THE BLACK YACHT,

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 426, 9 June 1904, Page 2

THE BLACK YACHT,

By Fergus Hume,

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

Author of " The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," " The Third Volume," " The Taniahing of Tera," "The Lone Inn," "For the Defence," &c, &c.

COPYRIGHT.

fHAPTSB VI.-(Contieued.) Withcut fmtter delay we steamed north. Cleverly u Penwick bad conwaled hia schemes I still believed that he knew the whereabouts of Lilian, and had w\ Eome way arranged for her forcible detentian eo that her absence might play £ iK. .**■*■■ * conld cnl y h °P e t« thwart him by discovering somehow at mart the approximate whereabout* of Lilian, and the possibility of accomplishing this rested so far as I could see, on *'*rT?- ia ' ormatioa oßa nughfc succeed in ! " 'obtaining from Mrs Penwick. Failine -something tangible in that quarter, there seemed but email chance of success. On Thursday at noon we dropped anchor In Yarmouth roadstead, and with Twine I **fat ashore to see Mrs Penwick. It was arranged ap at Aldinp'e suggestion. Twine knew the temperament of hia old sweetheart at all evente, so it was to be expected that he would be able to do more _with her than either of us could. •T- r ' I declare I was sorry for the woman when she opened the door, so lean and haggard did she look. She was apparently neglected—palpably anxious. Her •yes showed only too plainly how well accustomed they were to tears, and clutching her shawl over her breast with her thin hands she stared at Twine with undisguised astonishment—with something more like alarm in her expression. Before she could demand our business he addressed her. 'Nancy, my laee, is it you who look eo poor V he said, holding out his hand. ' Nat {' she gasped, refusing his hand, and stepping backward, 'why are you , eome fe-what do you want t' ' This gentleman—Mr Walcott—wishes to see you, Nancy.' *My husband P Is he ' •He's all right,* growled Twine. 'Nat was never in danger. We come to ase yon; eo let us in; ray girl.' - The woman looked distrustfully at my face; then apparently satisfied that I was t, bent upon ne harm to her, she ushered ub into a bare room. Twine swore under .hia breath at the poverty-stricken surroundings in which he found her, and the poor woman, on her part, apologised for the penury with an air that was!truly pitiable. * 'Tis very poor,' sle aaid, with a pretty Devonian accent. ! But George—my husband— haa no money.' 'All gone, Nat—every penny. But George—my husband—has no money.' ' And what he haa. he spends on himself, I inppesa V muttered Twine. ' What has become ef your money, Naney ?' 'All gone, Nat—every penny. But George will be rich scon. His coaein, Mr Cole, is dead, and ' ' And haa left all hia money to his niece, Hub Marchand,' I intercepted. \ George did net tell me that, sir. He said that the money would be his in six months.' 'The nwney will certainly eome to your husband, Mrs Penwick/ I said quietly, 'jfjpovfded .that he can keep Miss Marehend f rem' Hen gist Tower for that period.' ' Aid why should he do that ?' she - aakedy firing up. 'My husband is not the -'man to force any young lady against her . s-■ '• * Se you think j but all the same, this „., ->-particular young lady has disappeared.' L. * Piiappeared! Bat what—that is, I—l ; v ''don r t.understand you, sir.' bwWwtK fos .leva year husband, Mrs Fen. wiok-P- ---„ fhe-glaseed at Twine and nodded. 'lf \ ae,* -I continued, 'it would be well for • him' if you told us the whereabouts of Miss Marchand.' 'I don't know where she is,' was her answer. ' Why do you ask me?' * Because you were at Holyport a week age to consult with your husband about the abduction of this lady.' . 'IP You are mistaken. I was never at Holyport in my life I haven't the meney to go anywhere. I see what you mean. George has run off with the young lady. 1 ' Yes; and his design is to marry her.' With a red spot flaming on each cheek, Mra Penwick leaped to her feet aid entered her protest. 'To marry her while I am his lawful wife.. It. is not true. Na*. aay it is not true * ' I believe it is tine. Nancy,' said Twiue, tad! j; *he told Mr Walcott as much. My peer lass, your husband is a villain.' 'Do you think that I don't know that!' ahe- cried, hysterically. * Would I be in this state if he were not a villain ? There is always another woman with him; but marriage I I never thought of that; what is Miis Marchand to you. sir, that • '•Tour come tomeP' she asked, turning on me sharply. "I ' 'She is my affianced wife.' ' And George hae tekan her away ?' * I believe so, although it is but fair io _ . £im to say that I can find no proof of bis 1 starched every lxch of 'Tie * legrtes' in the Bay of Biscay, tut Miea darchand was not on board. Bat as she disappeared on the night your husband left Holyp:rt, I am convinced ne must have taken her away, and haa concealed her either here or at Brest' 'Not "hare, not here; there was no women with him on the day he came to Yarmouth!' ' Are you certain of th at ?' I demanded, looking aearchingly at her.' -- - * I can awear to it. I would have killed any woman I found with him, He is a wretch, a monster! But I love him still, "* Heaven help me!' She hid her f»ce in the corner of the ahawl and sobbed quietly, while Twine, in eonsslation, laid a kindly hand upon her • - Shoulder. I could see that the woman was speaking the truth, aud however the abduction had tela accomplished, it was clear thatiMxa k'nwink bad had no part inft. .

' But I can't get over his having given her that powder!" I muttered, half to myself.' • A powder P echoed Mrs Penwick, catching the word. «Ob, yes, now I remember $ George told me about that. It was merely a powder such as I often use myself for a bad headache. George always carries some with him. There was nothing wrong about the powder, Mr Walcott, you may be sure.' •Do you behevs.tbat your husband has done this thing P' asked Twine, going straight to the main point. ' I believe anything of my husband,' she replied, bitterly. «He may or my not be guilty of thiß particular action, but certainly I can vouch for it that this young lady wasjuot on board the yacht here. I had luncheon with Gborge in his cabin just before he Bailed/ • Well, if Captain Penwick ia not at the bottom of this I should liVe to know who' is,' I asked, perplexed- 'He is the only person that I can see is likely to benefit by Miss Marchand's absence from the Tower.' 'The veiled woman, bit,' hinted Twine, looking up. Mrs Fenwiok v anticipated ray nply. 'I was told,' she said, slowly, • :hat George was paying great attention to a lady at Holyport—probably it is the same.' 'What iB her nameP' I eagerly demanded. • I don't know, but she lives at Hengist Tower. She is a married woman, as I am, and my husband is a villain.' ' Mrs. Pen ' ' Pray don't question me further, Bir. T have told you too much already. If my husband knew he would kill me. Go away, both of you, for I—l—l—* She burst into a passion of tears and fled from the room Not till Twine acd 1 found ourselves again on the high road did we venture to speak of her overwhelming outburst of grief, CHAPiER VIT.-SUSPENSE. • So you see, we have failed again/ said 1/ when, recounting this visit to Aiding. •Why no/ he answered, thoughtfully. ' I Bhould hardly Bty that. At ail events you have gained a clue.' v To the whereabouts of Lilian P' •No; but to the underhand plotting that is going on. I begin to think that Fenwick took no active part in carrying off Miss Marchand, except, perhaps, m bo far as to lead us on a false trail. While we were following him to Bilbao, I believe that this veiled woman, according to instruction, removed Miss Marchand to a safe hiding-place.' • Then you think this same woman broke into Lilian's room f 'No. That was Penwick's work; but he dared not take her on board hie yacht, knowing that through having already spoken to you he would be suspected. No; he gave the girl into this woman's charge and then led ub 6n a false Bcent. If you cen find the woman you will find Mies Marchand.' ' But who can she be—this woman P' Aiding looked oddly at me. ' Whs not Mra Marchand V I stared at him in blank astonishment. To suspect Lilian's mother of trying to supplant her own daughter was out of the question. I recovered my breath, not to speak, but to laugh. 'You may consider it amusing/ said Aiding, dryly, • but you may find that I amrigLt.- Mrs Marchand is etill a comparatively young woman, and she is well acquainted with Penwick. Ho seems to be quite irresistible with the sex, So it is not impossible that, persuaded by blm, Bhe has agreed to take a hand in this affair.' • And bo rob her danghter of a fortune P' 'Why,' said. Aiding, 'she is no doubt ignorant of Fenwick'a marriage, and she may contemplate matrimony with our piratical Don Juan. Having -eecured him and the fortune, she could salve her conscience by finding a good match for Mibb Marchand—not you, my dear Paul, but Eorae rich man.' •The idea wild. Mrs Mircband promised that i should raarry. Lilian if I found her and brought her back.' 'And all the time she may be taking good care that ycu shall not find her. However, that is my belief Paul. Take my advice, go back to Hengist Tower aid watch Mrs Marchand.' • 1 will/ I said, promptly; 'but you may be wrong ia this as you were in prophesy. ißg the speedy return ef Fenwick. You see he iB not yet back in British waters.' • The Ides of March are not yet past, O CiE?ar 1 I bet you twenty to one that the black yacht enterß Holyport within five days from new.' Poor as I was. his assertion seemed eo incredible tr.at I readi'y booked the bet, and laughingly assured him that I would soon be twenty pounds to the good. ' We'll Bee/ was his significant rvply j 'like Casßindra, my prophecies are scouted; but like Caesiadra'e, they may come ttue- I mistruet Mrs Marchand, and I expect the return of Fenwick. Time will show whether I am right or wrong. At present I had better take >eu over to Holyport.' 'No,' said I, after some reflection, 'if Mrs Marchand sees your yacht in the bay she will tbihk that I have succeeded in my mission; ' I prefer to go back the way I came.' Holdirg to this decision, I found myself next morning at Soathampton Station as unsuccessful as when I had set out. Aiding said gcod-bye with much regret. 'I sm new off to see my brother at Gibraltar,' he Baid, gripping my hand, ' and I shall oo there for the next four weeks. Wire if ycu want me. Good-bye, and good luck.' On my arrival at Holyport I repaired

to- 'The Bed Herring,' whara I was.joyfolly received by Gamtfc. Confiding in the shrewdness of tha m«n, I related tny adventures on the high seas. The old Bailor heard me in silence, and pondered awhile before giving his opinion. ' I guess etfs a false scent, mister,' he said, sagaciously. 'Cap'n F, be drew on you while the young lady was being sorted out ashore.' ♦I thought that myself Garrett. Still, this veiled woman who * •Hold hard, sir. Don't think es thet wae Miss Lilian, cause et wasn't. I found out es how thet woman came down the hill from the Tow6r. Now I gum that the coastguard es sew her would hev known Miss March and, and he sees it warn't her. I guess,' asked Garrett, evidently thinking of another person, ' es it was a visit es she was making.' ' A visit who was making,' I asked, impatiently. •Wa—al, I don't rightly know that much. 'Twaen't Miss Marchaad, as you kin ta&e your Bible oath to. Might hev bin the housekeeper.' ' H'm. Is she a married woman ?' ' Not as I've heard on; but there's no trusting women. This un's real sweet on the Cap'n.' ' She needn't be,' I said, dryly; • Fenwick is already married.' 'Lordyl' cried Girrett, arching his brows. 'You don't say! Wa—al, I ain't surprised. There's a heap of evil in th? skipper, anyhow. Ef ' , 'But about Miss MaTchand,' I interrupted. ' She's ashore, I reckon. Cap'n P. knows her whereabouts, fer sure; an' now es he thinks es he's bluffef, you, mister, he'll turn up to see the young lady. Ton watch him, sir, and you'll come home on the winner.' 'lt might be so,' I said, reflectively, ' but who has done the hiding part of the business P' ' A weman, yen bet, sir!' ' And her nameP' Garrett look* d eddly at me, and turned to the door. ' I'd rathei not say, mister, ef et's ail the same to jou. Tain't my biz, anyhow.' With this he vanished, leaving me considerably astonished at his hesitancy and at his sudden retreat. So uncalled for a refusal of confidence hinted at a fear lest he should offend me; and I again thought of Aiding'e suspicions regarding Mrs Marc-hand. Was it pcsaiblo that Garrett also suspected her P I could account for his silence in no other way, so I determined to set the matter at rest by interviewing Mrs Marohand herself She received me with a look of reproach. Whatever suspicions I might have entertained cf her identity with the veiled woman vanished at the sight of that wan face, and of those swollen eyes, which showed how deeply she had felt her loss. No woman could have simulated such grief; and while greeting her I mentally denounced Aiding and Garrett for their suspicions of one so undoubtedly t fflicted. ' You have come back alone/ she said. 'What of Lilian P' ' I have heard nothing of her, Mrs Mtrchand. Wo searched the yacht, but we could find no trace of her. Fenwick swears that he did not take her awayi' ' He would swear anything,' she flashed out ' The man is a scoundrel and a liar. If he did not take her, who did ?' 'That I cannot Bay, I am convinced that Fenwick knows where she is, although i he did not take her on board his yacht.' ' Who broke into her room ?' ' Fenwick, to the best of my belief.' ' Then he must have taken her with him.' • Not necessarily. I fancy he put her in the charge of an accomplice and then sailed away so as to mislead us all The first place at which the 'Negress' touched after leaving Holypozt was Yairncuth. Lilian was not then on board.' ' Who says that P* «Mrs Fenwick, your cousin's wife.' I looked steadily at her as I said this, thinking that if she loved Fenwick she would surely betray herself. She seemed rather to expect the news, and merely curled her lip in dicgUßt. Then vanished my laet shadow of a doubt. ' I am not surprised to hear that he is secretly married,' she said quietly. * What an eEcape for Lilian 1 If his wife told you that Lilian was not on board you be sure that it is true, Paul. No woman would be deceived on that point.' •I agree with you there. It is my belief that Lilian is in this neighbourhood in charge of a woman/ • Why do you think so ?' • Because a veiled woman went on beard the yacht on that night to see Fenwick, • Who was Bhe P' ' I can't tell you that/ l' a Eaid, after a pause. 'A coastguard caw ber descending the hill fiom Hengist Tower. Where were yon on that night, Mrs Marchand P' • 11' she exclaimed, with a surprise too genuine to be feigned. 'My dear soul, what should I be doing on board the 'Negress' at midnight! I never left the house, as Lydia cm testify. By the way, I wonder if she—l'll ask her.' Lydia answered the bell with a toss of her head. There was no love lost between the two, and it needed but little to bring about a state of open warfare. ' Ljdia,' said Mrs Marchand, sharply, •were jou en board Captain Fenwick's yacht on the night that my daughter disappeared ?' ' ladeed, ma'am, how can you ask me much a question!' replied Lydia, with red cheeks »nd an indignant eye. ' Takipg away my character before a gentleman! I wouldn't go on board the yaoht for untold gold.' ' Dd you leave the house at all P' • No, ma'm, I did not. If you doubt me jou can ask Mr Bax.' ' I have no wish to question Bax. lam atking you, and you are inclined to ba insolent. Leave the room.' Ljdia Eeemed indisposed to obey tbia older,but ultimately thought better of it, and rnarchei out with lofty bead, mut;oriog something about beggars on horseback. With great ce\f-contiol Mrs Marcband made no remark, but turned to me. ' Ycu see, Paul/ she said, •no one left the Tower on that night The woman you speak of must have come over tho hills by the Tower road—it'a a short cut. What do ycu propose to do P' - Search the neighbourhood/ said I, rising, 'and if Lilian is to be toutd wo must set about it at once.' (To ba c ntinued.)