THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 155, 13 May 1909, Page 4

THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

(All IlMfrv«"l )

By W. Ml III;AY GHAYDON*. \ulbor of "'lhr Blackmailer®."* "ltea|-ini{ the Whirl* ind." "Th® lleir of (be Loudoun*," Etc.

I'AUT 21. "Calm yourself." broke in lh» IffoffSor. "We have no intention of sending you back to prison : I hut would l« im|»ossihtc e*cu din *c wish it. As for > our guilt innoteno-. *i< vrill hear any invnl you may care to mnlic. Hut v«»>i an< mhiiuxlpd l»y your hardships. This is not the pro|*-r tinu tor"

"N«». you ntv right, sir." vottct i!>ii(lrr>-. "The first thing in tc mi-Ttuic th «>.»<• dastardly scoundrel? «h»> t rird to miirikr ine. They canHot !»• \ery far off. They were •ound for n certain sjiot Houiewherc in th>- neighbourhood. anil they c,\-ir.-,f to reach it in a single

How ii#.i w«re tlierc?" asked r.ihwr IvvMla'e. " Thr» f." " \u«l which way did th«y go ?"

I'm ih>' north or north-west. They tnrirtt at sunrise."

"T»iK>n it is uwli-Ki to pursue them • ml#)." declared the professor. Th<- afternoon is nearly sj».-iit. and t will lie dark in two or three tour*. Moreover. since you require r«M and nre in no fit condition to ravel, it will lie advisable to encamp at ome for the night. What do %ou think. .lame*?"

"It »8 the only course." was the *e|»ly. "Our men nre heavily bur:lt>mil as it is. and if they had to •«rry"

"llut 1 am able to walk, to keep jp with you." protected Geoffrey. "That brandy hat pulled me round, iml 1 feel almost a* lit i»» ever."

An\io»»s to pro\e his assertions. he ;at rnrl and made an ••flort to rise ii his ("'t. A «|.Tithl> I'aintness ■ r»*l nausea ot iw s>-i/eil him. and i> sank helplessly l>wck to liis forn»*r position. "Yoi» vr." said ITm;i *>ur I'n v laic.

"I am «' »k from hunger. I hot i* ill," IJroflie* to?d him. " Civr iiw oo*l "" i»i shall hn*«' it presently." Jrtiil "tthrn you h*\e iruf*s.»nr. "A soothing rtsf is what oil n« ed." He lill «l the cup that was lilted to ii* flask with wat'*r. and dropped a ;rry |io«ilvr into it. Geoffrey Mallottiil tlt*- ilns-' olwdienHv. wit h»r(» d> miir. nml it prodn«'«*d an immilmir wlnrh »»• a minit> or two lulled him into a sound

;l«-ep. tth>-n Iv awoke tie- night was at t.»nd. The twilight was fast \«n«hniK. and lli>> glow of the rising Ki.ufi was casting n. iaint refU-c----lop on th" dusky waters of th»* irmin. A Mazing lire had Imn ►uiPt Vi iV him. ami l*rof>\-sor »r>*flaf«" a»nl his fel|«»w-explorer ipr.- lending o«rr it. preparing tie%ening meal. The others were siiui«rly rnppil at n second and larger f'C. a do*cii yards oil. The glare »f the llaiix s shining lit fully on their ate* »hnt»rtl '*igh{ oi the party to >•* i:l>gro cool«ic* of a su|ierior t>pe. Two w«rr l*ortupu«-s«*. ami muthi r wa*» e*id«*ntly a I'utchman. rii»- iw'-lith man was. from his feanre» and straight lilaek hair, all Inli«n I e'«»nging to «»>■' of the down■o'lntry irff!'.

" l>e» know noihini:. tho*e felsaid the promisor, noting ho tiirit'l ion of f><»lir<*\ "s glance. V our se-ret is "a'e wilh us. CotUe. tii nj». J»up|*-r is read* ." flcollrey murmurc«l his gratitude. The few- hours of sleep had made a liffercnt man of him. and he was I»gilining to realise how much he >».•»! to th«-s*' kind friends «h» had •»te*l him from tin? vengeance of IJnmon Torrana and his companions. !l> hunger -.atistMil —the repast con- •>( iruit. iiK-al-cakes*. ami «i imh. wilh mugs of hot colT»*e -hr ci>fo>«il such a «#nse of |»eace 'mil contenlm«>nt as lie hail not knu°*n for many n long month, i i..*.- v'w*e him spare pipe and toiitirio. and after a few whifl*. as i p w r»s aIHJUt to ask permission to i.'fl his story. Professor llr>s<l»le 'urncd to hlni with an odd expression.

Ii . o«i w til pardon my curiosity

he said. "I should like to knowhow jou obtained of this."

"This" was a strip of parchment. »n«l <l»*oOrev looked at it with surprise. •* Why. it must be Torrana"* ;op} !" he exclaimed. "Where did you get it ? Did you find It her,-?" "I camo across it accidentally." was the reply ; and with that, suddenly discovering that bis boots had |«<rn remmed. Geoffrey remembered. "I took them off." continued the professor, "so that you might rest mor«* comfortably. This parchment fell from one of them. What is it . .

"It Iclongs to tne," replied Geoffrey. "and it is a chart relating tc a certain treasure that was buric*f fn this mightnjurhood ibrw ten! uric* ago l»y an ancestor of loin*-. I*crhap*. sir. jou can decipher it .4 meaning." "I have good reason to JMievt that I have already done so," di*- - " But irjv procited with >our narrative ilordinge. We arc both littious to hear it."

CHAFTEK XXXIV

THE KEY TO THE CHABT,

It may be imagined with what wcited interest, mixed with incredulity . Geoffrey received the profc#ajr'l statement. Ho hardly knew *he thtr to take it seriously or not. and a flood of questions was on hi: I*l s Stifling his curiosity, how he began to relate the history »«f his chequered career from the liltr of his succcssion to the wealth and happinen* he w*i to cujoy fui so brief aa interval. ll* oiuittci

! nothing, for ho was anxious to vin »h<ntc himself in the eyes of hif , u 11 i--nds —to wipe our the stigma • 1 im*- and guilt that still r<-*lct •• 1 •<-n turn. He Spoke simply, with ■ j.> •,■.!(!' i'arn f siness, his voici choking with (.'motion, now with indignation. He was ■■■< muil. ai it were, ami he told hit all —the S|»anish girl's trea- ■ the duel. the flight to British i Guiana, the trap that he had fallet into, his escape from the islam and his subsequent adventures, and lastly the startling revelations mad» i>y Itamon Torrana. Nor, while h< «a» living the past over again ir memory, did he take any pains to conceal hi* belief— the conviction that had gradually dawned upon him—ir. the subtle and evil influence of tht family Curse. Hi* hearers listened attentively, occasionally asking questions or oxprosing their feelings in strong langunge. and when the narrative na-' liuishetl each in turn, silently and n eaningly. reached out and gripped Ucoflh-y's hand. "A strange story," declared I'roI'Swjr Itrjsdale ; "ten limes more wonderful than fiction, but it liears tin* stamp of truth. I believe every ««»rd «»f it.'" "And jm» do I, cried Cleeve. " 1 w mild stake iny life on your innoc«"nce."

"Thank you. my good friends." said <t'eoffrey, his voice shaking with emotion. "You make me lYel like n man agnin." "What voii must have suffered !" exelaimctl the professor. "And are »oii really |M>r.*»ua'led, Mr. Cardew. thni the old Curs.—l In- prophecy | «riti» n by Miguel Torrann thnv ri-n----i»iri«'S ago —is largely responsible for ! > i.ur misfortunes?" "What "-Is*' am 1 to think, sir?" "True. Your Itelief wins to have ample justification, 1 ndmit. For injwll. I express no opinion one way .•r tho other : I have never taken up the studj of the su|»ernt|iural. Lst us hof c. however, that the Curse of the Cardews has done its worst. Hint the tide of adversity has turnul, and that the future will be unclouded." "It is too much to expect." (Jeof-fr«-y answered. sadlv. "There may be more blows in stor« for me : each has fallen when least looked for. Hut time will teil." "You can count on our assist- ; a nee." said CleeVe. "in every possible «ay."

"Ytw». l>e assured of that." dc•!(>ied the professor. "I will claim your promise to-mor-iuw." Geofirey replied "I am not if n revengeful nature, but Kamoti I'.-rrana and his (••llo«-r!iH - "mn must ml go unpunished. And now. sir, .1 r«>nirn to the subject of the tieasun-chari. Will jmi explain »t»ur meaning'? You hinied that mi bad l»ecn Able to il-ciphcr it. Ain I to infer that you were pre- . ioitsly aware of this old story—of ih<? lmrietl gold and the fetid lwiwevn the Cardcws and the Torunns?"

"Xot at all." said the Professor. "On tho contrary. I knew nothing of t until an hour ago. when I dis•oveied the Kra|> of parchment while lulling ofl your boot*. I took the il«erty of scrutinising it closely, ami ;wt an inkling of what it referred 0 from the faded writing, which f in very ancient Spanish. There is \ date, iiarely .legible: it is the > ear 1 The place is roughly shown !n a line drawn slightly south-east '•"urn wlint I judge to Ik* the mouth the Orinoco ISivt-r. and the disance is estimated at eighty lea:ues"

"You have seen move ihnn I could iiakp oil!." broke in GeofTrev. "Ah. but I employed a small maglifving glass." said the professor. 'Here, look for yourself and he <and-d glass and chart to Geoflivy. 'ls that b-tter?"

Kverv thing cosih-s out disiinctl>

"You see those three tiny (minted rivedk in a row ? What do they "Iggest to jou ?" "Church sicples." i-j-lied Geofrey.

' Exac'ly. There if vat--r to the Vfl. of thi-m— the shor** «»f n rixer : »nd a littli* further «»n i> another similar object. by itself. *ith a faint cross alongside of it. I*be steeplechnscd characters ilurnf. Mr. Canlr*. and that cross iiidoubtvdly mark* tin- site of the »tiried treasure." "Itv Jove. you have- puzzled it >ut !" exclaimed Ceofhvy. " 1 see now tthat you meant >»> raying ■on had dKiphi-ri'il the drawing." "I don't think vou do —not fully." •Wi». on kuivl\ lia\e no ho|>es of finding the go!«l with micli a slen|.>r clue ? One might n» well search for the proverbial needle in Ihc hajrick —that is. So far as ure concerned. Ramon Torrnna and his Companions arc probably Iftier in*p|*mcd. and our u»ly chance is to follow ihclr trail, which. I •••ar, will Irt: an impossibility. In this vast wilderar*#"

"Wait." Professor I'rymlale inter'Uptcd. quietly. "Let me tell you Mr. t'ardew. Do you see that man yonder, with his side face towards us t He is a IhJtchtiuui. Paul Harlaw by name. British Guiana born and bred. A score of times. perhnp*. he has trav -lled through ami partly explored these regions. Well, after I had studied the chart I called flart*cn aside and showed it to him, and he immediately declared that he knew the place referred to. He passed by ten years ago—s.»w tl\? three steeple-shaped pofk* l:> vho bank pf a 301311 rlwr. and u fourth i»nc within a yard.". The choice hangs between one of two streams which he rcuiemliers. The\ arc not far apart, and can Ik - reached in a balf-day's march." "Could this be the stream hprc 7" suggested fhvtc. "Xa, sajn tiol." replied the profeMor ; "but they arc both tributaries of it."

"It is wonderful h«*.v things have turned out." exclaimed Geoffrey. "Do you suppose It ri-jlly is the itpot where toy. ancestor buried the gold ?" , , >! Hwre mw be very Httlv «*..»ubt of that." said the professor. "Hertsen's description tallies exactly with the chart. It is not absolutely certain. of course." "Will he guide us to the place tomorrow ?"

"Yes. to thr Ix-si <»f his ability, ami H* is confident of licing able to find it. The sil'i»ii.-n is blightlj roinplicat'-d. Mr. i jirdrv.. a s you will understand. For <ny *iune <i»

yo« yourself suggested. I fear your three scoundrels will not leave much of a trail, though I ha\e a Cairo Indian yonder, skilled in woodcraft. Then. again, Torrana's party arc not likely to be any Ix-tter informed than Harts>-n. v hich limits them to the advantage of a .single day's start of t;s. So much for the element of uncertainty. Our aim will be to rca< h the spot a? soon as possible, and if your enemies have succeeded in finding it they will doubtless still l:e there; if not. so much the better. In either event the result will be the same, (granted that our deductions are corieet and that the trcasuiv has lain undisturbed until the pns:ent time. It is \ ours by right, and you shall have it." "Only a half." protested OeofTrey. "The other half must l»e yours—l insist upon it. Hut what arc we tc do with the ruffians if we catch them ?'• "All. that is the question," exclaimed Ckeve.

'"Yes, I was coming 10 it,.' said Professor Prystlale. "There is 011K one course that can saf.'ly l:e followed. You will on no account show yourself to Torrann and his companions. Mr. Cardew, ami should they fall into our hands they must be set at liberty." "Turned loose V Those murderous scoundrels

"There is no help for it." ueelared the professor. "We could not possibly take them with 11s into Venezuela. arid it is necessary for your sake, if they are set frw and ultimately return to the scttleieenl >. that they should remain in th<- i'-rn< I elief that v 011 jwris'hed in the f<<iv-v This will assuie your su>Vty. ami

at the same time give them ;i tab impression of their own s-<:urit.\. Once away from British Cuiana ami sheltered in Kngland, >Oll can take the projß-r steps to prove jour innocence. It should not l-c diflicult. I think, to have the scoundrels arrested and convicted."

"You arc quite right." said Geoffrey ; and a lump rose in his throat as he thought of the promise of the future. "I understand perfectly, professor. (iod bless you ! You will take me with you. then —back to England ?" "Certainly, my dear fellow," exclaimed Professor Drvsdale. "Venezuela is a foreign country. Our vessel will be waiting for us on the Orinoco, and you w ill Ik* safe in England. if you hide your identity, during the time that will lur necessary to establish \«»ur innocence. You must rem<'tiil>rr. moreover, thai the authorities of British Guiar.a v. ill undoubtedly believe that you iih-i >our dca'h in the wiblrrn^ss."

"And my English friends at Parima as wi-H." said Geoffrey. "I wish I could g.l some word ij thetn." "That would lie both difficult and •isky," replied Clcve. "1 fear they liust be left in ignorance of jour 'ale for the present." "It is unavoidable." assented tlf professor, "so long as they remain in Guiana. But if they ar- back in London when we arrive there—as hey probably will be—you might tafely seek them out. It would be to jour lH*st iiitere«,t. indeed, to con3dc* in thesj friends and in your tolicitor."

"i should do so, of course," said lieolTrey.

The suggestion ••lieered him considerably, though it was bad enough lo reflect oil the weary months that mist elapse before Violet eould !e«rn of his safely. That lack of vws would convince the girl of his and that she and Brian would •hortly return to England he did not loubt. Paul Hartsen was called over to oin the little group, and for an hour hey questioned him concerning the dace of the treasure, and listened 10 his account of the adventurous expedition on which he had seen :he steeple-shaped rocks. "They are in a wild and lonely ipot." he said, "and they could hardly fail to attract the notice of travellers, if any ever passed that *"ay before." "f have no doubt that some of the ?arly explorers did see them." replied th-j professor, "and that they put the fact on record in the Government archives stored at Georgetown. which amply accounts for the •resenco of Torrana's party in this particular neighbourhood. "Wc must i»c on our way at daybreak." A couple of sentries having been posted, and the fire» heaped with aopd, a peaceful silence soon settied on the camp. The glow oi the flames revealed on all sides motionless recumbent forms mulllcd in blankets. Geoffrey lay awake for a long time, thinking of the marvellous things that had happened, and wondering what the morrow would bring forth, and it was midnight In-fore he finally fell into a heavy slumber. All were astir at the first flush of dawn, and half an hour later, breakfast hastily finished, they were treading the jungle fastnesses. HartBen and the Carib took the lead, and the others followed in single file, the laden coolies bringing up Ihc rear.

CHAPTER XXXV. THE I'ICTI'HK HOCK

After a lapse of twentj-iour hours ft as Geoffrey and Professor Orysdalc had- predicted, an Impossible task 'o follow th't footsteps of Hamon Torrana and his companions. The Carib, it was true, fount) some slight traces of them at the start, vi&ible only to himself ; but he wa9 soon completely at fault, and wasted no titue in further and usrr vbH search.

"It is just as well." said Geoffrey. "W«: should gain nothing bv slick l»jf to their trail, even if it wui a plain one."

"Nothing." assented the professor "On the contrary, it would be t<. our disadvantage. WV have a common goal. What docs it matter il we reach it by different ways ?"

"And I would ruthcr trust to Hortscn's judgment," put in C'leeve. "He knows the region personally, and will steer a straight.t course than the Spaniard, who is d<i>ond in.<? on what lie learned from thcic misty old records." JKor an hour the lit'.''.' par'y k' iK-ar to the riv«T. and a l . >«.";* th«* tim<* the sun var full".' up. th* > \ Ci.rnl ilWiiy from it . il.j)" -'/n. >:• lent and though' r,!. i'.v <■■■■<•: thill lnisb'-'l !i'< ••• 'h--Cllll", ! -d •< he!!! I 'To L'orr. .r.uc-i;.