Hurricane Island

  CHAPTER XIV

  BARRACLOUGH TAKES A HAND

  I did not take Holgate's advice, although I had instinctively made upmy mind that he was sincere in offering it. What reason he had forexpressing kindliness for me--if he had any--I could not say. Ireflected that it might very well be of a piece with his astute plans.He might seek to serve some purpose by it. I was useful as a doctorattending to his wounded men, but I knew enough of him to guess thatthat alone would not suffice to keep him friendly. There must beanother reason, unless, indeed, it was as he said, and he really hadbeen captivated by my personal charm! This solution of the problem wasflattering, of course, but I was not disposed to accept it. So deep wasmy mistrust of the arch schemer that I racked my brain to find anexplanation for his conduct. This, needless to say, was not conduciveto sleep, and I passed a bad night. It was profoundly still, buttowards dawn the screw began to move again, and I concluded that thefog had lifted. I got up and looked out of the port, and could discerndimly the white sheets of the mountains not two furlongs distant. The_Sea Queen_ began to tramp along at a slow pace at first, but finally,getting speed, resumed her normal rate of progress. If I knew Holgatehe was still on the bridge, and he would remain there until the dangerwas over. If he was an abominable scoundrel, he was indubitably also anadmirable seaman with a sense of duty to his ship.

  I fell asleep shortly after that, and when I awoke the sun was full up,but setting low in the east, glittering upon a field of snowypinnacles. I ascended to the state-rooms, and there found Barraclough,who had just come on duty. He had a cheerful eye, and scanned mecuriously.

  "Well, are we going to get through this?" he asked.

  "We're going to get out of the Straits, I believe," I answered.

  "Ah!" he said, and frowned, as he was accustomed to do when thinkingdeeply. He was not a man of much thought.

  "And after that?" said he abruptly.

  "The deluge," said I, shrugging my shoulders.

  "Look here, Phillimore, do you believe we can hold out againstHolgate's forces?" he asked seriously.

  "I think we shall have to try," I replied evasively.

  "I'm damned if we can," he said bluffly. "It's all infernal nonsense."

  "Well, we've got to try," I repeated impatiently.

  "Oh, well! yes, we've got to try," he admitted, "unless Holgate willhear reason."

  "Good Lord, man, do you suppose he's risked all this to listen toreason now?" I asked in amazement.

  Barraclough turned away. "Well, you see him. You ought to know," hegrowled. "If he doesn't, we're done."

  "I don't advise you to tell the others that," I said drily.

  He turned on me fiercely. "Who said I would?" he snapped. "Do you takeme for a fool? And who's captain here? Dr. Phillimore, I'll have youknow your place," he cried, in a black passion, unusual in him. "I'mcommanding officer and responsible to none, not even the--Mr. Morland,by heaven, no--not on this ship, anyway!" And with that remarkabletempest of unreasonable fury he strode angrily away, leaving me annoyedand something abashed. Assuredly the situation, the waiting, thesuspense, had played havoc with all our nerves, even with this stolidEnglish gentleman's. There was the development, in fact, as plain as apike-staff. This tension had worn on us. Barraclough lost his temperfor inadequate reasons; the Prince shut himself in his room morosely,for I shall come to that presently; and Lane growled and grumbled sothat it was difficult to avoid quarrelling with him. Indeed, it wasonly by silence that I averted an open collision on more than oneoccasion. Little Pye was as nervous as a hen; a sound set him jumping.As I came up the stairs noiselessly, I encountered him, and his wholebody started.

  "Good gracious, man!" said I, with good-humoured contempt, "you'll beskipping away from your own shadow next. How do you expect to stand upagainst Holgate with a spirit like that?"

  He was pale even through the strong colour that the sun had beaten intohim. He eyed me without replying for a moment, and then, with the ghostof his old manner, answered: "I expect I shall sit down to him."

  The fingers with which he readjusted the glasses--his favouritetrick--were tremulous.

  Pye was to be counted out in case of an emergency, but Pye somehow setme thinking. Pye's cowardice was manifest--rampant, if one may use sucha term; yet he had ventured into the fog the night before; not only so,but upon a deck which was filled in his eyes with horrid enemies,prowling in search of victims. How had he achieved that spiritedaction? It seemed incredible, yet I had come upon him at the foot ofthe bridge stairs, and I had his explanation. What induced the timidrabbit to venture out of his hutch upon such a night and in suchcircumstances? Frankly the riddle beat me, and I should have worriedover it had it not been for other matters that seemed more immediatelyimportant. I have spoken of the Prince's seclusion. I admit now that ithad already made an impression on me. He was, as became his nature andhis training, a disciplinarian. Each man had his place and his duties,and Prince Frederic appeared at due seasons and shared in theresponsibilities. He did not shirk, in accordance with his promise. Butfor the rest he had withdrawn himself now for three days from thegeneral company. His meals were served with his sister andMademoiselle, but from what I saw he was most often in his own cabin;and here it was I got a glimpse of him once again--a glimpse, I mean,into that strange and compound character.

  I forget the occasion, but it was necessary that I should see him, andI entered the cabin after knocking. When we were done he pulled hispapers before him and sat looking at them dully.

  "Have you any literary qualities, Dr. Phillimore?" he asked me, quiteunexpectedly.

  I hesitated. "If so, they are quite undeveloped," I replied. "I have noreason to suppose so."

  "Ah!" he sighed, and taking a volume which lay on the table he openedit. "Do you know German?"

  I told him that I could read the language. He nodded.

  "It has never been properly appreciated," he said slowly; "the Germanliterature is wonderful--ah, wonderful!" and he appeared to meditateover his page; then he set the book down and looked across at me.

  "You are married, doctor? Ah, no!" He nodded again, and once moreresumed his meditations. I might have taken it for granted that I wasfree to go, but for some reason I lingered. He frowned deeply, andsighed again.

  "There is a passage in Schiller, but you would not know it----"

  He gave me no chance of saying, and I answered nothing; only sat andstared at him.

  "There is more music in Germany's little finger than in all the worldelse--in composition, I mean," he added.

  "That has always been my opinion," I ventured at last.

  He turned his dull blue eyes on me, as if wondering what I did there."So!" he said, and heaved a bigger sigh from his very heart, as itseemed. "When the attack is made, doctor----" he broke off, and askedsharply, "When will they attack, do you say?"

  "Any moment now, sir," I replied.

  He rose. "We must remember the ladies, doctor," he said.

  "Yes, we are not likely to forget them," I replied. He eyed me. "Do youthink----?" and paused.

  "That is all, sir," he said with a curt nod.

  It was not a ceremonious or even a fitting dismissal seeing the commonperil in which we stood. In that danger surely we should have driftedtogether more--drifted into a situation where princes and commonerswere not, where employers and hirelings did not exist. Yet I was notannoyed, for I had seen some way into his soul, and it was turbid andtortured. Black care had settled on Prince Frederic, and he looked onme out of eyes of gloom. The iron had entered into him, and he was nolonger a Prince, but a mortal man undergoing travail and anguish.

  By the afternoon we were clear of the Straits, and the nose of theyacht turned northward. Still there was no sign from the mutineers, andthat being so, I felt myself at liberty to pay my accustomed visit toLegrand in the forecastle. No one interfered with me, and I did not seeHolgate; but the man on guard at the hatch made no difficulty aboutletting me down. As I descended it came into my mind how easy it
wouldbe to dispose of yet another fighting man of the meagre force at thePrince's disposal by clapping the hatch over my head. It would havebeen a grim joke quite in keeping with Holgate's character, and for amoment I turned as in doubt; but the next second, banishing mymisgivings, I went down to the floor. Captivity was telling on theprisoners beyond doubt, for here they got no sight of sun, and thelight was that of the gloaming. I remembered that I had forgotten totake a lantern from the sentry as soon as this twilight gloomed on me,and I was turning back when I heard a sound.

  "Hsst--hsst!----"

  I stopped. "Who is that?" I asked in a whisper.

  "It's me, Jones, sir," said one of the hands.

  I walked towards him, for the light that streamed in by the openhatchway sufficed to reveal him.

  "Anything wrong with you?" said I casually.

  "Well, I could do with a bit more light and a smoke, sir," said theman, respectfully cheerful. But it was not his words; it was his actionthat arrested me, for he jerked his thumb incessantly as he spoketowards the darker recesses of the hold.

  "All right, my man," said I. "I'll speak to Mr. Holgate. He oughtn't tokeep you in such close confinement if you are to remain human beings."

  So saying, I waded into the deeper shadows, and as I did I felt my handseized and dragged downwards.

  "S-s-s-h!" said a very still voice, and I obeyed.

  What was it? I was drawn downward, and at last I knelt. I knew now, andsomehow my heart leaped within me. I had never really understoodLegrand; I had taken him for a very ordinary ship's officer; but I hadcome slowly to another conclusion. I bent down.

  "Heart pretty bad," I said in a mechanical way.

  "There's only one way out," whispered a voice below me, "and that'sthrough the bulkheads into the engine-room. I've been waiting, and Ithink I can do it."

  "I don't like the look of the eyes," I remarked indifferently. "Does heeat well?"

  "Not very well, sir; it's a job to get him to take it," said Jones.

  "We've had four days at it with a knife," said the whisper, "and bythunder we see light now. We'll get through, Phillimore. How do youstand?"

  "Sleep at all well?" I inquired.

  "I couldn't say, sir," said Jones, "just lays there like a log."

  "Attack may be made at any moment," I whispered back. "There are someten of us holding the state-rooms and the ladies."

  He gripped my hand, and I rose to my feet. "Well, I'm afraid I can't doany more," I said. "He's going on pretty much the same. Good-bye, men."

  They returned the farewell, and I made my way to the ladder andascended. The guard with emotionless face helped me out, and the firstman my eyes fell on was Holgate, standing with his hands in hispockets, looking at me. He whistled as he eyed me, and his teeth showedin his grin.

  "For sheer arduous pursuit of duty I don't know your equal, doctor,"said he. "You just hang on to work as if you loved it. How's thepatient?"

  I told him that it was a question of time, but that there was no reasonwhy Legrand should not get over the injury to his spine--"not that hewill ever be the same man again," I added.

  "No," said he reflectively, "he won't. And he wants time, does he?Well, perhaps we can give him time--though, mark you, my lad, I don'tpromise it," he said, with his ugly fang showing in a smile.

  He took ten paces along the deck with me, seeming to be wrapped up inhis thoughts, and then he paused.

  "Tell me, doctor, are you in this move?" he asked brusquely.

  "What move?" I asked in turn. "What do you mean?"

  He waved a hand towards the upper deck. "Why, Barraclough's, ofcourse," he replied. "Are you working with him? Because, if so, I'dlike to know, if only for amusement."

  "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking of," I replied.

  "You're not making terms, eh?" said he, heavily leaden of face. "Bygosh, you might be, doctor, but you ain't! More fool you. Then it'sBarraclough, is it, playing on his own." He chuckled. "That man treatedme as pretty dirt all along, didn't he? I'll go bail it was publicproperty. Barraclough's real blue blood. Prick him and see. My son,he's got to be pricked, but I'm no surgeon."

  "I understand nothing of all this," I replied. "You enjoymystification, Holgate, and your talents are remarkable. You can beatSir John out of his boots. But I wish you'd used your talentselsewhere. Better have buried them. For you've given us a stiff job,and we've simply got to lick you."

  You will see that I broke out here in his own vein. I had come to theconclusion that this was my best card to play. I could sum up Holgateto a point, but I did not know him all through, and I was wise enoughto recognise that. I think if I had been under thirty, and not overthat sagacious age, I should have judged more rashly. But I had thatunknown area of Holgate's character to meet, and I thought to meet itby emulating his own bearing. I am not by nature communicative, but Ifeigned the virtue. I spoke to him as an equal, exchanging views uponthe situation as one might exchange them on a cricket match. And Ibelieve he appreciated my tone.

  "If you had as little character as Sir John and more prudence, I wouldhave bet on your future, doctor," he said soberly. "But you must playyour own cards. And if Sir John wants terms, he must be generous.Generosity becomes the victor."

  He smiled, and nodded farewell, and I left him considerably puzzled. Ihad no guess as to what he meant by his talk of Barraclough and terms.It could only mean one thing on the face of it, and that was thatBarraclough had been in communication with him. If so, was this by thePrince's desire? And if so again, why had not I heard of it? Ourcompany was so small and our plight so desperate that it was unseemlyto confine policy or diplomacy within a narrow circle. Surely, we hadall a right to a knowledge of what was forward--at least, all of us whowere in positions of responsibility. As I went back I was consumed withannoyance that such an important matter as a possible compromise withthe mutineers had been concealed from me. But then, was it a compromiseauthorised by the Prince? If I had read that obstinate and thatfanatical proud heart aright, I could not credit it.

  When I reached the state-rooms I inquired for Barraclough, and thenremembered that he would be on duty in the saloon. I immediately soughthim there, but found only Grant, who informed me that he had relievedSir John at his orders half an hour earlier. He could not give anyinformation beyond that. It was possible Barraclough had gone to hiscabin, and so I repaired thither; but without success. I made inquiriesof Ellison, who had not seen the first officer, and of the steward, whowas in a like case.

  It was Lane who gave me the clue, in a vein which I will set downwithout comment.

  "He's on a perch, and crowing like a rooster, is the bart. You need notlook for flies on Barraclough, doctor. He's his own chauffeur thistrip. I don't fancy the joy myself, but the bart. is rorty, and whatwould you say to Mademoiselle, eh?"

  "Oh, let's be plain, Lane!" I said impatiently.

  He jerked his thumb across the corridor. "Mademoiselle wants a partnerat dominoes, matador, or bridge, doctor, and the bart. plays a goodgame. If you have to choose between your maid and a bart., you bet yourlife you'll pocket the bart. Oh, this trip's about enough for me!Where's it going to end, and where are we?" He made a wry face and sankin a heap on his chair. "If you've got any influence with Holgate makehim come in. I'm sick of this damn sentry-go. If it suits Germans, itdon't suit a true-born Englishman."

  "Is Sir John with Mademoiselle?" I asked simply.

  "Guess again and you'll guess wrong," said Lane moodily, kicking hisfeet about.

  I was not interested in his feelings at the moment. My mind wasoccupied with other considerations, but it certainly gave me pause thatwhat I had myself seen was apparently now common knowledge. That SirJohn had been fascinated by the coquettish Parisian was obvious to me;if it was obvious to Lane, was it hidden from others who were moreconcerned? I had my answer as regards one almost immediately.

  If Sir John were in the ladies' boudoir, it was not for me to disturbhim, and I turned away and passed out of the co
rridor.

  As I was preparing to descend to the cabins I heard the low strains ofthe small organ which the piety of a former owner of the _Sea Queen_had placed at the end of the music gallery. I entered, and in thecustomary twilight made out a figure at the farther end of the room.Perhaps it was the dim light that gave the old air its significance. Ithad somewhat the effect upon me that music in a church heard faintlyand moving with simple solemnity has always had. What is there thatspeaks so gravely in the wind notes and reeds of an organ?

  Ein feste burg ist unser Gott.

  I knew the words as familiarly as I knew the music, and yet that wasalmost the last place and time in which I should have expected to hearit. It was not Mademoiselle who played so low and soft to hear. Oh, Ifelt sure of that! The touch was lighter, graver and quieter. I drewnear the player and listened. I had heard Mademoiselle sing thatwonderful song, "Adelaide," and she had sung it divinely. But I wouldhave given a dozen "Adelaide's" for that simple air, rendered by novoice, but merely by sympathetic fingers on those austere keys. Ilistened, as I say, and into my heart crept something--I know notwhat--that gave me a feeling of fulness of heart, of a surcharge ofstrange and not wholly painful sentiment.

  I was still battling with these sensations when the music ceased andthe player arose. She started slightly on seeing me, and I found myselfstammering an excuse for my presence.

  "I was looking for Sir John Barraclough."

  "Come," she said, after a moment's pause, "I will find him for you."

  I followed her into the corridor, until she paused outside a door andopened it abruptly without knocking. I waited without, but I heard hervoice, strangely harsh and clear.

  "Sir John Barraclough, you are being sought by Dr. Phillimore."

  Three minutes later Barraclough joined me, red and discomposed."Anything the matter?" he growled.

  I knew now that I had been used as a definite excuse to get rid ofBarraclough, whose presence was not welcome to the Princess Alix; andwith that knowledge I framed my answer.

  "Yes; what terms have you made with Holgate?"

  He started as if I had struck him, stared at me, and his jaw came outin a heavy obstinate fashion he had.

  "What's that to you?"

  "Only this," said I, "that my life is as valuable to me as yours or thePrince's to you or him, and that therefore I have a right to know."

  He laughed shortly. "I'm commanding officer."

  "Oh, I'm sick of these airs!" I replied. "If you will not answer me, Iwill go to the Prince and get an answer from him. He, at least, willsee the reasonableness of my request for information."

  He changed his attitude at that. "You needn't do that, Phillimore,"said he. "I can tell you all you need know. After all, as you say,you've a certain right." He looked at me with his hard unfriendly look,and I met him with one of expectancy. "You know what my opinion is," heresumed. "It's only a bluff to say that we have a chance againstHolgate. He's got the ship, and he's got the men. I want to see if wecan't make some arrangement."

  "And he will?" I inquired sceptically.

  Barraclough hesitated. "He's inclined to. He's to let me know. I thinkhe's a bit impressed by our bluff all the same, and if we could hit ona suitable middle course----" He stopped. "Hang it, there are thewomen, Phillimore!" he said vehemently.

  "And you suppose Holgate will take them into consideration?" I said."Well, perhaps he may. I don't think either you or I really know muchof Holgate. But I think I know more than you. He's sociable andfriendly, isn't he? One wouldn't take him for a rascally mutineer."

  "He's a most infernal ruffian," said he with an oath.

  "Yet you would trust him in the matter of terms," I suggested.

  Barraclough frowned. "We've got to," he said curtly, "unless you canshow me a way to hold out."

  "Oh! men have been in worse cases than ours and emerged all right--alittle battered, no doubt. And then there's the coal. We can't cruiseindefinitely. Holgate's got to put in somewhere."

  "Oh, he's not going to wait for that!" said Barraclough moodily. "Lookhere, Phillimore; have you a guess at what he means to do?"

  "I have about ten guesses," I replied, shaking my head, "and none ofthem fits the case. What's he going to do with us? That's his realdifficulty and ours. The money problem's simple. I can't see what's atthe back of that black mind, but I don't think it's hopeful forus--women included."

  "There you are," he exploded savagely. "Anything if we can prevent theworst."

  "Yes," I assented. "Provided you can trust to Holgate's word. But wouldhe let us off at any price and run the risk? And, moreover, the Prince.What of him?"

  "He would refuse. He wouldn't budge. He's a nuisance," said Barracloughmoodily. "He's our stumbling-block."

  "Quite so; and if we all caved in but Mr. Morland, what must his fatebe? And we should look on, shouldn't we? And then go home in a trampsteamer, a happy family party with a nice little secret of our own.Ten, twelve, well, say, sixteen of us. I can see Holgate trusting tothat, and comfortably lolling back in Yokohama deck-chairs; and I canalso see Sir John Barraclough reporting the total loss of the yacht_Sea Queen_, captain and owner and so-and-so going down with her.I can read it all in the papers here, and now; it will be excellentfood for the ha'pennies!"

  The frown deepened on his face as I proceeded, but, contrary to myexpectation, he did not display any temper at my mocking speech. Heshrugged his shoulders.

  "I'll admit the difficulties. It looks like impossibility, but so's thealternative. I'm in despair."

  "There's only one thing will solve the problem," I said. He looked up."Action."

  "You mean----"

  "Holgate won't wait till his coal's out. He's free for an attack now."

  "In God's name, let him!" said Barraclough viciously.