rn 3 JITVJ-JO' V tyk 1 I s > II aOSANCElfj> I I = =i 3 1 1 a g 8 i i i 8 i > ^tftUMVBSfe. ^ <^v ^^^) lift at the stone when he should put forth his strength, and then made the trial. He did not apply his full force in the outset. It was an experi- ment, and he wished to note particularly the result. With his two hands fixed in place, and his lower limbs firmly braced, he lifted, lightly at first, and then with renewed force. 136 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. By and by, acting upon the impulse of the mo- ment, he gave a sudden upward pressure with all his might. The result was wonderful. First, he felt the heavy mass yield ; next, he heard a dull thud followed by a rattling, grating sound beneath the floor ; and, a moment later, the ponderous cube, starting away from its rest against the rear wall of the chapel, swung outward for a dis- tance equal to' its own depth, perhaps a little more. And there, exposed to his view, was an opening in the pavement seemingly as long and as broad as the altar would safely cover ; and on looking down he saw the head of a ladder resting against the side nearest to him. His first thought was of the mechanism by which this wonderful result had been wrought ; and for the purpose of discovering that he went part way down the ladder. He examined thoroughly, and found it very nearly as he had thought. A system of enor- mous weights, slung in chains of copper, the chains working in easily running blocks, were so arranged that upon setting the weights free the stone would be moved, as we have seen. The huge stone itself swung upon a pivot, at the inner, eastern corner, and at the other end underneath were small trucks on which it traveled over the flagging, and which had caused the abrasions which had attracted the ex- plorer's attention. The tipping of the rock backward set the spring free, and our hero remembered that he had instinct- ively applied his force towards moving the stone IN THE SECRET CRYPT, 137 away from the wall until it had stopped, and then he had heard a sharp click, as though another spring had been caught. Would tipping the stone again cause it to re- sume its former position against the wall? He thought so. The next question he asked himself was, Should he unarmed and without a light, attempt to explore the wonderful place he had so curiously discovered? CHAPTER XL IN THE SECRET CRYPT. HAVING discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more. He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of arti- ficial light ; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character. Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem. So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions. 138 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. He had no weapon save his battered leopard wood staff ; but that had served him once, and it might serve him again should the need present itself. He took one more look around, then put his foot upon the ladder and began the descent. The dis- tance was not far, perhaps twelve to fourteen feet, at the end of which he alighted upon a bottom of rock and quite rough. As nearly as could be judged with the aid of the light he had, he concluded the crypt to be mostly the work of nature. Evidently the old monks or whoever had built the chapel, had found the cavern beneath and had thus utilized it. It was irregular in form, its greatest width at the point where he now stood being nine full paces, not far from twenty-seven feet. As soon as he had become more used to the gloom he moved on ahead, very soon making a new dis- covery, and one of importance. At the point where he had landed from the ladder the cavern had been entirely bare, the only things to attract his attention, besides the jagged walls, being the somewhat complicated and bulky machin- ery by which the altar was moved to and fro ; but he had not advanced many steps into the place before he came in contact with things that opened his eyes and sharpened his understanding. Piled against the walls on either hand were bar- rels and casks and boxes, some of which appeared to have been there a long time, w'lile others were IN THE SECRET CRYPT. 139 evidently of more recent deposit. A little further on the cave narrowed, and was buried in darkness, but he believed there was a widening again further on. In this narrower part were a few boxes, and a lot of ship's rigging ropes, blocks, and old sails. Ah! Another thing struck the explorer; and it struck him forcibly. It was a strong draught of air fresh from the sea ! He was too well used to the atmosphere of the sea to mistake it when it came full in his face, and rilled his nostrils and his lungs. And now he could understand. In the slope of the crag towards the shore of the bay were several caves, two of which were of considerable* size. One of these latter he thought he knew which one it was had a secret opening into a passage leading to the place where he now stood ; and the smugglers had discovered it and were making use of it. Many things which had heretofore puzzled him were clear to him now. His father, he was confi- dent, had known nothing of this cavern. During his father's lifetime he had known how all the goods landed at the Cove were disposed of; but it had not been so since his death. Of late within the three years last past there had to his certain knowledge been many things brought in that had never been taken further inland, to be disposed of among the people there residing. One occasion, in particular, he called to mind. It happened a year previously. He had gone on board the brig one evening, and had seen a number of 14 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. boxes brought up from the hold and deposited on deck. On the following morning he had been called on board again, when he found the boxes gone; yet he knew that no team had left the landing, and that no boat had gone up the river. But it was all clear now. The goods had been landed at night at the foot of the crag, and taken up to the cave. When the secret had been first discov- ered by the smugglers he could not imagine; nor could he tell by whom, though he strongly sus- pected that Ralph Tryon had been the first to make use of it as a depository of contraband, and, perhaps, for pirated goods. Having discovered so much, and having further determined that the space ahead was wrapped in total darkness, Percy concluded to leave further explorations to another and more favorable oppor- tunity. Furthermore, he determined that he would acquaint the earl with the discovery he had made and leave future proceedings to his direction. It would be proper so to do, and it would be right. Thus thinking he turned about and started to retrace his steps. He had gone but a short distance on his return when his eye caught an object he had not before seen. The fact was, his eyes had become used to the dim light, and he saw things more dis- tinctly. Standing on the stone bottom, just under the head of one of the casks a cask that had been IN THE SECRET CRYPT. 141 set up on two small boxes he espied a drinking cup. He stooped and picked it up and made sure it was of silver and heavy at that. He further observed that in the head of the cask, close to the lower chine, was a wooden faucet. The fancy possessed him to see what the cask contained ; so, stooping down, he gave the tap of the faucet a turn, and speedily a liquid trickled out. He gave another turn and held the cup under it. The first drawn he used to rinse the drinking- vessel with, and with it filled a second time he arose and stepped to where he had more light. The liquid, as the fumes had told him, was wine, and there could be no mistaking its character or quality. It was old port, very strong, yet smooth as oil. It must have been old when first deposited in its present place of rest, and now the taster decided it to be the finest wine of the kind he had ever put to his lips. Being well assured that no harmful ingredient could have found its way into the cask, he drank the potion and felt the better for it, but he wanted no more. Much wine of that quality would give to his head a buzzing not at all desirable. Up the ladder, once more on the pavement of the chapel, our hero looked around. Everything was as he had left it. And now to move the altar back to its original place. With his hands on the upper edge, as before, he put forth his strength, this time at once and quickly. He heard the sharp click, as 14* THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. before, and immediately the ponderous mass swung back against the wall, with not a sign left to tell that a strange hand had been tampering with the mystery of the old chapel. One mystery had been solved ; but, in some respects, a greater yet remained in the dark. He had discovered how the seeming monk had made his exit from the chapel, but he had not discovered the meaning of the face that monk had worn. He knew not how many times he had recalled the scene, how many moments he had spent in thinking of it ; he only knew that the more he reflected the more sure he became that his eyes had not played him false. Beneath that gray cowl he had as surely seen a face like his father's as he was sure that he had seen the figure at all. But he had seen it in profile. Perhaps could he see that same face in full front view it might appear different to him. Yet, it was marvelous ; and he could not think of it without wonder. He could only hope that the time might come when he could look upon the gray friar under other circumstances. If he was one of the smugglers, or was engaged in their business on shore, he might yet be trapped. Who should say? Upon leaving the chapel our adventurer took his way at once towards the castle, being resolved that the earl should be made acquainted with his dis- covery in the outset. He had no fear of Lord Oak- leigh. It would not be over and above pleasant to meet him ; yet he would not go out of his way, or, IN THE SECRET CRYPT. 143 at least, he would not discommode himself to avoid him. How his lordship would account for his lame hand he could not guess; but he doubted very much the telling of the truth. He thought he might at some time relate the incident to Cordelia; but under no circumstances would he tell the story to the earl, unless he should be asked ; and he did not think that likely, as he had no idea that the grandson would let out the secret of his ruffianism. Arrived at the castle, the first person whom he met was the very one whom he was most eager to see the old steward, Michael Dillon. "Michael, I have had nothing to eat since early morning, and I have had a long hard walk." "Bless my soul! And bless you, too, Master Percy ! You couldn't have come at a more fortun- ate time. When the old lord is alone with no com- pany, he likes his dinner early; and we're just after carrying it in. So come along to my room and eat with me unless you prefer to try the upper table." "What! with the earl?" "To be sure." "Mercy, no! What should put such an idea into your head?" "Why, it wouldn't be the first time, not by a num- ber; and, besides, I have a fancy that the old lord rather likes it." "But never when Lord Oakleigh is at the castle" "Oho, he isn't here ! Thank fortune he's gone." "Gone! Are you sure?" 144 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Aye, that I am bag and baggage he and his rascally valet with him." "When did he go and how?" "He came home at noon with his arm in a sling. He said a horse had kicked him and hurt him sorely, and he had his things packed up and a trap to take him over to Burton, where I believe he said he was going to spend the night with a friend. He is off for Oxford to-morrow." "Was the earl very sorry to have him go?" "I should say not. He makes the good old man very unhappy when he is here ; and yet I sometimes think he hates to see him going, being so sure that he's going to new mischief. Ah, he's a bad lot ! I'm sure I don't know who he takes after. His father was one of the finest gentlemen I ever knew, and handsome as well ; and his mother was a born angel. There couldn't be a sweeter, purer, or a nobler woman than she was, though she was a bit proud. When I tell you that she was just as beau- tiful as is Lady Cordelia, and just as good, you'll understand what I mean. Who in the world there ever was in the old earl's family, on either side, like him, I'm sure I don't know. It's one o' them mar- vels, Master Percy, that you've got to take as they come, and make the best of 'em." They went in to dinner; and our hero made a hearty meal and enjoyed it. The conversation of the steward was entertaining and interesting. He had been in the earl's employ, boy and man, more than half a century, having been born 77V THE SECRET CRYPT. 145 on the estate little more than three score years before. "By the way," the old man said towards the close of the meal, "it's curious that we've never seen any- thing of the new captain of the smugglers at the castle. Your father, my boy, used to come up quite often ; and a few of us were glad enough to purchase a few creature comforts that he had to dispose of. Of course, the earl never traded with him ; but, for all that, more than one bottle of wine from his cargo, and more than one chest of tea, found their way into his lordship's larder and upon his table. From what I hear, I should judge the new cap- tain Tryon to be rather a poor sort of a stick." "Then you never saw him?" "Not that I know of." "He is a bad man, Michael a man that I keep clear of." "Yes, I've heard so. They don't speak well of him anywhere. Even the old landlord of the Aller- dale Arms don't like him ; and when Martin Van- yard turns against a smuggler you may be sure there's a reason for it." "I was not aware, before," said Percy, "that Cap- tain Tryon had never shown himself at the castle. However, he doesn't appear to spend much of his time in this section any way. As soon as his vessel gets in he is sure to be off. Where he goes I do not know ; and, to tell the truth, I care less. There is something about the man that puzzles me, and for that I would like to gain a more intimate acquaint- 146 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. ance. I would like to follow him on one of his journeys and see what he does with himself where he goes, and in what guise he appears when there." "Eh! D'ye fancy he's playin' a kind of hide and seek? that he's got another character?" "Yes. I am sure of it, and I intend to unmask him one of these days. In fact, the time may not be far distant." "Well, if he's as big a rascal as I've heard it whis- pered, I hope he may be nabbed very soon." "Ah !" exclaimed the youth, with a slight start, and a curious look into the old man's face, "what sort of whispers have you heard, Michael?" The steward hesitated. After gazing for a time into his glass, and taking a swallow of wine, he said: "Really, Percy, I don't know as I ought to speak; but then it's no secret, and it's whispered pretty loudly, too. They say I've heard old Martin at the inn say that there was more carried on by the new captain of the Staghound than smuggling. I s'pose you know what that means?" "Yes. I know. Has it come to the earl's ears?" "I'm not sure ; but I think it has. Mebbe, Percy, you know about it." "Michael, whatever I may know with regard to a change in the character of the brig has come to my knowledge within eight-and-forty hours. I shall myself speak with the earl on this subject ; so you and I will discuss it no more." "But you'll tell me some time, my boy?" IN THE SECRET CRYPT. 147 "Yes ; you shall know all about it, just as soon as there is something tangible discovered." Shortly after this the meal came to an end, and the young man made his way to one of the smaller drawing-rooms, where Cordelia was in the habit of sitting, and where he had given her his instruction while acting in the capacity of private tutor. He found the lady there, and with her was the old earl. She arose instantly on his entrance, and ap- proached him with her hand outstretched. She smiled, as she always smiled on meeting him ; but to him there was a new flush on her lovely face; a new warmth in her greeting, and a new light in her radiant eyes. "Percy, I am glad you have come. You can tell dear grandpa all about' what we saw in the old chapel last night." "My lord," said the visitor, turning to the earl, after he had responded to Cordelia's greeting, "I have come on purpose to speak with you. I think I have something to tell that will interest you." Now Lord Allerdale had made up his mind had firmly resolved that the next time he should meet with young Maitland he would treat him respect- fully, and not unkindly; but he would make him feel that he must know his place and keep it. He would never unbend to him again never again give his hand as a friend. It would not answer. And this was the next meeting. The old man had arisen when his grandchild spoke, and as he turned and rested his gaze upon the handsome face, 148 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. and ran his eyes over the fine, manly form, and met the warm, generous smile, and heard the rich, frank, truthful voice, his poor resolutions vanished into for- getfulness, and the old love and admiration, together with the old trust and confidence, came back to him. He put forth his hand without knowing it put it forth as it had been his wont to do, and smiled be- nignantly, almost paternally, as he said in a frank, genial tone and manner so natural to him : "Percy, I am glad to see you. Sit right down here, and let's have your wonderful story. If you can hold your own with Cordelia I shall give you full credit." "I will not presume, my lord," said the young man, "to tell over again anything that your grand- daughter may have told you ; for I know she must have done full justice to her subject. I suppose," turning to the lady, "you have told all about what we saw in the old chapel?" "Yes. I've told everything I could think of; but you might remember things that I have forgotten." "No fear of that, dear lady. But listen : I have been to the chapel to-day." "What ! And never told me?" "Hush, darling!" interposed the old nobleman, as the girl broke in. "Let the young man speak. I can see by his look that he has something of impor- tance to tell us." "I have indeed, my lord." And thereupon, clearly and concisely, and with real dramatic elegance and IN THE SECRET CRYPT. 149 force, he went on and told the story of his wonder- ful discovery of a few hours before. He told how he had reached the chapel, and how he had pondered and studied, and how he had finally discovered the secret of moving the ponder- ous block of stone forming the altar. And then he told of the crypt beneath, of what he had found in it, and how he had determined that the secret vault was connected with one or more of the caves on the long slope of the Witch's Crag, towards the bay. Cordelia had contained herself with difficulty dur- ing the recital, and at its conclusion she was eager to burst forth in her impulsive way. She was greatly disappointed that he should have gone without her; but a look which he bent upon her after he had closed, together with several glances which he had given her while he had been speaking, told her why he had not come to her. She under- stood and was content. Be sure, however, she was determined that the next visit would not be made without her. The earl had listened patiently, but eagerly, to the end. Not a word escaped him, nor an intonation. "My dear boy," he exclaimed, warmly and grate- fully, "you do not know what a favor you have done me. The whole thing is now plain to me and my duty clear. Of course, I may depend upon your assistance." "You may, my lord, depend upon me for every, thing within my power to do." 150 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "What put it into your head to think of that par- ticular way of moving the altar?" The young man explained by pointing to a square-topped table that stood near. He told how he had found the end where the huge stone was clear of the pavement, while at the other end it rested on it ; and how that had led him to make the trials which had proved successful. "And to think that all these years I have searched in vain ! Well, the credit is yours, my boy ; and I am glad you have found it. If I am not mistaken, we have an important work before us." At this point the earl bent his head upon his hand, and remained for a considerable time buried in a pro- found meditation. "Grandpa!" called his fair ward, becoming restless and impatient in the dead silence, "what are you thinking about?" He started quickly and raised his head. Twice he passed his hand to and fro across his eyes, and finally, with a look of deep anxiety on his frank, honest face, he spoke. CHAPTER XII. AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. "MAITLAND," said the earl, with a look upon the youth full of confidence and esteem, "the time has come when I must speak frankly with you ; and I shall trust that you will be equally frank with me." AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 151 "Lord Allerdale," Percy returned, with a depth of feeling that imparted a perceptible tremor to his voice and to his frame, "say to me what you will ask me what you will and I will reply to you as I can. I will answer everything within my power to answer; and if I offer a suggestion or a remark of any kind it shall be frankly and truthfully done." "I believe you, my boy. I will not hesitate to say I have perfect confidence in you." He paused a few seconds, and then went on : "You have no doubt, I suppose, that the cavern which you so wonderfully discovered is, at the pres- ent time, used by the crew of the smuggler brig, the Staghound?" "I am confident that such is the case, my lord." "Percy, I am now going to ask you a question which you will answer as you think proper. What is your candid opinion of the present character of the crew of that vessel?" "I would divide the crew into two classes, my lord," answered the youth, promptly, and with a bold frank look into the old man's earnest eyes. "There are men of that crew who are good and true men who are outlawed, I know, but who have much excuse for the course of life into which they have been led. Another part of the crew, including the chief, I believe to be about as bad as wicked as it is possible for men to be." "Do you think, my boy," the earl pursued, greatly excited, "that they the bad men are have been guilty of piracy on board that brig?" 152 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "My lord, had you asked me that question two days ago, I could not have answered it as I can answer it now. To accommodate old friends to save from possible disaster those who had been kind to me, and loving, in my boyhood, in the absence of the chief, I went out and piloted the brig in. While on board I saw that which surprised me ; and I questioned one whom I knew I could trust. "I will not speak his name. I will only say of him further, he and a score and more with him have resolved that the piratical brig shall know them no more. By no consent of theirs, but against their earnest protest, the iniquitous work has been car- ried on. "Yes, my lord those bad men, with the chief at their head, have been guilty of piracy. The brig is even now fresh from a piratical venture. A portion of her cargo may have been honestly purchased, to be dishonestly disposed of in England ; but I verily believe the bulk of the property she has on board was robbed from other vessels." "And the brig is at this moment in the cove?" "Yes." "Have you any idea of what they are doing with the cargo?" "I do not think any of it has yet been moved. They are waiting for the return of their chief, who is at present away." "Percy, who is this chief?" "Have you seen him, my lord?" "He was pointed out to me once at the village. I AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 153 can only remember that he reminded me of a big brown bear, though more of the color of a lion." "Lord Allerdale, I can tell you nothing of the man that would inform you. He is an enigma to me. I only hope we may have the opportunity for a closer acquaintance ere long. I know him to be a villain ; if there is any good in his composition, it is unknown to me." The earl regarded his youthful companion for a time in silence, seeming the while to be debating with himself. At length, with the passing of a cloud from his brow, he said : "Maitland, we must engage in this matter with a thorough understanding of each other, and, should you lend me your aid, I should naturally depend upon you to take the lead. You know the ground ; I do not. You also know the persons, while scarcely one of them is known to me ; in fact, I may say not one, for were Tryon to appear in a garb different from that in which I saw him I should not recog- nize him from an utter stranger." "Well, my lord," said the youth having waited a time for the other to proceed, "I think you had more in your mind that you wished to say." Allerdale started and changed color. "Yes," he replied, "I will tell you. As I have just remarked, if you engage in this work, I shall have to depend upon you ; and, even though I should have the assistance of the king's officers, I should still expect you to lead. And now, my young friend, I don't want you to place yourself in an unpleasant 154 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. position for me. If you would prefer not to openly raise your hand against these men, I will certainly excuse you." Our hero saw the drift of the old man's thoughts, and he was grateful, though there was a touch of disappointment that he had not been weighed more correctly. Still, judging by the past by his parentage, and the associates of his childhood, he could not deem it strange that his lordship should have held a lin- gering thought that he might feel a grain of sympa- thy even now for the crew of the vessel which his father had so long commanded, and many of whom had been his warm and loving friends. But he the earl did not quite understand. Percy answered, frankly and kindly, and with truth in every word : "Lord Allerdale, I thank you for your kind con- sideration. I have to inform you, however, that you do not quite understand me. With regard to the sin of smuggling I will not speak, unless, indeed, I may be permitted to say that nothing in the world, not even starvation, would induce me to place myself in the position of an outlaw. "But there are a certain number of the old crew of the brig men who sailed with my father who, as I have before remarked, would not, I am confident, commit what they believed to be a crime. In fact they can not, in the very nature of the case, of the facts surrounding them, look upon themselves as great criminals. AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 155 "They know that the great majority of the poor people are with them, and at heart uphold them. While they really harm no private individual living farther than the competition in trade may go, they have the feeling that thousands of honest people bless them. "But, my lord, what shall I say of the man who goes upon the high seas, a pirate? There is some- thing in the word, in the very thought, that strikes a horror to my soul ; something that sets every fiber of feeling within me to crying out in vengeance against them. Wait one week. "I do not think Captain Tryon will return before that time ; and we must make no move until he is on the ground. Should we do so, he would be sure to take the alarm and escape us ; and he can do it, be sure. I never knew a man never heard of a man who had such a capacity for secreting himself. Let him leave his vessel, with a few hours the start, and no mortal can find him anywhere. There are men on board the brig who declare that he vanishes into pure air. However, when he is once more on the spot when I know that he has joined the brig there is no doubt that we can capture him." "You think he will be back in a week?" "Not far from that. I should say it will not be before that time ; but if he should return sooner, I should know it, and will at once communicate with you." "Percy, I haven't told you all. Word of this mat- terof these pirates in my neighborhood has come 156 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. to the ears of the admiralty, and they have sent to me, not only for information, but they wish to know what I can do to help them. They remind me that I am senior justice in this county, and intimate pretty strongly that I am expected to lead in the work of capturing the culprits. They have sent one sloop of war to look after the pirate and will send more if necessary. Also, just as soon as I will in- form them what I want and when I want it they will send a land force to operate with me. Now, my boy, what shall 1 do? What answer shall I return to the admiralty and what to the commissioners?" "What do the commissioners say?" "They expect me to call on my chief constable and his forces, and if more help is wanted they will send it." "How many men can your constable raise, and what sort of men are they?" "Oh, he can raise all we can possibly want, and plenty of them are good and reliable." "Very well. And now, my lord, I will answer your question. Write to the admiralty that they need not send any more vessels of war after the pirate. He will, in all probability, never put to sea again. Write to the commissioner of police that you will not need their help With regard to the constable of Headlandshire, let him be prepared ; but be sure that he makes no open movement until further orders. If you will trust to my guidance, I think you will not be disappointed." "You will keep me informed you will^ " AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 157 "My lord," said the young man as the earl hesita- ted, "you need be under no anxiety. I will keep my eyes open, and you shall know just what is to be done and when." The old nobleman was greatly relieved, more so, perhaps, than he would have acknowledged, and his thanks were warmly given. A few more questions on the subject of the pirate chief, for such they did not hesitate to call him, were asked and answered, after which Cordelia, who had been an interested listener particularly inter- ested, because she saw her noble guardian deferring most respectfully to her dear lover claimed to be heard. She was eager to know when they would visit the old chapel. "If you refer it to me for decision," said Percy, as he found his host's gaze fixed inquiringly upon him, "I say the sooner the better. I wish there could have been time this afternoon, but to-morrow will answer. The goods that are now being removed from the brig are going back into the country. They are proper contraband articles, and were purchased in France and Spain and at the Azores, without the help, I believe, of Captain Tryon. The last of those goods will probably be out to-morrow, or on the day following, and after that they will be moving things into the cavern. So you understand why we need to be expeditious." "Suppose, then, we call it to-morrow morning?" suggested the earl. And so it was arranged. Percy promised that he 158 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. would be on hand at an early hour; and he sug- gested that not a word should be spoken on the subject to others. "Only to Mary," said our heroine, earnestly. "I will be responsible for her circumspection." "Certainly," returned Percy. "You shall not go without your trusty attendant. But you will cau- tion her in advance." The girl promised that she would exercise all pos- sible caution, and shortly thereafter the young man took his leave. The morning of the following day dawned clear and bright, and by the time the sun was two hours high the party was ready for the excursion to the old chapel. By previous arrangement Percy had brought his old fowling-piece with him; and the earl likewise took one, thus giving to the inquiring servants the impression that they were going out simply for shooting. Cordelia often accompanied her old guardian on his woodland rambles, gun or no gun ; and more than once Percy Maitland had been called to go with them ; so the arrangement of the party caused no surprise. On referring to his watch, when they had reached their destination, the guide found it to be only a few minutes past eight o'clock. They were in good season, and he felt very confident that they had nothing to fear from other parties in the cavern. Cordelia was in a flutter of excitement as they AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 159 approached the altar. Percy first pointed out to them the peculiarities of the huge stone. He found his wooden probe which he had fash- ioned on the previous day, and with the aid of that he very soon explained the various points, the dis- covery of which had led him to the grand discov- ery of all. This done, he went to the right-hand end of the block, and laid his two strong hands fairly on its upper edge. "Now, my lady," he said, with a happy smile, "if you will keep your eyes open you will behold a won- derful thing." A weaker man than he could have set the rock in motion. He put forth his strength gradually, for the purpose of testing the matter, and he had ex- erted not more than a moiety of it when he felt the ponderous mass give, and heard the sharp click of the spring beneath. A moment later the end of the stone where they stood began to move to swing outward, away from the wall and in a few seconds the aperture under- neath was exposed to view. Never mind the loud astonishment of the lady, nor the more quiet surprise of the maid. The earl himself was filled with wonderment, and did not hesitate to acknowledge it. .The whole thing was a wonder, not only the finding of the subterranean chamber and the marvelous mechanism by which the altar was controlled, but the very existence of the place. 160 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Evidently," he said, when Percy had asked him his opinion of the origin of the crypt, and its secret mode of entrance, "it was constructed by the monks a great many years ago. We have a record of a fra- ternity of Franciscans here, with a monastery some- where near the site now occupied by the castle, probably on that self-same spot, as many of the foun- dation stones of the present structure show unmis- takable signs of having been used before. "For instance, there is a stone near the southeast- ern corner of the old keep, close down by the sward, which we know must once have served as the key- stone of a strong, massive arch. And there are others near it, which came from the same arch. However, that has nothing to do with this chapel. My opinion is this: At the time when those old monks lived here there were frequent incursions on the coast from piratical hordes, and those pirates were in the habit of making churches and monkish establishments their especial game. We may sup- pose that the friars first found this cave ; also its connection with other caves, at a distance, towards the sea. How natural that it should occur to them what a capital means of escape all this would be if they only had a way of entering the cave secretly unseen by their enemies the pirates. And then, you see, as a natural sequence, came the chapel with its wonderfully constructed altar. Of course, it's only supposition ; but it will answer till we can find a better solution." "Which, I think," said the young man frankly and AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 161 honestly, "would be difficult to find. In fact, your solution appears not only plausible, and entirely reasonable, but, come to think the matter all over, I can find no room for any other. We may sup- pose, of course, that the machinery beneath for working the ponderous trap has been renewed. But anybody with mechanical skill might have done that." After that they prepared to go down. The earl and the guide had each a brace of good pistols, and each a sword. Also, they had brought with them two good lanterns which could be utterly darkened should occasion require. Percy produced flint and steel, by means of which he set on fire a piece of punk wood, then lighted a brimstone match, and very shortly the lanterns were alight. The muskets and the basket of provisions they ventured to leave behind, on top of the altar, and presently Percy put his foot upon the ladder and went down. Cordelia followed next, then came the earl, with Mary Seymour bringing up the rear. We can imagine the wonder of the girls and their various exclamations; but their interest was not greater than was that of the earl. And even the guide himself found more to interest him than he had found before. He had light now to help him, and the whole scene was open to his view. He could now see that the cavern was entirely the work of nature. If the hand of man had done anything it had been only the breaking off of a few jagged points and projec- 1 62 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. tions from the walls, with an occasional leveling of the floor. They went on a considerable distance beyond where the guide had gone on the previous day. He had stopped where the cave had narrowed down to a simple passage not more than four or five feet wide. And here they felt the fresh air from the sea quite a strong draught of it. This passage ex- tended, perhaps, a distance of a hundred yards, at which point it widened into another chamber, very nearly as large as the first; and here were found more articles of merchandise a considerable bulk of it a portion of which was comparatively new. This second chamber was, in its widest part, eight to nine yards across, by full thirty long; its roof near the center being very high full fifty feet as nearly as they could estimate. At the far end it narrowed again to a passage not more than four feet wide, the sides rough and broken, with many places where it could be seen that serious impediments had been removed by the setting maul and chisel. And here it was found that the way began to descend very perceptibly. "About where are we now?" the earl asked, as they reached the passage. "We must be very nearly beneath the point where the abrupt portion of the crag the proper Witch's Head terminates, and the more gradual slope begins. We have come a considerable distance. Will you go further?" AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 163 "Let us see where this narrow pass will lead us." They went on, Cordelia resting her hand in her lover's warm grasp when she could ; the way de- scending quite abruptly, for the distance of a hun- dred yards, or more, when they came to a point where the way widened again, and the floor became level ; but it was not a proper chamber. It continued thus, widening gradually, for the dis- tance of ten yards, or thereabouts, when it came to a sudden termination against a seemingly solid wall. Above, at the height of thirty or forty feet, there was a broad opening, through which the sea breeze came freely, but it was entirely beyond reach from where they stood, and, of course, could never be used as a pass by the smugglers. At length, however, Percy discovered a small aperture through which he was able to look upon what lay beyond ; and the moment he saw he knew where they were. Directly before them, only shut away by a partition wall, was a cave which he had visited hundreds of times. It was not far from half way down the foot-slope of the crag. Of course there was somewhere and they could probably find it if they tried a means of passage through this wall ; but would it pay to attempt to discover it at the present time? "Will it pay to run the risk of detection?" was our hero's chief thought. And the earl thought, decidedly not. So, after a brief conference, they turned about and began to 1 64 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. retrace their steps, well satisfied with the result of their exploration. Happy was our hero on the way back, as he walked with his darling's hand clasped in his own! And happy was Cordelia, trusting with all her heart in the strength and goodness of her dear lover! Ah! little dreamed they of the darkness coming! Not a thought not the faintest suspicion came to them of the vengeful enemy that lurked in their path ! CHAPTER XIII. A STARTLING REVELATION. OUR explorers made but one stop on the way back, and that was at the old wine cask. Percy rinsed the silver cup, and having refilled it he handed it to the earl to taste. The old man tasted. He tasted again, and again, and finally drank it to the last drop. "I declare," said he, with deep earnestness in look and tone, "if we ever perform the work of clearing out this place I must secure that cask. It is by far the finest port I ever drank." Percy drank half a cup full, after having offered it to Cordelia and Mary, who had only touched their lips to it. It was too strong for them. They then passed on and ascended the ladder, finding everything in the old chapel as they had left it. Not even a mouse had found their basket, nor had any thief laid hands upon the muskets. A STARTLING REVELATION. 165 The others watched the movements of their guide while he closed up the secret opening in the pave- ment, and when it had been done and they had told once more how wonderful it all was, they turned their attention to lunch, for the walk had given them an appetite. Not far from the chapel was a spring of pure ice- cold water in a little rocky dell, and to that our hero led the way. It was a romantic spot ; and there they sat, and spread their banquet. It was near the middle of the afternoon when they arrived at the castle on their return. The old steward was somewhat disappointed upon finding that no game had been brought home, but he said he had expected nothing better when he had seen the women folks mixing up with the sport. Cordelia heard him, and boxed his ear, which event pleased him far more than the lack of game had distressed him. Percy went in and spent an hour with the earl in conversation on the subject of their late excursion and matters connected with it. Before closing refer- ence was again made to the pirate chief. The youth promised that he would keep track of him as soon as he should once more show himself at Allerdale. "Be sure of one thing," he said. "The brig can not leave the cove without my knowing it ; and she will not leave until Ralph Tryon has rejoined her. I say to you again borrow no trouble. Do not be uneasy. My word for it, you shall yet make a 166 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. full and favorable report to the authorities in London." "That's the most I care for, Percy. I will leave it in your hands." "Do so, my lord ; and sleep soundly the while. Remember, it may be a week before we can make a decisive movement." "All right. Let it be when it will, so that we find success at the end." And with this the visitor took his leave. Cordelia met him in the outer hall. She had not been pres- ent at the interview just closed ; but she could not let him go without seeing, and speaking with him before he went. She wanted to thank him for the pleasure he had afforded her; she wanted to bless him, and she wanted to kiss him. "Oh, my dear love!" she murmured, with her hands on his shoulders, and her eyes gazing up into his own. "I can not tell you how happy I am. Will anything ever come to mar the perfect bliss?" "Let us hope not, my darling. My trust is in heaven, and in your truth. I do not think either can fail me. We can love while we live ; but, ah, there is after all a power between us which we may not surmount." "You mean the earl?" "Yes. "Let us not think of him at present. Wait, Percy, until this business of the pirates is settled. Do you know, my dear, I have thought it possible that you might come forth from that affair with a A STARTLING REVELATION. 167 standing and reputation that will cause my dear old guardian to regard you in a different light from what he does now? Even now he respects and esteems you. Think how he has been to-day. Really and truly I had not expected him to be quite so free and affable, but certainly I never saw him more so. Wait, my precious. Don't fail the earl in the matter of the pirate chief. Who shall say what may happen after that?" Ah, if they could have known what was to hap- pen ! Perhaps it was well they did not. Percy thought he could understand his darling's feelings her hopes and aspirations. She fancied, in her goodness of heart, and in her love for him, that he would come forth from the crusade against the pirates with a hero's crown, and that the world would respect and esteem him as such. He would not destroy her castle. He promised her that he would do the very best he could would do all that lay in his power towards helping the earl and punishing the outlaws. Then he kissed her once more, and shortly there- after took his way homeward. Home! He shuddered when he thought of it. There was something in the memory he held of his father that was sacred something that imparted to the old stone cottage a faint shadow of homeness, but not another thing not another memory of his life endeared the place to him, or gave him yearnings for it. And since he had discovered Cordelia's love the 168 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. place seemed less like home than ever before. He felt that it was no place for him. How long could it be before they the smugglers would suspect that he was at heart against them? And they would tell his mother. And what would she do? Oh, he would have given much to know the wom- an's real feelings. Was she friendly to Ralph Tryon's wicked course; or, was she not? He feared that she sustained the man. However, he would not remain much longer a dweller in the stone cottage. For three months, and little more, he had been free from the promise given to his dying father, and there was nothing to keep him. He had remained thus far because his mother had appeared to expect it, and because he would not leave her entirely alone. The sun had set when he left the castle, and by the time he had reached the edge of the woods flanking the cove, and within which stood the cot- tage, it had grown quite duskish. So nearly dark was it, that when he had entered the wood it seemed really like night. The fancy struck him as he took the first step into the woodland path, that he saw a moving figure, not unlike that of a man, a short distance away on his right hand. His thought for the moment was to stop and speak, but he heard nothing ; and as the thing, whatever it was, had disappeared, he kept on. He had not gone a great way perhaps half the distance through the wood when his attention was called to the pattering of feet behind him. He bent A STARTLING REVELATION. 169 his ear and listened, and presently he stopped and turned. "Ah, Guy! Is it you?" "Yes, sir. I've been waitin' for ye a long time." It was a boy a bright-faced, bright-eyed, hand- some youngster of fourteen, named Guy Carrol. He was son of a sister of old Donald Rodney, and for four years almost, he had been the old smuggler's protigt. His mother, whom Donald had loved warmly, had been first widowed, and then, when her boy had reached the age of ten years, she had died; and, dying, she had given the boy to her brother, and he had promised that he would care for him as though he had been his own. For three years the old uncle had sent the lad to school, and then, when the little fellow had teased, and coaxed, and begged, and fairly prayed, Rodney had yielded, and taken him to sea with him. But he would not have done it if he could have looked ahead and seen just what the voyage was to be. The heart of the orphan boy had turned towards our hero the first time he had ever seen him. Percy had gone on board the brig about a year before, and met the little fellow in the gangway, and something in the handsome boyish face and in the great bright, honest eyes, had at once appealed to his deepest heart, and he had laid his hand on the boy's head and blessed him, and spoke cheerily and encouragingly to him ; had hoped he would love his old uncle and grow up to be a good man and true. *7 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. It was not much to do, but it proved the turning point in the boy's life; and from that time he had worshiped Percy Maitland. "Well, here I am, at length. What can I do for you ?" "It isn't for me, sir. It is for yourself. Uncle Donald bade me come out and speak with ye. Wait a bit. S'pose we go on a little. There's a place close by where there's more room." "Room, my boy ! What in the world " "Sh ! Speak low, sir ! We don't know whose ears may be near us. Where there's more room we'd be more likely to see 'em." Percy was becoming interested. At a short dis- tance they came to a sort of clearing, where there had once been, so tradition said, a log hut ; and here they stopped. The boy cast a quick, sweeping glance around, and then spoke. "Mr. Maitland, Uncle Rodney bade me tell you there is danger, and you must look sharp. Cap'n Tryon has been to your mother's " "Captain Tryon ! Is he here?" "Yes, sir. He came some time in the night, and he's in a terrible way." "But what has he come for? What has happened to upset him?" "Why, sir as Uncle Donald told it to me some- where on the road, between this and Burton, some- body saw him that knew him. He was on the out- side of the stage-coach with the driver, and it was the driver that told him how the man had looked at him. A STARTLTNG REVELATION. 171 "Well, sir, the next time the coach stopped with the mail, up comes three officers and tells the cap'n he's their prisoner. P'rhaps you can guess how he took it. They must have had a pretty sharp time of it for a little while. "Cap'n Tryon's got two bullets in him one in his arm and the other in his shoulder, but he give 'em the slip. He says he left two of 'em on the ground, but he didn't know whether they were dead or not. Mercy ! how he did swear ! I heard him while he was on board the brig." "But what has this to do with me, Guy?" "Ah, that's just it, sir ! He that's the cap'n swears 'at you've been and blowed on him ; and on the rest of us. Of course, Uncle Donald knew bet- ter, and so did I ; but what's the use of our saying anything against him? He swears 'at you've blowed, and now he's goin' to have vengeance." The boy paused at this point, and looked up into Percy's face, as though waiting for a reply. Evi- dently, he expected a disclaimer. At all events, the young man knew that it would greatly please him to receive one, and he gave it at once, and emphat- ically. "Guy Ralph Tryon lies if he says so! and I believe he knows he lies ! Now, tell me, what does he propose to do?" "That's what we don't know, sir; but Uncle Don. aid says you must keep an eye on your mother. It's a hard thing to say dreadful hard to tell a man to beware of his own mother but so it is. It's to her 172 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. the cap'n has been ; and uncle overheard enough between 'em to be very sure 'at mischief is meant to yourself, sir!" "How did your uncle happen to overhear this? Where did it happen?" "At the cottage, sir, to-day. The cap'n came aboard the brig about midnight the last that ever was. The lookout heard him call for a boat, and uncle went off and got him. This forenoon he went ashore, and Uncle Donald with him ; and they went up to the cottage ; and while the cap'n was tellin' his story to Mistress Margery, Donald went out ; and they must have thought he'd gone further away. I s'pose, if the truth was told, he was list'nin'. I wish you could see the old man ; but he can't leave the brig; and he says it wouldn't do for you to come there." "Can you tell me anything that was said ?" Percy asked eagerly. "Only this, sir. Of course, my uncle didn't dare to get too near. If they'd caught him, there's no telling what might have happened. He heard Cap'n Tryon tell the mistress how that you had be-, trayed 'em the whole lot of 'em to the sheriff or the constable. What the mistress said he couldn't exactly hear; but he could tell that she sided in with the cap'n. After awhile the cap'n said some- thing about clappin' a stopper on ye on the young spy and informer, he called ye." "And what said my mother to that?" "That was what Donald tried awful hard to find A STARTLING REVELATION. 173 out but he couldn't do it. Howsumever, he's sure she agreed to it. She didn't say she'd help, but it was understood that she shouldn't stand in the way of what the. other would do." "And that is all old Donald heard?" "Yes, sir." "He didn't learn or gain any intimation of how Tryon intends to operate what he means to do?" "No, sir. Uncle Donald says that's for you to find out. If the cap'n was to be on the ground, t'would be different. Then you'd keep an eye on him ; but, seem' as he is goin' off again, you'll have to be more careful and keep a sharp lookout, fore and aft and on both sides." "Going away !" exclaimed Percy, with a start of disappointment and disgust. "Do you mean, he will leave Allerdale?" "Why, bless ye ! he's gone, sir. He went early this afternoon. One of the gunners drove him over to Springvale in a cart belonging to the host of the village inn ; and I understand he was bound north for Scotland. Uncle Donald said he was cross and ugly, and it was impossible to make out exactly what he meant to do. But he's off, sir, and won't be back for a week or thereabout, if what he told my uncle was the truth." "You are anxious to get back to the brig, my dear boy?" "I'm rather anxious to be out of this, sir," the lad replied, promptly and frankly. "I wouldn't have 174 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. one of the cap'n's men catch me here with you for the world." "Ah, you recognize a line of demarcation in the crew of the brig? I mean you understand there to be two parties." "Yes, sir, I do. Uncle Donald will never But I mustn't blab." "It's all right, Guy. I know all about it, and from your uncle's own lips. And now if you have noth- ing more to tell me you may trot back as quickly as you please ; and be sure I shall not forget the great service you have done me." "Oh, sir, don't say that ! If you knew how much good it does us Uncle Donald and I to serve you, you wouldn't think of layin' it up as any- thing to be remembered." "Never mind about that just now. You'll accept my gratitude ; and you'll convey the same to your uncle, and tell him, further, that Percy will be sure to keep his eyes wide open." Our hero stood and watched the disappearing form of his young friend, and when he could no longer hear the sound of his footfall he turned once more toward the cottage. And he had something now to think about. He was not greatly surprised that Ralph Tryon should seek his life. Knowing the character of the man for all that was cruel and reckless and wicked, and remembering the antagonism that had existed between them from the very first of their acquaintance, he could find nothing A STARTLING REVELATION. 175 surprising in this desire for dire and deadly ven- geance. What he wondered at was that the villain should have applied to his mother. How had he dared to broach such a subject to her? Could there be any mistake? Had Donald Rod- ney been deceived or had he entirely misunder- stood? In his heart he was forced to the confession that he had no respect for his mother, or no respect for her character, nor could he esteem her. Oh, if his mother could be but a memory, as was his father, how much of misery might have been spared him ! In the name of mother there was something sacred something that quickened his pulses and elevated his feelings. But in his own case, when he descended from the empty name to the living reality, the sacredness van- ished, and a sense of repulsion took the place of calmer feeling. He could not tell what to think what to fear. He must wait and let time determine. The thought occurred to him of seeking rest at the village. Why should he sleep again beneath the old roof? Would he not be safer at the inn? Would not that be the best and surest way of settling the whole matter? But it would not answer. He could offer no ex- cuse without opening his parent's eyes to the truth to the fact of his having received warning. No, he would go on, and make the best of it. He was sustained by a wondrous sense of power. 176 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. Never in his life had he felt more secure than at that moment, and yet he did not doubt that a severe struggle a dark ordeal was before him. Surely, the glory of Cordelia's love, with all its possibilities for future joy and gladness, had not dawned upon him only to be swallowed up in a dire calamity at the hands of a pirate chief! No, no; he would not, he could not believe it ! He walked on and entered the cottage, turning at once into the comfortably furnished living-room as soon as he had deposited his cap and light cloak in the narrow hall. j He found the supper-table set, and his mother was evidently awaiting his coming, as he had told her that he would be at home to the evening meal. The kettle was steaming on the crane; the tea- pot was on the hob ; while a pan of newly baked rolls was set up against a flat-iron before the fire to keep warm. "Am I late, mother?" the new-comer asked cheerily. "Not at all, Percy. Supper is all ready: but I have not waited long. I didn't expect you before." Never had she spoken more pleasantly, and never had she appeared more kind. Once she really smiled, though there was but little of warmth or light in it. If she had looked him straight in the face; if she had turned to him frankly and trustingly he would certainly have cast old Donald's dark suspicions to the winds. AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. 177 But she did not do this. There was a tendency in her eyes to avoid him. Even while addressing him, she did not look directly at him, and if, by chance, she caught his gaze fixed upon her if her eyes met his own she started guiltily. "I suppose you've been at the castle?" she said after she had set the rolls and the teapot on the table ; and there was a perceptible touch of bitter- ness in her voice. "I have been at the castle during the day, twice," Percy replied, honestly. "Do you hear anything new up there?" "Nothing at all. Lord Oakleigh has gone back to Oxford." He might have said more, but at that moment Margery turned quickly toward the buffet in a far corner, as though for something she had forgotten. As his mother turned thus abruptly away, our hero's gaze wandered to the table, and something attracted his attention which he had not before seen. He saw it now, however, and the sight gave him a start that sent a throb and a chill through his whole frame. CHAPTER XIV. AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. WHAT Percy had discovered on the supper-table, standing near to his own plate, was only a wine bottle. But it was a very peculiar bottle that is, in 1 78 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. his eyes. It might not have been so in the eyes of another. Two circumstances in connection with it came to his mind ; first, he was very sure there had been no such bottle as that in the cottage when he had left it that morning. In the very nature of the home arrangement it would have been next to impossible for a bottle of wine to stand in the dwelling without his knowledge, and he had no knowledge of that. The next circumstance was startling. The bottle was of an entirely new pattern, the glass of a color such as he had never seen in a bottle but once before, and that once before had been in the cabin of the Staghound, during his late conference with Donald Rodney! It had been exactly such a bottle that the old man had produced when he had offered him the finest old wine that was ever tasted. How came the bottle here? That it had been brought during the day he was confident. As his mother had turned away to the buffet, so he now turned away to a window, and did not come back until he had put away the last outward sign of his misgivings. "I don't suppose the old earl loves that grandson of his over and above much, does he?" Margery . remarked, looking at her son keenly after they had taken their seats and she had lifted the pot to pour out the tea. "I can not presume to judge of that matter, mother," Percy replied, in an easy, natural tone. "I AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. 179 know that the young man tries his grandfather's patience somewhat ; and I have no doubt that the old man wishes he were different. However, I know but little about him." "I suppose you have spoken with the young lord? " "Yes. I have spoken with him, and that is about all." "It strikes me, Percy, if I was in his place I should ask you to make yourself a little less familiar at the big house." The youth looked at his mother in surprise. What was she driving at ? Was she seeking to pry into his relations with Cordelia? "Mother, I do not quite understand you. What the world should Lord Oakleigh have to do with my familiarity at the castle?" "Why, doesn't he intend to marry with the Lady Cordelia Chester?" For the life of him our hero could not keep back the start, nor the flush that mounted to his brow and temples; but not a sign of the emotion ap- peared in his voice when he spoke. "I know nothing of the young lord's intentions." "But," pursued the woman, seeming desirous of gaining information, "so long and so intimate, as you have been at the castle, you ought to know what the general idea is, what the plan is in that respect. How does the old earl regard the matter? Of course he wants the girl to marry with his own son's son." l8o THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Perhaps he does." "What do you think about it? Do you believe he wishes it?" "No, I do not !" Percy answered plumply. "Then you don't think he would influence the girl to marry with Oakleigh?" "He never will try to influence her in any way in regard to her marriage. That I know." "And perhaps you know that the girl wouldn't have him for a husband on any consideration?" "Yes," answered the youth, and, thus driven, he answered somewhat warmly, "I know just that !" "Poor young man! I've heard he loved her dearly." "Then you've heard more than ever I did ; for I can- didly believe the man can love no living thing save himself ! There, mother, I think we had better drop this subject. The affairs of those people can be nothing to us, and we will let them rest." Percy saw the smile that curled his mother's lips, and he saw the sneer ; but he made no further remark, nor did she, on that subject. The meal was drawing toward its close, and Percy had not offered to touch the wine. Usually he had drunk a few swallows when commencing to eat. He was watching his mother narrowly. He saw that her eyes often rested upon the bottle, and then turned toward himself; and more than once he was confident he detected a cloud of anx- iety on her brow. Finally she spoke. "Percy, won't you try the wine?" AN A TTEMP T AT MURDER. 1 8 1 "Certainly. I'll drink with you, mother." The thought had come to him as he had spoken it, impulsively and not with premeditation, but the effect on the woman was quick and remark- able. She gave a start like one frightened, and she looked into the speaker's face as though she would look him through. Very soon, however, she over- came the emotion, and said, with a poor attempt at a smile : "Indeed, boy, you know I never drink wine in the evening." "And it is seldom that I take it with my supper," the youth returned, pleasantly. "But this is very fine." "Ah," taking up the bottle and holding it between his eye and the blaze of the nearest candle, "where did this come from?" "From France, I suppose ; though it is of Italian vintage." "I mean, how came it here? How did you get it?" "It must have come from one of the brig's crew, of course. Very likely old Rodney brought it up, or it may have been Stephen Harley. I only know it is a very fine old wine, the like of which we do not often see." Percy was strongly tempted to drive his mother to the wall, then and there ; but second thoughts told him to hold his peace. If there should be any col- lusion between her and Ralph Tryon, he must know 1 82 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. it ; and to betray himself now would defeat his end and serve no good purpose. First, if possible, he would discover if the wine which had been thus pressed upon him had been tampered with. He was very sure it had. Tryon himself had brought that wine to the cottage had brought it with an object ; and that object was his own Percy's death ! Good heavens ! could his mother be knowingly concerned in this? He did not wish to believe it. Yet, if he should find the wine poisoned, how could he doubt it? Ha ! A happy thought occurred to him. On the premises was a cat it had been a little kitten when Hugh Maitland died which the smugglers, when on shore and stopping at the cottage, had taught to lick up wine as it did milk, and more than once had poor puss been reduced to a state of utter inebriety in furnishing sport for the seamen. "I'll tell you what I will do, mother," said our hero, after a little thought. "Sometimes I am thirsty in the night. Suppose I take the bottle up to my chamber." "Do so," responded Margery, quickly. "And let me once more assure you, you'll find it about the finest wine you ever tasted. At all events, I found it so. You will see a part of it has been consumed." That was true, but it proved nothing. The young man, when he had arisen from the table, took the bottle and carried it up to his room, together with a goblet. AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER, 183 Later he came down and took a look out of doors. There was a small shed in the rear of the cottage, with a cowhouse and sheepfold close by. In this shed he found the cat, which he took in his arms, and carried to the front door of the dwell- ing; and, as good fortune would have it, as he passed the windows of the sitting-room he saw his mother on her way to the kitchen, with the last of the supper dishes in her hands. To glide up to his own room, unseen, with the cat in his arms, was now easy ; and it was accomplished without mishap. In his chamber, he put the cat on the floor, then gently turned the key in the lock of his door, and then reflected. He hesitated. If his mother had done this thing, did he wish to know it? The query was very soon answered. His own safety his life perhaps, de- manded it. And even then he held back. The thought of sacrificing the poor cat was really painful to him. He looked upon it so trustful and so contented in his company, so full of life and sport, the puss he had played with and fondled and fed for so long a time for years. Could he kill it? He hoped he would not. Perhaps, after all, the wine was as inno- cent as the dew of heaven. He had in his room a cup and saucer. The sau- cer he took, and into it poured a little of the wine. He touched his tongue to it, but could perceive no unpleasant taste Ah ! Wait ! By and by he was sensible of a puckering effect, together with a slight 1 84 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. prickling, which he had not experienced at first. In fact, he was very sure that he might have drunk a full goblet of it without tasting the false tang. However, he placed the saucer on the floor, and the cat came to it at once and began to lap it up. It lapped up not quite half of it, and stopped. Pres- ently it lapped a little more; then stopped again and went away and lay down. Had puss drunk enough, or was the taste of the beverage unpleasant? After a time Percy took the saucer and set it down close to the cat's nose, but she would not touch it. When he found that pussy could not be persuaded to drink any more he took up the vessel, and, by the exercise of a little care, succeeded in pouring the wine that remained in it back into the bottle. He had done this and was in the act of setting the bottle away on the mantel, when a low, painful wail from the cat attracted his attention, and on looking down he saw the poor creature already in spasms. But it did not suffer long, for which the experimenter was profoundly thankful. Within a minute from the time of the first symptom of trouble its life was at an end. Percy Maitland stood looking upon the dead cat, and thought. What should he do? That an attempt had been made to destroy to murder him he simply knew; and he knew, too, that his mother had been knowing to it. Aye, she had actively lent her hand to aid in its accomplishment. Why why was Ralph Tryon so bitter toward AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. 185 him? Why did he hate him with, such deadly hatred ? "It can not be because he thinks I will betray him," the youth thought aloud. "He has hated me from the first. The first time I ever set eyes on him, when he saw how I watched and studied him when he saw perhaps that his appearance had puz- zled me even then he hated me and could have killed me, I verily believe, with a good relish." And then he gave thought again to his mother. What should he do? Should he let her know of the dreadful discovery he had made? He had not the heart to do it. He knew not how he should meet her. Yet she must know it, sooner or later. It could not be kept from her a great while. Of course he must leave the cottage. It could be no longer a home for him. Also, he must see old Donald, and make an arrangement with him for the imme- diate transmission of intelligence of the return of Tryon. An hour later, when he knew that his mother had retired, he removed his shoes, and noiselessly car- ried the dead cat downstairs and out of doors, throwing it down among some bushes, where it might appear that the poor thing had there parted with life. Back in his room, Percy locked his door, and set a table against it, and then went to bed, and finally to sleep. On the following morning he was up with the sun ; and by the time he had performed 1 86 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. his ablution, and completed his toilet, he had resolved fully upon the course he would pursue. He would make no complaint to his mother; he would, tell her nothing of what he had discovered, unless she should push him. Yet he meant to put the laboring oar into her hand. She could demand what of explanation she pleased. He possessed but little personal property. All the furniture in the cottage was the property of his mother, though a portion of it he had purchased. He had his clothing, a few valuable weapons three swords, half a dozen pistols of different sizes and patterns, a fine rifle, and three fowling-pieces, or one of them was a proper king's-arm musket. This property he collected not together, but so arranged it that it could handily and quickly be taken in hand and carried away. He then went below, with the bottle in his hand, finding Margery just out from her sleeping-room, which was on the ground floor. He met her eye as he entered the living-room, and saw that she was shaken. A tremor shook her from head to foot. Her countenance was not that of a happy woman. Evidently she was not proud of what she had done, nor quite satisfied with it. "Mother," he said, in his usual pleasant tone, but with a tinge of sadness in it, "I have brought back the wine." "You you did not drink any of it?" she said AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. 187 interrogatively, as she took the bottle from his hand. She certainly had not looked to see if any of the contents were gone. "No I did not care to." "You were not afraid of it, I hope." "Not particularly afraid of it, because I knew it could not harm me if I did not taste it. We are all of us, more or less, the creatures of our fancy ; and I am willing to confess tc you that I took a very strong fancy that it would be best for me not to drink from this bottle." "Percy! What do you mean? I hope you I hope pshaw! If you're afraid of being poisoned here you'd better go up to the castle and make your home there. I've no doubt they would welcome you with open arms. Oh, what a word I could whisper in that old " She stopped suddenly, in full career, as though struck dumb. She looked for a moment longer into the young and handsome face before her; then turned on her heel, and went out into the kitchen, taking the wine bottle with her. Percy watched her until the closing door behind her had shut her from his view; then he put on his cap ; buckled on his sword a light, but valuable weapon ; took a light cloak over his arm, and went forth, determined within himself that he had slept his last sleep, and eaten his last meal, in the old cot- tage the home of his boyhood the only home he had ever known. He took his way directly toward the shore of the 1 88 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. Cove, determined to have speech with old Donald at all events. And he could not see where would be the danger, unless Tryon had succeeded in stirring up his imme- diate friends more bitterly against him than he could think possible. However he was saved all trouble most agree- ably saved. Little more than half the distance through the wood had he gone when he met both Donald Rodney and young Guy Carroll. "Dear old man ! I was coming to see you. I had determined to brave the danger, if any there might be." "Mercy on us! I'm glad ye didn't come, my dear boy. The cap'n's laid in with a dozen or so of his own men, if ye do come aboard, to play some sort of a rough trick on ye. I don't know what it is, but it may cost ye yer life." "Donald, I don't see how you can endure it." "I aint agoin' to endure it, my boy, not a bit longer than it takes me to get what belongs to me. I don't forget that a part of the brig is my own property. I'll get that, and then I'm off, and this blessed boy with me. And now, Percy, what's up? I can't be here but a few minutes." "Only this, Donald : I want you to let me know the moment Ralph Tryon gets back. That's all. Just give me the intelligence." "I'll do it, Percy. Shall I find ye at the cottage?" "No. At the inn the Allerdale Arms." "Eh! Are ye goin' to cut yer cable, my boy?" AN ATTEMPT AT MURDER. 189 "For a time, yes. Ah, old friend, the warning you sent me may have saved my life. At all events, I shall so regard it." "I knew there was something in the wind, Percy. I'm blamed if I can understand it. How she can do it is beyond me. But I don't s'pose you care to talk about it." "I would rather not, Donald. But it is due to you that I should tell you this : You were not mis- taken. There was deadly mischief meant to me; and the pair of them were engaged in it. There ! let it rest at that. Now, tell me, Guy said some- thing about the captain's being set upon by officers of the constablery. How badly was he hurt?" "Oh, not very bad. He had a bullet through his right arm, below, and another higher up. It don't prevent him from traveling." "Isn't he afraid of being again recognized by officers of the law?" "He don't appear to be. Howsumever, that's his lookout. I don't care how quick he gets over- hauled. He's a black-hearted wretch !" "I agree with you, old man. You don't know when he will return?" "I haven't the least idea anything about it. I don't know where he's gone, nor when he'll come back." After this arrangements were perfected made sure for the conveying to our hero of intelligence of Tryon's reappearance at the Cove ; and then they separated, Donald and his nephew returning to the 190 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. landing, while Maitland took his way toward the village, and the inn. Martin Vanyard, fifty years of age, fat, rosy and robust, loved the handsome son of Hugh Maitland almost as though he had been of his own flesh and blood ; and he declared he'd heard nothing for years that had pleased him so much as had Percy's pro- posal to take up his quarters beneath his roof. "Bless yer dear heart ! I'll make ye as comfortable as a prince! Ye'll come to-day?" "Yes. We'll begin with this morning's break- fast." Toward the middle of the forenoon Margery Maitland was considerably surprised by the appear- ance of a cart, drawn by a single horse, before her door; and a few moments later Percy entered the room where she stood. "Percy! What does this mean?" She was trembling at every joint, and her face had turned pale. "It means, mother," the son promptly answered, "that I have at length carried into execution a plan which I have for several weeks contemplated." "You're going to leave me?" "Yes. I have engaged quarters with Vanyard at the village inn. I got my breakfast there." "Percy! You needn't tell me! This is thought of suddenly. You didn't dream of it when you came home last evening.'" "Never mind, mother. I dreamed of it during the night and this morning resolved to act." CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 191 "Percy ! You He advanced and laid a hand on her shoulder, and looked straight into her shrinking, cowering eyes. "Margery Maitland ! if you will leave the cause between us exactly where it is, I will do the same. If you force me to speak further, I shall speak that which you will not care to hear. Be wise and let it rest as it is. Be sure of one thing, if ever you suf- fer harm in life, if calamity of any kind shall befall you, it shall not be from me. I can not forget you are my mother. Mother! Mother! My last word to you shall be, from the very depths of my heart, God bless and keep you now and evermore !" Half an hour later the cart had gone, bearing away Percy and all his personal possessions; and Margery Maitland, having gazed after it until it had gone from sight, for the first time since her husband died sat down and wept bitter tears. CHAPTER XV. CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE FRIGHT AT THE LANDING. Two days passed after our hero's removal to the inn, and not a sign from old Donald. Percy had visited the castle and reported progress to the earl. He told how the pirate chief had been arrested, and how he had made his escape with two bullets in his arm. "He must have had help," said the old nobleman, 192 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "or the officers who took him did not wish to keep him. The story sounds to me like a fable of his own invention. You say he is trying to make his men your enemies?" "Yes, my lord. He is leaving no stone unturned that can work to my injury." "Then, depend upon it, the story of the arrest is all a sham, and so are his wounds. I know our Headlandshire constables better than that. But wait till we have him in sight." "It can not be long, my lord." "I pray it may not be." Late on the evening of this second day, so late that Percy had retired to his chamber at the inn for the night, as he sat by his small table reading, he was disturbed by a rap on his door, and upon bidding the applicant to enter, the door was opened by the rosy-faced host, who ushered into the room Donald Rodney. "My dear old friend !" as soon as the landlord had gone and closed the door, "what now? You know I am glad to see you under any circumstances, but something unusual must have happened to bring you hither at such an hour." "Something unusual has happened, Percy, and I thought you'd like to know. This evenin', along about eight, or just when it was fairly dark, a boat from the landing came alongside with Abel Jack- man in it. He, ye know, is Cap'n Tryon's servant. He came aboard with orders for three men Gurt Warnell, Bryan Vank, and Jack Dormer to come CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 193 with him and join the cap'n on shore. P'raps ye know, and p'raps ye don't, them is three of the very worst the bloodiest villains of the lot. Well, they went ashore with Jackman, but where they've gone or what it all means I've no more idea than the man in the moon. All is, I made an excuse that I'd got business ashore that couldn't be put off, and here I am." "You don't know whether Tryon is here in town or not?" "No, I'm not sure anything about it; but the fancy kind o' strikes me that he is. Something that Abel Jackman said give me the idea that he couldn't be a great way off." "And you know nothing more about him?" "Not a thing, my dear boy. If anything comes to my knowledge, you shall hear of it." Percy called for a bowl of punch, which the old seaman preferred to wine, and after a social chat on various matters, but chiefly on the subject of the pirate chief, and his possible intentions for the future, the visitor took his leave. Our hero, when left alone, paced to and fro in his chamber, far from satisfied with the appearance which matters connected with Ralph Tryon had assumed. He did not like it it all. Why had the villain thus come back under cover of night? And why had he sent off his servant to the brig, in- stead of going himself? And, further still, what did he want with those three men? He remem- bered them very well. They were comparatively 194 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. young men, young in years, but evidently old in crime. They were strong, muscular, brutish fellows, in all probability from the slums of the metropolis. These were the men whom the chief had called to his aid. Once more, what did he want with them? For a full hour the young man remained up, a prey to various and conflicting emotions, and not until he had become too worn and weary to think further did he seek his pillow. On the morning of the following day he was up with the sun, and he asked of the landlord that he might have an early breakfast. He had promised Cordelia that he would come up to the Castle, and go with her to the river if the day was fair. He had run his best boat up to the Park landing, as it had been their intention to enjoy a sail. He feared now, however, that they might have to postpone it. The news he had received of the presence in the neighborhood of Ralph Tryon made a difference. He did not feel that he ought, for any length of time, to be beyond easy reach of Donald Rodney. But he would go to the castle, as he had promised, and explain the situation ; and he had no doubt that the proposed sail would be given up cheerfully. After that he would see the earl, and inform him what had happened; and then he might return to the village and await further intelligence from his friends of the brig. About this, however, he could not decide until he had seen Cordelia and the earl. CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 195 Good Martin had his young guest's breakfast ready for him about as soon as he was ready to sit down ; and, as a matter of sociality, ate with him. But he found not a very entertaining companion. There was too much in the youth's mind too much that was perplexing and harrowing to admit the introduction of new topics to his thoughts. The old publican understood, and gave him full sympathy ; so the meal passed off very cheerfully after all. And then, away for the castle. He went on foot ; but many horses would have gone more slowly. He covered the ground as does one who walks for a wager, or on whose speed depends momentous results. In fact, he was very anxious; and there was no particular reason, known to him, why he should be. He knew very well that his darling would not complain at the loss of her sail, when she came to know the cause of its postponement. Yet he was anxious. It was not eight o'clock when he reached the castle. His watch said, ten minutes of it. "Ho, Master Percy! the young lady and her maid have been gone this half-hour. Her ladyship said we were to tell you that they'd be found at the landing, where your boat is, or so near by that you can't miss 'em." So said old Michael, the steward, who was the first person our hero saw on his arrival. "You are sure she said to the landing, Michael?" 196 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Of course I am. I put up the luncheon for 'em ; and she told me how she was going when I gave it to Mary." "She knows which landing it was that I left my boat at?" "She said the Park landing, and there is but one that I know of by that name." "That is so," the young man nodded, and then, without stopping for further remark, he turned about and started toward the river. His course was in a northerly direction, and the distance to the landing three-quarters of a mile. Not quite two-thirds of the way was down the gen- tle slope of the open, velvety park, and beyond was a belt of woods, but entirely free from wildwood or the tangle of underbrush. The trees, however, were of the old forest growth, standing near together, forming a solitude grand and imposing. The woods extended to the river's bank, and the path which Percy was following led directly to the landing. He began to look for his darling and to call her by name as soon as he had entered the strip of for- est, but he saw nothing nor did he receive any answer. Pretty soon he was at the landing a platform of chestnut plank, built out to deep water, so that ves- sels of goodly draught could lie alongside it. His boat was there as he had left it, but empty. He looked up the bank and down, and he called aloud, in the end shouting with all his might and CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 197 his voice was powerful but no response did he receive. At length he thought of looking for the girls' footsteps, and he found them very soon. At only a short distance from the river was a place where a bed of fine yellow sand had been spread entirely across the path, and here, as plain and distinct as could be, were the footprints of the two girls, and freshly made. He compared them with the prints which his own feet had made on the previous day, when he had brought up his boat, and then with those which he had made on this present crossing. The result convinced him that the girls had crossed only a short time before. And they had not gone back! No; they had gone down toward the river, as their footprints showed, but there was no sign of their feet going in the other direction. Where could they have gone? He went back to the landing, and there shouted once more. Then he started upon a swift run up the stream. On the way he happened to think that there were spots where tracks would be found if they had gone in that direction. He looked, and found none. Then he went down the shore, and with the same result. Not anywhere could he find a sign beyond the landing. The girls had certainly made their way to that point. Aye, he found their tracks close to its inner edge. He stood upon the outer edge of the platform, looking about him, when his eye chanced to droop, and suddenly he caught sight of a I9 8 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. white object like a bit of fine lace or linen fluttering upon one of the posts below. He got down to it as quickly as possible and brought it up. It was a fine, lace-bordered handker- chief with the monogram worked with crimson silk in one corner "C. C." Merciful heaven! What did it mean? Had she fallen into the flood? Had one of them fallen in, and the other nobly followed to save her companion? Again he searched in the new direction. The current in the river was not rapid. He could row his boat against it without great labor. Yet it was sufficient to sweep a human body away if its owner could not swim. The anxious, half-frenzied man now cast free his boat, and floated down the stream until he knew there could be no use in his going further, and he had seen no sign either in the water or on the bank. Slowly he pulled back and made his boat fast again. What could he now do better than to return to the castle? Perhaps he would find them there. Something might have frightened them and sent them back ; or Cordelia might have felt unwell and gone home for that cause. If he did not find them he could give the alarm and set the servants of the household upon the search. And the sooner that was done the better. So back to the castle he went. It was near ten o'clock when he arrived. Had Lady Cordelia come home? was his first question. The old steward looked at him in wonder. How did he expect her CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 199 to come home, when she had gone away on purpose to sail with him in his boat? No. She hadn't come. While they were speaking they were in the main hall the earl joined them. He had heard, and recognized, young Maitland's voice, and he was anx- ious to know what had brought him back so soon, and, he was sure, alone. The story was quickly told. The old man was in agony. That some direful calamity had befallen he was sure. "Oh, Percy! Percy! We must find her! You will not forsake me in this great need?" "Forsake you, my lord; I would give my life at this moment, were she in danger, to rescue her from it ! My hand and my heart are yours until she shall be found. We shall find her, sir. I am sure we shall find her though it may take time. Oh, no one could harm her! Who could have the heart?" "Oh, Percy, those dreadful pirates! They know- that I have been ordered to put forth my hand against them ; and this may be a means they have adopted for gaining a powerful hold upon me!" And from that moment the earl seemed to look upon the smuggler's son as his one stay and support. Percy's thoughts took a different direction from those of the earl. He was inclined to regard Lord Oakleigh as the villain whose hand had thus been laid upon them. Look at it in what way he might, he could not put away the belief. Not only the young lord's charac- ter his heartlessness, his recklessness, and his desire 200 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. to possess the lady pointed him out as the prob- able culprit; but he had made threats he had sworn to the girl herself, with a horrible oath that he would make her his own very soon. Yes. Percy believed Lord Oakleigh to be the man ; but he would not say so yet. Time should show. First, however, they must gain some sign some token of the whereabouts of the missing ones. The servants had collected and a general inter- change of opinions had taken place as weak and aimless as such interchanges usually are when the earl, after a time of painful thought, looked toward the smuggler's son, and finally went up to him and laid his trembling hand on his shoulder. "Percy Maitland, find my darling ! I am old ; I am shaken. I am not what once I was. Oh, find her! find her!" And he then turned to the servants and instructed them that to Maitland they were to look for direction, and he charged them to obey him in every particular. And so the search commenced, the earl himself going with them. He could not lead, nor could he remain behind. Meantime where were Cordelia and Mary Sey- mour? On that morning Cordelia arose with the sun. Percy had promised her, if the weather should be propitious, that he would have his boat at the Park landing, and take her, with Mary, to sail on the river. She arose and looked forth ; and never had she beheld the promise of a more beautiful day. She CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 2OI called her maid, and bade her go to the steward and have a basket filled with a proper lunch for three persons, after which she repaired to the apartment of the cook and asked for breakfast. She wanted it at once for herself and Mary because she was going away. She was not particular about much cooking. She had eaten cold victuals before, and could do it again. Everything went to please her, and by the time the sun was two hours high she was ready to set forth. She went in to kiss her grandpa, but he had not arisen ; so she left word for him where she was going and with whom. The hands of the old clock in the hall were pointing to quarter-past seven as the two girls passed through, and ere long they were beyond the castle walls, tripping merrily along one of the graveled walks of the park, but the fresh, cool breeze of night had prevented the fall of dew, so they took the velvety sward when the fancy struck them. Percy had said on the previous evening that he would come to the castle for them ; but she was confident he would come by way of the river bank and the landing, so it could make no difference, only in this, they would gain so much more time for the sail. If he had not reached the landing on their arrival at that point they would wait there for him. They had crossed the open slope of the park and entered the woodland path when they heard voices away upon their left the voices of men, as in ordi- nary conversation. They stopped for a time and 202 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. listened. Mary suggested that they should turn back; but her mistress bade her to wait and listen. They stood thus for several minutes, hearing not another sound. "Ho!" cried Cordelia, in her brave confidence, "what should harm us here? Why! this is a part of the park." "But there were men, certainly," said the maid ; "and of course they must have been strangers." "Honest men, you foolish girl, who have been out thus early to catch a few fish for breakfast." "Then they must be poachers, my lady; and I'm sure they are not honest men." Cordelia laughed merrily at her companion's witty retort, and shortly afterward they started on again toward the river. They reached the landing, where they found the boat in waiting, but no boatman. "Percy is not here!" "You did not expect to find him here, did you, lady?" "Why, no ; but I thought we should surely meet him. However, he will soon be here. It is past the time he set." "For meeting us at the castle, lady, not here." "Pshaw ! What do you take me up so quickly for, Mary? You make me quite nervous." "Dear lady, pray do not pay any attention to what I say. I suppose I am a little timid. At all events, I can not help wishing we had not come here alone." "Well, to tell the plain truth, Mary, I begin to CONSTERNATION AT THE CASTLE. 203 wish so myself. But it is too late to cry now. He will not be long after this. Ah! What's that? A man ! A stranger !" Yes, as the last words addressed to her companion fell from her lips she was startled by a quick footfall behind her; and on looking around she beheld a man advancing rapidly toward her, and presently she saw that he was not alone. There was another, and another; aye, and still another, four of them in all ; and a more rough and villainous set she had never seen. In fact, the foremost man he who seemed to be the leader of the others was the very worst-looking, the most wicked and cruel looking human being she had ever set eyes upon. He was a man tall and stout, dressed in the garb of the sea, though the material was rich and costly. The velvet was of the finest ; the silk and satin seemingly of the softest; a massive gold chain around his neck was attached to his watch, while a large diamond of purest water sparkled in. the silken kerchief loosely knotted at his throat. His face reminded her of a wild beast, and noth- ing else. His full beard, long, thick and shaggy, and the mass of hair that covered his head, were like the mane of a lion in color and character. His eyes, gleaming beneath the overhanging brows, were bright like fire and black as coals. In an instant Cordelia thought of Ralph Tryon, the pirate chief. Percy had described him to her minutely, and here he certainly was. 204 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE, With a low, faint cry, and with her two hands clasped over her bosom, she started back, but she could not move far in that direction, as the edge of the platform was directly behind her. "Sweet lady," the man said, his voice hoarse, as voices are apt to be that have been long used to ris- ing above the roar of the tempest, "I trust you are not afraid of me." He bowed as he spoke, and looked at her with an expression which she could not translate, though it appeared to her one of cruel malevolence. She noticed now that he carried his right hand pushed inside the bosom of his vest, and she remem- bered what she had heard of his being wounded in that arm. "Lady!" he pursued, after a lengthy pause, "have you no word for me? May I not be permitted to hear the sweet music of your voice?" "Sir!" our heroine returned, struggling with all her might to speak calmly, or at least coherently "who are you? Why have you thus placed yourself in my way? What would you with me? At this point, and before tfre chief could reply to the lady's demand, one of those behind a dark- visaged, low-browed, villainous-looking man came to his side and whispered something in his ear. His words Cordelia could not distinguish, but she had no difficulty in distinguishing the response. "Aye, Gurt, you're right," the tawny chief said. "The sooner we haul our wind out o' this the better it may be for us. Bryan ! Jack ! This way, and lend A TERRIBLE MOMENT. 205 a hand. Mind now, no roughness! Handle them as lightly as you can." And the three men, thus commanded, moved forward. CHAPTER XVI. A TERRIBLE MOMENT. As our heroine heard the address of the chief to his comrades, and then saw the latter move toward her, she looked to see a possible way of escape, but there was none. There was but one hope, and that was in help. She whispered to Mary, who was clinging closely to her side : "Scream !" And a scream two of them that seemed to split the welkin, broke upon the startled air. With a fierce oath the chief himself sprang upon Cordelia, throwing his left arm around her shoulders, at the same time pressing his right hand over her mouth. The maid was likewise secured and her mouth stopped. Cordelia was both brave and strong. With all her might she struggled, and quickly succeeded in freeing her right hand, which she instantly raised and clasped upon the wrist of the hand over her mouth, wrenching it away and at the same time send- ing forth another scream for help. But her cry was not more startling nor more fran- tic than was the howl of pain and agony that burst 206 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. from Ralph Tryon's lips for we know him by this time when the grasp of the girl was laid upon his wrist, and the furious wrench given it. "Gurt ! Gurt ! she's broken my arm again ! Seize her and stop her noise !" By this time the maid had been so far secured that one man could care for her, which left two of the ruffians to care for the mistress, the chief having moved aside to nurse his aching limb. Cordelia's hands were quickly bound behind her, and a thick large bandanna was bound over her mouth for a gag, effectually preventing any more calling for help. After this the chief, whom the lady now knew was none other than Ralph Tryon, started on ahead, directing his men to follow as rapidly as possible. He took his course down the river's bank, keeping close to the water, and at the distance of a hundred yards and a little more they came to a small cove wherein lay a boat. The two captives had been led at a pace that forced them more than once to break from a walk into a run, but they had not been used roughly. Into the boat they were lifted without ceremony, and carried aft to the stern-sheets, where they were caused to sit on one of the sides; and presently the chief came aft and sat down directly opposite. Then the head-fast was cast off, and the last man sprang in and came to the tiller, the other two tak- ing the oars, and very soon the boat, which appeared to be a common long-boat, such as is carried by A TERRIBLE MOMENT. 207 coasting vessels, shot out into the stream, with her head toward the sea, and sped rapidly on. The oars- men were strong and skillful, and they had the cur- rent in their favor. The distance from the park landing, where the capture had been made, to the bay was little more than two miles, and to the village not more than a mile and a half. Cordelia knew that the smuggler now the pirate brig lay in King's Cove, and she wondered if she was to be taken there. She hardly thought it. Too many of the crew would be opposed to it ; and, again, those strange men would sympathize with her, and, if they dared, seek to help her. No, she was not to be taken there. Where then? But another thing began to claim her attention. Her breathing was becoming labored and painful. And so it was with the maid. They looked at each other, and then looked across at the man opposite. He saw plainly the torture they were suffering. "Ah, my dear lady !" he said, with a curious look at our heroine, "you appear to be suffering a slight discomfort just now, but it can't be much like the twinge you gave me a little while ago. Upon my word, if you'd been a man I think I should have shot you where you stood. I thought you'd broken the bone again, which the surgeon at Burton set for me; but you hadn't, so I'll forgive you. And now, say, if I'll take off that gag will you give me your word not to cry out for help?" She hesitated. She knew if she should give her 2o8 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. word that she would not break it. No matter what opportunity might present itself, she could not take advantage of it, should she give such a promise. "It makes not a particle of difference to me," the chief added, after a considerable pause, finding that the lady did not speak. "If you are comfortable as you are, keep on the bandanna by all means, though I must confess it is not very becoming to you, nor does it look like a thing that I should take particu- lar comfort in. Exercise your own pleasure, my lady." This added cruelty of sarcasm almost caused the girl to put up with her suffering rather than accept a favor at the wretch's hands ; but the torture was becoming insupportable. She could not endure it ; and, by and by, she signified that he had her promise. "You promise, mind you if I remove this gag from your mouth that you won't offer to cry out, nor make any disturbance of any kind?" She silently promised ; and Mary did the same. "Well, my lady," after looking her straight in the eye for full ten seconds a look which she returned without flinching "Who do you think I am?" "I know who you are, sir," she replied promptly. He started ; but quickly recovered himself. "Well, who am I?" "You are Captain Tryon of the brig Staghound." "Upon my word ! Your gallant knight must have given you a pretty sharp description of me." Cordelia's first impulse was one of anger at this slur; but she thought how foolish it would be, and A TERRIBLE MOMENT. 209 straightway resolved that nothing his tongue could frame should cause her to betray or forget herself. She looked at him steadily for a moment, and then, with a tinge in her tone which paid him back in full, she said : "Captain Tryon, if you will look into a mirror when you next see one I think you will discover a face not likely to be forgotten when once seen, and not at all difficult to describe." "Will you tell me how you would describe it?" "No, sir. I will not." "Why not?" "You would be angry." "Oho! Am I so ugly?" "I prefer not to tell you what you are." "Well I'm sorry for that. Do you know, dear lady, I had almost made up my mind to ask you to be my wife." She did not start ; the speech did not frighten her, for she had not the least thought that he meant anything more than simple badinage. So it was for a little time ; by and by, as the man continued to eye her sharply, she asked herself why had he done this thing? Merciful heaven ! Was it possible that he had seen her, and that he had conceived a passion to possess her for his own? The thought came to her like a bolt of thunder from a clear sky. "Captain Tryon, for what purpose have you laid ruffianly hands upon me and dragged me away with yourself in this manner?" 210 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Wait for a little time, dear lady. I will explain by and by. We must land here." They had gone down to a point near to the vil- lage, but shut away from it by intervening woods, where, on the side of the stream opposite to that from which they had set forth, was another small inlet, into which the boat had been steered. There was an easy, natural landing, on a bit of bold shore, where a table of rock came out into the water, against the edge of which the boat lay with- out difficulty. The girls were here helped out, and conducted a short distance up into the woods. Cordelia knew that the sloping foot of Witch's Crag was not a great way off, and a few moments later, when they had stopped, and Tryon told them they must be blind- folded, she was able to give a pretty close guess as to their destination. "Why should you wish to blind us?" she asked. "Have you a secret which you are afraid we might discover?" "Never mind my reason. I choose that you shall be hoodwinked. It will not hurt you ; and I promise you no indignity shall be offered while you are in that situation." For one brief moment our heroine's thoughts were deep and rapid ; the result was she submitted without opposition and without further remark. The kerchiefs which had been before bound over their mouths were now bound tightly over their eyes, after which they moved on ; and ere long, as she A TERRIBLE MOMENT. 211 Tiad anticipated, they emerged from the wood upon the rough and ragged slope of the crag. They found a very good path, however, and were able to proceed without difficulty. Up up up, the gradual slope, Cordelia judged, very nearly half a mile and then they stopped ; and from the change in the feeling of the air she was confident they had entered one of the caves, which she had several times visited in company with Percy Maitland. She wondered could it be that into which she and her friends had looked a few days before from the end of the subterranean passage they had explored. If it should so prove, then she might be taken into a place not unknown to her. She was destined, however, to a disappointment of which she had not dreamed. She heard words spoken between her captors, and presently she heard a sound as of the very slight creaking of a heavy door on its hinges. She knew that a passage had been opened before her by the sudden sweeping of a current of air on her face ; and a few moments afterward, she was again led forward, being caused to stoop as she advanced. If she could have whispered, unheard by others, to Mary, she would have said: "We are passing through an aperture in the wall where we stopped on our recent voyage of discovery. This is the very wall in which we found the crevice through which we looked into the outer cave." When they had all passed through she distinctly heard the way closed behind them ; and shortly 212 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. thereafter they moved on again, Cordelia smelling the fumes of a burning candle or lamp. She was confident she felt that she knew that they were now in a place which she had visited once before ; yet, ere long, she met with something that confounded her. They had gone perhaps a hundred yards beyond the point where she had stooped in passing", when they came to a halt, and pretty soon she heard on the left hand another sound, like the swinging of a pon- derous mass on hinges or on a pivot, and there was, moreover, a peculiar grating sound as though one surface of stone had come in contact with another in motion. "Now, my lady, this way. You will have to stoop a little." They had turned squarely to the left, and, as he spoke, Tryon placed his hand on Cordelia's head, causing her to stoop considerably lower than before. She made no resistance whatever, but kept her ears open and every sense she could use keenly alert. She heard the closing of the way behind her, and when she next stood erect she felt that she was treading on something like a carpet. At all events it was not the bare rock. She was conducted a short distance further, then caused to sit, and the hoodwink was removed from her eyes. The light of two or three small waxen tapers was not sufficient to dazzle her sight ; but sufficient to reveal to her what manner of place she was in. It was a cavern, very nearly square in form ; the A TERRIBLE MOMENT. 213 walls seamed and uneven, but not ragged ; the roof very high and quaintly arched, that is, it was a one- sided arch, like the half of a ship-roofed house. The floor, which appeared to be comparatively level and smooth, was covered with a sort of Turk- ish matting, very soft and easy to the feet. More- over, there was considerable furniture in the place, several chairs, a chest of drawers, a large oaken cabi- net and a good sized table. In one corner was a fire- place, and on looking at the roof the observer could detect an aperture where smoke might escape. Another thing Cordelia saw: an opening into another cave, a chamber beyond this. Tryon saw that she had discovered it, and he bade her to come with him and look. He did not offer to lay a hand upon her. She followed him, and soon entered another apartment, not so large as the first, but much like it. Here was more furniture, and here was a bed, seemingly clean and freshly made. "My dear lady, here you will tarry until to-mor- row. You will here be safe. No harm can possibly come to you. You shall have plenty to eat ; yonder bed is sweet and clean ; and you may rest in it with- out dread." "Ralph Tryon! What is your intention toward me? Why have you done this cruel, wicked thing? What end have you in view?" "Lady, you shall be fully informed on the morrow, and when you have heard all I shall have to say you may not be so greatly surprised that I have done 214 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. what you are pleased to call a cruel, wicked thing. Wait, wait, my dear girl, and you shall know every- thing. It would not be well that you should know my purpose without knowing, at the same time, the causes that have moved me, and those I must keep from you a little longer. Have patience. The mor- row will soon be here." "Oh, Captain Tryon !" She had sprung forward and sank upon her knees before him with her clasped hands upraised. He stopped her with an oath, and lifted her bodily to her feet and set her back in her chair. "Lady Cordelia Chester, were all the wealth of all the world at your command, and you could offer it to me for mine own, for it all I would not suffer you to put one of your feet beyond the outer door of yonder cavern until I am ready to take you out on my own terms. Is that plain to you?" A moment she gazed into his face, a great horror a nameless, shapeless dread weighing her down like an incubus, and then she sank back and covered her face with her hands. When she next looked up she was alone with Mary Seymour. "Where is he?" "He has gone, dear lady. Oh, this is dreadful! What shall we do? Dear mistress, what does he mean?" "Sh! Are they not in the other cavern?" "I think not. I will look." And the brave girl took a candle and looked out into the larger apartment that which they had first entered and found it empty. A TERRIBLE MOMENT 215 "Oh, dear mistress! Who is that man? What " "Hush! Let me think. Or let us look around, Mary, and determine where we are." By a little effort the stricken lady collected her mental and physical forces, and started, with her companion, on a tour of investigation. She went around the larger cave, examining every part ; but the point of entrance claimed her special care. She was able to detect the section of stone that was movable. The distance she had been forced to stoop aided her in determining this ; and, further, the instruction she gained from Percy, during their exploration of, she firmly believed, a cavernous passage of which this was a branch. "Mary," she said, when she had seen all there was to be seen, "you remember the wall which stopped our further progress on the day when we came with Percy to the Old Chapel the wall in which we found a crevice though which we looked forth into another cave beyond?" "Yes, lady." "Well, this is a branch of that passage. Did you notice how we ascended the slope of the crag, and how we were led into the first cave ; and then how we came to a wall, where we stooped in passing through? That was the same wall, only we had approached it from the other side." "I have thought the very same, lady. Of course we must have passed the entrance to this place on that day." 216 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Certainly ; but having had no intimation of its existence Percy did not think of looking for it. I venture to say, with the information which we now possess, Mr. Maitland would find it without much trouble. At any rate he would find it." They talked longer on the same subject, and made further examination ; and the more they considered the stronger became their faith in the fact that they were in a place separated only by the thickness of a wall from the passage they had traversed under the guidance of Percy Maitland. Cordelia had worn her watch, and by and by she thought of it. Twelve o'clock! Noon! Where was Percy? Where the earl? Where were they looking? What did they think? Oh, could Percy in any possible way discover where they were? If he could, they would be delivered ! An hour passed and another. Mary found a box in which were plenty of wax tapers. So they would not be left in the dark. It was toward the latter part of the afternoon when a noise beyond the outer wall arrested their attention, and presently a section of it the very stone Cordelia had selected swung slowly inward, revealing an aperture about four feet wide, and the same in height. Into the cave came two of the men who had been with Tryon in the morning. They brought be- tween them a large basket, in which, they said, were food and drink sufficient for a small garrison. A TERRIBLE MOMENT. ' 217 The men looked so repulsive, so hard and brutish and cruel, that neither of the girls cared to ask them a question ; and they would have been likely to re- ceive no answer had they done so. "There, my beauties," said the biggest and most piratical looking of the twain, after they had set the basket down and looked around, "I guess ye'll be all right now. Rather cosy quarters, aint they? One thing ye ken be sure on nobody can't break in, an* rob ye ! Ho ! ho ! ho !" The two men laughed and then departed. No attempt was made to conceal from the captives the locality of the entrance, as the knowledge, in all probability, could be of no help to them. The day passed, and the evening. Together the two girls sat, not yet quite hopeless, though how help was to reach them they could not imagine. At length, when weariness had so far over- powered them that they could keep awake no longer, they ventured to trust themselves in the bed. It was, as their captor had said, clean and sweet, or freshly aired, and it was soft and grateful to lie upon. They prayed in unison, and very soon thereafter slept. Once during the night Mary awoke, and her movement awoke her mistress. The former got out of bed and lighted two fresh tapers, and from that they slept soundly until morning. They found plenty of water, and having washed and dressed, they set out the food and drink for breakfast. It was then, by Cordelia's watch, seven o'clock. 2l8 THE SMUGGLER OF KING S COVE. Two hours had passed when she consulted the watch again. Oh, what should come next? Half an hour later, perhaps more they could not surely judge the sound of the moving stone once more fell upon their ears. Slowly it swung inward further and further until the way was open wide. And then entered the pirate chief, Ralph Tryon, dressed in the rich and costly garb of an English nobleman ! And behind him, coming two abreast, followed six men of his crew dressed in holiday attire. But that was not all. Last was it real or but a wild fancy of her overwrought brain ? last came a man in the somber robes and bearing in his hands the missal of a Catholic priest ! What did it mean? CHAPTER XVII. A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. THROUGH the long and weary day and far into the night Percy and the earl worked hard and unre- mittingly in the search for the missing ones. During the afternoon the former ventured down to the shore of the cove, at the point where he had once been in the habit of keeping a boat of his own, and there remained until he had succeeded in attracting the attention of Donald Rodney. It was a considerable time before, the old smuggler A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 219 could get away from the keen and suspicious watch of Ralph Tryon's partisans ; but his patient endeav- ors were finally rewarded. He took a boat and pulled to the shore, ostensibly for the purpose of responding to a signal, which he professed to have received from Margery Maitland. "In mercy's name!" he ejaculated, when he met the agonized look of his young friend, "what has happened?" "Donald, where is Ralph Tryon?" "I believe he is somewhere in the neighborhood of Burton, and I rather think there is mischief afoot. Leastwise, one of our friends heard Abel Jackman, when he was talking with Gurt Warnell, say some- thing about a lord's house over there which they intended to visit." "Do you really believe he is away from here, Donald?" "Why shouldn't I ? He certainly sent for those men to go away with him on a job of some kind ; and, as I just said, one of our men it was Tom Bid well overheard Jackman talkin' about Burton. Yes, I think he's there." After a little reflection Percy told to his friend the story of the wonderful disappearance of Lady Cordelia Chester and her maid. Rodney was deeply affected, but he did not believe Tryon had anything to do with it. If such a thing had been in the wind he was sure he would have de- tected some signs of it. But one thing the old man promised. He would return to the brig, and he 220 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. would not rest until he had found out all that could possibly be discovered in that quarter. "And, my dear boy," he added, earnestly, "nothing shall prevent me from giving you information as soon as it comes to me. I will either come myself or send Guy to-morrow morning at all events, whether I have news or not." It was not very satisfying; but the interview, and the bringing it about, had used up two pain-laden hours, besides giving him something more to think of and look forward to. He had taken to himself a hope that old Rodney would bring him something of importance in the morning, if not before. It was very slight very slight indeed ; but a ray of light came with it, nevertheless. Leaving the shore of the cove, our hero made his way to the inn at the village, where he was to have a new direction given to his thoughts or, rather, an aforetime thought was to be revived. "Ah, Maitland ! the very man I've been wishing for," the host exclaimed, as our hero made his appearance in the tap-room. "That horse has come. Just step around this way with me, and you shall have a look at him." Percy knew this to be simply a bHnd for closing the eyes of the few loungers in the room. He fol- lowed the good man out through the bar into a little parlor beyond, where with the doors closed they were safe from intrusion. "Maitland, you asked me, this noon, about Lord A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 221 Oakleigh ; and I told you I knew nothing about him. Well, I can tell ye more now. Dan Corbett came in half an hour ago and told me he met the young lord over at Saybrook, at Seth Arnold's inn, last evening." "He knows it was Lord Oakleigh?" interrogated the youth, much excited. "Bless ye, yes! He knows Lord Oakleigh as well as he knows you or me." "Last evening?" "Yes." "At what time?" "It must have been somewhere between eight and ten o'clock." "Does he know what he was doing there, or any- thing about what he intended to do?" "He could make out only this: His lordship was in a great flurry, with his right arm in a sling, Dan said ; and seemed to be waiting for somebody Dan thought his servant who was to take him away from there ; but where he was bound or what he was about, I couldn't find out." Percy asked a few more questions, and then, hav- ing thanked the landlord for his kindness, he left the inn and made all possible haste to the castle. He was well armed, and he kept a sharp lookout around as he wended his way through the bit of woods he had to traverse, for he well knew that he had deadly enemies, and there was no telling where nor when they might strike. At the castle he found the earl, pacing to and fro, suffering intensely. 222 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Percy, dear boy! what have you found?" "Will you sit down, my lord, and listen to me for a few moments?" The old man did. as requested, and the youth went on : "Lord Allerdale, I am going to surprise you to wound you ; but you must bear it as best you can. ' When it was first known to me that Lady Cor- delia had been taken away as we know she must have been my suspicions fell upon Lord Oak- leigh. I believed he was more likely to be the abductor than any other man; and now I am sure of it." "Oh, Percy ! Don't say it !" "My lord, where do you think is his lordship at the present time?" "He is at Oxford." "He was at the Saybrook inn at nine to ten o'clock last evening, my lord. That I know." And thereupon the young man went on and related all that he had learned from old Rodney, at the Cove, and from Martin Vanyard at the inn. He was sorry to say it, but he was confident that Oakleigh was the offending party. "My lord," he pursued, "did Cordelia tell you what Lord Oakleigh said to her on the occasion of their late interview in the garden?" "She did not tell me all, but I know he was very unkind." "Aye, and he used threats. He bade her be- ware of him ; and but, my lord, I need not tell you any more." He had come to the point where his A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 223 own name had entered into the discussion, and of this he cared not to speak. However, the earl was satisfied that his young friend might be right, and he finally confessed that his own suspicions had run in that direction, but he had fought them down with all his might. Half an hour later, our hero, with a trusty servant of the castle in company, was on his way to Say- brook, a small town five miles away toward the south. He had a smart horse, and a light, easy-going vehi- cle, and the passage was speedily made. There at the inn, he found the host Seth Arnold, who, when he knew the messenger had come from the old earl, was ready to give all the information he could ; but that was not much, although it was something. Lord Oakleigh had been at the inn the Stag and Hounds on the preceding evening, and had appeared to be in a great hurry, walking nervously about, with his arm in a sling, cursing and swearing to himself. At about ten o'clock his servant had arrived with a light dog-cart, into which he had gone and been driven away; and the landlord had seen nothing more of him. "Which way did they go?" "Back toward your way, Allerdale." A few more questions, and Percy started on his return to the castle, where he arrived at about nine o'clock in the evening. The earl, on hearing the report, surrendered his last doubt. He was now convinced that his grand- son was the villain. Oh, what would he do? 224 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Let us not think," said the younger man. "Let us find them and set the lady free." "Heaven send that we may do it !" Percy went again to the village, where he made further inquiries; but nothing of importance was learned. He had promised the earl that he would spend the night at the castle ; so at midnight he re- turned, finding the old nobleman up waiting for him. It seemed almost wrong to go to bed and to sleep while the dear one was lost to them, but the de- mands of nature were not to be denied. The earl read a prayer, the youth prayed fervently from his own heart, and then they sought their rest. It was near the hour of eight o'clock on the fol- lowing morning, and our hero had been to the village and back again to the castle, and was on his way to the village once more, when he was met by the boy, Guy Carroll, his face flushed and his blue eyes fairly blazing. "Guy! What is it?" They were in the edge of the wood, and free from observation. The boy cast a quick, eager glance around and then "Oh, Mr. Maitland! It is Cap'n Tryon after all!" "What of him? What? What?" Percy exclaimed, catching the boy by the arm, with an anxiety that was torturing. "It's he, sir, that has run off with the lady from the castle ! Yesterday late in the afternoon Bryan Vank and Gurt Warnell they were two of them that had been sent for by the cap'n they came aboard the A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 225 brig and carried away a big basket full of provis- ions ; and late at night Uncle Donald found out all about it. He wouldn't tell me who told him ; but it seems Vank let it leak out while he was waitin' for the basket to be filled. The provisions were for two women two young girls that the cap'n'd got stowed away in one of the caverns on the slope of the Crag." Percy started as though he had been shot. It was like the bursting of a thunderbolt over his head from a clear sky. In his wild imaginings he had several times had a picture in mind of his darling shut up in that place ; but he had given it no serious thought. Could it be Ralph Tryon, and not Lord Oakleigh, who had spirited away the two girls? It must be. He questioned Guy closely, and was, in the end, perfectly assured there could be no mistake. The pirate chief himself had stolen away the dear one, and now had her shut up in the cavern of the Crag. "Guy, do you know where that cave is?" "I only know, sir, that it is just about half-way from the shore of the bay to the point where the head of the Crag shoots up steeply. I was never there. But Uncle Donald says there'll be no use in your attemptin' to get at 'em in there, for there's a secret entrance which nobody can find only them as knows it. Uncle knows it, but he can't tell it. Leastwise I don't believe he'd want to break such an oath as he'd have to break if he did it. He says you'll watch till they come out the cap'n and the lady and then, 226 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. p'raps, you'll be able to catch him. Oh, I hope you will !" "You are sure Ralph Tryon will be in that cavern this forenoon?" "Yes, sir. He's there, now, somewhere. I should think, from what I've-heard, that it was a big place with lots of odd nooks and corners in it. I heard old Ben Popwell say once, when he didn't know 'at I was listenin', 'at it would be a great place for blind-man's buff." The startled, electrified youth waited for no more. He thanked the lad kindly, promising him that he should never seek his good offices in vain ; then he said : "Tell Uncle Donald that the rat is in more of a trap than he dreams of!" And with this he hurried away, keeping on to the village, as he had first in- tended ; but with his purpose changed. His first call was on the chief constable, who there resided, named Allan Tisdale. He was a man of middle age; large and powerful of frame ; bold and fearless in the line of his duty, yet kind, affable, and gentle- manly. He had been intimate with our hero for a long time and esteemed him highly. "Well, Maitland, have you anything new?" The visitor was not a great while in telling him. He told all that he had learned from old Donald's nephew. "And now, what?" the constable demanded, open- eyed. He was nervous and excited. He could not A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 22? see his way. "We know where the man is ; but how are we to reach him? Ah! and that reminds me; I saw a squad of seamen a dozen or more not half an hour ago, landing from a boat at the foot of the rocky slope. In all probability they are to do guard duty up at the cave." "How many good, reliable men can you raise at once?" Percy asked. "I can muster twenty in half an hour, perhaps; if I should call upon the villagers, I might make it thirty." "Very well will you take with you five of your best men those in whom you have the most confi- dence, and come with me? I will lead you into that cavern by a way that will astonish you." "Ha! Maitland!" exclaimed the officer, with a quick start and a look of intense eagerness. "Is it at the Old Chapel? Have you found it?" "Yes, Mr. Tisdale, I have succeeded. You will see a strange place. But speak not a word to another. My soul ! it must not leak out until we are ready to strike the blow. You will be circum- spect." "Trust me. Ah, you've found the secret of the ghosts. The haunted chapel is haunted no more, save by spirits in flesh and blood ! Good ! But this isn't work. Come with me and give me your help. We'll very soon have our men ready for duty." Everything worked favorably. The men wanted were found without difficulty; and the stout artisans and laborers of the village, when they had been told 228 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. of the business on hand, were not only willing but eager to join. In little more than half an hour from the time of their setting forth the work was done. Tisdale had selected the five men who were to accompany him, while his lieutenant Martin O'Brien a faithful and reliable officer, at the head of four-and-twenty more, all well armed, was to proceed up the face of the Crag not to go to the cave but to stop at a point where they would be sure to intercept any who should attempt to escape from the cave in that direction. Thus, Percy believed, they would be able to capture the whole party all of the pirates whom the chief had called to his assistance and he thought there might be twelve to fifteen of them. When these arrangements had been perfected, and they were sure that O'Brien understood his part exactly, Percy and the constable, with the five helpers strong, experienced officers, every one took their way to the castle, where they found the earl anxiously waiting for intelligence. When the old nobleman had heard the story, when he knew that his darling had been found, or the same as found, and he was assured that he should ere long behold her, when it had all been made clear to him, his joy was beyond his power of language to express it. "Percy! Percy! My noble boy!" he cried, re- garding the youth with loving trustful looks, "you must take the lead. You know all about it. You A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 229 are the man. I am sure Mr. Tisdale will not be offended." "Pooh! pooh! Maitland is the man to lead, my lord. We all understand it." "Let me give my humble help, as best I can," said Percy, not at all discomposed by the encomiums thus passed upon him. "Where I can lead, be sure I will ; and when I can follow I will do so with all my heart. And now, my lord, how many of your men are we to take with us?" "Here is Michael. He will muster them. There should be ten, at least." "Twelve, my lord, counting me. Of course you'll let me go." "Yes, you may go. Now hurry and collect the men and get out the arms. Oh, do be expedi- tious!" Now was the time and the need when our hero showed the quality that was in him. Under his calm, quiet, prompt guidance, with a power of com- mand natural to him, the force of the castle was mustered, armed, and organized in less than twenty minutes, and in half an hour after the arrival of himself and the constable at the castle the party, twenty in number, counting the earl, was ready to set forth. ******* The appearance of a man in priestly robes, follow- ing behind the pirate chief and his comrades, at first struck Cordelia with a paralyzing horror. The sig- nificance of the scene was not to be mistaken. It 230 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. was the voice of Ralph Tryon that roused her to indignation and gave her strength. The chief, in his gorgeous raiment of velvet and gold, advanced to the center of the cavernous apartment ; his six comrades, in broadcloth and silk, filing in behind him, where they took position in a well-dressed line. Then the pretended priest, with slow, even step, moved to a place on Tryon's left hand and a little in front. "Now, fair lady," said the master of the situa- tion, "I have come to fulfill my promise. I will set you free from this place, but you will go with me as my wife. Do you understand me?" Something in the man's voice something new and strange gave to our heroine a start of wonder. It had lost much of its huskiness and had put off its roughness ; it sounded no more like the voice of the sea. She looked at him sharply, looked long and earnestly, and presently she saw a smile curling about his deep black eyes, a smile so wicked and malevolent and so vengeful that it aroused her beyond her endurance. "Man! Demon! Fiend! Whatever you call yourself, I tell you, in your teeth, you speak false- hood ! You have no power to make me your wife ! Lay a hand upon me, and I will kill you if I can ! Were this man in sacerdotal robe a true priest, he would know he can not do the wicked deed. It would be but mockery an empty form. If he be a true man, he will not attempt it." "Holy father," said the chief, turning to the pre- A SURPRISE FOR ALL HANDS. 231 tended priest, without paying any heed whatever to the hot and angry words of the girl, "y u hear what she says. Now what say you?" "I say, my lord, if the situation is as you have represented it if such has been the general under- standing, and if the lady's lawful guardian consents, I could marry you, and the bond would be too strong for man to break," "Now, Cordelia." He had put his hand to his head, and appeared to be loosing something behind his ear, when a quick, sharp cry of alarm from one of the men behind him caused him to look toward the entrance. On his way to the cave, as we might judge from what the constable had that morning seen, Tryon had been accompanied by a strong force of his sworn friends and adherents. Ten stout men, well armed, he had left at the mouth of the outer cave, and the six who had come in with him he had brought for witnesses, being determined that the ceremony should not lack in that respect. With regard to danger inside his cavernous retreat, the pirate had not dreamed of such a thing. He would as soon have thought of finding the sunlight streaming into its uttermost recesses. Hence he had entered the chamber, leaving the others to follow, never once thinking of closing the way behind him. Now, upon hearing the note of alarm, he looked toward the entrance and there beheld a sight that confounded and bewildered him. 232 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. He saw Percy Maitland, and by his side the con- stable, Allan Tisdale, just entering the place, or rather he saw them leap quickly in, and directly be- hind them came the old earl, with seemingly a score of men at his back. "In the king's name," shouted the constable, "sur- render!" "Not until I have made my mark here," the pirate chief replied ; and quick as thought he snatched at a pistol in his bosom, and drew it forth, his purpose being to shoot young Maitland. But two other persons were as quick as he; though they might not have been had not his lame hand bothered him. Before he could cock the weapon, Cordelia, who had heard and understood his words, struck up his hand, causing him to utter an audible groan of pain; and at the same moment the earl, full sure in the heat and excitement of the moment, that the life of his brave young friend was in peril, raised the pistol in his hand and fired. The pirate pressed his hand over his bosom and sank back, coming in contact with the pretended priest as he did so. The latter, thinking the wound- ed man would fall, caught him to uphold him, and in doing so his fingers became entangled in the thick, heavy beard of the face, and pulled it away. The chief had cast loose the principal fastening of his disguise while speaking with Cordelia the speech which had been interrupted by the appear- MARGER Y 'S Jf VELA TIONCOXCL US10N. 233 ance of the new-comers and the note of alarm from the startled seamen. Yes, the disguise came away just as the last of the pirate gang had been overcome and secured the tawny beard and hair revealing the swart face of Matthew Brandon, Lord Oakleigh ! At first those who beheld refused to believe the evidence of their own senses. It did not seem possi- ble that one and the same man could have filled both characters. But they were forced to believe in time. And now Percy Maitland knew what it was in the looks of Ralph Tryon that had so puzzled and perplexed him from the first. CHAPTER XVIII. MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. THE aged earl, when he had come to a realizing sense of the horror of the situation, sank back with a groan of the deepest, bitterest agony, and covered his face with his hands as though to shut from his sight the terrible thing before him. And then arose the voice of the pirate, coarse, brutal and cruel, even though the hand of death lay heavily upon him. "Oho! my dear grandpapa! You will have a happy thought a beautiful, blissful memory through the remnant of your life. Your own hand took your grandson's life !" 234 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Oh, Heaven have mercy !" the stricken old man groaned. "It needed but this to fill the cup of my misery to the brim !" "Aye," pursued the wretch, with a withering sneer, "and you killed me to save the beggarly life of a smuggler's brat ! Oho ! may the memory give you joy ! Oh, I am burning up :" "Dear, dear grandpa !" Cordelia exclaimed, hast- ening to her guardian's side and winding her arms about his neck. "Oh, do not notice him. Look to us who love you, and who " "Love one another!" Oakleigh broke in, madly. "Oho! Aha, old man! what did I tell you? A thousand guineas to a pewter sixpence you give your consent yet to the marriage of the baronet's daughter with the spawn of the oh, how it burns !" The priest, a man whom Oakleigh had been able to buy, after confession to him who and what he was, proved to be a handy surgeon, and he at once proceeded to examine the wound. It was in the left side, toward the breast and near the heart, and it was very quickly pronounced fatal, though the clerical leech said the patient might live several hours. If he was to be moved, the sooner it was done the better. "Let me die at the castle," said the wounded man. "If I am to live for hours, let my good, kind grand- father be blessed with the sight of his handiwork!" At this point Percy and Cordelia, who had found opportunity for a word together she had sprung to him at the very first, in the fullness of her heart, to MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 235 bless him for having come to save her. "Oh," she had cried, "I knew you would come!" these two came to the old man's aid and led him away. "The man is mad," said Maitland. "You shall not suffer the cruel torture more." "Come, dear grandpa ! Come with us." They led him to the entrance, where he promised to go with his darling, after which Percy returned and attended to the arrangements for moving the wounded man ; but he finally gave the work into the hands of old Michael, the priest having promised to accompany them to the castle. Meantime Mr. Tisdale, with two of his men, had gone on to the outer cave, toward the face of the slope, where he was just in season to meet others of his men, who informed him that they had cap- tured ten of the pirate crew outside. And this completed the work. They believed they had taken all who had left the brig. Under these circumstances, as the constable could not be wanted at the castle, he returned to the cave with a few of his men and took in charge all the prisoners, saving only the wounded chief; and while the servants of the earl conveyed him forth, by way of the old chapel, he and his force would take the others down over the slope of the crag, outside. On their way through the long and devious sub- terranean passage Matthew Brandon did not once open his lips ; but when they had reached the chapel, and he saw our hero start to move the altar back 236 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. against the wall, thus uncovering the secret pass, he burst forth, though weakly : "Oho! So it's you? Viper! You have found the secret. Oh, may the fiends of " He stopped, with a shoot of pain in his side, and was forced to hold his tongue for a time. Cordelia was strongly tempted to tell him that the sight of himself, one stormy evening, entering the chapel, and disappearing beneath the altar, had led to the discovery. But Percy told him the same later, and he confessed that he had come in on that night wearing a monk's robe. And then in astonishment Percy looked at what had never before attracted his attention. In profile the face of Lord Oakleigh was an exact pattern of what Hugh Maitland's face had been. Sure, it was curious ; and yet not at all wonderful that he had not before noticed it. With the full beard of Ralph Tryon on his face, his profile was hidden ; while with the face of Matthew Brandon he had not been familiar. On that stormy evening he had not worn his beard nor his wig. A very good litter had been found in the chamber beneath the chapel, and on this the wounded man was placed and so conveyed to the castle. And there a new surprise awaited them. Standing in the court in company with old Don- ald Rodney was Margery Maitland, looking pale and wan not the Margery of the olden time. In truth she looked like a woman not long for this lower life. MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 237 Percy, when he saw her, felt his heart bound with a thrill of regret almost of remorse. Had his forsaking her caused this sad change? He could not believe it. She had never loved him deeply enough for that. Yet he hastened to her and put forth his hands. "Mother! .Oh, why are you " "Hush, boy! You know not to whom you speak. Where is the other Ralph Tryon? Where is he?" "Mother! Oh, did you know? Of course you did. There he is, wounded dying." "Dying! dying, did you say?" "Yes. He was shot in the flurry of capture." "Shot in attempting your life, was he not?" "You are right. Whoever told you, told the truth." "Nobody told me, boy. My own instinct so im- pressed me. Ah, he is on yonder litter! Oh, this is judgment! This is the vengeance of heaven! Matthew Brandon!" going to the side of the litter, "your hand was not red enough with pirating, but you must steal defenseless girls away from their homes! Oh, boy! boy your crimes have found you at length !" "How now, beldam! What do ye here?" cried the wounded man. Presently, with a fiendish gleam in his eye, he added : "Oh, Margery, give yonder old man joy ! His hand it was that shot me down ! aye ! he shot me to save the life of the smuggler's spawn! What d'ye think of it?" "Was it the earl's hand that did it?" 238 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "Aye, verily." "And to save " "The smuggler's brat ! the spawn of an outlaw !" the wretch broke in upon her. "Fool! Fool! How long can he live?" she sud- denly asked, turning from the litter to the priest, who stood nearest. "Not many hours." "Then carry him in, and I must go with him. I have that to say which he must hear." "Ho! ho! Will ye tell them how ye tried to do the very work they shot me for attempting, Margery?" "Yes, I'll tell with all my heart. Don't think I fear." "Don't let her come! Don't let her come!" the fallen chieftain howled. And he tried to speak further, but his strength failed him and pain over- came him. Something in the woman's look, in her manner, and in the sound of her voice attracted the earl's attention and interested him, and he determined that she should have her way. At any rate it should be as Percy said, and so he told her. And she besought her son to suffer her to go in with them, and he could not find it in his heart to refuse her. They bore the litter to the foot of the steps of the main vestibule, and thence took the wounded man in their arms. They carried him into the great hall and into the principal drawing-room, took him in there because MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 239 there was in the apartment the largest and softest sofa in the castle, and upon that sofa they laid him, and then brought pillows for his head and pillows for his shoulders. The pseudo-priest, really a surgeon, having found a suitable instrument for a probe, thought to find the location of the bullet, but the pain he caused was so great, with a threatened -flow of blood, that he desisted, deciding at once, with perfect assurance, that it could do no good to find the missile and might hasten the fatal end. "How long do you give me to live?" the patient asked, when he had recovered from the pain that had been given him by the probe. "You may live an hour; you may live longer, and you may not live so long." "Oh! Aha! ha! ha! Where's the earl? Ha! old man ! Don't forget the joy that is to be yours in the memory of this day's work! Say did you love my father?" "Oh, boy! boy! Why were you not like him?" "Ha! He was a saint, was he? Well, if I should chance to meet him in the great hereafter and who shall say what may happen? I may meet him, you know. If I do, be sure I'll tell him who shot me. Aye, and I'll tell him for why his own father shot his boy. It was to prevent him from dealing out justice to a traitor ! Ay !" the pirate shouted in a sudden outburst of fury -and mad passion, "where is the traitor? the low-lived, false-hearted spawn of a low-lived, outlawed smuggler. Where is he? Ho! 240 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. Earl of Allerdale, will ye mate your fair ward with the" "Hush! Poor fool! You know not what you say." So spake Margery Maitland, advancing to the mad man's side, and laying her hand over his mouth. She saw that his own weakness would keep him quiet for a time ; and she brought a chair and sat near him. And so she sat for a full minute, and during that time the only sound that broke the air was the ster- torous breathing of the wounded man. At length she raised her head and looked around, her eyes presently resting upon our hero. "Percy," she said, her voice low and tremulous. "I have but little to say, especially to you. I did I did, with my own hands attempt your life ! I offered you the death which another had pre- pared you know him let us call him Ralph Tryon. No, I'll call him by his true name " At this point the man to whom she had thus alluded offered to interrupt her, as he did several times later; but his weakness and his pain held him quiet. "Matthew Brandon is his name. He had gained a hold upon me, and he knew it. As you are aware, he made the acquaintance of my husband little more than a year before his death ; and he sailed with him in three or four trips to France sailed thus while they at the castle thought him safely at Oxford at school. You know how, at length, he joined the brig and finally took command, having taken another MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 241 name, together with a disguise so cunningly con- trived that no one could detect or mistrust it. So he came to the command, and he contrived to keep the momentous secret safe. He worked upon me. He sought my confidence. He flattered me. He appeared to be kind to me. You will wonder how it could be. That I will explain by and by. "Percy, not long ago he came to me and solemnly swore that you had entered into an agreement with the officers of the law to deliver up to betray himself and the brig and the whole crew into their hands. At first I refused to believe it, but he swore so solemnly and I saw you coming here, and I knew how your heart was not with us that finally, I came to accept it as a fact, and then I felt bitter toward you. What would become of me, if the smuggling was stopped? And so, when he brought to me the wine, and bade me to give it to you, swearing that if I did not he would clear out and never look upon me again, then I yielded. "Oh, Percy! On that morning when you went away when you blessed me and left me then, Percy, my eyes were opened, and I felt in my heart what you had become to me. I felt then all the difference between you and him ; and I sat down and wept wept as I had not wept before since my own Hugh left me. After that I saw Matthew Brandon again, and he had the face to ask me to help him get Lady Cordelia Chester away from the castle, that he might marry her. If he had asked me that six months ago I might have listened ; but 242 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. other feelings had come to me. I told him no ; and I told him further, if he persisted in the purpose evil would come of it ; but he laughed at me, and went his way. This morning I saw Donald Rodney, and asked him what was being done ; and when he knew how I felt when he had seen the desire of my heart he told me all ; and then I persuaded him to come up here with me, being sure that Brandon would be taken. "I will say nothing about his piracy, only I assure you that I fought against it as long as I could, feel- ing sure that it could end but in one way. But he was headstrong, and he conquered. Percy, do you believe me?" "Yes, mother, with all my heart." Tears sprang to the woman's eyes, but she put them back ; and again there was silence, the signifi- cant breathing of the sufferer on the sofa becoming more and more weak and labored. By and by she looked up again, this time turning to the earl. She gazed upon him for a few moments, evidently in deep thought, and at length spoke. "Lord Allerdale, please do not interrupt me. I have a strange story to tell to you one that I think will interest you. Will you let me tell it in my own way?" She paused for a little time, looking at him curiously, and then glancing toward the sofa, and, anon, toward where Percy and Cordelia sat near together. Finally she went on : "My lord, you have not forgotten when I was a servant in your family. Ten years from the age of MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 243 twelve to two-and-twenty I was a member of your household. I see that you remember. "You remember too, that when your son George, then Lord Oakleigh, brought his young and beauti- ful wife home I was detailed to wait upon her, and I became, after a time, her especial servant. I had no other duties but to wait on her. She was kind ; and she was, in her own way, just, but she was proud, and a strict observer of what she deemed the proprieties of life. "I had served Lady Oakleigh not quite a year when she discovered that I was soon to become a mother. She asked me who was my husband. At first I hesitated, and she misunderstood me; and finally, when I told her that I had been lawfully married to Hugh Maitland, she would not believe me. "But that was not all. She broke out into a harsh and bitter denunciation of my lover, as she called him. He was a smuggler and an outlaw, liable at any time to be gibbeted ; and she would suffer me no longer to remain in her service. She cast me out, coldly, and, I felt, cruelly. "You, my lord, were away at the time, traveling on the continent. Had you been here I should have appealed to you, and I believe you would have taken pity on me, but there was no pity in the bosom of my lady ; and her husband would not have crossed her for his life ; for she, too, was about to become a mother. "And now, my lord, a curious thing happened. When I had been turned away, my lady, being so 244 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. near to her motherhood, wanted a wet nurse in my place, and she found one; and who do you think it was? "My own sister! the only relative of blood I had in the world. She was a widow ; her husband dead only a few months; and was living in Burton. Hul- dah that was her name Huldah came; and the mistress liked her. She was plump, and strong, and healthy, with rosy cheeks and bright black eyes. "She was obedient, and meant to do her duty; but she was indignant at the way in which I had been treated ; and, to make the matter worse, Lady Oakleigh so far forgot herself as to denounce me and terribly abuse my husband. It so happened that Hugh was a favorite with Huldah; and when she heard her lady so berate him she was very angry. "And now, my lord, you may be able to under- stand what followed. It was evident that her lady- ship and I would become mothers at very nearly the same time ; and my sister joined me willingly in a plot not only for vengeance, but for placing a child of our blood on the way to rank and station. If the children should happen to be of the same sex there would not be much trouble. "Do you ask me if I had not a mother's heart of love for her own offspring? I answer you by the plan we proposed I should be near my child all my life. Should it be a boy, which I was sure it would be, I should find real joy and pride in seeing him grow up, rich, proud, noble, and honored. But, oh, MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 245 heavens ! what a fall of all my glowing anticipations have I found in the reality! "My lord, everything happened to help on our plan. The children were born within six hours of each other and were both boyS. My child was born in your woodman's cottage, just in the edge of the walnut grove, at six o'clock in the evening, Lady Oakleigh's six hours later. "The old physician left me and went to her. He left the castle at two o'clock ; and the only human being who had fairly examined the infant was the nurse, Huldah. "An hour later, my lord, when the nurse had got rid of the last hanger-on, and her ladyship had gone to sleep under the influence of an opiate, Huldah took the infant in her arms, wrapped snugly in warm blankets, and brought it to me ; and she car- ried my child the child of Hugh Maitland and Mar- gery his wife back to the castle, back to the arms of Lady Oakleigh; and the cheat was not dis- covered was never mistrusted. "When the daylight came, those who saw the infant nestling in the nurse's arms, or resting on her ladyship's bosom, wondered where it got such black eyes and such black hair ; but it was a fine, healthy child, and they were proud of it. "Ah ! my lord, it was a healthier, heavier child than was brought to me ; and I verily believe had Lady Oakleigh been permitted to keep her own off- spring, she would not have reared it to even early youth. 246 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. "The free air of our woodland cottage ; the out-of- door sports; the sailing; and the rough-and-tumble; and, above all else, the plain, substantial food, gave health and strength and vigor; and he grew up as pure and beautiful in mind as he was in body. "I may remind you here that my husband Hugh Maitland smuggler though he was, was a Christian gentleman; and from him the boy never received a precept nor an example that was not good, setting aside, of course, the one matter of his pro- fession. "And now, my lord, do you ask me why I did not love the child the beautiful boy with all my heart? I will tell you. "I was jealous of him ! I had robbed him of rank, and wealth, and high, brilliant life, and given, as I had fondly believed, those things to my own son. But look at the result ! I looked upon the boy under my roof, and saw him all that Heaven itself could ask a perfect boy to be. "Then I looked upon the boy to whom I had given every opportunity for high and noble life, for wealth and luxury and power, and what did I see? 1 looked upon the child of my own blood, in whose greatness I had promised myself so much pride and joy, and what did I find? Alas! my evil deed had recoiled upon myself. I saw my boy, him to whom I had given all the world at the cost of my own soul, going down, down, down, a poor worthless stick! Had I kept him to myself and thrown him at an early age upon his own resources for a livelihood, he MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 247 might have been different. But I can not com- plain. "Percy! Percy!" turning to the half-stupefied youth, with tears starting down her shrunken cheeks. "On that morning when you blessed me when, after I had raised my hand against your life, and you knew it, you asked God to give me blessing, now and ever more in that hour, Percy, I resolved that you should be restored to your rights; that, so far as I could effect it, you should, for the time to come, enjoy the rank and wealth that is lawfully your own. "I can not speak more. Yet one word Oh, my lord ! Lord Allerdale ! look upon this boy look into his face and tell me what you see. Oh, how have you been so blind? He is his own father over again! Do you not see? Ah, your heart has told you ! You have loved him, even when you thought him the smuggler's child." "Percy! Oh, I will always call you so! Can you doubt the truth of this?" So asked the old earl, holding the handsome youth by the shoulders and gazing eagerly, through bright tear-drops, into his face. "My lord," Percy answered, trembling at every joint, "how can I doubt it? I do certainly believe it true." "Doubt ! Believe !" cried Margery, springing to her feet with arm outstretched. "Look at that face the face on those pillows! Oh, Heaven, have mercy! Is it not my own face made mascu- 248 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. line, and hardened and brutalized? Your face, boy, is the face of your father. Had it been your moth- er's, I do not think I should have endured you. Forgive me ! I will say no more." At this point the pirate chief, who had been thus far held in check by the surgeon, started to a sitting posture, with fury in his face and a literal flame in his sunken eyes. He raised his maimed right hand toward Margery, and his lips moved. He gasped, and flecks of foam started out, but he did not speak. Another effort resulted in a low gurgling howl, and he sank back on his pillows dead. Margery stood for a time at the sofa side and gazed down upon the swart, dead face. By and by she turned toward the earl. "Lord Allerdale," she said, with a steady, earnest look into his watchful eyes, "I will tell you how you can prove to me your undoubting faith in the story I have told you. Give to the men whom I shall send, this body, and allow me to bury it by the side of the grave wherein I laid the mortal remains of his father. Will you do it?" The earl looked at the stark form on the sofa and shuddered. The sight was a horror to him. Then he turned and looked upon the other the truly noble, handsome, gallant lad, who had already, against heavy odds, found the way to his heart. A single moment he gazed upon that face Oh, so like the face of his dead son and then he turned back to the woman. MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 249 "Yes ! yes ! Take it, for I know it is yours ! And may the Father of us all, in His infinite mercy, give you peace and comfort for the remainder of your life ! Heaven bless you, Margery, for the restitu- tion you have this day made !" "I am glad I have made it. I feel better I feel less of unhappiness than I have felt for years. The gain is mine as well as yours. Percy could have been never any more to me, while to you he will be a new joy, a new life." "And now, my lord, before I leave you, I have an earnest petition to offer. There are, of the brig's crew, a full score of men I think two-and-twenty of them at all events, Percy can give you their names." "I know them," said the young man, as she hesi- tated and glanced toward him. "They are men, my lord," she went on, "who never willingly committed crime. I have to beseech you, that when you come to lift the sword of justice against the pirates, these men may be spared. They" "My good Margery," interrupted the earl, with a benignant, happy look on his aged face, "I am pleased to tell you that the promise you ask I have already given to another. The only consideration on which Percy would at first agree to assist me in capturing the chief of the pirates was that I would give free passage, whithersoever they would go, to the men of whom you have spoken. Rest you easy, for I give you my word, not one of them not one, 250 THE SMUGGLER OF KING'S COVE. in short, who can prove that he possesses your avouch- ment for his character shall be molested." Margery bowed low as she thanked him ; then turned and left the room. Percy followed her out, but she had nothing more to say to him. "Go back, boy, to those who have a right to your love and your care. Yes, Percy, you are indeed and in truth that old man's grandson. Go back to him, and let your love make some little return of joy to him for the many, many hours of pain and grief my sin has cost him." The youth murmured a fervent blessing upon her, and left her. She found old Donald in the hall, and with him she returned to her cottage. An hour later four stout men, with a written order from her hand, appeared at the castle for the body of Ralph Maitland. That was the name which the mother had written. It was delivered to them, and they bore it away ; and the whole castle, in every part, and the whole household, seemed brighter and better when it was gone. With the coming of evening a calm and tranquil joy had settled upon the household of the castle; for there was not a servant on the broad estate who did not heartily rejoice in the knowledge that the brave and handsome youth, whom they had so long esteemed and loved for himself alone, was indeed and in truth their young lord. and master. "Ah," said the old earl, later in the evening, as he took the hand of his beautiful ward and gave it into MARGERY'S REVELATION CONCLUSION. 251 the loving grasp of his grandson, "If your parents are permitted to look down from -the celestial abode, and can behold the things we do here on earth, I believe, in my deepest heart, they will bless me fo^ that which now I do!" THE END. i UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. OCT09fi92 Form L9-Series 4939 ll 006 062 465 7 \ <.