FOUR of the Sin Verguenza girt with bandoliers were waiting in the patio
while Harding made hasty preparations for his journey when Appleby and
Tony stood on the veranda. The night was a trifle clearer than any of
them desired, though the half-moon had dipped behind the flat roof which
was projected sharply against the luminescent blueness of the sky. A
stream of light shone out from the open window of Harding's room, and
Pancho's voice rose suggestively now and then as he watched him
dressing. Harding, who had affairs of importance with the banker, was
going into Santa Marta, and since it appeared more than likely that
Morales knew he had arrived at San Cristoval, it was essential that, in
order to avoid observation, he should be attired correctly in Cuban
fashion.
Appleby, however, scarcely heard the major-domo, for he was making
another attempt to induce Tony to leave with Harding, who purposed to
head for the coast in the hope of finding a steamer there when he had
made what arrangements he could respecting his Cuban possessions. Tony
listened with a quiet smile, and then resolutely shook his head.
"We have been through it all before, and you are only wasting breath,"
he said. "I am going home with you when you have taken Santa Marta, but
until then I stay here."
Appleby lost his patience. "It's a piece of purposeless folly. What have
you to do with the fall of Santa Marta?"
"It is also my last chance," said Tony, with a curious little smile.
"You could understand that if you wished to."
"No," said Appleby doggedly. "I don't think I could. Nor do I believe
you would convince any reasonable man."
Tony smiled curiously. "One has objections to stripping himself, so to
speak, before even a friend's eyes. It really isn't decent, but--since
you are persistent--what I went through at Northrop was getting
insupportable. The anxiety was crushing the life out of me, and it's out
of the question that I should go back there while you are carrying the
load that should have been upon my shoulders here. I'm not claiming any
virtue I don't possess. Indeed, it's selfishness and what is most likely
superstitious cowardice that decides me to stay, but I feel that until I
have made all right with you there can be no peace for me."
"I do not want to live in England, and you are taking too personal a
view of the thing. Since there is Violet to consider your life is not
your own to throw away, and I am not sure you know how much she would
forgive you."
Tony's face grew a trifle grim, and the light that streamed from the
window showed the weariness in it.
"The trouble is that Violet was never in love with--me," he said very
slowly. "I have a gift for deceiving people, even when I don't mean to,
and it was not until the truth came out she saw me as I am. It is
difficult to admit it, but there the fact is. She gave her heart to the
man she supposed me to be, but I loved her for herself, and because I
know she is the one woman who could make an honorable man of me. I lose
my last hope if I let her go."
He stopped a moment with a little groan, while Appleby regarded him
compassionately, and then continued in a low strained voice.
"Now you see the selfishness of it, and why I mean to stay. I must prove
I'm not wholly worthless by making amends to you."
Appleby stood silent a moment. He knew Tony's unstable nature well, and
that his passion for Violet Wayne, which was almost reverential, might
yet lift him to a higher level. It was also evident that in desiring to
make amends Tony was wise, and Appleby felt a curious sympathy for the
man who clung so desperately to his last hope of vindicating himself in
her eyes. That Tony's motive was, as he had admitted, largely selfish,
and his contrition by no means of the highest order, did not trouble
him. It was his part to help and not censure him, and with a little
swift movement he laid his hand upon his shoulder.
"Well," he said quietly, "you may be right, and since nothing else will
content you, you must stay."
Just then Harding, attired in white duck and a big Panama hat, came out
into the veranda, and glanced at them.
"If you are coming with me, Mr. Palliser, you have no time to lose," he
said. "You may, however, find my company dangerous, especially if we
can't get into Santa Marta and reach the banker's house while it's
dark."