THE UNKNOWN LISTENER.
Eveline continued to indulge in her pleasing reverie of hope, and in the
cheering thoughts that came crowding upon her mind in anticipation of a
speedy release from her dungeon, and restoration to her father and friends,
she forgot that her situation, in the meantime, was one of peril, even if
her newly found friends should be able to accomplish their object. Duffel
might return at any moment, and, in vindictive fury, bring about her ruin
or death. Such dark pictures, however, were, for the moment, driven from
her mind by those of a more enlivening nature, and she ceased to search
after, or even to bear in mind, the secret passage.
As she sat in peaceful quiet, thinking of home and dear ones, her eye
chanced to fall upon a spot in the wall, where, the light striking it to
advantage, a clear, crystaline stone, flashed back the rays from her lamp,
as it sparkled with a brilliancy scarcely inferior to that of a diamond.
Curiosity led her to a more minute examination of this singularly bright
object; and approaching, she placed her finger upon it. It seemed to be
imbedded firmly in the solid rock, but projected out a very little beyond
the surrounding portions of the wall, just far enough to be perceived by
the touch. She pressed upon it to ascertain if it was really unmovable,
and, as she did so, open flew a small door, barely large enough to admit a
single person through its portals. In a twinkling her labors of the past
day and night came to remembrance, and she exclaimed:
"_The secret passage!_"
In a moment all her former feelings returned; and, taking a lamp in her
hand, she prepared to explore the mysterious avenue thus opened before her.
Before committing herself to the unknown, perhaps tortuous passage, she
took the precaution to place an obstruction in the doorway, so that the
door could not, by any possibility, swing to and shut her on the outside.
She took the forethought, also, to see that her dagger was safely secured
about her person, not knowing whither she was going, or into what company
she might fall.
Having thus prudently provided against accidents and emergencies, Eveline
entered the passage, which was dark, damp, and dismal, with trembling
nerves and a timid heart. Slowly, cautiously, step by step, she felt her
way, aided by the light of her lamp. It seemed strange that she should have
to go so far to get into the other room; yet still she moved on and on
without coming to the end of the passage or to any place of egress.
The way was narrow and somewhat zigzag, and in several places she had to
stoop in order to proceed. Where did the underground passage terminate?
With what did it connect? Was it a natural one? or had it been made by man?
Perhaps it was the connecting line between the cave she had left and some
other den of wickedness known and occupied by this band of villains? With
such and a hundred similar suggestions her mind was occupied, and she began
to feel unpleasant. Perhaps she was venturing into the presence of those
who would have even less regard for her than Duffel. An undefined terror
for a moment seized upon her, and she was about to yield to the dictates of
fear, and return to her room, when a kind of murmuring sound, as if of
voices in the distance, met her ear. Listening a moment she felt quite sure
there were living persons somewhere near; and summoning all her resolution,
she boldly pushed forward, determined to solve the mystery in which she was
involved, and if human beings were in her vicinity, to ascertain who and
what they were.
Advancing with a cautious but firm step, she was not long in doubt as to
the nature of the sound; it evidently proceeded from human lips. As she
drew nearer words became distinguishable; and then she came to the end of
the passage, which abruptly terminated against a solid wall, like those of
the cave. But the wall was evidently a thin one, and on the immediate
outside--or other side--were the persons, who were engaged in conversation.
She stood there but a brief moment when her attention became fixed and all
absorbed in the conference going on between the interlocutors, both of whom
(she could distinguish but two voices,) seemed to be deeply interested in
some matter under consideration.
"I tell you what it is, Bill, I don't like this here bizness of runnin' off
that gal a bit. I've been thinkin' the matter over, and the more I think,
the more I don't like it."
These were the first words that Eveline heard distinctly and connectedly.
Who were they? and who was the girl? There seemed to be something familiar
about the voice of the speaker, and yet she could not tell where or when
she had heard it before. In a moment came the reply:
"I thought that point was settled. I tell you I'd take her if it was only
to spite Duffel."
"Duffel!" ejaculated Eveline in thought, and she came near making the
exclamation aloud. "Duffel! then these men know him!" In a moment the truth
flashed upon her mind. It was Duffel's friends, her captors, the ones from
whose aid she was so soon to be delivered! Yes, now she remembered the
voices! And for a moment her heart bounded in gratitude to the last
speaker, whose words she understood to express his firm resolution to
liberate her. The moment the rejoinder came from the other, however, her
mind was perplexed, but as she listened further the whole matter was
untangled:
"And wouldn't it spite Duffel just as much if we should take her back?"
"No, I don't think it would. Beside, I want to show him how completely we
can beat him at his own game; and then, too, I wish to be revenged on him
to the fullest extent; he likes the girl, and to know that she is in the
hands of another, who has entirely outwitted him, will be a source of
chagrin, and the spark to light the fires of jealousy."
"You don't intend to let him know that you have taken the gal!"
"Certainly I do!"
"And then have the whole League after us! A fine plot, truly!"
"League the h----! I tell you I'm going to blow the whole thing to nothing,
cave and all!"
"What!"
"When I leave this region there will be no League here. This cave will be
in ruins, and the whole order scattered to the four winds of heaven!"
"Are you crazy, Bill Mitchel!"
"No, I am just coming to my senses. Here we have been these many years,
doing all the most dangerous and daring work of the order--work that others
were too chicken-hearted to undertake--and what is our reward? We are
esteemed as the meanest of the Clan, and as being hardly fit to associate
with those who claim to be the gentlemen of the League. Why, I believe the
officers would cut our throats at any time to save themselves. See what
Duffel is after at this very time. Never was a man served more faithfully
than we have served him, and now that we have rendered him all the aid he
needs or desires at our hands, he would cut us off; aye, worse, he would
murder us--murder us as we have murdered for him. Do you think I would let
an opportunity to be revenged on him pass unimproved? _Never!_"
"But how are you goin' to do all this mighty work?"
"I'll tell you. The captain is away; I intend that Duffel shall be secured
by the officers of the law; the rest of the members I will take measures to
frighten; and when they resort to this infernal cave for refuge, counsel,
or concert of action, they will find it in ruins."
"How in ruins?"
"Isn't there powder enough in the magazine to blow it to atoms?"
"Powder!"
"Yes, _powder_! Is there anything in that explosive material that need
cause you to look so wild? I thought you were better acquainted with its
properties."
"I believe I begin to understand your intentions; but they don't exactly
chime with your plans of yesterday."
"Yesterday! I tell you I was only half awake then. I hadn't considered all
the sides to the question; and the more I think, the madder I get. I tell
you we have been imposed upon; and I am going to pay back the debt with
interest. I had another idea yesterday; but my plans were then immature and
unsettled, now they are arranged even to the details. I tell you I have
been thinking for the last twenty-four hours; and it has been to some
purpose, as you and the rest of these fellows, and Duffel in particular,
will find out."
"Very well; if the order is to be destroyed, then there is no need of
fearing to let the girl go home, as she could do us no harm if she _did_
reveal our secrets."
"I tell you I have taken a fancy to the girl myself and have set my heart
on possessing her, _and I will do it_. It's true I don't care for the order
now. I defy all its members; but that makes no difference about the girl.
She goes with us."
"I don't believe any good will come of takin' her, but there is a plaguy
good chance for evil to come of it."
"Let it come, then, and we'll face it like men! I tell you I am desperate;
I have fixed my stakes and I don't intend to be driven from them. The more
I think, the more determined I become."
"But it looks so mean and cowardly to abuse a woman."
"Who said I was going to abuse her?"
"I say so."
"You'd better be a little careful of your speech, my good fellow!"
"I'll say what I please; and you know what I have said is the truth. Haint
you goin' to deceive the gal? Didn't you jist tell her that you was her
friend? and that we'd liberate her? And don't she expect us to take her
home, instead of away off to that cave in Virginny, where she'll be no
better off than she is here? And haint it cowardly to lie and deceive them
as trust in your word and honor?"
"Honor! a pretty word that for such a fellow as you to use! How long have
you entertained such high notions, pray?"
"Allers, sir, allers! Did you ever hear me tell a lie? Did you ever see me
betray any one that put themselves under my care? Say, sir, have you?"
"Well, no, I don't know as I have; but what of that?"
"A great deal, sir; a great deal! It means that I'm not a mean, cowardly
dog; that I don't go to a woman with a lie in my mouth, and sneakingly
deceive her! No, sir, I am above such work."
"That will do, I can't bear everything, even from you, and I warn you not
to go too far!"
"Warn away, then; I'm not the man to be skeered by any woman-stealer that
ever walked the earth. No, sir, I'm not! And I say ag'in, the man that'll
impose on a woman is a coward, and a mean one at that."
"Come, come, Dick, it's no use to be talking in that manner. You know I am
no more of a coward than yourself; and so what's the use of such an ado
about nothing. Didn't you tell me yesterday you would stand by me in this
affair? Come, now, keep your word, and don't prove yourself a liar after
such a boast of truthfulness, just a moment ago?"
"Yes, there it is ag'in. You told me it was for our personal safety, and
such like stuff, that you were goin' to take the gal along; and now you
defy the whole order, and are goin' to blow them all to atoms! I take it
that makes quite a difference."
"Didn't I tell you the girl was to go any how? And didn't you say it would
hardly be fair to help an enemy and not a friend? Come, where is your honor
now?"
"That promise, I tell you, was obtained under false pretenses, and is not
binding!"
"A pretty excuse, indeed!--Well to bring the matter to a point at once, I
now state distinctly that I am going to take the girl with me, because I
wish to do so, and for that reason alone; and I want you to help me. Will
you do it? That's the question, and I want a positive answer, yea or nay,
and no more palaver on the subject. Say, will you stand by your old friend
in this last great hour of need?"
"I s'pose I'll have to; but it goes mightily ag'in' the grain, to be mixed
up in these women affairs, and I feel as mean as a kill-sheep dog, when I
find myself at such a dirty work.
"Well, that matter is settled, then, and I hope we shall have peace and
agreement between us hereafter. I know when you say you'll do a thing,
you'll do it, and I want a reliable companion to stand by me just now. Once
we get into our new quarters, in old Virginia, I shall feel safe, as we can
bid defiance to our enemies."
"Well, let us be off, then, as quick as possible; for, to tell the truth, I
don't like this part of the country much; it's gittin' entirely too hot for
our bizness, and is by no means as safe as it might be."
"We must be off to-morrow, if we can finish all our arrangements, which I
hope we shall be able to do, if we lose no time. We must have our horses
ready to-night, at all events; for it may suit to start in the night, if we
fail to get away to-morrow. I am not sure but it will be the best plan to
leave in the night, any how."
"Certainly, it will be."
"Well, it's settled, then, that we leave to-morrow night; and that being
the case, I must hasten away to get the key made. You stay here till the
sentinel returns, and then meet me at the usual place this afternoon, and
we will have everything arranged in order."
With this the villains parted, Bill going out of the passage, and Dick into
the cave.
To all this Eveline was an absorbed, but to them unknown, listener. How the
great hope of the morning died in her bosom, as the fearful truth was
revealed to her, that another snare was laid to entangle her feet--that her
newly found friends were but enemies in disguise. Instead of liberators,
who would restore her to home and friends, they were vile miscreants,
destining her to a fate no better than that which now surrounded her, and
removed still further from the possibility of succor. For a little time she
clung to the hope that Dick would hold out in her behalf; but this last
prop was taken away, and she felt that there was no help from any quarter,
and that self-dependence was her only safeguard.
Ah, how desolate was her heart in that hour! How like a lone reed in the
pelting tempest did she feel herself to be! Surrounded by enemies on all
hands, a prisoner in a dungeon, with no friendly arm to lean upon, no kind
voice of sympathy to encourage and strengthen her, she felt almost like
giving over the struggle, and lying down to die where she stood.
But this feeling of despondency was of short duration. Arousing to a lively
sense of her situation, this apathy was thrown off, and the native energy
of purpose which she had exhibited so strikingly on former occasions,
quickened her spirit and restored vigor to her frame. Immediately she began
to collect her thoughts, and cast about to see if there was no way of
escape from this new danger. At first she thought of making a confidant of
Duffel, and throwing herself upon his generosity; but remembering all that
he had done, she felt that this would be vain, so far as _she_ was
concerned, while it might save _him_ from merited exposure and punishment;
and so she at once abandoned the idea.
In the midst of perplexity and doubt, the thought struck her with the
vividness of a flash of intelligence, that the passage she was in might
communicate with the outer world! The very suggestion caused her to heave a
sigh of relief. What so probable as this supposition? At any rate she had
something to do, a definite object to call forth her energies; and this was
no small matter, in the state of mind under which she was laboring at that
hour.
Raising her lamp to a level with her face, she passed the light close to
the wall, scrutinizing every spot, to see if there was no sign indicative
of another spring-closed door. But no brilliant fragment of stalactite
appeared as a reward for her search, and she turned away with a feeling of
disappointment, and heaviness at her heart. As she did so, for the first
time her eye fell upon a polished surface, much resembling the face of a
mirror, upon the opposite wall. Looking more attentively, she discovered,
as it were, trees, shrubs, a running stream of water, and all the
accompaniments of a finished landscape painting. Fearful as was her
situation, she could not help pausing to admire the beauty, the
naturalness, the perfection of the scene. She had never beheld any thing
half so vivid, so truthful, from the pencil of the artist. It actually
seemed as if water was running over its gravelly bed, as if the bushes
moved in the breeze; in a word, the whole looked far more like a reality
than a cold painting. As she was gazing in admiration upon this singular
appearance, a bird actually flew over the scene! She could hardly believe
her senses; but soon another one followed, and she knew there was no
deception in her eyes this time.
Philosophy was not universally taught in those days, as it is now, and
Eveline did not know how to solve this mystery as well as many a school
girl could do at the present day; but she had read of the tricks of the
magicians of Egypt and India, and what seeming wonders they could show in
their magic mirrors; and she came to the conclusion that the robbers of the
cave had learned the same art, and that before her was one of the
soothsayers' glasses.
But what was the design had in view in placing it in that obscure and
unfrequented place? As this query suggested itself to her mind, a man
passed along on the bank of the stream! and in a few minutes another in the
opposite direction; and in the last one she recognized one of her captors!
She at once comprehended the design of the apparatus; it was to reveal what
was passing without to the eye of the individual within, who had doubtless
adopted this method of informing himself of passing external events, as a
means of personal safety in case of need. It was, she supposed, a device of
the captain of the thieves, to save himself, either from the ministers of
the law or from the violence of those under him, in case of revolt.
It is not our design to enter into an elaborate description of this piece
of mechanism, as every student of philosophy, who is well acquainted with
the reflection and refraction of rays of light, will understand how an
ingenious contrivance produced the results spoken of. The same principle
enters into the arrangement of the _camera obscura_. There was an aperture
very artfully cut through the wall, and so guarded on the outside as to
escape notice; and in this a tube was placed with a set of happily
contrived fixtures, by the aid of which the scene without was accurately
depicted on the polished surface within. It was the work of the captain, as
Eveline supposed.
As this contrivance was evidently intended to give information of danger
from without, it must certainly be connected in some manner with the means
of escape; else what was it worth? Such was the conclusion to which Eveline
arrived, as she philosophized upon the matter. And she reflected further,
what other method of escape was there, save a secret medium of
communication with the outer world? None at all, except it be a quiet
waiting within the passage she now herself occupied, which she could not
bring herself to believe was the case; so she renewed her search for the
door of egress.
On minutely examining the mirror, she saw at one side of it a small
projection, like a ball of ivory, and pressing hard upon it, a door, of
which the mirror itself was a section, sprang a little way open. She threw
it back wide on its hinges, and holding her lamp in the opening, saw at her
feet a flight of stairs leading down into the gloom below. A damp current
of air came up from this subterranean cavity, and its clammy coldness sent
a chill almost of horror through the frame of the agitated girl. One less
resolute than herself would have shrunk at the idea of exploring so dismal
a looking place; but not so she. Summoning all her energy, she boldly
descended the steps, which had evidently been cut out by the hands of man,
and soon found herself at the bottom of the course. In front of her, all
was solid earth and rock; but on turning to the right she discovered an
opening, following which it was but a little while till she saw light
ahead, and a few more steps brought her to the margin of the stream, along
the bank of which was the path to the cave. That path, then, was
immediately above her! And here she was with the wide world before her! How
her heart bounded!
Her first thought was to fly immediately; but prudence dictated a cautious
survey of the place before venturing her all in an attempt at flight.
She accordingly ventured out in the most guarded manner, to make
explorations. The water was but a little way below where she stood, and
when in a high stage must evidently flood the place she occupied and the
steps leading up out of it. But as the stream was now very low, she had a
fine opportunity for making observations. Stepping down to the edge of the
water, she had an excellent view of the stream both ways. The banks were
very high on each side, steep, and inaccessible; so much so, indeed, that
for a moment she was in despair of getting from her prison, now that she
had found the way out. A closer inspection of the bank where she stood
showed her the possibility of escape, by following the water's edge to some
point below or above, where the high bank receded. This was enough; all she
wanted was the bare likelihood or possibility of escape, and she would
venture all upon the trial.
Having made these hasty observations, she started back, to make
preparations for an immediate departure. When she reached the upper passage
and closed the door, she glanced at the mirror to see what was going on
without. What was her disappointment and horror, to see Duffel's image
passing before her on his way to the cave! She had hoped to get off before
his return; but now that hope was gone. She must meet him again; and to
what desperate extremities might he not proceed in the interview in which
she must now be compelled to take a part! Then she remembered that she had
left the door from her room to the passage ajar, and he might reach it
before she could get there, and revealing to him her secret, cut off her
last and only hope of escape. The thought awoke all her energies, and
dashing along the narrow way at the top of her speed, stooping as she ran,
to avoid the low places, she reached her room and closed the door of the
passage, just as she heard a knock at the other one, opening into the
larger room.