Nedra

  CHAPTER V

  MR. AND MISS RIDGE SAIL FOR MANILA

  London. A thick fog, and the elopers on board the _Tempest Queen_, oneof the fastest and most palatial of the liners which ply between Englandand the Far East, and for ten years under the command of CaptainShadburn, formerly of the British Navy. For the elopement was now anestablished fact, and Hugh, looking back on their Atlantic voyage, hopedthat in this new ship fortune would be more propitious.

  Excitement, an exaggerated dread of being followed by detectives,together with seasickness, had been too much for Grace, and all thoseweary days she had scarcely left her stateroom. Alone in her bunk,ticketed to the other side of the world, running away from nothing but afoolish aversion, the girl had felt her heart grow cold with a namelessdread, a clammy fear that she had undertaken something that she couldnot accomplish. Almost hourly each day of that unending voyage, Hughwould knock at her door and beg to be allowed to do something toalleviate her sufferings; then a thrill of new tenderness would dartinto her soul as she thought of her champion for all time.

  And Hugh. Never had time seemed such an eternity. Do what he would, hecould not escape the Nemesis-like conviction that he had led the girl heloved into the most unheard-of folly; had carried her to the point whereruin stood on equal footing with success, and joy itself was a menace.Yet during all these days of torment concerning her enfeebled conditionand his recklessness, he remembered with sardonic satisfaction that hehad left in the safety vault, in Chicago, a full statement of theirplans and intentions, with instructions to have the seal broken on March30th, one year after date of deposit. If anything happened to them, thiswas to be the means of shedding light on the mystery. And when in NewYork he had deposited a second statement, with instructions to send itto Chicago on April 1st, one year later. In this he had made known theiritinerary as fully as he could give it at the time. And although hecursed himself often for being a fool, there were moments, andespecially as they neared the foreign shores, when he rejoiced over thismaddest, jolliest of frolics.

  The fact that the short rest in London had done wonders for Grace,together with the hurry and bustle incident to sailing, sent Hugh'sspirits higher and higher. As the two watched the ship drawn away fromthe pier and dragged slowly into clearer waters, the knowledge that theywere irrevocably consigned to the consummation of their project acted onhim like a stimulant. Just before going on board he had asked,half-fearful that she was losing heart, if she still desired tocomplete the journey. He told her that it was not too late to turn backand that he would agree to any modification of the original plan thatshe might suggest.

  There was not a waver in the clear brown eyes, nor a quiver in her voiceas she replied. Instead, there was a flicker indicating injured pride,followed by the sweetest, tenderest smile that he ever had seen onher face.

  "Dear old Hugh! Did I not tell you that I would go to the end of theworld with you?"

  "But we may go to the bottom of the sea," he interposed, seizing herhands, his face lighting up gladly.

  "Then I shall go to the bottom of the sea with you. I never have feltthe faintest desire to turn back. It has been my greatest happiness tothink that some day we shall reach Manila, where our dear adventure mayhave its second and most delightful epoch. Would I turn back? Wouldyou?" She looked divinely happy as she answered her first triumphantquestion with the second.

  And so they sailed again.

  As on their first voyage, their staterooms adjoined. Passage andaccommodation had been booked for H.B. Ridge and Miss Ridge,Chicago, U.S.A.

  The following morning, Grace was awakened by a rattling at her stateroomdoor.

  "How are you feeling?" called a well-known voice rather anxiously.

  "Quite well, thank you. Is it time to get up?"

  "I should say so, Sis."

  "All right; in ten minutes." As she set her feet upon the floor sheobserved a tendency on their part to touch twice before settlingfinally. A momentary dizziness came over her. She closed her eyesquickly and waited a moment before reopening them. Suddenly Hugh'sphotograph, which was leaning against her hat on the steamer trunk,ducked slowly toward her as if bowing a polite good-morning, and thenfell face downward. Miss Vernon rubbed her eyes and stared at theoverturned picture for a full minute before resuming her toilet. Thenshe laughed nervously and made all haste to get on deck. She was one ofthe few women who dress quickly and yet look well. Attired in a becominggown, a jaunty cap, checked raincoat and rough brown gloves, sheventured forth expecting to find Hugh waiting for her. At the same timeshe was thanking her lucky stars that no longer need she fear theauthorities.

  Slightly dismayed and a little bewildered, she looked to the right andleft, trying to remember which stateroom Hugh occupied. The left, sheconcluded, and forthwith applied her pretty knuckles to the panel;vigorously. The door flew open, almost taking her breath, and a tall,dark man stood before her, but he was not Hugh Ridgeway. He lookedaskance in a very polite way.

  "I beg your pardon," she stammered in confusion. "I have made a mistake.This isn't Mr.--my brother's room, is it? Oh, dear, how absurd of me."She was turning away as she concluded.

  "Can I be of service to you?" asked the stranger, stepping forth. He hada very pleasant voice, but she did not remark it at the time.

  "No, I thank you," she hastily replied. "His room is on my right, Iremember. Sorry if I disturbed you," and she was pounding on the otherdoor. She glanced back at the stranger's door involuntarily and thenaway instantly. He was staring at her in a most uncalled-for manner.

  And Hugh did not answer! She rapped again and--no response. The calmvoice of the stranger came to her reddening ears.

  "The gentleman who occupies that room just passed me, going on deck.Straight ahead. That's right." He called the last injunction after herswiftly departing form.

  "Thank you," came back to him with a breath between the words. Hugh mether at the bottom of the steps. She rushed recklessly toward himand cried,

  "Oh, you don't know how glad I am to see you. Where have you been, HughRidgeway--"

  "Sh! Ridge without the 'way.' For Heaven's sake, don't forget that. It'severy bit as important on this ship as on the other. I've been on deckfor a look. Say, are you all right? Are you still glad you're alive?" Hewas holding her hands and looking into her eyes.

  "Of course I am. What a ridiculous question! None but the good dieyoung, and I'm not very good or I wouldn't be running away with you. Butcome,--take me on deck. Is it raining? Why, your coat is wet. Hurry,Hugh; I want to take a good look," she cried, dragging him up the stepshilariously. A peculiar smile came to his face as he followed her tothe deck.

  Neither spoke for a full minute, she gazing dumbly at the bleak wastebefore her, he lovingly at her pretty, bewildered face.

  "Where are we, Hugh?" she finally asked, terrified for the moment."Where is London?"

  "You are not afraid, are you, dearest?" he whispered, his strong armstealing about her. "We are on the bounding main, ticketed for a portthousands of miles away. London is back there," pointing astern.

  She placed her hand in his and looked out over the waters. Nothing butrain, leaden sky and rolling waves. What her thoughts were during thesilence that followed he learned when she turned to him again, lookingimploringly into his eyes.

  "Hugh, you will always be good to me?"

  "So long as I live, sweetheart," he said, pressing her hand firmly. Forsome time they stood alone and silent beneath the awning which coveredthe promenade, the sleety rain pattering dismally over their heads. Butfew of the passengers were above deck. Several officers were chatting atthe end of the deck-house.

  "We have not breakfasted yet, Grace, and I'm as hungry as a bear. Isn'tit a relief, dear, not to feel the necessity any longer of keeping asharp lookout for detectives? Those days on the Atlantic, every otherman I met I thought was a sleuth-hound bent on capturing themillion-dollar reward that has been offered for our capture byChicago society."

  They went below and found t
he dining saloon almost deserted. Two orthree late risers were drinking a last cup of coffee. Then she told himof the mistake she had made, and together they scanned theirfellow-passengers in search of the man who occupied the stateroomadjoining hers on the left. He did not appear for luncheon or dinner,and Hugh cheerfully accused her of murdering him.

  The next morning, however, he was seated at the table, directly acrossfrom Hugh, a trifle pale and far from hungry. He was making a braveeffort to conquer the sickness which had seized him. She nudged Hugh andnodded toward the quiet, subdued eater. He looked across and then gaveher a questioning glance. She winked affirmatively.

  "Poor devil," muttered Hugh. "I suppose he was just beginning to feelsick when you yanked him out, as if you were telling him the boat wason fire."

  "Yanked him out? I did nothing but rap on his door. If he were sick, whydid he open it and stare at me in such a remarkably healthy fashion?"

  "Because you rapped, I suspect. It's no wonder that he stared at abeautiful young lady who had the temerity to visit him before breakfast.Nice-looking fellow, though, I'll say that much for your sake, sister.And what's more, I believe he's an American," said Hugh, surveying thestranger critically.

  "I haven't observed his face," she responded curtly.

  "How did you happen to recognize him? By his shoes? You naturally lookeddown when you saw your mistake, of course, but I don't see how you canget a glance of his shoes now, under the table."

  "I mean I have not noticed whether his face is handsome, Hugh."

  "Better take a look then. He's particularly good-looking with that pieceof beefsteak in his check."

  Grace glanced slyly at the man across the table, noting his pale cheeksand the dark rings beneath his eyes. Hugh had misrepresented the facts;he was not eating at all. Instead, he was merely toying with his fork,making uncertain circles in the layer of brown, gravy which covered theplate, his cheek resting on the other hand, a faraway look of distressin his eyes. They were directed at the plate, but saw it not.

  "Poor fellow," she murmured compassionately; "he's been awfully sick,hasn't he?"

  "Oh, I don't know," said Hugh heartlessly. "They don't go to eating in aday's time if they have been very sick."

  A bright look flashed into her eyes and they danced with merriment asshe whispered something in his ear.

  "By George, maybe you're right. He's a detective and chasing us toearth."

  The stranger looked at them in a half interested manner when theylaughed aloud over the harrowing supposition. They noticed that his eyeswere blue and bloodshot, wan and fatigued. He gave Grace a secondglance, sharper than the first, and politely resumed his manufacture ofcircles in the brown gravy and brown study. Miss Vernonflushed slightly.

  As they left the table she said to Hugh:

  "He remembers me, but he certainly understands it was a mistake, doesn'the?" Hugh looked at her distressed face and laughed.

  The weather later that morning was a delightful surprise for all. Thesky had resumed its blue and the air was fresh and clear.Notwithstanding the pleasant weather, there was a heavy sea running, theship rolling uncomfortably for those who were poor sailors. Deck chairson all sides were occupied by persons who had heroically determined tomake the most of the brightness about them.

  The elopers found their chairs and joined the long line of spectators.Hugh glanced admiringly at Grace now and then. Her cheeks were warm andglowing, her eyes were bright and flashing with excitement, her wholebeing seemed charged with animation.

  The wan-faced stranger followed them on deck a few minutes later. Hiseyes were riveted on a chair nearby and his long body moved swiftlytoward it. Then came a deep roll, the deck seemed to throw itself inthe air, and, with a startled look, he plunged headlong toward MissVernon's chair.

  His knee struck the chair, but he managed to throw his body to one side.He went driving against the deck-house, sinking in a heap. Miss Vernongave a little shriek of alarm and pity, and Ridgeway sprang to the sideof the fallen man, assisting him to his feet. The stranger's face wasdrawn with momentary pain and his eyes were dazed.

  "Pardon me," he murmured. "I am so very awkward. Have I hurt you?"

  "Not in the least," cried she. "But I am afraid you are hurt. See! Thereis blood on your forehead." She instantly extended her handkerchief, andhe accepted it in a bewildered sort of a way, placing it to hisforehead, where a tiny stream of blood was showing itself.

  "A piece of court plaster will stop the flow," said Hugh critically, andat once produced the article from his capacious pocket-book. Graceimmediately appropriated it and asked for his knife.

  "You are very good," said the stranger, again pressing the handkerchiefto his head. The act revealed to him the fact that he was using herhandkerchief for the purpose, soiling it, perhaps. His face flusheddeeply and an embarrassed gleam came to his eyes. "Why, I am using yourhandkerchief. I assure you I did not know what I was doing when I tookit from you. Have I ruined it?"

  Miss Vernon laughed at his concern and her face brightenedconsiderably. As she looked into his clear blue eyes and his square,firm face she observed for the first time that he was quite ahandsome fellow.

  "It won't soil it at all," she said.

  "But it was thoughtless, even rude of me, to take yours when I had myown. I am so sorry."

  "Do you think this will be large enough, Hugh?" she asked, holding up apiece of black court plaster. The stranger laughed.

  "If the cut is as big as that I'd better consult a surgeon," he said."About one-tenth of that, I should say."

  "All right," she said cheerfully. "It is your wound."

  "But you are the doctor," he protested.

  "I dare say it is too big to look well. People might think you weredynamited. Does it pain you?" she asked solicitously. For an instanttheir eyes looked steadily, unwaveringly, into each other,--one of thoseodd, involuntary searches which no one can explain and which neverhappen but once to the same people.

  "Not at all," he replied, glancing out over the tumbling waves with alook which proved they were strange to him. Hugh dashed away and soonreturned with a glass of brandy, which the stranger swallowed meekly andnot very gracefully. Then he sat very still while Grace applied thecourt-plaster to the little gash at the apex of a rapidly rising lump.

  "Thank you," he said. "You are awfully good to a clumsy wretch whomight have crushed you. I shall endeavor to repay you both for yourkindness." He started to arise from Hugh's chair, but that gentlemanpushed him back.

  "Keep the chair until you get straightened out a bit. I'll show you howto walk deck in a rough sea. But pardon me, you are an American likeourselves, are you not? I am Hugh Ridge, and this is my sister--MissRidge."

  "My name is Veath--Henry Veath," the other said as he bowed. "I am soglad to meet my own countrymen among all these foreigners. Again, let methank you."

  "Hardly a good sailor?" observed Hugh.

  "As you may readily guess."

  "It's pretty rough to-day. Are you going to Gibraltar and Spain?"

  "Only as a bird of passage. I am going out for our government. It's along and roundabout way they've sent me, but poor men must go whereopportunity points the way. I assure you this voyage was not designedfor my pleasure. However, I enjoyed a couple of days in London."

  "An important mission, I should say," ventured Mr. Ridge.

  "I'm in the revenue service. It is all new to me, so it doesn't mattermuch where I begin."

  "Where are you to be stationed?" asked Hugh, and something told him whatthe answer would be before it fell from the other's lips.

  "Manila."