right thing to do," said Croyden. "Didn't Colonel Duval have any +children?" + +"No, seh. De Cun'l nuvver married, cuz Miss Penelope----" + +He caught himself. "I toles yo 'bout hit some time, seh, mebbe!" he +ended cautiously--talking about family matters with strangers was not +to be considered. + +"I should like to hear some time," said Croyden, not seeming to notice +the 's reticence. "When did the Colonel die?" + +"Eight years ago cum corn plantin' time, seh. He jes' wen' right off +quick like, when de mis'ry hit 'im in de chist--numonya, de doctors +call'd it. De Cun'l guv de place to a No'thern gent'man, whar was he +'ticular frien', and I done stay on an' look arfter hit. He nuvver been +heah. Hi! listen to dis ! yo's de gent'mans, mebbe." + +"I am his son," said Croyden, amused. + +"An' yo owns Cla'endon, now, seh? What yo goin' to do wid it?" + +"I'm going to live here. Don't you want to look after me?" + +"Goin' to live heah!--yo means it, seh?" the asked, in great +amazement. + +Croyden nodded. "Provided you will stay with me--and if you can find me +a cook. Who cooks your meals?" + +"Lawd, seh! find yo a cook. Didn' Jos'phine cook fur de Cun'l all he +life--Jos'phine, she my wife, seh--she jest gone nex' do', 'bout +some'n." He got up--"I calls her, seh." + +Croyden stopped him. + +"Never mind," he said; "she will be back, presently, and there is ample +time. Any one live in these other cabins?" + +"No, seh! we's all wha' left. De udder s done gone 'way, sence de +Cun'l died, coz deah war nothin' fur dem to do no mo', an' no buddy to +pays dem.--Dyar is Jos'phine, now, sir, she be hear torectly. An' heah +comes Marster Dick, hisself." + +Croyden arose and went toward the front of the house to meet him. + +The agent was an elderly man; he wore a black broadcloth suit, shiny at +the elbows and shoulder blades, a stiff white shirt, a wide roomy +collar, bound around by a black string tie, and a broad-brimmed +drab-felt hat. His greeting was as to one he had known all his life. + +"How do you do, Mr. Croyden!" he exclaimed. "I'm delighted to make your +acquaintance, sir." He drew out a key and opened the front door. +"Welcome to Clarendon, sir, welcome! Let us hope you will like it +enough to spend a little time here, occasionally." + +"I'm sure I too hope so," returned Croyden; "for I am thinking of +making it my home." + +"Good! Good! It's an ideal place!" exclaimed the agent. "It's +convenient to Baltimore; and Philadelphia, and New York, and Washington +aren't very far away. Exactly what the city people who can afford it, +are doing now,--making their homes in the country. Hampton's a town, +but it's country to you, sir, when compared to Northumberland--open the +shutters, Mose, so we can see.... This is the library, with the +dining-room behind it, sir--and on the other side of the hall is the +drawing-room. Open it, Mose, we will be over there presently. You see, +sir, it is just as Colonel Duval left it. Your father gave instructions +that nothing should be changed. He was a great friend of the Colonel, +was he not, sir?" + +"I believe he was," said Croyden. "They met at the White Sulphur, where +both spent their summers--many years before the Colonel died." + +"There, hangs the Colonel's sword--he carried it through the war, +sir--and his pistols--and his silk-sash, and here, in the corner, is +one of his regimental guidons--and here his portrait in +uniform--handsome man, wasn't he? And as gallant and good as he was +handsome. Maryland lost a brave son, when he died, sir." + +"He looks the soldier," Croyden remarked. + +"And he was one, sir--none better rode behind Jeb Stuart--and never far +behind, sir, never far behind!" + +"He was in the cavalry?" + +"Yes, sir. Seventh Maryland Cavalry--he commanded it during the last +two years of the war--went in a lieutenant and came out its colonel. A +fine record, sir, a fine record! Pity it is, he had none to leave it +to!--he was the last of his line, you know, the last of the line--not +even a distant cousin to inherit." + +Croyden looked up at the tall, slender man in Confederate gray, with +clean-cut aristocratic features, wavy hair, and long, drooping +mustache. What a figure he must have been at the head of his command, +or leading a charge across the level, while the guns of the Federals +belched smoke, and flame and leaden death. + +"They offered him a brigade," the agent was saying, "but he declined +it, preferring to remain with his regiment." + +"What did he do when the war was over?" Croyden asked. + +"Came home, sir, and resumed his law practice. Like his great leader, +he accepted the decision as final. He didn't spend the balance of his +life living in the past." + +"And why did he never marry? Surely, such a man" (with a wave of his +hand toward the portrait) "could have picked almost where he chose!" + +"No one ever just knew, sir--it had to do with Miss Borden,--the sister +of Major Borden, sir, who lives on the next place. They were +sweethearts once, but something or somebody came between them--and +thereafter, the Colonel never seemed to think of love. Perhaps, old +Mose knows it, and if he comes to like you, sir, he may tell you the +story. You understand, sir, that Colonel Duval is Mose's old master, +and that every one stands or falls, in his opinion, according as they +measure up to him. I hope you intend to keep him, sir--he has been a +faithful caretaker, and there is still good service in him--and his +wife was the Colonel's cook, so she must have been competent. She would +never cook for anyone, after he died. She thought she belonged to +Clarendon, sort of went with the place, you understand. Just stayed and +helped Mose take care of it. She doubtless will resume charge of the +kitchen again, without a word. It's the way of the old s, sir. +The young ones are pretty worthless--they've got impudent, and +independent and won't work, except when they're out of money. Excuse +me, I ramble on----" + +"I'm much interested," said Croyden; "as I expect to live here, I must +learn the ways of the people." + +"Well, let Mose boss the s for you, at first; he understands +them, he'll make them stand around. Come over to the drawing-room, sir, +I want you to see the furniture, and the family portraits.... There, +sir, is a set of twelve genuine Hepplewhite chairs--no doubt about it, +for the invoice is among the Colonel's papers. I don't know much about +such things, but a man was through here, about a year ago, and, would +you believe it, when he saw the original invoice and looked at the +chairs, he offered me two thousand dollars for them. Of course, as I +had been directed by your father to keep everything as the Colonel had +it, I just laughed at him. You see, sir, they have the three feathers, +and are beautifully carved, otherwise. And, here, is a lowboy, with the +shell and the fluted columns, and the cabriole legs, carved on the +knees, and the claw and ball feet. He offered two hundred dollars for +it. And this sofa, with the lion's claw and the eagle's wing, he wanted +to buy it, too. In fact, sir, he wanted to buy about everything in the +house--including the portraits. There are two by Peale and one by +Stuart--here are the Peales, sir--the lady in white, and the young +officer in Continental uniform; and this is the Stuart--the gentleman +in knee breeches and velvet coat. I think he is the same as the one in +uniform, only later in life. They are the Colonel's grandparents, sir: +Major Daniel Duval, of the Tenth Maryland Line, and his wife; she was a +Miss Paca--you know the family, of course, sir. The Major's commission, +sir, hangs in the hall, between the Colonel's own and his father's--he +was an officer in the Mexican war, sir. It was a fighting family, sir, +a fighting family--and a gentle one as well. 'The bravest are the +tenderest, the loving are the daring.'" + +There was enough of the South Carolinian of the Lowlands in Croyden, +to appreciate the Past and to honor it. He might not know much +concerning Hepplewhite nor the beauty of his lines and carving, and he +might be wofully ignorant of his own ancestors, having been bred in a +State far removed from their nativity, for he had never given a thought +to the old things, whether of furniture or of forebears--they were of +the inanimate; his world had to do only with the living and what was +incidental to it. The Eternal Now was the Fetich and the God of +Northumberland, all it knew and all it lived for--and he, with every +one else, had worshipped at its shrine. + +It was different here, it seemed! and the spirit of his long dead +mother, with her heritage of aristocratic lineage, called to him, +stirring him strangely, and his appreciation, that was sleeping and not +dead, came slowly back to life. The men in buff-and-blue, in +small-clothes, in gray, the old commissions, the savour of the past +that clung around them, were working their due. For no man of culture +and refinement--nay, indeed, if he have but their veneer--can stand in +the presence of an honorable past, of ancestors distinguished and +respected, whether they be his or another's, and be unmoved. + +"And you say there are none to inherit all these things?" Croyden +exclaimed. "Didn't the original Duval leave children?" + +The agent shook his head. "There was but one son to each generation, +sir--and with the Colonel there was none." + +"Then, having succeeded to them by right of purchase, and with no +better right outstanding, it falls to me to see that they are not +shamed by the new owner. Their portraits shall remain undisturbed +either by collectors or by myself. Moreover, I'll look up my own +ancestors. I've got some, down in South Carolina and up in +Massachusetts, and if their portraits be in existence, I'll add +reproductions to keep the Duvals company. Ancestors by inheritance and +ancestors by purchase. The two of them ought to keep me straight, don't +you think?" he said, with a smile. + + + + +IV + +PARMENTER'S BEQUEST + + +Croyden, with Dick as guide and old Mose as forerunner and +shutter-opener, went through the house, even unto the garret. + +As in the downstairs, he found it immaculate. Josephine had kept +everything as though the Colonel himself were in presence. The bed +linen, the coverlids, the quilts, the blankets were packed in trunks, +the table-linen and china in drawers and closets. None of them was +new--practically the entire furnishing antedated 1830, and much of them +1800--except that, here and there, a few old rugs of oriental weaves, +relieved the bareness of the hardwood floors. + +The one concession to modernism was a bath-room, but its tin tub and +painted iron wash-stand, with the plumbing concealed by wainscoting, +proclaimed it, alas, of relatively ancient date. And, for a moment, +Croyden contrasted it with the shower, the porcelain, and the tile, of +his Northumberland quarters, and shivered, ever so slightly. It would +be the hardest to get used to, he thought. As yet, he did not know the +isolation of the long, interminably long, winter evenings, with +absolutely nothing to do and no place to go--and no one who could +understand. + +At length, when they were ready to retrace their steps to the lower +floor, old Mose had disappeared. + +"Gone to tell his wife that the new master has come," said Dick. "Let +us go out to the kitchen." + +And there they found her--bustling around, making the fire, her head +tied up in a bandana, her sleeves rolled to the shoulders. She turned, +as they entered, and dropped them an old-fashioned curtsy. + +"Josephine!" said Dick, "here is Mr. Croyden, the new master. Can you +cook for him, as well as you did for Colonel Duval?" + +"Survent, marster," she said to Croyden, with another curtsy--then, to +the agent, "Kin I cooks, Marster Dick! Kin I cooks? Sut'n'y, I kin. +Don' yo t'inks dis 's forgot--jest yo waits, Marster Croyden, I +shows yo, seh, sho' nuf--jest gives me a little time to get my han' in, +seh." + +"You won't need much time," Dick commented. "The Colonel considered her +very satisfactory, sir, very satisfactory, indeed. And he was a +competent judge, sir, a very competent judge." + +"Oh, we'll get along," said Croyden, with a smile at Josephine. "If you +could please Colonel Duval, you will more than please me." + +"Thankee, seh!" she replied, bobbing down again. "I sho' tries, seh." + +"Have you had any experience with servants?" Dick asked, as they +returned to the library. + +"No," Croyden responded: "I have always lived at a Club." + +"Well, Mose and his wife are of the old times--you can trust them, +thoroughly, but there is one thing you'll have to remember, sir: they +are nothing but overgrown children, and you'll have to discipline them +accordingly. They don't know what it is to be impertinent, sir; they +have their faults, but they are always respectful." + +"Can I rely on them to do the buying?" + +"I think so, sir, the Colonel did, I know. If you wish, I'll send you a +list of the various stores, and all you need do is to pay the bills. Is +there anything else I can do now, sir?" + +"Nothing," said Croyden. "And thank you very much for all you have +done." + +"How about your baggage--can I send it out? No trouble, sir, I assure +you, no trouble. I'll just give your checks to the drayman, as I pass. +By the way, sir, you'll want the telephone in, of course. I'll notify +the Company at once. And you needn't fear to speak to your neighbors; +they will take it as it's meant, sir. The next on the left is Major +Borden's, and this, on the right, is Captain Tilghman's, and across the +way is Captain Lashiel's, and Captain Carrington's, and the house +yonder, with the huge oaks in front, is Major Markoe's." + +"Sort of a military settlement," smiled Croyden. + +"Yes, sir--some of them earned their title in the war, and some of +them in the militia and some just inherited it from their pas. Sort of +handed down in the family, sir. The men will call on you, promptly, +too. I shouldn't wonder some of them will be over this evening." + +Croyden thought instantly of the girl he had seen coming out of the +Borden place, and who had directed him to Clarendon. + +"Would it be safe to speak to the good-looking girls, too--those who +are my neighbors?" he asked, with a sly smile. + +"Certainly, sir; if you tell them your name--and don't try to flirt +with them," Dick added, with a laugh. "Yonder is one, now--Miss +Carrington," nodding toward the far side of the street. + +Croyden turned.--It was she! the girl of the blue-black hair and +slender silken ankles. + +"She's Captain Carrington's granddaughter," Dick went on with the +Southerner's love for the definite in genealogy. "Her father and mother +both died when she was a little tot, sir, and they--that is, the +grandparents, sir--raised her. That's the Carrington place she's +turning in at. Ah----" + +The girl glanced across and, recognizing Dick (and, it must be +admitted, her Clarendon inquirer as well), nodded. + +Both men took off their hats. But Croyden noticed that the older man +could teach him much in the way it should be done. He did it shortly, +sharply, in the city way; Dick, slowly, deferentially, as though it +were an especial privilege to uncover to her. + +"Miss Carrington is a beauty!" Croyden exclaimed, looking after her. +"Are there more like her, in Hampton?" + +"I'm too old, sir, to be a competent judge," returned Dick, "but I +should say we have several who trot in the same class. I mean, +sir----" + +"I understand!" laughed Croyden. "It's no disrespect in a Marylander, I +take it, when he compares the ladies with his race-horses." + +"It's not, sir! At least, that's the way we of the older generation +feel; our ladies and our horses run pretty close together. But that spirit +is fast disappearing, sir! The younger ones are becoming--commercialized, +if you please. It's dollars first, and _then_ the ladies, with them--and +the horses nowhere. Though I don't say it's not wise. Horses and the +war have almost broken us, sir. We lost the dollars, or forgot about +them and they lost themselves, whichever way it was, sir. It's right that +our sons should start on a new track and run the course in their own +way--Yes, sir," suddenly recollecting himself, "Miss Carrington's a +pretty girl, and so's Miss Tayloe and Miss Lashiel and a heap more. +Indeed, sir, Hampton is famed on the Eastern Sho' for her women. I'll +attend to your baggage, and the telephone, sir, and if there is +anything else I can do, pray command me. Drop in and see me when you +get up town. Good day, sir, good day." And removing his hat with a bow +just a little less deferential than the one he had given to Miss +Carrington, he proceeded up the street, leisurely and deliberately, as +though the world were waiting for him. + +"And he is a real estate agent!" reflected Croyden. "The man who, +according to our way of thinking, is the acme of hustle and bustle and +business, and schemes to trap the unwary. Truly, the Eastern Shore has +much to learn--or we have much to unlearn! Well, I have tried the +one--and failed. Now, I'm going to try the other. It seems to promise a +quiet life, at least." + +He turned, to find Moses in the doorway, waiting. + +"Marster Croyden," he said, "shall I puts yo satchel an' things in de +Cun'l's room, seh?" + +Croyden nodded. He did not know which was the Colonel's room, but it +was likely to be the best in the house, and, moreover, it was well to +follow him wherever he could. + +"And see that my luggage is taken there, when the man brings it," he +directed--"and tell Josephine to have luncheon at one and dinner at +seven." + +The hesitated. + +"De Cun'l hed dinner in de middle o' de day, seh," he said, as though +Croyden had inadvertently erred. + +And Croyden appreciating the situation, answered: + +"Well, you see, Moses, I've been used to the other way and I reckon you +will have to change to suit me." + +"Yass, seh! yass, seh! I tell Jose. Lunch is de same as supper, I +s'pose, seh?" + +Croyden had to think a moment. + +"Yes," he said, "that will answer--like a light supper." + +"There may be an objection, after all, to taking over Colonel Duval's +old servants," he reflected. "It may be difficult to persuade them that +he is no longer the master. I run the chance of being ruled by a dead +man." + +Presently his luggage arrived, and he went upstairs to unpack. Moses +looked, in wonder, at the wardrobe trunk, with every suit on a separate +hanger, the drawers for shirts and linen, the apartments for hats, and +collars, and neckties, and the shoes standing neatly in a row below. + +"Whar's de use atak'in de things out t'al, Marster Croyden!" he +exclaimed. + +"So as to put the trunk away." + +"Sho'! I mo'nt a kno'd hit. Hit's mons'us strange, seh, whar yo mon't +a' kno'd ef yo'd only stop to t'ink. F' instance, I mon't a kno'd yo'd +cum back to Clarendon, seh, some day, cuz yo spends yo money on hit. +Heh!" + +Then a bell tinkled softly from below. + +"Dyar's dinner--I means lunch, seh," said Moses. "'Scuse me, seh." + +"And I'm ready for it," said Croyden, as he went to the iron +wash-stand, and then slowly down stairs to the dining-room. + +From some place, Moses had resurrected a white coat, yellow with its +ten years' rest, and was waiting to receive him. He drew out Croyden's +chair, as only a family servant of the olden times can do it, and bowed +him into his place. + +The table was set exactly as in Colonel Duval's day, and very prettily +set, Croyden thought, with napery spotless, and china that was thin and +fine. The latter, if he had but known it, was Lowestoft and had served +the Duvals, on that very table, for much more than a hundred years. + +There was cold ham, and cold chicken, lettuce with mayonnaise, deviled +eggs, preserves, with hot corn bread and tea. When Croyden had about +finished a leisurely meal, it suddenly occurred to him that however +completely stocked Clarendon was with things of the Past, they did not +apply to the larder, and _these_ victuals were undoubtedly fresh and +particularly good. + +"By the way! Moses," he said, "I'm glad you were thoughtful enough to +send out and purchase these things," with an indicating motion to the +table. "They are very satisfactory." + +"Pu'chase!" said the , in surprise. "Dese things not pu'chased. +No, seh! Dey's borro'd, seh, from Majah Bo'den's, yass, seh!" + +"Good God!" Croyden exclaimed. "You don't mean you borrowed my +luncheon!" + +"Yass, seh! Why not, seh? Jose jes' went ovah an' sez to Cassie--she's +de cook, at de Majah's, seh--sez she, Marster Croyden don' cum and +warns some'n to eat. An' she got hit, yass, seh!" + +"Is it the usual thing, here, to borrow an entire meal from the +neighbor's?" asked Croyden. + +"Sut'n'y, seh! We borrows anything we needs from the neighbors, an' +they does de same wid us." + +"Well, I don't want any borrowing by _us_, Moses, please remember," +said Croyden, emphatically. "The neighbors can borrow anything we have, +and welcome, but we won't claim the favor from them, you understand?" + +"Yass, seh!" said the old , wonderingly. + +Such a situation as one kitchen not borrowing from another was +incomprehensible. It had been done by the servants from time +immemorial--and, though Croyden might forbid, yet Josephine would +continue to do it, just the same--only, less openly. + +"And see that everything is returned not later than to-morrow," Croyden +continued. + +"Yass, seh! I tote's dem back dis minut, seh!----" + +"What?" + +"Dese things, heah, whar yo didn' eat, seh----" + +"Do you mean--Oh, Lord!" exclaimed Croyden. + +"Never mind, Moses. I will return them another way. Just forget it." + +"Sut'n'y, seh," returned the . "Dat's what I wuz gwine do in de +fust place." + +Croyden laughed. It was pretty hopeless, he saw. The ways they had, +were the ways that would hold them. He might protest, and order +otherwise, until doomsday, but it would not avail. For them, it was +sufficient if Colonel Duval permitted it, or if it were the custom. + +"I think I shall let the servants manage me," he thought. "They know +the ways, down here, and, besides, it's the line of least resistance." + +He went into the library, and, settling himself in a comfortable chair, +lit a cigarette.... It was the world turned upside down. Less than +twenty-four hours ago it was money and madness, bankruptcy and divorce +courts, the automobile pace--the devil's own. Now, it was quiet and +gentility, easy-living and refinement. Had he been in Hampton a little +longer, he would have added: gossip and tittle-tattle, small-mindedness +and silly vanity. + +He smoked cigarette after cigarette and dreamed. He wondered what +Elaine Cavendish had done last evening--if she had dined at the +Club-house, and what gown she had worn, if she had played golf in the +afternoon, or tennis, and with whom; he wondered what she would do this +evening--wondered if she thought of him more than casually. He shook it +off for a moment. Then he wondered again: who had his old quarters at +the Heights? He knew a number who would be jumping for them--who had +his old table for breakfast? it, too, would be eagerly sought--who +would take his place on the tennis and the golf teams?--what Macloud +was doing? Fine chap was Macloud! the only man in Northumberland he +would trust, the only man in Northumberland, likely, who would care a +rap whether he came back or whether he didn't, or who would ever give +him a second thought. He wondered if Gaspard, his particular waiter, +missed him? yes, he would miss the tips, at least; yes, and the boy who +brushed his clothes and drew his bath would miss him, and his caddie, +as well. Every one whom he _paid_, would miss him.... + +He threw away his cigarette and sat up sharply. It was not pleasant +thinking. + +An old mahogany slant-top escritoire, in the corner by the window, +caught his eye. It had a shell, inlaid in maple, in the front, and the +parquetry, also, ran around the edges of the drawers and up the sides. + +There was one like it in the Cavendish library, he remembered. He went +over to it, and, the key being in the lock, drew out pulls and turned +back the top. Inside, there was the usual lot of pigeon holes and small +drawers, with compartments for deeds and larger papers. All were empty. +Either Colonel Duval, in anticipation of death, had cleaned it out, or +Moses and Josephine, for their better preservation, had packed the +contents away. He was glad of it; he could use it, at least, without +ejecting the Colonel. + +He closed the lid and had turned away, when the secret drawer, which, +sometimes, was in these old desks, occurred to him. He went back and +began to search for it.... And, presently, he found it. Under the +middle drawer was a sliding panel that rolled back, when he pressed on +a carved lion's head ornamentation, and which concealed a hidden +recess. In this recess lay a paper. + +It was yellow with age, and, when Croyden took it in his fingers, he +caught the faint odor of sandal wood. It was brittle in the creases, +and threatened to fall apart. So, opening it gently, he spread it on +the desk before him. Here is what he read: + + "Annapolis, 10 May, 1738. + + "Honoured Sir: + + "I fear that I am about to Clear for my Last Voyage--the old + wounds trouble me, more and more, especially those in my head and + chest. I am confined to my bed, and though Doctor Waldron does + not say it, I know he thinks I am bound for Davy Jones' locker. + So be it--I've lived to a reasonable Age, and had a fair Time in + the living. I've done that which isn't according to Laws, either + of Man or God--but for the Former, I was not Caught, and for the + Latter, I'm willing to chance him in death. When you were last + in Annapolis, I intended to mention a Matter to you, but + something prevented, I know not what, and you got Away ere I was + aware of it. Now, fearing lest I Die before you come again, I + will Write it, though it is against the Doctor's orders--which, + however, I obey only when it pleases me. + + "You are familiar with certain Episodes in my Early Life, spent + under the Jolly Roger on the Spanish Main, and you have + maintained Silence--for which I shall always be your debtor. You + have, moreover, always been my Friend, and for that, I am more + than your debtor. It is, therefore, but Mete that you should be + my Heir--and I have this day Executed my last Will and Testament, + bequeathing to you all my Property and effects. It is left with + Mr. Dulany, the Attorney, who wrote it, to be probated in due + Season. + + "But there still remains a goodly portion which, for obvious + reasons, may not be so disposed of. I mean my buried Treasure. I + buried it in September, 1720, shortly after I came to Annapolis, + trusting not to keep so great an Amount in my House. It amounts + to about half my Fortune, and Approximates near to Fifty Thousand + Pounds, though that may be but a crude Estimate at best, for I am + not skilled in the judging of Precious Stones. Where I obtained + this wealth, I need not mention, though you can likely guess. And + as there is nothing by which it can be identified, you can use it + without Hesitation. Subject, however, to one Restriction: As it + was not honestly come by (according to the World's estimate, + because, forsooth, I only risked my Life in the gathering, + instead of pilfering it from my Fellow man in Business, which is + the accepted fashion) I ask you not to use it except in an + Extremity of Need. If that need does not arise in your Life, you, + in turn, may pass this letter on to your heir, and he, in turn, + to his heir, and so on, until such Time as the Need may come, and + the Restriction be lifted. And now to find the Treasure:-- + + "Seven hundred and fifty feet--and at right angles to the water + line--from the extreme tip of Greenberry Point, below Annapolis, + where the Severn runs into the Chesapeake, are four large Beech + trees, standing as of the corners of a Square, though not + equidistant. Bisect this Square, by two lines drawn from the + Corners. At a Point three hundred and thirty feet, + North-by-North-East, from where these two lines intersect and at + a depth of Six feet, you will come upon an Iron Box. It contains + the Treasure. And I wish you (or whoever recovers it) Joy of + it!--as much joy with it as I had in the Gathering. + + "Lest I die before you come again to Annapolis, I shall leave + this letter with Mr. Dulany, to be delivered to you on the First + Occasion. I judge him as one who will respect a Dead man's seal. + If I see you not again, Farewell. I am, sir, with great + respect, + + "Y'r humb'l & obed't Serv'nt + + "Robert Parmenter. + + "To Marmaduke Duval, Esq'r." + +Below was written, by another hand: + + "The Extremity of Need has not arisen, I pass it on to my son. + + "M.D." + +And below that, by still another hand: + + "Neither has the Need come to me. I pass it to my son. + + "D.D." + +And below that, by still another hand: + + "Nor to me. I pass it to my son. + + "M.D." + +And below that: + + "The Extremity of Need brushed by me so close I heard the + rustling of its gown, but I did not dig. I have sufficient for + me, and I am the last of my line. I pass it, therefore, to my + good friend Hugh Croyden (and, in the event that he predecease + me, to his son Geoffrey Croyden), to whom Clarendon will go upon + my demise. + + "D.D." + +Croyden read the last endorsement again; then he smiled, and the smile +broadened into an audible laugh. + +The heir of a pirate! Well, at least, it promised something to engage +him, if time hung heavily on his hands. The Duvals seem to have taken +the bequest seriously--so, why not he? And, though the extremity of +need seems never to have reached them, it was peculiar that none of the +family had inspected the locality and satisfied himself of the accuracy +of the description. The extreme tip of Greenberry Point had shifted, a +dozen times, likely, in a hundred and ninety years, and the four beech +trees had long since disappeared, but there was no note of these facts +to aid the search. He must start just where Robert Parmenter had left +off: with the letter. + +He found an old history of Maryland in the book-case. It contained a +map. Annapolis was somewhere on the Western Shore, he knew. He ran his +eyes down the Chesapeake. Yes, here it was--with Greenberry Point just +across the Severn. So much of the letter was accurate, at least. The +rest would bear investigation. Some time soon he would go across, and +take a look over the ground. Greenberry Point, for all he knew, might +be built up with houses, or blown half a mile inland, or turned into a +fort, or anything. It was not likely to have remained the same, as in +Parmenter's day; and, yet, if it had changed, why should not the Duvals +have remarked it, in making their endorsements. + +He put the letter back in the secret compartment, where it had rested +for so many years. Evidently, Colonel Duval had forgotten it, in his +last brief illness. And Fortune had helped him in the finding. Would it +help him to the treasure as well? For with him, the restriction was +lifted--the extremity of need was come. Moreover, it was time that the +letter should be put to the test. + + + + +V + +MISS CARRINGTON + + +Croyden was sitting before the house, later in the afternoon, when an +elderly gentleman, returning leisurely from town, turned in at the +Clarendon gates. + +"My first caller," thought Croyden, and immediately he arose and went +forward to meet him. + +"Permit me to present myself, sir," said the newcomer. "I am Charles +Carrington." + +"I am very glad to meet you, Captain Carrington," said Croyden, taking +the proffered hand. + +"This is your first visit to Hampton, I believe, sir," the Captain +remarked, when they were seated under the trees. "It is not +Northumberland, sir; we haven't the push, and the bustle, and the +smoke, but we have a pleasant little town, sir, and we're glad to +welcome you here. I think you will like it. It's a long time since +Clarendon had a tenant, sir. Colonel Duval's been dead nearly ten years +now. Your father and he were particular friends, I believe." + +Croyden assured him that such was the case. + +"Yes, sir, the Colonel often spoke of him to me with great affection. I +can't say I was surprised to know that he had made him his heir. He was +the last of the Duvals--not even a collateral in the family--there was +only one child to a generation, sir." + +Manifestly, it was not known in Hampton how Hugh Croyden came to be the +Colonel's heir, and, indeed, friendship had prompted the money-loan, +without security other than the promise of the ultimate transfer of +Clarendon and its contents. And Croyden, respecting the Colonel's wish, +evident now, though unexpressed either to his father or himself, +resolved to treat the place as a gift, and to suppress the fact that +there had been an ample and adequate consideration. + +After a short visit, Captain Carrington arose to go. + +"Come over and take supper with us, this evening, sir," said he. "I +want you to meet Mrs. Carrington and my granddaughter." + +"I'll come with pleasure," Croyden answered, thinking of the girl with +the blue-black hair and slender ankles. + +"It's the house yonder, with the white pillars--at half-after-six, +then, sir." + + * * * * * + +As Croyden approached the Carrington house, he encountered Miss +Carrington on the walk. + +"We have met before," she said, as he bowed over her hand. "I was your +original guide to Clarendon. Have you forgot?" + +"Have I forgot?" said Croyden. "Do you think it possible?" looking her +in the eyes. + +"No, I don't." + +"But you wanted to hear me say it?" + +"I wanted to know if you could say it," she answered, gayly. + +"And how have I succeeded?" + +"Admirably!" + +"Sufficiently well to pass muster?" + +"Muster--for what?" she asked, with a sly smile. + +"For enrollment among your victims." + +"Shall I put your name on the list--at the foot?" she laughed. + +"Why at the foot?" + +"The last comer--you have to work your way up by merit, you know." + +"Which consists in?" + +"_That_ you will have to discover." + +"I shall try," he said. "Is it so very difficult of discovery?" + +"No, it should not be so difficult--for you," she answered, with a +flash of her violet eyes. "Mother!" as they reached the piazza--"let me +present Mr. Croyden." + +Mrs. Carrington arose to greet him--a tall, slender woman, whose age +was sixty, at least, but who appeared not a day over forty-five, +despite the dark gown and little lace cap she was wearing. She seemed +what the girl had called her--the mother, rather than the grandmother. +And when she smiled! + +"Miss Carrington two generations hence. Lord! how do they do it?" +thought Croyden. + +"You play Bridge, of course, Mr. Croyden," said Miss Carrington, when +the dessert was being served. + +"I like it very much," he answered. + +"I was sure you did--so sure, indeed, I asked a few friends in +later--for a rubber or two--and to meet you." + +"So it's well for me I play," he smiled. + +"It is indeed!" laughed Mrs. Carrington--"that is, if you care aught +for Davila's good opinion. If one can't play Bridge one would better +not be born." + +"When you know Mother a little better, Mr. Croyden, you will recognize +that she is inclined to exaggerate at times," said Miss Carrington. "I +admit that I am fond of the game, that I like to play with people who +know how, and who, at the critical moment, are not always throwing the +wrong card--you understand?" + +"In other words, you haven't any patience with stupidity," said +Croyden. "Nor have I--but we sometimes forget that a card player is +born, not made. All the drilling and teaching one can do won't give +card sense to one who hasn't any." + +"Precisely!" Miss Carrington exclaimed, "and life is too short to +bother with such people. They may be very charming otherwise, but not +across the Bridge table." + +"Yet ought you not to forgive them their misplays, just because they +are charming?" Mrs. Carrington asked. "If you were given your choice +between a poor player who is charming, and a good player who is +disagreeable, which would you choose, Mr. Croyden?--Come, now be +honest." + +"It would depend upon the size of the game," Croyden responded. "If it +were half a cent a point, I should choose the charming partner, but if +it were five cents or better, I am inclined to think I should prefer +the good player." + +"I'll remember that," said Miss Carrington. "As we don't play, here, +for money stakes, you won't care if your partner isn't very expert." + +"Not exactly," he laughed. "The stipulation is that she shall be +charming. I should be willing to take _you_ for a partner though you +trumped my ace and forgot my lead." + +"_Merci_, _Monsieur_," she answered. "Though you know I should do +neither." + +"Ever play poker?" Captain Carrington asked, suddenly. + +"Occasionally," smiled Croyden. + +"Good! We'll go down to the Club, some evening. We old fellows aren't +much on Bridge, but we can handle a pair or three of-a-kind, pretty +good. Have some sherry, won't you?" + +"You must not let the Captain beguile you," interposed Mrs. Carrington. +"The men all play poker with us,--it is a heritage of the old +days--though the youngsters are breaking away from it." + +"And taking up Bridge!" the Captain ejaculated. "And it is just as +well--we have sense enough to stop before we're broke, but they +haven't." + +"To hear father talk, you would think that the present generation is no +earthly good!" smiled Miss Carrington. "Yet I suppose, when he was +young, his elders held the same opinion of him." + +"I dare say!" laughed the Captain. "The old ones always think the young +ones have a lot to learn--and they have, sir, they have! But it's of +another sort than we can teach them, I reckon." He pushed back his +chair. "We'll smoke on the piazza, sir--the ladies don't object." + +As they passed out, a visitor was just ascending the steps. Miss +Carrington gave a smothered exclamation and went forward. + +"How do you do, Miss Erskine!" she said. + +"How do you do, my dear!" returned Miss Erskine, "and Mrs. +Carrington--and the dear Captain, too.--I'm charmed to find you all at +home." + +She spoke with an affected drawl that would have been amusing in a +handsome woman, but was absurdly ridiculous in one with her figure and +unattractive face. + +She turned expectantly toward Croyden, and Miss Carrington presented +him. + +"So this is the new owner of Clarendon," she gurgled with an 'a' so +broad it impeded her speech. "You have kept us waiting a long time, Mr. +Croyden. We began to think you a myth." + +"I'm afraid you will find me a very husky myth," Croyden answered. + +"'Husky' is scarcely the correct word, Mr. Croyden; _animated_ would be +better, I think. We scholars, you know, do not like to hear a word used +in a perverted sense." + +She waddled to a chair and settled into it. Croyden shot an amused +glance toward Miss Carrington, and received one in reply. + +"No, I suppose not," he said, amiably. "But, then, you know, I am not a +scholar." + +Miss Erskine smiled in a superior sort of way. + +"Very few of us are properly careful of our mode of speech," she +answered. "And, oh! Mr. Croyden, I hope you intend to open Clarendon, +so as to afford those of us who care for such things, the pleasure of +studying the pictures, and the china, and the furniture. I am told it +contains a Stuart and a Peale--and they should not be hidden from those +who can appreciate them." + +"I assume you're talking of pictures," said Croyden. + +"I am, sir,--most assuredly!" the dame answered. + +"Well, I must confess ignorance, again," he replied. "I wouldn't know a +Stuart from a--chromo." + +Miss Erskine gave a little shriek of horror. + +"I do not believe it, Mr. Croyden!--you're playing on my credulity. I +shall have to give you some instructions. I will lecture on Stuart and +Peale, and the painters of their period, for your especial +delectation--and soon, very soon!" + +"I'm afraid it would all be wasted," said Croyden. "I'm not fond of +art, I confess--except on the commercial side; and if I've any +pictures, at Clarendon, worth money, I'll be for selling them." + +"Oh! Mrs. Carrington! Will you listen--did you ever hear such heresy?" +she exclaimed. "I can't believe it of you, Mr. Croyden. Let me lend you +an article on Stuart to read. I shall bring it out to Clarendon +to-morrow morning--and you can let me look at all the dear treasures, +while you peruse it." + +"Mr. Croyden has an appointment with me to-morrow, Amelia," said +Carrington, quickly--and Croyden gave him a look of gratitude. + +"It will be but a pleasure deferred, then, Mr. Croyden," said Miss +Erskine, impenetrable in her self conceit. "The next morning will do, +quite as well--I shall come at ten o'clock--What a lovely evening this +is, Mrs. Carrington!" preparing to patronize her hostess. + +The Captain snorted with sudden anger, and, abruptly excusing himself, +disappeared in the library. Miss Carrington stayed a moment, then, with +a word to Croyden, that she would show him the article now, before the +others came, if Miss Erskine would excuse them a moment, bore him off. + +"What do you think of her?" she demanded. + +"Pompous and stupid--an irritating nuisance, I should call her." + +"She's more!--she is the most arrogant, self-opinionated, +self-complacent, vapid piece of humanity in this town or any other +town. She irritates me to the point of impoliteness. She never sees +that people don't want her. She's as dense as asphalt." + +"It is very amusing!" Croyden interjected. + +"At first, yes--pretty soon you will be throwing things at her--or +wanting to." + +"She's art crazy," he said. "Dilettanteism gone mad." + +"It isn't only Art. She thinks she's qualified to speak on every +subject under the sun, Literature--Bridge--Teaching--Music. Oh, she is +intolerable!" + +"What fits her for assuming universal knowledge?" asked Croyden. + +"Heaven only knows! She went away to some preparatory school, and +finished off with another that teaches pedagogy. Straightway she became +an adept in the art of instruction, though, when she tried it, she had +the whole academy by the ears in two weeks, and the faculty asked her +to resign. Next, she got some one to take her to Europe--spent six +weeks in looking at a lot of the famous paintings, with the aid of a +guide book and a catalogue, and came home prepared to lecture on +Art--and, what's more, she has the effrontery to do it--for the benefit +of Charity, she takes four-fifths of the proceeds, and Charity gets the +balance. + +"Music came next. She read the lives of Chopin and Wagner and some of +the other composers, went to a half dozen symphony concerts, looked up +theory, voice culture, and the like, in the encyclopaedias, and now +she's a critic! Literature she imbibed from the bottle, I suppose--it +came easy to _her_! And she passes judgment upon it with the utmost +ease and final authority. And as for Bridge! She doesn't hesitate to +arraign Elwell, and we, of the village, are the very dirt beneath her +feet. I hear she's thinking of taking up Civic Improvement. I hope it +is true--she'll likely run up against somebody who won't hesitate to +tell her what an idiot she is." + +"Why do you tolerate her?" Croyden asked. "Why don't you throw her out +of society, metaphorically speaking." + +"We can't: she belongs--which is final with us, you know. Moreover, she +has imposed on some, with her assumption of superiority, and they +kowtow to her in a way that is positively disgusting." + +"Why don't you, and the rest who dislike her, snub her?" + +"Snub _her_! You can't snub her--she never takes a snub to herself. If +you were to hit her in the face, she would think it a mistake and meant +for some one else." + +"Then, why not do the next best thing--have fun with her?" + +"We do--but even that grows monotonous, with such a mountain of +Egotism--she will stay for the Bridge this evening, see if she +doesn't--and never imagine she's not wanted." Then she laughed: "I +think if she does I'll give her to you!" + +"Very good!" said he. "I'd rather enjoy it. If she is any more +cantankerous than some of the women at the Heights, she'll be an +interesting study. Yes, I'll be glad to play a rubber with her." + +"If you start, you'll play the entire evening with her--we don't change +partners, here." + +"And what will _you_ do?" he asked. + +"Look on--at the _other_ table. She will have my place. I was going to +play with you." + +"Then the greater the sacrifice I'm making, the greater the credit I +should receive." + +"It depends--on how you acquit yourself," she said gayly. "There are +the others, now--come along." + +There were six of them. Miss Tilghman, Miss Lashiel and Miss Tayloe, +Mr. Dangerfield, Mr. Leigh, and Mr. Byrd. They all had heard of +Croyden's arrival, in Hampton, and greeted him as they would one of +themselves. And it impressed him, as possibly nothing else could have +done--for it was distinctly new to him, after the manners of chilliness +and aloofness which were the ways of Northumberland. + +"We are going to play Bridge, Miss Erskine, will you stay and join us?" +asked Miss Carrington. + +"I shall be charmed! charmed!" was the answer. "This is an ideal +evening for Bridge, don't you think so, Mr. Croyden?" + +"Yes, that's what we _thought_!" said Miss Tilghman, dryly. + +"And who is to play with me, dear Davila?" Miss Erskine inquired. + +"I'm going to put Mr. Croyden with you." + +"How nice of you! But I warn you, Mr. Croyden, I am a very exacting +partner. I may find fault with you, if you violate rules--just draw +your attention to it, you know, so you will not let it occur again. I +cannot abide blunders, Mr. Croyden--there is no excuse for them, except +stupidity, and stupidity should put one out of the game." + +"I'll try to do my very best," said Croyden humbly. + +"I do not doubt that you will," she replied easily, her manner plainly +implying further that she would soon see how much that "best" was. + +As they went in to the drawing-room, where the tables were arranged, +Miss Erskine leading, with a feeling of divine right and an appearance +of a Teddy bear, Byrd leaned over to Croyden and said: + +"She's the limit!" + +"No!" said Leigh, "she's past the limit; she's the sublimated It!" + +"Which is another way of saying, she's a superlative d---- fool!" +Dangerfield ended. + +"I think I understand!" Croyden laughed. "Before you came, she tackled +me on Art, and, when I confessed to only the commercial side, and an +intention to sell the Stuart and Peale, which, it seems, are at +Clarendon, the pitying contempt was almost too much for me." + +"My Lord! why weren't we here!" exclaimed Byrd. + +"She's coming out to inspect my 'treasures,' on Thursday morning." + +"Self invited?" + +"I rather think so." + +"And you?" + +"I shall turn her over to Moses, and decamp before she gets there." + +"Gentlemen, we are waiting!" came Miss Erskine's voice. + +"Oh, Lord! the old dragoon!" said Leigh. "I trust I'm not at her +table." + +And he was not--Miss Tilghman and Dangerfield were designated. + +"Come over and help to keep me straight," Croyden whispered to Miss +Carrington. + +She shook her head at him with a roguish smile. + +"You'll find your partner amply able to keep you straight," she +answered. + +The game began. Miss Tilghman won the cut and made it a Royal Spade. + +"They no longer play Royal Spades in New York," said Miss Erskine. + +"Don't know about New York," returned Miss Tilghman, placidly, "but +_we're_ playing them here, this evening. Your lead, Miss Amelia." + +The latter shut her thick lips tightly, an instant. + +"Oh, well, I suppose we must be provincial a little longer," she said, +sarcastically. "Of course, you do not still play Royal Spades in +Northumberland, Mr. Croyden." + +"Yes, indeed! Play anything to keep the game moving," Croyden +answered. + +"Oh, to be sure! I forgot, for the instant, that Northumberland _is_ a +rapid town.--I call that card, Edith--the King of Hearts!" as Miss +Tilghman inadvertently exposed it. + +A moment later, Miss Tilghman, through anger, also committed a revoke, +which her play on the succeeding trick disclosed. + +That it was a game for pure pleasure, without stakes, made no +difference to Miss Erskine. Technically it was a revoke, and she was +within her rights when she exclaimed it. + +"Three tricks!" she said exultantly, "and you cannot make game this +hand." + +"I'm very sorry, partner," Miss Tilghman apologized. + +"It's entirely excusable under the circumstances," said Dangerfield, +with deliberate accent. "You may do it again!" + +"How courteous Mr. Dangerfield is," Miss Erskine smiled. "To my mind, +nothing excuses a revoke except sudden blindness." + +"And you would claim it even then, I suppose?" Dangerfield retorted. + +"I said, sudden blindness was the only excuse, Mr. Dangerfield. Had you +observed my language more closely, you doubtless would have +understood.--It is your lead, partner." + +Dangerfield, with a wink at Croyden, subsided, and the hand was +finished, as was the next, when Croyden was dummy, without further +jangling. But midway in the succeeding hand, Miss Erskine began. + +"My dear Mr. Croyden," she said, "when you have the Ace, King, and _no +more_ in a suit, you should lead the Ace and then the King, to show +that you have no more--give the down-and-out signal. We would have made +an extra trick, if you had done so--I could have given you a diamond to +trump. As it was, you led the King and then the Ace, and I supposed, of +course, you had at least four in suit." + +"I'm very sorry; I'll try to remember in future," said Croyden with +affected contrition. + +But, at the end of the hand, he was in disgrace again. + +"If your original lead had been from your fourth best, partner, I could +have understood you," she said. "As it was, you misinformed me. Under +the rule of eleven, I had but the nine to beat, I played the ten and +Mr. Dangerfield covered with the Knave, which by the rule you should +have held. We lost another trick by it, you see." + +"It's too bad--too bad!" Croyden answered; "that's two tricks we've +lost by my stupid playing. I'm afraid I'm pretty ignorant, Miss +Erskine, for I don't know what is meant by the rule of eleven." + +Miss Erskine's manner of cutting the cards was somewhat indicative of +her contempt--lingeringly, softly, putting them down as though she +scorned to touch them except with the tips of her fingers. + +"The rule of eleven is usually one of the first things learned by a +beginner at Bridge," she said, witheringly. "I do not always agree with +Mr. Elwell, some of whose reasoning and inferences, in my opinion, are +much forced, but his definition of this rule is very fair. I give it in +his exact words, which are: 'Deduct the size of the card led from +eleven, and the difference will show how many cards, higher than the +one led, are held outside the leader's hand.' For example: if you lead +a seven then there are four higher than the seven in the other three +hands." + +"I see!" Croyden exclaimed. "What a bully rule!--It's very informing, +isn't it?" + +"Yes, it's very informing--in more ways than one," she answered. + +Whereat Miss Tilghman laughed outright, and Dangerfield had to retrieve +a card from the floor, to hide his merriment. + +"What's the hilarity?" asked Miss Carrington, coming over to their +table. "You people seem to be enjoying the game." + +Which sent Miss Tilghman into a gale of laughter, in which Dangerfield +joined. + +Miss Erskine frowned in disapproval and astonishment. + +"Don't mind them, Mr. Croyden," she said. "They really know better, but +this is the silly season, I suppose. They have much to learn, too--much +to learn, indeed." She turned to Miss Carrington. "I was explaining a +few things about the game to Mr. Croyden, Davila, the rule of eleven +and the Ace-King lead, and, for some reason, it seemed to move them to +jollity." + +"I'm astonished!" exclaimed Miss Carrington, her violet eyes gleaming +with suppressed mirth. + +"I hope Mr. Croyden does not think we were laughing at _him_!" cried +Miss Tilghman. + +"Of course not!" returned Croyden solemnly, "and, if you were, my +stupidity quite justified it, I'm sure. If Miss Erskine will only bear +with me, I'll try to learn--Bully thing, that rule of eleven!" + +It was now Croyden's deal and the score, games all--Miss Erskine having +made thirty-six on hers, and Dangerfield having added enough to Miss +Tilghman's twenty-eight to, also, give them game. + +"How cleverly you deal the cards," Miss Erskine remarked. "You're +particularly nimble in the fingers." + +"I acquired it dealing faro," Croyden returned, innocently. + +"Faro!" exclaimed Miss Carrington, choking back a laugh. "What is +faro?" + +"A game about which you should know nothing, my dear," Miss Erskine +interposed. "Faro is played only in gambling hells and mining camps." + +"And in some of the Clubs _in New York_," Croyden added--at which Miss +Tilghman's mirth burst out afresh. "That's where I learned to copper +the ace or to play it open.--I'll make it no trumps." + +"I'll double!" said Miss Tilghman. + +"I'll go back!" + +"Content." + +"Somebody will win the rubber, this hand," Miss Erskine +platitudinized,--with the way such persons have of announcing a self +evident fact--as she spread out her hand. "It is fair support, +partner." + +Croyden nodded. Then proceeded with much apparent thought and +deliberation, to play the hand like the veriest tyro. + +Miss Erskine fidgeted in her seat, gave half smothered exclamations, +looked at him appealingly at every misplay. All with no effect. Croyden +was wrapped in the game--utterly oblivious to anything but the +cards--leading the wrong one, throwing the wrong one, matching +pasteboards, that was all. + +Miss Erskine was frantic. And when, at the last, holding only a +thirteener and a fork in Clubs, he led the losing card of the latter, +she could endure the agony no longer. + +"That is five tricks you have lost, Mr. Croyden, to say nothing of the +rubber!" she snapped. "I must go, now--a delightful game! thank you, my +dear Davila. So much obliged to you all, don't you know. Ah, Captain +Carrington, will you see me as far as the front gate?--I won't disturb +the game. Davila can take my place." + +"Yes, I'll take her to the gate!" muttered the Captain aside to +Croyden, who was the very picture of contrition. "But if she only were +a man! Are you ready, Amelia?" and he bowed her out. + +"You awful man!" cried Miss Carrington. "How could you do it!" + +"I think it was lovely--perfectly lovely!" exclaimed Miss +Tilghman.--"Oh! that last hand was too funny for words.--If only you +could have seen her face, Mr. Croyden." + +[Illustration: LEADING THE WRONG ONE, THROWING THE WRONG ONE, MATCHING +PASTEBOARDS, THAT WAS ALL] + +"I didn't dare!" laughed he. "One look, and I'd have given the whole +thing away." + +"She never suspected.--I tell you, she is as dense as asphalt," said +Miss Carrington. "Come, now we'll have some Bridge." + +"And I'll try to observe the rule of eleven!" said Croyden. + +He lingered a moment, after the game was ended and the others had gone. +When he came to say good-night, he held Miss Carrington's slender +fingers a second longer than the occasion justified. + +"And may I come again soon?" he asked. + +"As often as you wish," she answered. "You have the advantage of +proximity, at least." + + + + +VI + +CONFIDENCE AND SCRUPLES + + +The next month, to Croyden, went pleasantly enough. He was occupied +with getting the household machinery to run according to his ideas--and +still retain Moses and Josephine, who, he early discovered, were +invaluable to him; in meeting the people worth knowing in the town and +vicinity, and in being entertained, and entertaining--all very quietly +and without ostentation. + +He had dined, or supped, or played Bridge at all the houses, had given +a few small things himself, and ended by paying off all scores with a +garden party at Clarendon, which Mrs. Carrington had managed for him +with exquisite taste (and, to him, amazing frugality)--and, more +wonderful still, with an entire effacement of _self_. It was Croyden's +party throughout, though her hand was at the helm, her brain +directed--and Hampton never knew. + +And the place _had_ looked attractive; with the house set in its wide +sweep of velvety lawn amid great trees and old-fashioned flowers and +hedges. With the furniture cleaned and polished, the old china +scattered in cupboard and on table, the portraits and commissions +freshly dusted, the swords glistening as of yore. + +And in that month, Croyden had come to like Hampton immensely. The +absence, in its society, of all attempts at show, to make-believe, to +impress, to hoodwink, was refreshingly novel to him, who, hitherto, had +known it only as a great sham, a huge affectation, with every one +striving to outdo everyone else, and all as hollow as a rotten gourd. + +He had not got used, however, to the individual espionage of the +country town--the habit of watching one's every movement, and telling +it, and drawing inferences therefrom--inferences tinctured according to +the personal feelings of the inferer. + +He learned that, in three weeks, they had him "taken" with every +eligible girl in town, engaged to four and undecided as to two more. +They busied themselves with his food,--they nosed into his drinks, his +cigars, his cigarettes, his pipes,--they bothered themselves about his +meal hours,--they even inspected his wash when it hung on the line! +Some of them, that is. The rest were totally different; they let every +one alone. They did not intrude nor obtrude--they went their way, and +permitted every one to go his. + +So much had been the way of Northumberland, so much he had been used to +always. But--and here was the difference from Northumberland, the vital +difference, indeed--they were interested in you, if _you_ wished them +to be--and it was genuine interest, not pretense. This, and the way +they had treated him as one of them, because Colonel Duval had been +his father's friend, made Croyden feel very much at home. + +At intervals, he had taken old Parmenter's letter from its secret +drawer, and studied it, but he had been so much occupied with getting +acquainted, that he had done nothing else. Moreover, there was no +pressing need for haste. If the treasure had kept on Greenberry Point +for one hundred and ninety years, it would keep a few months longer. +Besides, he was a bit uncertain whether or not he should confide in +someone, Captain Carrington or Major Borden. He would doubtless need +another man to help him, even if the location should be easily +determined, which, however, was most unlikely. For him, alone, to go +prying about on Greenberry Point, would surely occasion comment and +arouse suspicion--which would not be so likely if there were two of +them, and especially if one were a well-known resident of Maryland. + +He finally determined, however, to go across to Annapolis and look over +the ground, before he disclosed the secret to any one. Which was the +reasonable decision. + +When he came to look up the matter of transportation, however, he was +surprised to find that no boat ran between Annapolis and Hampton--or +any other port on the Eastern Shore. He either had to go by water to +Baltimore (which was available on only three days a week) and thence +finish his journey by rail or transfer to another boat, or else he had +to go by steam cars north to Wilmington, and then directly south again +to Annapolis. In either case, a day's journey between two towns that +were almost within seeing distance of each other, across the Bay. Of +the two, he chose to go by boat to Baltimore. + +Then, the afternoon of the day before it sailed, he received a +wire--delivered two hours and more after its receipt, in the leisurely +fashion of the Eastern Shore. It was from Macloud, and dated +Philadelphia. + + "Can I come down to-night? Answer to Bellevue-Stratford." + +His reply brought Macloud in the morning train. + +Croyden met him at the station. Moses took his bag, and they walked out +to Clarendon. + +"Sorry I haven't a car!" said Croyden--then he laughed. "The truth is, +Colin, they're not popular down here. The old families won't have +them--they're innovations--the saddle horse and the family carriage are +still to the fore with them. Only the butcher, and the baker and the +candlestick maker have motors. There's one, now--he's the candlestick +maker, I think. This town is nothing if not conservative. It reminds me +of the one down South, where they wouldn't have electric cars. Finally +all the street car horses died. Then rather than commit the awful sin +of letting _new_ horses come into the city, they accepted the trolley. +The fashion suits my pocketbook, however, so I've no kick coming." + +"What do you want with a car here, anyway?" Macloud asked. "It looks as +if you could walk from one end of the town to the other in fifteen +minutes." + +"You can, easily." + +"And the baker et cetera have theirs only for show, I suppose?" + +"Yes, that's about it--the roads, hereabout, are sandy and poor." + +"Then, I'm with your old families. They may be conservative, at times a +trifle too much so, but, in the main, their judgment's pretty reliable, +according to conditions. What sort of place did you find--I mean the +house?" + +"Very fair!" + +"And the society?" + +"Much better than Northumberland." + +"Hum--I see--the aristocracy of birth, not dollars." + +"Exactly!--How do you do, Mr. Fitzhugh," as they passed a policeman in +uniform. + +"Good morning, Mr. Croyden!" was the answer. + +"There! that illustrates," said Croyden. "You meet Fitzhugh every place +when he is off duty. He _belongs_. His occupation does not figure, in +the least." + +"So you like it--Hampton, I mean?" said Macloud. + +"I've been here a month--and that month I've enjoyed--thoroughly +enjoyed. However, I do miss the Clubs and their life." + +"I can understand," Macloud interjected. + +"And the ability to get, instantly, anything you want----" + +"Much of which you don't want--and wouldn't get, if you had to write +for it, or even to walk down town for it--which makes for economy," +observed Macloud sententiously. + +"But, more than either, I miss the personal isolation which one can +have in a big town, when he wishes it--and has always, in some +degree." + +"And _that_ gets on your nerves!" laughed Macloud. "Well, you won't +mind it after a while, I think. You'll get used to it, and be quite +oblivious. Is that all your objections?" + +"I've been here only a short time, remember. Come back in six months, +say, and I may have kicks in plenty." + +"You may find it a bit dreary in winter--who the deuce is that girl +yonder, Geoffrey?" he broke off. + +They were opposite Carrington's, and down the walk toward the gate was +coming the maid of the blue-black hair, and slender ankles. She wore a +blue linen gown, a black hat, and her face was framed by a white silk +parasol. + +"That is Miss Carrington," said Croyden. + +"Hum!--Your house near here?" + +"Yes--pretty near." + +Macloud looked at him with a grin. + +"She has nothing to do with your liking the town, I suppose?" he said, +knowingly. + +"Well, she's not exactly a deterrent--and there are half a dozen more +of the same sort. Oh, on that score, Hampton's not half bad, my +friend!" he laughed. + +"You mean there are half a dozen of _that_ sort," with a slight jerk of +his head toward Miss Carrington, "who are unmarried?" + +Croyden nodded--then looked across; and both men raised their hats and +bowed. + +"And how many married?" Macloud queried. + +"Several--but you let them _alone_--it's not fashionable here, as yet, +for a pretty married woman to have an affair. She loves her husband, or +acts it, at least. They're neither prudes nor prigs, but they are not +_that_." + +"So far as you know!" laughed Macloud. "But my experience has been that +the pretty married woman who won't flirt, if occasion offers where +there is no danger of being compromised, is a pretty scarce article. +However, Hampton may be an exception." + +"You're too cynical," said Croyden. "We turn in here--this is +Clarendon." + +"Why! you beggar!" Macloud exclaimed. "I've been sympathizing with +you, because I thought you were living in a shack-of-a-place--and, +behold!" + +"Yes, it is not bad," said Croyden. "I've no ground for complaint, on +that head. I can, at least, be comfortable here. It's not bad inside, +either." + +That evening, after dinner, when the two men were sitting in the +library while a short-lived thunder storm raged outside, Macloud, after +a long break in the conversation--which is the surest sign of +camaraderie among men--observed, apropos of nothing except the talk of +the morning: + +"Lord! man, you've got no kick coming!" + +"Who said I had?" Croyden demanded. + +"You did, by damning it with faint praise." + +"Damning what?" + +"Your present environment--and yet, look you! A comfortable house, fine +grounds, beautiful old furnishings, delicious victuals, and two +servants, who are devoted to you, or the place--no matter which, for it +assures their permanence; the one a marvelous cook, the other a +competent man; and, by way of society, a lot of fine, old antebellum +families, with daughters like the Symphony in Blue, we saw this +morning. God! you're hard to please." + +"And that is not all," said Croyden, laughing and pointing to the +portraits. "I've got ancestors--by purchase." + +"And you have come by them clean-handed, which is rare.--Moreover, I +fancy you are one who has them by inheritance, as well." + +Croyden nodded. "I'm glad to say I have--ancestors are distinctly +fashionable down here. But _that's_ not all I've got." + +"There is only one thing more--money," said Macloud. "You haven't found +any of it down here, have you?" + +"That is just what I don't know," Croyden replied, tossing away his +cigarette, and crossing to the desk by the window. "It depends--on +this." He handed the Parmenter letter to Macloud. "Read it through--the +endorsements last, in their order--and then tell me what you think of +it."... + +"These endorsements, I take it," said Macloud, "though without date and +signed only with initials, were made by the original addressee, +Marmaduke Duval, his son, who was presumably Daniel Duval, and Daniel +Duval's son, Marmaduke; the rest, of course, is plain." + +"That is correct," Croyden answered. "I have made inquiries--Colonel +Duval's father was Marmaduke, whose son was Daniel, whose son was +Marmaduke, the addressee." + +"Then why isn't it true?" Macloud demanded. + +"My dear fellow, I'm not denying it! I simply want your opinion--what +to do?" + +"Have you shown this letter to anyone else?" + +"No one." + +"Well, you're a fool to show it even to me. What assurance have you +that, when I leave here, I won't go straight to Annapolis and steal +your treasure?" + +"No assurance, except a lamblike trust in your friendship," said +Croyden, with an amused smile. + +"Your recent experience with Royster & Axtell and the Heights should +beget confidences of this kind?" he said sarcastically, tapping the +letter the while. "You trust too much in friendship, Croyden. Tests of +half a million dollars aren't human!" Then he grinned. "I always +thought there was something God-like about me. So, maybe, you're safe. +But it was a fearful risk, man, a fearful risk!" He looked at the +letter again. "Sure, it's true! The man to whom it was addressed +believed it--else why did he endorse it to his son? And we can assume +that Daniel Duval knew his father's writing, and accepted it.--Oh, it's +genuine enough. But to prove it, did you identify Marmaduke Duval's +writing--any papers or old letters in the house?" + +"I don't know," returned Croyden. "I'll ask Moses to-morrow." + +"Better not arouse his curiosity--s are most inquisitive, you +know--where did you find the letter?" + +Croyden showed him the secret drawer. + +"Another proof of its genuineness," said Macloud. "Have you made any +effort to identify this man Parmenter--from the records at +Annapolis." + +"No--I've done nothing but look at the letter--except to trace the +Duval descent," Croyden replied. + +"He speaks, here, of his last will and testament being left with Mr. +Dulany. If it were probated, that will establish Parmenter, especially +if Marmaduke Duval is the legatee. What do you know of Annapolis?" + +"Nothing! I never was there--I looked it up on the map I found, here, +and Greenberry Point is as the letter says--across the Severn River +from it." + +Macloud laughed, in good-natured raillery. + +"You seem to have been in a devil of a hurry!" he said. "At the same +rate of progression, you will go to Annapolis some time next spring, +and get over to Greenberry Point about autumn." + +"On the contrary, it's your coming that delayed me," Croyden smiled. +"But for your wire, I would have started this morning--now, if you will +accompany me, we'll go day-after-to-morrow." + +"Why delay?" said Macloud. "Why not go to-night?" + +"It's a long journey around the Bay by rail--I'd rather cross to Baltimore +by boat; from there it's only an hour's ride to Annapolis by electric +cars. And there isn't any boat sailing until day-after-to-morrow." + +"Where's the map?" said Macloud. "Let me see where we are, and where +Annapolis is.... Hum! we're almost opposite! Can't we get a boat in +the morning to take us across direct--charter it, I mean? The +Chesapeake isn't wide at this point--a sailing vessel ought to make it +in a few hours." + +"I'll go you!" exclaimed Croyden. He went to the telephone and called +up Dick. "This is Geoffrey Croyden!" he said.--"I've a friend who wants +to go across the Bay to Annapolis, in the morning. Where can I find out +if there is a sailing vessel, or a motor boat, obtainable?... what's +that you say?... Miles Casey?--on Fleet Street, near the wharf?... +Thank you!--He says," turning to Macloud, "Casey will likely take +us--he has a fishing schooner and it is in port. He lives on Fleet +Street--we will walk down, presently, and see him." + +Macloud nodded assent, and fell to studying the directions again. +Croyden returned to his chair and smoked in silence, waiting for his +friend to conclude. At length, the latter folded the letter and looked +up. + +"It oughtn't to be hard to find," he observed. + +"Not if the trees are still standing, and the Point is in the same +place," said Croyden. "But we're going to find the Point shifted about +ninety degrees, and God knows how many feet, while the trees will have +long since disappeared." + +"Or the whole Point may be built over with houses!" Macloud responded. +"Why not go the whole throw-down at once--make it impossible to +recover rather than only difficult to locate!" He made a gesture of +disbelief. "Do you fancy that the Duvals didn't keep an eye on +Greenberry Point?--that they wouldn't have noted, in their +endorsements, any change in the ground? So it's clear, in my mind, +that, when Colonel Duval transferred this letter to you, the Parmenter +treasure could readily be located." + +"I'm sure I shan't object, in the least, if we walk directly to the +spot, and hit the box on the third dig of the pick!" laughed Croyden. +"But let us forget the old pirate, until to-morrow; tell me about +Northumberland--it seems a year since I left! When one goes away for +good and all, it's different, you know, from going away for the +summer." + +"And you think you have left it for good and all?" asked Macloud, +blowing a smoke-ring and watching him with contemplative eyes--"Well, +the place is the same--only more so. A good many people have come back. +The Heights is more lively than when you left, teas, and dinners, and +tournaments and such like.--In town, the Northumberland's resuming its +regulars--the theatres are open, and the Club has taken the bald-headed +row on Monday nights as usual. Billy Cain has turned up engaged, also +as usual--this time, it's a Richmond girl, 'regular screamer,' he says. +It will last the allotted time, of course--six weeks was the limit for +the last two, you'll remember. Smythe put it all over Little in the +tennis tournament, and 'Pud' Lester won the golf championship. Terry's +horse, _Peach Blossom_, fell and broke its neck in the high jump, at +the Horse Show; Terry came out easier--he broke only his collar-bone. +Mattison is the little bounder he always was--a month hasn't changed +him--except for the worse. Hungerford is a bit sillier. Colloden is the +same bully fellow; he is disconsolate, now, because he is beginning to +take on flesh." Whereat both laughed. "Danridge is back from the North +Cape, via Paris, with a new drink he calls _The Spasmodic_--it's made +of gin, whiskey, brandy, and absinthe, all in a pint of sarsaparilla. +He says it's great--I've not sampled it, but judging from those who +have he is drawing it mild.... Betty Whitridge and Nancy Wellesly have +organized a Sinners Class, prerequisites for membership in which are +that you play Bridge on Sundays and have abstained from church for at +least six months. It's limited to twenty. They filled it the first +morning, and have a waiting list of something over seventy-five.... +That is about all I can think of that's new." + +"Has any one inquired about me?" Croyden asked--with the lingering +desire one has not to be forgot. + +Macloud shot a questioning glance at him. + +"Beyond the fact that the bankruptcy schedules show you were pretty +hard hit, I've heard no one comment," he said. "They think you're in +Europe. Elaine Cavendish is sponsor for that report--she says you told +her you were called, suddenly, abroad." + +Croyden nodded. Then, after a pause: + +"Any one inclined to play the devoted, there?" he asked. + +"Plenty inclined--plenty anxious," replied Macloud. "I'm looking a bit +that way myself--I may get into the running, since you are out of it," +he added. + +Croyden made as though to speak, then bit off the words. + +"Yes, I'm out of it," he said shortly. + +"But you're not out of it--if you find the pirate's treasure." + +"Wait until I find it--at present, I'm only an 'also ran.'" + +"Who had the field, however, until withdrawn," said Macloud. + +"Maybe!" Croyden laughed. "But things have changed with me, Macloud; +I've had time for thought and meditation. I'm not sure I should go back +to Northumberland, even if the Parmenter jewels are real. Had I stayed +there I suppose I should have taken my chance with the rest, but I'm +becoming doubtful, recently, of giving such hostages to fortune. It's +all right for a woman to marry a rich man, but it is a totally +different proposition for a poor man to marry a rich woman. Even with +the Parmenter treasure, I'd be poor in comparison with Elaine Cavendish +and her millions--and I'm afraid the sweet bells would soon be jangling +out of tune." + +"Would you condemn the girl to spinsterhood, because there are few men +in Northumberland, or elsewhere, who can match her in wealth?" + +"Not at all! I mean, only, that the man should be able to support her +according to her condition in life.--In other words, pay all the bills, +without drawing on her fortune." + +"Those views will never make you the leader of a popular propaganda!" +said Macloud, with an amused smile. "In fact, you're alone in the +woods." + +"Possibly! But the views are not irrevocable--I may change, you know. +In the meantime, let us go down to Fleet Street and interview Casey. +And then, if you're good, I'll take you to call on Miss Carrington." + +"The Symphony in Blue!" exclaimed Macloud. "Come along, man, come +along!" + + + + +VII + +GREENBERRY POINT + + +There was no trouble with Casey--he had been mighty glad to take them. +And, at about noon of the following day, they drew in to the ancient +capital, having made a quick and easy run from Hampton. + +It was clear, bright October weather, when late summer seems to linger +for very joy of staying, and all nature is in accord. The State House, +where Washington resigned his commission--with its chaste lines and +dignified white dome, when viewed from the Bay (where the monstrosity +of recent years that has been hung on behind, is not visible) stood out +clearly in the sunlight, standing high above the town, which slumbers, +in dignified ease, within its shadow. A few old mansions, up the Spa, +seen before they landed, with the promise of others concealed among the +trees, higher up, told their story of a Past departed--a finished +city. + +"Where is Greenberry Point?" demanded Macloud, suddenly. + +"Yonder, sir, on the far side of the Severn--the strip of land which +juts out into the Bay." + +"First hypothesis, dead as a musket!" looking at Croyden. "There isn't +a house in sight--except the light-house, and it's a bug-light." + +"No houses--but where are the trees?" Croyden returned. "It seems +pretty low," he said, to the skipper; "is it ever covered with water?" + +"I think not, sir--the water's just eating it slowly away." + +Croyden nodded, and faced townward. + +"What is the enormous white stone building, yonder?" he asked. + +"The Naval Academy--that's only one of the buildings, sir, Bancroft +Hall. The whole Academy occupies a great stretch of land along the +Severn." + +They landed at the dock, at the foot of Market Place and inquired the +way to Carvel Hall--that being the hotel advised by Dick. They were +directed up Wayman's alley--one of the numerous three foot +thoroughfares between streets, in which the town abounds--to Prince +George Street, and turning northward on it for a block, past the once +splendid Brice house, now going slowly to decay, they arrived at the +hotel:--the central house of English brick with the wings on either +side, and a modern hotel building tacked on the rear. + +"Rather attractive!" was Macloud's comment, as they ascended the steps +to the brick terrace and, thence, into the hotel. "Isn't this an old +residence?" he inquired of the clerk, behind the desk. + +"Yes, sir! It's the William Paca (the Signer) mansion, but it served as +the home of Dorothy Manners in _Richard Carvel_, and hence the name, +sir: Carvel Hall. We've many fine houses here: the Chase House--he +also was a Signer; the Harwood House, said to be one of the most +perfect specimens of Colonial architecture in America; the Scott House, +on the Spa; the Brice House, next door; McDowell Hall, older than any +of them, was gutted by fire last year, but has been restored; the Ogle +mansion--he was Governor in the 1740's, I think. Oh! this was the Paris +of America before and during the Revolution. Why, sir, the tonnage of +the Port of Annapolis, in 1770, was greater than the tonnage of the +Port of Baltimore, to-day." + +"Very interesting!" said Macloud. "Very interesting, indeed. What's +happened to it since 1770?" + +"Nothing, sir--that's the trouble, it's progressed backward--and +Baltimore has taken its place." + +"I see!" said Macloud, laughing. "What time is luncheon?" + +"It's being served now, sir--twelve-thirty to two." + +"Order a pair of saddle horses, and have them around at one-thirty, +please." + +"There is no livery connected with the hotel, sir, but I'll do what I +can. There isn't any saddlers for hire, but we will get you a pair of +'Cheney's Best,' sir--they're sometimes ridden. However, you had +better drive, if you will permit me to suggest, sir." + +Croyden glanced at Macloud. + +"No!--we will try the horses," he said. + +It had been determined that they should ride for the reasons, as urged +by Macloud, that they could go on horseback where they could not in a +conveyance, and they would be less likely to occasion comment. The +former of which appealed to Croyden, though the latter did not. + +Macloud had borrowed an extra pair of riding breeches and puttees, from +his friend, and, at the time appointed, the two men passed through the +office. + +"The horses are waiting, sir!" the clerk informed them. + +Two lads were holding a pair of rawboned nags, that resembled +saddlers about as much as a cigar-store Indian does a sonata. Croyden +looked them over in undisguised disgust. + +"If these are Cheney's Best," he commented, "what in Heaven's name are +his worst?" + +"Come on!" said Macloud, adjusting the stirrups. "Get aboard and leave +the kicking to the horses, they may be better than they look. Where +does one cross the Severn?" he asked a man who was passing. + +"Straight up to the College green," he replied, pointing; "then one +square to the right to King George Street, and on out it, across +College Creek, to the Marine Barracks. The road forks there; you turn +to the right; and the bridge is at the foot of the hill." + +They thanked him, and rode away. + +"He ought to write a guide book," said Croyden. + +"How do you know he hasn't?" Macloud retorted. "Well paved +streets,--but a trifle hard for riding." + +"And more than a trifle dirty," Croyden added. "My horse isn't so +bad--how's yours?" + +"He'll do!--This must be the Naval Academy," as they passed along a +high brick wall--"Yonder, are the Barracks--the Marines are drilling in +front." + +They clattered over the creek, rounded the quarters of the +"Hermaphrodites," and saw below them the wide bridge, almost a half a +mile long, which spans the Severn. The draw was open, to let a motor +boat pass through, but it closed before they reached it. + +"This is exceptionally pretty!" Macloud exclaimed, drawing rein, +midway. "Look at the high bluff, on the farther shore, with the view up +the river, on one side, and down the Bay, and clear across on the +other.... Now," as they wound up on the hill, "for the first road to +the right." + +"This doesn't look promising!" laughed Croyden, as the road swung +abruptly westward and directly away from Greenberry Point. + +"Let us go a little farther," said Macloud. "There must be a way--a +bridle path, if nothing better--and, if we must, we can push straight +through the timber; there doesn't seem to be any fences. You see, it +was rational to ride." + +"You're a wise old owl!" Croyden retorted. + +"Ah!--there's our road!" as one unexpectedly took off to the right, +among the trees, and bore almost immediately eastward. "Come along, my +friend!" + +Presently they were startled by a series of explosions, a short +distance ahead. + +"What are we getting into?" Macloud exclaimed, drawing up sharply. + +"Parmenter's defending his treasure!" said Croyden, with mock +seriousness. "He is warning us off." + +"A long way off, then! We must be a mile and more from the Point. It's +some one blasting, I think." + +"It wasn't sufficiently muffled," Croyden answered. + +They waited a few moments: hearing no further noises, they proceeded--a +trifle cautiously, however. A little further on, they came upon a wood +cutter. + +"He doesn't appear at all alarmed," Croyden observed. "What were the +explosions, a minute ago?" he called. + +"They weren't nothing," said the man, leaning on his axe. "The Navy's +got a 'speriment house over here. They're trying things. Yer don't +need be skeered. If yer goin' to the station, it's just a little ways, +now," he added, with the country-man's curiosity--which they did not +satisfy. + +They passed the buildings of the Experiment Station and continued on, +amid pine and dogwood, elms and beeches. They were travelling parallel +with the Severn, and not very distant, as occasional glimpses of blue +water, through the trees, revealed. Gradually, the timber thinned. The +river became plainly visible with the Bay itself shimmering to the +fore. Then the trees ended abruptly, and they came out on Greenberry +Point: a long, flat, triangular-shaped piece of ground, possibly two +hundred yards across the base, and three hundred from base to point. + +The two men halted, and looked around. + +"Somewhere near here, possibly just where your horse is standing, is +the treasure," said Macloud. "Can't you feel its presence?" + +"No, I can't!" laughed Croyden, "and that appears to be my only chance, +for I can't see a trace of the trees which formed the square." + +"Be not cast down!" Macloud admonished. "Remember, you didn't expect to +find things marked off for you." + +"No, _I_ didn't! but I thought _you_ did." + +"That was only to stir you up. I anticipated even more adverse +conditions. It's amazingly easier than I dared to hope." + +"Thunder! man! we can't dig six feet deep over all of forty acres. We +shall have the whole of Annapolis over to help us before we've done a +square of forty feet." + +"You're too liberal!" laughed Macloud. "Twenty feet would be ample." +Then he sobered. "The instructions say: seven hundred and fifty feet +back, from the extreme tip of Greenberry Point, is the quadrangle of +trees. That was in 1720, one hundred and ninety years ago. They must +have been of good size then--hence, they would be of the greater size, +now, or else have disappeared entirely. There isn't a single tree which +could correspond with Parmenter's, closer than four hundred yards, and, +as the point would have been receding rather than gaining, we can +assume, with tolerable certainty, that the beeches have +vanished--either from decay or from wind storms, which must be very +severe over in this exposed land. Hence, must not our first quest be +for some trace of the trees?" + +"That sounds reasonable," said Croyden, "and, if the Point has receded, +which is altogether likely, then we are pretty near the place." + +"Yes!--if the Point has simply receded, but if it has shifted +laterally, as well, the problem is not so simple." + +"Let us go out to the Point, and look at the ruins of the light-house. +If we can get near enough to ascertain when it was built, it may help +us. Evidently there was none erected here, in Parmenter's time, else +he would not have chosen this place to hide his treasure." + +But the light-house was a barren yield. It was a crumbling mass of +ruins, lying out in water, possibly fifty feet--the real house was a +bug-light farther out in the Bay. + +"Well, there's no one to see us, so why shouldn't we make a search for +the trees?" said Croyden. + +"Hold my horse!" said Macloud, dismounting. + +He went out on the extreme edge, faced about, and taking a line at +right angles to it, stepped two hundred and fifty paces. He ended in +sand--and, for another fifty paces, sand--sand unrelieved by aught save +some low bushes sparsely scattered here and there. + +"Somewhere hereabout, according to present conditions, the trees should +be," he said. + +"Not very promising," was Croyden's comment. + +"Let us assume that the diagonal lines drawn between the trees +intersect at this point," Macloud continued, producing a compass. +"Then, one hundred and ten paces North-by-North-East is the place we +seek." + +He stepped the distance carefully--Croyden following with the +horses--and sunk his heel into the sand beside a clump of wire grass. + +"Here is the old buccaneer's hoard!" he exclaimed, dramatically. + +"Shall we dig, immediately?" Croyden laughed. + +[Illustration: HE WENT OUT ON THE EXTREME EDGE, FACED ABOUT, AND STEPPED +TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PACES] + +"You dig--I'll hold the horses; your hands are tougher than mine." + +"I wonder who owns this land?" said Croyden, suddenly. + +"We can ascertain very readily. You mean, you would try to purchase +it?" + +"Yes, as a site for a house, ostensibly. I might buy a lot beginning, +say one hundred and fifty yards back from the Point, and running, at an +even width of two hundred yards, from the Severn to the Bay. That would +surely include the treasure." + +"A fine idea!" Macloud agreed. + +"If the present owner will sell," appended Croyden--"and if his price +isn't out of all reason. I can't go much expense, you know." + +"Never mind the expense--that can be arranged. If he will sell, the +rest is easy. I'll advance it gladly to you." + +"And we will share equally, then," said Croyden. + +"Bosh!" Macloud answered. "I've got more money than I want, let me have +some fun with the excess, Croyden. And this promises more fun than I've +had for a year--hunting a buried treasure, within sight of Maryland's +capital. Moreover, it won't likely be out of reach of your own +pocketbook, this can't be very valuable land." He remounted his horse. +"Let us ride around over the intended site, and prospect--we may +discover something." + +But, though, they searched for an hour, they were utterly unsuccessful. +The four beech trees had disappeared as completely as though they never +were. + +"I'm perfectly confident, however," Macloud remarked as they turned +away toward town, "that somewhere, within the lines of your proposed +lot, lie the Parmenter jewels. Now, for the lot. Once you have title to +it, you may plow up the whole thing to any depth you please, and no one +may gainsay you." + +"I'm not so sure," replied Croyden. "My knowing that the treasure was +on it when purchased, may make me liable to my grantor for an +accounting." + +"But you don't _know_!" objected Macloud. + +"Yet, I have every reason to believe--the letter is most specific." + +"Suppose, after you've paid a big price for the land, you don't find +the treasure, could you make him take it back and refund the purchase +money?" + +"No, most assuredly, no," smiled Croyden. + +"Mighty queer doctrine! You must account for what you find--if you +don't find it, you must keep the land, anyway. The other fellow wins +whatever happens." + +"It's predicated on the proposition that I have knowingly deceived him +into selling something for nothing. However, I'm not at all clear about +it; and we will buy if we can--and take the chances. But we won't go to +work with a brass band, old man." + +At the top of the hill, beyond the Severn, there was a road which took +off to the left. + +"This parallels the road by the Marine Barracks, suppose we turn in +here," Macloud said. "It probably goes through the Academy grounds." + +A little way on, they passed what was evidently a fine hospital, with +the United States flag flying over it. Just beyond, occupying the point +of land where College Creek empties into the Severn, was the Naval +Cemetery. + +"Very fitting!" Croyden laughed. "They have the place of interment +exceedingly handy to the hospital. What in thunder's that?" he asked, +indicating a huge dome, hideously ornate with gold and white, that +projected above the trees, some distance ahead. + +"Give it up!" said Macloud. "Unless it's a custard-and-cream pudding +for the Midshipmen's supper. Awful looking thing, isn't it! Oh! I +recollect now: the Government has spent millions in erecting new +Academy buildings; and someone in the Navy remarked, 'If a certain chap +_had_ to kill somebody, he couldn't see why he hadn't selected the +fellow who was responsible for them--his work at Annapolis would have +been ample justification.' Judging from the atrocity to our fore, the +officer didn't overdraw it." + +They took the road along the officers' quarters on Upshur Row, and came +out the upper gate into King George Street, thereby missing the Chapel +(of the custard-and-cream dome) and all the other Smith buildings. + +"We can see them again!" said Croyden. "The real estate agent is more +important now." + +It was the quiet hour when they got back to the hotel, and the clerk +was standing in the doorway, sunning himself. + +"Enjoy your ride, sirs?" he asked. + +"It wasn't bad," returned Croyden. Then he stopped. "Can you tell me +who owns Greenberry Point?" + +"Yes, sir! The Government owns it--they bought it for the Rifle +Range." + +"The whole of it?" + +"Yes, sir!--from the Point clear up to the Experiment Station." + +Croyden thanked him and passed on. + +"That's the end of the purchase idea!" he said. "I thought it was 'most +too good to last." + +"It got punctured very early," Macloud agreed. + +"And the question is, what to do, now? Might the clerk be wrong?" + +Macloud shook his head. "There isn't a chance of it. Titles in a small +town are known, particularly, when they're in the United States. +However, it's easy to verify--we'll hunt up a real estate +office--they'll know." + +But when they had dressed, and sought a real estate office, the last +doubt vanished: it confirmed the clerk. + +"If you haven't anything particularly pressing," said Macloud, "I +suggest that we remain here for a few days and consider what is best to +do." + +"My most pressing business is to find the treasure!" Croyden laughed. + +"Good! then we're on the job until it's found--if it takes a year or +longer." And when Croyden looked his surprise: "I've nothing to do, old +chap, and one doesn't have the opportunity to go treasure hunting more +than once in a lifetime. Picture our satisfaction when we hear the pick +strike the iron box, and see the lid turned back, and the jewels +coruscating before us." + +"But what if there isn't any coruscating--that's a good word, old +man--nor any iron box?" + +"Don't be so pessimistic--_think_ we're going to find it, it will help +a lot." + +"How about if we _don't_ find it?" + +"Then, at least, we'll have had a good time in hunting, and have done +our best to succeed." + +"It's a new thing to hear old cynical Macloud preaching optimism!" +laughed Croyden--"our last talk, in Northumberland, wasn't particularly +in that line, you'll remember." + +"Our talk in Northumberland had to do with other people and +conditions. This is an adventure, and has to do solely with ourselves. +Some difference, my dear Croyden, some difference! What do you say to +an early breakfast to-morrow, and then a walk over to the Point. It's +something like your Eastern Shore to get to, however,--just across the +river by water, but three miles around by the Severn bridge. We can +have the whole day for prospecting." + +"I'm under your orders," said Croyden. "You're in charge of this +expedition." + +They had been passing numerous naval officers in uniform, some well +set-up, some slouchy. + +"The uniform surely does show up the man for what he is," said Macloud. +"Look at these two for instance--from the stripes on the sleeves, a +Lieutenant-Commander and a Senior Lieutenant. Did you ever see a real +Bowery tough?--they are in that class, with just enough veneer to +deceive, for an instant. There, are two others, opposite. They look +like soldiers. Observe the dignity, the snappy walk, the inherent air +of command." + +"Isn't it the fault of the system?" asked Croyden. "Every Congressman +holds a competitive examination in his district; and the appointment +goes to the applicant who wins--be he what he may. For that reason, I +dare say, the Brigade of Midshipmen contains muckers as well as +gentlemen--and officers are but midshipmen of a larger growth." + +"Just so! and it's wrong--all wrong! To be a commissioned officer, in +either Army or Navy, ought to attest one's gentle birth." + +"It raises a presumption in their favor, at least." + +"Presumption! do you think the two who passed us could hide behind that +presumption longer than the fraction of an instant?" + +"Don't get excited, old man! I was accounting for it, not defending it. +It's a pity, of course, but that's one of the misfortunes of a Republic +where all men are equal." + +"Rot! damn rot!" Macloud exclaimed. "Men aren't equal!--they're born to +different social scales, different intellectualities, different +conditions otherwise. For the purpose of suffrage they may, in the +theory of our government, be equal--but we haven't yet demonstrated it. +We exclude the Japanese and Chinese. We have included the , only +within the living generation--and it's entirely evident, now, we made a +monstrous mistake by doing it. Equal! Equal! Never in this world!" + +"How about the next world?" asked Croyden. + +"I don't know!" laughed Macloud, as they ascended the steps of the +hotel. "For my part, I'm for the Moslem's Paradise and the Houris who +attend the Faithful. And, speaking of houris!--see who's here!" + +Croyden glanced up--to see Elaine Cavendish and Charlotte Brundage +standing in the doorway. + + + + +VIII + +STOLEN + + +"This is, truly, a surprise!" Miss Cavendish exclaimed. "Who would ever +have thought of meeting you two in this out-of-the-way place." + +"Here, too!" replied Macloud. + +"When did you return, Geoffrey?" she inquired. + +"From abroad?--I haven't gone," said Croyden. "The business still holds +me." + +She looked at him steadily a moment--Macloud was talking to Miss +Brundage. + +"How much longer will it hold you?" she asked. + +He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know--it's difficult of +adjustment.--What brings you here, may I inquire?" + +"We were in Washington and came over with the Westons to the Officers' +Hop to-night--given for the Secretary of something. He's one of the +Cabinet. We return in the morning." + +"Oh, I see," he answered; the relief in his voice would have missed a +less acute ear. "Where are you going now?" + +"To a tea at the Superintendent's, when the Westons join us. Come +along!" + +"I haven't acquired the Washington habit,--yet!" he laughed. "A man at +a tea fight! Oh, no!" + +"Then go to the dance with us--Colin! you'll go, won't you?" + +"Sure!" said Macloud. "I'll follow your voice any place. Where shall it +be?" + +"To the Hop, to-night." + +"We're not invited--if that cuts any figure." + +"You'll go in our party. Ah! Mrs. Weston, I've presumed to ask Mr. +Macloud and Mr. Croyden to join our party to-night." + +"The Admiral and I shall be delighted to have them," Mrs. Weston +answered--"Will they also go with us to the tea? No? Well, then, +to-night." + +Macloud and Croyden accompanied them to the Academy gates, and then +returned to the hotel. + +In the narrow passage between the news-desk and the office, they +bumped, inadvertently, into two men. There were mutual excuses, and the +men went on. + +An hour or so later, Macloud, having changed into his evening clothes, +came into Croyden's room and found him down on his knees looking under +the bureau, and swearing vigorously. + +"Whee!" he said; "you _are_ a true pirate's heir! Old Parmenter, +himself, couldn't do it better. What's the matter--lose something?" + +"No, I didn't lose anything!" said Croyden sarcastically. "I'm saying +my prayers." + +"And incidentally searching for this, I suppose?" picking up a pearl +stud from under the bed. + +Croyden took it without a word. + +"And when you've sufficiently recovered your equanimity," Macloud went +on, "you might let me see the aforesaid Parmenter's letter. I want to +cogitate over it." + +"It's in my wallet!" grinding in the stud--"my coat's on the chair, +yonder." + +"I don't find it!" said Macloud, searching. "What pocket is it in?" + +"The inside breast pocket!" exclaimed Croyden, ramming the last stud +home. "Where would you think it is--in the small change pocket?" + +"Then suppose you find it for me." + +"I'll do it with----" He stopped. "Do you mean it isn't there?" he +exclaimed. + +"It isn't there!" said Macloud, holding up the coat. + +Croyden's fingers flew to the breast pocket--empty! to the other +pockets--no wallet! He seized his trousers; then his waistcoat--no +wallet. + +"My God! I've lost it!" he cried. + +"Maybe you left it in Hampton?" said Macloud. + +Croyden shook his head. "I had it when we left the Weston party--I felt +it in my pocket, as I bent to tie Miss Cavendish's shoe." + +"Then, it oughtn't to be difficult to find--it's lost between the +Sampson Gate and the hotel. I'm going out to search, possibly in the +fading light it has not been noticed. You telephone the office--and +then join me, as quickly as you can get into your clothes." + +He dashed out and down the stairs into the Exchange, passing midway, +with the barest nod, the Weston party, nor pausing to answer the +question Miss Cavendish flung after him. + +Once on the rear piazza, however, he went slowly down the broad white +steps to the broad brick walk--the electric lights were on, and he +noted, with keen regret, how bright they made it--and thence to the +Sampson Gate. It was vain! He inquired of the guard stationed there, +and that, too, proving unavailing, left directions for its return, if +found. + +"What a misfortune!" he muttered, as he renewed the search. "What a +misfortune! If any one reads that letter, the jig is up for us.... +Here! boys," to a crowd of noisy urchins, sitting on the coping along +the street, "do you want to make a dollar?" + +The enthusiasm of the response, not to mention its unanimity, +threatened dire disaster to Macloud's toilet. + +"Hold on!" he said. "Don't pull me apart. You all can have a chance for +it. I've lost a wallet--a pocketbook--between the gate yonder and the +hotel. A dollar to the boy who finds it." + +With a shout, they set to work. A moment later Croyden came down the +walk. + +"I haven't got it," Macloud said, answering his look. "I've been over +to the gate and back, and now I've put these gamins to work. They will +find it, if it's to be found. Did you telephone the office?" + +"Nothing doing there!" Croyden answered. "And what's more, there won't +be anything doing here--we shall never find the letter, Macloud." + +"That's my fear," Macloud admitted. "Somebody's already found it." + +"Somebody's _stolen_ it," Croyden answered. + +"What?" + +"Precisely!--do you recall our being jostled by two men in the narrow +corridor of the hotel? Well, then is when I lost my wallet. I am sure +of it. I wasn't in a position to drop it from my pocket." + +Macloud's hand sought his own breast pocket and stopped. + +"I forgot to change, when I dressed. Maybe the other fellow made off +with mine. I'll go and investigate--you keep an eye on the boys." + +Presently he returned. + +"You're right!" he said. "Mine is missing, too. We'll call off the +boys." + +He flung them some small coins, thereby precipitating a scramble and a +fight, and they went slowly in. + +"There is just one chance," he continued. "Pickpockets usually abstract +the money, instantly, and throw the book and papers away. They want no +tell-tale evidence. It may be the case here--they, likely, didn't +examine the letter, just saw it _was_ a letter and went no further." + +"That won't help us much," said Croyden. "It will be found--it's only a +question of the pickpockets or some one else." + +"But the some one else may be honest. Your card is in the wallet?" + +"With Hampton on it." + +"The finder may advertise--may look you up at the hotel--may----" + +"May bring it back on a gold salver!" Croyden interjected. "No! No! +Colin. Our only hope is that the thief threw away the letter, and that +no one finds it until after we have the treasure. The man isn't born +who, under the circumstances, will renounce the opportunity for a half +million dollars." + +"Well, at the worst, we have an even chance! Thank Heaven! We know the +directions without the letter. Don't be discouraged, old man--we'll win +out, yet." + +"I'm not discouraged!" laughed Croyden. "I have never anticipated +success. It was sport--an adventure and a problem to work out, nothing +more. Now, if we have some one else to combat, so much greater the +adventure, and more intricate the problem." + +"Shall we notify the police?" Macloud asked. "Or isn't it well to get +them into it?" + +"I'll confess I don't know. If we could jug the thieves quickly, and +recover the plunder, it might be well. On the other hand, they might +disclose the letter to the police or to some pal, or try even to treat +with us, on the threat of publicity. On the whole, I'm inclined to +secrecy--and, if the thieves show up on the Point, to have it out with +them. There are only two, so we shall not be overmatched. Moreover, we +can be sure they will keep it strictly to themselves, if we don't force +their hands by trying to arrest them." + +Macloud considered a moment. "I incline to your opinion. We will simply +advertise for the wallets to-morrow, as a bluff--and go to work in +earnest to find the treasure." + +They had entered the hotel again; in the Exchange, the rocking chair +brigade and the knocker's club were gathered. + +"The usual thing!" Croyden remarked. "Why can't a hotel ever be free of +them?" + +"Because it's a hotel!" laughed Macloud. "Let's go in to dinner--I'm +hungry." + +The tall head-waiter received them like a host himself, and conducted +them down the room to a small table. A moment later, the Weston party +came in, with Montecute Mattison in tow, and were shown to one nearby, +with Harvey's most impressive manner. + +An Admiral is some pumpkins in Annapolis, when he is on the _active_ +list. + +Mrs. Weston and the young ladies looked over and nodded; Croyden and +Macloud arose and bowed. They saw Miss Cavendish lean toward the +Admiral and say a word. He glanced across. + +"We would be glad to have you join us," said he, with a man's fine +indifference to the fact that their table was, already, scarcely large +enough for five. + +"I am afraid we should crowd you, sir. Thank you!--we'll join you +later, if we may," replied Macloud. + +A little time after, they heard Mattison's irritating voice, pitched +loud enough to reach them: + +"I wonder what Croyden's doing here with Macloud?" he remarked. "I +thought you said, Elaine, that he had skipped for foreign parts, after +the Royster smash, last September." + +"I did say, Mr. Mattison, I _thought_ he had gone abroad, but I most +assuredly did not say, nor infer, that he had _skipped_, nor connect +his going with Royster's failure!" Miss Cavendish responded. "If you +must say unjust and unkind things, don't make other people responsible +for them, please. Shoulder them yourself." + +"Good girl!" muttered Macloud. "Hand him another!" Then he shot a look +at his friend. + +"I don't mind," said Croyden. "They may think what they please--and +Mattison's venom is sprinkled so indiscriminately it doesn't hurt. +Everyone comes in for a dose." + +They dallied through dinner, and finished at the same time as the +Westons. Croyden walked out with Miss Cavendish. + +"I couldn't help overhearing that remark of Mattison's--the beggar +intended that I should," said he--"and I want to thank you, Elaine, for +your 'come back' at him." + +"I'm sorry I didn't come back harder," said she. + +"And if you prefer me not to go with you to the Hop to-night don't +hesitate to say so--I'll understand, perfectly. The Westons may have +got a wrong impression----" + +"The Westons haven't ridden in the same motor, from Washington to +Annapolis, with Montecute for nothing; but I'll set you straight, never +fear. We are going over in the car--there is room for you both, and +Mrs. Weston expects you. We will be down at nine. It's the fashion to +go early, here, it seems." + +Zimmerman was swinging his red-coated military band through a dreamy, +sensuous waltz, as they entered the gymnasium, where the Hops, at the +Naval Academy, are held. The bareness of the huge room was gone +entirely--concealed by flags and bunting, which hung in brilliant +festoons from the galleries and the roof. Myriads of variegated lights +flashed back the glitter of epaulet and the gleam of white shoulders, +with, here and there, the black of the civilian looking strangely +incongruous amid the throng that danced itself into a very kaleidoscope +of color. + +The Secretary was a very ordinary man, who had a place in the Cabinet +as a reward for political deeds done, and to be done. He represented a +State machine, nothing more. Quality, temperament, fitness, poise had +nothing to do with his selection. His wife was his equivalent, though, +superficially, she appeared to better advantage, thanks to a Parisian +modiste with exquisite taste, and her fond husband's bottomless bank +account. + +Having passed the receiving line, the Westons held a small reception of +their own. The Admiral was still upon the active list, with four years +of service ahead of him. He was to be the next Aide on Personnel, the +knowing ones said, and the orders were being looked for every day. +Therefore he was decidedly a personage to tie to--more important even +than the Secretary, himself, who was a mere figurehead in the +Department. And the officers--and their wives, too, if they were +married--crowded around the Westons, fairly walking over one another in +their efforts to be noticed. + +"What's the meaning of it?" Croyden asked Miss Cavendish as they joined +the dancing throng. "Are the Westons so amazingly popular?" + +"Not at all! they're hailing the rising sun," she said--and explained: +"They would do the same if he were a mummy or had small-pox. 'Grease,' +they call it." + +(The watchword, in the Navy, is "grease." From the moment you enter the +Academy, as a plebe, until you have joined the lost souls on the +retired list, you are diligently engaged in greasing every one who +ranks you and in being greased by every one whom you rank. And the more +assiduous and adroit you are at the greasing business, the more +pleasant the life you lead. The man who ranks you can, when placed over +you, make life a burden or a pleasure as his fancy and his disposition +dictate. Consequently the "grease," and the higher the rank the greater +the "grease," and the number of "greasers.") + +"Well-named!--dirty, smeary, contaminating business," said Croyden. +"And the best 'greasers' have the best places, I reckon. I prefer the +unadorned garb of the civilian--and independence. I'll permit those +fellows to fight the battles and draw the rewards--they can do both +very well." + +He did not get another dance with her until well toward the end--and +would not then, if the lieutenant to whom it belonged had not been a +second late--late enough to lose her. + +"We are going back to Washington, in the morning," she said. "Can't you +come along?" + +"Impossible!" he answered. "Much as I'd like to do it." + +She looked up at him, quickly. + +"Are you sure you would like to do it?" she asked. + +"What a question!" he exclaimed. + +"Geoffrey!--what is this business which keeps you here--in the East?" + +"Business!" he replied, smiling. + +"Which means, I must not ask, I suppose." + +He did not answer. + +"Will you tell me one thing--just one?" she persisted. "Has Royster & +Axtell's failure anything to do with it?" + +"Yes--it has!" he said, after a moment's hesitation. + +"And is it true that you are seriously embarrassed--have lost most of +your fortune?" + +"It was to be just one question!" he smiled. + +"I'm a woman," she explained. + +They danced half the length of the room before he replied. He would +tell her. She, alone, deserved to know--and, if she cared, would +understand. + +"I have lost most of my fortune!" he admitted. "I am not, however, in +the least embarrassed--I have no debts." + +"And is it 'business,' which keeps you?--will you ever come back to +Northumberland?" + +"Yes, it is business that keeps me--important business. Whether or not +I shall return to Northumberland, depends on the outcome of that +business." + +"Why did you leave without a word of farewell to your friends?" she +persisted. + +"Was that unusual?" said Croyden. "Has any of my friends +cared--sincerely cared? Has any one so much as inquired for me?" + +She looked away. + +"They thought you were called to Europe, suddenly," she replied. + +"For which thinking you were responsible, Elaine." + +"Why I?" she demanded. + +"You were the only one I told." + +Her eyes sought his, then fell. + +"It was because of the failure," she said. "You were the largest +creditor--you disappeared--there were queries and rumors--and I thought +it best to tell. I hope I did no harm." + +"On the contrary," he said, "I am very, very grateful to know that some +one thought of me." + +The music stopped. It was just in time. Another moment, and he might +have said what he knew was folly. Her body close to his, his arm around +her, the splendor of her bared shoulders, the perfume of her hair, the +glory of her face, were overcoming him, were intoxicating his senses, +were drugging him into non-resistance. The spell was broken not an +instant too soon. He shook himself--like a man rousing from dead +sleep--and took her back to their party. + +The next instant, as she was whirled away by another, she shot him an +alluringly fascinating smile, of intimate camaraderie, of +understanding, which well-nigh put him to sleep again. + +"I would that I might get such a smile," sighed Macloud. + +"You go to the devil!" said Croyden. "She has the same smile for all +her friends, so don't be silly." + +"And don't be blind!" Macloud laughed. + +"Moreover, if it's a different smile, the field is open. I'm scratched, +you know." + +"Can a man be scratched _after_ he has won?" asked Macloud. + +"More silliness!" Croyden retorted, as he turned away to search for his +partner. + +When the Hop was over, they said good-night at the foot of the stairs, +in the Exchange. + +"We shall see you in the morning, of course--we leave about ten +o'clock," said Miss Cavendish. + +"We shall be gone long before you are awake," answered Croyden. And, +when she looked at him inquiringly, he added: "It's an appointment that +may not be broken." + +"Well, till Northumberland, then!" Miss Brundage remarked. + +But Elaine Cavendish's only reply was a meaning nod and another +fascinating smile. She wished him success. + +As they entered their own rooms, a little later, Macloud, in the lead, +switched on the lights--and stopped! + +"Hello!--our wallets, by all that's good!" he exclaimed. + +"Hurrah!" cried Croyden, springing in, and stumbling over Macloud in +his eagerness. + +He seized his wallet!--A touch, and the story was told. No need to +investigate--it was as empty as the day it came from the shop, save for +a few visiting cards, and some trifling memoranda. The letter and the +money were gone. + +"Damn!" said Croyden. + +Macloud laughed. + +"You didn't fancy you would find it?" he said. + +"No, I didn't, but damn! anyway--who wouldn't?" + +"Oh, you're strictly orthodox!" Macloud laughed. "But the pity is that +won't help us. They've got old Parmenter's letter--and our ready cash +as well; but the cash does not count." + +"It counts with me," said Croyden. "I'm out something over a +hundred--and that's considerable to me now. Anything to show where they +were recovered?" + +Macloud was nearest the telephone. He took down the receiver. After a +time he was answered. + +"What do you know about our wallets?" he asked.... "Thank you!--The +office says, they were found by one of the bell-boys in a garbage can +on King George Street." + +"Very good," said Croyden. "If they mean fight, I reckon we can +accommodate them. Greenberry Point early in the morning." + + + + +IX + +THE WAY OUT + + +"I've been thinking," said Croyden, as they footed it across the Severn +bridge, "that, if we knew the year in which the light-house was +erected, we could get the average encroachment of the sea every year, +and, by a little figuring, arrive at where the point was in 1720. It +would be approximate, of course, but it would give us a +start--something more definite than we have now. For all we know +Parmenter's treasure may be a hundred yards out in the Bay." + +Macloud nodded. "And if we don't find the date, here," he added, "we +can go to Washington and get it from the Navy Department. An inquiry +from Senator Rickrose will bring what we want, instantly." + +"At the same time, why shouldn't we get permission to camp on the Point +for a few weeks?" Croyden suggested. "It would make it easy for us to +dig and investigate, and fish and measure, in fact, do whatever we +wished. Having a permit from the Department, would remove all +suspicion." + +"Bully! We're fond of the open--with a town convenient!" Macloud +laughed. "I know Rickrose well, we can go down this afternoon and see +him. He will be so astonished that we are not seeking a political +favor, he will go to the Secretary himself and make ours a personal +request. Then we will get the necessary camp stuff, and be right on the +job." + +They had passed the Experiment Station and the Rifle Range, and were +rounding the shoal onto the Point, when the trotting of a rapidly +approaching horse came to them from the rear. + +"Suppose we conceal ourselves, and take a look," suggested Macloud. +"Here is a fine place." + +He pointed to some rocks and bushes that lined the roadway. The next +instant, they had disappeared behind them. + +A moment more, and the horse and buggy came into view. In it were two +men--of medium size, dressed quietly, with nothing about them to +attract attention, save that the driver had a hook-nose, and the other +was bald, as the removal of his hat, an instant, showed. + +"The thieves!" whispered Croyden. + +"Yes--I'll bet a hundred on it!" Macloud answered. + +"Greenberry Point seems far off," said the driver--"I wonder if we can +have taken the wrong road?" + +"This is the only one we could take," the other answered, "so we must +be right. I wonder what that jay's doing?" he added, with a laugh. + +"Cussing himself for----" The rest was lost in the noise of the team. + +"Right, you are!" said Croyden, lifting himself from a bed of stones +and vines. "Right, you are, my friend! And if I had a gun, I'd give the +Coroner a job with both of you." + +Macloud looked thoughtful. + +"It would be most effective," he said. "But could we carry it off +cleanly? The law is embarrassing if we're detected, you know." + +"You're not serious?" said Croyden. + +"I never was more so," the other answered. "I'd shoot those scoundrels +down without a second's hesitation, if I could do it and not be +caught." + +"A trifle unconventional!" commented Croyden. "However, your idea isn't +half bad; they wouldn't hesitate to do the same to us." + +"Exactly! They won't hesitate--and, what's more, they have the nerve to +take the chance. That is the difference between us and them." + +They waited until they could no longer hear the horse's hoof-falls nor +the rumble of the wheels. Then they started forward, keeping off the +road and taking a course that afforded the protection of the trees and +undergrowth. Presently, they caught sight of the two men--out in the +open, their heads together, poring over a paper, presumably the +Parmenter letter. + +"It is not as easy finding the treasure, as it was to pick my pocket!" +chuckled Croyden. "There's the letter--and there are the men who stole +it. And we are helpless to interfere, and they know it. It's about as +aggravating as----" He stopped, for want of a suitable comparison. + +Macloud only nodded in acquiescence. + +The men finished with the letter. Hook-nose went on to the Point, and +stood looking at the ruins of the light-house out in the Bay; the other +turned and viewed the trees that were nearest. + +"Much comfort you'll get from either," muttered Croyden. + +Hook-nose returned, and the two held a prolonged conversation, each of +them gesticulating, now toward the water, and again toward the timber. +Finally, one went down to the extreme point and stepped off two hundred +and fifty paces inland. He marked this point with a stone. + +Bald-head pointed to the trees, a hundred yards away, and shook his +head. More talk followed. Then they produced a compass, and ran the +additional distance to the North-east. + +"Dig! damn you, dig!" exclaimed Macloud. "The treasure's not there." + +"You'll have to work your brain a bit," Croyden added. "The letter's +not all that's needed, thank Heaven! You've stolen the one, but you +can't steal the other." + +The men, after consulting together, went to the buggy, took out two +picks and shovels, and, returning to the place, fell to work. + +"Did you ever see such fools?" said Macloud. "Dig! damn you, dig!" + +After a short while, Bald-head threw down his pick and hoisted himself +out of the hole. An animated discussion followed. + +"He's got a glimmer of intelligence, at last," Croyden muttered. + +The discussion grew more animated, they waved their arms toward the +Bay, and toward the Severn, and toward the land. Hook-nose slammed his +pick up and down to emphasize his argument. Bald-head did likewise. + +"They'll be doing the war dance, next!" laughed Macloud. + +"'When thieves fall out, honest men come by their own,'" Croyden +quoted. + +"_More_ honest men, you mean--the comparative degree." + +"Life is made up of comparatives," said Croyden. "What's the matter +now?" as Bald-head faced about and stalked back to the buggy. "Has he +quit work so soon?" + +"He has simply quit digging a hole at random," Macloud said. "My Lord, +he's taking a drink!" + +Bald-head, however, did not return to his companion. Instead, he went +out to the Bay and stood looking across the water toward the bug-light. +Then he turned and looked back toward the timber. + +He was thinking, as they had. The land had been driving inward by the +encroachment of the Bay--the beeches had, long since, disappeared, the +victims of the gales which swept the Point. There was no place from +which to start the measurements. Beyond the fact that, somewhere near +by, old Parmenter had buried his treasure, one hundred and ninety years +before, the letter was of no definite use to anyone. + +From the Point, he retraced his steps leisurely to his companion, who +had continued digging, said something--to which Hook-nose seemingly +made no reply, save by a shovel of sand--and continued directly toward +the timber. + +"Has he seen us?" said Croyden. + +"I think not--these bushes are ample protection. Lie low.... He's not +coming this way--he's going to inspect the big trees, on our left.... +They won't help you, my light-fingered friend; they're not the right +sort." + +After a time, Bald-head abandoned the search and went back to his +friend. Throwing himself on the ground, he talked vigorously, and, +apparently, to some effect, for, presently, the digging ceased and +Hook-nose began to listen. At length, he tossed the pick and shovel +aside, and lifted himself out of the hole. After a few more +gesticulations, they picked up the tools and returned to the buggy. + +"Have they decided to abandon it?" said Croyden, as they drove away. + +The thieves, themselves, answered the question. At the first heavy +undergrowth, they stopped the horse and proceeded carefully to conceal +the tools. This accomplished, they drove off toward the town. + +"Hum!" said Macloud. "So you're coming back are you? I wonder what you +intend to do?" + +"I wish we knew," Croyden returned. "It might help us--for quite +between ourselves, Macloud, I think we're stumped." + +"Our first business is to move on Washington and get the permit," +Macloud returned. "Hook-nose and his friend may have the Point, for +to-day; they're not likely to injure it. Come along!" + +They were passing the Marine Barracks when Croyden, who had been +pondering over the matter, suddenly broke out: + +"We've got to get rid of those two fellows, Colin!" + +"Granted!" said Macloud. "But how are we to manage it?" + +"We agree that we dare not have them arrested--they would blow +everything to the police. And the police would either graft us for all +the jewels are worth, or inform the Government." + +"Yes, but we may have to take the risk--or else divide up with the +thieves. Which do you prefer to do?" + +"Neither!" said Croyden. "There is another way--except killing them, +which, of course, would be the most effective. Why shouldn't we +imprison them--be our own jailers?" + +Macloud threw away his cigarette and lit another before he replied, +then he shook his head. + +"Too much risk to ourselves," he said. "Somebody would likely be killed +in the operation, with the chances strongly favoring ourselves. I'd +rather shoot them down from ambush, at once." + +"That may require an explanation to a judge and jury, which would be a +trifle inconvenient. I'd prefer to risk my life in a fight. Then, if it +came to court, our reputation is good, while theirs is in the rogues' +gallery." + +"Where would you imprison them?" asked Macloud, dubiously. + +"That is the difficulty, I admit. Think over it, while we're going to +Washington and back; see if you can't find a way out. Either we must +jug them, securely, for a week or two, or we must arrest them. On the +whole, it might be wiser to let them go free--let them make a try for +the treasure, unmolested. When they fail and retire, we can begin." + +"Your last alternative doesn't sound particularly attractive to me--or +to you, either, I fancy." + +"This isn't going to be a particularly attractive quest, if we want to +succeed," said Croyden. "Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways, I +reckon--blood and violence and sudden death. We'll try to play it +without death, however, if our opponents will permit. Such title, as +exists to Parmenter's hoard, is in me, and I am not minded to +relinquish it without a struggle. I wasn't especially keen at the +start, but I'm keen enough, now--and I don't propose to be blocked by +two rogues, if there is a way out." + +"And the way out, according to your notion, is to be our own jailers, +think you?" said Macloud. "Well, we can chew on it--the manner of +procedure is apt to keep us occupied a few hours." + +They took the next train, on the Electric Line, to Washington, Macloud +having telephoned ahead and made an appointment with Senator +Rickrose--whom, luckily, they found at the Capital--to meet them at the +Metropolitan Club for luncheon. At Fourteenth Street, they changed to a +Connecticut Avenue car, and, dismounting at Seventeenth and dodging a +couple of automobiles, entered the Pompeian brick and granite building, +the home of the Club which has the most representative membership in +the country. + +Macloud was on the non-resident list, and the door-man, with the memory +for faces which comes from long practice, greeted him, instantly, by +name, though he had not seen him for months. + +"Yes, Mr. Macloud, Senator Rickrose just came in," he said. + +They met the Senator in the Red Room. He was very tall, with a tendency +to corpulency, which, however, was lost in his great height; very +dignified, and, for one of his service, very young--of immense +influence in the councils of his party, and the absolute dictator in +his own State. Inheriting a superb machine from a "matchless +leader,"--who died in the harness--he had developed it into a well +nigh perfect organization for political control. All power was in his +hands, from the lowest to the highest, he ruled with a sway as absolute +as a despot. His word was the ultimate law--from it an appeal did not +lie. + +"How are you, old fellow?" he said to Macloud, dropping a hand on his +shoulder. "I haven't seen you for a long time--and, Mr. Croyden, I +think I have met you in Northumberland. I'm glad, indeed, to see you +both." He touched a bell. "Take the orders!" he said, to the boy. + +"Senator!" said Macloud, a little later, when they had finished +luncheon. "I want to ask a slight favor--not political however--so it +won't have to be endorsed by the organization." + +The Senator laughed. "In that event, it is granted before you ask. What +is it I can do?" + +"Have the Secretary of the Navy issue us a permit to camp on Greenberry +Point." + +"Where the devil is Greenberry Point?" said Rickrose. + +"Across the Severn River from Annapolis." + +Rickrose turned in his chair and glanced over the dining-room. Then he +raised his hand to the head waiter. + +"Has the Secretary of the Navy had luncheon?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir--before you came in." + +The Senator nodded. + +"We would better go over to the Department, at once, or we shall miss +him," he said. "Chevy Chase is the drawing card, in the afternoon." + +The reception hour was long passed, but the Secretary was in and would +see Senator Rickrose. He came forward to meet him--a tall, middle-aged, +well-groomed man, with sandy hair, whose principal recommendation for +the post he filled was the fact that he was the largest contributor to +the campaign fund in his State, and his senior senator needed him in +his business, and had refrigerated him into the Cabinet for safe +keeping--that being the only job which insured him from being a +candidate for the Senator's own seat. It is a great game, is politics! + +"Mr. Secretary!" said Rickrose, "my friends want a permit to camp for +two weeks on Greenberry Point." + +"Greenbury Point!" said the Secretary, vaguely--"that's somewhere out +in San Francisco harbor?" + +"Not the Greenberry Point they mean," the Senator replied. "It's down +at Annapolis--across the Severn from the Naval Academy, and forms part +of that command, I presume. It is waste land, unfortified and wind +swept." + +"Oh! to be sure. I know it. Why wouldn't the Superintendent give you a +permit?" turning to Macloud. "It is within his jurisdiction." + +"We didn't think to ask him," said Macloud. "We supposed it was +necessary to apply direct to you." + +"They are not familiar with the customs of the service," explained +Rickrose, "and, as I may run down to see them, just issue the permit to +me and party. The Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee is inspecting +the Point, if you need an excuse." + +"Oh, no! none whatever--however, a duplicate will be forwarded to the +Superintendent. If it should prove incompatible with the interests of +the service," smiling, "he will inform the Department, and we shall +have to revoke it." + +He rang for his stenographer and dictated the permit. When it came in, +he signed it and passed it over to Rickrose. + +"Anything else I can do for you, Senator?" he asked. + +"Not to-day, thank you, Mr. Secretary," Rickrose answered. + +"Do you actually intend to come down?" asked Macloud, when they were in +the corridor. "That will be bully." + +He shot a look at Croyden. His face was a study. Hunting the Parmenter +treasure, with the Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee as a +disinterested spectator, was rather startling, to say the least. The +Senator's reply reassured them. + +"Impossible!" he said. "The campaign opens next week, and I'm drawn as +a spell-binder in the Pacific States. That figurehead was ruffling his +feathers on you, just to show himself, so I thought I'd comb him down a +bit. You'll experience no difficulty, I fancy. If you do, wire me, and +I'll get busy. I've got to go over to the State Department now, so I'll +say good-bye--anything else you want let me know." + +"Next for a sporting goods shop," said Macloud as they went down the +steps into Pennsylvania Avenue; "for a supply of small arms and +ammunition--and, incidentally, a couple of tents. We can get a few +cooking utensils in Annapolis, but we will take our meals at Carvel +Hall. I think neither of us is quite ready to turn cook." + +"I am sure, I'm content!" laughed Croyden. "We can hire a horse and +buggy by the week, and keep them handy--better get a small tent for the +horse, while we're about it." + +They went to a shop on F Street, where they purchased three tents of +suitable size, two Winchester rifles, and a pair of Colt's military +revolvers with six-and-a-half inch barrels, and the necessary +ammunition. These they directed should be sent to Annapolis +immediately. Cots and blankets could be procured there, with whatever +else was necessary. + +They were bound up F Street, toward the Electric Station, when Macloud +broke out. + +"If we had another man with us, your imprisonment idea would not be so +difficult--we could bag our game much more easily, and guard them more +securely when we had them. As it is, it's mighty puzzling to +arrange." + +"True enough!" said Croyden, "but where is the man who is +trustworthy--not to mention willing to take the risk, of being killed +or tried for murder, for someone else's benefit? They're not many like +you, Colin." + +A man, who was looking listlessly in a window just ahead, turned away. +He bore an air of dejection, and his clothes, while well cut, were +beginning to show hard usage and carelessness. + +"Axtell!" Macloud observed--"and on his uppers!" + +"There's our man!" exclaimed Croyden. "He is down hard, a little money +with a small divide, if successful, will get him. What do you say?" + +"Nothing!" replied Macloud. "It's up to you." + +Axtell saw them; he hesitated, whether to speak or to go on. Croyden +solved the question. + +"Hello! Axtell, what are you doing here?" he said, extending his hand. + +Axtell grasped it, as a drowning man a straw. + +"You're kind to ask, Mr. Croyden! Mighty kind in one who lost so much +through us." + +"You were not to blame--Royster's responsible, and he's gone----" + +"To hell!" Axtell interrupted, bitterly. "May he burn forever!" + +"Amen to that wish!" Croyden smiled. "Meanwhile, can I do anything for +you? You're having a run of hard luck, aren't you?" + +For a moment, Axtell did not answer--he was gulping down his thoughts. + +"I am," he said. "I've just ten dollars to my name. I came here +thinking the Congressmen, who made piles through our office, would get +me something, but they gave me the marble stare. I was good enough to +tip them off and do favors for them, but they're not remembering me +now. Do you know where I can get a job?" + +"Yes--I'll give you fifty dollars and board, if you will come with us +for two weeks. Will you take it?" + +"Will I take it?--Well, rather!" + +"What you're to do, with Mr. Macloud and myself, we will disclose +later. If, then, you don't care to aid us, we must ask you to keep +silence about it." + +"I don't want to know anything!" said Axtell. "I'll do my part, and ask +no questions--and thank you for trusting me. You're the first man since +our failure, who hasn't hit me in the face--don't you think I +appreciate it?" + +"Very good!" said Croyden. "Have you any other baggage?" nodding toward +a small bag, which Axtell had in his hand. + +"No." + +"Then, come along--we're bound for Annapolis, and the car leaves in ten +minutes." + + + + +X + +PIRATE'S GOLD BREEDS PIRATE'S WAYS + + +That evening, in the seclusion of their apartment at Carvel Hall, they +took Axtell into their confidence--to a certain extent (though, again, +he protested his willingness simply to obey orders). They told him, in +a general way, of Parmenter's bequest, and how Croyden came to be the +legatee--saying nothing of its great value, however--its location, the +loss of the letter the previous evening, the episode of the thieves on +the Point, that morning, and their evident intention to return to the +quest. + +"Now, what we want to know is: are you ready to help us--unaided by the +law--to seize these men and hold them prisoners, while we search for +the treasure?" Croyden asked. "We may be killed in the attempt, or we +may kill one or both of them, and have to stand trial if detected. If +you don't want to take the risk, you have only to decline--and hold +your tongue." + +"My dear Mr. Croyden!" said Axtell, "I don't want you to pay me a +cent--just give me my board and lodging and I'll gladly aid you as long +as necessary. It's a very little thing to do for one who has lost so +much through us. You provide for our defense, if we're apprehended by +the law, and _that_" (snapping his fingers) "for the risk." + +Croyden held out his hand. + +"We'll shake hands on that, Axtell, if you please," he said; "and, if +we recover what Parmenter buried, you'll not regret it." + +The following morning saw them down at the Point with the equipage and +other paraphernalia. The men, whom they had brought from Annapolis for +the purpose, pitched the tents under the trees, ditched them, received +their pay, climbed into the wagons and rumbled away to town--puzzled +that anyone should want to camp on Greenberry Point when they had the +price of a hotel, and three square meals a day. + +"It looks pretty good," said Croyden, when the canvases were up and +everything arranged--"and we shan't lack for the beautiful in nature. +This is about the prettiest spot I've ever seen, the Chesapeake and the +broad river--the old town and the Academy buildings--the warships at +anchor--the _tout ensemble!_ We may not find the treasure, but, at +least, we've got a fine camp--though, I reckon, it is a bit breezy when +the wind is from the Bay." + +"I wonder if we should have paid our respects to the Superintendent +before poaching on his preserves?" said Macloud. + +"Hum--hadn't thought of that!" Croyden answered. "Better go in and show +ourselves to him, this afternoon. He seems to be something of a +personage down here, and we don't want to offend him. These naval +officers, I'm told, are sticklers for dignity and the prerogatives due +their rank." + +"Hold on!" exclaimed Macloud. "On that score, we've got some rank +ourselves to uphold." + +"What!" said Croyden. + +"Certainly! the Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, of the +United States Senate, is with us. According to the regulations, is it +his duty to call _first_ on the Superintendent?--that's the point." + +"Give it up!" laughed Croyden. "However, the Superintendent has a copy +of the letter, and he will know the ropes. We will wait a day, then, if +he's quiescent, it's up to us." + +"Great head!" laughed Macloud. "You should have been a diplomat, +Croyden--nothing less than an Ambassadorship for you, my boy!" + +Croyden smiled. + +"A motor boat would be mighty convenient to go back and forth to +Annapolis," he said. "Look at the one cutting through the water there, +midway across!" + +It came nearer, halted a little way off in deep water, and an officer +in uniform swept the tents and them with a glass. Then the boat put +about and went chugging upstream. + +"We didn't seem to please him," remarked Macloud, gazing after the +boat. Suddenly it turned in toward shore and made the landing at the +Experiment Station. + +"We are about to be welcomed or else ordered off--I'll take a bet +either way," said Macloud. + +"Welcomed!" Croyden responded. "Otherwise, they wouldn't have +despatched an officer--it would have been a file of marines instead. +You haven't lost the permit, Macloud!" + +"You don't seem very sure!" Macloud laughed. + +Presently, the officer appeared, walking rapidly down the roadway. As +soon as he sighted the tents, he swung over toward them. Macloud went a +few steps forward to meet him. + +"Is this Senator Rickrose?" the Lieutenant inquired. + +"No," said Macloud. "Senator Rickrose isn't coming until later. I am +one of his friends, Colin Macloud, and this is Mr. Croyden and Mr. +Axtell." + +"Very glad to meet you, gentlemen!" said the Lieutenant. "The +Superintendent presents his compliments and desires to place himself +and the Academy at your disposal." (He was instructed to add, that +Captain Boswick would pay his respects to-morrow, having been called to +Washington to-day by an unexpected wire, but the absence of the +Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee rendered it unnecessary.) + +"Thank Captain Boswick, for Senator Rickrose and us, and tell him we +appreciate his kindness exceedingly," Macloud answered. "We're camping +here for a week or so, to try sleeping in the open, under sea air. +We're not likely to prove troublesome!" he added. + +Then they took several drinks, and the aide departed. + +"So far, we're making delightful progress," said Croyden; "but there +are breakers ahead when Hook-nose and his partner get in the game. +Suppose we inspect the premises and see if they have been here in our +absence." + +They went first to the place where they had seen them conceal the +tools--these were gone; proof that the thieves had paid a second visit +to the Point. But, search as they might, no evidence of work was +disclosed. + +"What does it mean?" said Croyden. "Have they abandoned the quest?" + +"Not very likely," replied Macloud, "with half a million at stake. They +probably are seeking information; when they have it, we shall see them +back again." + +"Suppose they bring four or five others to help them?" + +"They won't--never fear!--they're not sharing the treasure with any one +else. Rather, they will knife each other for it. Honor among thieves is +like the Phoenix--it doesn't exist." + +"If the knifing business were to occur before the finding, it would +help some!" laughed Croyden. "Meantime, I'm going to look at the ruins +of the light-house. I discovered in an almanac I found in the hotel +last night, that the original light-house was erected on Greenberry +Point in 1818. This fact may help us a lot." + +They went out to the extreme edge, and stood gazing across the shoals +toward the ruins. + +"What do you make the distance from the land?" Croyden asked. + +"About one hundred yards--but it's very difficult to estimate over +water. It may be two hundred for all I can tell." + +"It is exactly three hundred and twenty-two feet from the Point to the +near side of the ruins," said Croyden. + +"Why not three hundred and twenty-two and a half feet!" scoffed +Macloud. + +"I measured it this morning while you were dawdling over your +breakfast," answered Croyden. + +"Hitched a line to the land and waded out, I suppose." + +"Not exactly; I measured it on the Government map of the Harbor. It +gives the distance as three hundred and twenty-two feet, in plain +figures." + +"I said you had a great head!" Macloud exclaimed. "Now, what's the rest +of the figures--or haven't you worked it out?" + +Croyden drew out a paper. "The calculation is of value only on the +assumption--which, however, is altogether reasonable--that the +light-house, when erected, stood on the tip of the Point. It is now +three hundred and twenty-two feet in water. Therefore, dividing +ninety-two--the number of years since erection--into three hundred and +twenty-two, gives the average yearly encroachment of the Bay as three +and a half feet. Parmenter buried the casket in 1720, just a hundred +and ninety years ago; so, multiplying a hundred and ninety by three and +a half feet gives six hundred and sixty-five feet. In other words, the +Point, in 1720, projected six hundred and sixty-five feet further out +in the Bay than it does to-day." + +"Then, with the point moved in six hundred and sixty-five feet +Parmenter's beeches should be only eighty-five feet from the shore +line, instead of seven hundred and fifty!" Macloud reflected. + +"Just so!" said Croyden. + +"But where are the beeches?" asked Axtell. + +"Disappeared!" Croyden replied. "As the Point from year to year slipped +into the Bay, the fierce gales, which sweep up the Chesapeake, +gradually ate into the timber. It is seventy years, at least, since +Parmenter's beeches went down." + +"Why shouldn't the Duvals have noticed the encroachment of the Bay, and +made a note of it on the letter?" Macloud asked. + +"Probably, because it was so gradual they did not observe it. They, +likely, came to Annapolis only occasionally, and Greenberry Point +seemed unchanged--always the same narrow stretch of sand, with large +trees to landward." + +Macloud nodded. "I reckon that's reasonable." + +"Next let us measure back eighty-five feet," said Croyden, producing a +tape-line.... "There! this is where the beech tree should stand. But +where were the other trees, and where did the two lines drawn from them +intersect?"... + +"Yes, now you have it!" said Macloud--"where were the trees, and where +did the lines intersect? I reckon you're stumped." + +"Let us try some more assuming. You had a compass yesterday, still got +it?" + +Macloud drew it out and tossed it over. + +"I took the trouble to make a number of diagrams last night, and they +disclosed a peculiar thing. With the location of the first tree fixed, +it matters little where the others were, in determining the direction +of the treasure. It is practically the same. The _objective point_ will +change as you change the position of the trees, but the _direction_ +will vary scarcely at all. It is self-evident, of course, to those who +understand such things, but it was a valuable find for me. Now, if we +are correct in our assumption, thus far, the treasure is buried----" + +He opened the compass, and having brought North under the needle, ran +his eye North-by-North-east. A queer look passed over his face, then he +glanced at Macloud and smiled. + +"The treasure is buried," he repeated--"the treasure is buried--_out in +the Bay_." + +Macloud laughed! + +"Looks as if wading would be a bit difficult," he said dryly. + +Croyden produced the tape-line again, and they measured to the low +bluff at the water's edge. + +"Two hundred and eighty-two feet to here," he said, "and Parmenter +buried the treasure at three hundred and thirty feet--therefore, it's +forty-eight feet out in the Bay." + +"Then your supposition is that, since Parmenter's time, the Bay has not +only encroached on the Point, but also has eaten in on the sides." + +"It would seem so." + +"It's hard to dig in water," Macloud remarked. "It's apt to fill in the +hole, you know." + +"Don't be sarcastic," Croyden retorted. "I'm not responsible for the +Bay, nor the Point, nor Parmenter, nor anything else connected with the +fool quest, please remember." + +"Except the present measurements and the theory on which they're +based," Macloud replied. "And as the former seem to be accurate, and +the latter more than reasonable, we'd best act on them." + +"At least, I am satisfied that the treasure lies either in the Bay, or +close on shore; if so, we have relieved ourselves from digging up the +entire Point." + +"You have given us a mighty plausible start," said Macloud. + +"Land or water?" Croyden laughed. "Hello, whom have we here?" as a +buggy emerged from among the timber, circled around, and halted before +the tents. + +"It is Hook-nose back again," said Macloud. "Come to pay a social call, +I suppose! Anything about for them to steal?" + +"Nothing but the shooting-irons." + +"They're safe--I put them under the blankets." + +"What the devil do they want?" + +"Come to treat with us--to share the treasure." + +"Hum! they've got their nerve!" exclaimed Croyden. + +By this time, they had been observed by the men in the buggy who, +immediately, came toward them. + +"Let us get away from this place!" said Croyden, and they sauntered +along landward. + +"And make them stop us--don't give the least indication that we know +them," added Macloud. + +As the buggy neared, Macloud and Croyden glanced carelessly at the +occupants, and were about to pass on, when Hook-nose calmly drew the +horse over in front of them. + +"Which of you men is named Croyden?" he asked. + +"I am," said Geoffrey. + +"Well, you're the man we're lookin' for. Geoffrey is the rest of your +handle, isn't it?" + +"You have the advantage of me," Croyden assured him. + +"Yes, I think I have, in more ways than your name. Where can we have a +little private talk?" + +"We can't!" said Croyden, stepping quickly around the horse and +continuing on his way--Macloud and Axtell following. + +"If you'd rather have it before your friends, I'm perfectly ready to +accommodate you," said the fellow. "I thought, however, you'd rather +keep the little secret. Well, we'll be waiting for you at the tents, +all right, my friend!" and he drove ahead. + +"Macloud, we are going to bag those fellows right now--and easy, too," +said Croyden. "When we get to the tents, I'll take them into one--and +give them a chance to talk. When you and Axtell have the revolvers, +with one for me, you can join us. They are armed, of course, but only +with small pistols, likely, and you should have the drop on them before +they can draw. Come, at any time--I'll let down the tent flaps on the +plea of secrecy (since they've suggested it), so you can approach with +impunity." + +"This is where _we_ get killed, Axtell!" said Macloud. "I would that I +were in my happy home, or any old place but here. But I've enlisted for +the war, so here goes! If you think it will do any good to pray, we can +just as well wait until you've put up a few. I'm not much in that line, +myself." + +"Imagine a broker praying!" laughed Axtell. + +"I can't," said Macloud. "But there seem to be no rules to the game +we're playing, so I wanted to give you the opportunity." + +As they approached the tents, Hook-nose passed the reins to Bald-head +and got out. + +"What's to do now?" asked Macloud. "They're separated." + +"Leave it to me, I'll get them together," Croyden answered.... "You +wish to see me, privately?" to Hook-nose. + +"I wish to see you--it's up to you whether to make it private or not." + +"Come along!" said Croyden, leading the way toward the tent, which was +pitched a trifle to one side.... "Now, sir, what is it?" as the flaps +dropped behind them. + +"You've a business way about you, which I like----" began Hook-nose. + +"Never mind my ways!" Croyden interrupted. "Come to the point--what do +you want?" + +"There's no false starts with you, my friend, are there!" laughed the +other. "That's the thing--bang! and we are off. Good!--we'll get to +business. You lost a letter recently----" + +"Not at all," Croyden cut in. "I had a letter _stolen_--you, I suppose, +are the thief." + +"I, or my pal--it matters not which," the fellow replied easily. "Now, +what we want, is to make some arrangement as to the division of the +treasure, when you've found it." + +"I thought as much!" said Croyden. "Well, let me tell you there won't +be any arrangement made with you, alone. You must get your pal here--I +don't agree with one. I agree with both or none." + +"Oh, very well, I'll have him in, if you wish." + +Croyden bowed. + +"I do wish," he said. + +Hook-nose went to the front of the tent and raised the flap. + +"Bill!" he called, "hitch the horse and come in." + +And Macloud and Axtell heard and understood. + +While Hook-nose was summoning his partner, Croyden very naturally +retired to the rear of the tent, thus obliging the rogues to keep their +backs to the entrance. + +"Mr. Smith, this is Mr. Croyden!" said Hook-nose. + +"I'm glad to make your acquaint----" began Smith. + +"There is no need for an introduction," Croyden interrupted curtly. +"You're thieves, by profession, and blackmailers, in addition. Get down +to business, if you please!" + +"You're not overly polite, my friend--but we'll pass that by. You're +hell for business, and that's our style. You understand, I see, that +this treasure hunt has got to be kept quiet. If anyone peaches, the +Government's wise and Parmenter's chest is dumped into its strong +box--that is, as much as is left after the officials get their own +flippers out. Now, my idea is for you people to do the searching, and, +when the jewels is found, me and Bill will take half and youn's half. +Then we all can knock off work, and live respectable." + +"Rather a good bargain for you," said Croyden. "We supply the +information, do all the work and give up half the spoils--for what, +pray?" + +"For our silence, and an equal share in the information. You have +doubtless forgot that we have the letter now." + +"And what if I refuse?" Croyden asked. + +"You're not likely to refuse!" the fellow laughed, impudently. "Better +half a big loaf than no loaf at all." + +"But _if_ I refuse?" Croyden repeated. + +"I see what's in your mind, all right. But it won't work, and you know +it. You can have us arrested, yes--and lose your plunder. Parmenter's +money belongs to the United States because it's buried in United States +land. A word to the Treasury Department, with the old pirate's letter, +and the jig is up. We'll risk your giving us to the police, my friend!" +with a sneering laugh. "If you're one to throw away good money, I miss +my guess." + +Croyden affected to consider. + +"I forgot to say, that as you're fixed so comfortable here, me and Bill +might as well stay with you--it will be more convenient, when you +uncover the chest, you know; in the excitement, you're liable to forget +that we come in for a share." + +"Anything else you are moved to exact?" said Croyden. His ears were +primed, and they told him that Macloud and Axtell were coming--"Let us +have them all, so I can decide--I want no afterthoughts." + +"You've got them all--and very reasonable they are!" laughed +Hook-nose. + +Just then, Macloud and Axtell stepped noiselessly into the tent. + +Something in Croyden's face caused Hook-nose's laugh to end abruptly. +He swung sharply around--and faced Macloud's leveled revolver--Axtell's +covered his pal. + +"Hands up! Both of you!"--Croyden cried--"None of that, +Hook-nose!--make another motion to draw a gun, and we'll scatter your +brains like chickenfeed." His own big revolver was sticking out of +Macloud's pocket. He took it. "Now, I'll look after you, while my +friends tie up your pal, and the first one to open his head gets a +bullet down his throat." + +"Hands behind your back, Bald-head," commanded Axtell, briskly. "Be +quick about it, Mr. Macloud is wonderfully easy on the trigger. So, +that's better! just hold them there a moment." + +He produced a pair of nippers, and snapped them on. + +"Now, lie down and put your feet together--closer! closer!" Another +pair were snapped on them. + +"Now, I'll do for you," Axtell remarked, turning toward Hook-nose. + +With Croyden's and Macloud's guns both covering him, the fellow was +quickly secured. + +"With your permission, we will search you," said Croyden. "Macloud, if +you will look to Mr. Smith, I'll attend to Hook-nose. We'll give them a +taste of their own medicine." + +"You think you're damn smart!" exclaimed Hook-nose. + +"Shut up!" said Croyden. "I don't care to shoot a prisoner, but I'll do +it without hesitation. It's going to be either perfect quiet or +permanent sleep--and you may do the choosing." + +He slowly went through Hook-nose's clothes--finding a small pistol, +several well-filled wallets, and, in his inside waistcoat pocket, the +Parmenter letter. Macloud did the same for Bald-head. + +"You stole one hundred and seventy-nine dollars from Mr. Macloud and +one hundred and eight from me," said Croyden. "You may now have the +privilege of returning it, and the letter. If you make no more trouble, +lie quiet and take your medicine, you'll receive no further harm. If +you're stubborn, we'll either kill you and dump your bodies in the Bay, +or give you up to the police. The latter would be less trouble, for, +without the letter, you can tell your story to the Department, or +whomever else you please--it's your word against ours--and you are +thieves!" + +"How long are you going to hold us prisoners?" asked Bald-head--"till +you find the treasure? Oh, Lord!" + +"As long as it suits our convenience." + +"And luck is with you," Hook-nose sneered. + +"At present, it _is_ with us--very much with us, my friend," said +Croyden. "You will excuse us, now, we have pressing business, +elsewhere." + +When they were out of hearing, Macloud said: + +"Doesn't our recovery of Parmenter's letter change things very +materially?" + +"It seems to me it does," Croyden answered. "Indeed, I think we need +fear the rogues no longer--we can simply have them arrested for the +theft of our wallets, or even release them entirely." + +"Arrest is preferable," said Macloud. "It will obviate all danger of +our being shot at long range, by the beggars. Let us put them where +they're safe, for the time." + +"But the arrest must not be made here!" interposed Croyden. "We can't +send for the police: if they find them here it would give color to +their story of a treasure on Greenberry Point." + +"Then Axtell and I will remain on guard, while you go to town and +arrange for their apprehension--say, just as they come off the Severn +bridge. When you return, we can release them." + +"What if they don't cross the Severn--what if they scent our game, and +keep straight on to Baltimore? They can abandon their team, and catch a +Short Line train at a way station." + +"Then the Baltimore police can round them up. I'm for chancing it. +They've lost Parmenter's letter; haven't anything to substantiate their +story. Furthermore, we have a permit for the Chairman of the Naval +Affairs Committee and friends to camp here. I think that, now, we can +afford to ignore them--the recovery of the letter was exceedingly +lucky." + +"Very good!" said Macloud--"you're the one to be satisfied; it's a +whole heap easier than running a private prison ourselves." + +Croyden looked the other's horse over carefully, so he could describe +it accurately, then they hitched up their own team and he drove off to +Annapolis. + +In due time, he returned. + +"It's all right!" he said. "I told the Mayor we had passed two men on +the Severn bridge whom we identified as those who picked our pockets, +Wednesday evening, in Carvel Hall--and gave him the necessary +descriptions. He recognized the team as one of 'Cheney's Best,' and +will have the entire police force--which consists of four men--waiting +at the bridge on the Annapolis side." He looked at his watch. "They are +there, now, so we can turn the prisoners loose." + +Croyden and Macloud resumed their revolvers, and returned to the +tent--to be greeted with a volley of profanity which, for fluency and +vocabulary, was distinctly marvelous. Gradually, it died away--for want +of breath and words. + +"Choice! Choice!" said Croyden. "In the cuss line, you two are the real +thing. Why didn't you open up sooner?--you shouldn't hide such +proficiency from an admiring world." + +Whereat it flowed forth afresh from Hook-nose. Bald-head, however, +remained quiet, and there was a faint twinkle in his eyes, as though he +caught the humor of the situation. They were severely cramped, and in +considerable pain, but their condition was not likely to be benefited +by swearing at their captors. + +"Just listen to him!" said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start. +"Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you'll be quiet a moment, like +your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you'll not be averse +to hear.... So, that's better. We're about to release you--let you go +free; it's too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns +of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the +public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?... +Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves--you'll, likely, +find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes." + +Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head +grinned broadly. + +"Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your +carriage! Forward, march!" + +And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up +the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in. + +"We wish you a very good day!" said Croyden. "Drive on, please!" + + + + +XI + +ELAINE CAVENDISH + + +"May we have seen the last of you!" said Macloud, as the buggy +disappeared among the trees; "and may the police provide for you in +future." + +"And while you're about it," said Croyden, "you might pray that we find +the treasure--it would be quite as effective." He glanced at his watch. +"It's four o'clock. Now, to resume where those rogues interrupted us. +We had the jewels located, somewhere, within a radius of fifty feet. +They must be, according to our theory, either on the bank or in the +Bay. We can't go at the water without a boat. Shall we tackle the land +at once? or go to town and procure a boat, and be ready for either in +the morning." + +"I have an idea," said Macloud. + +"Don't let it go to waste, old man, let's have it!" Croyden +encouraged. + +"If you can give up hearing yourself talk, for a moment, I'll try!" +laughed Macloud. "It is conceded, I believe, that digging on the Point +by day may, probably will, provoke comment and possibly investigation +as well. My idea is this. Do no work by day. Then as soon as dusky +Night has drawn her robes about her----" + +"Oh, Lord!" ejaculated Croyden, with upraised hands. + +"Then, as soon as dusky Night has drawn her robes about her," Macloud +repeated, imperturbably, "we set to work, by the light of the silvery +moon. We arouse no comment--provoke no investigation. When morning +dawns, the sands are undisturbed, and we are sleeping as peacefully as +guinea pigs." + +"And if there isn't a moon, we will set to work by the light of the +silvery lantern, I reckon!" said Croyden. + +"And, when we tackle the water, it will be in a silver boat and with +silver cuirasses and silver helmets, a la Lohengrin." + +"And I suppose, our swan-song will be played on silver flutes!" laughed +Croyden. + +"There won't be a swan-song--we're going to find Parmenter's treasure," +said Macloud. + +Leaving Axtell in camp, they drove to town, stopping at the North end +of the Severn bridge to hire a row-boat,--a number of which were drawn +up on the bank--and to arrange for it to be sent around to the far end +of the Point. At the hotel, they found a telephone call from the +Mayor's office awaiting them. + +The thieves had been duly captured, the Mayor said, and they had been +sent to Baltimore. The Chief of Detectives happened to be in the +office, when they were brought in, and had instantly recognized them as +well-known criminals, wanted in Philadelphia for a particularly +atrocious hold-up. He had, thereupon, thought it best to let the Chief +take them back with him, thus saving the County the cost of a trial, +and the penitentiary expense--as well as sparing Mr. Croyden and his +friend much trouble and inconvenience in attending court. He had had +them searched, but found nothing which could be identified. He hoped +this was satisfactory. + +Croyden assured him it was more than satisfactory. + +That night they began the hunt. That night, and every night for the +next three weeks, they kept at it. + +They tested every conceivable hypothesis. They dug up the entire zone +of suspicion--it being loose sand and easy to handle. On the plea that +a valuable ruby ring had been lost overboard while fishing, they +dragged and scraped the bottom of the Bay for a hundred yards around. +All without avail. Nothing smiled on them but the weather--it had +remained uniformly good until the last two days before. Then there had +set in, from the North-east, such a storm of rain as they had never +seen. The very Bay seemed to be gathered up and dashed over the Point. +They had sought refuge in the hotel, when the first chilly blasts of +wind and water came up the Chesapeake. As it grew fiercer,--and a +sent out for information returned with the news that their tents had +been blown away, and all trace of the camp had vanished--it was +decided that the quest should be abandoned. + +"It's a foolish hunt, anyway!" said Croyden. "We knew from the first it +couldn't succeed." + +"But we wanted to prove that it couldn't succeed," Macloud observed. +"If you hadn't searched, you always would have thought that, maybe, you +could have been successful. Now, you've had your try--and you've +failed. It will be easier to reconcile yourself to failure, than not to +have tried." + +"In other words, it's better to have tried and lost, than never to have +tried at all," Croyden answered. "Well! it's over and there's no profit +in thinking more about it. We have had an enjoyable camp, and the camp +is ended. I'll go home and try to forget Parmenter, and the jewel box +he buried down on Greenberry Point." + +"I think I'll go with you," said Macloud. + +"To Hampton!" Croyden exclaimed, incredulously. + +"To Hampton--if you can put up with me a little longer." + +A knowing smile broke over Croyden's face. + +"The Symphony in Blue?" he asked. + +"Maybe!--and maybe it is just you. At any rate, I'll come if I may." + +"My dear Colin! You know you're more than welcome, always!" + +Macloud bowed. "I'll go out to Northumberland to-night, arrange a few +matters which are overdue, and come down to Hampton as soon as I can +get away." + + * * * * * + +The next afternoon, as Macloud was entering the wide doorway of the +Tuscarora Trust Company, he met Elaine Cavendish coming out. + +"Stranger! where have you been these many weeks?" she said, giving him +her hand. + +"Out of town," he answered. "Did you miss me so much?" + +"I did! There isn't a handy dinner man around, with you and Geoffrey +both away. Dine with us this evening, will you?--it will be strictly +_en famille_, for I want to talk business." + +"Wants to talk business!" he thought, as, having accepted, he went on +to the coupon department. "It has to do with that beggar Croyden, I +reckon." + + * * * * * + +And when, the dinner over, they were sitting before the open grate +fire, in the big living room, she broached the subject without +timidity, or false pride. + +"You are more familiar with Geoffrey Croyden's affairs than any one +else, Colin," she said, crossing her knees, in the reckless fashion +women have now-a-days, and exposing a ravishing expanse of blue silk +stockings, with an unconscious consciousness that was delightfully +naive. "And I want to ask you something--or rather, several things." + +Macloud blew a whiff of cigarette smoke into the fire, and waited. + +"I, naturally, don't ask you to violate any confidence," she went on, +"but I fancy you may tell me this: was the particular business in which +Geoffrey was engaged, when I saw him in Annapolis, a success or a +failure?" + +"Why do you ask!" Macloud said. "Did he tell you anything concerning +it?" + +"Only that his return to Northumberland would depend very much on the +outcome." + +"But nothing as to its character?" + +"No," she answered. + +"Well, it wasn't a success; in fact, it was a complete failure." + +"And where is Geoffrey, now?" she asked. + +"I do not know," he replied. + +She laughed lightly. "I do not mean, where is he this minute, but where +is he in general--where would you address a wire, or a letter, and know +that it would be received?" + +He threw his cigarette into the grate and lit another. + +"I am not at liberty to tell," he said. + +"Then, it is true--he is concealing himself." + +"Not exactly--he is not proclaiming himself----" + +"Not proclaiming himself or his whereabouts to his Northumberland +friends, you mean?" + +"Friends!" said Macloud. "Are there such things as friends, when one +has been unfortunate?" + +"I can answer only for myself," she replied earnestly. + +"I believe you, Elaine----" + +"Then tell me this--is he in this country or abroad?" + +"In this country," he said, after a pause. + +"Is he in want,--I mean, in want for the things he has been used to?" + +"He is not in want, I can assure you!--and much that he was used to +having, he has no use for, now. Our wants are relative, you know." + +"Why did he leave Northumberland so suddenly?" she asked. + +"To reduce expenses. He was forced to give up the old life, so he chose +wisely, I think--to go where his income was sufficient for his needs." + +"But _is_ it sufficient?" she demanded. + +"He says it is." + +She was silent for a while, staring into the blaze. He did not +interrupt--thinking it wise to let her own thoughts shape the way. + +"You will not tell me where he is?" she said suddenly, bending her blue +eyes hard upon his face. + +"I may not, Elaine. I ought not to have told you he was not abroad." + +"This business which you and he were on, in Annapolis--it failed, you +say?" + +He nodded. + +"And is there no chance that it may succeed, some time?" + +"He has abandoned it." + +"But may not conditions change--something happen----" she began. + +"It is the sort that does not happen. In this case, abandonment spells +finis." + +"Did he know, when we were in Annapolis?" she asked. + +"On the contrary, he was very sanguine--it looked most promising +then." + +Her eyes went back to the flames. He blew ring after ring of smoke, and +waited, patiently. He was the friend, he saw, now. He could never hope +to be more. Croyden was the lucky fellow--and would not! Well, he had +his warning and it was in time. Since she was baring her soul to him, +as friend to friend, it was his duty to help her to the utmost of his +power. + +Suddenly, she uncrossed her knees and sat up. + +"I have bought all the stock, and the remaining bonds of the Virginia +Development Company, from the bank that held them as collateral for +Royster & Axtell's loan," she said. "Oh, don't be alarmed! I didn't +appear in the matter--my broker bought them in _your_ name, and paid +for them in actual money." + +"I am your friend--use me!" he said, simply. + +She arose, and bending swiftly over, kissed him on the cheek. + +"Don't, Elaine," he said. "I am, also, Geoffrey Croyden's friend, but +there are temptations which mortal man cannot resist." + +"You think so?" she smiled, leaning over the back of his chair, and +putting her head perilously close to his--"but I trust you--though I +shan't kiss you again--at least, for the present. Now, you have been so +_very_ good about the bonds, I want you to be good some more. Will you, +Colin?" + +He held his hands before him, to put them out of temptation. + +"Ask me to crawl in the grate, and see how quickly I do it!" he +declared. + +"It might prove my power, but I should lose my friend," she whispered. + +"And that would be inconvenient!" he laughed. "Come, speak up! it's +already granted, that you should know, Elaine." + +"You're a very sweet boy," she said, going back to her seat. + +"Which needs demonstration. But that you're a very sweet girl, needs no +proof--unless----" looking at her with a meaning smile. + +"Would that be proof, think you?" with a sidelong glance. + +"I should accept it as such," he averred--"whenever you choose to +confer it." + +"_Confer_ smacks of reward for service done," she said. "Will it bide +till then?" + +"Not if it may come sooner?" + +"Wait--If you choose such pay, the----" + +"I choose no pay," he interrupted. + +"Then, the reward will be in kind," she answered enigmatically. "I want +you----" She put one slender foot on the fender, and gazed at it, +meditatively, while the firelight stole covert glances at the silken +ankles thus exposed. "I want you to purchase for me, from Geoffrey +Croyden, at par, his Virginia Development Company bonds," she said. +"You can do it through your broker. I will give you a check, now----" + +"Wait!" he said; "wait until he sells----" + +"You think he won't sell?" she inquired. + +"I think he will have to be satisfied, first, as to the purchaser--in +plain words, that it isn't either you or I. We can't give Geoffrey +money! The bonds are practically worthless, as he knows only too +well." + +"I had thought of that," she said, "but, isn't it met by this very +plan? Your broker purchases the bonds for your account, but he, +naturally, declines to reveal the identity of his customer. You can, +truthfully, tell Geoffrey that _you_ are not buying them--for you're +not. And _I_--if he will only give me the chance--will assure him that +I am _not_ buying them from him--and you might confirm it, if he +asked." + +"Hum! It's juggling with the facts--though true on the face," said +Macloud, "but it's pretty thin ice we're skating on." + +"You are assuming he suspects or questions. He may take the two hundred +thousand and ask no question." + +"You don't for a moment believe that!" he laughed. + +"It _is_ doubtful," she admitted. + +"And you wouldn't think the same of him, if he did." + +"I admit it!" she said. + +"So, we are back to the thin ice. I'll do what I can; but, you forgot, +I am not at liberty to give his address to my brokers. I shall have to +take their written offer to buy, and forward it to him, which, in +itself will oblige me, at the same time, to tell him that _I_ am not +the purchaser." + +"I leave it entirely to you--manage it any way you see fit. All I ask, +is that you get him to sell. It's horrible to think of Geoffrey being +reduced to the bare necessities of life--for that's what it means, when +he goes 'where his income is sufficient for his needs.'" + +"It's unfortunate, certainly: it would be vastly worse for a woman--to +go from luxury to frugality, from everything to relatively nothing is +positively pathetic. However, Croyden is not suffering--he has an +attractive house filled with old things, good victuals, a more than +competent cook, and plenty of society. He has cut out all the +non-essentials, and does the essentials economically." + +"You have been there?" she demanded. "You speak of your own knowledge, +not from his inferences?" + +"I have been there!" he answered. + +"And the society--what of it?" she asked quickly. + +"Better than our own!" he said, instantly. + +"Indeed!" she replied with lifted eye-brows. "Our own in the aggregate +or differentiated?" + +"In the aggregate!" he laughed; "but quite the equal of our own +differentiated. If Croyden were a marrying man--with sufficient income +for two--I should give him about six months, at the outside." + +"And how much would you give one with sufficient for two--_yourself_, +for instance?" + +"Just long enough to choose the girl--and convince her of the propriety +of the choice." + +"And do you expect to join Geoffrey, soon?" meaningly. + +"As soon as I can get through here,--probably in a day or two." + +"Then, we may look for the new Mrs. Macloud in time for the holidays, I +presume.--Sort of a Christmas gift?" + +"About then--if I can pick among so many, and she ratifies the pick." + +"You haven't, yet, chosen?" + +"No!--there are so many I didn't have time to more than look them over. +When I go back, I'll round them up, cut out the most likely, and try to +tie and brand her." + +"Colin!" cried Miss Cavendish. "One would think, from your talk, that +Geoffrey was in a cowboy camp, with waitresses for society." + +He grinned, and lighted a fresh cigarette. + +She tossed him an alluring look. + +"And nothing can induce you to tell me the location of the camp?" she +implored. + +He smoked, a bit, in silence. Should he or should he not?... + +"No!--not now!" he said, slowly. "Let us try the bond matter, first. If +he sells, I think he will return; if not, I'll then consider telling." + +"You're a good fellow, Colin, dear!" she whispered, leaning over and +giving his hand an affectionate little pat. "You're so nice and +comfortable to have around--you never misunderstand, nor draw +inferences that you shouldn't." + +"Which means, I'm not to draw inferences now?" he said. + +"Nor at any other time," she remarked. + +"And the reward?" + +"Will be forthcoming," with an alluring smile. + +"I've a mind to take part payment now," said he, intercepting the hand +before she could withdraw it. + +"If you can, sir!" whisking it loose, and darting around a table. + +"A challenge, is it? Oh, very well!" and he sprang after. + +With a swift movement, she swept up her skirts and fled--around chairs, +and tables, across rugs, over sofas and couches--always manoeuvring to +gain the doorway, yet always finding him barring the way;--until, at +last, she was forced to refuge behind a huge davenport, standing with +one end against the wall. + +"Now, will you surrender?" he demanded, coming slowly toward her in the +cul de sac. + +She shook her head, smiling the while. + +"I'll be merciful," he said. "It is five steps, until I reach +you--One!--Will you yield?" + +"No!" + +"Two!--will you yield?" + +"No!" + +"Three!--will you yield?" + +"No!" + +"Four----" + +Quick as thought, she dropped one hand on the back of the davenport; +there was a flash of slippers, lingerie and silk, and she was across +and racing for the door, now fair before her, leaving him only the echo +of a mocking laugh. + +"Five!" she counted, tauntingly, from the hall. "Why don't you +continue, sir?" + +"I stop with four," he said. "I'll be good for to-night, Elaine--you +need have no further fear." + +She tossed her head ever so slightly, while a bantering look came into +her eyes. + +"I'm not much afraid of you, now--nor any time," she answered. "But you +have more courage than I would have thought, Colin--decidedly more!" + + + + +XII + +ONE LEARNED IN THE LAW + + +It was evening, when Croyden returned to Hampton--an evening which +contained no suggestion of the Autumn he had left behind him on the +Eastern Shore. It was raw, and damp, and chill, with the presage of +winter in its cold; the leaves were almost gone from the trees, the +blackening hand of frost was on flower and shrubbery. As he passed up +the dreary, deserted street, the wind was whistling through the +branches over head, and moaning around the houses like spirits of the +damned. + +He turned in at Clarendon--shivering a little at the prospect. He was +beginning to appreciate what a winter spent under such conditions +meant, where one's enjoyments and recreations are circumscribed by the +bounds of comparatively few houses and few people--people, he +suspected, who could not understand what he missed, of the hurly-burly +of life and amusement, even if they tried. Their ways were sufficient +for them; they were eminently satisfied with what they had; they could +not comprehend dissatisfaction in another, and would have no patience +with it. + +He could imagine the dismalness of Hampton, when contrasted with the +brightness of Northumberland. The theatres, the clubs, the constant +dinners, the evening affairs, the social whirl with all that it +comprehended, compared with an occasional dinner, a rare party, +interminable evenings spent, by his own fireside, alone! Alone! Alone! + +To be sure, Miss Carrington, and Miss Borden, and Miss Lashiel, and +Miss Tilghman, would be available, when they were home. But the winter +was when they went visiting, he remembered, from late November until +early April, and, at that period, the town saw them but little. There +was the Hampton Club, of course, but it was worse than nothing--an +opportunity to get mellow and to gamble, innocent enough to those who +were habituated to it, but dangerous to one who had fallen, by +adversity, from better things.... + +However, Macloud would be there, shortly, thank God! And the dear girls +were not going for a week or so, he hoped. And, when the worst came, he +could retire to the peacefulness of his library and try to eke out a +four months' existence, with the books, and magazines and papers. + +Moses held open the door, with a bow and a flourish, and the lights +leaped out to meet him. It was some cheer, at least, to come home to a +bright house, a full larder, faithful servants--and supper ready on the +table, and tuned to even a Clubman's taste. + +"Moses, do you know if Miss Carrington's at home?" he asked, the coffee +on and his cigar lit. + +"Yass, seh! her am home, seh, I seed she herse'f dis mornin' cum down +de parf from de front poach wid de dawg, seh." + +Croyden nodded and went across the hall to the telephone. + +Miss Carrington, herself, answered his call.--Yes, she intended to be +home all evening. She would be delighted to see him and to hear a full +account of himself. + +He was rather surprised at his own alacrity, in finishing his cigar and +changing his clothes--and he wondered whether it was the girl, or the +companionship, or the opportunity to be free of himself? A little of +all three, he concluded.... But, especially, the _girl_, as she came +from the drawing-room to meet him. + +"So you have really returned," she said, as he bowed over her slender +fingers. "We were beginning to fear you had deserted us." + +"You are quite too modest," he replied. "You don't appreciate your own +attractions." + +The "you" was plainly singular, but she refused to see it. + +"Our own attractions require us to be modest," she returned; "with +a--man of the world." + +"Don't!" he laughed. "Whatever I may have been, I am, now, a man of +Hampton." + +She shook her head. "You can never be a man of Hampton." + +"Why not, if I live among you?" + +"If you live here--take on our ways, our beliefs, our mode of thinking, +you may, in a score of years, grow like us, outwardly; but, inwardly, +where the true like must start, _never_!" + +"How do we differ?" + +"Ask me something easier! You've been bred differently, used to +different things, to doing them in a different way. We do things +slowly, leisurely, with a fine disregard of time, you, with the modern +rush, and bustle, and hurry. You are a man of the world--I repeat +it--up to the minute in everything--never lagging behind, unless you +wish. You never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. We never +do anything to-day that can be put off till to-morrow." + +"And which do you prefer, the to-day or the to-morrow?" he asked. + +"It depends on my humor, and my location, at the time--though, I must +admit, the to-day makes for thrift, and business, and success in +acquiring wealth." + +"And success also in getting rid of it. It is a return toward the +primitive condition--the survival of the fittest. There must be losers +as well as acquirers." + +"There's the pity of it!" she exclaimed, "that one must lose in order +that another may gain." + +"But as we are not in Utopia or Altruria," he smiled, "it will continue +so to be. Why, even in Baltimore, they----" + +"Oh, Baltimore is only an overgrown country town!" she exclaimed. + +"Granted!" he replied. "With half a million population, it is as +provincial as Hampton, and thanks God for it--the most smug, +self-satisfied, self-sufficient municipality in the land, with its +cobblestones, its drains-in-the-gutters, its how much-holier-than-thou +air about everything." + +"But it has excellent railway facilities!" she laughed. + +"Because it happens to be on the main line between Washington and the +North." + +"At least, the people are nice, barring a few mushrooms who are making +a great to-do." + +"Yes, the people _are_ delightful!--And, when it comes to mushrooms, +Northumberland has Baltimore beaten to a frazzle. We raise a fresh crop +every night." + +"Northumberland society must be exceedingly large!" she laughed. + +"It is--but it's not overcrowded. About as many die every day, as are +born every night; and, at any rate, they don't interfere with those who +really belong--except to increase prices, and the cost of living, and +clog the avenue with automobiles." + +"That is progress!" + +"Yes, it's progress! but whither it leads no one knows--to the devil, +likely--or a lemon garden." + +"'Blessed are the lemons on earth, for they shall be peaches in +Heaven!'" she quoted. + +"What a glorious peach your Miss Erskine will be," he replied. + +"I'm afraid you don't appreciate the great honor the lady did you, in +condescending to view the _treasures_ of Clarendon, and to talk about +them afterward. To hear her, she is the most intimate friend you have +in Hampton." + +"Good!" he said, "I'm glad you told me. Somehow, I'm always drawing +lemons." + +"Am I a lemon?" she asked, abruptly. + +"You! do you think you are?" + +"One can never know." + +"Have I drawn _you_?" he inquired. + +"Quite immaterial to the question, which is: A lemon or not a lemon?" + +"If you could but see yourself at this moment, you would not ask," he +said, looking at her with amused scrutiny. + +The lovely face, the blue black hair, the fine figure in the simple +pink organdie, the slender ankles, the well-shod feet--a lemon! + +"But as I can't see myself, and have no mirror handy, your testimony is +desired," she insisted. "A lemon or not a lemon?" + +"A lemon!" he answered. + +"Then you can't have any objection----" + +"If you bring Miss Erskine in?" he interrupted. "Nay! Nay! _Nay!_ NAY!" + +"----if I take you there for a game of Bridge--shall we go this very +evening?" + +"If you wish," he answered. + +She laughed. "I don't wish--and we are growing very silly. Come, tell +about your Annapolis trip. You stayed a great while." + +"Something more than three weeks!" + +"It's a queer old town, Annapolis--they call it the 'Finished City!' +It's got plenty of landmarks, and relics, but nothing more. If it were +not for the State Capitol and Naval Academy, it would be only a lot of +ruins, lost in the sand. In midsummer, it's absolutely dead. No one on +the streets, no one in the shops, no one any place.--Deserted--until +there's a fire. Then you should see them come out!" + +"That is sufficiently expressed!" laughed Croyden. "But, with the +autumn and the Academy in session, the town seemed very much alive. We +sampled 'Cheney's Best,' Wegard's Cakes, and saw the Custard-and-Cream +Chapel." + +"You've been to Annapolis, sure!" she replied. "There's only one thing +more--did you see Paul Jones?" + +He shook his head. "We missed him." + +"Which isn't surprising. You can't find him without the aid of a +detective or a guide." + +"Then, who ever finds him?" + +"No one!--and there is the shame. We accepted the vast labors and the +money of our Ambassador to France in locating the remains of America's +first Naval Hero; we sent an Embassy and a warship to bring them back; +we received them with honor, orated over them, fired guns over them. +And then, when the spectators had departed--assuming they were to be +deposited in the crypt of the Chapel--we calmly chucked them away on a +couple of trestles, under a stairway in Bancroft Hall, as we would an +old broom or a tin can. That's _our_ way of honoring the only Naval +Commander we had in the Revolution. It would have been better, much +better, had we left him to rest in the quiet seclusion of his grave in +France--lost, save in memory, with the halo of the past and privacy of +death around him." + +"And why didn't we finish the work?" said Croyden. "Why bring him here, +with the attendant expense, and then stop, just short of completion? +Why didn't we inter him in the Chapel (though, God save me from burial +there), or any place, rather than on trestles under a stairway in a +midshipmen's dormitory?" + +"Because the appropriation was exhausted, or because the Act wasn't +worded to include burial, or because the Superintendent didn't want the +bother, or because it was a nuisance to have the remains around--or +some other absurd reason. At all events, he is there in the cellar, and +he is likely to stay there, till Bancroft Hall is swallowed up by the +Bay. The junket to France, the parade, the speeches, the spectacular +part are over, so, who cares for the entombment, and the respect due +the distinguished dead?" + +"I don't mean to be disrespectful," he observed, "but it's hard luck to +have one's bones disturbed, after more than a hundred years of +tranquillity, to be conveyed clear across the Atlantic, to be orated +over, and sermonized over, and, then, to be flung aside like old junk +and forgot. However, we have troubles of our own--I know I have--more +real than Paul Jones! He may be glad he's dead, so he won't have any to +worry over. In fact, it's a good thing to be dead--one is saved from a +heap of worry." + +She looked at him, without replying. + +"What's the use?" he said. "A daily struggle to procure fuel sufficient +to keep up the fire." + +"What's the use of anything! Why not make an end of life, at once?" she +asked. + +"Sometimes, I'm tempted," he admitted. "It's the leap in the dark, and +no returning, that restrains, I reckon--and the fact that we must face +it alone. Otherwise----" + +She laughed softly. "Otherwise death would have no terrors! You have +begged the question, or what amounts to it. But, to return to +Annapolis; what else did you see?" + +"You have been there?" + +"Many times." + +"Then you know what I saw," he replied. "I had no wonderful +adventures. This isn't the day of the rapier and the mask." + +She half closed her eyes and looked at him through the long lashes. + +"What were you doing down on Greenberry Point?" she demanded. + +"How did you know?" he asked, surprised. + +"Oh! very naturally. I was in Annapolis--I saw your name on the +register--I inquired--and I had the tale of the camp. No one, however, +seemed to think it queer!" laughing. + +"Why should they? Camping out is entirely natural," Croyden answered. + +"With the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs?" + +"We were in his party!" + +"A party which until five days ago he had not joined--at least, so the +Superintendent told me, when I dined at his house. He happened to +mention your name, found I knew you--and we gossiped. Perhaps we +shouldn't, but we did." + +"What else did he tell you?" + +"Nothing! he didn't seem even to wonder at your being there----" + +"But _you_ did?" + +"It's the small town in me, I suppose--to be curious about other people +and their business; and it was most suspicious." + +"What was most suspicious?" he asked. + +"Your actions. First, you hire a boat and cross the Bay direct from +Hampton to Annapolis. Second, you procure, through Senator Rickrose, a +permit from the Secretary of the Navy to camp on Greenberry Point. +Third, you actually do camp, there, for nearly, or quite three weeks. +Query:--Why? Why go clear to the Western Shore, and choose a +comparatively inaccessible and exposed location on United States +property, if the idea were only a camp? Why not camp over on Kent +Island, or on this coast? Anywhere, within a few miles of Hampton, +there are scores of places better adapted than Greenberry Point." + +"You should be a story teller!" he laughed. "Your imagination is +marvelous. With a series of premises, you can reach whatever conclusion +you wish--you're not bound by the probabilities." + +"You're simply obscuring the point," she insisted. "In this instance, +my premises are facts which are not controverted. You admit them to be +correct. So, why? Why?----" She held up her hand. "Don't answer! I'm +not asking for information. I don't want to be told. I'm simply +'chaffing of you,' don't you know!" + +"With just a lingering curiosity, however," he added. + +"A casual curiosity, rather," she amended. + +"Which, some time, I shall gratify. You've trailed me down--we _were_ +on Greenberry Point for a purpose, but nothing has come of it, yet--and +it's likely a failure." + +"My dear Mr. Croyden, I don't wish to know. It was a mistake to refer +to it. I should simply have forgot what I heard in Annapolis--I'll +forget now, if you will permit." + +"By no means, Miss Carrington. You can't forget, if you would--and I +would not have you, if you could. Moreover, I inherited it along with +Clarendon, and, as you were my guide to the place, it's no more than +right that you should know. I think I shall confide in you--no use to +protest, it's got to come!" he added. + +"You are determined?--Very well, then, come over to the couch in the +corner, where we can sit close and you can whisper." + +He arose, with alacrity. She put out her hand and led him--and he +suffered himself to be led. + +"Now!" when they were seated, "you may begin. Once upon a time----" and +laughed, softly. "I'll take this, if you've no immediate use for it," +she said, and released her hand from his. + +"For the moment," he said. "I shall want it back, presently, however." + +"Do you, by any chance, get all you want?" she inquired. + +"Alas! no! Else I would have kept what I already had." + +She put her hands behind her, and faced around. + +"Begin, sir!" she said. "Begin! and try to be serious." + +"Well,--once upon a time----" Then he stopped. "I'll go over to the +house and get the letter--it will tell you much better than I can. You +will wait here, _right here_, until I return?" + +She looked at him, with a tantalizing smile. + +"Won't it be enough, if I am here _when_ you return?" she asked. + +When he came out on the piazza the rain had ceased, the clouds were +gone, the temperature had fallen, and the stars were shining brightly +in a winter sky. + +He strode quickly down the walk to the street and crossed it diagonally +to his own gates. As he passed under the light, which hung near the +entrance, a man walked from the shadow of the Clarendon grounds and +accosted him. + +"Mr. Croyden, I believe?" he said. + +Croyden halted, abruptly, just out of distance. + +"Croyden is my name?" he replied, interrogatingly. + +"With your permission, I will accompany you to your house--to which I +assume you are bound--for a few moments' private conversation." + +"Concerning what?" Croyden demanded. + +"Concerning a matter of business." + +"My business or yours?" + +"Both!" said the man, with a smile. + +Croyden eyed him suspiciously. He was about thirty years of age, tall +and slender, was well dressed, in dark clothes, a light weight +top-coat, and a derby hat. His face was ordinary, however, and Croyden +had no recollection of ever having seen it--certainly not in Hampton. + +"I'm not in the habit of discussing business with strangers, at night, +nor of taking them to my house," he answered, brusquely. "If you have +anything to say to me, say it now, and be brief. I've no time to +waste." + +"Some one may hear us," the man objected. + +"Let them--I've no objection." + +"Pardon me, but I think, in this matter, you would have objection." + +"You'll say it quickly, and here, or not at all," snapped Croyden. + +The man shrugged his shoulders. + +"It's scarcely a subject to be discussed on the street," he observed, +"but, if I must, I must. Did you ever hear of Robert Parmenter? Oh! I +see that you have! Well, the business concerns a certain letter--need I +be more explicit?" + +"If you wish to make your business intelligible." + +The fellow shrugged his shoulders again. + +"As you wish," he said, "though it only consumes time, and I was under +the impression that you were in a hurry. However: To repeat--the +business concerns a letter, which has to do with a certain treasure +buried long ago, on Greenberry Point, by the said Robert Parmenter. Do +I make myself plain, now, sir?" + +"Your language is entirely intelligible--though I cannot answer for the +facts recited." + +The man smiled imperturbably, and went on: + +"The letter in question having come into your possession recently, you, +with two companions, spent three weeks encamped on Greenberry Point, +ostensibly for your health, or the night air, or anything else that +would deceive the Naval authorities. During which time, you dug up the +entire Point, dragged the waters immediately adjoining--and then +departed, very strangely choosing for it a time of storm and change of +weather. My language is intelligible, thus far?" + +Croyden nodded--rather amused. Evidently, the thieves had managed to +communicate with a confederate, and this was a hold-up. They assumed he +had been successful. + +"Therefore, it is entirely reasonable to suppose that your search was +not ineffectual. In plain words, you have recovered the treasure." + +The man paused, waiting for an answer. + +Croyden only smiled, and waited, too. + +"Very good!--we will proceed," said the stranger. "The jewels were +found on Government land. It makes no difference whether recovered on +the Point or on the Bay--the law covering treasure trove, I am +informed, doesn't apply. The Government is entitled to the entire find, +it being the owner in fee of the land." + +"You talk like a lawyer!" said Croyden. + +The stranger bowed. "I have devoted my spare moments to the study of +the law----" + +"And how to avoid it," Croyden interjected. + +The other bowed again. + +"And also how to prevent _others_ from avoiding it," he replied, +suggestively. "Let us take up that phase, if it please you." + +"And if it doesn't please?" asked Croyden, suppressing an inclination +to laugh. + +"Then let us take it up, any way--unless you wish to forfeit your find +to the Government." + +"Proceed!" said Croyden. "We are arriving, now, at the pith of the +matter. What do you offer?" + +"We want an equal divide. We will take Parmenter's estimate and +multiply it by two, though jewels have appreciated more than that in +valuation. Fifty thousand pounds is two hundred and fifty thousand +dollars, which will total, according to the calculation, half a million +dollars,--one half of which amount you pay us as our share." + +"Your share! Why don't you call it properly--blackmail?" Croyden +demanded. + +"As you wish!" the other replied, airily. "If you prefer blackmail to +share, it will not hinder the contract--seeing that it is quite as +illegal on your part as on ours. Share merely sounds a little better +but either obtains the same end. So, suit yourself. Call it what you +will--but _pay_." + +"Pay--or what?" + +"Pay--or lose everything!" was the answer. "If you are not familiar +with the law covering the subject under discussion, let me enlighten +you." + +"Thunder! how you do roll it out!" laughed Croyden. "Get on! man, get +on!" + +"I was endeavoring to state the matter succinctly," the stranger +replied, refusing to be hurried or flustered. "The Common Law and the +practice of the Treasury Department provide, that all treasure found on +Government land or within navigable waters, is Government property. If +declared by the finder, immediately, he shall be paid such reward as +the Secretary may determine. If he does not declare, and is informed +on, the informer gets the reward. You will observe that, under the law, +you have forfeited the jewels--I fancy I do not need to draw further +deductions." + +"No!--it's quite unnecessary," Croyden remarked. "Your fellow thieves +went into that phase (good word, I like it!) rather fully, down on +Greenberry Point. Unluckily, they fell into the hands of the police, +almost immediately, and we have not been able to continue the +conversation." + +"I have the honor to continue the conversation--and, in the interim, +you have found the treasure. So, Parmenter's letter won't be +essential--the facts, circumstances, your own and Mr. Macloud's +testimony, will be sufficient to prove the Government's case. Then, as +you are aware, it's pay or go to prison for larceny." + +"There is one very material hypothesis, which you assume as a fact, but +which is, unfortunately, not a fact," said Croyden. "We did not find +the treasure." + +The man laughed, good-humoredly. + +"Naturally!" he replied. "We don't ask you to acknowledge the +finding--just pay over the quarter of a million and we will forget +everything." + +"My good man, I'm speaking the truth!" Croyden answered. "Maybe it's +difficult for you to recognize, but it's the truth, none the less. I +only wish I _had_ the treasure--I think I'd be quite willing to share +it, even with a blackmailer!" + +The man laughed, again. + +"I trust it will give no offence if I say I don't believe you." + +"You can believe what you damn please!" Croyden retorted. + +And, without more ado, he turned his back and went up the path to +Clarendon. + + + + +XII + +I COULD TELL SOME THINGS + + +When Croyden had got Parmenter's letter from the secret drawer in the +escritoire, he rang the old-fashioned pull-bell for Moses. It was only +a little after nine, and, though he did not require the to remain +in attendance until he retired, he fancied the kitchen fire still held +him. + +And he was not mistaken. In a moment Moses appeared--his eyes heavy +with the sleep from which he had been aroused. + +"Survent, marster!" he said, bowing from the doorway. + +"Moses, did you ever shoot a pistol?" Croyden asked. + +"Fur de Lawd, seh! Hit's bin so long sence I dun hit, I t'ink I'se +gun-shy, seh." + +"But you have done it?" + +"Yass, seh, I has don hit." + +"And you could do it again, if necessary?" + +"I speck so, seh--leas'wise, I kin try--dough I'se mons'us unsuttin, +seh, mons'us unsuttin!" + +"Uncertain of what--your shooting or your hitting?" + +"My hittin', seh." + +"Well, we're all of us somewhat uncertain in that line. At least you +know enough not to point the revolver toward yourself." + +"Hi!--I sut'n'y does! seh, I sut'n'y does!" said the , with a +broad grin. + +"There is a revolver, yonder, on the table," said Croyden, indicating +one of those they used on Greenberry Point. "It's a self-cocker--you +simply pull the trigger and the action does the rest. You understand?" + +"Yass, seh, I onderstands," said Moses. + +"Bring it here," Croyden ordered. + +Moses' fingers closed around the butt, a bit timorously, and he carried +it to his master. + +"I'll show you the action," said Croyden. "Here, is the ejector," +throwing the chamber out, "it holds six shots, you see: but you never +put a cartridge under the firing-pin, because, if anything strikes the +trigger, it's likely to be discharged." + +"Yass, seh!" + +Croyden loaded it, closed the cylinder, and passed it over to Moses, +who took it with a little more assurance. He was harkening back thirty +years, and more. + +"What do yo warn me to do, seh?" he asked. + +"I want you to sit down, here, while I'm away, and if any one tries to +get in this house, to-night, you're to shoot him. I'm going over to +Captain Carrington's--I'll be back by eleven o'clock. It isn't likely +you will be disturbed; if you are, one shot will frighten him off, even +if you don't hit him, and I'll hear the shot, and come back at once. +You understand?" + +"Yass, seh!--I'm to shoot anyone what tries to get in." + +"Not exactly!" laughed Croyden. "You're to shoot anyone who tries to +_break_ in. For Heaven's sake! don't shoot me, when I return, or any +one else who comes legitimately. Be sure he is an intruder, then bang +away." + +"Sut'n'y, seh! I onderstands. I'se dub'us bout hittin', but I kin bang +away right nuf. Does yo' spose any one will try to git in, seh?" + +"No, I don't!" Croyden smiled--"but you be ready for them, Moses, be +ready for them. It's just as well to provide against contingencies." + +"Yass, seh!" as Croyden went out and the front door closed behind him, +"but dem 'tingencies is monty dang'ous t'ings to fools wid. I don' +likes hit, dat's whar I don'." + +Croyden found Miss Carrington just where he had left her--a quick +return to the sofa having been synchronous with his appearance in the +hall. + +"I had a mind not to wait here," she said; "you were an inordinately +long time, Mr. Croyden." + +"I was!" he replied, sitting down beside her. "I was, and I admit +it--but it can be explained." + +"I'm listening!" she smiled. + +"Before you listen to me, listen to Robert Parmenter, deceased!" said +he, and gave her the letter. + +"Oh, this is the letter--do you mean that I am to read it?" + +"If you please!" he answered. + +She read it through without a single word of comment--an amazing thing +in a woman, who, when her curiosity is aroused, can ask more questions +to the minute than can be answered in a month. When she had finished, +she turned back and read portions of it again, especially the direction +as to finding the treasure, and the postscript bequests by the Duvals. + +At last, she dropped the letter in her lap and looked up at Croyden. + +"A most remarkable document!" she said. "Most extraordinary in its +ordinariness, and most ordinary in its extraordinariness. And you +searched, carefully, for three weeks and found--nothing?" + +"We did," he replied. "Now, I'll tell you about it." + +"First, tell me where you obtained this letter?" + +"I found it by accident--in a secret compartment of an escritoire at +Clarendon," he answered. + +She nodded. + +"Now you may tell me about it?" she said, and settled back to listen. + +"This is the tale of Parmenter's treasure--and how we did _not_ find +it!" he laughed. + +Then he proceeded to narrate, briefly, the details--from the finding of +the letter to the present moment, dwelling particularly on the episode +of the theft of their wallets, the first and second coming of the +thieves to the Point, their capture and subsequent release, together +with the occurrence of this evening, when he was approached, by the +well-dressed stranger, at Clarendon's gates. + +And, once again, marvelous to relate, Miss Carrington did not +interrupt, through the entire course of the narrative. Nor did she +break the silence for a time after he had concluded, staring +thoughtfully, the while, down into the grate, where a smouldering back +log glowed fitfully. + +"What do you intend to do, as to the treasure?" she asked, slowly. + +"Give it up!" he replied. "What else is there to do?" + +"And what about this stranger?" + +"He _must_ give it up!" laughed Croyden. "He has no recourse. In the +words of the game, popular hereabout, he is playing a bobtail!" + +"But he doesn't know it's a bobtail. He is convinced you found the +treasure," she objected. + +"Let him make whatever trouble he can, it won't bother me, in the +least." + +"He is not acting alone," she persisted. "He has confederates--they may +attack Clarendon, in an effort to capture the treasure." + +"My dear child! this is the twentieth century, not the seventeenth!" he +laughed. "We don't 'stand-by to repel boarders,' these days." + +"Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways!" she answered. + +He stared at her, in surprise. + +"Rather queer!--I've heard those same words before, in this +connection." + +"Community of minds." + +"Is it a quotation?" he asked. + +"Possibly--though I don't recall it. Suppose you are attacked and +tortured till you reveal where you've hidden the jewels?" she +insisted. + +"I cannot suppose them so unreasonable!" he laughed, again. "However, I +put Moses on guard--with a big revolver and orders to fire at anyone +molesting the house. If we hear a fusillade we'll know it's he shooting +up the neighborhood." + +"Then the same idea _did_ suggest itself to you!" + +"Only to the extent of searching for the jewels--I regarded that as +vaguely possible, but there isn't the slightest danger of any one being +tortured." + +"You know best, I suppose," she said--"but you've had your warning--and +pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. You've given up all hope of finding +the treasure--abandoned jewels worth--how many dollars?" + +"Possibly half a million," he filled in. + +"Without a further search? Oh! Mr. Croyden!" + +"If you can suggest what to do--anything which hasn't been done, I +shall be only too glad to consider it." + +"You say you dug up the entire Point for a hundred yards inland?" + +"We did." + +"And dredged the Bay for a hundred yards?" + +"Yes." + +She puckered her brows in thought. He regarded her with an amused +smile. + +"I don't see what you're to do, except to do it all over again," she +announced--"Now, don't laugh! It may sound foolish, but many a thing +has been found on a second seeking--and this, surely, is worth a +second, or a third, or even many seekings." + +"If there were any assurance of ultimate success, it would pay to spend +a lifetime hunting. The two essentials, however, are wanting: the +extreme tip of Greenberry Point in 1720, and the beech-trees. We made +the best guess at their location. More than that, the zone of +exploration embraced every possible extreme of territory--yet, we +failed. It will make nothing for success to try again." + +"But it is somewhere!" she reflected. + +"Somewhere, in the Bay!--It's shoal water, for three or four hundred +feet around the Point, with a rock bottom. The Point itself has been +eaten into by the Bay, down to this rock. Parmenter's chest disappeared +with the land in which it was buried, and no man will find it now, +except by accident." + +"It seems such a shame!" she exclaimed. "A fortune gone to waste!" + +"Without anyone having the fun of wasting it!" laughed Croyden. + +She took up Parmenter's letter again, and glanced over it. Then she +handed it back, and shook her head. + +"It's too much for my poor brain," she said. "I surrender." + +"Precisely where we landed. We gave it rather more than a fair trial, +and, then, we gave it up. I'm done. When I go home, to-night, I shall +return the letter to the escritoire where I found it, and forget it. +There is no profit in speculating further." + +"You can return it to its hiding place," she reflected, "but you can't +cease wondering. Why didn't Marmaduke Duval get the treasure while the +landmarks were there? Why did he leave it for his heirs?" + +"Probably on account of old Parmenter's restriction that it be left +until the 'extremity of need.'" + +She nodded, in acquiescence. + +"Probably," she said, "the Duvals would regard it as a matter of honor +to observe the exact terms of the bequest. Alas! Alas! that they did +so!" + +"It's only because they did so, that I got a chance to search!" Croyden +laughed. + +"You mean that, otherwise, there would be no buried treasure!" she +exclaimed. "Of course!--how stupid! And with all that money, the Duvals +might have gone away from Hampton--might have experienced other +conditions. Colonel Duval might never have met your father--you might +have never come to Clarendon.--My goodness! Where does it end?" + +"In the realm of pure conjecture," he answered. "It is idle to theorize +on the might-have-beens, or what might-have-happened if the +what-did-happen hadn't happened. Dismiss it, at least, for this +evening. You asked what I was doing for three weeks at Annapolis, and I +have consumed a great while in answering--let us talk of something +else. What have you been doing in those three weeks?" + +"Nothing! A little Bridge, a few riding parties, some sails on the Bay, +with an occasional homily by Miss Erskine, when she had me cornered, +and I couldn't get away. Then is when I learned what a deep impression +you had made!" she laughed. + +"We both were learning, it seems," he replied. + +She looked at him, inquiringly. + +"I don't quite understand," she said. + +"You made an impression, also--of course, that's to be expected, but +this impression is much more than the ordinary kind!" + +_"Merci, Monsieur_," she scoffed. + +"No, it isn't _merci_, it's a fact. And he is a mighty good fellow on +whom to make an impression." + +"You mean, Mr.--Macloud?" + +"Just so! I mean Macloud." + +"You're very safe in saying it!" + +"Wherefore?" + +"He is absent. It's not susceptible of proof." + +"You think so?" + +"Yes, I think so!" + +"I don't!" + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"For he's coming back----" + +"To Hampton?" + +"To Hampton." + +"When?" she said, sceptically. + +"Very soon!" + +"Delightfully indefinite!" she laughed. + +"In fact, within a week." + +She laughed, again! + +"To be accurate, I expect him not later than the day-after-to-morrow." + +"I shall believe you, when I see him!" incredulously. + +"He is, I think, coming solely on your account." + +"But you're not quite sure?--oh! modest man!" + +"Naturally, he hasn't confided in me." + +"So you're confiding in me--how clever!" + +"I could tell some things----" + +"Which are fables." + +"----but I won't--they might turn your head----" + +"Which way--to the right or left?" + +"----and make you too confident and too cruel. He saw you but +twice----" + +"Once!" she corrected. + +"Once, on the street; again, when we called in the evening--but he gave +you a name, the instant he saw you----" + +"How kind of him!" + +"He called you: 'The Symphony in Blue.'" + +"Was I in blue?" she asked. + +"You were--and looking particularly fit." + +"Was that the first time you had noticed it?" she questioned blandly. + +"Do you think so?" he returned. + +"I am asking you, sir." + +"Do I impress you as being blind?" + +"No, you most assuredly do not!" she laughed. + +He looked at her with daring eyes. + +"Yes!" she said, "I know you're intrepid--but you _won't_!" + +"Why?--why won't I?" + +"Because, it would be false to your friend. You have given me to him." + +"I have given you to him!" he exclaimed, with denying intonation. + +"Yes!--as between you two, you have renounced, in his favor." + +"I protest!" + +"At least, I so view it," with a teasingly fascinating smile. + +"I protest!" he repeated. + +"I heard you." + +"I protest!" he reiterated. + +"Don't you think that you protest over-much?" she inquired sweetly. + +"If we were two children, I'd say: 'You think you're smart, don't +you?'" + +"And I'd retort: 'You got left, didn't you?'" + +Then they both laughed. + +"Seriously, however--do you really expect Mr. Macloud?" she asked. + +"I surely do--probably within two days; and I'm not chaffing when I say +that you're the inducement. So, be good to him--he's got more than +enough for two, I can assure you." + +"Mercenary!" she laughed. + +"No--just careful!" he answered. + +"And what number am I--the twenty-first, or thereabout?" + +"What matters it, if you're _the_ one, at present?" + +She raised her shoulders in the slightest shrug. + +"I'd sooner be the present one than all the has-beens," he insisted. + +"Opinions differ," she remarked. + +"If it will advantage any----" + +"I didn't say so," she interrupted. + +"----I can tell you----" + +"Many fables, I don't doubt!" she cut in, again. + +"----that we have been rather intimate, for a few years, and I have +never before known him to exhibit particular interest in any woman." + +"'Why don't you speak for yourself, John,'" she quoted, merrily. + +"Because, to be frank, I haven't enough for two," he answered, gayly. + +But beneath the gayety, she thought she detected the faintest note of +regret. So! there was some one! + +And, woman-like, when he had gone, she wondered about her--whether she +was dark or fair, tall or small, vivacious or reserved, flirtatious or +sedate, rich or poor--and whether they loved each other--or whether it +was he, alone, who loved--or whether he had not permitted himself to be +carried so far--or whether--then, she dropped asleep. + +Croyden went back to Clarendon, keeping a sharp look-out for anyone +under the trees around the house. He found Moses in the library, +evidently just aroused from slumber by the master's door key. + +"No one's bin heah, seh, 'cep de boy wid dis 'spatch," he hastened to +say. + +Croyden tore open the envelope:--It was a wire from Macloud, that he +would be down to-morrow. + +"You may go to bed, Moses." + +"Yass, seh! yass, seh!--I'se pow'ful glad yo's back, seh. Nothin' I kin +git yo befo I goes?" + +"Nothing!" said Croyden. "You're a good soldier, Moses, you didn't +sleep on guard." + +"No, seh! I keps wide awake, Marster Croyden, wide awake all de time, +seh. Survent, seh!" and, with a bow, he disappeared. + +Croyden finished his cigar, put out the light, and went slowly +upstairs--giving not a thought to the Parmenter treasure nor the man he +had met outside. His mind was busy with Elaine Cavendish--their last +night on the moonlit piazza--the brief farewell--the lingering pressure +of her fingers--the light in her eyes--the subdued pleasure, when they +met unexpectedly in Annapolis--her little ways to detain him, keep him +close to her--her instant defense of him at Mattison's scurrilous +insinuation--the officers' hop--the rhythmic throb of the melody--the +scented, fluttering body held close in his arms--the lowered head--the +veiled eyes--the trembling lashes--his senses steeped in the fragrance +of her beauty--the temptation well-nigh irresistible--his resolution +almost gone--trembling--trembling---- + + * * * * * + +The vision passed--music ceased--the dance was ended. Sentiment +vanished--reason reigned once more. + +He was a fool! a fool! to think of her, to dream of the past, even. But +it is pleasant, sometimes, to be a fool--where a beautiful woman is +concerned, and only one's self to pay the piper. + + + + +XIV + +THE SYMPHONY IN BLUE + + +Macloud arrived the next day, bringing for his host a great batch of +mail, which had accumulated at the Club. + +"I thought of it at the last moment--when I was starting for the +station, in fact," he remarked. "The clerk said he had no instructions +for forwarding, so I just poked it in my bag and brought it along. +Stupid of me not to think of it sooner. Why didn't you mention it? I +can understand why you didn't leave an address, but not why I shouldn't +forward it." + +"I didn't care, when I left--and I don't care much, now--but I'm +obliged, just the same!" said Croyden. "It's something to do; the most +exciting incident of the day, down here, is the arrival of the mail. +The people wait for it, with bated breath. I am getting in the way, +too, though I don't get much.... I never did have any extensive +correspondence, even in Northumberland--so this is just circulars and +such trash." + +He took the package, which Macloud handed him, and tossed it on the +desk. + +"What's new?" he asked. + +"In Northumberland? Nothing--beyond the usual thing. Everybody is +back--everybody is hard up or says he is--everybody is full of lies, +as usual, and is turning them loose on anyone who will listen, +credulous or sophisticated, it makes no difference. It's the telling, +not the believing that's the thing. Oh! the little cad Mattison is +engaged--Charlotte Brundage has landed him, and the wedding is set for +early next month." + +"I don't envy her the job," Croyden remarked. + +"It won't bother her!" Macloud laughed. "She'll be privileged to draw +on his bank account, and that's the all important thing with her. He +will fracture the seventh commandment, and she won't turn a hair. She +is a chilly proposition, all right." + +"Well, I wish her joy of her bargain," said Croyden. "May she have +everything she wants, and see Mattison not at all, after the wedding +journey--and but very occasionally, then." + +He took up the letters and ran carelessly through them. + +"Trash! Trash! Trash!" he commented, as he consigned them, one by one, +to the waste-basket. + +Macloud watched him, languidly, behind his cigar smoke, and made no +comment. + +Presently Croyden came to a large, white envelope--darkened on the +interior so as to prevent the contents from being read until opened. It +bore the name of a firm of prominent brokers in Northumberland. + +"Humph! Blaxham & Company!" he grunted. "'We own and offer, subject to +prior sale, the following high grade investment bonds.' Oh yes! I'll +take the whole bundle." He drew out the letter and looked at it, +perfunctorily, before sending it to rest with its fellows.--It wasn't +in the usual form.--He opened it, wider.--It was signed by the senior +partner. + + "My dear Mr. Croyden: + + "We have a customer who is interested in the Virginia Development + Company. He has purchased the Bonds and the stock of Royster & + Axtell, from the bank which held them as collateral. He is + willing to pay you par for your Bonds, without any accrued + interest, however. If you will consent to sell, the Company can + proceed without reorganization but, if you decline, he will + foreclose under the terms of the mortgage. We have suggested the + propriety and the economy to him--since he owns or controls all + the stock--of not purchasing your bonds, and, frankly, have told + him it is worse than bad business to do so. But he refuses to be + advised, insisting that he must be the sole owner, and that he is + willing to submit to the additional expense rather than go + through the tedious proceeding for foreclosure and sale. We are + prepared to honor a sight-draft with the Bonds attached, or to + pay cash on presentation and transfer. We shall be obliged for a + prompt reply. + + "Yours very truly, + + "R. J. Blaxham." + +"What the devil!----" + +He read it a second time. No, he wasn't asleep--it was all there, +typewritten and duly signed. Two hundred thousand dollars!--honor sight +draft, or pay cash on presentation and transfer! + +"What the devil!" he said, again. Then he passed it across to Macloud. +"Read this aloud, will you,--I want to see if I'm quite sane!" + +Macloud was at his favorite occupation--blowing smoke rings through one +another, and watching them spiral upward toward the ceiling. + +"I beg your pardon!" he said, as Croyden's words roused him from his +meditation. "I must have been half asleep. What did you say--read it?" +taking the letter. + +He and Blaxham had spent considerable time on that letter, trying to +explain the reason for the purchase, and the foolishly high price they +were offering, in such a way as to mislead Croyden. + +"Yes,--aloud! I want to hear someone else read it." + +Macloud looked at him, curiously. + +"It is typewritten, you haven't a chance to get wrong!" he said, +wonderingly. + +Croyden laughed! + +"Read it, please!" he exclaimed.... "So, I wasn't crazy: and either +Blaxham is lying or his customer needs a guardian--which is it?" + +"I don't see that it need concern you, in the least, which it is," said +Macloud. "Be grateful for the offer--and accept by wireless or any +other way that's quicker." + +"But the bonds aren't worth five cents on the dollar!" + +"So much the more reason to hustle the deal through. Sell them! man, +sell them! You may have slipped up on the Parmenter treasure, but you +have struck it here." + +"Too rich," Croyden answered. "There's something queer about that +letter." + +Macloud smoked his cigar, and smiled. + +"There's nothing queer about the letter!"--he said. "Blaxham's customer +may have the willies--indeed, he as much as intimates that such is the +case--but, thank God! we're not obliged to have a commission-in-lunacy +appointed on everybody who makes a silly stock or bond purchase. If we +were, we either would have no markets, or the courts would have time +for nothing else. No! no! old man! take what the gods have given you +and be glad. There's ten thousand a year in it! You can return to +Northumberland, resume the old life, and be happy ever after;--or you +can live here, and there, and everywhere. You're unattached--not even a +light-o'-love to squander your money, and pester you for gowns and +hats, and get in a hell of a temper--and be false to you, besides." + +"No, I haven't one of them, thank God!" laughed Croyden. "I've got +troubles enough of my own. The present, for instance." + +"Troubles!" marvelled Macloud. "You haven't any troubles, now. This +clears them all away." + +"It clears some of them away--if I take it." + +"Thunder! man, you're not thinking, seriously, of refusing?" + +"It will put me on 'easy street,'" Croyden observed. + +"So, why hesitate an instant?" + +"And it comes with remarkable timeliness--so timely, indeed, as to be +suspicious." + +"Suspicious? Why suspicious? It's a bona fide offer." + +"It's a bona fide offer--there's no trouble on that score." + +"Then, what is the trouble?" + +"This," said Croyden: "I'm broke--finally. The Parmenter treasure is +moonshine, so far as I'm concerned. I'm down on my uppers, so to +speak--my only assets are some worthless bonds. Behold! along comes an +offer for them at par--two hundred thousand dollars for nothing! I +fancy, old man, there is a friend back of this offer--the only friend I +have in the world--and I did not think that even he was kind and +self-sacrificing enough to do it.--I'm grateful, Colin, grateful from +the heart, believe me, but I can't take your money." + +"My money!" exclaimed Macloud--"you do me too much credit, Croyden. I'm +ashamed to admit it, but I never thought of the bonds, or of helping +you out, in your trouble. It's a way we have in Northumberland. We may +feel for misfortune, but it rarely gets as far as our pockets. Don't +imagine for a moment that I'm the purchaser. I'm not, though I wish, +now, that I was." + +"Will you give me your word on that?" Croyden demanded. + +"I most assuredly will," Macloud answered. + +Croyden nodded. He was satisfied. + +"There is no one else!" he mused, "no one else!" He looked at the +letter again.... "And, yet, it is very suspicious, very suspicious.... +I wonder, could I ascertain the name of the purchaser of the stocks and +bonds, from the Trust Company who held them as collateral?" + +"They won't know," said Macloud. "Blaxham & Company bought them at the +public sale." + +"I could try the transfer agent, or the registrar." + +"They never tell anything, as you are aware," Macloud replied. + +"I could refuse to sell unless Blaxham & Company disclosed their +customer." + +"Yes, you could--and, likely, lose the sale; they won't disclose. +However, that's your business," Macloud observed; "though, it's a pity +to tilt at windmills, for a foolish notion." + +Croyden creased and uncreased the letter--thinking. + +Macloud resumed the smoke rings--and waited. It had proved easier than +he had anticipated. Croyden had not once thought of Elaine +Cavendish--and his simple word had been sufficient to clear +himself.... + +At length, Croyden put the letter back in its envelope and looked up. + +"I'll sell the bonds," he said--"forward them at once with draft +attached, if you will witness my signature to the transfer. But it's a +queer proceeding, a queer proceeding: paying good money for bad!" + +"That's his business--not yours," said Macloud, easily. + +Croyden went to the escritoire and took the bonds from one of the +drawers. + +"You can judge, from the place I keep them, how much I thought them +worth!" he laughed. + +When they were duly transferred and witnessed, Croyden attached a draft +drawn on an ordinary sheet of paper, dated Northumberland, and payable +to his account at the Tuscarora Trust Company. He placed them in an +envelope, sealed it and, enclosing it in a second envelope, passed it +over to Macloud. + +"I don't care to inform them as to my whereabouts," he remarked, "so, +if you don't mind, I'll trouble you to address this to some one in New +York or Philadelphia, with a request that he mail the enclosed envelope +for you." + +Macloud, when he had done as requested, laid aside the pen and looked +inquiringly at Croyden. + +"Which, being interpreted," he said, "might mean that you don't intend +to return to Northumberland." + +"The interpretation does not go quite so far; it means, simply, that I +have not decided." + +"Don't you want to come back?" Macloud asked. + +"It's a question of resolution, not of inclination," Croyden answered. +"I don't know whether I've sufficient resolution to go, and sufficient +resolution to stay, if I do go. It may be easier not to go, at all--to +live here, and wander, elsewhere, when the spirit moves." + +And Macloud understood. "I've been thinking over the proposition you +recently advanced of the folly of a relatively poor man marrying a rich +girl," he said, "and you're all wrong. It's a question of the +respective pair, not a theory that can be generalized over. I admit, +the man should not be a pauper, but, if he have enough money to support +_himself_, and the girl love him and he loves the girl, the fact that +she has gobs more money, won't send them on the rocks. It's up to the +pair, I repeat." + +"Meaning, that it would be up to Elaine Cavendish and me?" answered +Croyden. + +"If you please, yes!" said Macloud. + +"I wish I could be so sure," Croyden reflected. "Sure of the girl, as +well as sure of myself." + +"What are you doubtful about--yourself?" + +Croyden laughed, a trifle self-consciously. + +"I fancy I could manage myself," he said. + +"Elaine?" + +"Yes, Elaine!" + +"Try her!--she's worth the try." + +"From a monetary standpoint?" smiling. + +"Get the miserable money out of your mind a moment, will you?--you're +hipped on it!" + +"All right, old man, anything for peace! Tell me, did you see her, when +you were home?" + +"I did--I dined with her." + +"Who else was there?" + +"You--she talked Croyden at least seven-eighths of the time; I, the +other eighth." + +"Must have been an interesting conversation. Anything left of the +victim, afterward?" + +"I refuse to become facetious," Macloud responded. Then he threw his +cigar into the grate and arose. "It matters not what was said, nor who +said it! If you will permit me the advice, you will take your chance +while you have it." + +"Have I a--chance?" Croyden asked. + +"You have--more than a chance, if you act, now----" He walked across to +the window. He would let that sink in.--"How's the Symphony in Blue?" +he asked. + +"As charming as ever--and prepared for your coming." + +"What?" + +"As charming as ever, and prepared for your coming." + +"Some of your work!" he commented. "Did you propose for me?" + +"I left that finality for you--being the person most interested." + +"Thanks! you're exceedingly considerate." + +"I thought you would appreciate it." + +"When did you arrange for me to go over?" asked Macloud. + +"Any time--the sooner the quicker. She'll be glad to see you." + +"She confided in you, I suppose?" + +"Not directly; she let me infer it." + +"In other words, you worked your imagination--overtime!" laughed +Macloud. "It's a pity you couldn't work it a bit over the Parmenter +jewels. You might locate them." + +"I'm done with the Parmenter jewels!" said Croyden. + +"But they're not done with you, my friend. So long as you live, they'll +be present with you. You'll be hunting for them in your dreams." + +"Meet me to-night in dream-land!" sang Croyden. "Well, they're not +likely to disturb my slumbers--unless--there was a rather queer thing +happened, last night, Colin." + +"Here?" + +"Yes!--I got in to Hampton, in the evening; about nine o'clock, I was +returning to Clarendon when, at the gates, I was accosted by a tall, +well-dressed stranger. Here is the substance of our talk.... What do +you make of it?" he ended. + +"It seems to me the fellow made it very plain," Macloud returned, +"except on one possible point. He evidently believes we found the +treasure." + +"He is convinced of it." + +"Then, he knows that you came direct from Annapolis to Hampton--I mean, +you didn't visit a bank nor other place where you could have deposited +the jewels. Ergo, the jewels are still in your possession, according to +his theory, and he is going to make a try for them while they are +within reach. Informing the Government is a bluff. He hoped, by that +means, to induce you to keep the jewels on the premises--not to make +evidence against yourself, which could be traced by the United States, +by depositing them in any bank." + +"Why shouldn't I have taken them to a dealer in precious stones?" said +Croyden. + +"Because that would make the best sort of evidence against you. You +must remember, he thinks you have the jewels, and that you will try to +conceal it, pending a Government investigation." + +"You make him a very canny gentleman." + +"No--I make him only a clever rogue, which, by your own account, he +is." + +"And the more clever he is, the more he will have his wits' work for +naught. There's some compensation in everything--even in failure!" + +"It would be a bit annoying," observed Macloud, "to be visited by +burglars, who are obsessed with the idea that you have a fortune +concealed on the premises, and are bent on obtaining it." + +"Annoying?--not a bit!" smiled Croyden. "I should rather enjoy the +sport of putting them to flight." + +"Or of being bound, and gagged, and ill-treated." + +"Bosh! you've transferred your robber-barons from Northumberland to the +Eastern Shore." + +"No, I haven't!" laughed Macloud. "The robber-barons were still on the +job in Northumberland. These are banditti, disguised as burglars, about +to hold you up for ransom." + +"I wish I had your fine imagination," scoffed Croyden. "I could make a +fortune writing fiction." + +"Oh, you're not so bad yourself!" Macloud retorted. Then he smiled. +"Apropos of fortunes!" and nodded toward the envelope on the table. +"It's bully good to think you're coming back to us!" + +At that moment Moses passed along the hall. + +"Here, Moses," said Croyden, "take this letter down to the post +office--I want it to catch the first mail." + +"I fancy you haven't heard of the stranger since last evening?" Macloud +asked. + +Croyden shook his head. + +"And of course you haven't told any one?" + +"Yes, I have!" said Croyden. + +"A woman?" + +"A woman." + +"How strange!" commented Macloud, mockingly. "I suppose you even told +her the entire story--from the finding of the letter down to date." + +"I did!--and showed her the letter besides. Why shouldn't I have done +it?" + +"No reason in the world, my dear fellow--except that in twenty-four +hours the dear public will know it, and we shall be town curiosities." + +"We don't have to remain," said Croyden, with affected seriousness--"there +are trains out, you know, as well as in." + +"I don't want to go away--I came here to visit you." + +"We will go together." + +"But we can't take the Symphony in Blue!" + +"Oh! that's it!" Croyden laughed. + +"Certainly, that's it! You don't think I came down here to see only +you, after having just spent nearly four weeks with you, in that fool +quest on Greenberry Point?" He turned, suddenly, and faced Croyden. +"Who was the woman you told?" + +"Miss Carrington!" Croyden laughed. "Think she will retail it to the +dear public?" + +"Oh, go to thunder!" + +"Because, if you do, you might mention it to her--there, she goes, +now!" + +"Where?" said Macloud, whirling around toward the window. + +Croyden made no reply. It was not necessary. On the opposite side of +the street, Miss Carrington--in a tailored gown of blue broadcloth, +close fitting and short in the skirt, with a velvet toque to match--was +swinging briskly back from town. + +Macloud watched her a moment in silence. + +"The old man is done for, at last!" Croyden thought. + +"Isn't she a corker!" Macloud broke out. "Look at the poise of the +head, and ease of carriage, and the way she puts down her feet!--that's +the way to tell a woman. God! Croyden, she's thoroughbred!" + +"You better go over," said his friend. "It's about the tea hour, she'll +brew you a cup." + +"And I'll drink it--as much as she will give me. I despise the stuff, +but I'll drink it!" + +"She'll put rum in it, if you prefer!" laughed Croyden; "or make you a +high ball, or you can have it straight--just as you want." + +"Come along!" exclaimed Macloud. "We're wasting time." + +"I'll be over, presently," Croyden replied. "_I_ don't want any tea, +you know." + +"Good!" Macloud answered, from the hallway. "Come along, as soon as you +wish--but don't come _too soon_." + + + + +XV + +AN OLD RUSE + + +Macloud found Miss Carrington plucking a few belated roses, which, +somehow, had escaped the frost. + +She looked up at his approach, and smiled--the bewilderingly bewitching +smile which lighted her whole countenance and seemed to say so much. + +"Back again! to Clarendon and its master?" was her greeting. + +"And, if I may, to you," he replied. + +"Very good! After them, you belong to _me_," she laughed. + +"Why after?" he inquired. + +"I don't know--it was the order of speech, and the order of +acquaintance," with a naive look. + +"But not the order of--regard." + +"Content!" she exclaimed. "You did it very well for a--novice." + +He tapped the gray hair upon his temples. + +"A novice?" he inflected. + +"You decline to accept it?--Very well, sir, very well!" + +"I can't accept, and be honest," he replied. + +"And you must be honest! Oh, brave man! Oh, noble gentleman! Perchance, +you will accept a reward: a cup of tea--or a high ball!" + +"Perchance, I will--the high ball!" + +"I thought so! come along." + +"You were not going out?" + +She looked at him, with a sly smile. + +"You know that I have just returned," she said. "I saw you in the +window at Clarendon." + +"I was there," he admitted. + +"And you came over at once--prepared to be surprised that I was here." + +"And found you waiting for me--just as I expected." + +"Oh!" she cried. "You're horrid! perfectly horrid!" + +"_Peccavi! Peccavi!_" he said humbly. + +"_Te absolvo!_" she replied, solemnly. "Now, let us make a fresh +start--by going for a walk. You can postpone the high ball until we +return." + +"I can postpone the high ball for ever," he averred. + +"Meaning, you could walk forever, or you're not thirsty?" she laughed. + +"Meaning, I could walk forever _with you_--on, and on, and on----" + +"Until you walked into the Bay--I understand. I'll take the will for +the deed--the water's rather chilly at this season of the year." + +Macloud held up his hand, in mock despair. + +"Let us make a third start--drop the attempt to be clever and talk +sense. I think I can do it, if I try." + +"Willingly!" she responded. + +As they came out on the side walk, Croyden was going down the street. +He crossed over and met them. + +"I've not forgot your admonition, so don't be uneasy," he observed to +Macloud. "I'm going to town now, I'll be back in about half an hour--is +that too soon?" + +"It's quite soon enough!" was the answer. + +Miss Carrington looked at Macloud, quizzically, but made no comment. + +"Shall we take the regulation walk?" she asked. + +"The what?" + +"The regulation walk--to the Cemetery and back." + +"I'm glad we're coming back?" he laughed. + +"It's the favorite walk, here," she explained--"the most picturesque +and the smoothest." + +"To say nothing of accustoming the people to their future home," +Macloud remarked. + +"You're not used to the ways of small towns--the Cemetery is a resort, +a place to spend a while, a place to visit." + +"Does it make death any easier to hob-nob with it?" he asked. + +"I shouldn't think so," she replied. "However, I can see how it would +induce morbidity, though there are those who are happiest only when +they're miserable." + +"Such people ought to live in a morgue," agreed Macloud. "However +we're safe enough--we can go to the Cemetery with impunity." + +"There are some rather queer old headstones, out there," she said. +"Remorse and the inevitable pay-up for earthly transgression seem to be +the leading subjects. There is one in the Duval lot--the Duvals from +whom Mr. Croyden got Clarendon, you know--and I never have been able to +understand just what it means. It is erected to the memory of one +Robert Parmenter, and has cut in the slab the legend: 'He feared nor +man, nor god, nor devil,' and below it, a man on his knees making +supplication to one standing over him. If he feared nor man, nor god, +nor devil, why should he be imploring mercy from any one?" + +"Do you know who Parmenter was?" said Macloud. + +"No--but I presume a connection of the family, from having been buried +with them." + +"You read his letter only last evening--his letter to Marmaduke +Duval." + +"His letter to Marmaduke Duval!" she repeated. "I didn't read any----" + +"Robert Parmenter is the pirate who buried the treasure on Greenberry +Point," he interrupted. + +Then, suddenly, a light broke in on her. + +"I see!--I didn't look at the name signed to the letter. And the +cutting on the tombstone----?" + +"Is a victim begging mercy from him," said Macloud. "I like that +Marmaduke Duval--there's something fine in a man, in those times, +bringing the old buccaneer over from Annapolis and burying him beside +the place where he, himself, some day would rest.--That is +friendship!" + +"And that is like the Duvals!" said she. "It was a sad day in Hampton +when the Colonel died." + +"He left a good deputy," Macloud replied. "Croyden is well-born and +well-bred (the former does not always comprehend the latter, these +days), and of Southern blood on his mother's side." + +"Which hasn't hurt him with us!" she smiled. "We are a bit clannish, +still." + +"Delighted to hear you confess it! I've got a little of it myself." + +"Southern blood?" + +He nodded. "Mine doesn't go so far South, however, as Croyden's--only, +to Virginia." + +"I knew it! I knew there was some reason for my liking you!" she +laughed. + +"Can I find any other reason?" + +"Than your Southern ancestors?--isn't that enough?" + +"Not if there be a means to increase it." + +"Southern blood is never satisfied with _some_ things--it always wants +more!" + +"Is the disposition to want more, in Southerners, confined to the male +sex?" he laughed. + +"In _some things_--yes, unquestionably yes!" she retorted. Then changed +the subject. "Has Mr. Croyden told you of his experience, last +evening?" + +"With the stranger, yes?" + +"Do you think he is in danger?" + +"What possible danger could there be--the treasure isn't at +Clarendon." + +"But they think it is--and desperate men sometimes take desperate +means, when they feel sure that money is hidden on the premises." + +"In a town the size of Hampton, every stranger is known." + +"How will that advantage, in the prevention of the crime?" she asked. + +"By making it difficult." + +"They don't need stay in the town--they can come in an automobile." + +"They could also drive, or walk, or come by boat," he added. + +"They are not so likely to try it if there are two in the house. Do you +intend to remain at Clarendon some time?" + +"It depends--on how you treat me." + +"I engage to be nice for--two weeks!" she smiled. + +"Done!--I'm booked for two weeks, at least." + +"And when the two weeks have expired we shall consider whether to +extend the period." + +"To--life?" smiling down at her. + +She flung him a look that was delightfully alluring. + +"Do you wish me to--consider that?" she asked, softly. + +"If you will," he said, bending down. + +She laughed, gayly. + +"We are coming on!" she exclaimed. "This pace is getting rather +brisk--did you notice it, Mr. Macloud?" + +"You're in a fast class, Miss Carrington." + +She glanced up quickly. + +"Now don't misunderstand me----" + +"You were speaking in the language of the race track, I presume." + +"I was--you understand?" + +"A Southern girl usually loves--horses," with a tantalizing smile. + +"It is well for you this is a public street," he said. + +"Why?" she asked, with assumed innocence. + +"But then if it hadn't been, you would not have ventured to tempt me," +he added. "I'm grateful for the temptation, at any rate." + +"His first temptation!" she mocked. + +"No, not likely--but his first that he has resisted." + +"And why did you resist? The fact that we are on a public street would +not restrain you. There was absolutely no one within sight--and you +knew it." + +"How do _you_ know it?" + +"Because I looked." + +"You were afraid?" + +"Not at all!--only careful." + +"This is rather faster than the former going!" he laughed. + +"We would better slow down a bit!" she laughed back. "Any way, here is +the Cemetery, and we dare not go faster than a walk in it. Yonder, just +within the gates, is the Duval burial place. Come, I'll show you +Parmenter's grave?" + +They crossed to it--marked by a blue slate slab, which covered it +entirely. The inscription, cut in script, was faint in places and +blurred by moss, in others. + +Macloud stooped and, with his knife, scratched out the latter. + +"He died two days after the letter was written: May 12, 1738," said he. +"His age is not given. Duval did not know it, I reckon." + +"See, here is the picture--it stands out very plainly," said Miss +Carrington, indicating with the point of her shoe. + +"I'm not given to moralizing, particularly over a grave," observed +Macloud, "but it's queer to think that the old pirate, who had so much +blood and death on his hands, who buried the treasure, and who wrote +the letter, lies at our feet; and we--or rather Croyden is the heir of +that treasure, and that we searched and dug all over Greenberry Point, +committed violence, were threatened with violence, did things +surreptitiously, are threatened, anew, with blackmail and +violence----" + +"Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways," she quoted. + +"It does seem one cannot get away from its pollution. It was gathered +in crime and crime clings to it, still. However, I fancy Croyden would +willingly chance the danger, if he could unearth the casket." + +"And is there no hope of finding it?" she asked. + +"Absolutely none--there's half a million over on Greenberry Point, or +in the water close by, and none will ever see it--except by accident." + +"What sort of accident?" + +"I don't know!" he laughed. "My own idea--and Croyden's (as he has, +doubtless, explained to you) is that the place, where Parmenter buried +the jewels, is now under water, possibly close to the shore. We dragged +every inch of the bottom, which has been washed away to a depth more +than sufficient to uncover the iron box, but found nothing. A great +storm, such as they say sometimes breaks over the Chesapeake, may wash +it on the beach--that, I think, is the only way it will ever be +found.... It makes everything seem very real to have stood by +Parmenter's grave!" he said, thoughtful, as they turned back toward +town. + +On nearing the Carrington house, they saw Croyden approaching. They met +him at the gates. + +"I've been communing with Parmenter," said Macloud. + +"I didn't know there was a spiritualistic medium in Hampton! What does +the old man look like?" smiled Croyden. + +"I didn't see him." + +"Well, did he help you to locate his jewel box?" + +"He wasn't especially communicative--he was in his grave." + +"That isn't surprising--he's been dead something over one hundred and +seventy years. Did he confide where he's buried?" + +"He's buried with the Duvals in the Cemetery, here." + +"He is!" Croyden exclaimed. "Humph! one more circumstance to prove the +letter speaks the truth. Everything but the thing itself. We find his +will, probated with Marmaduke Duval as executor, we even discover a +notice of his death in the _Gazette_, and now, finally, you find his +body--or the place of its interment! But, hang it all! what is really +worth while, we can't find." + +"Come into the house--I'll give you something to soothe your feelings +temporarily," said Miss Carrington. + +They encountered Miss Erskine just coming from the library on her way +to the door. + +"My dear Davila, so glad to see you!" she exclaimed. "And Mr. Croyden, +we thought you had deserted us, and just when we're trying to make you +feel at home. So glad to welcome you back!" holding out her fat hand. + +"I'm delighted to be back," said Croyden. "The Carringtons seemed +genuinely glad to see me--and, now, if I may include you, I'm quite +content to return," and he shook her hand, as though he meant it. + +"Of course you may believe it," with an inane giggle. "I'm going to +bring my art class over to Clarendon to revel in your treasures, some +day, soon. You'll be at home to them, won't you, dear Mr. Croyden?" + +"Surely! I shall take pleasure in being at home," Croyden replied, +soberly. + +Then Macloud, who was talking with the Captain, was called over and +presented, that being, Miss Carrington thought, the quickest method of +getting rid of her. The evident intention to remain until he was +presented, being made entirely obvious by Miss Erskine, who, after she +had bubbled a bit more, departed. + +"What is her name, I didn't catch it?--and" (observing smiles on +Croyden and Miss Carrington's faces) "what is she?" + +"I think father can explain, in more appropriate language!" Miss +Carrington laughed. + +"She's the most intolerable nuisance and greatest fool in Hampton!" +Captain Carrington exploded. + +"A red flag to a bull isn't in it with Miss Erskine and father," Miss +Carrington observed. + +"But I hide it pretty well--while she's here," he protested. + +"If she's not here too long--and you can get away, in time." + +When the two men left the Carrington place, darkness had fallen. As +they approached Clarendon, the welcoming brightness of a well-lighted +house sprang out to greet them. It was Croyden's one extravagance--to +have plenty of illumination. He had always been accustomed to it, and +the gloom, at night, of the village residence, bright only in library +or living room--with, maybe, a timid taper in the hall--set his nerves +on edge. He would have none of it. And Moses, with considerable wonder +at, to his mind, the waste of gas, and much grumbling to himself and +Josephine, obeyed. + +They had finished dinner and were smoking their cigars in the library, +when Croyden, suddenly bethinking himself of a matter which he had +forgotten, arose and pulled the bell. + +"Survent, seh!" said old Mose a moment later from the doorway. + +"Moses, who is the best carpenter in town?" Croyden asked. + +"Mistah Snyder, seh--he wuz heah dis arfternoon, yo knows, seh!" + +"I didn't know it," said Croyden. + +"Why yo sont 'im, seh." + +"_I_ sent him! I don't know the man." + +"Dat's mons'us 'culiar, seh--he said yo sont 'im. He com'd 'torrectly +arfter yo lef! Him an' a'nudder man, seh--I didn't know the nudder man, +hows'ever." + +"What did they want?" Croyden asked. + +"Dey sed yo warn dem to look over all de place, seh, an' see what +repairs wuz necessary, and fix dem. Dey wuz heah a'most two hours, I +s'pose." + +"This is most extraordinary!" Croyden exclaimed. "Do you mean they were +in this house for two hours?" + +"Yass, seh." + +"What were they doing?" + +"'Zaminin the furniture everywhere. I didn't stays wid em, seh--I knows +Mistah Snyder well; he's bin heah off'n to wuk befo' yo cum, seh. But I +seed dem gwine th'oo de drawers, an' poundin on the floohs, seh. Dey +went down to de cellar, too, seh, an wuz dyar quite a while." + +"Are you sure it was Snyder?" Croyden asked. + +"Sut'n'y! seh, don't you t'inks I knows 'im? I knows 'im from de time +he wuz so high." + +Croyden nodded. "Go down and tell Snyder I want to see him, either +to-night or in the morning." + +The bowed, and departed. + +Croyden got up and went to the escritoire: the drawers were in +confusion. He glanced at the book-cases: the books were disarranged. He +turned and looked, questioningly, at Macloud--and a smile slowly +overspread his face. + +"Well, the tall gentleman has visited us!" he said. + +"I wondered how long you would be coming to it!" Macloud remarked. +"It's the old ruse, in a slightly modified form. Instead of a +telephone or gas inspector, it was a workman whom the servant knew; a +little more trouble in disguising himself, but vastly more satisfactory +in results." + +"They are clever rogues," said Croyden--"and the disguise must have +been pretty accurate to deceive Moses." + +"Disguise is their business," Macloud replied, laconically. "If they're +not proficient in it, they go to prison--sure." + +"And if they _are_ proficient, they go--sometimes." + +"Certainly!--sometimes." + +"We'll make a tour of inspection--they couldn't find what they wanted, +so we'll see what they took." + +They went over the house. Every drawer was turned upside down, every +closet awry, every place, where the jewels could be concealed, bore +evidence of having been inspected--nothing, apparently, had been +missed. They had gone through the house completely, even into the +garret, where every board that was loose had evidently been taken up +and replaced--some of them carelessly. + +Not a thing was gone, so far as Croyden could judge--possibly, because +there was no money in the house; probably, because they were looking +for jewels, and scorned anything of moderate value. + +"Really, this thing grows interesting--if it were not so ridiculous," +said Croyden. "I'm willing to go to almost any trouble to convince them +I haven't the treasure--just to be rid of them. I wonder what they +will try next?" + +"Abduction, maybe," Macloud suggested. "Some night a black cloth will +be thrown over your head, you'll be tossed into a cab--I mean, an +automobile--and borne off for ransom like Charlie Ross of fading +memory." + +"Moral--don't venture out after sunset!" laughed Croyden. + +"And don't venture out at any time without a revolver handy and a good +pair of legs," added Macloud. + +"I can work the legs better than I can the revolver." + +"Or, to make sure, you might have a guard of honor and a gatling gun." + +"You're appointed to the position--provide yourself with the gun!" + +"But, seriously!" said Macloud, "it would be well to take some +precaution. They seem obsessed with the idea that you have the jewels, +here--and they evidently intend to get a share, if it's possible." + +"What precaution, for instance?" scoffed Croyden. + +Macloud shrugged his shoulders, helplessly. + +"I wish I knew," he said. + + + + +XVI + +THE MARABOU MUFF + + +The next two weeks passed uneventfully. The thieves did not manifest +themselves, and the Government authorities did nothing to suggest that +they had been informed of the Parmenter treasure. + +Macloud had developed an increasing fondness for Miss Carrington's +society, which she, on her part, seemed to accept with placid +equanimity. They rode, they drove, they walked, they sailed when the +weather warranted--and the weather had recovered from its fit of the +blues, and was lazy and warm and languid. In short, they did everything +which is commonly supposed to denote a growing fondness for each +other. + +Croyden had been paid promptly for the Virginia Development Company +bonds, and was once more on "comfortable street," as he expressed it. +But he spoke no word of returning to Northumberland. On the contrary, +he settled down to enjoy the life of the village, social and otherwise. +He was nice to all the girls, but showed a marked preference for Miss +Carrington; which, however, did not trouble his friend, in the least. + +Macloud was quite willing to run the risk with Croyden. He was +confident that the call of the old life, the memory of the girl that +was, and that was still, would be enough to hold Geoffrey from more +than firm friendship. He was not quite sure of himself, however--that +he wanted to marry. And he was entirely sure she had not decided +whether she wanted him--that was what gave him his lease of life; if +she decided _for_ him, he knew that he would decide for her--and +quickly. + +Then, one day, came a letter--forwarded by the Club, where he had left +his address with instructions that it be divulged to no one. It was +dated Northumberland, and read: + + "My dear Colin-- + + "It is useless, between us, to dissemble, and I'm not going to + try it. I want to know whether Geoffrey Croyden is coming back to + Northumberland? You are with him, and should know. You can tell + his inclination. You can ask him, if necessary. If he is not + coming and there is no one else--won't you tell me where you are? + (I don't ask you to reveal his address, you see.) I shall come + down--if only for an hour, between trains--and give him his + chance. It is radically improper, according to accepted + notions--but notions don't bother me, when they stand (as I am + sure they do, in this case), in the way of happiness. + + "Sincerely, + + "Elaine Cavendish." + +At dinner, Macloud casually remarked: + +"I ought to go out to Northumberland, this week, for a short time, +won't you go along?" + +Croyden shook his head. + +"I'm not going back to Northumberland," he said. + +"I don't mean to stay!" Macloud interposed. "I'll promise to come back +with you in two days at the most." + +"Yes, I suppose you will!" Croyden smiled. "You can easily find your +way back. For me, it's easier to stay away from Northumberland, than to +go away from it, _again_." + +And Macloud, being wise, dropped the conversation, saying only: + +"Well, I may not have to go." + +A little later, as he sat in the drawing-room at Carringtons', he +broached a matter which had been on his mind for some time--working +around to it gradually, with Croyden the burden of their talk. When his +opportunity came--as it was bound to do--he took it without +hesitation. + +"You are right," he replied. "Croyden had two reasons for leaving +Northumberland: one of them has been eliminated; the other is stronger +than ever." + +She looked at him, shrewdly. + +"And that other is a woman?" she said. + +He nodded. "A woman who has plenty of money--more than she can ever +spend, indeed." + +"And in looks?" + +"The only one who can approach yourself." + +"Altogether, most desirable!" she laughed. "What was the +trouble--wouldn't she have him?" + +"He didn't ask her." + +"Useless?" + +"Anything but useless." + +"You mean she was willing?" + +"I think so." + +"And Croyden?" + +"More than willing, I take it." + +"Then, what was the difficulty?" + +"Her money--she has so much!--So much, that, in comparison, he is a +mere pauper:--twenty millions against two hundred thousand." + +"If she be willing, I can't see why he is shy?" + +"He says it is all right for a poor girl to marry a rich man, but not +for a poor man to marry a rich girl. His idea is, that the husband +should be able to maintain his wife according to her condition. To +marry else, he says, is giving hostages to fortune, and is derogatory +to that mutual respect which should exist between them." + +"We all give hostages to fortune when we marry!" Miss Carrington +exclaimed. + +"Not all!" replied Macloud, meaningly. + +She flushed slightly. + +"What is it you want me to do?" she asked hastily--"or can I do +anything?" + +"You can," he answered. "You can ask Miss Cavendish to visit you for a +few days." + +"Can you, by any possibility, mean Elaine Cavendish?" + +"That's exactly who I do mean--do you know her?" + +"After a fashion--we went to Dobbs Ferry together." + +"Bully!" exclaimed Macloud. "Why didn't you tell me?" + +"You never mentioned her before." + +"True!" he laughed. "This is fortunate, very fortunate! Will you ask +her down?" + +"She will think it a trifle peculiar." + +"On the contrary, she'll think it more than kind--a positive favor. You +see, she knows I'm with Croyden, but she doesn't know where; so she +wrote to me at my Club and they forwarded it. Croyden left +Northumberland without a word--and no one is aware of his residence but +me. She asks that I tell her where _I_ am. Then she intends to come +down and give Croyden a last chance. I want to help her--and your +invitation will be right to the point--she'll jump at it." + +"You're a good friend!" she reflected. + +"Will you do it?" he asked. + +She thought a moment before she answered. + +"I'll do it!" she said at length. "Come, we'll work out the letter +together." + +"Would I not be permitted to kiss you as Miss Cavendish's deputy?" he +exclaimed. + +"Miss Cavendish can be her own deputy," she answered.--"Moreover, it +would be premature." + +The second morning after, when Elaine Cavendish's maid brought her +breakfast, Miss Carrington's letter was on the tray among tradesmen's +circulars, invitations, and friendly correspondence. + +She did not recognize the handwriting, and the postmark was unfamiliar, +wherefore, coupled with the fact that it was addressed in a +particularly stylish hand, she opened it first. It was very brief, very +succinct, very informing, and very satisfactory. + + "Ashburton, + + "Hampton, Md. + + "My dear Elaine:-- + + "Mr. Macloud tells me you are contemplating coming down to the + Eastern Shore to look for a country-place. Let me advise + Hampton--there are some delightful old residences in this + vicinity which positively are crying for a purchaser. Geoffrey + Croyden, whom you know, I believe, is resident here, and is + thinking of making it his home permanently. If you can be + persuaded to come, you are to stay with me--the hotels are simply + impossible, and I shall be more than delighted to have you. We + can talk over old times at Dobbs, and have a nice little visit + together. Don't trouble to write--just wire the time of your + arrival--and come before the good weather departs. Don't + disappoint me. + + "With lots of love, + + "Davila Carrington." + +Elaine Cavendish read the letter slowly--and smiled. + +"Clever! very clever!" she mused. "Colin is rather a diplomat--he +managed it with exceeding adroitness--and the letter is admirably +worded. It tells me everything I wanted to know. I'd forgotten about +Davila Carrington, and I reckon she had forgotten me, till he somehow +found it out and jogged her memory. Surely! I shall accept." + +To-morrow would be Thursday. She went to her desk and wrote this wire, +in answer: + + "Miss Davila Carrington, + + "Hampton, Md. + + "I shall be with you Friday, on morning train. You're very, very + kind. + + "Elaine Cavendish." + +Miss Carrington showed the wire to Macloud. + +"Now, I've done all that I can; the rest is in your hands," she said. +"I'll cooperate, but you are the general." + +"Until Elaine comes--she will manage it then," Macloud answered. + +And on Friday morning, a little before noon, Miss Cavendish arrived. +Miss Carrington, alone, met her at the station. + +"You're just the same Davila I'd forgotten for years," said she, +laughingly, as they walked across the platform to the waiting carriage. + +"And you're the same I had forgotten," Davila replied. + +"But it's delightful to be remembered!" said Elaine, meaningly. + +"And it's just as delightful to be able to remember," was the reply. + +Just after they left the business section, on the drive out, Miss +Carrington saw Croyden and Macloud coming down the street. Evidently +Macloud had not been able to detain him at home until she got her +charge safely into Ashburton. She glanced at Miss Cavendish--she had +seen them, also, and, settling back into the corner of the phaeton, she +hid her face with her Marabou muff. + +"Don't stop!" she said. + +Miss Carrington smiled her understanding. + +"I won't!" she answered. "Good morning!" as both men raised their +hats--and drove straight on. + +"Who was the girl with Miss Carrington?" Croyden asked. "I didn't see +her face." + +"I couldn't see it!" said Macloud. "I noticed a bag in the trap, +however, so I reckon she's a guest." + +"Unfortunate for you!" Croyden sympathized. "Your opportunity, for the +solitariness of two, will be limited." + +"I'll look to you for help!" Macloud answered. + +"Humph! You may look in vain. It depends on what she is--I'm not +sacrificing myself on the altar of general unattractiveness." Then he +laughed. "Rest easy, I'll fuss her to the limit. You shan't have her to +plead for an excuse." + +"An excuse for what?" + +"For not winning the Symphony in Blue." + +"You're overly solicitous. I'm not worried about the guest," Macloud +remarked. + +"There was a certain style about as much of her as I could see which +promised very well," Croyden remarked. "I think this would be a good +day to drop in for tea." + +"And if you find her something over sixty, you'll gallantly shove her +off on me, and preempt Miss Carrington. Oh! you're very kind." + +"She's not over sixty--and you know it. You're by no means as blind as +you would have me believe. In fact, now that I think of it, there was +something about her that seems familiar." + +"You're an adept in many things," laughed Macloud, "but, I reckon, +you're not up to recognizing a brown coat and a brown hat. I think I've +seen the combination once or twice before on a woman." + +"Well, what about tea-time--shall we go over?" demanded Croyden. + +"I haven't the slightest objection----" + +"Really!" + +"----to your going along with me--I'm expected!" + +"Oh! you're expected, are you! pretty soon it will be: 'Come over and +see us, won't you?'" + +"I trust so," said Macloud, placidly.--"But, as you're never coming +back to Northumberland, it's a bit impossible." + +"Oh! damn Northumberland!" said Croyden. + +"I've a faint recollection of having heard that remark before." + +"I dare say, it's popular there on smoky days." + +"Which is the same as saying it's popular there any time." + +"No, I don't mean that; Northumberland isn't half so bad as it's +painted. We may make fun of it--but we like it, just the same." + +"Yes, I suppose we do," said Macloud. "Though we get mighty sick of +seeing every scatterbrain who sets fire to the Great White Way branded +by the newspapers as a Northumberland millionaire. We've got our share +of fools, but we haven't a monopoly of them, by any means." + +"We had a marvelously large crop, however, running loose at one time, +recently!" laughed Croyden. + +"True!--and there's the reason for it, as well as the fallacy. Because +half a hundred light-weights were made millionaires over night, and, +top heavy, straightway went the devil's pace, doesn't imply that the +entire town is mad." + +"Not at all!" said Croyden. "It's no worse than any other big town--and +the fellows with unsavory reputations aren't representative. They just +came all in a bunch. The misfortune is, that the whole country saw the +fireworks, and it hasn't forgot the lurid display." + +"And isn't likely to very soon," Macloud responded, "with the whole +Municipal Government rotten to the core, councilmen falling over one +another in their eagerness to plead _nolle contendere_ and escape the +penitentiary, bankers in jail for bribery, or fighting extradition; and +graft! graft! graft! permeating every department of the civic life--and +published by the newspapers' broadcast, through the land, for all the +world to read, while the people, as a body, sit supine, and meekly +suffer the robbers to remain. The trouble with the Northumberlander is, +that so long as he is not the immediate victim of a hold up, he is +quiescent. Let him be touched direct--by burglary, by theft, by +embezzlement--and the yell he lets out wakes the entire bailiwick." + +"It's the same everywhere," said Croyden. + +"No, it's not,--other communities have waked up--Northumberland hasn't. +There is too much of the moneyed interest to be looked after; and the +councilmen know it, and are out for the stuff, as brazen as the +street-walker, and vastly more insistent.--I'm going in here, for some +cigarettes--when I come out, we'll change the talk to something less +irritating. I like Northumberland, but I despise about ninety-nine one +hundredths of its inhabitants." + +When he returned, Croyden was gazing after an automobile which was +disappearing in a cloud of dust. + +"Ever see a motor before?" he asked. + +Croyden did not hear him. "The fellow driving, unless I am mightily +fooled, is the same who stopped me on the street, in front of +Clarendon," he said. + +"That's interesting--any one with him?" + +"A woman." + +"A woman! You're safe!" said Macloud. "He isn't travelling around with +a petticoat--at least, if he's thinking of tackling you." + +"It isn't likely, I admit--but suppose he is?" + +The car was rapidly vanishing in the distance. Macloud nodded toward +it. + +"He is leaving here as fast as the wheels will turn." + +"I've got a very accurate memory for faces," said Croyden. "I couldn't +well be mistaken." + +"Wait and see. If it was he, and he has some new scheme, it will be +declared in due time. Nothing yet from the Government?" + +"No!" + +"It's a bluff! So long as they think you have the jewels, they will try +for them. There's Captain Carrington standing at his office door. +Suppose we go over." + +"Sitting up to grandfather-in-law!" laughed Croyden. "Distinctly +proper, sir, distinctly proper! Go and chat with him; I'll stop for +you, presently." + + * * * * * + +Meanwhile, the two women had continued on to Ashburton. + +"Did he recognize me?" Elaine asked, dropping her muff from before her +face, when they were past the two men. + +"I think not," answered Davila. + +"Did he give any indication of it?" + +"None, whatever." + +"It would make a difference in my--attitude toward him when we met!" +she smiled. + +"Naturally! a very great difference." Elaine was nervous, she saw. The +fact that Croyden did not come out and stop them, that he let them go +on, was sufficient proof that he had not recognized her. + +"You see, I am assuming that you know why I wanted to come to Hampton," +Elaine said, when, her greeting made to Mrs. Carrington, she had +carried Davila along to her room. + +"Yes, dear," Davila responded. + +"And you made it very easy for me to come." + +"I did as I thought you would want--and as I know you would do with me +were I in a similar position." + +"I'm sadly afraid I should not have thought of you, were you----" + +"Oh, yes, you would! If you had been in a small town, and Mr. Croyden +had told you of my difficulty----" + +"As _Mr. Macloud_ told you of mine--I see, dear." + +"Not exactly that," said Davila, blushing. "Mr. Macloud has been very +attentive and very nice and all that, you know, but you mustn't forget +there are not many girls here, and I'm convenient, and--I don't take +him seriously." + +"How does he take you?" Elaine asked. + +"I don't know--sometimes I think he does, and sometimes I think he +doesn't!" she laughed. "He is an accomplished flirt and difficult to +gauge." + +"Well, let me tell you one fact, for your information: there isn't a +more indifferent man in Northumberland. He goes everywhere, is in great +demand, is enormously popular, yet, I've never known him to have even +an affair. He is armor-plated--but he is a dear, a perfect dear, +Davila!" + +"I know it!" she said, with heightening color--and Elaine said no more, +then. + +"Shall you prefer to meet Mr. Croyden alone, for the first time, or in +company?" Davila asked. + +"I confess I don't know, but I think, however, it would be better to +have a few words with Colin, first--if it can be arranged." + +Miss Carrington nodded. "Mr. Macloud is to come in a moment before +luncheon, if he can find an excuse that will not include Mr. Croyden." + +"Is an excuse difficult to find--or is any, even, needed?" + +Elaine smiled. + +"He doesn't usually come before four--that's the tea hour in Hampton." + +"Tea!" exclaimed Elaine. "If you've got him into the tea habit, you can +do what you want with him--he will eat out of your hand." + +"I never tried him with tea," said Davila. "He chose a high ball the +first time--so it's been a high ball ever since." + +"With gratifying regularity?" + +"I admit it!" laughed Davila. + +Elaine sat down on the couch and put her arm about Davila. + +"These awful men!" she said. "But we shall be good friends, better +friends than ever, Davila, when you come to Northumberland to live." + +"That is just the question, Elaine," was the quick answer; "whether I +shall be given the opportunity, and whether I shall take it, if I am. I +haven't let it go so far, because I don't feel sure of him. Until I do, +I intend to keep tight hold on myself." + +"Do it--if you can. You'll find it much the happier way." + +Just before luncheon, Macloud arrived. + +"Bully for you!" was his greeting to Miss Cavendish. "I'm glad to see +you here." + +"Yes, I'm here, thanks to you," said Elaine--and Davila not being +present, she kissed him. + +"I'm more than repaid!" he said. + +"But you wish it were--another?" + +"No--but I wish the other--would, too!" he laughed. + +"Give her the chance, Colin." + +"You think I may dare?" eagerly. + +"You're not wont to be so timid," she returned. + +"I wish I had some of your bravery," he said. + +"Is it bravery?" she demanded. "Isn't it impetuous womanliness." + +"Not a bit! There isn't a doubt as to his feelings." + +"But there is a doubt as to his letting them control--I see." + +"Yes! And you alone can help him solve it--if any one can. And I have +great hopes, Elaine, great hopes!" regarding her with approving eyes. +"How any chap could resist you is inconceivable--I could not." + +"You could not at one time, you mean." + +"You gave me no encouragement,--so I must, perforce, fare elsewhere." + +"And now?" she asked. + +"How many love affairs have you come down here to settle?" he laughed. +"By the way, Croyden is impatient to come over this afternoon. The +guest in the trap with Miss Carrington has aroused his curiosity. He +could see only a long brown coat and a brown hat, but the muff before +your face, and his imagination, did the rest." + +"Does he suspect?" she inquired, anxiously. + +"That it's you? No! no! It's simply the country town beginning to tell +on him. He is curious about new guests, and Miss Carrington hadn't +mentioned your coming! He suggested, in a vague sort of way, that there +was something familiar about you, but he didn't attempt to +particularize. It was only a momentary idea." + +She looked her relief. + +"Shall you meet him alone?" + +"I think not--we shall all be present." + +"And _how_ shall you meet him?" + +"It depends on how he meets me." + +"I reckon you don't know much about it--haven't any plans?" + +"No, I haven't. Everything depends on the moment. He will know why I'm +here, and whether he is glad or sorry or displeased at my coming, I +shall know instantly. I shall then have my cue. It's absurd, this +notion of his, and why let it rule him and me! I've always got what I +wanted, and I'm going to get Geoffrey. A Queen of a Nation must propose +to a suitor, so why not a Queen of Money to a man less rich than +she--especially when she is convinced that that alone keeps them apart. +I shall give him a chance to propose to me first; several chances, +indeed!" she laughed. "Then, if he doesn't respond--I shall do it +myself." + + + + +XVII + +A HANDKERCHIEF AND A GLOVE + + +Miss Cavendish was standing behind the curtains in the window of her +room, when Croyden and Macloud came up the walk, at four o'clock. + +She was waiting!--not another touch to be given to her attire. Her +gown, of shimmering blue silk, clung to her figure with every movement, +and fell to the floor in suggestively revealing folds. Her dark hair +was arranged in simple fashion--the simplicity of exquisite +taste--making the fair face below it, seem fairer even than it was. She +was going to win this man. + +She heard them enter the lower hall, and pass into the drawing-room. +She glided out to the stairway, and stood, peering down over the +balustrade. She heard Miss Carrington's greeting and theirs--heard +Macloud's chuckle, and Croyden's quiet laugh. Then she heard Macloud +say: + +"Mr. Croyden is anxious to meet your guest--at least, we took her to be +a guest you were driving with this morning." + +"My guest is equally anxious to meet Mr. Croyden," Miss Carrington +replied. + +"Why does she tarry, then?" laughed Croyden. + +"Did you ever know a woman to be ready?" + +"You were." + +"I am the hostess!" she explained. + +"Mr. Croyden imagined there was something familiar about her," Macloud +remarked. + +"Do you mean you recognized her?" Miss Carrington asked. + +(Elaine strained her ears to catch his answer.) + +"She didn't let me have the chance to recognize her," said he--"she +wouldn't let me see her face." + +(Elaine gave a little sigh of relief.) + +"Wouldn't?" Miss Carrington interrogated. + +"At least, she didn't." + +"She couldn't have covered it completely--she saw you." + +"Don't raise his hopes too high!" Macloud interjected. + +"She can't--I'm on the pinnacle of expectation, now." + +"Humpty-Dumpty risks a great fall!" Macloud warned. + +"Not at all!" said Croyden. "If the guest doesn't please me, I'm going +to talk to Miss Carrington." + +"You're growing blase," she warned. + +"Is that an evidence of it?" he asked. "If it is, I know one who must +be too blase even to move," with a meaning glance at Macloud. + +A light foot-fall on the stairs, the soft swish of skirts in the +hallway, Croyden turned, expectantly--and Miss Cavendish entered the +room. + +There was an instant's silence. Croyden's from astonishment; the +others' with watching him. + +Elaine's eyes were intent on Croyden's face--and what she saw there +gave her great content: he might not be persuaded, but he loved her, +and he would not misunderstand. Her face brightened with a fascinating +smile. + +"You are surprised to see me, messieurs?" she asked, curtsying low. + +Croyden's eyes turned quickly to his friend, and back again. + +"I'm not so sure as to Monsieur Macloud," he said. + +"But for yourself?" + +"Surprised is quite too light a word--stunned would but meekly express +it." + +"Did neither of you ever hear me mention Miss Carrington?--We were +friends, almost chums, at Dobbs Ferry." + +"If I did, it has escaped me?" Croyden smiled. + +"Well, you're likely not to forget it again." + +"Did you know that I--that we were here?" + +"Certainly! I knew that you and Colin were both here," Elaine replied, +imperturbably. "Do you think yourself so unimportant as not to be +mentioned by Miss Carrington?" + +"What will you have to drink, Mr. Croyden?" Davila inquired. + +"A sour ball, by all means." + +"Is that a reflection on my guest?" she asked--while Elaine and Macloud +laughed. + +"A reflection on your guest?" he inflected, puzzled. + +"You said you would take a _sour_ ball." + +Croyden held up his hands. + +"I'm fussed!" he confessed. "I have nothing to plead. A man who mixes a +high ball with a sour ball is either rattled or drunk, I am not the +latter, therefore----" + +"You mean that my coming has rattled you?" Elaine inquired. + +"Yes--I'm rattled for very joy." + +She put her hands before her face. + +"Spare my blushes, Geoffrey!" + +"You could spare a few--and not miss them!" he laughed. + +"Davila, am I?" she demanded. + +"Are you what?" + +"Blushing?" + +"Not the slightest, dear." + +"Here's your sour ball!" said Macloud, handing him the glass. + +"Sweetened by your touch, I suppose!" + +"No! By the ladies' presence--God save them!" + +"Colin," said Croyden, as, an hour later, they walked back to +Clarendon, "you should have told me." + +"Should have told you what?" Macloud asked. + +"Don't affect ignorance, old man--you knew Elaine was coming." + +"I did--yesterday." + +"And that it was she in the trap." + +"The muff hid her face from me, too." + +"But you knew." + +"I could only guess." + +"Do you think it was wise to let her come?" Croyden demanded. + +"I had nothing to do with her decision. Miss Carrington asked her, she +accepted." + +"Didn't you give her my address?" + +"I most assuredly did not." + +Croyden looked at him, doubtfully. + +"I'm telling you the truth," said Macloud. "She tried to get your +address, when I was last in Northumberland, and I refused." + +"And then, she stumbles on it through Davila Carrington! The world _is_ +small. I reckon, if I went off into some deserted spot in Africa, it +wouldn't be a month until some fellow I knew, or who knows a mutual +friend, would come nosing around, and blow on me." + +"Are you sorry she came?" Macloud asked. + +"No! I'm not sorry she came--at least, not now, since she's here.--I'll +be sorry enough when she goes, however." + +"And you will let her go?" + +Croyden nodded. "I must--it's the only proper thing to do." + +"Proper for whom?" + +"For both!" + +"Would it not be better that _she_ should decide what is proper for +her?" + +"Proper for me, then." + +"Based on your peculiar notion of relative wealth between husband and +wife--without regard to what she may think on the subject. In other +words, have you any right to decline the risk, if she is willing to +undertake it?" + +"The risk is mine, not hers. She has the money. Her income, for three +months, about equals my entire fortune." + +"Can't you forget her fortune?" + +"And live at the rate of pretty near two hundred thousand dollars a +year?" Croyden laughed. "Could you?" + +"I think I could, if I loved the girl." + +"And suffer in your self-respect forever after?" + +"There is where we differ. You're inclined to be hyper-critical. If you +play _your_ part, you won't lose your self-respect." + +"It is a trifle difficult to do--to play my part, when all the world is +saying, 'he married her for her money,' and shows me scant regard in +consequence." + +"Why the devil need you care what the world says!" + +"I don't!" + +"What?" Macloud exclaimed. + +"I don't--the world may go hang. But the question is, how long can the +man retain the woman's esteem, with such a handicap." + +"Ah! that is easy! so long as he retains her love." + +"Rather an uncertain quantity." + +"It depends entirely on yourself.--If you start with it, you can hold +it, if you take the trouble to try." + +"You're a strong partisan!" Croyden laughed, as they entered +Clarendon. + +"And what are you?" Macloud returned. + +"Just what I should like to know----" + +"Well, I'll tell you what you are if you don't marry Elaine Cavendish," +Macloud interrupted--"You're an unmitigated fool!" + +"Assuming that Miss Cavendish would marry me." + +"You're not likely to marry her, otherwise," retorted Macloud, as he +went up the stairs. On the landing he halted and looked down at Croyden +in the hall below. "And if you don't take your chance, the chance she +has deliberately offered you by coming to Hampton, you are worse +than----" and, with an expressive gesture, he resumed the ascent. + +"How do you know she came down here just for that purpose?" Croyden +called. + +But all that came back in answer, as Macloud went down the hall and +into his room, was the whistled air from a popular opera, then running +in the Metropolis. + + "Ev'ry little movement has a meaning all its own, + Ev'ry thought and action----" + +The door slammed--the music ceased. + +"I won't believe it," Croyden reflected, "that Elaine would do anything +so utterly unconventional as to seek me out deliberately.... I might +have had a chance if--Oh, damn it all! why didn't we find the old +pirate's box--it would have clarified the whole situation." + +As he changed into his evening clothes, he went over the matter, +carefully, and laid out the line of conduct that he intended to +follow. + +He would that Elaine had stayed away from Hampton. It was putting him +to too severe a test--to be with her, to be subject to her alluring +loveliness, and, yet, to be unmoved. It is hard to see the luscious +fruit within one's reach and to refrain from even touching it. It grew +harder the more he contemplated it.... + +"It's no use fighting against it, here!" he exclaimed, going into +Macloud's room, and throwing himself on a chair. "I'm going to cut the +whole thing." + +"What the devil are you talking about?" Macloud inquired, pausing with +his waistcoat half on. + +"What the devil do you think I'm talking about?" Croyden demanded. + +"Not being a success at solving riddles, I give it up." + +"Oh, very well!" said Croyden. "Can you comprehend this:--I'm going to +leave town?" + +"Certainly--that's plain English. When are you going?" + +"To-morrow morning." + +"Why this suddenness?" + +"To get away quickly--to escape." + +"From Elaine?" + +Croyden nodded. + +Macloud smiled. + +"He is coming to it, at last," he thought. What he said was:--"You're +not going to be put to flight by a woman?" + +"I am.--If I stay here I shall lose." + +"You mean?" + +"I shall propose." + +"And be refused?" + +"Be accepted." + +"Most people would not call that _losing_," said Macloud. + +"I have nothing to do with most people--only, with myself." + +"It seems so!--even Elaine isn't to be considered." + +"Haven't we gone over all that?" + +"I don't know--but, if we have, go over it again." + +"You assume she came down here solely on my account--because I'm +here?" + +"I assume nothing," Macloud answered, with a quiet chuckle. "I said you +have a chance, and urged you not to let it slip. I should not have +offered any suggestion--I admit that----" + +"Oh, bosh!" Croyden interrupted. "Don't be so humble--you're rather +proud of your interference." + +"I am! Certainly, I am! I'm only sorry it is so unavailing." + +"Who said it was unavailing!" + +"You did!--or, at least, I inferred as much." + +"I'm not responsible for your inferences." + +"What are you responsible for?" asked Macloud. + +"Nothing! Nothing!--not even for my resolution--I haven't any--I can't +make any that holds. I'm worse than a weather-cock. Common sense bids +me go. Desire clamors for me to stay--to hasten over to Ashburton--to +put it to the test. When I get to Ashburton, common sense will be in +control. When I come away, desire will tug me back, again--and so on, +and so on--and so on." + +"You're in a bad way!" laughed Macloud. "You need a cock-tail, instead +of a weather-cock. Come on! if we are to dine at the Carringtons' at +seven, we would better be moving. Having thrown the blue funk, usual to +a man in your position, you'll now settle down to business." + +"To be or not to be?" + +"Let future events determine--take it as it comes," Macloud urged. + +"Sage advice!" returned Croyden mockingly. "If I let future events +decide for me, the end's already fixed." + +The big clock on the landing was chiming seven when they rang the bell +at Ashburton and the maid ushered them into the drawing-room. Mrs. +Carrington was out of town, visiting in an adjoining county, and the +Captain had not appeared. He came down stairs a moment later, and took +Macloud and Croyden over to the library. + +After about a quarter of an hour, he glanced at his watch a trifle +impatiently.--Another fifteen minutes, and he glanced at it again. + +"Caroline!" he called, as the maid passed the door. "Go up to Miss +Davila's room and tell her it's half-after-seven." + +Then he continued with the story he was relating. + +Presently, the maid returned; the Captain looked at her, +interrogatingly. + +"Mis' Davila, she ain' deah, no seh," said the girl. + +"She is probably in Miss Cavendish's room,--look, there, for her," the +Captain directed. + +"No, seh! I looks dyar--she ain' no place up stairs, and neither is +Mis' Cav'dish, seh. Hit's all dark, in dey rooms, seh, all dark." + +"Very singular," said the Captain. "Half-after-seven, and not here?" + +"They were here, two hours ago," said Croyden. "We had tea with them." + +"Find out from the other servants whether they left any word." + +"Dey didn', seh! no, seh! I ax'd dem, seh!" + +"Very singular, indeed! excuse me, sirs, I'll try to locate them." + +He went to the telephone, and called up the Lashiels, the Tilghmans, +the Tayloes, and all their neighbors and intimates, only to receive the +same answer: "They were not there, and hadn't been there that +afternoon." + +"This is amazing, sirs!" he exclaimed. "I will go up myself and see." + +"We are at your service, Captain Carrington," said Macloud +instantly.--"At your service for anything we can do." + +"They knew, of course, you were expected for dinner?" he asked, as he +led the way upstairs.--"I can't account for it." + +The Captain inspected his granddaughter's and Miss Cavendish's rooms, +Macloud and Croyden, being discreet, the rooms on the other side of the +house. They discovered nothing which would explain. + +"We will have dinner," said the Captain. "They will surely turn up +before we have finished." + +The dinner ended, however, and the missing ones had not returned. + +"Might they have gone for a drive?" Macloud suggested. + +The Captain shook his head. "The keys of the stable are on my desk, +which shows that the horses are in for the night. I admit I am at a +loss--however, I reckon they will be in presently, with an explanation +and a good laugh at us for being anxious." + +But when nine o'clock came, and then half-after-nine, and still they +did not appear, the men grew seriously alarmed. + +The Captain had recourse to the telephone again, getting residence +after residence, without result. At last he hung up the receiver. + +"I don't know what to make of it," he said, bewildered. "I've called +every place I can think of, and I can't locate them. What can have +happened?" + +"Let us see how the matter stands," said Macloud. "We left them here +about half-after-five, and, so far as can be ascertained, no one has +seen them since. Consequently, they must have gone out for a walk or a +drive. A drive is most unlikely, at this time of the day--it is dark +and cold. Furthermore, your horses are in the stable, so, if they went, +they didn't go alone--some one drove them. The alternative--a walk--is +the probable explanation; and that remits us to an accident as the +cause of delay. Which, it seems to me, is the likely explanation." + +"But if there were an accident, they would have been discovered, long +since; the walks are not deserted," the Captain objected. + +"Possibly, they went out of the town." + +"A young woman never goes out of town, unescorted," was the decisive +answer. "This is a Southern town, you know." + +"I suppose you don't care to telephone the police?" asked Croyden. + +"No--not yet," the Captain replied. "Davila would never forgive me, if +nothing really were wrong--besides, I couldn't. The Mayor's office is +closed for the night--we're not supposed to need the police after six +o'clock." + +"Then Croyden and I will patrol the roads, hereabout," said Macloud. + +"Good! I will go out the Queen Street pike a mile or two," the Captain +said. "You and Mr. Croyden can take the King Street pike, North and +South. We'll meet here not later than eleven o'clock. Excuse me a +moment----" + +"What do you make of it?" said Macloud. + +"It is either very serious or else it's nothing at all. I mean, if +anything _has_ happened, it's far out of the ordinary," Croyden +answered. + +"Exactly my idea--though, I confess, I haven't a notion what the +serious side could be. It's safe to assume that they didn't go into the +country--the hour, alone, would have deterred them, even if the danger +from the were not present, constantly, in Miss Carrington's mind. +On the other hand, how could anything have happened in the town which +would prevent one of them from telephoning, or sending a message, or +getting some sort of word to the Captain." + +"It's all very mysterious--yet, I dare say, easy of solution and +explanation. There isn't any danger of the one thing that is really +terrifying, so I'm not inclined to be alarmed, unduly--just +disquieted." + +At this moment Captain Carrington returned. + +"Here! take these," he said, giving each a revolver. "Let us hope there +won't be any occasion to use them, but it is well to be prepared." + +They went out together--at the intersection of Queen and King Streets, +they parted. + +"Remember! eleven o'clock at my house," said the Captain. "If any one +of us isn't there, the other two will know he needs assistance." + +Croyden went north on King Street. It was a chilly November night, with +frost in the air. The moon, in its second quarter and about to sink +into the waters of the Bay, gave light sufficient to make walking easy, +where the useless street lamps did not kill it with their timid +brilliancy. He passed the limits of the town, and struck out into the +country. It had just struck ten, when they parted--he would walk for +half an hour, and then return. He could do three miles--a mile and a +half each way--and still be at the Carrington house by eleven. He +proceeded along the east side of the road, his eyes busy lest, in the +uncertain light, he miss anything which might serve as a clue. For the +allotted time, he searched but found nothing--he must return. He +crossed to the west side of the road, and faced homeward. + +A mile passed--a quarter more was added--the feeble lights of the town +were gleaming dimly in the fore, when, beside the track, he noticed a +small white object. + +It was a woman's handkerchief, and, as he picked it up, a faint odor of +violets was clinging to it still. Here might be a clue--there was a +monogram on the corner, but he could not distinguish it, in the +darkness. He put it in his pocket and hastened on. A hundred feet +farther, and his foot hit something soft. He groped about, with his +hands, and found--a woman's glove. It, also, bore the odor of violets. + +At the first lamp-post, he stopped and examined the handkerchief--the +monogram was plain: E. C.--and violets, he remembered, were her +favorite perfume. He took out the glove--a soft, undressed kid +affair--but there was no mark on it to help him. He glanced at his +watch. His time had almost expired. He pushed the feminine trifles back +into his pocket, and hurried on. + +He was late, and when he arrived at Ashburton, Captain Carrington and +Macloud were just about to start in pursuit. + +"I found these!" he said, tossing the glove and the handkerchief on the +table--"on the west side of the road, about half a mile from town." + +Macloud picked them up. + +"The violets are familiar--and the handkerchief is Elaine's," said he. +"I recognize the monogram as hers." + +"What do you make of it?" Captain Carrington demanded. + +"Nothing--it passes me." + +His glance sought Croyden's. + +A shake of the head was his answer. + +The Captain strode to the telephone. + +"I'm going to call in our friends," he said. "I think we shall need +them." + + + + +XVIII + +THE LONE HOUSE BY THE BAY + + +When Croyden and Macloud left the Carrington residence that evening, +after their call and tea, Elaine and Davila remained for a little while +in the drawing-room rehearsing the events of the day, as women will. +Presently, Davila went over to draw the shades. + +"What do you say to a walk before we dress for dinner?" she inquired. + +"I should like it, immensely," Elaine answered. + +They went upstairs, changed quickly to street attire, and set out. + +"We will go down to the centre of the town and back," said Davila. +"It's about half a mile each way, and there isn't any danger, so long +as you keep in the town. I shouldn't venture beyond it unescorted, +however, even in daylight." + +"Why?" asked Elaine. "Isn't Hampton orderly?" + +"Hampton is orderly enough. It's the curse that hangs over the South +since the Civil War: the ." + +"Oh! I understand," said Elaine, shuddering. + +"I don't mean that all black men are bad, for they are not. Many are +entirely trustworthy, but the trustworthy ones are much, very much, in +the minority. The vast majority are worthless--and a worthless +is the worst thing on earth." + +"I think I prefer only the lighted streets," Elaine remarked. + +"And you will be perfectly safe there," Davila replied. + +They swung briskly along to the centre of the town--where the two main +thoroughfares, King and Queen Streets, met each other in a wide circle +that, after the fashion of Southern towns, was known, incongruously +enough, as "The Diamond." Passing around this circle, they retraced +their steps toward home. + +As they neared Ashburton, an automobile with the top up and side +curtains on shot up behind them, hesitated a moment, as though +uncertain of its destination and then drew up before the Carrington +place. Two men alighted, gave an order to the driver, and went across +the pavement to the gate, while the engine throbbed, softly. + +Then they seemed to notice the women approaching, and stepping back +from the gate, they waited. + +"I beg your pardon!" said one, raising his hat and bowing, "can you +tell me if this is where Captain Carrington lives?" + +"It is," answered Davila. + +"Thank you!" said the man, standing aside to let them pass. + +"I am Miss Carrington--whom do you wish to see?" + +"Captain Carrington, is he at home?" + +"I do not know--if you will come in, I'll inquire." + +"You're very kind!" with another bow. + +He sprang forward and opened the gate. Davila thanked him with a smile, +and she and Elaine went in, leaving the strangers to follow. + +The next instant, each girl was struggling in the folds of a shawl, +which had been flung over her from behind and wrapped securely around +her head and arms, smothering her cries to a mere whisper. In a trice, +despite their struggles--which, with heads covered and arms held close +to their sides, were utterly unavailing--they were caught up, tossed +into the tonneau, and the car shot swiftly away. + +In a moment, it was clear of the town, the driver "opened her up," and +they sped through the country at thirty miles an hour. + +"Better give them some air," said the leader. "It doesn't matter how +much they yell here." + +He had been holding Elaine on his lap, his arms keeping the shawl tight +around her. Now he loosed her, and unwound the folds. + +"You will please pardon the liberty we have taken," he said, as he +freed her, "but there are----" + +Crack! + +Elaine had struck him straight in the face with all her strength, and, +springing free, was on the point of leaping out, when he seized her +and forced her back, caught her arms in the shawl, which was still +around her, and bound them tight to her side. + +"Better be a little careful, Bill!" he said. "I got an upper cut on the +jaw that made me see stars." + +"I've been very easy with mine," his companion returned. "She'll not +hand me one." However, he took care not to loosen the shawl from her +arms. "There you are, my lady, I hope you've not been greatly +inconvenienced." + +"What do you mean by this outrage?" said Davila. + +"Don't forget, Bill!--mum's the word!" the chief cautioned. + +"At least, you can permit us to sit on the floor of the car," said +Elaine. "Whatever may be your scheme, it's scarcely necessary to hold +us in this disgusting position." + +"Will you make no effort to escape?" the chief asked. + +"No!" + +"I reckon that is a trifle overstated!" he laughed. "What about you, +Miss Carrington?" + +Davila did not answer--contenting herself with a look, which was far +more expressive than words. + +"Well, we will take pleasure in honoring your first request, Miss +Cavendish." + +He caught up a piece of rope, passed it around her arms, outside the +shawl, tied it in a running knot, and quietly lifted her from his lap +to the floor. + +"I trust that is satisfactory?" he asked. + +"By comparison, eminently so." + +"Thank you!" he said. "Do you, Miss Carrington, wish to sit beside your +friend?" + +"If you please!" said Davila, with supreme contempt. + +He took the rope and tied her, likewise. + +"Very good, Bill!" he said, and they placed her beside Elaine. + +"If you will permit your legs to be tied, we will gladly let you have +the seat----" + +"No!----" + +"Well, I didn't think you would--so you will have to remain on the +floor; you see, you might be tempted to jump, if we gave you the +seat." + +They were running so rapidly, through the night air, that the country +could scarcely be distinguished, as it rushed by them. To Elaine, it +was an unknown land. Davila, however, was looking for something she +could recognize--some building that she knew, some stream, some +topographical formation. But in the faint and uncertain moonlight, +coupled with the speed at which they travelled, she was baffled. The +chief observed, however. + +"With your permission!" he said, and taking two handkerchiefs from his +pocket, he bound the eyes of both. + +"It is only for a short while," he explained--"matter of an hour or +so, and you suffer no particular inconvenience, I trust." + +Neither Elaine nor Davila condescended to reply. + +After a moment's pause, the man went on: + +"I neglected to say--and I apologize for my remissness--that you need +fear no ill-treatment. You will be shown every consideration--barring +freedom, of course--and all your wants, within the facilities at our +command, will be gratified. Naturally, however, you will not be +permitted to communicate with your friends." + +"How nice of you!" said Elaine. "But I should be better pleased if you +would tell us the reason for this abduction." + +"That, I regret, I am not at liberty to discuss." + +"How long are we to remain prisoners?" demanded Davila. + +"It depends." + +"Upon what?" + +"Upon whether something is acceded to." + +"By whom?" + +"I am not at liberty to say." + +"And if it is not acceded to?" Elaine inquired. + +"In that event--it would be necessary to decide what should be done +with you." + +"Done with us! What do you mean to imply?" + +"Nothing!--the time hasn't come to imply--I hope it will not come." + +"Why?" said Davila. + +"Because." + +"Because is no reason." + +"It is a woman's reason!" said he, laughing lightly. + +"Do you mean that your failure would imperil our lives?" + +"Something like it?" he replied, after a moment's thought. + +"Our lives!" Davila cried. "Do you appreciate what you are saying!" + +The man did not answer. + +"Is it possible you mean to threaten our lives?" Davila persisted. + +"I threaten nothing--yet." + +"Oh, you threaten nothing, yet!" she mocked. "But you will threaten, +if----" + +"Exactly! if--you are at liberty to guess the rest." + +"I don't care to guess!" she retorted. "Do you appreciate that the +whole Eastern Shore will be searching for us by morning--and that, if +the least indignity is offered us, your lives won't be worth a penny?" + +"We take the risk, Miss Carrington," replied the man, placidly. + +Davila shrugged her shoulders, and they rode in silence, for half an +hour. + +Then the speed of the car slackened, they ran slowly for half a mile, +and stopped. The chief reached down, untied the handkerchiefs, and +sprang out. + +"You may descend," he said, offering his hand. + +Elaine saw the hand, and ignored it; Davila refused even to see the +hand. + +They could make out, in the dim light, that they were before a long, +low, frame building, with the waters of the Bay just beyond. A light +burned within, and, as they entered, the odor of cooking greeted them. + +"Thank goodness! they don't intend to starve us!" said Elaine. "I +suppose it's scarcely proper in an abducted maiden, but I'm positively +famished." + +"I'm too enraged to eat," said Davila. + +"Are you afraid?" Elaine asked. + +"Afraid?--not in the least!" + +"No more am I--but oughtn't we be afraid?" + +"I don't know! I'm too angry to know anything." + +They had been halted on the porch, while the chief went in, presumably, +to see that all was ready for their reception. Now, he returned. + +"If you will come in," he said, "I will show you to your apartment." + +"Prison, you mean," said Davila. + +"Apartment is a little better word, don't you think?" said he. +"However, as you wish, Miss Carrington, as you wish! We shall try to +make you comfortable, whatever you may call your temporary +quarters.--These two rooms are yours," he continued, throwing open the +door. "They are small, but quiet and retired; you will not, I am sure, +be disturbed. Pardon me, if I remove these ropes, you will be less +hampered in your movements. There! supper will be served in fifteen +minutes--you will be ready?" + +"Yes, we shall be ready," said Elaine, and the man bowed and retired. +"He has some manners!" she reflected. + +"They might be worse," Davila retorted. + +"Which is some satisfaction," Elaine added. + +"Yes!--and we best be thankful for it." + +"The rooms aren't so bad," said Elaine, looking around. + +"We each have a bed, and a bureau, and a wash-stand, and a couple of +chairs, a few chromos, a rug on the floor--and bars at the window." + +"I noticed the bars," said Davila. + +Elaine crossed to her wash-stand. + +"They've provided us with water, so we may as well use it," she said. +"I think my face needs--Heavens! what a sight I am!" + +"Haven't you observed the same sight in me?" Davila asked. "I've lost +all my puffs, I know--and so have you--and your hat is a trifle awry." + +"Since we're not trying to make an impression, I reckon it doesn't +matter!" laughed Elaine. "We will have ample opportunity to put them to +rights before Colin and Geoffrey see us." + +She took off her hat, pressed her hair into shape, replaced a few pins, +dashed water on her face, and washed her hands. + +"Now," she said, going into the other room where Miss Carrington was +doing likewise, "if I only had a powder-rag, I'd feel dressed." + +Davila turned, and, taking a little book, from the pocket of her coat, +extended it. + +"Here is some Papier Poudre," she said. + +"You blessed thing!" Elaine exclaimed, and, tearing out a sheet, she +rubbed it over her face. "Is my nose shiny?" she ended. + +A door opened and a young girl appeared, wearing apron and cap. + +"The ladies are served!" she announced. + +The two looked at each other and laughed. + +"This is quite some style!" Davila commented. + +"It is, indeed!" said Elaine as she saw the table, with its candles and +silver (plated, to be sure), dainty china, and pressed glass. + +"If the food is in keeping, I think we can get along for a few days. We +may as well enjoy it while it lasts." + +Davila smiled. "You always were of a philosophic mind." + +"It's the easiest way." + +She might have added, that it was the only way she knew--her wealth +having made all roads easy to her. + +The meal finished, they went back to their apartment, to find the bed +turned down for the night, and certain lingerie, which they were +without, laid out for them. + +"Better and better!" exclaimed Elaine. "You might think this was a +hotel." + +"Until you tried to go out." + +"We haven't tried, yet--wait until morning." A pack of cards was on the +table. "See how thoughtful they are! Come, I'll play you Camden for a +cent a point." + +"I can't understand what their move is?" said Davila, presently. "What +can they hope to accomplish by abducting us--or me, at any rate. It +seems they don't want anything from us." + +"I make it, that they hope to extort something, from a third party, +through us--by holding us prisoners." + +"Captain Carrington has no money--it can't be he," said Davila, "and +yet, why else should they seize me?" + +"The question is, whose hand are they trying to force?" reflected +Elaine. "They will hold us until something is acceded to, the man said. +Until _what_ is acceded to, and _by whom_?" + +"You think that we are simply the pawns?" asked Davila. + +"Undoubtedly!" + +"And if it isn't acceded to, they will kill us?" + +"They will doubtless make the threat." + +"Pleasant prospect for us!" + +"We won't contemplate it, just yet. They may gain their point, or we may +be rescued; in either case, we'll be saved from dying!" Elaine laughed. +"And, at the worst, I may be able to buy them off--to pay our own +ransom. If it's money they want, we shall not die, I assure you." + +"You would pay what they demand?" Davila asked, quickly. + +"If I have to choose between death and paying, I reckon I'll pay." + +"But can you pay?" + +"Yes, I think I can pay," she said quietly. "I'm not used to boasting +my wealth, but I can draw my check for a million, and it will be +honored without a moment's question. Does that make you feel easier, my +dear?" + +"Considerably easier," said Davila, with a glad laugh. "I couldn't draw +my check for much more than ten thousand cents. I am only----" She +stopped, staring. + +"What on earth is the matter, Davila?" Elaine exclaimed. + +"I have it!--it's the thieves!" + +"Have you suddenly lost your mind?" + +"No! I've found it! I've come out of my trance. It's Parmenter's +chest." + +"Parmenter's chest?" echoed Elaine. "I reckon I must be in a trance, +also." + +"Hasn't Mr. Croyden told you--or Mr. Macloud?" + +"No!" + +"Then maybe I shouldn't--but I will. Parmenter's chest is a fortune in +jewels." + +"A what?" + +"A fortune in jewels, which Mr. Croyden has searched for and not +found--and the thieves think----" + +"You would better tell me the story," said Elaine, pushing back the +cards. + +And Davila told her.... + +"It is too absurd!" laughed Elaine, "those rogues trying to force +Geoffrey to divide what he hasn't got, and can't find, and we abducted +to constrain him. He couldn't comply if he wanted to, poor fellow!" + +"But they will never believe it," said Davila. + +"And, meanwhile, we suffer. Well, if we're not rescued shortly, I can +advance the price and buy our freedom. They want half a million. Hum! I +reckon two hundred thousand will be sufficient--and, maybe, we can +compromise for one hundred thousand. Oh! it's not so bad, Davila, it's +not so bad!" + +She smiled, shrewdly. Unless she were wofully mistaken, this abduction +would release her from the embarrassment of declaring herself to +Geoffrey. She could handle the matter, now. + +"What is it?" asked Davila. "Why are you smiling so queerly?" + +"I was thinking of Colin and Geoffrey--and how they are pretty sure to +know their minds when this affair is ended." + +"You mean?" + +"Exactly! I mean, if this doesn't bring Colin to his senses, he is +hopeless." + +"And Mr. Croyden?" Davila queried. "How about him?" + +"He will surrender, too. All his theoretical notions of relative wealth +will be forgotten. I've only to wait for rescue or release. On the +whole, Davila, I'm quite satisfied with being abducted. Moreover, it is +an experience which doesn't come to every girl." She looked at her +friend quizzically. "What are you going to do about Colin? I rather +think you should have an answer ready; the circumstances are apt to +make him rather precipitate." + +The next morning after breakfast, which was served in their rooms, +Elaine was looking out through the bars on her window, trying to get +some notion of the country, when she saw, what she took to be, the +chief abductor approaching. He was a tall, well-dressed man of middle +age, with the outward appearance of a gentleman. She looked at him a +moment, then rang for the maid. + +"I should like to have a word with the man who just came in," she +said. + +"I will tell him, Miss." + +He appeared almost immediately, an inquiring look on his face. + +"How can I serve you, Miss Cavendish?" he said, deferentially. + +"By permitting us to go out for some air--these rooms were not +designed, apparently, for permanent residence." + +"It can be arranged," he answered. "When do you wish to go?" + +"At once!" + +"Very good!" he said. "You will have no objection to being attended, to +make sure you don't stray off too far, you know?" + +"None whatever, if the attendant remains at a reasonable distance." + +He bowed and stood aside. + +"You may come," he said. + +"Is the locality familiar?" Elaine asked, when they were some distance +from the house. + +Davila shook her head. "It is south of Hampton, I think, but I can't +give any reason for my impression. The car was running very rapidly; we +were, I reckon, almost two hours on the way, but we can't be more than +fifty miles away." + +"If they came direct--but if they circled, we could be much less," +Elaine observed. + +"It's a pity we didn't think to drop something from the car to inform +our friends which way to look for us." + +"I did," said Elaine. "I tossed out a handkerchief and a glove a short +distance from Hampton--just as I struck that fellow. The difficulty is, +there isn't any assurance we kept to that road. Like as not, we started +north and ended east or south of town. What is this house, a fishing +club?" + +"I rather think so. There is a small wharf, and a board-walk down to +the Bay, and the house itself is one story and spread-out, so to +speak." + +"Likely it's a summer club-house, which these men have either rented or +preempted for our prison." + +"The country around here is surely deserted!" said Davila. + +"Hence, a proper choice for our temporary residence." + +"I can't understand the care they are taking of us--the deference with +which we are treated, the food that is given us." + +"Parmenter's treasure, and the prize they think they're playing for, +has much to do with it. We are of considerable value, according to +their idea." + +After a while, they went back to the house. The two men, who had +remained out of hearing, but near enough to prevent any attempt to +escape, having seen them safely within, disappeared. As they passed +through the hall they encountered the chief. He stepped aside. + +"You enjoyed your walk, I trust?" he said. + +Davila nodded curtly. Elaine stopped. + +"I feel sorry for you!" she said, smiling. + +"You are very kind," he replied. "But why?" + +"You are incurring considerable expense for nothing." + +He grinned. "It is a very great pleasure, I assure you." + +"You are asking the impossible," she went on. "Mr. Croyden told you +the simple truth. He _didn't_ find the Parmenter jewels." + +The man's face showed his surprise, but he only shrugged his shoulders +expressively, and made no reply. + +"I know you do not believe it--yet it's a fact, nevertheless. Mr. +Croyden couldn't pay your demands, if he wished. Of course, we enjoy +the experience, but, as I said, it's a trifle expensive for you." + +The fellow's grin broadened. + +"You're a good sport!" he said--"a jolly good sport! But we're dealing +with Mr. Croyden and Mr. Macloud, so, you'll pardon me if I decline to +discuss the subject." + + + + +XIX + +ROBERT PARMENTER'S SUCCESSORS + + +In half-an-hour from the time Captain Carrington strode to the +telephone to arouse his friends, all Hampton had the startling news: +Davila Carrington and her guest, Miss Cavendish, had disappeared. + +How, when, and where, it could not learn, so it supplied the deficiency +as best pleased the individual--by morning, the wildest tales were +rehearsed and credited. + +The truth was bad enough, however. Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish +were not in the town, nor anywhere within a circuit of five miles. +Croyden, Macloud, all the men in the place had searched the night +through, and without avail. Every horse, and every boat had been +accounted for. It remained, that they either had fallen into the Bay, +or had gone in a strange conveyance. + +Croyden and Macloud had returned to Clarendon for a bite of +breakfast--very late breakfast, at eleven o'clock. They had met by +accident, on their way to the house, having come from totally different +directions of search. + +"It's Parmenter again!" said Croyden, suddenly. + +"It's what?" said Macloud. + +"Parmenter:--Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. The lawyer villain has +reappeared. I told you it was he I saw, yesterday, driving the +automobile." + +"I don't quite understand why they selected Elaine and Miss Carrington +to abduct," Macloud objected, after a moment's consideration. "Why +didn't they take you?" + +"Because they thought we would come to time more quickly, if they took +the women. They seem to be informed on everything, so, we can assume, +they are acquainted with your fondness for Miss Carrington and mine for +Elaine. Or, it's possible they thought that we both were interested in +Davila--for I've been with her a lot this autumn--and then, at the +pinch, were obliged to take Elaine, also, because she was with her and +would give the alarm if left behind." + +"A pretty fair scheme," said Macloud. "The fellow who is managing this +business knew we would do more for the women than for ourselves." + +"It's the same old difficulty--we haven't got Parmenter's treasure, but +they refuse to be convinced." + +The telephone rang, and Croyden himself answered it. + +"Captain Carrington asks that we come over at once," he said, hanging +up the receiver. "The Pinkerton men have arrived." + +They finished their breakfast and started. Half way to the gate, they +met the postman coming up the walk. He handed Croyden a letter, faced +about and trudged away. + +Croyden glanced at it, mechanically tore open the envelope, and drew it +out. As his eyes fell on the first line, he stopped, abruptly. + +"Listen to this!" he said. + + "On Board The Parmenter, + "Pirate Sloop of War, + "Off the Capes of the Chesapeake. + + "Dear Sir:-- + + "It seems something is required to persuade you that we mean + business. Therefore, we have abducted Miss Carrington and her + friend, Miss Cavendish, in the hope that it will rouse you to a + proper realization of the eternal fitness of things, and of our + intention that there shall be a division of the jewels--or their + value in money. Our attorney had the pleasure of an interview + with you, recently, at which time he specified a sum of two + hundred and fifty thousand dollars, as being sufficient. A + further investigation of the probable value of the jewels, having + convinced us that we were in slight error as to their present + worth, induces us to reduce the amount, which we claim as our + share, to two hundred thousand dollars. This is the minimum of + our demand, however, and we have taken the ladies, aforesaid, as + security for its prompt payment. + + "They will be held in all comfort and respect (if no effort at + rescue be attempted--otherwise we will deal with them as we see + fit), for the period of ten days from the receipt of this letter, + which will be at noon to-morrow. If the sum indicated is not + paid, they will, at the expiration of the ten days, be turned + over to the tender mercies of the crew.--Understand? + + "As to the manner of payment--You, yourself, must go to + Annapolis, and, between eleven and twelve in the morning, proceed + to the extreme edge of Greenberry Point and remain standing, in + full view from the Bay, for the space of fifteen minutes. You + will, then, face about, step ten paces, and bury the money, which + must be in thousand dollar bills, under a foot of sand. You will + then, immediately, return to Annapolis and take the first car to + Baltimore, and, thence, to Hampton. + + "In the event that you have not reduced the jewels to cash, we + will be content with such a division as will insure us a moiety + thereof. It will be useless to try deception concerning + them,--though a few thousand dollars, one way or the other, won't + matter. When you have complied with these terms, the young women + will be released and permitted to return to Hampton. If not--they + will wish they were dead, even before they are. We are, sir, with + deep respect, + + "Y'r h'mbl. and ob'dt. serv'ts, + + "Robert Parmenter's Successors. + + "Geoffrey Croyden, Esq'r. + "Hampton, Md." + +"Where was it mailed?" Macloud asked. + +Croyden turned over the envelope. It was postmarked Hampton, 6.30 A.M., +of that day. + +"Which implies that it was mailed some time during the night," said +he. + +"What do you make of it?" + +"Do you mean, will they carry out their threat?" + +Croyden nodded. + +"They have been rather persistent," Macloud replied. + +"It's absurd!" Croyden exclaimed. "We haven't the jewels. Damn +Parmenter and his infernal letter!" + +"Parmenter is not to blame," said Macloud. "Damn the thieves." + +"And damn my carelessness in letting them pick my pocket! there lies +the entire difficulty." + +"Well, the thing, now, is to save the women--and how?" + +"Pay, if need be!" exclaimed Croyden. "The two hundred thousand I got +for the Virginia Development bonds will be just enough." + +Macloud nodded. "I'm in for half, old man. Aside from any personal +feelings we may have for the women in question," he said, with a +serious sort of smile, "we owe it to them--they were abducted solely +because of us--to force us to disgorge." + +"I'm ready to pay the cash at once." + +"Don't be hasty!" Macloud cautioned. "We have ten days, and the police +can take a try at it." + +"_That_, for the police!" said Croyden, snapping his fingers. "They're +all bunglers--they will be sure to make a mess of it, and, then, no man +can foresee what will happen. It's not right to subject the women to +the risk. Let us pay first, and punish after--if we can catch the +scoundrels. How long do you think Henry Cavendish will hesitate when he +learns that Elaine has been abducted, and the peril which menaces +her?" + +"Thunder! we have clean forgot her father!" exclaimed Macloud. "He +should be informed at once." + +"Just what he shouldn't be," Croyden returned. "What is the good in +alarming him? Free her--then she may tell him, or not, as it pleases +her." + +Macloud held out his hand. + +"Done!" he said. "Our first duty _is_ to save the women, the rest can +bide until they are free. How about the money? Are your stocks readily +convertible? If not, I'll advance your share." + +"Much obliged, old man," said Croyden, "but a wire will do it--they're +all listed on New York." + +"Will you lose much, if you sell now?" asked Macloud. He wished Croyden +would let him pay the entire amount. + +"Just about even; a little to the good, in fact," was the answer. + +And Macloud said no more--he knew it was useless. + +At Ashburton, they found Captain Carrington pacing the long hall, in +deep distress--uncertain what course to pursue, because there was no +indication as to what had caused the disappearance. He turned, as the +two men entered. + +"The detectives are quizzing the servants in the library," he said. "I +couldn't sit still.--You have news?" he exclaimed, reading Croyden's +face. + +"I have!" said Croyden, and gave him the letter. + +He seized it. As he read, concern, perplexity, amazement, anger, all +showed in his countenance. + +"They have been abducted!--Davila and Miss Cavendish, and are held for +ransom!--a fabulous ransom, which you are asked to pay," he said, +incredulously. "So much, at least, is intelligible. But why? why? Who +are Robert Parmenter's Successors?--and who was he? and the jewels?--I +cannot understand----" + +"I'm not surprised," said Croyden. "It's a long story--too long to +tell--save that Parmenter was a pirate, back in 1720, who buried a +treasure on Greenberry Point, across the Severn from Annapolis, you +know, and died, making Marmaduke Duval his heir, under certain +conditions. Marmaduke, in turn, passed it on to his son, and so on, +until Colonel Duval bequeathed it to me. We searched--Mr. Macloud and +I--for three weeks, but did not find it. Our secret was chanced upon by +two rogues, who, with their confederates, however, are under the +conviction we _did_ find it. They wanted a rake-off. I laughed at +them--and this abduction is the result." + +"But why abduct the women?" asked the old man. + +"Because they think I can be coerced more easily. They are under the +impression that I am--fond of Miss Carrington. At any rate, they know +I'm enough of a friend to pay, rather than subject her to the hazard." + +"Pay! I can't pay! My whole fortune isn't over twenty thousand dollars. +It I will gladly sacrifice, but more is impossible." + +"You're not to pay, my old friend," said Croyden. "Mr. Macloud and I +are the ones aimed at and we will pay." + +"I won't permit it, sir!" the Captain exclaimed. "There is no reason +for you----" + +"Tut! tut!" said Croyden, "you forget that we are wholly responsible; +but for us, Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish would not have been +abducted. The obligation is ours, and we will discharge it. It is our +plain, our very plain, duty." + +The old man threw up his hands in the extremity of despair. + +"I don't know what to do!" he said. "I don't know what to do!" + +"Do nothing--leave everything to us. We'll have Miss Carrington back in +three days." + +"And safe?" + +"And safe--if the letter is trustworthy, and I think it is. The police +can't do as well--they may fail entirely--and think of the possible +consequences! Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish are very handsome +women." + +"My God, yes!" exclaimed the Captain. "Anything but that! If they were +men, or children, it would be different--they could take some chances. +But women!"--He sank on a chair and covered his face with his hands. +"You must let me pay what I am able," he insisted. "All that I +have----" + +Croyden let his hand fall sympathizingly on the other's shoulder. + +"It shall be as you wish," he said quietly. "We will pay, and you can +settle with us afterward--our stocks can be converted instantly, you +see, while yours will likely require some time." + +The Captain pulled himself together and arose. + +"Thank you," he said. "I've been sort of unmanned--I'm better now. +Shall you show the detectives the letter--tell them we are going to pay +the amount demanded?" + +"I don't know," said Croyden, uncertainly. "What's your opinion, +Colin?" + +"Let them see the letter," Macloud answered, "but on the distinct +stipulation, that they make no effort to apprehend 'Robert Parmenter's +Successors' until the women are safely returned. They may pick up +whatever clues they can obtain for after use, but they must not do +anything which will arouse suspicion, even." + +"Why take them into our confidence at all?" asked Croyden. + +"For two reasons: It's acting square with them (which, it seems to me, +is always the wise thing to do). And, if they are not let in on the +facts, they may blunder in and spoil everything. We want to save the +women at the earliest moment, without any possible handicaps due to +ignorance or inadvertence." + +"But can we trust them?" Croyden asked, doubtfully. + +"It's the lesser of two evils." + +"We will have to explain the letter, its reference to the Parmenter +jewels, and all that it contains." + +"I can see no objection. We didn't find the treasure, and, I reckon, +they're welcome to search, if they think there is a chance." + +"Well, let it be exactly as you wish--you're quite as much concerned +for success as I am," said Croyden. + +"Possibly, more so," returned Macloud, seriously. + +And Croyden understood. + +Then, they went into the library. The two detectives arose at their +entrance. The one, Rebbert, was a Pinkerton man, the other, Sanders, +was from the Bureau at City Hall. Both were small men, with clean +shaven faces, steady, searching eyes, and an especially quiet manner. + +"Mr. Croyden," said Rebbert, "we have been questioning the servants, +but have obtained nothing of importance, except that the ladies wore +their hats and coats (at least, they have disappeared). This, with the +fact that you found Miss Cavendish's glove and handkerchief, on a road +without the limits of Hampton, leads to the conclusion that they have +been abducted. But why? Miss Carrington, we are informed, has no great +wealth--how as to Miss Cavendish?" + +"She has more than sufficient--in fact, she is very rich----" + +"Ah! then we _have_ a motive," said the detective. + +"There is a motive, but it is not Miss Cavendish," Croyden answered. +"You're correct as to the abduction, however--this will explain," and +he handed him the letter. + +The two men read it. + +"When did you receive this?" said one. + +"At noon to-day," replied Croyden, passing over the envelope. + +They looked carefully at the postmark. + +"Do you object to explaining certain things in this letter?" Rebbert +asked. + +"Not in the least," replied Croyden. "I'll tell you the entire +story.... Is there anything I have missed?" he ended. + +"I think not, sir." + +"Very well! Now, we prefer that you should take no measures to +apprehend the abductors, until after Miss Cavendish and Miss +Carrington have been released. We are going to pay the amount +demanded." + +"Going to pay the two hundred thousand dollars!" cried the detectives, +in one breath. + +Croyden nodded. "Afterward, you can get as busy as you like." + +A knowing smile broke over the men's faces, at the same instant. + +"You too think we found the treasure?" Croyden exclaimed. + +"It looks that way, sir," said Rebbert; while Sanders acquiesced, with +another smile. + +Croyden turned to Macloud and held up his hands, hopelessly. + +"If we only had!" he cried. "If we only had!" + + + + +XX + +THE CHECK + + +On the second morning after their abduction, when Elaine and Davila +arose, the sky was obscured by fog, the trees exuded moisture, and only +a small portion of the Bay was faintly visible through the mist. + +"This looks natural!" said Elaine. "We must have moved out to +Northumberland, in the night." + +Davila smiled, a feeble sort of smile. It was not a morning to promote +light-heartedness, and particularly under such circumstances. + +"Is this anything like Northumberland?" she asked. + +"Yes!--Only Northumberland is more so. For a misty day, this would be +remarkably fine.--With us, it's midnight at noon--all the lights +burning, in streets, and shops, and electric cars, bells jangling, +people rushing, pushing, diving through the dirty blackness, like +devils in hell. Oh, it's pleasant, when you get used to it.--Ever been +there?" + +"No," said Davila, "I haven't." + +"We must have you out--say, immediately after the holidays. Will you +come?" + +"I'll be glad to come, if I'm alive--and we ever get out of this awful +place." + +"It _is_ stupid here," said Elaine. "I thought there was something +novel in being abducted, but it's rather dreary business. I'm ready to +quit, are you?" + +"I was ready to quit before we started!" Davila laughed. + +"We will see what can be done about it. We'll have in the head jailer." +She struck the bell. "Ask the chief to be kind enough to come here a +moment," she said, to the girl who attended them. + +In a few minutes, he appeared--suave, polite, courteous. + +"You sent for me, Miss Cavendish?" he inquired. + +"I did. Sit down, please, I've something to say to you, Mr.----" + +"Jones, for short," he replied. + +"Thank you!" said Elaine, with a particularly winning smile. "Mr. +Jones, for short--you will pardon me, I know, if I seem unduly +personal, but these quarters are not entirely to our liking." + +"I'm very sorry, indeed," he replied. "We tried to make them +comfortable. In what are they unsatisfactory?--we will remedy it, if +possible." + +"We would prefer another locality--Hampton, to be specific." + +"You mean that you are tired of captivity?" he smiled. "I see your +point of view, and I'm hopeful that Mr. Croyden will see it, also, and +permit us to release you, in a few days." + +"It is that very point I wish to discuss a moment with you," she +interrupted. "I told you before, that Mr. Croyden didn't find the +jewels and that, therefore, it is impossible for him to pay." + +"You will pardon me if I doubt your statement.--Moreover, we are not +privileged to discuss the matter with you. We can deal only with Mr. +Croyden, as I think I have already intimated." + +"Then you will draw an empty covert," she replied. + +"That remains to be seen, as I have also intimated," said Mr. Jones, +easily. + +"But you don't want to draw an empty covert, do you--to have only your +trouble for your pains?" she asked. + +"It would be a great disappointment, I assure you." + +"You have been at considerable expense to provide for our +entertainment?" + +"Pray do not mention it!--it's a very great pleasure." + +"It would be a greater pleasure to receive the cash?" she asked. + +"Since the cash is our ultimate aim, I confess it would be equally +satisfactory," he replied. + +"Then why not tell me the amount?" + +He shook his head. + +"Such matters are for Mr. Croyden," he said. + +"Just assume that Mr. Croyden cannot pay," she insisted. "Are _we_ not +to be given a chance to find the cash?" + +"Mr. Croyden can pay." + +"But assume that he cannot," she reiterated, "or won't--it's the same +result." + +"In that event, you----" + +"Would be given the opportunity," she broke in. + +He bowed. + +"Then why not let us consider the matter in the first instance?" she +asked. "The money is the thing. It can make no difference to you whence +it comes--from Mr. Croyden or from me." + +"None in the world!" he answered. + +"And it would be much more simple to accept a check and to release us +when it is paid?" + +"Checks are not accepted in this business!" he smiled. + +"Ordinarily not, it would be too dangerous, I admit. But if it could be +arranged to your satisfaction, what then?" + +"I don't think it can be arranged," he replied. "The amount is much too +great." + +"And that amount is----" she persisted, smiling at him the while. + +"Two hundred thousand dollars," he replied. + +"With what per cent. off for cash?" + +"None--not a fraction of a penny!" + +She nodded, slightly. "Why can't it be arranged?" + +"You're thinking of paying it?" he asked, incredulously. + +"I want to know why you think it can't be arranged?" she repeated. + +"The danger of detection. No bank would pay a check for that amount to +an unknown party, without the personal advice of the drawer." + +"Not if it were made payable to self, and properly indorsed for +identification?" + +"I fear not." + +"You can try it--there's no harm in trying. You have a bank that knows +you?" + +"But scarcely for such large amounts." + +"What of it? You deposit the check for collection only. They will send +it through. When it's paid, they will pay you. If it's not paid, there +is no harm done--and we are still your prisoners. You stand to win +everything and lose nothing." + +The man looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. + +"The check will be paid?" he asked, presently. + +"If it isn't paid, you still have us," said Elaine. + +"It might be managed." + +"That is your part. If the check is presented, it will be paid--you may +rest easy, on that score." + +Jones resumed his contemplation of the ceiling. + +"But remember," she cautioned, "when it is paid, we are to be released, +instantly. No holding us for Mr. Croyden to pay, also. If we play +square with you, you must play square with us. I risk a fortune, see +that you make good." + +"Your check--it should be one of the sort you always use----" + +"I always carry a few blank checks in my handbag--and fortunately, I +have it with me. You were careful to wrap it in with my arms. I will +get it." + +She went into her room. In a moment she returned, the blank check in +her fingers, and handed it to him. It was of a delicate robin's-egg +blue, with "The Tuscarora Trust Company" printed across the face in a +darker shade, and her monogram, in gold, at the upper end. + +"Is it sufficiently individual to raise a presumption of regularity?" +she said. + +"Undoubtedly!" he answered. + +"Then, let us understand each other," she said. + +"By all means," he agreed. + +"I give you my check for two hundred thousand dollars, duly executed, +payable to my order, and endorsed by me, which, when paid, you, on +behalf of your associates and yourself, engage to accept in lieu of the +amount demanded from Mr. Croyden, and to release Miss Carrington and +myself forthwith." + +"There is one thing more," he said. "You, on your part, are to +stipulate that no attempt will be made to arrest us." + +"We will engage that _we_ will do nothing to apprehend you." + +"Directly or indirectly?" he questioned. + +"Yes!--more than that is not in our power. You will have to assume the +general risk you took when you abducted us." + +"We will take it," was the quiet answer. + +"Is there anything else?" she asked. + +"I think not--at least, everything is entirely satisfactory to us." + +"Despite the fact that it couldn't be made so!" she smiled. + +"I didn't know we had to deal with a woman of such business sense +and--wealth," he answered gallantly. + +She smiled. "If you will get me ink and pen, I will sign the check," +she said. + +She filled it in for the amount specified, signed and endorsed it. Then +she took, from her handbag, a correspondence card, embossed with her +initials, and wrote this note: + + "Hampton, Md. + "Nov. --'10. + + "My dear Mr. Thompson:-- + + "I have made a purchase, down here, and my check for Two Hundred + Thousand dollars, in consideration, will come through, at once. + Please see that it is paid, promptly. + + "Yours very sincerely, + + "Elaine Cavendish. + + "To James Thompson, Esq'r., "Treasurer, The Tuscarora Trust Co., + "Northumberland." + +She addressed the envelope and passed it and the card across to Mr. +Jones, together with the check. + +"If you will mail this, to-night, it will provide against any chance of +non-payment," she said. + +"You are a marvel of accuracy," he answered, with a bow. "I would I +could always do business with you." + +"At two hundred thousand the time? No! no! monsieur, I pray thee, no +more!" + +There was a knock on the door; the maid entered and spoke in a low tone +to Jones. He nodded. + +"I am sorry to inconvenience you again," he said, turning to them, "but +I must trouble you to go aboard the tug." + +"The tug--on the water?" Elaine exclaimed. + +"On the water--that is usually the place for well behaved tugs!" he +laughed. + +"Now!" Elaine persisted. + +"Now--before I go to deposit the check!" he smiled. "You will be safer +on the tug. There will be no danger of an escape or a rescue--and it +won't be for long, I trust." + +"Your trust is no greater than ours, I assure you," said Elaine. + +Their few things were quickly gathered, and they went down to the +wharf, where a small boat was drawn up ready to take them to the tug, +which was lying a short distance out in the Bay. + +"One of the Baltimore tugs, likely," said Davila. "There are scores of +them, there, and some are none too chary about the sort of business +they are employed in." + +"Witness the present!" commented Elaine. + +They got aboard without accident. Jones conducted them to the little +cabin, which they were to occupy together--an upper and a lower bunk +having been provided. + +"The maid will sleep in the galley," said he. "She will look after the +cooking, and you will dine in the small cabin next to this one. It's a +bit contracted quarters for you, and I'm sorry, but it won't be for +long--as we both trust, Miss Cavendish." + +"And you?" asked Elaine. + +"I go to deposit the check. I will have my bank send it direct for +collection, with instructions to wire immediately if paid. I presume +you don't wish it to go through the ordinary course." + +"Most assuredly not!" Elaine answered. + +"This is Thursday," said Jones. "The check, and your note, should reach +the Trust Company in the same mail to-morrow morning; they can be +depended upon to wire promptly, I presume?" + +"Undoubtedly!" + +"Then, we may be able to release you to-morrow night, certainly by +Saturday." + +"It can't come too soon for us." + +"You don't seem to like our hospitality," Jones observed. + +"It's excellent of its sort, but we don't fancy the sort--you +understand, monsieur. And then, too, it is frightfully expensive." + +"We have done the best we could under the circumstances," he smiled. +"Until Saturday at the latest--meanwhile, permit me to offer you a very +hopeful farewell." + +Elaine smiled sweetly, and Mr. Jones went out. + +"Why do you treat him so amiably?" Davila asked. "I couldn't, if I +would." + +"Policy," Elaine answered. "We get on better. It wouldn't help our case +to be sullen--and it might make it much worse. I would gladly shoot +him, and hurrah over it, too, as I fancy you would do, but it does no +good to show it, now--when we _can't_ shoot him." + +"I suppose not," said Davila. "But I'm glad I don't have to play the +part." She hesitated a moment. "Elaine, I don't know how to thank you +for my freedom----" + +"Wait until you have it!" the other laughed. "Though there isn't a +doubt of the check being paid." + +"My grandfather, I know, will repay you with his entire fortune, but +that will be little----" + +Elaine stopped her further words by placing a hand over her mouth, and +kissing her. + +"That's quite enough, dear!" she said. "Take it that the reward is for +my release, and that you were just tossed in for good measure--or, that +it is a slight return for the pleasure of visiting you--or, that the +money is a small circumstance to me--or, that it is a trifling sum to +pay to be saved the embarrassment of proposing to Geoffrey, +myself--or, take it any way you like, only, don't bother your pretty +head an instant more about it. In the slang of the day: 'Forget it,' +completely and utterly, as a favor to me if for no other reason." + +"I'll promise to forget it--until we're free," agreed Davila. + +"And, in the meantime, let us have a look around this old boat," said +Elaine. "You're nearer the door, will you open it? Two can't pass in +this room." + +Davila tried the door--it refused to open. + +"It's locked!" she said. + +"Oh, well! we will content ourselves with watching the Bay through the +port hole, and when one wants to turn around the other can crawl up in +her bunk. I'm going to write a book about this experience, some +time.--I wonder what Geoffrey and Colin are doing?" she +laughed--"running around like mad and stirring up the country, I +reckon." + + + + +XXI + +THE JEWELS + + +Macloud went to New York on the evening train. He carried Croyden's +power of attorney with stock sufficient, when sold, to make up his +share of the cash. He had provided for his own share by a wire to his +brokers and his bank in Northumberland. A draft would be awaiting him. +He would reduce both amounts to one thousand dollar bills and hurry +back to Annapolis to meet Croyden. + +But they counted not on the railroads,--or rather they did count on +them, and they were disappointed. A freight was derailed just south of +Hampton, tearing up the track for a hundred yards, and piling the right +of way with wreckage of every description. Macloud's train was twelve +hours late leaving Hampton. Then, to add additional ill luck, they ran +into a wash out some fifty miles further on; with the result that they +did not reach New York until after the markets were over and the banks +had closed for the day. + +He wired the facts to Croyden. The following day, he sold the stocks, +the brokers gave him the proceeds in the desired bills, after the +delivery hour, and he made a quick get-away for Annapolis, arriving +there at nine o'clock in the evening. + +Croyden was awaiting him, at Carvel Hall. + +"I'm sorry, for the girls' sake," said he, "but it's only a day lost. +We will deliver the goods to-morrow. And, then, pray God, they be freed +before another night! That lawyer thief is a rogue and a robber, but +something tells me he will play straight." + +"I reckon we will have to trust him," returned Macloud. "Where is the +Pinkerton man?" + +"He is in town. He will be over on the Point in the morning, disguised +as a and chopping wood, on the edge of the timber. There isn't +much chance of him identifying the gang, but it's the best we can do. +It's the girls first, the scoundrels afterward, if possible." + +At eleven o'clock the following day, Croyden, mounted on one of +"Cheney's Best," rode away from the hotel. There had been a sudden +change in the weather, during the night; the morning was clear and +bright and warm, as happens, sometimes, in Annapolis, in late November. +The Severn, blue and placid, flung up an occasional white cap to greet +him, as he crossed the bridge. He nodded to the draw-keeper, who +recognized him, drew aside for an automobile to pass, and then trotted +sedately up the hill, and into the woods beyond. + +He could hear the Band of the Academy pounding out a quick-step, and +catch a glimpse of the long line of midshipmen passing in review, +before some notable. The "custard and cream" of the chapel dome +obtruded itself in all its hideousness; the long reach of Bancroft Hall +glowed white in the sun; the library with its clock--the former, by +some peculiar idea, placed at the farthest point from the dormitory, +and the latter where the midshipmen cannot see it--dominated the +opposite end of the grounds. Everywhere was quiet, peace, and +discipline--the embodiment of order and law,--the Flag flying over +all. + +And yet, he was on his way to pay a ransom of very considerable amount, +for two women who were held prisoners! + +He tied his horse to a limb of a maple, and walked out on the Point. +Save for a few trees, uprooted by the gales, it was the same Point they +had dug over a few weeks before. A , chopping at a log, stopped +his work, a moment, to look at him curiously, then resumed his labor. + +"The Pinkerton man!" thought Croyden, but he made no effort to speak to +him. + +Somewhere,--from a window in the town, or from one of the numerous +ships bobbing about on the Bay or the River--he did not doubt a glass +was trained on him, and his every motion was being watched. + +For full twenty minutes, he stood on the extreme tip of the Point, and +looked out to sea. Then he faced directly around and stepped ten paces +inland. Kneeling, he quickly dug with a small trowel a hole a foot deep +in the sand, put into it the package of bills, wrapped in oil-skin, +and replaced the ground. + +"There!" said he, as he arose. "Pirate's gold breeds pirate's ways. May +we have seen the last of you--and may the devil take you all!" + +He went slowly back to his horse, mounted, and rode back to town. They +had done their part--would the thieves do theirs? + +Adhering strictly to the instructions, Croyden and Macloud left +Annapolis on the next car, caught the boat at Baltimore, and arrived in +Hampton in the evening, in time for dinner. They stopped a few minutes +at Ashburton, to acquaint Captain Carrington with their return, and +then went on to Clarendon. + +Both men were nervous. Neither wanted the other to know and each +endeavored to appear at ease. + +Croyden gave in first. He threw his cigarette into his coffee cup, and +pushed his chair back from the table. + +"It's no use, Colin!" he laughed. "You're trying to appear nonchalant, +and you're doing it very well, too, but you can't control your fingers +and your eyes--and neither can I, I fancy, though I've tried hard +enough, God knows! We are about all in! These four days of strain and +uncertainty have taken it all out of us. If I had any doubt as to my +affection for Elaine, it's vanished, now.----I don't say I'm fool +enough to propose to her, yet I'm scarcely responsible, at present. If +I were to see her this minute, I'd likely do something rash." + +"You're coming around to it, gradually," said Macloud. + +"Gradually! Hum! I don't know about the 'gradually.' I want to pull +myself together--to get a rein on myself--to--what are you smiling at; +am I funny?" + +"You are!" said Macloud. "I never saw a man fight so hard against his +personal inclinations, and a rich wife. You don't deserve her!--if I +were Elaine, I'd turn you down hard, hard." + +"Thank God! you're not Elaine!" Croyden retorted. + +"And hence, with a woman's unreasonableness and trust in the one she +loves, she will likely accept you." + +"How do you know she loves me?" + +Macloud blew a couple of smoke rings and watched them sail upward. + +"I suppose you're equally discerning as to Miss Carrington, and her +love for you," Croyden commented. + +"I regret to say, I'm not," said Macloud, seriously. "That is what +troubles me, indeed. Unlike my friend, Geoffrey Croyden, I'm perfectly +sure of my own mind, but I'm not sure of the lady's." + +"Then, why don't you find out?" + +"Exactly what I shall do, when she returns." + +"It's sure as fate!" said Croyden. + +"Thanks! We each seem to be able to answer the other's uncertainty," he +remarked, calmly. + +Presently, Macloud arose. + +"I'm going over to Ashburton, and talk with the Captain a little--sort +of cheer him up. Come along?" + +Croyden shook his head. + +"Go on!" said he. "It's a very good occupation for you, sitting up to +the old gent. I'll give you a chance by staying away, to-night. Make a +hit with grandpa, Colin, make a hit with grandpa!" + +"And you make a hit with yourself--get rid of your foolish theory, and +come down to simple facts," Macloud retorted, and he went out. + +"Get rid of your foolish theory," Croyden soliloquized. "Well, +maybe--but _is_ it foolish, that's the question? I'm poor, once +more--I've not enough even for Elaine Cavendish's husband--there's the +rub! she won't be Geoffrey Croyden's wife, it's I who will be Elaine +Cavendish's husband. 'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ dine with us +to-night!'--'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ were at the horse +show!' 'Elaine Cavendish _and her husband_ were here!--or there!--or +thus and so!'" + +He could not endure it. It would be too belittling, too disparaging of +self-respect.--Elaine Cavendish's husband!--Elaine Cavendish's +husband! Might he out-grow it--be known for himself? He glanced up at +the portrait of the gallant soldier of a lost cause, with the high-bred +face and noble bearing. + +"You were a brave man, Colonel Duval!" he said. "What would you have +done?" + +He took out a cigar, lit it very deliberately, and fell to thinking.... +Presently, worn out by fatigue and anxiety, he dozed.... + + * * * * * + +And as he dozed, the street door opened softly, a light step crossed +the hall, and Elaine Cavendish stood in the doorway. + +She was clad in black velvet, trimmed in sable. Her head was bare. A +blue cloak was thrown, with careless grace, about her gleaming +shoulders. One slender hand lifted the gown from before her feet. She +saw the sleeping man and paused, and a smile of infinite tenderness +passed across her face. + +A moment she hesitated, and at the thought, a faint blush suffused her +face. Then she glided softly over, bent and kissed him on the lips. + +He opened his eyes, and sprang up! Startled! She was there, before him, +the blush still on cheek and brow. + +"Elaine! sweetheart!" he cried. And, straightway took her, unresisting, +in his arms.... + +"Tell me all about yourself," he said, at last, drawing her down into +the chair and seating himself on the arm. "Where is Miss +Carrington--safe?" + +"Colin's with her--I reckon she's safe!" smiled Elaine. "It won't be +his fault if she isn't, I'm sure.--I left them at Ashburton, and came +over here to--you." + +"Alone!" said Croyden, bending over her. + +She nodded, eyes half downcast. + +"You foolish girl!" + +"I'll go back at once----" + +He laughed, joyously. + +"Not yet a little while!" and bent again. + +"Geoffrey! you're dreadful!" she exclaimed, half smothered. "My hair, +dear,--do be careful!" + +"I'll be good--if you will kiss me again!" he said. + +"But you're not asleep," she objected. + +"That's why I want it." + +"And you will promise--not to kiss me again?" + +"For half an hour." + +"Honest?" + +"Honest." + +She looked up at him tantalizingly, her red lips parted, her bosom +fluttering below. + +"If it's worth coming half way for, sweetheart--you may," she said.... + +"Now, if you're done with foolishness--for a little while," she said, +gayly, "I'll tell you how we managed to get free." + +"You know why you were abducted?" he asked. + +"Oh, yes!--the Parmenter jewels. Davila told me the story, and how you +didn't find them, though our abductors think you did, and won't believe +otherwise." + +"You suffered no hurt?" he asked, sharply. + +"None--we were most courteously treated; and they released us, as +quickly as the check was paid." + +"What do you mean?" he demanded. + +"I mean, that I gave them my check for the ransom money--you hadn't the +jewels, you couldn't comply with the demand. How do you suppose we got +free?" she questioned. + +"You paid the money?" he asked, again. + +"Certainly! I knew you couldn't pay it, so I did. Don't let us think of +it, dear!--It's over, and we have each other, now. What is money +compared to that?" Then suddenly she, woman-like, went straight back to +it. "How did you think we managed to get free--escaped?" she asked. + +"Yes!" he answered. "Yes--I never thought of your paying the money." + +She regarded him critically. + +"No!" she said, "you are deceiving me!--you are--_you_ paid the money, +also!" she cried. + +"What matters it?" he said joyfully. "What matters anything now? +Macloud and I _did_ pay the ransom to-day--but of what consequence is +it; whether you bought your freedom, or we bought it, or both bought +it? You and Davila are here, again--that's the only thing that +matters!" + +"Right you are! Geoffrey, right you are!" came Macloud's voice from the +hallway, and Davila and he walked into the room. + +Elaine, with a little shriek, sprang up. + +"Don't be bashful!" said Macloud. "Davila and I were occupying similar +positions at Ashburton, a short time ago. Weren't we, little girl?" as +he made a motion to put his arm around her. + +Davila eluded him--though the traitor red confirmed his words--and +sought Elaine's side for safety. + +"It's a pleasure only deferred, my dear!" he laughed. "By the way, +Elaine, how did Croyden happen to give in? He was shying off at your +wealth--said it would be giving hostages to fortune, and all that +rot." + +"Shut up, you beggar!" Croyden exclaimed. "I'm going to try to make +good." + +"Geoffrey," said Elaine, "won't you show us the old pirate's +letter--we're all interested in it, now." + +"Certainly, I will!" he said. "I'll show you the letter, and where I +found it, and anything else you want to see. Nothing is locked, +to-night." + +They went over to the escritoire. Croyden opened the secret drawer, and +took out the letter. + +"A Message from the Dead!" he said, solemnly, and handed it to Elaine. + +She carried it to the table, spread it out under the lamp, and Davila +and she studied it, carefully, even as Croyden and Macloud had +done--reading the Duval endorsements over and over again. + +"It seems to me there is something queer about these postscripts," she +said, at last; "something is needed to make them clear. Is this the +entire letter?--didn't you find anything else?" + +"Nothing!" said Croyden. + +"May I look?" she asked. + +"Most assuredly, sweetheart." + +"It's a bit dark in this hole. Let me have a match." + +She struck it, and peered back into the recess. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed. "Here is something!--only a corner visible." She +put in her hand. "It has slipped down, back of the false partition. +I'll get it, presently.--There!" + +She drew out a tiny sheet of paper, and handed it to Croyden. + +"Does that help?" she asked. + +Croyden glanced at it; then gave a cry of amazed surprise. + +"It does!" he said. "It does! It's the key to the mystery. Listen!" + +The rest crowded around him while he read: + + "Hampton, Maryland. + "5 Oct. 1738. + + "Memorandum to accompany the letter of Robert Parmenter, dated 10 + May 1738. + + "Whereas, it is stipulated by the said Parmenter that the Jewels + shall be used only in the Extremity of Need; and hence, as I have + an abundance of this world's Goods, that Need will, likely, not + come to me. And judging that Greenberry Point will change, in + time--so that my son or his Descendants, if occasion arise, may + be unable to locate the Treasure--I have lifted the Iron box, + from the place where Parmenter buried it, and have reinterred it + in the cellar of my House in Hampton, renewing the Injunction + which Parmenter put upon it, that it shall be used only in the + Extremity of Need. When this Need arise, it will be found in the + south-east corner of the front cellar. At the depth of two feet, + between two large stones, is the Iron box. It contains the + jewels, the most marvelous I have ever seen. + + "Marmaduke Duval." + +For a moment, they stood staring at one another too astonished to +speak. + +"My Lord!" Macloud finally ejaculated. "To think that it was here, all +the time!" + +Croyden caught up the lamp. + +"Come on!" he said. + +They trooped down to the cellar, Croyden leading the way. Moses was off +for the evening, they had the house to themselves. As they passed the +foot of the stairs, Macloud picked up a mattock. + +"Me for the digging!" he said. "Which is the south-east corner, +Davila?" + +"There, under those boxes!" said she. + +They were quickly tossed aside. + +"The ground is not especially hard," observed Macloud, with the first +stroke. "I reckon a yard square is sufficient.--At a depth of two feet +the memorandum says, doesn't it?" + +No one answered. Fascinated, they were watching the fall of the pick. +With every blow, they were listening for it to strike the stones. + +"Better get a shovel, Croyden, we'll need it," said Macloud, pausing +long enough, to throw off his coat.... "Oh! I forgot to say, I wired +the Pinkerton man to recover the package you buried this morning." + +Croyden only nodded--stood the lamp on a box, and returned with the +coal scoop. + +"This will answer, I reckon," he said, and fell to work. + +"It seems absurd!" remarked Macloud, between strokes. "To have hunted +the treasure, for weeks, all over Greenberry Point, and then to find it +in the cellar, like a can of lard or a bushel of potatoes." + +"You haven't found it, yet," Croyden cautioned. "And we've gone the +depth mentioned." + +"No! we haven't found it, yet!--but we're going to find it!" Macloud +answered, sinking the pick, viciously, in the ground, with the last +word. + +Crack! + +It had struck hard against a stone. + +"What did I tell you?" Macloud cried, sinking the pick in at another +place. + +Crack! + +Again, it struck! and again! and again! The fifth stroke laid the stone +bare--the sixth and seventh loosened it, still more--the eighth and +ninth completed the task. + +"Give me the shovel!" said he. + +When the earth was away and the stone exposed, he stooped and, putting +his fingers under the edges, heaved it out. + +"The rest is for you, Croyden!" and stepped aside. + +The iron box was found! + +For a moment, Croyden looked at it, rather dazedly. Could it be the +jewels were _there_!--within his reach!--under that lid! Suddenly, he +laughed!--gladly, gleefully, as a boy--and sprang down into the hole. + +The box clung to its resting place for a second, as though it was +reluctant to be disturbed--then it yielded, and Croyden swung it onto +the bank. + +"We'll take it to the library," he said, scraping it clean of the +adhering earth. + +And carrying it before them, like the Ark of the Covenant, they went +joyously up to the floor above. + +He placed it on the table under the chandelier, where all could see. It +was of iron, rusty with age; in dimension, about a foot square; and +fastened by a hasp, with the bar of the lock thrust through but not +secured. + +"Light the gas, Colin!--every burner," he said. "We'll have the full +effulgence, if you please."... + +For a little time, the lid resisted. Suddenly, it yielded. + +"Behold!" he heralded, and flung it back. + +The scintillations which leaped out to meet them, were like the rays +from myriads of gleaming, glistening, varicolored lights, of dazzling +brightness and infinite depth. A wonderful cavern of coruscating +splendor--rubies and diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, pearls and opals +glowing with all the fire of self, and the resentment of long neglect. + +"Heaven! What beauty!" exclaimed Davila. + +It broke the spell. + +"They are real!" Croyden laughed. "You may touch them--they will not +fade." + +They put them out on the table--in little heaps of color. The women +exclaiming whene'er they touched them, cooingly as a woman does when +handling jewels--fondling them, caressing them, loving them. + +At last, the box was empty. They stood back and gazed--fascinated by it +all:--the color--the glowing reds and whites, and greens and blues. + +"It is wonderful! wonderful!" breathed Elaine. + +"It is wonderful--and it's true!" said Croyden. + +Two necklaces lay among the rubies, alike as lapidary's art could make +them. Croyden handed one to Macloud, the other he took. + +"In remembrance of your release, and of Parmenter's treasure!" he said, +and clasped it around Elaine's fair neck. + +Macloud clasped his around Davila's. + +"Who cares, now, for the time spent on Greenberry Point or the double +reward!" he laughed. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the +author's words and intent. + + + *** \ No newline at end of file