THE DOCTOR'S PROTÉGÉE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 508, 12 October 1912, Page 2

THE DOCTOR'S PROTÉGÉE.

(All Rights Reserved.)

By ALBERT LEE, Author of "The Baronet in Corduroy," "The Key of the Holy House," King Stork of the Netherlands," " The Black Disc," &c.

Published By Special Arrangement.

CHAPTER XVll.— {Continued). The suggestion commended itself to me when, late in the afternoon, I sat up and looked out of the cabin window and across the sea. Away in the distance was land which I knew well, for I saw the azure shore of the Riviera, which unrolled to my vision its winding line of purple headlands, broad, pier-bound bays, and tiny rocky or sandy coves on the blue sea edge, with the noble background of olive and orange groves, and snow-capped mountains. My heart bounded with hope when I saw the pleasant land, and although it would mean a resort to a policy of deception, I could not but feci that it was a legitimate course for a man to pursue who was to all intents and purposes looking death in the face. If I did not go on shore there would be a change in our course, and soon the yacht would be forging her way through the illimitable violet-colour-ed ocean, heading with fatal persistency for lonely Damala.

The Vallauris steamed slowly on, as if to tantalise me by enabling me to see each fresh vision of enchanting scenery where, in the clear air, I could look into bowers of vines and gourds, flower and fruit gardens, and watch the pine woods which ran down the valleys to the edge of the sea. I judged that it was about 5 o'clock when the yacht came to a standstill opposite a spot where an old town was perched upon the heights. Sitting there, and gazing upon "the breathless blue," I felt such a longing for liberty that had Telamone and his henchman come into the cabin I should have yielded, in the hope of carrying out my subtle plan, and start the race for Teresina's safety. Liberty seemed within my grasp, and the long night that must pass before I could say that I would accept Telamone's terms and go free was an intolerable prospect. For a while, I think, I was nearly mad with impatience, and numberless plans suggested themselves; but my lame foot was the hindrance to them all. I could put it to the ground, but the pain was too great when I rested my weight upon it. But for that disability there were many things I would attempt. I was a strong swimmer, and although the shore was far away I felt disposed to break the window and, crawling through, drop into the water and swim to reach the land; but when I measured the distance with my eyes thought of my foot and of "the weakness that had come to me after such an experience as had been mine of late, I felt it to be impossible.

Left alone in the twilight, which merged into darkness, I seemed to see what passed. In the distance were the twinkling lights of the town, and presently the moon began to throw her silver beams upoir the sea, and even the stars dropped their shimmering light into the waters. Looking out of the window my attention was drawn to a moving object on the waters between the Vallauris and the shore. There was no sound beyond the ceaseless lapping of water against the sides of the yacht; but the object which caught my eye drew nearer and yet nearer. It was curiosity more than anything that made me watch what I now knew to be a boat. A man was in it, bending forward and backward to the rythmic movement of the oars, but there was no sound of the plash and dip. At last the boat drew near, her nose bumped slightly against the yacht's side, and the man, standing up, grasped a hanging rope, then looked about him keenly, and, with his head slightly bent, seemed to be listening intently. Taking up the boat's painter, he fastened it by a knot to the rope he had just caught hold of. Then, as the boat rocked, he began to feel, first at his belt, and nodded to himself; next, he put his hand into one of his pockets and drew out a ; piece of paper, and opening it for a moment nodded again, and replaced it in the pocket. After that he began to climb up by the aid of the rope, and scrambled through a window next to that of my cabin. Not more~than three minutes passed before he reappeared, went swiftly down the rope, unfastened the painter, which was knotted to it, and was soon adrift. When last I saw him he was pulling as for dear life at the oars, and making for the shore.

What did it mean? The episode was so strange that it turned my thoughts away for the time from that pressing question which had been torturing me throughout the dav, and in a sense it was a welcome diversion.

Sitting in the cabin in the darkness, which was only dispelled in some degree by the moon shining on the sea, and sending in some of the reflected light through the window, I began to wonder whether Tarsilla was likely to be of any service to me. I had thrown out a temptation to him, and he had acknowledged it to be a

this I had not heard a word, nor had I seen him, save when he came in hastily with food, which he set on the table in silence, leaving the door wide open all the while. There was something ini the man's haste and a certain look "in his face which gave one the idea that he was under surveillance, and knew it. "Daniello," I whispered, when he drew near, "have you thought over my suggestion?" "Hush, signor!" he whispered back again; and with that he was gone, and the door closed after him.

My foot had grown so much better that I ventured to put it on the floor, and found to my'satisfaction that I could use it,' although not without some pain. Still, it was something to know that I was regaining the use of it, and that if needs be, with a resolution to bear the pain, I could move, if a way of escape offered. I thought of the distance I might have to walk to the ship's side, counting the length of the floor, the companionway, and the deck; then I walked up and down the cabin in painful steps until I had covered the space I thought would be the equivalent of such a journey. By that time, however, I found it advisable to sit again.

Waiting thus in the darkness, I rested until a sound roused me to alertness. It was like the moving of a latch or bolt. Turning my eyes to the spot from whence the sound seemed to come, I listened, and'then was convinced tlvat it came from the partition which separated my cabin from that through the window of which I had seen the man who came in the boat climb. Gazing eagerly, I saw a light gradually stream in, as if through the opening caused by the moving back of a sliding panel. Beyond the panel was a cabin as gorgeously decorated as my own, and lit by a solitary lamp. But that was only a passing observation. What took my attention most was the presence of Daniello Tarsilla. He was leaning through the opening caused by the sliding back of the panel, and as his elbows rested on the woodwork he whispered across to me "Signor!" "I am here."

"About that money for your escape ! I am willing to get you ashore for fiftv sovereigns." "When?" "To-night, signor—at midnight." "But how?" I asked. "Through this panel, then out on the deck, and thence to a boat which will be in readiness." "But that cabin is occupied at night, is it not?" "Yes, signor; but sleepers can be made to sleep heavy, and Signor Telamone will s'eep so soundly that even the sound of a pjstol shot would not awake him. Can vou walk?" "Yes, I have been trying my foot, and can manage to go a short distance."

"But about the money, signor Quick, for I may be discovered."

"You shall have it as soon as I am in the boat." " 'Twill do, signor. When

twelve o'clock strikes I will be here. It must be this way, because your cabin door is locked arid Signor Telamone has the key." The panel slid along with haste, but did not run sufficiently far for the latch to click, and when I saw the narrow strip of light not more than broad enough to pass a knifeblade through, I walked across the floor and listened at the panel. Then I heard voices—Tarsilla speaking suavely to Telamone.

But a moment or two after I had paused I heard a cry. It came again, accompanied by a curse, and the voice was Telamone's. CHAPTER XVIII. THE SLIDING PANEL. Eager to know what caused that sudden cry, which was a mingled exclamation of horror and of pain, I drew back the panel noiselessly, but so slightly that no one could possibly see that it either moved or was open. Gazing through the slit, I saw Andrieno Telamone bending over the cabin table. The electric light had been switched on, so that his face was plainly visible. A paper lay before him, and through it was thrust a dagger which had been plunged into the table top with a strong hand.

I looked at Telamone's face, and saw that it was full of horror, while he stared down at the square of crumpled whiteness pierced with steel. . I had never seen such a look of horror in anyone's face before, not even in Tercsina's, when I first saw her in the room of the house next door to mine on that night when I saved her from death at her husband's hands. Nor had

on . any man's forehead—great drops which fell with an audible splash on the paper.

"Great heavens!" he cried, holding to the table, as if to keep himself steady, for he began to sway. Berens stood in the cabin doorway, and seeing Telamone's face, and hearing his exclamation, he spoke: "What's the mischief?" Telamone looked up with a cry of fear, and, seeing a man standing at the door, stood upright, lilting his arm, as if to ward off a blow. But he recognised his comrade and shrieked : "Look at that!"

His trembling forefinger pointed at the paper on the table, and Berens, crossing the floor, bent over the paper, and read aloud what he saw written on it, so that I heard every word.

To Andrieno Telamone, sometimes passing by the name of Henry Maitland.

The Fraternity have suspended the sentence passed upon you of death at sight, and substitute for it a sentence of torment by suspense. When they deem it fit, you will die. They consider that your search for the Scarlet Cross package has been prosecuted with such dilatoriness as to suggest that you have repudiated your oath to recover it. Had you succeeded in finding it, there would have been an unconditional withdrawal of the sentence. Bruno Baldo.

Berens, who had been bending over the table, stood up and laughed ; then, slapping Telamone on the back, cried: "Send Bruno Baldo word that you are on the track of the Scarlet-Cross package, and ask in consequence for complete withdrawal of the sentence."

Telamone seemed dazed, and stood by the table, the embodiment of hopelessless and terror. "How can I do that " Berens turned upon him almost savagely. "Have you not Dr. Carson in your hands, and does he not know of the whereabouts of the missing package? Torment him until he obtains it for you, or puts you in the way of recovering it." "Good heavens!" cried Telamone, his face brightening. "I forgot that in my horror at seeing that handwriting. But suppose he should refuse?" "Then take him to Damala."

Tarsilla was standing back, partly hidden by a screen, silent and unobserved, but I saw a strange and crafty look in his face. What it meant I could not guess. The other two men did not seem to be aware of his presence, for they went on talking. What they said made me determine not to divulge the hiding-place of the thing they were seeking, for I gathered the while the recovery of it would save Telamone's life, unspeakable mischief would accrue to Teresinn. Her condition seemed dangerous every way, and I could not fail to rehearse to myself the peril in

which she stood. Telamone ha.! sworn a vendetta against her family, and, failing her father, then had pursued her. But the vendetta should be foregone if she j gave up possession of the ScarletCross package. That was the condition until this last' message came from the Fraternity. But now it transpired that while no harm might come through the vendetta, the Fraternity would punish her, most probably with death, for having dared to withhold what they desired to gain possession of. For the present she was safe, because they were able to centre their attention on me; but it was plain that if she were to be found by any unfortunate accident, Telamone would kill her offhand if she refused his demand. At last the two men left the cabin, Tarsilla's presence having been unremarked. He lingered for a few moments, then crossed the floor softly, switched off the light, and looked outside as if to discover whether Telamone and Berens were near. The cabin being in darkness, I could not distinguish his movements, but felt sure that he was coming towards the paneK Consequently, I drew back, so that I might not be discovered eavesdropping, and by the time I had regained my seat, where I sat silhouetted against the window with the moonlight reflecting off the waters, I heard the panel slide back somewhat noisily. "Signor!" came the loud whisper. "Who is it?" I asked . "Daniello Tarsilla. Signor, can you hear me?" "Perfectly." "I have been thinking, signor. You offer me fifty golden sovereigns to aid you to escape. I cannot do it for so little," the craftv Italian went on. "Your danger is greater than I thought, and therefore you must needs pay a higher price." I protested, but he insisted. "Signor, I shall not aid you in vour escape unless I receive two hundred pounds." j

{To be Continued.) D.P.—l4.