Storm Music (1934) (12 page)

The fellow looked scared.

"I— I didn't know, my lady. I— I thought his lordship was here."

"He went this evening. He says so. He's left a note."

The porter put a hand to his head. "No one has gone out, my lady, since half past nine. And at half past nine, my lady, I know that his lordship was here."

There was a startled silence. Then: "Fetch the night-watchman," said Helena.

The man ran into the courtyard and disappeared.

In a flash the wicket was open and I was outside.

I opened a door of the Rolls and ran for the Count.

She shot us one glance of horror, then she crumpled and sank down, dragging the dress about her.

As I heaved him into the car, I saw a bedraggled figure hurrying on to the bridge. I laid the Count flat on the floor-boards and put his coat over his face. Then I took my seat at the wheel and started to turn the car round.

Helena was speaking.

"Rouse the other watchmen and the warden as well. The castle is to be searched. Unless he left by a postern, his lordship must still be here. Tell the warden that I have news for his lordship which will not wait, that I've gone to Lass to catch him in case he has gone."

"Your ladyship will be returning?"

"Within the hour."

I had the car well in the shadows and Helena's door was open before she left the wicket to take her seat. And she was so quick that, though the porter made to escort her, I was able to have the car moving before he was out of the light.

As I whipped over the drawbridge I heard her sigh with relief.

"And now for Mona," she said.

The time was now half past twelve, which shows that much may be done in a quarter of an hour. Indeed. I would not have believed it if the clock had not been chiming as we passed over the bridge.

As we left the meadows I set a foot on the brake and switched out my lights.

For a moment we sat in silence.

Then :

"Mona," cried Helena. "Mona!"

The girl did not answer, and after a frantic moment I flung myself out of

the car.

"Mona!" I cried. "Where are you?"

A figure rose out of the night.

"She's hopped it, sir," said Barley. "Cut through the woods. But I'm thankful to see you, sir. And that's the truth."

It was twenty minutes later, on the skirts of Annabel village, that Barley stood by the Rolls and told us his tale.

We dared not return to the castle before ten minutes past one, for Lass was twelve miles from Yorick and not even the Rolls could have done the double journey in less than thirty-five minutes, no matter how much she was pushed. We had, therefore, ten minutes to spare— much against our will, for that Pharaoh was racing for Yorick we had not a shadow of doubt. Still, to be uneasy was foolish: that day I had done the journey as Pharaoh was doing it now.

It was now ten minutes to one— two hours since Pharaoh had found that the Rolls was gone. If a car had come by at that moment, he could have been at Sabbot at eleven o'clock— to find the village sleeping and every door shut and barred. Charm he never so wisely. Pharaoh would never leave Sabbot under the hour. The man could hardly use violence, for that would set the police on his track: and Sabbot's only garage had many faults. Its master was disobliging and deaf as a post— a hideous combination for anyone pressed for time; its complement of cars was shocking, but before I could take one away, I had had to pay a deposit of twenty pounds; its petrol-pump was not working: its boy was dull of comprehension and had his right arm in a sling.

Still, Pharaoh was Pharaoh, and Dewdrop was there to help. Supposing that they had left Sabbot at half past eleven o'clock. No car that came out of that garage could possibly bring them to Yorick in less than two hours and a half. Say two hours— just in case ... If Pharaoh had the luck of the devil, we might expect to see him at half-past one; but I would have laid a fortune that he would not arrive before six. (Here, perhaps, I should say that I had not forgotten the car I had left in the greenwood— Pharaoh's own car. But Pharaoh did not know it was there, nor did he know how to get to the spot where it stood. That he would stumble upon it was more than I could believe.)

So, as we had time to spare, Barley stood by the Rolls and told us his tale.

"A wire came on Monday, sir, a little later than usual, about ten o'clock. Return at once, it said, and it bore your name. Well, we left as sharp as we could— for Villach, of course; but when we gets out at Villach, there ain't no car to meet us, let alone no Rolls. 'That's queer,' says Mr. Bohun. 'I don't understand it,' he says. 'If Mr. Spencer could wire, he could send a car. It may be all right, but we'd better go careful, Barley, from this time on.' Well, we 'ired a car at Villach and stopped four miles from the farm. Then we enters the woods on foot. It was just about half past four when we sights the house. Everything looks as usual sleepy an' peaceful, you know, sir, an' no one about. But Mr. Bohun's uneasy. 'Mustn't rush in,' he says. 'You stay an' watch out.' he says, 'while I go round to the back.' He hadn't hardly spoken before Rush comes out on the apron, as bold as brass.

"I give you my word, sir, that shook us. We made sure they'd got you all right. But of course we couldn't do nothing until it was dark. Then we crept in and 'ad a close-up." He drew in his breath. "Those two— Rush and Bugle— they're simple: that's what they are. They're like a turn on the 'alls. You could walk right in between them before they'd know you were there. For 'alf an hour that evening we listened to what they said, and of course we very soon knew that Pharaoh'd got his foot in the castle and you was away. Then Mr. Bohun goes for the farmer's wife; but she knows nothing at all, except that his lordship's back and given special orders that Bugle and Rush is to have your rooms at the farm.

"Well, we had to have quarters somewhere, so Mr. Bohun comes here. 'The last place they'll look,' he says, 'and the best I know.' Then we starts in watchin' the castle and visitin' Plumage at night. And that was all we could do, for to look for you was hopeless— we didn't know where to begin. But we knew where Pharaoh was. and we made up our minds to get him, for once he was out of the way all roads were clear."

Barley closed his eyes and pushed back his hat.

"D'you think we could get that man sir? We could have had the others time and again. Bugle and Rush, I mean— though we could have had Dewdrop, too. But Mr. Bohun says, 'No. Bugle and Rush,' he says, 'is our information bureau. So we don't do them in.' he says; 'if there's any news goin' they'll have it, and we may as well be in on that.' So we've let them be— so far. But you wouldn't believe how we've laid an' laid for Pharaoh— and missed him every time. Look at tonight, sir. I'd been lyin' there where I met you since half-past six. Keepin' observation, I was, for Mr. Bohun's at Salzburg— I've told you that. To beat up his quarters, he said, in case you'd called. Well. I thought I had got him tonight, when the Rolls slowed down. I was ready to blow his head off— an' then it turns out that it's you. I don't believe in charmed lives, but if ever a blackguard had one. Pharaoh's him."

"You wait, Barley." said I, and got into the car. "When d'you expect Mr. Bohun?"

"Tomorrow morning, sir. About seven o'clock."

"What could be better?' said I "Tell him to expect me for breakfast at about a quarter to nine. And that after that, if he likes, we'll run along to Plumage and close the information bureau."

As I let in the clutch:

"Goodbye, Barley," cried Helena. "Do what you can for his lordship and please ask Mr. Bohun to forgive me for making free with his room."

But Barley made no answer. I think he was incapable of speech.

We were back at the castle within a quarter of an hour.

As the warden stepped out of the wicket, Helena spoke:

"Has anyone entered the castle since I've been gone?"

The porter replied:

"No one at all, my lady."

I had known that would be his answer, but the words were comfortable words. The race had been ours all the way, but now we knew it was over and the numbers were up. I began to wonder if Pharaoh had yet left Sabbot.

Helena was addressing the warden.

"He's not been to the station, Florin. Unless he's here, he must have gone somewhere by car."

"His lordship's not here, my lady. And the Adelaide postern was open, which shows that he went that way."

"He should have been seen on the drawbridge."

"He should, my lady. But one of the lamps went out about half-past ten. His lordship may well have gone by while the porter was making the change."

"The fact remains that he's gone when I needed his presence most. It can't be helped. I shall have to act without him. Open the gates."

I drove the Rolls under the archway and into the small courtyard.

As the leaves were closed behind us:

"Out of sight of the wicket." said Helena.

There was just enough room to berth the car out of view.

Helena turned to the warden, who had opened the door by her side.

"The porter is to put out his lights, but stay in his lodge. He is to open to no one until you return. Mark that. To no one at all. And in five minutes' time you and all the night-watchmen will come to the library."

"If your ladyship pleases," said Florin.

Helena left the car, and I followed her up the stairs.

As I closed the library door my lady took off her hat, pitched it on to a sofa and moved to the hearth.

"Put a match to this fire, John dear." I knelt to do her bidding. Then I patted her delicate instep and raised my eyes to her face.

"You must be worn out, my beauty."

She put out a little hand and touched my hair.

"I don't know why. I haven't done much but sit still."

I rose to my feet.

"What are you going to tell them?" For a moment she did not answer, but stood with her eyes on the flames.

Then—

"That the man that murdered young Florin is coming to the castle tonight; that three hours ago he did his best to kill you because he knows you can prove that he took young Florin's life; that they know him as 'Captain Faning.' but that I know him as 'Pharaoh' — a very dangerous felon, who is wanted for at least four murders in England alone." She turned to set her hands on my shoulders. "You must forgive me, darling, for playing this hand alone. But now you must stay in the background until we're through. They must not begin to believe that I'm acting on your advice. Now that Valentine's out of the way my authority here is supreme, but I'm putting a strain upon it when I use my brother's absence to order the death of his guest.

"IF he felt that you were behind me, the warden would seek to withstand the orders I'm going to give. I mean, they're pretty serious ... And so I must leave you right out— for this night only, my dear. Tomorrow— this afternoon you'll stand on another footing, for everyone in the castle will know I'm to be your wife."

I could not answer her, but I put my arms about her and kissed her lips.

For a moment we clung together. Then she drew back, flushed and smiling, leaving her hands in mine.

So we stood for another moment, looking into each other's eyes.

I think I never found her more lovely, for, with all her pride of beauty, she looked just a little shy. And she looked so glad to be shy ... And never before had I seen such stars in her eyes.

And then— the stars faded, and the light in her face went out.

The lips I had kissed were moving, but no words came—and her little hands were trembling, and the blood was out of her face.

She was looking over my shoulder— not so much with horror as dully, as though the battle were hopeless and she were tired.

As I let her go and swung round:

"Don't move, Mr. Spencer," said Pharaoh. "The triggers they give these things are absurdly light."

"This thing" was an automatic pistol, pointing in my direction, about six paces away.

I CONFESS that I was dumbfounded, and several seconds went by before I could find my tongue.

Then:

"That's so much bluff," said I. "This isn't the forester's cottage. If you fire on me here—"

"I most frankly admit," said Pharaoh, "that the feelings with which I should kill you would be extremely mixed. To be still more frank, I don't want you to force my hand. Not that I value your life. In fact, you're rather a nuisance. But if I were to— er— abate you, I should probably have to withdraw— and that wouldn't suit my book. But for you to take any action would suit my book even less. And so, if you move, I shall fire. I'm sure Lady Helena favours my point of view."

"Yes," said Helena quietly. "I see your point. Don't move, John, I beg you. He means what he says."

"He does indeed," said Pharaoh. "Stand perfectly still."

He covered the distance between us. Then he raised the pistol and placed the mouth of its barrel directly between my eyebrows against my skin. So he stood still for a moment, while a look of demoniac hatred ravaged his face. Then his hand went into my pocket and took my pistol out.

As he stepped back:

"Melodrama," said Helena.

The slightest tinge of colour came into Pharaoh's face. Then he shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

"Perhaps you're right," he said. "After the love scene, the strong stuff."

With his words a knock fell upon the door.

"Ah," said Pharaoh. "The trusty warden, no doubt. 'With his white hair unbonneted, the stout old sheriff comes; behind him march the halberdiers ...' I think you were going to tell him something, Lady Helena. Well, do have him in. But perhaps I ought to remind you that Mr. Spencer's life will depend upon what you say."

The pistols slid into his pockets; but though he withdrew his left hand, his right hand stayed where it was.

Again the warden knocked, and Helena raised her voice and cried to him to come in.

The warden entered the room.

As his eyes lit upon Pharaoh, he started, as though in surprise; then he closed the door behind him and turned to where Helena stood.

My lady moistened her lips.

"I'm not at all satisfied, Florin, with the watch that is being kept. Here's Captain Faning returned, but he was never challenged or—"

"I found a postern open," said Pharaoh. "To save the porter trouble, I entered by that."

"He should have been seen," said Helena, "crossing the bridge."

The warden looked greatly concerned.

"There is something amiss, my lady— I know not what. I will swear that Hubert is faithful, and Piers, who is watchman tonight, is a man of his word. Yet, as I tell them, they might have no eyes nor ears."

"There is something amiss," said Helena. "Double the watchmen, Florin, and stop all leave. Two porters are to stay in the lodge and to keep a list of all persons that use the bridge. No postern is to be opened without permission from me. Why were the servants abed when I came in?"

"By his lordship's orders, my lady."

"Those orders are cancelled— until his lordship returns. And now rouse his lordship's valet and let him prepare the room in the eastern tower the room above mine. Mr. Spencer will sleep there tonight. And rouse Rachel, as well. She will make my room ready and wait till I come. One thing more." she drew out her master key. "Here is my key, Florin. You may as well keep it for me until I need it again."

The warden bowed and took it.

"Will your ladyship speak to the men?"

"Not tonight. I've changed my mind. But please see that they do their duty. I've a definite feeling of danger— very pressing danger, Florin; so please beware."

"Rest assured, my lady, nothing that I can do shall be left undone."

Helena smiled and nodded, and the warden bowed low. Then he bowed to me, but not Pharaoh, and left the room.

There was a moment's silence. Then: "I congratulate you," said Pharaoh, "upon your quickness of wit. I had to give you some rope, and you used it all."

Helena took her seat in a high backed chair.

"I rather fancy," she said, "you'd have done the same."

"I don't know that I should have," said Pharaoh, wrinkling his brow. "I believe in a margin of safety ... Now, why do you think the warden ignored me when he went out?"

Helena shrugged her shoulders.

"Perhaps you don't command his respect."

Pharaoh fingered his chin.

"Dewdrop," he said quietly.

One of the curtains swayed, and Dewdrop stepped out.

"Concentrate on that warden, Dewdrop. You heard what her ladyship said. If he seems to be getting ideas, you must act for the best. The situation is delicate, Dewdrop, for what are we among so many? And now cover Mr. Spencer. I want to talk."

As Dewdrop moved towards me, he took his seat on a sofa and crossed his legs.

Seeing no reason to stand, I stepped to a table and took my seat on its edge. At a nod from Pharaoh Dewdrop took his stand on its farther side. I did not like him behind me and moved more than once, but he always moved when I did, to keep just out of my view.

Pharaoh was looking at Helena, smiling an insolent smile.

"I'm afraid it's clear," he drawled, "that you didn't expect me so soon." He sighed "That's been the misfortune of so many people I've known. Some of them are still living ... You see, a car came by, and its owner gave me a lift. To be perfectly frank, he surrendered the wheel to Dewdrop without a word." Again he fingered his chin. "You know, I can't help feeling you ought to have thought of that."

"I agree," said Helena, shortly.

"That was a bad mistake."

"BUT the only one," said Pharaoh. "Indeed. if I may say so, I'm much impressed. Mr. Spencer's quite a good chauffeur— I'm sure of that; but only a brain in a thousand would have thought of abducting the Count."

Helena stared.

"Are you being humorous?"

"No," said Pharaoh quietly. "I'm simply giving you the answer to a simple addition sum. As it's very short, I'll do it over again ... You left the castle as I was approaching the bridge. In fact. I was able to cross it while Hubert— the faithful Hubert was closing the wicket, before he re-entered the lodge. That's why he didn't see me. But that's by the way ... Well, I found your departure astounding. I mean, on the face of it, once you had gained the castle, to deliberately leave it again was the act of a fool. But you are no fool, Lady Helena ... I was still considering this paradox when I found the postern ajar. I confess that helped me a lot— in more ways than one. And the moment I heard that the Count of Yorick was missing, the sum came out." He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. "Let me put some cards on the table. I want you to see that, if for no other reason, because you have scruples you are weighted clean out of this race. You see, I am not so embarrassed— I never am. Now take tonight. Placed as you were, once I was back in the castle, nothing this side of hell would have got me out. Yet the Count would have disappeared. Now there's a little problem— which I will resolve. I assume he was drunk— forgive me, but he usually is by ten. Well, they say blood's thicker than water, but I never found it so. I should have dropped him gently into the moat ... "