CORNERED
Donaster had finished his dinner, and was deep in an evening paper in
the smoking-room of the Fundy Hotel. So intent was he upon the article
he was reading that he allowed his cigar to go out, a most unusual
thing for him. But there was a reason, for he was reading a vivid
account of the daring rescue which had been made early that morning on
the brink of the falls. It occupied two pages of the paper, describing
accurately and in detail all that had taken place. It told of the
thunder storm up river, of the breaking loose of the "Eb and Flo," the
run to the city, and the noble action of Eben Tobin, who would not
desert his post of duty. Donaster breathed more freely when he found
that his own name was not mentioned. The paper merely stated that two
men had escaped by means of a motor-boat after they had been unable to
induce the young commander to go with them. Much praise was given to
the men on the tug for the great risk they had run in making the
rescue. When he had read the article through for the second time, he
laid the paper aside, re-lighted his cigar, and sat for some time in
deep thought.
During the whole of this time Gabriel Grimsby had been sitting not far
away watching Donaster most intently. He was much better dressed than
on the evening he had presented himself before Mrs. Randall and
demanded payment for his silence. His face still bore the placid
expression of peace and contentment, while his eyes beamed their
goodwill to all. Anyone observing his manner might have mistaken him
for a visitant from another world, clothed in human fashion, and
mingling for a time in the ways of men. Such was the outward
appearance of Gabriel Grimsby, the stand-between.
After a while Donaster rose and made his way into the billiard-room at
the rear of the building. He was an expert player, and soon was deeply
engaged in his favourite game. Grimsby followed, and for a time stood
and watched the game. Then he went back to the smoking-room, resumed
his seat, and brought forth, a handful of papers from an inside pocket
of his coat. Glancing furtively around to see if anyone was watching,
he selected a newspaper clipping and read it through very carefully.
It told of the mysterious disappearance of Miss Jess Randall, the only
daughter of Henry Randall, the noted lumber merchant. It was believed
that she had drowned herself near the Randall's summer home along the
river, and men were already searching for her body. Grimsby next
referred to another article, written a day later, which told of the
unsuccessful search for the body of the missing girl. A smile
overspread his face as he read this, and he glanced toward the
billiard-room. He evidently knew something which was giving him
considerable satisfaction. He believed that Donaster would play for
some time yet, so there was no hurry.
Slipping the newspaper clipping back into his pocket, Grimsby picked up
three letters and read them through. His smile was more pronounced,
now, and the light of triumph gleamed in his eyes. He felt proud of
himself, and his chest slightly expanded with the spirit of importance.
"Gabriel Grimsby," he said to himself, "you hold the trump-card all
right this time. You may be of no account, but you know a thing or
two, and it's up to you to make the most of your knowledge. But,
hello! here comes the sucker."
Donaster left the hotel, and went at once to his lodging-place. It was
only occasionally that he went to the Fundy for his meals, and this
evening was one of them. He could not afford to go often, much as he
would have liked to do so. He had to be careful until he had secured
Jess Randall, and then he could indulge himself to his heart's content.
That he should eventually win her, he had not the slightest doubt. Her
father and mother were on his side, so what could a girl do against
such a strong combination. After this escapade she would, no doubt, be
glad to return and obey their wish. Thus he reasoned as he sat alone
in his room that night.
A knock sounded upon the door, and when it was opened Grimsby entered.
He greeted Donaster in a free and easy manner, and without waiting for
an invitation, sat down and helped himself from a package of cigarettes
lying upon the table. Donaster stared at him in amazement, for a
minute dumbfounded by such unheard-of impudence. Then he rose to his
feet, and angrily approached the visitor.
"Who are you?" he demanded, "and how dare you come here?"
Grimsby smiled, flicked the ashes from his cigarette, and waved his
hand.
"Don't be afraid, sir; I won't hurt you. I'm as harmless as a dove."
"H'm, I have no fear of you. I want to know what you mean by your
impudence in coming into my room unbidden?"
"Impudence! Impudence, do you say?" and Grimsby assumed a look of
astonishment. "Why, I have a special right here. I don't need any
invitation."
Donaster stared at the intruder, uncertain whether to class him as a
fool or a madman. Grimsby divined his thoughts and his eyes twinkled
more than ever.
"Yes," he continued, "duty leads me into many places, and sometimes I
receive rebuffs. But when a man has a great mission, such as mine is,
he bears all things patiently. Patience is a great virtue, sir. It is
worthy of cultivation."
"What in h---- are you driving at?" Donaster roared. "What has
'mission' and 'patience' to do with your visit here? If you don't
explain at once I'll kick you out of the room or have you arrested."
"Go slow, young man, go slow." The smile passed suddenly from
Grimsby's face, and his eyes contracted. "I am here on business,
special business, and it concerns you. Sit down, and I shall come to
the point at once. There, now, keep cool, and do as I say. That's
better," he added, when the angry man had reluctantly obeyed. He
leaned over and looked Donaster full in the eyes.
"You want to marry Miss Randall, do you, not?"
Donaster gave a start, and stared at his visitor for a few seconds.
"Well, what business is it of yours if I do?" he demanded. "What right
have you to ask such a question? I can attend to my own affairs
without any interference from you or anyone else."
"No, ye can't, young man, and that's why I'm here. You can't marry
Miss Randall without my assistance. I'm a stand-between, you see, and
so have come to your assistance."
Donaster's face suddenly brightened, and he looked keenly at Grimsby.
"Do you know where Miss Randall is?" he eagerly asked.
"Ah, I thought I'd fetch you," and Grimsby smiled. "Do I know where
Miss Randall is? Well, we can consider that matter later. I want to
know first of all if you want to marry her?"
"Certainly I want to marry her. Do you think I'm a fool?"
"Very good, very good," and Grimsby rubbed his hands, a sure sign of
his satisfaction. "That point's settled. But the girl's not agreed,
so I understand. Is that so?"
"I'm afraid it is. However, her parents are willing, and they are the
main ones."
"Why do they wish you to marry their unwilling daughter?"
"Why? Oh, that's quite clear. They know it will be to her advantage."
"In what way?"
"From a social point of view. As the wife of Lord Donaster's son she
will occupy a very high position. She will be received into the best
families, and eventually she will be Lady Donaster. You see, I am an
only son, so the title will come to me. You can readily understand how
anxious her parents are for the consummation of the marriage."
"Certainly, certainly; it is only natural. I suppose you have
explained to them your prospects?"
"Yes, I have often talked the matter over with them and they are
perfectly satisfied. The title and the social position appeal to them
very strongly."
"And in return?" There was a peculiar expression in Grimsby's eyes as
he asked the question, which Donaster failed to notice.
"Oh, they have agreed to settle a dowry upon their daughter in
consideration of the favours she will receive."
"A large sum, I suppose."
"Yes, quite satisfactory to me. But what has this to do with your
visit? There is no reason why I should tell you all this, and I cannot
understand myself for doing so. Anyway, it relieves my mind to talk it
over with someone."
Grimsby did not at once reply. He helped himself to another cigarette,
lighted it and smoked for a few minutes in silence. Donaster was
becoming impatient. He was tired after his experience on the river the
night before, and he wished to be rid of his visitor. But he was
anxious to know what he wanted. He felt that this man knew where Miss
Randall was, and he must find out before he left.
"And so you hope to make Miss Randall Lady Donaster?" Grimsby at length
questioned.
"That is my intention. Why do you ask?"
"But what if you never will be Lord Donaster? What then?"
"Why, what do you mean? I shall inherit the title as soon as my father
dies."
"But suppose you have no right to the title?"
Donaster gave a distinct start. Then he laughed.
"H'm, you needn't worry about that. Just you wait."
"But suppose you are not Lord Donaster's son?" Grimsby's question was
very deliberate, but it had an immediate effect.
"Not his son! What are you driving at, anyway? Stop your nonsense.
If I am not Lord Donaster's son, who am I, then?"
"You are an impostor, that's what you are. There is no Lord Donaster.
Your father is a shoemaker in the State of New Jersey. I have proof,
so you needn't try to deny it."
Donaster had now risen to his feet. He was trembling violently, and
his face was as white as death.
"For God's sake!" he gasped, "how did you learn all this? Who are you,
anyway?"
"Never mind who I am," and Grimsby smiled with satisfaction. He was
succeeding better than he had expected. "You know what I say is true."
"Does anybody else know this?" Donaster asked. "Have you told anyone?"
"Not yet."
"Not yet! Then you intend to do so, I suppose?"
"Why not? Should not Mr. and Mrs. Randall know at once what a vil----,
excuse me, what an impostor you are?"
"Don't, don't tell them! For the love of heaven, keep this a secret.
They must not know. It will ruin me."
"What am I to do, then?"
"Say nothing. Keep silent."
"Ah, now you are coming to the point. That's why I'm here. Yes, I
will keep silent, but what will you pay for my silence. Let's get down
to business at once."
"So you want money, eh? How much?"
"That all depends, sir, upon how much you are able to pay."
Donaster looked at Grimsby for a minute without replying. He was
angry, and he longed to kick this fellow out of the room. But he knew
he had to be cautious if he expected to secure the prize. He must
muzzle him somehow until then, otherwise he would spoil his chance
completely.
"I am afraid I can pay you but little," he at length confessed. "I am
rather hard up myself."
"Oh, that's all right, sir. I'm not hard to please. Let's be partners
and divvy up. Give me half of what you have, and I'm at your command.
Then, when you get the girl--and the money--you can give me some more."
Grimsby's eyes twinkled as he made this suggestion, and he watched to
see the effect upon Donaster.
"And you promise that you'll not squeal on me if I do this?"
"Sure. I'll do almost anything for money--like yourself, eh?"
"Do you think you can find the girl?"
"Leave that to me, sir. You came down river on the 'Eb and Flo,'
didn't you?"
"How did you hear about that?" Donaster quickly queried.
"H'm, don't ask me how I find out about things. I generally know
what's taking place. Eben Tobin's quite a lad, eh?"
"He certainly is. You know him, then?"
"Should say so; ever since he was a baby. Guess he has a pretty good
idea where that girl is."
"He told me he didn't."
"Ah, he'd tell you that. But just wait till I get hold of him. You
didn't go about it the right way. He's in a class all by himself, Eben
is."
"And will you see him?" Donaster was all eagerness now.
"But what about that money? I'm hard up. You can't do much without
money these days. It makes people talk when nothing else will. How
much can you spare?"
Donaster thought for a few minutes, and his brows wrinkled.
"I've only five hundred in the bank," he at length explained. "You'll
have to wait until to-morrow for any of that."
"Five hundred! My, that seems a fortune to me. Where did ye get it?
Steal it?"
Donaster shot a quick startled look at his companion as if he would
read his mind. Then he gave a nervous laugh.
"Never mind where I got it," he warded. "Don't ask too many questions."
Grimsby leaned across the table and looked keenly at his victim.
"I won't ask any more questions, sir. But I believe you are a bigger
rogue than I imagined. It's even necessary for me to be on my guard.
How much money have you on hand now?"
"About fifty dollars."
"That's good. I'll take half, according to our agreement."
Donaster hesitated for a few seconds, but at length pulled a roll of
bills from his pocket and counted out twenty-five dollars.
"Now, make me out a cheque for half of what you have in the bank,"
Grimsby ordered as he pocketed the money. "I want to draw it as soon
as the bank opens in the morning."
Donaster at first protested, but Grimsby was firm, and threatened what
he would do.
"I shall give you just five minutes to do what I wish," he told him.
"Otherwise, I shall go at once to Mrs. Randall. Make up your mind, and
be quick about it."
Very reluctantly Donaster obeyed, and made out a cheque payable to
Gabriel Grimsby. The latter held it in his hand and studied it
carefully for a few minutes after he had received it. He smiled as he
looked at Donaster. "We are getting along nicely now, are we not? But
there is something else I want you to do."
"For heaven's sake! what is it?" Donaster angrily and impatiently asked.
"Give me a piece of paper and a pen: I will write it down."
When these were produced, Grimsby wrote rapidly, Donaster watching him
somewhat curiously.
"Listen to this," he ordered when he had finished.
"'One week after the date of my marriage with Miss Randall I promise to
pay Gabriel Grimsby the sum of one thousand dollars for services
rendered.'"
"There, how will that suit you?" he asked, "You'll sign that, of
course. It's just a little inducement to urge me to greater efforts."
Donaster sat for some time in silence. He seemed to be in deep
thought, and his brows knitted with perplexity.
"Do you think you can find Miss Randall?" he at length asked.
"I have no doubt about it," Grimsby replied. "Leave that to me."
"But I want you to do more than find her."
"What do you mean?"
"Yes, you must do more than find her. That will not be enough. You
must arrange matters in such a way that she will need help, see?"
"So you will be on hand to rescue her?" Grimsby smiled. He was pleased
at himself for his quick intuition.
"That's just it. You must arrange things in such a manner that she
will think I am her rescuer from great peril. Then, perhaps, she will
look upon me with favour. You see, I am not at all sure of her, even
though she should be taken home. I begin to doubt whether her parents
will be able to induce her to marry me against her will. Do you think
you can help me?"
"Certainly; I have never been stuck yet. Leave it to me. I shall go
up river to-morrow, so you hang around here, and when I need you I
shall telephone. Have an auto in readiness, and come like the wind
when I phone. But you must sign this paper first."
"And you want one thousand dollars? Isn't that a large amount?"
"Large! Why, man, I am astonished at myself for not asking more.
Unless you sign this, I shall not assist you."
Seeing that Grimsby was determined, Donaster reluctantly signed the
paper and handed it back.
"There, I hope you're satisfied now," he growled.
"I am." Grimsby smiled as he folded the paper, and put it away
carefully in his pocket. "Hope to goodness it won't be long before I
present it for payment. Good night. I must be off."