CHAPTER XLIII
Inthe distance could be seen the Peak of Teneriffe, gleaming white among the clouds, and theHeronwas steaming steadily towards the island.
Aft of the yacht John Gaunt lay on a deck chair with his wife sitting close to him. Her hand rested in his, and there was peace and contentment on her face. Already the millionaire was better, and there was a little color on his cheeks, but there was a moody expression in his eyes.
“I am very happy, dearest,” Lady Mildred whispered.
But he did not answer, and she looked at him in wonder.
“Something is troubling you—what is it?”
“It is only that I have decided to go back to England when all the time I am longing to continue this voyage forever.”
“Why do you wish to return to England? Remember Sir Keith’s advice.”
“I must go, Mildred. There is a warrant out for my arrest, and the more manly course is to go and face the music.”
“But they may imprison you,” she cried vehemently.
“I must risk that, dear one. You wouldn’t have me play the coward.”
“No. I can only wish you to do what you believe to be your duty, John.”
“I thought you would say that. Call the captain to me.”
Gaunt’s eyes followed his wife with simple adoration.
“Captain, we sail straight for Southampton at full speed.”
Edward Drake had drawn near, and he uttered a cry.
“I had been hoping that you would decide to do that,” he said joyfully.
These last few days he had been struggling for the courage to give to Lady Ethel his brother’s last message, but he had dreaded to see her suffer. Now he could no longer postpone the unpleasant duty, and so he went to the saloon where he found her reading, and she looked up with a smile when he entered.
“Lady Ethel, there is something that I have been trying to tell you,” he began in a low voice.
The color came to her cheeks, and she could not look at him.
“Lindsay sent you a message. You know that he loved you as man rarely loves woman. He asked me to tell you that he would have died happy if he could only have known that you cared for him.”
Tears dimmed her eyes, but still she did not look at him.
“He was a man worthy of any woman’s love, and I believe that you would have been happy with him. I often watched you together, and it seemed to me that you did love him. It is something that we can share one another’s grief for his loss. If his life had been spared, we might have been brother and sister.”
She turned her eyes to him and he gave a cry of amazement.
“Ethel,” he cried hoarsely.
“Yes, I loved your brother as you love him—as a sister would love him, and, Edward, I have sorrowed for your sorrow. I have seen you suffering, and I could not speak.”
“Ethel, is it true?”
“Yes,” she whispered tremulously.
But the revulsion of feeling was too great and he stood before her, wonder, incredulity, and love in his eyes. In a moment his arms were around her, and he kissed her passionately, her hair—her eyes—her lips.
“My darling, do you love me?”
“Yes, Edward, for a very long time, but I did not always know it. I am glad you have told me, for now I can help to comfort you. I can share in your sorrow, for we have both lost a brother.”
And they told one another those things that are music to lovers’ ears. Suddenly Drake drew himself away.
“Do you realize that I am a poor man, and can offer you nothing?”
“Except love—and that is everything,” she interrupted him gently.
Gaunt and his wife were unfeignedly glad to hear the news, and after dinner the two men had a long talk.
“Drake, I have been thinking about my future. Whatever happens in England, I have determined upon my course of action. I believe that the attempt to fulfil my vow has made me a better man. I seem to see things differently and I am going to try to live the rest of my days—— It is difficult to explain, and I wantyour help. We will use my wealth together. You shall carry on your work in the East End of London, and you shall have all the money you require. I intend to make a settlement on your marriage to Ethel. No, don’t protest. I’m not thinking of you, but there may be others——”
“You are very generous,” Drake said with deep emotion.
He himself cared nothing for wealth, but it was pleasant to know that his wife would not be deprived of the luxuries to which she had been accustomed.
The voyage was an uneventful one and when Southampton was reached they proceeded straight to London.
It was not till late the next morning that the news of Gaunt’s arrival became known, and when he drove to Bow Street Police Court, the streets were thronged with an enthusiastic crowd who gave him the reception that is generally accorded to a popular hero.
He surrendered himself to the police, and later in the day was brought before the magistrate.
The proceedings were over in a few minutes. Mr. Ruggles, K. C., rose and spoke a few sentences.
“My clients have instructed me to withdraw the case, and I do so without comment.”
Sir Richard Tester then rose.
“I should like my client to have an opportunity of stating on oath what really occurred, and how Marillier was killed.”
The magistrate agreed, and Gaunt went into the witness box. The story was soon told and when he was formally discharged, a cheer was raised in the court, andit was with the utmost difficulty that he made his way back to the car. During the afternoon he found out that the case brought by the Amanti Company against Davis had collapsed from lack of evidence, and so that worry disappeared.
A week later Lady Ethel was quietly married to Edward Drake, and they started for the south of France, where Gaunt and his wife were to meet them in the yacht.
Sir Keith Hamilton was present at the wedding and dined that night at Gaunt House.
“You are a lucky man, Gaunt. You bring about an international revolution and escape without punishment. More than that, you become the idol of the great British public.”
“I owe a great deal to you, and am very grateful,” Gaunt answered earnestly.
“Then tell me one thing—what was your motive in taking up the cause of the natives of the Congo?” Sir Keith asked slowly.
Gaunt did not answer, but his eyes met his wife’s and they exchanged a look of perfect understanding.
And Sir Keith wondered and still wonders.
THE END