CHAPTER XXXVII
Lady Mildreddid not enter the car until theSaxonhad disappeared, and to her sister’s surprise her face was almost cheerful.
“Captain Samson lives in Southampton and I am going to see him at once.”
“You really intend to go to the Congo?” Lady Ethel asked quickly.
“Yes, and shall start as soon as possible. TheHeronis at Summers and Payne’s yard, and we will go there and find out Captain Samson’s address.”
An hour later they were in the house of the captain of Gaunt’s yacht, and Lady Mildred at once came to the point.
“Captain, how soon can theHeronstart on a long voyage?” she asked.
“A matter of a fortnight, my lady. The engineer is tinkering with his turbines and has got ’em to pieces,” Captain Samson replied.
“What is the shortest time, working night and day?” she insisted.
“It might be managed in a week, my lady,” the captain answered reflectively.
“It must be quicker than that, captain. We will sail on Friday next. Tell the steward to lay in stores for a long voyage, and the bunkers must be filled up.”
“May I ask where we are going, my lady?”
“First of all to the Canary Islands. See the engineer and have the work started at once. I shall be at the StationHotel on Thursday night, and I shall expect you there. Good-bye, captain.”
And with a cheerful nod Lady Mildred left him and gave the chauffeur orders to drive back to London.
“I don’t understand you,” Lady Ethel said timidly. “A couple of hours ago you were utterly miserable, while now you seem almost happy.”
“I am not sure that I understand myself. I am only thinking that in a week or two I shall see John. I have no fear how he will receive me, for I’ve no pride left, and I am prepared to go on my knees and ask his forgiveness for that cruel letter,” Lady Mildred said earnestly.
“I shall be glad to come with you, dear.”
“I am not sure that I ought to take you, for we cannot catch them up until they are in the Congo, and there may be danger.”
“I am not afraid,” Lady Ethel answered quickly.
During the next few days they were busy making preparations for the voyage, and it was not until Thursday that anything of importance happened. It chanced that they lunched at the Carlton Hotel and upon reaching the streets they heard the name of Gaunt being shouted by the newspaper boys.
“Disappearance of John Gaunt. Bail estreated.”
And they read an account of the proceedings at the police court. Mr. Ruggles, K. C., had been in great form and took full advantage of the position.
“Listen to this,” Lady Mildred cried, and proceeded to read from the paper. “The court was crowded this morning at the adjourned hearing of the charge of murder brought by the Congo government against Mr. John Gaunt. The magistrate took his seat and the nameof the millionaire was called, but there was no answer. At first it was believed that he had been delayed by some accident, but when half an hour had passed, it was murmured that he had left the country. The magistrate adjourned the court for an hour, and when he again sat the police gave evidence to the effect that Mr. Gaunt had not been seen for some few days. Inquiries at his office and at Park Lane gave no information, and it is assumed that, for some purpose of his own, he has left the country. Mr. Ruggles proceeded to address the court: ‘I must remind your Worship that I anticipated this event and strongly urged that bail should not be allowed. In spite of my urging you gave him his freedom, of which he appears to have taken full advantage. I apply to your Worship to grant a warrant for his arrest.’
“‘Have you anything to say?’ the magistrate asked of Sir Richard Tester.
“‘No, your Worship. I can only think that some accident has happened to my client.’
“‘We understand the warrant has been signed and is in the hands of the police.’”
“They will have to go a long way to execute it,” Lady Mildred remarked with a smile.
“You do not seem very distressed,” Lady Ethel answered drily.
Her answer was a laugh, and they alighted from the car to be met by Lord Lynton, who was just coming out of the house.
“I see you have heard the news,” he remarked with a glance at the paper which she still held in her hand. “I suppose the next we shall hear will be of his arrest.”
“I don’t think so,” Lady Mildred answered. “Come into the house, Geoffrey. I want to talk to you.”
Lord Lynton followed to her room, and it was evident that he was very curious.
“You have not the air of a wife who has just heard that the police are after her husband,” he remarked drily.
“Geoffrey, give me your word of honor that you will not breathe a word of what I tell you,” she said earnestly.
“I can keep a secret. It is my business,” he answered.
“Well then, John has gone back to the Congo. Ethel and I are going to follow him in theHeron. We sail to-morrow.”
“The devil you are!” he blurted out.
“Yes, and I think it would be as well if you came with us.”
“You may as well tell me the whole story.”
“Very well, but remember that it is in confidence,” she answered, and proceeded to relate all that had happened.
He listened in open-eyed amazement, and when she had finished he had lost some of his wonted composure.
“It is pure madness, and the man must be stopped,” he said hotly.
“Remember your promise,” she said warningly.
“Of course I will, but the thing is stupendous. It may cause a European war.”
“Will you come with us? We need not consider Europe. I am only thinking of my husband.”
“Yes. I will come if I can get leave of absence. When do you leave?”
“We shall motor to Southampton in a couple of hours’ time.”
“I will be back before that,” he answered, and hastened away.
Sir Keith Hamilton did not keep him waiting very long, and received him pleasantly.
“I suppose you have come about your brother-in-law. I shall not be altogether sorry if he has left the country and doesn’t return,” Sir Keith remarked drily.
“I have come to ask leave of absence for an indefinite time,” Lord Lynton answered, and his voice was very grave.
“For what purpose?”
“To accompany my sister on her yacht.”
“A pleasure trip?”
“Not exactly, sir. In fact I am bound to silence.”
“I see. Does this voyage concern Gaunt?”
“I can say that our destination is the Congo,” the Earl announced slowly.
“May I ask if Gaunt will be on board?”
“He will not. But please don’t cross-examine me, sir. I am in a difficult position, and I must keep my promise.”
“Yes, that is necessary,” Sir Keith said reflectively. “You can have your leave.”
“Thank you, sir. May I ask if you have confidence in my judgment?”
“Yes—to a degree,” was the cautious answer.
“I can tell you nothing, but I would suggest that the first cruiser squadron of the Atlantic fleet be sent to the Canary Islands for a few weeks.”
“That is a large order,” Sir Keith said with a smile, but his eyes were filled with curiosity.
“The squadron is now at Gibraltar. You know I would not suggest this without a weighty reason. Admiral Stretton is a fine sailor, and something of a diplomatist, I believe.”
The foreign secretary’s eyes did not leave the Earl’s face, and it was a long time before he spoke.
“I think I may venture to say that the squadron will cruise in the direction of the Canaries. May I understand that you will communicate with me when you are at liberty to do so?”
“Yes, sir. At the first opportunity.”
“You can tell me nothing further?”
“I am not sure that I have not already said too much. I am very anxious, and my responsibility is great.”
“May I ask if Gaunt has already gone to the Congo?” Sir Keith said quietly.
“I cannot tell you, sir.”
“Do you anticipate international trouble? I must admit that you have made me rather anxious. Cannot you give any further information at all?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, good-bye, and a pleasant voyage. My regards to your sister—and her husband.”
Lord Lynton returned at once to Park Lane and sought out his sister.
“Mildred, you must release me from my promise. Sir Keith ought to know everything,” he cried impetuously.
“You must not tell him. It is my husband’s secret, and if he is to fail, it shall not be through me,” she answered firmly.
“But you have no idea what is at stake. This action of Gaunt’s may precipitate a crisis.”
“Better that, than I should betray my husband.”
“I agree with Mildred,” Lady Ethel broke in quickly.
“You are only a child,” the Earl cried contemptuously.
“But I am coming with you,” she answered quietly.
“Upon consideration, I think it would be better that you should both stay at home. There may be danger, and you will be safer here,” he said firmly.
He was surprised at the laughter caused by his remark.
“Pray don’t joke, and it would be as well to understand that you are coming as a guest on my yacht,” Lady Mildred said coldly.
“You mean that you won’t obey me?” he answered hotly.
“The car is ready.Youmay stay in England if you wish. We are going,” Lady Mildred said quietly.
When they reached Southampton, Captain Samson was awaiting them at the hotel with the news that the yacht was ready for sea.
“Then we sail to-night,” Lady Mildred said promptly, and their luggage was taken aboard without any delay.
“Less than six days’ start,” Lady Mildred told herself, and as soon as they had left the harbor she interviewed the captain.
“You are to steam at full speed.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“It is a matter of life and death. Carry out my instructions carefully and I shall be very grateful.”
“Yes, my lady.”
And the captain returned to the bridge.