XXV ~ A GIRL AND HER DEBT OF HONOR
Says she, "You lime-juice sailor, Now see me home you may." But when we reached her cottage door She unto me did say-- And a-way, you santee, My dear Annie! O you New York girls, Can't you dance the polka! --Walking Down the Broadway.
Mayo was promptly informed that Captain Downs and the crew of the_Alden_ were safe.
"He caught our flare, got his motor to working, and made the inlet by alucky stab," explained the coast-station captain. "But he didn't reckonhe'd ever see you folks again. How did it happen he didn't tell me therewas a woman aboard?"
"You'll have to ask him."
"Who is she?"
"You'll have to ask him that, too. I'm only a sailor."
The captain looked him over with considerable suspicion: His shirt wastorn and his white skin was revealed. The drenching by rain and sprayhad played havoc with his disguise; most of the coloring had been washedaway.
"Have you got anything special to say about yourself?"
"No, sir."
The captain turned his back on his men and leaned close to Mayo. "Theyhave had your picture in the paper this week," he said. "You're thecaptain they are wanting in that _Montana_ case. They're after you. I'vegot to report on this thing, you understand!"
"Very well, captain."
"But I reckon we'll talk it all over after we get to the station,"said the master, kindly. "There may be something in it that I don'tunderstand."
"There's considerable in it that I don't understand myself, just now,but I'm going to find out," declared Captain Mayo.
They placed Ahpa Marston in the care of the station captain's wife assoon as they were safely on shore in the inlet. Fortunate chance hadsent the woman to the station that day on a visit to her husband.
Captain Downs, fed and warmed, watched the new arrivals eat beside thekitchen stove and listened to the story Mayo had for him.
The bedraggled cat lapped milk, protected from the resentful jealousy ofthe station's regular feline attache by the one-eyed cook.
And afterward, closeted with Captain Downs and the station captain, Mayowent over his case.
"I must say you seem to be pretty hard and fast ashore in mightysloppy water," commented the coastguard captain. "It isn't my especialbusiness--but what do you propose to do?"
"Go to New York and take what they're going to hand me, I suppose. Iought to have stayed there and faced the music. I have put myself in badby running away. But I was rattled."
"The best of us get rattled," said the host, consolingly. "I'm not apoliceman, sheriff, or detective, mate. I'll report this case as CaptainDowns and so many souls saved from the schooner _Alden_. You'd bettertrot along up to the city and face 'em as a man should. I'll rig you outin some of my clothes. Your old friend, Wass, meant well by rushingyou away, but I've always found that in a man's fight you can't do muchunless you're close enough to t'other fellow to hit him when he reachesfor you."
A half-hour later, made presentable in the coast-guard captain's libertysuit, Mayo walked through the kitchen. Bradish and the cook were stillin front of the stove.
The captain's wife, standing in a door which admitted to an inner room,put up a finger to signal the young man and then nodded her head ininvitation. "The young lady wants to see you, sir," she informed himin a whisper, when he stepped to her side. "Go in!" She closed the doorbehind him and remained in the kitchen.
He stood in the middle of the room and gazed at the girl for some time,and neither of them spoke. She was swathed in blankets and was huddledin a big chair; her face was wan and her eyes showed her weariness. Buther voice was firm and earnest when she addressed him.
"Captain Mayo, what I am going to say to you will sound very strange.Tell me that you'll listen to me as you would listen to a man."
"I'm afraid--" he stammered.
"It's too bad that man and woman can seldom meet on the plane where manand man meet. But I don't want to be considered a girl just now. I'm onehuman being, and you're another, and I owe something to you which mustbe paid, or I shall be disgraced by a debt which will worry me all mylife." She put out her hands and knotted the fingers together in appeal."Understand me--help me!"
He was ill at ease. He feared with all his soul to meet the one greatsubject.
"When we thought we were going to die I told you it seemed as if I hadlived a life in a few hours--that I did not seem like the same personas I looked into my thoughts. Captain Mayo, that is true. It is moreapparent to me now when I have had time to search my soul. Oh, I am notthe Alma Marston who has been spoiled and indulged--a fool leaping hereand there with every impulse--watching a girl in my set do a silly thingand then doing a sillier thing in order to astonish her. That has beenour life in the city. I never knew what it meant to be a mere humanbeing, near death. You know you saved me from that death!"
"I only did what a man ought to do, Miss Marston."
"Perhaps. But you did it, that's the point. There are other men--" Shehesitated. "I have had a talk with Mr. Bradish," she told him. "It was amistake. You saved me from that mistake. You did it in the cabin of theschooner. He has told me. It was better for me than saving my life."
"But because a man isn't a sailor--isn't used to danger--" heexpostulated.
"That is not it. I say I have just had a talk with Mr. Bradish! I havefound out exactly what he is. I did not find it out when I danced withhim. But now that I have come near to dying with him I have found himout." The red banners in her cheeks signaled both shame and indignation."A coward will show all his nature before he gets himself in hand again,and Mr. Bradish has shown me that he is willing to ruin and disgraceme in order to make profit for himself. And there is no more to be saidabout him!" She paused.
"Captain Mayo, I know what idea you must have of me--of a girl who woulddo what I have done! But you don't have half the scorn for me I have formyself--for the girl I was. But I have my self-respect now! I respectthe woman that I am at this moment after that experience! Perhaps youdon't understand. I do! I'm glad I have that self-respect. I shall facewhat is ahead of me. I shall do right from now on." She spoke quicklyand passionately, and he wanted to say something, but his sailor tonguehalted. "I am not going to bring up a certain matter--not now! It's toosacred. I am too miserably ashamed! Again, Captain Mayo, I say that Iwant to stand with you as man to man! I want to render service for whatyou have done for me. You have lost everything out of your life that youvalue. I want you to have it back. Will you listen to me now?"
"Yes, Miss Marston."
"You go to my father with a letter from me. I do not believe he knowswhat kind of methods have been practised by his understrappers, but hecan find out. You tell him that he must find out--that he must makethem confess. You tell him that this is a man's fight, and that you arefighting back with all the strength that you can command. You tell himthat you have me hidden, and that I cannot get away--as my own letterwill tell him. You tell him that he must make a fair exchange withyou--give you back what is yours before he can have what is his."
Mayo walked backward limply, feeling for the wall with his hands behindhim, and leaned against it.
"You are single-handed--it's a big game they play up in the city whenthey are after money--and you must take what cards are offered," sheinsisted, displaying the shrewdness of the Marston nature.
"You mean to say that I'm going to your father as if I were holding youfor ransom?" he gasped.
"Something like that," she returned, eagerly. "The only way you'll getwhat you want--and get it quickly--is by a good bluff. I have had somegood samples of your courage, Captain Mayo. You can do it beautifully."
"But I'm not going to do it!"
"I say you are!"
"Not by a--" His feelings were carrying him away. He was forgetting thatthese dealings were with an impulsive girl. His anger was mounting. Shewas putting him on the plane of a blackleg.
"Go ahead and tal
k as strongly as you like, Captain Mayo. It will makeit seem like man's business between us."
"Those tricks may be all right in Wall Street, but they don't do for me.And you've got a pretty poor opinion of me if you think I'll do it."
"Don't be quixotic," she protested, impatiently. "We are living inup-to-date times, Captain Mayo. Some of those underlings have played anasty trick on you. They must be exposed."
"This is a girl's crazy notion!"
"Captain Mayo, is this the way you help me pay my debt?"
"You don't owe me anything."
"And now you pay me an insult! Are my honor as a girl and my life worthnothing? You have saved both."
"I don't know how to talk to you. I haven't had any experience intalking with women. I simply say that I'm not going to your father inany such manner. Certainly not!"
"Don't you realize what I have offered you?" she pleaded. "You arethrowing my sacrifice in my face. As the case stands now, I can hurryoff to the home of some girl friend and make up a little story of afoolish lark, and my father will never know what has been happening. Heexpects me to do a lot of silly things."
"That's your business--and his," he returned, dryly.
"Captain Mayo, I have been trying to show you that I am fit to beconsidered something besides a silly girl. I wanted you to know thatI have a sense of obligation. The plan may seem like a girl's romanticnotion. But it isn't. It's bold, and your case heeds boldness. I wastrying to show you that I'm not a coward. I was going to confess to myfather what I have done and start on the level with him. You throw itall in my face--you insult my plan by calling it crazy."
"It is," he insisted, doggedly. "And I'm in bad enough as it is!"
"Oh, you're afraid, then?"
He frowned. Her sneer seemed gratuitous injury.
He did not understand that variety of feminine guile which seeks to goadto action one who refuses to be led.
"I admire boldness in a man when his case is desperate and he is tryingto save himself. I have lived among men who are bold in going after whatthey want."
"I have had a little experience with that kind of land pirates, and Idon't like the system."
"I shall not make any unnecessary sacrifices," she de-clared, tartly,but there were tears in her eyes. "I did what I could to help you whenyou were trying to save me. Why are you so ungenerous as to refuse tohelp me now?"
"It's taking advantage of you--of your position."
"But I offer it--I beg of you to do it."
"I will not do it."
"You absolutely refuse?"
"Yes, Miss Marston."
"Then I shall leave you to your own fate, Captain Mayo. You don't expectme to go to my father with the story, do you?"
"Certainly not'."
"I shall go ahead now and protect myself the best I can. I am sure thatCaptain Downs will keep my secret. I shall forget that I ever sailed onthat schooner. I suppose you will black yourself up and run away again!"
"I am going to New York."
"To be put in jail?"
"Probably."
"You make me very angry. After you have shown that you can fight, justwhen you ought to fight the hardest you slink bade to be whipped."
"Yes, Miss Marston, if you care to put it that way."
"Then, good-by!"
"Good-by!"
Perhaps each expected that the other would break the wall of reserve atthis moment of parting. He hesitated a moment--an awkward instant--thenhe bowed and left the room.
Captain Downs walked with Mayo for a distance across the sand-dunes whenthe latter started to make his way to the nearest railroad station. Thecaptain intended to remain at the inlet tmtil a representative of the_Alden's_ owners arrived.
They left Bradish still huddled behind the stove in the kitchen.
"Unless my eyes have gone back on me, Captain Mayo, my notion isthat the dude is wasting his time hanging around that girl any more,"suggested Captain Downs. "She has had him out on the marine railway oflove, has made proper survey, and has decided that she would hate tosail the sea of matrimony with him. Don't you think that's so?"
"I think you're a good judge of what you see, Captain Downs."
"I reckon that you and I as gents and master mariners are going to keepmum about her being aboard the _Alden?_"
"Certainly, sir."
"The coast-guard crew don't know who she is, and they can't find out.So she can go home and mind her business from this time out. 'Most everywoman does one infernal fool thing in her life--and then is all rightever after. But now a word on some subject that's sensible! What are yougoing to do?"
"Stick my head into the noose. It's about the only thing I can do."
"But you'll talk up to 'em, of course?"
"I'll play what few cards I hold as best I know, sir. The most I canhope for is to make 'em drop that manslaughter case. Perhaps I can sayenough so that they'll be afraid to bring me to trial. As to getting mypapers back, I'm afraid that's out of the question. I'll have to startlife over in something else."
"Mayo, why don't you go to the captain's office?" He promptly answeredthe young man's glance of inquiry. "Julius Marston himself is thesupreme boss of that steamship-consolidation business. Bradish gave allthat part away, telling about those checks; though, of course, we allknew about Marston before. It is probably likely that Marston gives truecourses to his understrappers. If they take fisherman's cuts betweenbuoys in order to get there quick, I'll bet he doesn't know about it. Goto him and tell him, man to man, what has happened to you."
"There are two reasons why I shall probably never see Mr. Marston,"returned Mayo, grimly. "First, I'll be arrested before I can get acrossNew York to his office; second, I'll never get farther than the outeroffice. He's guarded like the Czar of Russia, so they tell me."
"Does his girl know anything about your case?"
"I blabbed it to her--like a fool--when we were in the boat. Why is itthat when a man is drunk or excited or in trouble, he'll blow the wholestory of his life to a woman?" growled Mayo.
"I've thought that over some, myself," admitted Captain Downs."Especially on occasions when I've come to and realized what I've letout. I suppose it's this--more or less: A man don't tell his troubles toanother man, for he knows that the other man is usually in'ardly gladof it because any friend is in trouble. But a woman's sympathy is like aflaxseed poultice--it soothes the ache and draws at the same time."
Mayo trudged on in silence, kicking the sand.
"Seems to me the smallest thing that girl could have done was to offerto get you a hearing with her old man. It was some chore you did forher, mate!"
"I had to save myself. A few more in the party didn't matter."
"These society girls think of themselves first, of course! I don'tsuppose you give a hoot for my advice, Captain Mayo, but I'm talking toyou in the best spirit in the world."
"I know you are, Captain Downs," declared the young man, his sullennessdeparting. "I didn't mean to show bristles to you! I'll try to seeMarston. It 'll be a hard stunt. But I'm in the mood to try anything. Bygad! if they lug me to jail, I'll go kicking!"
"That's the spirit, boy. And if you can get in a few kicks where JuliusMarston can see 'em they may count. He's the boss! I don't think I'll goany farther with you. This is too hard footing for an old waddler likeme. Good luck!"
They shook hands and turned their backs on each other with sailorrepression in the matter of the emotions.
The young man went on his way, wondering in numbed despair how he couldhave left Alma Marston with merely a curt word of farewell.
Mayo lurked that evening in the purlieus of Jersey City, and entered themetropolis after midnight on a ferryboat which had few passengers andafforded him a dark corner where he was alone. He found lodgings inhumble quarters on the East Side.
In the morning he nerved himself to the ordeal of appearing in thestreets. His belief in his own innocence made his suffering greater ashe waited for the clap of a heavy hand on his
shoulder and the summonsof an officer's voice. He knew that the eyes of Uncle Sam are sharp andhis reach a long one. He had firm belief in the almost uncanny vigilanceof government officers. He was rather surprised to find himself at lastin the outer office of Marston & Waller.
He sat down on a bench and waited for a time in order to regainhis self-possession. He wanted to control features and voice beforeaccosting one of the guardians of the magnate. But the espionage of theattendants did not permit loiterers to remain long in that place withoutexplanation. A man tiptoed to him and asked his name and his business.
"My name doesn't matter," said Mayo. "But I have important businesswith Mr. Marston. If you will tell him that the business is mostimportant--that it is something he ought to know, and that--"
"You haven't any appointment, then?"
"No."
"Do you think for one moment that you can get in to see Mr. Marstonwithout giving your name and explaining beforehand the nature of yourbusiness?"
"I hoped so, for it is important."
"What is it?"
"It's private--it's something for Mr. Marston."
"Impossible!" was the man's curt rejoinder. He went back to his post. Ina few moments he returned to Mayo. "You mustn't remain here. You cannotsee Mr. Marston."
"Won't you take in a message from me? I'll explain--"
"Explain to me. That's what I'm here for."
Telling that cold-blooded person that this visitor was the broken masterof the _Montana_ was out of the question. To mention the case of the_Montana_ to this watchdog was dangerous. But Mayo dreaded to go back tothe street again.
"I'll stay here a little while and perhaps I can--" he began.
"If you stay here without explaining your business I'll have youescorted down to the street by an officer, my friend."
Mayo rose and hurried out.
"An officer!" Even in his despairing and innocent quest of a hearinghe was threatened with arrest! He sneaked back to his lodgings and hidhimself in the squalid apartment and nursed the misery of his soul.
That night Mayo sat till late, toiling over a letter addressed to JuliusMarston.
He despatched it by messenger at an early hour, and mustered his couragein the middle of the forenoon and followed in person. He assumed aboldness he did not feel in his quaking heart when he approached theguardian of the outer office.
"Will you ask Mr. Marston if he will see the man who sent him a letterby messenger this morning?" "What letter? Signed by what name?" "He willunderstand what letter I refer to." "He will, will he?" The attendantgave this applicant sharp scrutiny. The coast-guard captain's libertygarments were not impressive, nor did they fit very well. Mayo displayedthe embarrassment of the man who knew he was hunted. "Do you think Mr.Marston receives only one letter by messenger in a morning? Look here,my man, you were in here yesterday, and I look on you as a suspiciouscharacter. You cannot see Mr. Marston on any such excuse. Get out ofthat door inside of one minute or I'll send in a police call!"
And once more Mayo fled from the danger which threatened him. He boughta stock of newspapers at a sidewalk news-stand; his hours of lonelinessin his little room the day before had tortured him mentally. He sathimself down and read them. The news that the Vose line had gone intothe steamship combination was interesting and significant. Evidently the_Montana's_ lay-up had discouraged the mass of stockholders. He hadtime to kill and thoughts to stifle; he went on reading scrupulously,lingering over matters in which he had no interest, striving to occupyhis mind and drive the bitter memories and his fears away fromhim. Never in his life before had he read the society tattle in thenewspapers. However, dragging along the columns, he found a paragraphon which he dwelt for a long time. It stated that Miss Marston ofFifth Avenue had returned by motor from a house-party in the Catskills,accompanied by Miss Lana Vanadistine, who would be a house guest of MissMarston's for a few days.
That bit of news was significant. She had established her alibi; she hadreinstated herself and had turned a smooth front to the world.
Mayo was certain in his soul that he knew her kind. His illusions weredeparting. Now that her tragic experience was behind her, now that shewas back among her own, now that the fervor of romance was cool, she wasthanking God, so he told himself, that she had not sacrificed herselffor anybody. He was honestly glad that she was at home, glad of the hintwhich the paragraph gave--that her secret was still her own, so far asfamily and the social world were concerned.
That night Mayo took further counsel with himself. In the morning hisfinal decision was made. He would endeavor once more to see JuliusMaxston. He determined that he would march into the outer office, boldlyannounce his name, assert that he was there to expose a crime, and tellthem that if Mr. Marston refused to hear him he should tell what he knewto the public through the newspapers; then he would ask them to send forthe police, if the door of Marston's office remained closed to him. Hewould call attention to himself and to his case by all the uproarhe could make. When he went to jail he would go with plenty of folkslooking on. Let Marston and his fellow-financiers see how they likedthat!
It was a desperate and a crude plan, but Mayo was not a diplomat--he wasa sailor.
He marched forth on his errand with his chin up and resolve flamingwithin him.
Other men, prosperous-looking and rotund men, rode up in the elevatorwith him and went into Marston & Waller's office ahead of him, for hehad modestly stepped to one side to allow them to pass.
He heard some talk of a "board meeting." It was plain that Mr. Marstonwas to be occupied for a time. This was not a favorable moment in whichto project himself upon the attention of the financier; he needed aclear field. Therefore he tramped up and down the corridor of theoffice building, watching the elevator door, waiting to see the rotundgentlemen go on their way. And with attention thus focused he saw MissAlma Marston arrive.
She waited until the elevator had passed on, and then she came directlyto him. Her expression did not reveal her mood except to hint that shewas self-possessed.
"I am not especially surprised to find you here," she told him. "Ibelieve you said to Captain Downs--so he informed me--that you weregoing to try to see my father. And men who try to see my father, withoutproper introduction, usually kick their heels outside his office forsome days."
There was a bit of hauteur in her voice. She preserved much of theacerbity which had marked her demeanor when they had said good-by toeach other. He would not acknowledge to himself that he hoped she wouldmeet him on another plane; he meekly accepted her attitude as the properone. He was a sailor, and she was the daughter of Julius Marston.
"Do you blame me for being suspicious in regard to what you intend tosay to my father?" she demanded. "I tell you frankly that I came herelooking for you. We must settle our affair."
"I am trying to get word with him about my own business--simply my ownbusiness, Miss Marston."
"But as to me! What are you going to say to him about me? You rememberI told you that I intended to protect myself," she declared, with someinsolence.
"I thought you had a better opinion of me," he protested. "Miss Marston,as far as I am concerned, you never were on that schooner. I knownothing about you. I do not even know you. Do you understand?"
He started away hastily. "Don't stay here. Don't speak to me. Somebodymay see you."
"'Come back here!"
He stopped.
"I demand an explicit promise from you that if you are able to talk withmy father you will never mention my name to him or try to take advantageof the dreadful mistake I made."
"I promise, on my honor," he said, straightening.
"Thank you, sir."
"And now that I have promised," he added, red in his tanned cheeks,"I want to say to you, Miss Marston, that you have insulted megratuitously. I suppose I'm not much in the way of a gentleman as youmeet them in society. I'm only a sailor. But I'm neither a tattler nora blackmailer. I know the square thing to do where a woman is concerned,and I woul
d have done it without being put under a pledge." He bowed andwalked away.
She gazed after him, a queer sparkle in her eyes. "We'll see about you,you big child!" she murmured.
She entered the waiting-room of the Marston & Waller suite, and wasinformed that her father was busy with a board meeting.
"But it's merely a bit of routine business. It will soon be over, MissMarston--if you will be so good as to wait."
After a time the gentlemen filed out, but she waited on.
"Tell my father that I'm here and will be in presently," she commandedthe guardian.
Before the messenger returned Mayo came in, rather apprehensively. Hetried to avoid her, but she met him face to face and accosted him withspirit.
"Now that I have put you on your honor, I'm not afraid to have you talkyour business over with my father. Come with me. I will take you to him.Then we will call accounts square between us."
"Very well," he consented. "After what I have been through here, I feelthat one service matches the other." Mayo followed her and came into ThePresence.
Julius Marston was alone, intrenched behind his desk, on his throne ofbusiness; the dark back of the chair, towering over his head, set offin contrast his gray garb and his cold face; to Mayo, who haltedrespectfully just inside the door, he appeared a sort of bas-reliefagainst that background--something insensate, without ears to listen orheart to bestow compassion.
The girl, hurrying to him, engaged his attention until she had seatedherself on the arm of his chair. Then he saw Mayo, recognized him, andtried to rise, but she pushed him back, urging him with eager appeal.
"You must listen to me, father! It is serious! It is important!"
He groped for the row of desk buttons, but she held his hand from them.
Captain Mayo strode forward, determined to speak for himself, renderedbold by the courageous sacrifice the girl was making.
"Not a word! Not a word! The supreme impudence of it!" Marston repeatedthe last phrase several times with increasing violence. He pushed hisdaughter off the arm of the chair and struggled up. Only heroic measurescould save that situation--and the girl knew her father! She forcedherself between him and his desk.
"You'd better listen!" she warned him, hysterically. "A few days ago Iran away to be married!"
He stood there, stricken motionless, and she put her hands against hisbreast and pressed him back into his chair.
"But this is not the man, father!"
Marston had been gathering his voice for wild invective, but that laststatement took away all his power of speech.
"I warned you that you'd better listen!"
In that moment she dominated the situation as completely as if she stoodbetween the two men with a lighted bomb in her hand.
Mayo was overwhelmed even more completely than the financier. Herealized that her extortion of a pledge from him had been subterfuge;her triumphant eyes flashed complete information on that point. Bothanger and bewilderment made him incapable of any sane attempt to presshis case with Marston at that time. He turned and started for the door.
"Stop that man, father. You'll be sorry if you do not! He must stay!"
"Come back here!" shouted Marston.
Mayo looked behind.
The magnate stood with finger on the push-button. "Come back, I say!"
"I protest. This is none of my business. I am here for something elsethan to listen to your daughter's private affairs."
"You come back!" commanded the father in low tones of menace, "or I'llhave you held for the United States marshals the minute you step footoutside that door."
Raging within himself at the tactics of this incomprehensible girl,Captain Mayo walked slowly to the desk; it occurred to him that it wasas hard to get out of Julius Marston's office as it was to get in.
"I would never have come in here if I had dreamed that your daughterwould tell you what she has. I am in a false position. I insist that youallow me to leave."
"You'll leave when I get to the bottom of this thing! Now, Alma, whatnew craziness is all this?"
"I am not resenting the word you apply to it," she replied, facing himresolutely. "I did it--and I don't know why I did it!"
"Did what?"
"I ran away. I did it because the girls dared me to do it. I promised aman I would marry him."
"This man, eh?"
"No. I have told you this is not the man."
"Well, who, then?" Incredulity was mingled with her father's wrath.
"One of your trusted young gentlemen. Mr. Ralph Bradish."
"Where did you meet him?"
"At the dances."
"Not at our house?"
"I do not know how you are so sure of that, father," she returned, atouch of rather wistful reproach in her tones. "You have left mealone in that house ever since mother went away. But it was not at ourhouse--it was in the public ball-rooms."
"Hell set to music!" he rasped. "I ought to have realized that you arestill an infant!"
"No; I am a woman to-day. I lived a whole lifetime in one night on theocean. I know you have reason to be ashamed of me. But I'll never giveyou cause for shame again. Now what are you going to say to this man whosaved my life--who did more than that? He saved me from myself!"
Marston narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Mayo. "I don't understand thisthing yet! The story doesn't ring right." He turned on his daughter."How did this man save your life? Be quick and be short!"
He interrupted her in the middle of her eager recital. He had beenscowling while she talked, staring into vacancy in meditation.
"A story-book tale!" he declared, impatiently, and yet there was a shadeof insincerity in that impatience. "I would be bitterly ashamed of you,Alma, if you had run away as you are trying to make me believe. But--"
"Don't you believe me?"
"Silence! But this trumped-up story is too transparent. You are stillacting the fool in the matter of this person, here. Now see here, myman, you are here to-day on the _Montana_ affair. Isn't that so?"
"It is, sir."
"I was sure of it. How did you dare to sneak into that job after I haddischarged you from the _Olenia_?"
"There was no sneaking to it! I was hired by Mr. Fogg and I--"
"You may be sure that I did not know you were on board the _Montana_.But I cannot attend to all the details of my business. You realize,don't you, that you are a fugitive from justice?"
"I am a scapegoat for the dirty dogs who operate for you!"
"That's enough! I am investigating this matter now? Sit down in thatchair!"
Mayo obeyed, lulled by the assurance.
"Alma, you go home!"
"I am going to stay here, father, until Captain Mayo--"
"I have listened to all the falsehoods I propose to hear!" Thisrejoinder astounded his two listeners. "I see into this matter clear tothe bottom. I am amazed that you should think such a silly yarn woulddeceive me for a moment." He had pressed one of the buttons. To the manwho opened the door he said: "Tell Mr. Bradish that I want to see himhere at once. He is in the office, isn't he?"
"Yes, sir! I will inform him."
Mayo and the girl exchanged eloquent looks; they had been leaving Mr.Bradish out of their calculations; they had discarded him from theirthoughts; that he had had the effrontery to reappear in the Marston &Waller offices was news indeed.
Marston took the girl by the arm and led her toward a door. "I tellyou to go home!" he cried, angrily, stopping her protests. "No, you aregoing by this side door. I do not believe one word you have told me.It's all a transparent attempt to continue your folly. I'll know how tolook after you from now on!" He closed the door behind her and lockedit.
"I swear this is all true, sir," pleaded Mayo. "I'm not trying todeceive you through your daughter. I did not understand what sheintended to say. I want my rights as a man who has been tricked,abused--"
Mr. Bradish appeared, bowing respectfully. He was once more part of thesmooth machinery of the Marston & Waller offic
es. He was pale, calm,cool, subdued master of his emotions as the employees of Julius Marstonwere trained to be.
"Did you ever see this man before? Of course you never did!" promptedthe financier.
"I never saw him before, sir."
"Certainly not! What have you to say to the ridiculous, nonsensicalstory that you attempted to elope with my daughter?"
Not by a flicker of the eyelids did the imperturbable maker ofmillion-dollar checks show confusion.
"If such a lie needs denial from me I most firmly do deny it, sir."
"You cheap renegade!" roared the captain.
"That will do, Mr. Bradish!"
The clerk obeyed the wave of his master's hand and retired quickly.
"Mr. Marston," raved Mayo, "I'm fighting for all that's worth whileto me in life. My reputation as a master mariner, my chance to make aliving in my work. I was a fool on board your yacht! With all my soul Iam penitent. I will-"
"Enough! Don't you dare to discuss my own daughter with me!"
"I don't intend to, sir. I'm going to believe that you don't know whatyour understrappers have done to me. You only see results. But find outwhat is being done in your name, Mr. Marston. Some day it will be badfor you if you don't stop 'em."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's only my appeal for justice. My God, sir--"
"There's justice waiting for you."
"Then send out for your marshals. Let them drag me into court! Your manBradigh's mouth is closed now, but it has been open. I know what hasbeen done to me. Let them put me on the stand. You don't dare to have mestand up in court and tell what I know."
"Do you suppose I am running the Federal courts?"
"You'd better find out whether you have power or not. There are men inthis world who will believe an honest man's true story!"
"Good day!" said Mr. Marston, significantly.
Mayo hesitated, gazed into the impassive countenance of the magnate,and then conviction of the uselessness of argument overwhelmed him. Hestarted for the door.
"Certain sensible things can be done," Marston called after him. "You'dbetter get out of New York. If you know of a place to hide you'd betterget into it."
Mayo did not reply. He strode out through the offices, descended to thestreet, and went on his way.
He did not notice that an automobile pursued him through the roaringtraffic of the streets, halting ahead of him when, he had turned intoone of the quieter thoroughfares.
The car was close to the curb, and Alma Marston put out her hand andsignaled to him. "He gave-you no hope-nothing?"
"Nothing!"
"I have waited. I thought of asking you to come for a talk with me."
He shook his head.
"Perhaps it's better as it is! There isn't very much to be said-notnow!" She leaned over the side of the tonneau and the clatter of trafficenabled her to talk without taking the eavesdropping chauffeur intotheir confidence. "I am not worthy of your thoughts or your confidenceafter this, Boyd. What I was yesterday I am not to-day; I have told youthat. No, do not say anything! I know, now, that I was only playing withlove. I cannot name what I feel for you now; I have insulted the word'love' too much in the past. I'm not going to say anything about it. Wasit any excuse for me that you had sunk a ship, were going to prison forkilling men, so the papers hinted? No, it was not! But I allowed myselfto make it an excuse for folly."
"You don't know what love is," he declared. In the agony of hisdegradation he had no relish for softer sentiments. But he did not dareto look up at her.
"I _did_ not know! But perhaps some day I can show you that I do nowknow," she replied, humbly. "That will be the day when I can give youthe proofs against the men who have tried to ruin you. I am inside thecamp of your enemies, Boyd, and I'll give you those proofs--even againstmy own father, if he is guilty. That's all! Let's wait. But while youare working I hope it's going to give you a bit of courage to know thatI am working for you!" She patted his cheek. "Go on!" she called to herdriver. The car jerked forward and was hidden among the chariots roaringdown through the modern Babylon.
Without power for self-analysis, without being able to penetrate theinner recesses of his own soul in that crisis, he trudged on.
A little later, almost unconscious of volition in the matter, he foundhimself at a steamboat office buying a ticket. He was going back to theobscurity of Maquoit. But he was fully conscious that he was not obeyingJulius Marston's injunction to go and hide. A deeper sentiment wasdrawing him. He knew where there existed simple faith in him andaffection for him, and he craved that solace. There were humble folks inMaquoit who would welcome him.
"I'll go back--I'll go home," he said. Once he would have smiled at thethought that he would ever call the Hue and Cry colony "home."