A Coin of Edward VII: A Detective Story Read online

  CHAPTER XXV

  A CATASTROPHE

  About noon the next day Steel and Giles were on their way to Bilbao.This prompt following of Morley was due to the fertile resource of Ware.He remembered that a friend of his possessed a yacht which was atpresent lying in Dover Harbor. The friend, Lord Kingsbridge, fortunatelyhappened to be in London, and Giles wired an appointment. With Steel hewent up to Town on that same night and drove at once to the Wanderers'Club, where Kingsbridge was waiting for them. Giles explained thesituation, and secured the yacht at once. "The boat is quite ready tostart," said Kingsbridge. "All you have to do is to get steam up. I wasthinking of going on a cruise myself, and so had _The Firefly_ put inorder."

  "Why not come with us to Bilbao, my lord?"

  "Thank you, Mr. Steel, but I have to wait in town for a day or two, andtime is everything in this matter. If you take the first morning trainto Dover, you ought to be on your way to Spain in the afternoon. Whendid this other boat start?"

  "Yesterday afternoon from Gravesend," said Giles.

  "Well, my yacht's a quick one, so I daresay you will be able to catchthis other one before she gets to her destination. You'll have badweather, I fear," said Kingsbridge; "there's a storm getting up."

  "I don't care if it blows the world out of the solar system," cried Waresavagely; "I'm going to catch that man."

  "And the lady? Well, good luck to you, Ware."

  "Thank you, Kingsbridge. I shan't forget your kindness," replied theyoung man, and departed with Steel in hot haste.

  Thus it happened that the two found themselves on board _The Firefly_steaming for Bilbao at top speed. The boat was two hundred tons, yachtmeasurement, schooner-rigged fore and aft, with powerful engines andtwin screws. When all her furnaces were going she could smoke throughthe water at surprising speed, and her captain having receivedinstructions from Kingsbridge, drove her south for all she was worth. Hewas a pleasant young fellow called Calthorpe, and when he heard that thetrip was being made to rescue a lady took a personal interest in theaffair. He made up his mind to catch _The Red Cross_ before she reachedBilbao.

  "Is she a fast boat?" he asked when _The Firefly_ cleared the Channel.

  "Nearly as fast as this craft," replied Mark Dane, who was at his elbow."She was built for speed."

  "H'm," said the captain; "it's stormy weather, and her speed will dependa good deal on the way she is handled. I don't expect she'll do much inthe Bay."

  Evidently Calthorpe was not going to let his boat be beaten by anoutsider. He had never heard of _The Red Cross_, and believed _TheFirefly_ to be one of the smartest crafts afloat. The weather was dirty,and when the gallant little boat lifted the Atlantic waves they wererunning mountains high. But Calthorpe drove his vessel sheer throughthem, and never slackened his speed for all their fury. And now it mustbe explained how Dane came to be on board. The explanation may be givenin his own words to Giles.

  "When I left you in London, sir," he said, "I wondered where Morley hadtaken Miss Anne. From what I knew I guessed that he would not carry herto the Priory at Rickwell. It then struck me that he might use theyacht. Since Steel took up the case she has changed her name and herappearance, for Morley and Denham were both afraid lest she might befound out. The gang of course know nothing of my intention to smash upthe organization, and I knew that I could get all information from oneof them. I sent a wire to this man--he's called Arden--and receivedinformation that the boat was at Gravesend by Morley's orders, under thename of _The Dark Horse_."

  "Rather a good name," said Ware, smiling. "Morley is something of ahumorist."

  "He's a devil!" said Dane fiercely. "I'll tell you my reason for sayingso later, sir. I went to Gravesend and found her lying in mid-stream. Iwent on board and learned that Morley was away, but that the boat was tosail shortly for some unknown destination."

  "Where was Morley?"

  "Up in town, sir, getting his money together to make tracks. I foundMiss Anne on board. She told me that Morley had suggested they shouldget to Rickwell by the Gravesend line, and she, not thinking any harm ofhim and anxious to see Denham and learn the truth about her dead father,agreed. He took her down and drugged her in the train. As an invalid shewas taken on board _The Dark Horse_ and confined to her cabin. A hagcalled Mrs. Johns attended to her. I know the old wretch. A regular badone; but devoted to Morley, who got her out of some trouble."

  "Why did you not rescue Miss Anne," said Giles, "and save us thisjourney, Dane?"

  "I couldn't. Mrs. Johns allowed me to see Miss Anne, as she had noreason to suspect me; but she kept guard at the door, and would not letme out of her sight almost. If I had tried to take Miss Anne ashore,she'd have brought the crew on me. They are all Morley's creatures. Ishould simply have been poleaxed and dropped overboard, while the yachtsailed away. No, sir. I told Miss Anne my difficulty, and asked her tosend a line to you at the Priory--where I knew you were--that you mightfollow. She wrote three or four words----"

  "I know," interrupted Giles, "and enclosed the coin."

  "She did that, sir, so that you could be sure the message came from her.I posted the letter. Then I went on shore and waited till Morley cameback. I learned from Miss Anne that the boat was going to Bilbao, andwhen she started I came on to the Priory to ask if I could join in thehunt for Miss Anne. Yes," cried Dane, shaking his fist, "and the huntafter that devil Morley."

  "Why do you hate him so?" asked Giles, wondering at the man's fiercenessand ill-suppressed emotion.

  Dane thought for a moment, then answered, with his eyes on the deck,"Morley killed my mother," he said in a low voice. "No, sir, not in theway you think. He killed her by telling her what I was. She was a goodwoman. She brought me up well, and did her best to make me a decent man.I was well behaved till I went to Italy to study singing, and fell inwith Denham. He made me bad. Afterwards Morley made me worse. I havethieved, I have--but what does the catalogue of my crimes matter toyou, sir? In a word, Denham and Morley ruined me. I hate them both, butMorley worst of all. Do you think Denham will recover?"

  "From his broken leg? Of course he will, and then he will be taken tojail at once. Steel left the warrant behind to be executed, in orderthat he might come with me."

  "I hope Denham will get a long sentence, sir," said Dane savagely. "Heis a bad man. But Morley--nothing short of death will expiate his crimeso far as I am concerned. I wanted to reform, sir. Miss Anne was so goodto me that I saw how wicked was the life I was living. I wished toreform and return to my mother. Morley heard of this. He followed me toNew York, where I was then. I had fled from the gang, saying I wouldhave nothing more to do with the thieving. Morley found me with mymother. He told her what I was." Here Dane paused and sighed. "The blowkilled her."

  "She died of a broken heart, I suppose?"

  "Yes, of a broken heart. Then I went back with Morley to the old lifelike a whipped dog. But I vowed revenge. I intend to have it now." Andhe set his teeth determinedly.

  Giles was sorry for the young man. He appeared to have some good in himwhen he felt the death of his mother, and the cause of it, so deeply.But Ware could not help remembering that Dane had murdered Daisy Kent.But for the fact that they relied on Dane to distinguish _The Red Cross_under her disguise, he would not have been allowed to come. But Steelthought it was best to catch Morley first and then have Dane arrestedfor the crime. He advised Giles to say nothing about it, lest it shouldarouse the suspicions of Dane. But on board _The Firefly_ there was noescape for the man, and after the previous conversation Giles began towonder if Dane really was guilty, despite the belief of Steel and theevidence of Denham. He resolved to set his doubts at rest.

  "Dane," he said, after a pause, "you appear to have much good in you,and the Princess Olga is anxious to save you from yourself. Since youare helping us to break up this gang and catch Morley, who appears to bethe arch-criminal, I am willing to do what I can to save you from thelaw. But there is another crime----"

  "What particular crime do you mean, sir?" asked
Dane quietly.

  "The murder of Miss Kent."

  Dane started. "Do you believe that I had anything to do with that?"

  "Why not? You were at Rickwell on the night it was committed."

  "I was. I came over from the yacht at Gravesend to tell Morley she waswaiting his orders there, and to tell Denham also. He had appointed ameeting there for me. I came on a motor-bicycle. What of that?"

  "A man called Scott told Steel that you were in Rickwell."

  "I admit it. I know Scott. He has turned King's evidence. It seems tome, sir, that the whole lot of us will be pardoned if we are so anxiousto betray one another. But this crime----"

  "Denham says you killed the girl."

  Dane sprang to his feet with flashing eyes. "I swear by all that I holdmost holy that I did not touch the girl," he declared. "I never even seteyes on her. Denham accuses me--yes, because I have told the truth abouthim. I came on that night and saw Morley and him at the window of thelibrary in Morley's house. When I gave my message about the yacht Ireturned to Tilbury, and then crossed to the boat. I never killed thegirl, by the memory of my mother!"

  "You seem to be speaking the truth," said Giles quickly. "Did you enterthe library? The girl was killed by a stiletto torn from the trophy ofarms near the desk."

  "I was not in the library. Morley would not allow me to enter. He andDenham spoke to me on the terrace. When a noise was heard at the door--Ibelieve now it was Miss Anne who was entering--Morley gave me the tip toget away."

  "Was the stiletto in its place?"

  "I don't know. I never noticed."

  "Do you think Morley killed the girl?"

  "Either he or Denham," replied Dane decisively; "and I think it was thelatter. When I heard of the crime being committed, I saw Mrs. Morley andasked her if her husband was guilty. She denied it, saying that he wasin the library all the time. She came down and saw him."

  "She might do that to save her husband."

  Dane shook his head. "I don't think she was fond enough of him for that,sir," he answered. "She was when he married her; but he treated her sobadly--as I was told by Denham--that she grew to hate him. He spent hermoney, and behaved like the brute he is. For the sake of her childrenshe said nothing, but she was fond of Miss Kent, and I don't think shewould have defended him if a charge of killing the girl had been made."

  "Did Mrs. Morley know anything about the gang?"

  "No, she knew nothing. Morley always took good care to keep her inignorance. She knew no more of his secret life than Miss Anne did ofDenham's. Both men were very clever in concealing that which they didnot want to be known. But you believe that I am innocent of thischarge?"

  "Yes. You can face Denham when you return and ask him what are hisgrounds for accusing you."

  "If ever I do come back," said Dane gloomily. And the conversation endedfor the time being.

  Dane made himself very useful on board, and Calthorpe took quite a fancyto him. In addition to his other gifts he proved to be an excellentsailor. It seems that he had run away from home, and had worked for someyears before the mast as a common seaman. He now wished to do what hecould on board _The Firefly_, and chummed with the crew. So great afavorite did he become with Calthorpe that when he asked to be allowedto steer, the favor was readily granted to him, and he proved veryproficient. Certainly Calthorpe did not know he was a suspected murdererand had been a thief, and neither Steel nor Giles said anything aboutthis. Steel, indeed, still held to the belief that Dane was guilty; butWare laughed at him.

  "You said that Miss Anne was guilty," he declared; "then you believedthat Denham had struck the blow; now you are convinced that Dane is thecriminal. For my part I believe Denham to be guilty."

  "He may be," replied Steel, with a shrug. "I am so puzzled over thiscase that I am prepared for any development. At all events, Denham isbeing looked after. He can't escape me, whether he is merely a thief orreally the murderer we are in search of."

  When _The Firefly_ got into the Bay of Biscay the weather was worse thanever. Giles was pleased, as Calthorpe told him that there was the betterchance of catching _The Dark Horse_ before she reached her port ofdestination. Once on Spanish soil and Giles feared lest Morley shouldcarry Anne off to the mountains. He was such a scoundrel, and so clever,that it might be possible he had confederates at Bilbao to help him tocarry out any scheme he might suggest. Giles wished to catch him beforehe had time to formulate any new villainy. At all events, Morley wouldnever think that they had tracked him so speedily, or had followed sorapidly. It was unlikely that he would use the yacht to the fullestextent of her steaming powers.

  In the centre of the Bay _The Firefly_ was caught by the full force ofthe storm. The wind and waves were terrific, but the gallant little boatproved herself trustworthy. Under a sullen sky, over a dismal grey seashe steamed, her decks streaming with water, and the ship herselfrolling terribly.

  Calthorpe did not slacken speed, and the boat responded splendidly tohis handling. A sharp lookout was kept by all on board for the yacht, asGiles had offered a large reward for the first man who espied the boat.But the difficulty was that none of the crew knew the looks of _The DarkHorse_. However, they were to hail when they saw anything in the shapeof a yacht, and there were one or two false alarms. At length, when _TheFirefly_ was approaching the Spanish coast, Dane, who was on deck with aglass, gave the alarm. It was a misty, grey day, with absence of sun andwind. The ocean was heaving like masses of liquid pitch with an oilylook, and the yacht cut sheer through the terrific waves that threatenedto overwhelm her. Suddenly a wind rose, there was a blink of sunshine,and about a mile away a bark was seen rolling in the trough of the sea."There she is!" roared Dane, and every one came on deck.

  "Are you sure?" cried Giles, taking the glass.

  "Perfectly sure," replied Dane, who was dangerously excited. "Captain,let me handle the wheel as a reward."

  Calthorpe gave his assent, as he knew what a good steersman Dane was. Hethen took his post beside Giles and Steel, who were admitted on to thebridge, and thence directed the ship. Then _The Firefly_ made a bee-linefor the distant ship.

  Steel and Giles had less sense than they should have had; and Dane inhis joy at the sight of his prey quite forgot that with a good glassMorley could recognize them all three. It was _The Red Cross_, alias_The Dark Horse_, that was steaming leisurely southward, and doing herbest to battle with the strong seas that hammered her newly paintedsides. Thus Morley, who had never expected such promptitude, becameaware that his foes were at his heels. He saw the detective and Giles onthe bridge. But Dane he did not see, being in too much of a hurry afterhis first glimpse of the danger to take further interest in those onboard _The Firefly_. The result of Morley's decision was that those onthe pursuing yacht saw clouds of smoke pouring out of the funnel, andknew that the furnaces were being crammed to suffocation. There was ashout of joy from _The Firefly's_ crew, for now the fun was beginning.

  "We'll see if she'll beat my boat," said Calthorpe on the bridge.

  It was very stormy, and black clouds were racing across a pallid sky. Afurious wind had blown the mists into shreds of vapor, and was rippingwhite spume from the tops of the rearing waves. The vessel in flightsoared like a swallow, and slid down into mile-long valleys; but _TheFirefly_, having more powerful engines, tore straight through the wallsof water that threatened to block her way. She trembled with thevibration of her screws, and in the stormy heaving of the water therewas great danger lest her propeller fans should snap. However, theengineer stood with his hand on the throttle-valve, and stopped thespinning of the screws when they emerged.

  Much the same tactics were being pursued on board _The Dark Horse_, savethat in addition the safety-valve was tied down. The engines worked atfurious speed, and the boat leaped like a hunted stag. But the hound onits heels came closer and closer, and those on _The Dark Horse_ couldhear the roar of the delighted _Firefly_ crew. Morley ground his teeth,and fed his furnaces again. Anne came on deck.

  "Go be
low!" he said, and swore at her.

  "I shall not," she retorted, and got away from him.

  He was not able to pursue, not being in position to leave his postbeside the captain. Besides, he thought it mattered very little whethershe was seen or not. Ware knew that she was on board, and, moreover, if_The Dark Horse_ were overhauled, he would suffer most himself by thecapture. It would do him no good to throw Anne overboard, although hefelt much inclined to do so if only for revenge.

  Calthorpe could well be proud of his boat. She responded gallantly tothe strain put upon her, and tore like a mad thing through the waste ofwaters. She swung 'longside of _The Dark Horse_, Dane steering withflashing eyes and his long hair streaming in the wind. There was lessthan a quarter of a mile separating the boats. Morley swerved to theright. Dane followed. A pretty bit of steering on the part of bothvessels took place until the winds and waves took command. Then theboats, out of hand, swung together, almost touching. Giles could seeAnne. She cried out and stretched her hands.

  Suddenly Dane turned the yacht in a circle. Calthorpe shouted to know,with several adjectives, what he was up to. He would have stopped theengines, which were working furiously, but that it was dangerous at themoment. _The Firefly_ swung round, and then with the rush of a woundedbull came straight at _The Dark Horse_.

  "Hell!" cried Calthorpe, "he's going to ram her."

  There was no time to stop the engines, or to reverse them. Those on _TheDark Horse_ gave a yell of fear as the larger vessel bore down on theirslighter craft. Dane, fairly mad, shouted out abuse to Morley. Anothermoment and the pursuing yacht struck the other midships, cutting heralmost to the waterline. All on board both ships were thrown down. _TheFirefly_ reeled back. Giles lifted his head to see Anne fallingoverboard as _The Dark Horse_ lurched in the roaring waters. With a cryof terror, he tore a lifebelt from its fastenings and threw himselfafter her.

  After that he could only recollect that he was swimming for dear lifeand for her, amongst those furious waves. Lifted on the crest of one hesaw her some distance away--a white figure against the black water. Thenhe went sliding down into the liquid valley. How he reached her he didnot know; but after a terrific struggle he found her in his arms. Hemanaged to slip the lifebelt over her head, and kept her up with one armwhile he kept afloat with the other. She was insensible, but Gilesretained all his wits. He caught a glimpse of the ragged, injured bowsof _The Firefly_ high above him, and saw that Calthorpe was launching aboat. In a few moments it came plunging towards him, and he was hauledon board with Anne. Steel was in the boat, ashy pale.

  "Is our boat safe?" gasped Giles.

  "Yes. But _The Dark Horse_ is going down. Dane has gone overboard."

  Suddenly Steel shrieked, and Giles turned to where he pointed. In thetrough of the sea _The Dark Horse_ was plunging like a colt, rollinglike a drunken man. Giles saw Morley; near him Dane with a savage lookon his face. Morley, with terror in his eyes, tried to get away, butDane reached him, flung his arms round him, and with a wild shout bothmen went down into the furiously bubbling witch-caldron, never to riseagain.

  The strain of the whole terrible business was too much for Giles Ware.For the first and last time in his life he fainted. The lastrecollection he had was of seeing the doomed vessel plunging downwardsand a cloud of white steam rising with a terrible roar from herexploding boilers. After that, darkness and insensibility.