THE DOCTOR'S PROTÉGÉE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 514, 2 November 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 XXlV.—{Continued j) The effect of this tragic incident in. 110 sense improved my own position, although I gained some measure of thanks for having fired at the intruder. There was at least one IcoS of the Fraternity to deal with, said Berens, callously, and he followed up this by snatching the revolver out of my hand while I stood bewildered at my own fortunate escape from death. Happily, I was not searched, and I still had the tiny revolver in my vest pocket, and there I hoped it would stay, in readiness to defend my life if need arose.

package. I should have thought," I went on, angrily, "that some grace might have been displayed because I had really brought information that was valuable to you. Instead of that, you treat me shamefully as when you decoyed me to the Bartons."

Berens evidently felt that nothing would be gained by prolonging the interview. He contented himself with repeating his conviction that I was a fool ten times over for my obstinacy, and left me alone again.

The effect on Telamone was startling. Nothing would satisfy him when that paper was found at the dagger's hilt but an instant departure, and when Berens protested that there was no need for haste now that Desprez was desid, he swung round abruptly, stalked out of the place, and locked himself in his cabin, where, as I heard later, he remained until the Vallauris was steaming away on her westward voyage.

Even on the Atlantic he could not rest. The sight of land roused him to frenzy, and when he came within view of the white-peaked. Teneriffe, he sprang from his couch, ran out to find the captain, and demanded that the ship's head should be turned instantly, to leave the island far behind. There was always that haunting fear that someone would find his way on board, and plunge the dagger into his bosom. At night he would not sleep alone, lest he should hear ghostly feet upon the deck and see the stealthy figure of the would-be assassin entering his cabin.

This perpetual flight and the enduring fear that he might yet be overtaken by the men of the Fraternity seemed to drive him to frenzy at times, and he did things which were more like those of a madman than of one who might claim to be sane. One morning I was awakened by his unceremonious entrance into my cabin. Springing up in bed, I was alarmed to see him standing within the doorway, holding in his right hand my own revolver which Berens had snatched from me. The impulse was to make a dash at him and take the risks, but he divined my intention, and covered me with the weapon. "Dr. Carson," he cried, "this thing must end at once. I will wait no longer. Either you shall tell me where the Scarlet-Cross package is or I will shoot you down now like a dog."

Meanwhile, the ship plunged on, making, as I felt assured, for that lonely island, where I was to be marooned. It- was a terrible prospect ; and yet there was the hope that I might see a ship which would take me off. Death seemed as certain, however, on board the Vallauris, for Telamone's fit of madness might return at any time. On one thing his soul was bent—the recovery of the secret package. Equally as determined was I that it should never be his unless Teresina told me to place it within his reach. But for the hope that "springs eternal in the human breast," I should have collapsed in despair. But I should never have yielded to coercion, although I might break down helplessly when faced by the fierce alternatives. Hope sustained me as surely as when the brave-souled Columbus, sailing westwards in the long days and nights, pursued his weary way in spite of constant disappointments, and the vituperations of despairing companions. Something came as an assurance to my soul that, even if marooned, I should be delivered, and I braced myself up, after such sore pain, not. to undergo defeat. At last I saw in the distance, through the cabin window, a long, low stretch of land broken by three projecting peaks, white at their summits, in contrast to the black rocks which formed their bases. The foam leaped up these blackened walls ceaselessly, but fell back in helplessness, only to make other upward leaps. But soon the Vallauris swung round, and the land passed out o sight, so that I could only conclude that her bow was turned towards the island on which I.was to land.

CHAPTER XXV. AN UNEXPECTED ALLY, The look on his face convinced me that life was not worth ten minutes' purchase : yet I had in mind Teresina's wish, and my solemn promise to her "made me resolute to take the risk a.rid refuse. Happily, the crisis passed in aii unexpected manner. "I shall give you five minutes to decide," said Telamore presently. I think he did not see the look of hope which must have come into my face when I looked beyond him while those minutes were passing with an awful swiftness, and saw Berens approach and stand in the doorway. Coming forward silently, and taking Telemone unawares, Berens wrenched the revolver from his hand, but' the man's fingers were on the trigger, so that the rapid movement caused its discharge, and a bullet crashed into a Florentine mirror which hung on the cabin wall. Telemone swung round with an oath, but -when he saw Berens before him, holding the smoking weapon in his hand, his outburst of passion seemed to terminate suclden ly, for he went out without a word, and a few moments later we heard him slam his cabin door.

After a time the vaclifc slowed down, and I could hear the roar of the sea as the breakers lashed against the rock-bound shore. The Vallauris wore round, and I could see the island for myself—a long ridge of unbroken rock not more than a hundred yards away. The land seemed to be standing right in the path, of an ocean current which sped past the rocks like a mill race, so that I did not wonder that a ])lace so desolate and dangerous attracted no voyagers, but rather caused them to pass it by, and leave it seriously alone. Directly opposite the yacht's anchorage was a "bay into which the sea swept, making landing difficult, and all around were noddies and boobies that flapped their wings and screamed a protest against the threatened invasion of their domain.

While I watched the prospect, the cabin door opened, and Telamone and Berens entered.

"What has he been doing?" asked Berens, examining .the revolver idly. And. when I told him he e-.claimed : "You must be a fool ten tirr.ro over, Dr. Carson. Why not par';, with the secret and save your own life —yes, and .Tclamone's ? Movo than that, for. I swear to you thr.t if. you persist he will shoot down hi:; wife whenever he sets eyes on her."

I felt secure concerning her safety, a 1 u.I that, did not disturb me. I recalled the arrangements I had mr.de for her journey to Cabesterre, whero no one would think of looking for lier, and where die would be in aifo hiding until the ;>urney . had b?oo;r.o less pressing. B.v this time I hoped that Agnes h_acl realised th"t. my continued and mysterious r,bv:nco implied such danger to Teresirta that it. was wisest to get away from England, and make all haste to 0.b0.-,teiTe. The probability was great, sa that I answered with a <vo!aes;', which surprised Berens : '{Yow may tell Tolamone that he will r..?ver discover Teresina while her lire r; in anv danger, and that long r.o die remains in hiding he will never obtain possession of the

"This is the last time of asking," said the former, his face pale, so I was compelled to think with anxiety. It was my final chance, and on my reply hung also his own future. If I refused, then he must needs wander on the seas, always in peril from the long arm of tlie.Fraternity, and especially, without a doubt, from that strange messenger, Regnauld, who had tracked him in spite of all his care. I believe he felt afraid that even here, at Dam a la—for such I thought it must, be—the Fraternity had placed someone whose mission was to give the last warning, and, waiting no longer, strike the death blow. Even to me the thought had its horror —"that this man should be so hounded on land and sea. But if I saved him 1 had no guarantee that Teresina would be safe. A man who had taken such a solemn r.ath when he lay broken and bruised at the Porcupine at. Marly, and yet, as soon as it pleased him, had repud:ated it, and placed his wife in the same danger of death as before, would make a solemn promise now, but break it when it served his purpose! He could not be trusted, an for Teresina's sake I refused him the knowledge that I possessed. . He trembled-with auger when I told him in a few brief words my opinion of him as I have here written it, and had Berens not been near to restrain him, he would have 1.-

violent hands upon me. It was then that I resolved in such a case to have no mercy. I had that small revolver in my vest pocket, and while lot], to shed any man's blood, I determined not to endure further injury without repayment in the man's own coin.

"There is only one thing left for you," said Telamone, "and that is a lonely life on the island. You wil: scarcely starve, for there is food o! a sort, but each time you sit to eat, and every nigh 4 ., when you he down in loneliness, lay the blame 011 your own accursed obstinacy.''

It was useless to controvert with a man who was maddened by fear and resentment : nor was it of any avail when I turned to Berens and bade him remember that if 1 died he would have my death on his own conscience.

lie laughed. "What, do they say in the Bible, Dr. Carson?" he asked. " 'All that, a, man hath will ho give for his life.' Telamone is fighting for his life." "And what of mine?" I retorted. "You are wilfully throwing it away. A word would save it. I doubt not. i< would make you a rich man if you chose to bargain for it. "And what, of Signora Teresina? What of her life?" I asked, beginning now to vacillate. ■ "Of that I shall say nothing. Her fate is in her husband's hands, and I am not going to interfere in his legitimate pursuit of a vendetta on which he and his race lay such stress. But that must pass. Do you intend to give us the information we desire or do you not?

"I refuse absolutely," was my answer. It was useless to struggle. Four sailors came at Telamone s angry call. They came expectant. It had been common talk on board that I was a madman, who was to be taken to Damala and placed in the hands of those who would look to my comfort, so that they acted willingly enough. They were all Italians, consequently their sympathies went with the owner of the yacht, especially when some garbled story hr.. been told them of my interference with Telamone's vendetta. Doubtless some of them had blood feuds of their own on licind, and would resent my action. My first impulse was to fight; to use my revolver on the first sailor who laid hands on mo: but it would have been useless shedding of blood. The crew was large, and I should have been overwhelmed even if every bullet in the chambers of the tiny weapon killed a man.

I waited for no word from either of those who stood about me, but walked to the door, followed by the men. I had to pass Telamone, and in his anger at my persistent refusal he spat at me. It was too much. In sudden passion I swung round upon him, then with a swift blow of my fist I struck him on the chin. The force of the blow numbed my hand, but I watched him stagger. Another blow drove him backward, and, falling against the door, lie tumbled to tlic floor and lay still and senseless.

As for myself, the other men were on me, as though I were the madman they were made to believe me. They dealt with me roughly, up to the point of savagery —the savagery of Italians to one of an alien race, and had no mercy. But there came a moment when I no longer felt their blows.

CHAPTER XXVI. MAROONED. When I opened my eyes and looked about me I found that I was alone, and, recalling what had gone, knew that I was marooned. Away in the distance was the white body of the Vallauris, her funnel sending forth a long trail of omoke which hung suspended in the air, and slowly spread out thinly into gradual disappearance. Around me were birds by the hun-dred—stupid-looking creatures with brown backs and wliitish-grey breasts.'. They were the boobies that held sway in this supposed Damala, sharing their island with the 3till more stupid noddies that could be caught by hand. if I did but choose to make the attempt. Such, as were on the water, which was close at hand, swam there with buoyancy, but those that stared at me with silly wonder had lost their grace, and worried my aching head with the clamour of their load, rough cries. Overhead the birds were on the wing, prot rcting against the intrusion on their domain, which probably had been undisturbed by invasion for many a long year. Almost at my feet where I lay on the beach, crabs were crawling. They seemed to be everywhere, disputing possession with the birds that had stopped to watch mo. Seme of them were feasting on the dead bodies of bird:-: that had run their course of lilc on this lonely island in the sea. To them it was paradise, where they gorged themselves with fisli, of which there j were myriads in the sea. Had man been here, it would have been veritable fishing-ground, with the! sharks as voracious rivals. These "finny pirates of the ocean" too rued to be there in scores, 'snapping; up their food with a greed ;hn. sent a thrill of horror through me. {To be Continued.) O.P. —20.