A Bid for Fortune · Part II · Chapter 2 3 (1/3)

III

Lord Beckenham’s Story

“When you left me, Mr. Hatteras, to visit Miss Wetherell at Potts Point, I remained in the house for half an hour or so reading. Then, thinking no harm could possibly come of it, I started out for a little excursion on my own account. It was about half-past eleven then.

“Leaving the hotel I made for the ferry and crossed Darling Harbour to Millers Point; then, setting myself for a good ramble, off I went through the city, up one street and down another, to eventually bring up in the botanical gardens. The view was so exquisite that I sat myself down on a seat and resigned myself to rapturous contemplation of it. How long I remained there I could not possibly say. I only know that while I was watching the movements of a man-o’-war in the cove below me I became aware, by intuition⁠—for I did not look at him⁠—that I was the object of close scrutiny by a man standing some little distance from me. Presently I found him drawing closer to me, until he came boldly up and seated himself beside me. He was a queer-looking little chap, in some ways not unlike my old tutor Baxter, with a shrewd, clean-shaven face, grey hair, bushy eyebrows, and a long and rather hooked nose. He was well dressed, and when he spoke did so with some show of education. When we had been sitting side by side for some minutes he turned to me and said⁠—

“ ‘It is a beautiful picture we have spread before us, is it not?’

“ ‘It is, indeed,’ I answered. ‘And what a diversity of shipping?’

“ ‘You may well say that,’ he continued. ‘It would be an interesting study, would it not, to make a list of all the craft that pass in and out of this harbour in a day⁠—to put down the places where they were built and whence they hail, the characters of their owners and commanders, and their errands about the world. What a book it would make, would it not? Look at that man-o’-war in Farm Cove; think of the money she cost, think of where that money came from⁠—the rich people who paid without thinking, the poor who dreaded the coming of the tax collector like a visit from the Evil One; imagine the busy dockyard in which she was built⁠—can’t you seem to hear the clang of the riveters and the buzzing of the steam saws? Then take that Norwegian boat passing the fort there; think of her birthplace in far Norway, think of the places she has since seen, imagine her masts growing in the forests on the mountainside of lonely fjords, where the silence is so intense that a stone rolling down and dropping into the water echoes like thunder. Then again, look at that emigrant vessel steaming slowly up the harbour; think of the folk aboard her, every one with his hopes and fears, confident of a successful future in this terra incognita, or despondent of that and everything else. Away to the left there you see a little island schooner making her way down towards the blue Pacific; imagine her in a few weeks among the islands⁠—tropical heavens dropped down into sunlit waters⁠—buying such produce as perhaps you have never heard of. Yes, it is a wonderful picture⁠—a very wonderful picture?’

“ ‘You seem to have studied it very carefully,’ I said, after a moment’s silence.

“ ‘Perhaps I have,’ he answered. ‘I am deeply interested in the life of the sea⁠—few more so. Are you a stranger in New South Wales?’

“ ‘Quite a stranger,’ I replied. ‘I only arrived in Australia a few days since.’

“ ‘Indeed! Then you have to make the acquaintance of many entrancing beauties yet. Forgive my impertinence, but if you are on a tour, let me recommend you to see the islands before you return to your home.’

“ ‘The South-Sea Islands, I presume you mean?’ I said.

“ ‘Yes; the bewitching islands of the Southern Seas! The most entrancingly beautiful spots on God’s beautiful earth! See them before you go. They will amply repay any trouble it may cost you to reach them.’

“ ‘I should like to see them very much,’ I answered, feeling my enthusiasm rising at his words.

“ ‘Perhaps you are interested in them already,’ he continued.

“ ‘Very much indeed,’ I replied.

“ ‘Then, in that case, I may not be considered presumptuous if I offer to assist you. I am an old South-Sea merchant myself, and I have amassed a large collection of beautiful objects from the islands. If you would allow me the pleasure I should be delighted to show them to you.’

“ ‘I should like to see them very much indeed,’ I answered, thinking it extremely civil of him to make the offer.

“ ‘If you have time we might perhaps go and overhaul them now. My house is but a short distance from the Domain, and my carriage is waiting at the gates.’

“ ‘I shall be delighted,’ I said, thinking there could be no possible harm in my accepting his courteous invitation.

“ ‘But before we go, may I be allowed to introduce myself,’ the old gentleman said, taking a card-case from his pocket and withdrawing a card. This he handed to me, and on it I read⁠—

“ ‘Mr. Mathew Draper.

“ ‘I am afraid I have no card to offer you in return,’ I said; ‘but I am the Marquis of Beckenham.’

“ ‘Indeed! Then I am doubly honoured,’ the old gentleman said with a low bow. ‘Now shall we wend our way up towards my carriage?’

“We did so, chatting as we went. At the gates a neat brougham was waiting for us, and in it we took our places.

“ ‘Home,’ cried my host, and forthwith we set off down the street. Up one thoroughfare and down another we passed, until I lost all count of our direction. Throughout the drive my companion talked away in his best style; commented on the architecture of the houses, had many queer stories to tell of the passersby, and in many other ways kept my attention engaged till the carriage came to a standstill before a small but pretty villa in a quiet street.

“Mr. Draper immediately alighted, and when I had done so, dismissed his coachman, who drove away as we passed through the little garden and approached the dwelling. The front door was opened by a dignified manservant, and we entered. The hall, which was a spacious one for so small a dwelling, was filled with curios and weapons, but I had small time for observing them, as my host led me towards a room at the back. As we entered it he said, ‘I make you welcome to my house, my lord. I hope, now that you have taken the trouble to come, I shall be able to show you something that will repay your visit.’ Thereupon, bidding me seat myself for a few moments, he excused himself and left the room. When he returned he began to do the honours of the apartment. First we examined a rack of Australian spears, nulla-nullas, and boomerangs, then another containing New Zealand hatchets and clubs. After this we crossed to a sort of alcove where reposed in cases a great number of curios collected from the further islands of the Pacific. I was about to take up one of these when the door on the other side of the room opened and someone entered. At first I did not look round, but hearing the newcomer approaching me I turned, to find myself, to my horrified surprise, face to face with no less a person than Dr. Nikola. He was dressed entirely in black, his coat was buttoned and displayed all the symmetry of his peculiar figure, while his hair seemed blacker and his complexion even paler than before. He had evidently been prepared for my visit, for he held out his hand and greeted me without a sign of astonishment upon his face.

“ ‘This is indeed a pleasure, my lord,’ he said, still with his hand outstretched, looking hard at me with his peculiar catlike eyes. ‘I did not expect to see you again so soon. And you are evidently a little surprised at meeting me.’

“ ‘I am more than surprised,’ I answered bitterly, seeing how easily I had been entrapped. ‘I am horribly mortified and angry. Mr. Draper, you had an easy victim.’

“Mr. Draper said nothing, but Dr. Nikola dropped into a chair and spoke for him.

“ ‘You must not blame my old friend Draper,’ he said suavely. ‘We have been wondering for the last twenty-four hours how we might best get hold of you, and the means we have employed so successfully seemed the only possible way. Have no fear, my lord, you shall not be hurt. In less than twenty-four hours you will enjoy the society of your energetic friend Mr. Hatteras again.’

“ ‘What is your reason for abducting me like this?’ I asked. ‘You are foolish to do so, for Mr. Hatteras will leave no stone unturned to find me.’

“ ‘I do not doubt that at all,’ said Dr. Nikola quietly; ‘but I think Mr. Hatteras will find he will have all his work cut out for him this time.’

“ ‘If you imagine that your plans are not known in Sydney you are mistaken,’ I cried. ‘The farce you are playing at Government House is detected, and Mr. Hatteras, directly he finds I am lost, will go to Lord Amberley and reveal everything.’

“ ‘I have not the slightest objection,’ returned Dr. Nikola quietly. ‘By the time Mr. Hatteras can take those steps⁠—indeed, by the time he discovers your absence at all, we shall be beyond the reach of his vengeance.’

“I could not follow his meaning, of course, but while he had been speaking I had been looking stealthily round me for a means of escape. The only way out of the room was, of course, by the door, but both Nikola and his ally were between me and that. Then a big stone hatchet hanging on the wall near me caught my eye. Hardly had I seen it before an idea flashed through my brain. Supposing I seized it and fought my way out. The door of the room stood open, and I noticed with delight that the key was in the lock on the outside. One rush, armed with the big hatchet, would take me into the passage; then before my foes could recover their wits I might be able to turn the key, and, having locked them in, make my escape from the house before I could be stopped.

“Without another thought I made up my mind, sprang to the wall, wrenched down the hatchet, and prepared for my rush. But by the time I had done it both Nikola and Draper were on their feet.

“ ‘Out of my way!’ I cried, raising my awful weapon aloft. ‘Stop me at your peril!’

“With my hatchet in the air I looked at Nikola. He was standing rigidly erect, with one arm outstretched, the hand pointing at me. His eyes glared like living coals, and when he spoke his voice came from between his teeth like a serpent’s hiss.

“ ‘Put down that axe!’ he said.

“With that the old horrible fear of him which had seized me on board ship came over me again. His eyes fascinated me so that I could not look away from them. I put down the hatchet without another thought. Still he gazed at me in the same hideous fashion.

“ ‘Sit down in that chair,’ he said quietly. ‘You cannot disobey me.’ And indeed I could not. My heart was throbbing painfully, and an awful dizziness was creeping over me. Still I could not get away from those terrible eyes. They seemed to be growing larger and fiercer every moment. Oh! I can feel the horror of them even now. As I gazed his white right hand was moving to and fro before me with regular sweeps, and with each one I felt my own will growing weaker and weaker. That I was being mesmerised, I had no doubt, but if I had been going to be murdered I could not have moved a finger to save myself.

“Then there came a sudden but imperative knock at the door, and both Nikola and Draper rose. Next moment the man whom we had noticed in the train as we came up from Melbourne, and against whom you, Mr. Hatteras, had warned me in Sydney, entered the room. He crossed and stood respectfully before Nikola.

“ ‘Well, Mr. Eastover, what news?’ asked the latter. ‘Have you done what I told you?’

“ ‘Everything,’ the man answered, taking an envelope from his pocket. ‘Here is the letter you wanted.’

“Nikola took it from his subordinate’s hand, broke the seal, and having withdrawn the contents, read it carefully. All this time, seeing resistance was quite useless, I did not move. I felt too sick and giddy for anything. When he had finished his correspondence Nikola said something in an undertone to Draper, who immediately left the room. During the time he was absent none of us spoke. Presently he returned, bringing with him a wine glass filled with water, which he presented to Nikola.

“ ‘Thank you,’ said that gentleman, feeling in his waistcoat pocket. Presently he found what he wanted and produced what looked like a small silver scent-bottle. Unscrewing the top, he poured from it into the wine glass a few drops of some dark-coloured liquid. Having done this he smelt it carefully and then handed it to me.

“ ‘I must ask you to drink this, my lord,’ he said. ‘You need have no fear of the result: it is perfectly harmless.’

“Did ever man hear such a cool proposition? Very naturally I declined to do as he wished.

“ ‘You must drink it!’ he reiterated. ‘Pray do so at once. I have no time to waste bandying words with you.’

“ ‘I will not drink it!’ I cried, rising to my feet, and prepared to make a fight for it if need should be.

“Once more those eyes grew terrible, and once more that hand began to make the passes before my face. Again I felt the dizziness stealing over me. His will was growing every moment too strong for me. I could not resist him. So when he once more said, ‘Drink!’ I took the glass and did as I was ordered. After that I remember seeing Nikola, Draper, and the man they called Eastover engaged in earnest conversation on the other side of the room. I remember Nikola crossing to where I sat and gazing steadfastly into my face, and after that I recollect no more until I came to my senses in this room, to find myself bound and gagged. For what seemed like hours I lay in agony, then I heard footsteps in the verandah, and next moment the sound of voices. I tried to call for help, but could utter no words. I thought you would go away without discovering me, but fortunately for me you did not do so. Now, Mr. Hatteras, I have told you everything; you know my story from the time you left me up to the present moment.”

For some time after the Marquis had concluded his strange story both the Inspector and I sat in deep thought. That Beckenham had been kidnapped in order that he should be out of the way while the villainous plot for abducting Phyllis was being enacted there could be no doubt. But why had he been chosen? and what clues were we to gather from what he had told us? I turned to the Inspector and said⁠—

“What do you think will be the best course for us to pursue now?”

“I have been wondering myself. I think, as there is nothing to be learned from this house, the better plan would be for you two gentleman to go back to Mr. Wetherell, while I return to the detective office and see if anything has been discovered by the men there. As soon as I have found out I will join you at Potts Point. What do you think?”

I agreed that it would be the best course; so, taking the Marquis by the arms (for he was still too weak to walk alone), we left the house and were about to step into the street when I stopped, and asking them to wait for me ran back into the room again. In the corner, just as it had been thrown down, lay the rope with which Beckenham had been bound and the pad which had been fitted over his mouth. I picked both up and carried them into the verandah.

“Come here, Mr. Inspector,” I cried. “I thought I should learn something from this. Take a look at this rope and this pad, and tell me what you make of them.”

He took each up in turn and looked them over and over. But he only shook his head.

“I don’t see anything to guide us,” he said as he laid them down again.

“Don’t you?” I cried. “Why, they tell me more than I have learnt from anything else I’ve seen. Look at the two ends of this.” (Here I took up the rope and showed it to him.) “They’re seized!”

I looked triumphantly at him, but he only stared at me in surprise, and said, “What do you mean by ‘seized?’ ”