Meanwhile the gossiping woman of the cottage on the moor, whose grateful
heart had never forgotten the little kindness done to her boy by the
young doctor, and who knew that the doctor loved Rose Ellis, more
surely, perhaps, than Rose did herself, went off in a state of deep
anxiety to St. Just, and, by dint of diligent inquiries and piecing of
things together, coupled with her knowledge of Clearemout's intentions,
came to a pretty correct conclusion as to the state of affairs.
She then went to the abode of young Charles Tregarthen, whom she knew to
be Oliver's friend, and unbosomed herself. Charlie repaid her with more
than thanks, and almost hugged her in his gratitude for her prompt
activity.
"And now, Mrs Hicks," said he, "you shall see how we will thwart this
scoundrel. As for Oliver Trembath, I cannot imagine what could take him
into Penzance in the wild state that you describe. Of course this
affair has to do with it, and he evidently has learned something of
this, and must have misunderstood the matter, else assuredly he had not
been absent at such a time. But why go to Penzance? However, he will
clear up the mystery ere long, no doubt. Meanwhile we shall proceed to
thwart your schemes, good Mr Clearemout!"
So saying, Charlie Tregarthen set about laying his counter-plans. He
also, as the managing director had done, visited several men, some of
whom were miners and some smugglers, and arranged a meeting that evening
near Cape Cornwall.
When evening drew on apace, four separate parties converged towards
Priest's Cove. First, a boat crept along shore propelled by four men
and steered by Jim Cuttance. Secondly, six stout men crept stealthily
down to the cove, led by Charlie Tregarthen, with Maggot as his second
in command. Thirdly, Rose Ellis wended her way to the rendezvous with
trembling step and beating heart; and, fourthly, George Augustus
Clearemout moved in the same direction.
But the managing director moved faster than the others, having a longer
way to travel, for, having had to pay a last visit to Wheal Dooem, he
rode thence to St. Just. On the way he was particularly interested in a
water-wheel which worked a pump, beside which a man in mining costume
was seated smoking his pipe.
"Good-evening," said Clearemout, reining up.
"Good-hevenin', sur."
"What does that pump?" asked the managing director, pointing to the
wheel.
"That, sur?" said the miner, drawing a few whiffs from his pipe; "why,
that do pump gold out o' the Londoners, that do."