CHAPTER II A Rescue
Madge worked grimly at the oars as she endeavored to reach the overturnedcanoe. What had become of Anne? With a fast beating heart, she watchedthe water for a glimpse of the girl.
She had nearly given up hope when she caught sight of a struggling formnot far from the floating canoe. A hand emerged, only to sink againbeneath the surface. Anne could not swim!
The realization drove Madge to even greater exertion. The next powerfulsweep of her oars carried her near the struggling girl. She thrust out anoar, but Anne either failing to see it or lacking strength to grasp it,fluttered her hands weakly and went under again.
Without an instant's hesitation, Madge kicked off her pumps and plungedover the side of the skiff. Three long crawl strokes carried her to theplace where Anne had submerged. Bending sharply at the waist she shotdown in a surface dive. Groping about under water, she searchedfrantically for the body and could not find it. She was forced to the topfor air but she went bravely down again and this time her hand touchedAnne's hair. She grasped it firmly, lifting the girl to the surface.
Anne was only semi-conscious but as she gulped air it gave her strengthto renew her struggles. Madge hooked her firmly under the jaw and did notrelax her hold. The waves beat down mercilessly upon the girls and eachtime the avalanche of water poured over their heads. Anne fought like awild thing. Madge, encumbered by heavy clothing, found the battleexhausting.
"Hold your breath when you see a wave coming," she advised. "Don'tstruggle or we'll both drown."
Anne relaxed slightly and Madge managed to shift her into position for asafe carry. Using a powerful scissors kick and a one arm pull, she towedher slowly toward the skiff which had been carried some distance away.
Madge was nearly exhausted when they finally reached the boat and itdiscouraged her to know that the most difficult part of the rescue layahead. They must climb aboard the skiff, and unless they balanced itperfectly it would upset. The only alternative was to cling to the sideuntil help came.
Madge glanced hopefully toward shore but she could not even see the Bradylodge and the rain likewise hid the lookout from view. Even should thestorm abate, it might be fifteen minutes or an hour before Uncle Georgeor Old Bill started out to search. She doubted that they could hold outmany minutes in the cold water.
"You must do exactly as I say," she ordered Anne. "I'll swim to the otherside of the boat. When I give the word we must both climb in at the sametime. If we don't work together, the boat will upset and then we'll be ina real pickle!"
"Oh, I can't, I can't," Anne half sobbed.
"Yes, you can. Do exactly as I say and we'll make it."
Anne nodded that she understood what was expected but Madge wondered ifshe really had the strength to obey. She swam to the other side of theskiff and at her signal both girls slowly raised themselves up from thewater. The boat wobbled dangerously but Anne appreciated the need forcaution. Working deliberately, they kept the skiff upright until bothwere safely over the edge. Exhausted by the effort, Anne sank down in alittle heap on the bottom, shivering from nervous excitement and cold.Madge resisted the temptation to drop down beside her and snatched up theoars.
"I'll make for the island!" she cried, above the roar of the wind. "If wecan reach the cove, the waves won't be so high."
The center of the storm appeared to have passed over, yet giganticbreakers continued to lash against the boat. The steadily falling rainmade it difficult for Madge to see where she was going and she dependedlargely upon her instinct for direction.
"Let me help," Anne presently offered, realizing that she was not doingher share.
"We're almost there," Madge returned without giving up the oars.
One glance at her companion assured her that Anne was in no condition toassist. She was a frail girl but rather pretty in spite of her bedraggledappearance. Her hair was dark and straight and her features were asregular as those of a statue. Madge judged her to be sixteen or seventeenbut it was difficult to guess accurately for Anne's sober expressionundoubtedly made her look older than she actually was. Her face was drawnand strained and she appeared to be still suffering from the shock of hermishap.
A few minutes later they reached the sheltered side of Stewart Island anda flash of lightning disclosed the curving shore line. As the oars struckbottom, the girls scrambled out into the water which came only to theirknees, dragging the skiff out upon shore where the waves could not reachit. They made a quick dash for the house.
In the semi-darkness it looked gloomy and depressing. It was a large,rambling affair, more like a hotel than a house, and not at all inkeeping with the type of shack or cabin usually erected in the North.Branches of a tall birch tree brushed against the pointed roof and thewind whined most distressingly around the many corners of the building.
"I'd not enjoy coming here alone at night," Madge thought.
Her companion opened the kitchen door and they stomped in out of therain.
"There's a fire in the library grate," Anne chattered, leading the way toan adjoining room. "Thank goodness I built it before I left."
They huddled before the glowing embers of the fireplace and Anne tossedon a fresh log which quickly blazed up.
"We can't stand around in wet clothing," she observed, lookingappraisingly at Madge. "You're my size. I'll see what I can find foryou."
Waiting for her to return, Madge gazed curiously about the library whichwas lined to the ceiling with books. The fireplace gave the room acheerful appearance but she could not fail to notice the threadbare rug,the scanty furniture.
"Strange," she thought, "I always understood the Fairadays werewell-to-do."
Her reflection was cut short by Anne's return. She had found a change ofclothing for Madge who accepted it gratefully. After hanging up theirgarments to dry, the girls made coffee, sipping it luxuriously before thefire. As they chatted, Anne brought up the subject of the rescue and inhalting phrases tried to thank Madge.
"Please don't thank me," the latter protested. "It was nothing. Only if Iwere you, I'd certainly learn to swim."
"I should," Anne acknowledged ruefully. "I've always wanted to but neverhad the chance. Until lately, Father took so much care."
Madge nodded sympathetically and after explaining that she had only thatday learned of Mr. Fairaday's death, invited Anne to stay at the Bradylodge.
"It's good of you to ask me," the Fairaday girl murmured, "and truly, Iwould like to accept. Just now I'm afraid I can't. You see, there's aspecial reason why I must stay here--for a few days at least."
She hesitated and did not explain. Madge looked troubled.
"I've written to an aunt in New York and as soon as things are settled Iexpect to live with her," Anne went on hurriedly. "I do appreciate yourkindness only I know I'll be safe here. It's lonely but I'm used to that.The one thing that worries me is what I shall live on after the estate issettled. Father left only this house and a few hundred dollars."
Madge was startled by this frank disclosure. The shabby appearance of theinterior of the house had warned her that the Fairadays were not aswealthy as rumor would have it, but it was difficult to believe that Annefaced poverty.
"Father was never practical about money matters. He built this expensivehouse and installed a laboratory on the second floor that would do creditto a scientific institution. He spent so much on experimentation too."
"You must be proud of the name your father made for himself," Madge saidpolitely.
"Yes, I am, and he was a dear, too. But if only he hadn't been socareless about details! Several times he made important discoveries, onlyto let others reap the commercial reward. Before his death he worked outsome preparation which when applied to iron and steel preventedrust--several large companies were interested in it too. He promised mefaithfully he would register the formula in the patent office."
"He never did?"
"No, he kept putting it off. He always
said the formula wasn't perfected.He always assured me no one could steal it for he kept the experiments tohimself and hid all the data where it would never be found." Anne laughedshortly. "Well, he did a good job of it! I've searched this house highand low and can't find a trace of it."
"You're certain the formula is valuable?"
"I'm sure of it." Anne arose and moved to the desk, returning with aletter which she dropped into Madge's lap. "Last week this came from theAlton Chemical Company--one of the firms Father negotiated with. You seethe letter is signed by the president of the firm--G. H. Brownell--and hesays he is coming here soon to see me about the formula. If only I hadit! I'm sure he would pay me a good figure for it. What became of thething?"
"Ask me something easy. You searched the laboratory I suppose?"
"A dozen times. I haven't given up though. I know I'll find it somewhereand I intend to stay here until I do."
"I wish I could help," Madge returned. "Aunt Maude says I have a talentfor finding lost things. She always calls on me when anything ismissing."
"Then consider that I'm calling on you now. We might start turning thehouse upside down this minute!"
Madge's eye had fallen upon the clock and she sprang to her feet with anexclamation of dismay.
"The search must wait until another day. Goodness! That clock must haveskipped an hour or so! Aunt Maude will think I drowned in the lake. Imust run. Mind if I wear your dress?"
"Of course not. It's only an old rag."
At the door, Madge hesitated.
"See here," she said bluntly, "my aunt will be put out because you feelyou can't stay at the lodge. If anything should go wrong here--"
"Nothing will."
"You can't be certain, Anne. If you need help at any time or want to talkwith me, fly a white flag from the boat landing. I'll see it from thelodge if the day is clear and come as fast as I can."
"All right," Anne agreed, "I have an old white skirt I can use."
She accompanied Madge to the beach, helping her launch the skiff. Therain had ceased falling and the sky was slowly clearing. Before sayinggoodbye, Madge promised Anne that she would have Old Bill search for theoverturned canoe. Anne thanked her again for her kindness, urging her toreturn soon.
"Don't forget," she called, as her friend floated slowly away from thebeach.
"I'll be likely to forget!" Madge chuckled softly to herself. "Even if Ididn't like Anne, that missing formula would be sufficient bait! This hasbeen an exciting day and unless I miss my guess the fun is onlystarting!"