CHAPTER XLII
Theflag-ship of the admiral of the Atlantic cruiser squadron was theInvincibleand she led as the fleet swept towards the mouth of the river.
Admiral Stretton was on the quarter-deck, and there was a grim smile on his face as he looked at the disabled steamers.
“They certainly haven’t been idle,” he muttered to himself.
His flag-lieutenant approached and saluted.
“The barge is ready, sir,” he announced.
The cruiser’s twelve inch guns were pointed full on theEsmeraldaand the crew stood at their quarters. The fleet had ceased moving and the semaphore on the flag-ship was busily signaling orders.
The admiral entered the barge, accompanied by his flag-lieutenant, and they started off at once. Captain Armstrong stood at the gangway of the cruiser. He was dressed in a suit of drill and wore the white pith helmet of the civilian, but his hand was brought sharply to the salute.
“I have seen you before, sir,” the admiral said grimly.
“Yes, sir.”
“You were in the service?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Perhaps it would be as well if I do not ask you yourname. Who is the lady?” the admiral demanded abruptly.
“I am Lady Mildred Gaunt,” she answered coldly.
“Take me to your cabin,” the admiral said gruffly to the captain, and did not speak again till they were alone.
“This is a pretty business, sir. Do you realize that you have forced my squadron to come to this diabolical spot? You deserve hanging,” the admiral said angrily.
Captain Armstrong did not answer, but there was a twinkle in his eye.
“You can tell me your story. You may as well start at the beginning.”
Now and then Armstrong was stopped to answer a question, but very quickly the admiral knew everything there was to be known.
“A mad adventure from the start, sir.”
“Has it succeeded, sir? We have had no news at all,” Armstrong asked eagerly.
“The Powers have taken over the Congo, if that’s what you want to know.”
“Hurrah! Pardon me, sir. I will be back in a minute,” Armstrong cried and hastened to Drake with the news.
“We’ve beaten the beggars,” he cried triumphantly.
Drake’s face flushed, and then became ashen.
“Tell me,” he whispered hoarsely, and Armstrong repeated the admiral’s words.
“I must go and let Gaunt know,” Drake said excitedly, and Armstrong returned to his cabin.
“Well, sir, what punishment do you think you and that man Gaunt deserve? What am I to do with you?” the admiral asked grimly.
“That depends upon your instructions, sir,” Armstrong answered with a smile.
The admiral smiled, and took a cigarette from a silver box on the table.
“Yes, I have received my instructions, as you suggest. Armstrong, I will drop the official, and will speak to you as man to man.”
“You know my name.”
“Yes—unofficially. Now I am going to give you a hint. The fleet will be off the mouth of the river to-night, but I cannot guarantee that a careful watch will be kept. In fact, I think that a man who has had experience in handling a destroyer might creep out without being seen,” the admiral remarked slowly and significantly.
“I understand, sir.”
“I must see Gaunt. I have a message for him.”
“He is very ill.”
“Still, I must see him,” the admiral said, and the words amounted to an order.
Lady Mildred, who had been seated by her husband, rose when they entered and looked questioningly at the admiral.
“My husband must not be disturbed,” she said quietly.
“I am afraid that I must deliver a message to him, my lady. Armstrong, you can go.”
The captain saluted and disappeared.
“Mr. Gaunt, I won’t trouble you with a long discourse. To-night Captain Armstrong will sail this cruiser for San Salvador. Sir Keith Hamilton thinks that that will be the best solution, for it would be impossible to procure a conviction should you be tried in England. I wouldsuggest that, when it is dark, you, your wife and the parson, go to the yacht. It would be as well if you also have disappeared by daybreak. I myself shall have to stay here while my engineers make good some of the damage you have done.”
“Am I to understand that I am to be allowed to go free?” Gaunt asked quietly.
“It amounts to that,” the admiral answered.
“Thank God!” Lady Mildred cried fervently, and her face was aglow with joy.
“In my last wireless from the Admiralty, there was a message for you from Sir Keith Hamilton. ‘Tell Gaunt that he may consider himself a lucky man, and suggest that he take a twelvemonth voyage round the world, for the benefit of his health.’ In my opinion the advice is good.”
There was a knock at the door and Captain Armstrong entered.
“The Governor-General’s launch is making for the flag-ship, sir, and I think his Excellency is on board.”
“Then I am afraid he will have to wait a while. I don’t know that I am particularly anxious to see him till you are safely out of the way. Perhaps Lady Mildred would give me some tea?” the admiral said with a deferential bow.
Like the majority of sailors, the admiral had an eye for a pretty woman, and Lady Mildred smiled graciously, for she was very grateful for the mercy that was being shown to her husband.
She looked at Gaunt and read consent in his eyes.
“Perhaps Captain Armstrong will join us,” she said demurely.
It was dusk when the admiral left and an hour later a launch left theEsmeraldafor theHeron. Gaunt was carefully covered with blankets, and stood the journey well.
Captain Armstrong had accompanied them and shook hands with his companions in adventure.
“Good-bye, Gaunt. I hope that you will be quite fit when we meet again. Good-bye, Padre,” and he gripped their hands tightly.
And when morning came theEsmeraldaand theHeronhad vanished from the mouth of the Congo.