THE DOCTOR'S PROTÉGÉE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 518, 16 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 tho Netherlands," " The Black Disc," &c.

Published By Special Arrangement.

CHAPTER XXlX.— {Continued). I stood in the cove, depressed and broken. Even the company of a rogue such as Regnauld had proved himself would have been better than spending the days in solitude. It was someone to speak with, even if we went so far as controversy, or harboured jealousies supposing such a thing possible on an island where nothing human lived except ourrcives. But when I thought of the journey in the boat ending safely, and that, he would then be free either to hound Telamone to death or carry out his search for Teresina, to wrca'k on her the will of the Fraternity, I cursed my slowness and mv lack of courage, since-she would probably be at his mercy sooner or later, while I was helpless to lift a finger to save her. As for Telamone's danger I cared nothing. He might, die like a dog, and I thought I should not regret it, but would rather hail the news of his death, since I should know that the Fraternity would drop the quest for tho. Scarlet-Cross package. Being hungry, I sat down to eat: then I went back to tho cave, reaching it just before sundown. The Rvzl thing I set my eyes on was the little heap of clothes which Regnauld had left behind. In anger 1 bent down to pick them up, thinking to cast them away, so that I might have nothing about me to remind me of him. When I carried them loosely in my hand, to toss them down the cliff among the bushes, the coat fell out of order, tho collar lying low, tho sleeves dangling. A white piece of paper slipped out of the pocket and tumbled to my feet, and bending down to pick it up I saw that it was folded. Dropping the clothes while I examined it, I unfolded the paper and read with a greater sense of horror than before: To M. Regnauld,—The Fraternity have decreed tile death of Signor Andrieno Telamone, who is thought to be making for Cabesterre, where he has considerable property. Information has also come to hand that his wife, who was not on board the Vallauris after all, has left England. She, too, may be there. You are to search for both, and carry out the death sentence on each. Then report yourself in Paris, bringing, if possible, the Scarlet-Cross package. It is uncertain whether husband or wife possesses it.—A. BROGNIART, President.

To tell of the voyage is not necessary here. It was short, but even then too long. There was always the fear lest I should be too late. My fear was twofold. Who could tell whether or not Regnauld had arrived in safety, then had stored his gold, had made inquiries, and had found that Teresina had already reached the town? If so, he would search for her until he found her— I dared not think of what would follow. Even if Regnauld had been overwhelmed, and he and his boat and his gold had sunk, would not Telamone meet his wife, she littlo thinking that he had interests at stake that would take him to Cabest.crre? Yet I had urged her to go there because I 'bought it the safest place in all the world for one whe was being hounded from pillar to post so long as she Istayed in England. I think that on the short voyage, great as my hope was, my torment of fear was greater, lest I should be too late. Some fearful coincidences had brought about so much that would tend to defeat the purpose I had in view—the safety of one whom, to myself, I called my darling, although she would never be more than friend. But if I were too late, tho punishment of the man who dared to strike the blow should never bo evaded. I swore that I would follow him everywhere, and repay him for what he had done at sight,. whether I found him in a lonely spot or in the busiest city street.

CHAPTER XXX. THE LARGER WORLD. Ten days of mental torture followed, during which I could only eat when hunger compelled me; but there came an unexpected ending to it all, and life seemed to begin afresh for me. I was standing on a cliff overhanging the beach where the wreck was lying, when, searching the sea with my telescope, I saw something white on the horizon. Watching it intently with a beating heart, afraid to hope lest I should be disappointed, I discovered after long waiting that it was a ship from whose funnel black smoke was rolling, while such sail as she carried was spread to catch tho breeze. I looked behind, and saw -that the flag which Regnauld and I had hoisted on the top of a bare tree, high up on the cliff, was floating ; and when I saw it there, I went on my knees and prayed that it might be seen, and that deliverance might come. Nearer and nearer came the ship, making direct for the island, so that unless she took a sudden turn and sailed away she could not fail to draw alongside, hard by the spot where I was standing. But she did not turn, and when, to shew that there was need, and that the flag v/at not flying idly, but with a purpose, I waved another which I went down to the tent for, I saw a puff of smoke on the deck, and presently heard the sound of a gun, which seemed to come as an answer to my appeal. In less than an hour I was on board, telling my story to the captain, while his men, who went ashore, were busy in carrying fresh water on board. I asked him to what place he was bound. "I am going first of all to Cabesterre, Dr. Carson."

"To Cabesterre?" I interrupted, scarcely believing in my good fortune which might yet bring me to tho place for which Regnauld had sailod. "Yes, to Cabesterre. It lies about two hundred and thirty miles to the west, and if you care to go with me, I will take you there." I could have gone on my knees and blessed him, and but for the fact that I had some gold on shore, wh'ch I should need in order to take stejas to save Teresina from an assassin's knife, I should have remained on board, lest in my absence some accident might carry the Beaglo away, and leave me alone again.

The Beaglo ploughed her way through the ocean, and at last we came within sight of the rich, green, wild beauties of Cabesterre. I watched it from the deck, and saw how, even to the summits of the hills which sloped away behind the city of St. Monod, there was growth of the greenest. Beyond the heights rose a huge mountain, through whoso rents and from whose crater poured forth a thick, black smoke. It was a strange thing to see this mountain in a paradise of luxuriant foliage, encircled by forests and fertile valleys—a black blot on the pure landscape. I shuddered as I looked; but it was not because the beauty was marred, but because I had a fear that Teresina had come hither at my own suggestion, and might now be lying dead—done to death by her own husband, or at the hands of the ungrateful Regnauld. When I landed everyone was gay and careless, bent on getting all the possible pleasure out of life. None thought of that sullen monster, the smoking mountain, that had slumbered on for decades, and had done no harm to any within the memory of man. In years gone by it had smoked at intervals, and no evil consequences had followed. When the ship ran in alongside the quay there could be heard the babel of tongues, and the sound of negroes laughing and joking, or fighting, swearing, and disputing —that being their part in life's hurly burly. When I stood among a gesticulating throng of black porters who clamoured to do me some service, and take my small belongings to an hotel, I was deaf to every appeal, and only wanted to know how I could get to the plantation of William Hesketh of Anselme, in whose caro I had a hope I should find Teresina-. And yet I scarcely know what I hoped for most —whether to find that she was here in Cabesterre, where she was at Telamone's or Regnauld's mercy, or to hear that she had neither written to Hesketh nor had arrived, but was still in hiding somewhere in England with my sister. If the latter were the case, I had resolved to go home with all possible speed, and refuse to leave her again, no matter on what pretext I was called away. There should bo no second case of decoying. I had never been to Cabesterre before, and years had passed since I set eyes on my old college chum. Hesketh, who, when I last saw him, was a beardless youth. On the other side of the open space was a Frenchman, standing on the steps of an hotel, and watching with an amused interest the noisy crowd that beset me. He saw my embarrassment, and, tossing his halfspent cigar aside, to find it scrambled for my half a dozen dirty black urchins, he pushed his way among the babbling throng, careless of dis-1 commoding the negrcsses in his path and heedless as to the disturbed feelings of a screaming fellow who was doing his best to add to the uproar when he quietly toppled him ! over. His call to me attracted the | attention of the bawlers, and when they saw him they cleared a lane at once. Possibly they knew the strength of his arm and the hardness of his knuckles. "I am Monsieur Grevy," he exclaimed in broken English, by way of introduction, when ho stood before me, and bade the negroes clear a space to breathe in. In spite of his courtesy I was sus-1 picious. Was he on the look-out for me ? One of the Fraternity who had heard something of my story

from Regnauld, who was already arrived, perhaps, and had given him a full description, with instructions to shew me every possible kindness, but to hinder me as far as could be from following up my late companion in adversity, to take vengeance on him for robbing me of my share of the gold at Patrie Island ? "Monsieur," I answered, thinking to find my way without his aid, "I want a good hotel." "Then let me recommend you this one, from tho steps of which I saw you struggling amid these black rascals." His next words were for those who were in the crowd. "Now, you triggers, clear away! Dinah, toss your basket out of the path, and let this gentleman pass. Where did you get your new ribbon from, Sue?" "At the store," the negress answered, good-naturedly, and moved aside. With many an objurgation we passed through the crowd of blacks, clad in every colour of the rainbow —a mixed and motley company, who jabbered, and screamed, and giggled, and pointed, only to scream again in pure delight. But at last I stood within the hotel, and M. Grevy took leave- of mo with all possible courtesy.

"I shall be at your service, monsieur, whenever you may desire," ho said, when, having stepped into hia phaeton, ho drove away. If M. Grevy had any designs upon my safety, ho had boon courteous about it, and had certainly not thrust, himself upon me. The managor was graciousness itself, but I paid small attention to him at first, for whilo he approached me from behind the grand staircase 1 had turned to look out of a window into a side street, and saw someone walking down it who attracted my attention. At the risk of incurring his displeasure I begged the manager to excuse me, and thrusting my head and shoulders through the open window, I looked after the man whose back was now towards me. It was Regnauld—of that I was confident. How could one mistake hia shoulders, or the colour of his beard, or the peculiar gait I had become accustomed to in tho days when we had shared the loneliness on Patrie Island ? I could havo sworn it to have been Regnauld out of ten thousand men, even had 1 only his back to judge by as he walked away. But while I looked after him he halted at a street corner and looked about him. Then I saw his face, and was assured that it was he. I turned to the manager, who was at my elbow, all smiles, but inwardly, without a doubt, deeming me an ill-mannered fellow. "Pardon my rudeness," I exclaimed, "but that man attracted my attention. Do you see him? Ho is at the street corner; a man with a sandy beard —there ! he has his hand at his forehead."

"Yes, sir." "Do you know him?" I asked. "No —and yes. He has taken rooms at this hotel, and came, strangely enough, into the harbour in an open boat, saying wh.cn he arrived here that he had been wrecked at sea." "When did he come?" I inquired eagerly, wondering whether he had had time to find Teresina. "Not two hours ago. He came here, had a bath and meal, and the went out, intending to look for some friends." I felt relieved. So far as Regnauld was concerned Teresina, was safe. But there was another anxiety in store, for while we stood at t. window talking, I looked across to the harbour, and saw, near to the entrance, a steam yacht which 1 knew at once, painted white, and with a broad line of scarlet from stem to stern, and a band of ' the same colour aboxit the white funnel. It was impossible to mistake her. ] think I could have told her among a hundred, and was confident that she was-the Vallauris. "What is the name of the steam yacht, yonder—that white ono with the scarlet band along her length?" "The Vallauris," came the expected answer. "Who is the owner?" "An Englishman named Berens." "And has he anyone with him?" I asked, with pretended carelessness. "An Italian gentleman, although he goes by an English name—Maitland —which I think must bo assumed." "How long has he been here?" {To be Continued.) D.P.—24.