It seemed to me, now, certain that some gang of criminals having
knowledge of the packet of money had waylaid the cut-under. Proud of my
conclusion, I put the inquiry to Sir Henry as we hurried along. If we
weren't too late!
He stopped suddenly like a man brought up at the point of a bayonet.
“My word!” He jerked the expression out through his tightened jaws. “Has
she got ninety thousand dollars of your money!” And he set out again in
his long stride. I explained briefly as I endeavored to keep his pace.
It was her own money, not mine, but she did in fact have that large sum
with her in the cut-under on this night. I gave him the story of the
matter, briefly, for I had no breath to spare over it. And I asked him
what he thought. Had a gang of thieves attacked the cut-under?
But he only repeated his expression.
“My word!... You got her ninety thousand dollars and let her drive
away with no eye on her!.... Such trust in the honesty of our fellow
creatures!... My word!”
I had to admit the deplorable negligence, but I had not thought of any
peril, and I did not know that she carried the money with her until the
conversation with my sister. There was some excuse for me. I could not
remember a robbery on this island.
Marquis snapped his jaws.
“You'll remember this one!” he said.
It was a ridiculous remark. How could one ever forget if this
incomparable creature were robbed and perhaps murdered. But were there
not some extenuating circumstances in my favor. I presented them as we
advanced; my sister and I lived in a rather protected atmosphere apart
from all criminal activities, we could not foresee such a result. I had
no knowledge of criminal methods.
“I can well believe it,” was the only reply Marquis returned to me.
In addition to my extreme anxiety about Madame Barras I began now to
realize a profound sense of responsibility; every one, it seemed, saw
what I ought to have done, except myself. How had I managed to overlook
it? It was clear to other men. Major Carrington had pointed it out to me
as I was turning away; and now here Sir Henry Marquis was expressing in
no uncertain words how negligent a creature he considered me--to permit
my guest, a woman, to go alone, at night, with this large sum of money.
It was not a pleasant retrospect. Other men--the world--would scarcely
hold me to a lesser negligence than Sir Henry Marquis!