A CATASTROPHE
About noon the next day Steel and Giles were on their way to Bilbao.
This prompt following of Morley was due to the fertile resource of Ware.
He remembered that a friend of his possessed a yacht which was at
present lying in Dover Harbor. The friend, Lord Kingsbridge, fortunately
happened to be in London, and Giles wired an appointment. With Steel he
went up to Town on that same night and drove at once to the Wanderers'
Club, where Kingsbridge was waiting for them. Giles explained the
situation, and secured the yacht at once. "The boat is quite ready to
start," said Kingsbridge. "All you have to do is to get steam up. I was
thinking of going on a cruise myself, and so had _The Firefly_ put in
order."
"Why not come with us to Bilbao, my lord?"
"Thank you, Mr. Steel, but I have to wait in town for a day or two, and
time is everything in this matter. If you take the first morning train
to Dover, you ought to be on your way to Spain in the afternoon. When
did this other boat start?"
"Yesterday afternoon from Gravesend," said Giles.
"Well, my yacht's a quick one, so I daresay you will be able to catch
this other one before she gets to her destination. You'll have bad
weather, I fear," said Kingsbridge; "there's a storm getting up."
"I don't care if it blows the world out of the solar system," cried Ware
savagely; "I'm going to catch that man."
"And the lady? Well, good luck to you, Ware."
"Thank you, Kingsbridge. I shan't forget your kindness," replied the
young man, and departed with Steel in hot haste.
Thus it happened that the two found themselves on board _The Firefly_
steaming for Bilbao at top speed. The boat was two hundred tons, yacht
measurement, schooner-rigged fore and aft, with powerful engines and
twin screws. When all her furnaces were going she could smoke through
the water at surprising speed, and her captain having received
instructions from Kingsbridge, drove her south for all she was worth. He
was a pleasant young fellow called Calthorpe, and when he heard that the
trip was being made to rescue a lady took a personal interest in the
affair. He made up his mind to catch _The Red Cross_ before she reached
Bilbao.
"Is she a fast boat?" he asked when _The Firefly_ cleared the Channel.
"Nearly as fast as this craft," replied Mark Dane, who was at his elbow.
"She was built for speed."
"H'm," said the captain; "it's stormy weather, and her speed will depend
a good deal on the way she is handled. I don't expect she'll do much in
the Bay."
Evidently Calthorpe was not going to let his boat be beaten by an
outsider. He had never heard of _The Red Cross_, and believed _The
Firefly_ to be one of the smartest crafts afloat. The weather was dirty,
and when the gallant little boat lifted the Atlantic waves they were
running mountains high. But Calthorpe drove his vessel sheer through
them, and never slackened his speed for all their fury. And now it must
be explained how Dane came to be on board. The explanation may be given
in his own words to Giles.
"When I left you in London, sir," he said, "I wondered where Morley had
taken Miss Anne. From what I knew I guessed that he would not carry her
to the Priory at Rickwell. It then struck me that he might use the
yacht. Since Steel took up the case she has changed her name and her
appearance, for Morley and Denham were both afraid lest she might be
found out. The gang of course know nothing of my intention to smash up
the organization, and I knew that I could get all information from one
of them. I sent a wire to this man--he's called Arden--and received
information that the boat was at Gravesend by Morley's orders, under the
name of _The Dark Horse_."
"Rather a good name," said Ware, smiling. "Morley is something of a
humorist."
"He's a devil!" said Dane fiercely. "I'll tell you my reason for saying
so later, sir. I went to Gravesend and found her lying in mid-stream. I
went on board and learned that Morley was away, but that the boat was to
sail shortly for some unknown destination."
"Where was Morley?"
"Up in town, sir, getting his money together to make tracks. I found
Miss Anne on board. She told me that Morley had suggested they should
get to Rickwell by the Gravesend line, and she, not thinking any harm of
him and anxious to see Denham and learn the truth about her dead father,
agreed. He took her down and drugged her in the train. As an invalid she
was taken on board _The Dark Horse_ and confined to her cabin. A hag
called Mrs. Johns attended to her. I know the old wretch. A regular bad
one; but devoted to Morley, who got her out of some trouble."
"Why did you not rescue Miss Anne," said Giles, "and save us this
journey, Dane?"
"I couldn't. Mrs. Johns allowed me to see Miss Anne, as she had no
reason to suspect me; but she kept guard at the door, and would not let
me out of her sight almost. If I had tried to take Miss Anne ashore,
she'd have brought the crew on me. They are all Morley's creatures. I
should simply have been poleaxed and dropped overboard, while the yacht
sailed away. No, sir. I told Miss Anne my difficulty, and asked her to
send a line to you at the Priory--where I knew you were--that you might
follow. She wrote three or four words----"
"I know," interrupted Giles, "and enclosed the coin."
"She did that, sir, so that you could be sure the message came from her.
I posted the letter. Then I went on shore and waited till Morley came
back. I learned from Miss Anne that the boat was going to Bilbao, and
when she started I came on to the Priory to ask if I could join in the
hunt for Miss Anne. Yes," cried Dane, shaking his fist, "and the hunt
after that devil Morley."
"Why do you hate him so?" asked Giles, wondering at the man's fierceness
and ill-suppressed emotion.
Dane thought for a moment, then answered, with his eyes on the deck,
"Morley killed my mother," he said in a low voice. "No, sir, not in the
way you think. He killed her by telling her what I was. She was a good
woman. She brought me up well, and did her best to make me a decent man.
I was well behaved till I went to Italy to study singing, and fell in
with Denham. He made me bad. Afterwards Morley made me worse. I have
thieved, I have--but what does the catalogue of my crimes matter to
you, sir? In a word, Denham and Morley ruined me. I hate them both, but
Morley worst of all. Do you think Denham will recover?"
"From his broken leg? Of course he will, and then he will be taken to
jail at once. Steel left the warrant behind to be executed, in order
that he might come with me."
"I hope Denham will get a long sentence, sir," said Dane savagely. "He
is a bad man. But Morley--nothing short of death will expiate his crime
so far as I am concerned. I wanted to reform, sir. Miss Anne was so good
to me that I saw how wicked was the life I was living. I wished to
reform and return to my mother. Morley heard of this. He followed me to
New York, where I was then. I had fled from the gang, saying I would
have nothing more to do with the thieving. Morley found me with my
mother. He told her what I was." Here Dane paused and sighed. "The blow
killed her."
"She died of a broken heart, I suppose?"
"Yes, of a broken heart. Then I went back with Morley to the old life
like a whipped dog. But I vowed revenge. I intend to have it now." And
he set his teeth determinedly.
Giles was sorry for the young man. He appeared to have some good in him
when he felt the death of his mother, and the cause of it, so deeply.
But Ware could not help remembering that Dane had murdered Daisy Kent.
But for the fact that they relied on Dane to distinguish _The Red Cross_
under her disguise, he would not have been allowed to come. But Steel
thought it was best to catch Morley first and then have Dane arrested
for the crime. He advised Giles to say nothing about it, lest it should
arouse the suspicions of Dane. But on board _The Firefly_ there was no
escape for the man, and after the previous conversation Giles began to
wonder if Dane really was guilty, despite the belief of Steel and the
evidence of Denham. He resolved to set his doubts at rest.
"Dane," he said, after a pause, "you appear to have much good in you,
and the Princess Olga is anxious to save you from yourself. Since you
are helping us to break up this gang and catch Morley, who appears to be
the arch-criminal, I am willing to do what I can to save you from the
law. But there is another crime----"
"What particular crime do you mean, sir?" asked Dane quietly.
"The murder of Miss Kent."
Dane started. "Do you believe that I had anything to do with that?"
"Why not? You were at Rickwell on the night it was committed."
"I was. I came over from the yacht at Gravesend to tell Morley she was
waiting his orders there, and to tell Denham also. He had appointed a
meeting there for me. I came on a motor-bicycle. What of that?"
"A man called Scott told Steel that you were in Rickwell."
"I admit it. I know Scott. He has turned King's evidence. It seems to
me, sir, that the whole lot of us will be pardoned if we are so anxious
to betray one another. But this crime----"
"Denham says you killed the girl."
Dane sprang to his feet with flashing eyes. "I swear by all that I hold
most holy that I did not touch the girl," he declared. "I never even set
eyes on her. Denham accuses me--yes, because I have told the truth about
him. I came on that night and saw Morley and him at the window of the
library in Morley's house. When I gave my message about the yacht I
returned to Tilbury, and then crossed to the boat. I never killed the
girl, by the memory of my mother!"
"You seem to be speaking the truth," said Giles quickly. "Did you enter
the library? The girl was killed by a stiletto torn from the trophy of
arms near the desk."
"I was not in the library. Morley would not allow me to enter. He and
Denham spoke to me on the terrace. When a noise was heard at the door--I
believe now it was Miss Anne who was entering--Morley gave me the tip to
get away."
"Was the stiletto in its place?"
"I don't know. I never noticed."
"Do you think Morley killed the girl?"
"Either he or Denham," replied Dane decisively; "and I think it was the
latter. When I heard of the crime being committed, I saw Mrs. Morley and
asked her if her husband was guilty. She denied it, saying that he was
in the library all the time. She came down and saw him."
"She might do that to save her husband."
Dane shook his head. "I don't think she was fond enough of him for that,
sir," he answered. "She was when he married her; but he treated her so
badly--as I was told by Denham--that she grew to hate him. He spent her
money, and behaved like the brute he is. For the sake of her children
she said nothing, but she was fond of Miss Kent, and I don't think she
would have defended him if a charge of killing the girl had been made."
"Did Mrs. Morley know anything about the gang?"
"No, she knew nothing. Morley always took good care to keep her in
ignorance. She knew no more of his secret life than Miss Anne did of
Denham's. Both men were very clever in concealing that which they did
not want to be known. But you believe that I am innocent of this
charge?"
"Yes. You can face Denham when you return and ask him what are his
grounds for accusing you."
"If ever I do come back," said Dane gloomily. And the conversation ended
for the time being.
Dane made himself very useful on board, and Calthorpe took quite a fancy
to him. In addition to his other gifts he proved to be an excellent
sailor. It seems that he had run away from home, and had worked for some
years before the mast as a common seaman. He now wished to do what he
could on board _The Firefly_, and chummed with the crew. So great a
favorite did he become with Calthorpe that when he asked to be allowed
to steer, the favor was readily granted to him, and he proved very
proficient. Certainly Calthorpe did not know he was a suspected murderer
and had been a thief, and neither Steel nor Giles said anything about
this. Steel, indeed, still held to the belief that Dane was guilty; but
Ware laughed at him.
"You said that Miss Anne was guilty," he declared; "then you believed
that Denham had struck the blow; now you are convinced that Dane is the
criminal. For my part I believe Denham to be guilty."
"He may be," replied Steel, with a shrug. "I am so puzzled over this
case that I am prepared for any development. At all events, Denham is
being looked after. He can't escape me, whether he is merely a thief or
really the murderer we are in search of."
When _The Firefly_ got into the Bay of Biscay the weather was worse than
ever. Giles was pleased, as Calthorpe told him that there was the better
chance of catching _The Dark Horse_ before she reached her port of
destination. Once on Spanish soil and Giles feared lest Morley should
carry Anne off to the mountains. He was such a scoundrel, and so clever,
that it might be possible he had confederates at Bilbao to help him to
carry out any scheme he might suggest. Giles wished to catch him before
he had time to formulate any new villainy. At all events, Morley would
never think that they had tracked him so speedily, or had followed so
rapidly. It was unlikely that he would use the yacht to the fullest
extent of her steaming powers.
In the centre of the Bay _The Firefly_ was caught by the full force of
the storm. The wind and waves were terrific, but the gallant little boat
proved herself trustworthy. Under a sullen sky, over a dismal grey sea
she steamed, her decks streaming with water, and the ship herself
rolling terribly.
Calthorpe did not slacken speed, and the boat responded splendidly to
his handling. A sharp lookout was kept by all on board for the yacht, as
Giles had offered a large reward for the first man who espied the boat.
But the difficulty was that none of the crew knew the looks of _The Dark
Horse_. However, they were to hail when they saw anything in the shape
of a yacht, and there were one or two false alarms. At length, when _The
Firefly_ was approaching the Spanish coast, Dane, who was on deck with a
glass, gave the alarm. It was a misty, grey day, with absence of sun and
wind. The ocean was heaving like masses of liquid pitch with an oily
look, and the yacht cut sheer through the terrific waves that threatened
to overwhelm her. Suddenly a wind rose, there was a blink of sunshine,
and about a mile away a bark was seen rolling in the trough of the sea.
"There she is!" roared Dane, and every one came on deck.
"Are you sure?" cried Giles, taking the glass.
"Perfectly sure," replied Dane, who was dangerously excited. "Captain,
let me handle the wheel as a reward."
Calthorpe gave his assent, as he knew what a good steersman Dane was. He
then took his post beside Giles and Steel, who were admitted on to the
bridge, and thence directed the ship. Then _The Firefly_ made a bee-line
for the distant ship.
Steel and Giles had less sense than they should have had; and Dane in
his joy at the sight of his prey quite forgot that with a good glass
Morley could recognize them all three. It was _The Red Cross_, alias
_The Dark Horse_, that was steaming leisurely southward, and doing her
best to battle with the strong seas that hammered her newly painted
sides. Thus Morley, who had never expected such promptitude, became
aware that his foes were at his heels. He saw the detective and Giles on
the bridge. But Dane he did not see, being in too much of a hurry after
his first glimpse of the danger to take further interest in those on
board _The Firefly_. The result of Morley's decision was that those on
the pursuing yacht saw clouds of smoke pouring out of the funnel, and
knew that the furnaces were being crammed to suffocation. There was a
shout of joy from _The Firefly's_ crew, for now the fun was beginning.
"We'll see if she'll beat my boat," said Calthorpe on the bridge.
It was very stormy, and black clouds were racing across a pallid sky. A
furious wind had blown the mists into shreds of vapor, and was ripping
white spume from the tops of the rearing waves. The vessel in flight
soared like a swallow, and slid down into mile-long valleys; but _The
Firefly_, having more powerful engines, tore straight through the walls
of water that threatened to block her way. She trembled with the
vibration of her screws, and in the stormy heaving of the water there
was great danger lest her propeller fans should snap. However, the
engineer stood with his hand on the throttle-valve, and stopped the
spinning of the screws when they emerged.
Much the same tactics were being pursued on board _The Dark Horse_, save
that in addition the safety-valve was tied down. The engines worked at
furious speed, and the boat leaped like a hunted stag. But the hound on
its heels came closer and closer, and those on _The Dark Horse_ could
hear the roar of the delighted _Firefly_ crew. Morley ground his teeth,
and fed his furnaces again. Anne came on deck.
"Go below!" he said, and swore at her.
"I shall not," she retorted, and got away from him.
He was not able to pursue, not being in position to leave his post
beside the captain. Besides, he thought it mattered very little whether
she was seen or not. Ware knew that she was on board, and, moreover, if
_The Dark Horse_ were overhauled, he would suffer most himself by the
capture. It would do him no good to throw Anne overboard, although he
felt much inclined to do so if only for revenge.
Calthorpe could well be proud of his boat. She responded gallantly to
the strain put upon her, and tore like a mad thing through the waste of
waters. She swung 'longside of _The Dark Horse_, Dane steering with
flashing eyes and his long hair streaming in the wind. There was less
than a quarter of a mile separating the boats. Morley swerved to the
right. Dane followed. A pretty bit of steering on the part of both
vessels took place until the winds and waves took command. Then the
boats, out of hand, swung together, almost touching. Giles could see
Anne. She cried out and stretched her hands.
Suddenly Dane turned the yacht in a circle. Calthorpe shouted to know,
with several adjectives, what he was up to. He would have stopped the
engines, which were working furiously, but that it was dangerous at the
moment. _The Firefly_ swung round, and then with the rush of a wounded
bull came straight at _The Dark Horse_.
"Hell!" cried Calthorpe, "he's going to ram her."
There was no time to stop the engines, or to reverse them. Those on _The
Dark Horse_ gave a yell of fear as the larger vessel bore down on their
slighter craft. Dane, fairly mad, shouted out abuse to Morley. Another
moment and the pursuing yacht struck the other midships, cutting her
almost to the waterline. All on board both ships were thrown down. _The
Firefly_ reeled back. Giles lifted his head to see Anne falling
overboard as _The Dark Horse_ lurched in the roaring waters. With a cry
of terror, he tore a lifebelt from its fastenings and threw himself
after her.
After that he could only recollect that he was swimming for dear life
and for her, amongst those furious waves. Lifted on the crest of one he
saw her some distance away--a white figure against the black water. Then
he went sliding down into the liquid valley. How he reached her he did
not know; but after a terrific struggle he found her in his arms. He
managed to slip the lifebelt over her head, and kept her up with one arm
while he kept afloat with the other. She was insensible, but Giles
retained all his wits. He caught a glimpse of the ragged, injured bows
of _The Firefly_ high above him, and saw that Calthorpe was launching a
boat. In a few moments it came plunging towards him, and he was hauled
on board with Anne. Steel was in the boat, ashy pale.
"Is our boat safe?" gasped Giles.
"Yes. But _The Dark Horse_ is going down. Dane has gone overboard."
Suddenly Steel shrieked, and Giles turned to where he pointed. In the
trough of the sea _The Dark Horse_ was plunging like a colt, rolling
like a drunken man. Giles saw Morley; near him Dane with a savage look
on his face. Morley, with terror in his eyes, tried to get away, but
Dane reached him, flung his arms round him, and with a wild shout both
men went down into the furiously bubbling witch-caldron, never to rise
again.
The strain of the whole terrible business was too much for Giles Ware.
For the first and last time in his life he fainted. The last
recollection he had was of seeing the doomed vessel plunging downwards
and a cloud of white steam rising with a terrible roar from her
exploding boilers. After that, darkness and insensibility.