The Kidnapped President

by Guy Boothby

  CHAPTER VIII

  So long as I may live I shall never forget the ball at which I waspresent that night. The scene was gay beyond description. All the Rankand Fashion of La Gloria, and one might almost say of Equinata, wereassembled there. When the dancing had been in progress for some time,the President and the Senorita Dolores put in an appearance and werereceived by the committee to the strains of the National Air. I mustconfess that Fernandez made a most imposing figure, with his broadribbon of the Order of La Gloria, and his wealth of foreigndecorations. As for his companion, it would be difficult for a meremale mortal to find words in which to describe the picture shepresented. As soon as it was permissible I crossed the room to her andhumbly asked her for a dance. She was graciously pleased to give meone, and presently we found ourselves circling round the room togetherto the music of a long swinging waltz, excellently played. AfterwardsI escorted her from the ball-room into the balcony. It was a lovelynight, and so still, that in the pauses of the music the sound of thewaves upon the beach could be distinctly heard, though more than amile away. I procured my companion's mantilla for her, with which shedraped her head and neck, with characteristic grace. Never, I aminclined to believe, had she looked lovelier than she did at thatmoment, and when she leant upon the balustrading of the balcony, andlooked across the city towards the mountains, behind which the moonwas rising, I vowed that I had never beheld a fairer picture. Few mencould have stood beside her then and not have felt the fascination ofher presence.

  "Senor Trevelyan," she said meditatively, in a voice that was as lowand musical as the deep notes of a guitar, "what a strange thing islife! You and I stand here together now. Out of the infinite you holdmy attention for minutes that never can be recalled. Later we shallseparate, and then you will go your way, and I shall go mine. In allprobability we shall never meet again--yet through Eternity ourdestinies will be linked, like the strands of a rope, by theremembrance of a few minutes' conversation on a certain moonlightnight in Equinata."

  I must confess that this sudden seriousness on her part puzzled meconsiderably. A moment before she had been all gaiety, a few secondslater she was gravity personified. The change was so instantaneousthat I found it difficult to follow her.

  "I am afraid I must be very obtuse," I stammered, "but I cannot saythat I have quite caught your meaning."

  "I am not sure that I know it myself," she replied. "The beauty of thenight has taken hold of me. The rising of the moon always has acurious effect upon me. I am afraid you will think me very absurd, butpeople say I have a strange way of looking at things. I was thinkingof our life. Consider for a moment how much we are governed by Chance.We meet some one we like, some one whom we believe might prove a goodfriend if ever occasion should arise. He, or she, crosses our path,tarries perhaps for a moment with us, and then vanishes, never to beseen by us again."

  "But we have the consolation of recollection left us," I replied, moreimpressed than ever by her curious mood. "Every day we put awayimpressions in memory's store-house--mental photographs, may I callthem--which will conjure up the Past for us in fifty years' time ifneed be. Think of the impression I am receiving at this moment. Itwill never be effaced. The scent of the orange blossoms, the gloriousmoonlight, the music of the ball-room yonder, and you leaning upon thebalustrading looking down upon the sleeping city. The picture willstill be with me even though I have the misfortune to be many thousandmiles from La Gloria. In fifty years' time I may be in an Englishvillage, in a Chinese seaport, or on the South African Karroo; thenthe shimmer of the moonlight on a leaf--a chance strain of music--evena piece of black lace, like that of your mantilla--will be sufficientto bring the whole scene before my mind's eye. In a flash I shall betransported to this balcony, and you will be standing beside me oncemore."

  It seemed to me that she gave a little shiver as I said this.

  "If your mental photographs are to be so vivid," she continued, "whata sorry figure I shall cut in them, if through all time I continue totalk as I have been doing to-night." Then changing her manner, shewent on, "I fear you will soon grow tired of Equinata."

  "That could never be," I replied. "I only wish it were in my power tostay longer."

  "When do you think it will be necessary for you to leave?" sheinquired, as if the question were one of the utmost importance.

  "It is difficult to say," I answered. "I am afraid, however, it willnot be many more days. I have received information concerning somerather important business that may possibly necessitate my leaving forEurope almost immediately."

  "I am sorry to hear that," she said meditatively. "We had lookedforward to enjoying the pleasure of your society for some time tocome."

  She spoke as if I were an old friend whom she feared to lose. Had astranger been present, he or she would have found it difficult tobelieve that a fortnight before we had never set eyes on each other.There are many men in the world who, had they been in my place, woulddoubtless have been charmed, and perhaps more than charmed, by theinterest she displayed in my doings. She was a vastly pretty woman,dangerously pretty in fact, but even her tender interest in my affairswas not sufficient to shake my equilibrium. Ten minutes or so later wereturned to the ball-room, and I surrendered her to the partner whocame to claim her. Having done so, I was walking towards the furtherend of the room, when the President accosted me. He was in a mostaffable mood, and was evidently disposed for a chat.

  "You do not appear to be dancing very much, Senor Trevelyan," he said,dropping into English, as was his wont when we were alone together."Is it possible you feel inclined for a cigar?"

  "I am more than inclined," I replied, "I am pining for one. I neverwas much of a dancing man. The hard sort of life I have been compelledto lead has not permitted me much opportunity for practising thatgraceful art."

  The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I realized what a slip Ihad made. So far as he was aware, I was, to all intents and purposes,a rich young Englishman, and should be without a care in the world. Itwould therefore seem to him strange that I should not have had muchchance of perfecting my knowledge of the terpsichorean art.

  "I mean to say," I went on, as we made our way across the grand lobbyto the smoking-room, "that after I left school, I was for some timeabroad, and--well, the fact of the matter is, I never laid myself outvery much for ladies' society."

  "I think I understand," he replied gravely. "Like myself, you preferto look for your amusements in other directions. Your passion for thesea I can quite appreciate, but I think, were I in your place, Ishould prefer a somewhat larger craft than your yacht. A mail-boat,for instance, such as the _Pernambuco_--or the _Amantillado_ wouldcome somewhat nearer the mark."

  There was nothing remarkable in what he said, and his voice never fora second rose above its customary pitch. Nevertheless, I looked at himin overwhelming astonishment. It seemed to me his words were spokenwith a deliberate intent, and were meant to have a definite valueplaced upon them. It was not the first time I had had the impressionforced upon me, and it was not a pleasant one, I can assure you, thathe had become aware of the real reason for my presence in Equinata. Ihastened to abandon the subject of the sea, and directed theconversation into another channel. The result, however, was very muchthe same. We thereupon discussed the possibilities of a European war,which at that moment seemed not improbable.

  "Power," he returned, _a propos_ of a remark of mine, "is in myopinion precisely a question of temperament. Your London crowd is welltrained and will stand what would drive a Neapolitan or a French mobto violence. Such speeches are delivered in your parks on Sundays aswould prove in these latitudes as intoxicating as brandy. I have knowna Revolution started by an ill-timed jest, a city wrecked, and athousand lives lost in consequence. Talking of Revolutions, have youever had the misfortune to be called upon to take part in one?"

  Once more my suspicions were aroused.

  "Good gracious, no!" I cried. "What makes you ask me such a question?Do I look like the sort of person who would be
likely to have to dowith such affairs?"

  He glanced at me for a moment over the top of the cigar which he hadtaken from his mouth and was holding between his long slim fingers, asif to enjoy the beautiful aroma.

  "I was merely venturing an inquiry," he continued, in the same quietfashion as before. "If you have not, you should try the experiment.Believe me, there is a very fair amount of excitement to be got out ofit, particularly if you have not the good fortune to be on the winningside. You have met Don Guzman de Silvestre, of course?"

  "Don Guzman de who?" I asked, as if I had not quite caught the name.

  "My predecessor," the President replied. "I thought that probably youmight have come across him in your travels. He knocks about theContinent a good deal, and I am told he is well known at the variousports at which the mail-boats touch."

  The situation was momentarily getting beyond me. I felt that I couldnot stand much more of it. He had referred to the _Pernambuco_, andhad recommended me to try my hand at a Revolution; he had mentionedDon Guzman de Silvestre, and now he was speaking of the ports at whichthe South American mail-boats call, and implying that I was familiarwith them. What did it all mean? Was it only a matter of chance, orwas he aware of my identity, and only biding his time to rise andupset all my calculations? I think you will agree with me in sayingthat it was not a pleasant position for a man to be placed in!

  "I remember," he went on, "on one occasion smoking a cigar with DonGuzman de Silvestre in this very balcony--he was sitting exactly whereyou are now. Though he thought I was not aware of it, I happened toknow that he was at that time hatching a plot that he hoped wouldupset my calculations, turn me out of my palace, and make himPresident in my stead. He had been laying his plans for months, andwas quite sure that they would succeed!"

  "And the result?"

  "The result was that it failed. If he had not managed to escape whenhe did, I am afraid his life would have paid the forfeit. In spite ofthe advice I gave you just now, interference in Revolutions inEquinata is not an amusement I should recommend to every one."

  "I trust I may never be called upon to try it," I replied fervently.

  "I hope you will not," he returned, without looking at me. "It's anunprofitable speculation unless you are certain of your cards. Thestrongest, of course, wins, and the loser generally goes to the wall."

  I thought I understood to what wall he referred.

  A few moments' silence followed his last speech. The President was thefirst to break it by referring to what he hoped would be the future ofhis country. It was evident that he firmly believed in it and itscapabilities. Then, rising from his chair, he bade me "good-night"with an abruptness that was almost disconcerting.

  When he had gone, and I had finished my cigar, I returned to theball-room in time to meet the Presidential party as they were leaving.

  "Good-night, Senor Trevelyan," said the senorita. "The Little Sistersare indebted to you for your most generous contribution. In their nameI thank you."

  "And I am equally indebted to them for the pleasure I have beenpermitted to enjoy this evening," I replied.

  She bowed to me, and passed on, on her uncle's arm, towards theentrance. When they had departed I obtained my hat and cloak, and inmy turn left the building. During the last ten minutes my spirits hadbeen dropping down and down until they reached zero. Never since I hadconsented to Don Guzman's plan had my business in Equinata seemed sohazardous or indeed so despicable to me. I felt that I would havegiven anything never to have set eyes on my tempter, or to havelistened to his invidious proposal. However, I am not going tomoralize. I've my story to tell, and tell it I must, and in as fewwords as possible.

  When I left the Opera House, the moon was sailing in a cloudless sky,and, in consequence, the streets were almost as light as day. It was alittle after midnight, and I had not ordered the boat to meet me atthe wharf until one o'clock. I had therefore plenty of time at mydisposal. As I passed out of the Great Square and entered the Calle deSan Pedro, the cathedral clock chimed the quarter past the hour. Istrolled leisurely along, so that it was half-past by the time Ireached the wharf. Then I lighted another cigar, and, seating myselfon a stone block, prepared to await the arrival of the boat. I hadperhaps been seated there ten minutes, when, suddenly, and before Icould do anything to protect myself, a bag or cloth, I could not tellwhich, was thrown over my head, and my arms were pinioned from behind.Then a voice said in Spanish, "Lift him up, and bring him along.There's not a moment to lose." Thereupon a man took hold of myshoulders and another my legs, and I felt myself being carried along,though in what direction I could not of course tell. A few secondslater, however, I was dumped down on the wooden floor of what wasevidently a cart. The crack of a whip followed, and we were off at abrisk pace somewhere--but where? The bag by this time was coming nearto stifling me. It had been pulled so tight round my head that it wasonly with the greatest difficulty I could breathe. Eventually, Isuppose, I must have lost consciousness, for I have no recollection ofanything that happened until I opened my eyes to find myself lying onthe floor of a small, bare room, through the grated windows of whichthe moonlight was streaming in. Thank goodness, the bag was gone, butmy head ached consumedly, and I felt about as sick and wretched as aman could well be.

  "I felt about as sick and wretched as a man could well be."]

  After a while I sat up, and endeavoured to puzzle out my position.Where was I? Who was it had made me prisoner? Was it a simple act ofbrigandage, having plunder for its motive, or had the Presidentdiscovered the plot against him and ordered my arrest? Not one of thequestions could I answer. In the hope of being able to solve theproblem of my whereabouts, however, I got on to my feet andendeavoured to look out of the window, only to discover that it wasout of my reach, and that I was too weak to draw myself up to it. Itherefore seated myself on the floor once more, for the room or cell,whichever I cared to call it, was destitute of furniture, and resignedmyself to my miserable thoughts.

  To use a stage expression, it was a pretty market I had brought mypigs to! I had felt so confident that my errand was not known, andthat I should succeed in getting safely out of the country, that I hadneglected the most simple precautions, and in consequence here I was aprisoner, with the pleasing possibility ahead of me of either havingmy throat cut by a common murderer before the night was past, or, whatwas more probable, of being propped against a wall and shot byPresident Fernandez' soldiers at daybreak. The mere knowledge that Iwas still alive, and that my watch, chain, and money had not beentaken from me, pointed to the fact that I was a prisoner of the State,and not of a private individual. All things considered, it would bedifficult to say which would prove the worse fate.

  Putting aside for the moment the question as to whose captive I was, Iexamined my watch, and discovered that it was just half-past one. Onlyan hour had elapsed since the episode on the wharf--to me, however,it seemed an Eternity. After a while, feeling stronger, I got on to myfeet again, and began to pace the room. I also tried the door, only tofind it locked. They had got me fast enough. So much was certain. Thenext time, I told myself, I crossed the threshold, it would in allprobability be to be haled to a place of execution. For upwards of anhour I paced the room, calling myself a fool and idiot, and everyother name I could think of, for having allowed myself to be drawninto such an affair. I recalled that quiet evening at Falstead, whenthe idea of the adventure had appeared so attractive to me, and, as Idid so, it seemed to me I could hear Molly's gentle voice saying: "Actas you think best, dear! I know that it will be all right then." I hadcertainly acted on my own judgment, and here I was in consequence!

  I was still thinking of Falstead when a sharp cry reached me from theyard outside, followed by a prolonged scuffling noise. Then there wasa heavy fall, another, and yet another. After that all was silenceonce more.

  "What on earth is the matter?" I asked myself. "It sounded like astruggle of some sort. Can they by any chance have captured Ferguson,and have brought him here to be my fellow-p
risoner?"

  A few moments later some one approached my door. A key was placed inthe lock and turned, then the door opened, and a man, carrying alantern, entered quickly, closing the door behind him. The upper halfof his face was hidden by a black mask. My astonishment may beimagined when, after he had removed it, I discovered that he was noneother than Don Jose de Hermanos.

  "Hush!" he began, holding up his hand as a sign to me not to speak. "Iwant you to listen to what I have to say, and not to interrupt meuntil I have finished. In the first place, let me inform you that thePresident has discovered everything! While you were talking to himto-night at the ball, he knew why you were in Equinata, and, what ismore, had already laid his plans to effect your arrest. The reason whyhe did it so secretly, and why you were not taken to the regularcartel, is because he does not want, for reasons of his own, toattract public attention just at present. I was warned in time, butwas unable to communicate with you. Now, by a stratagem, we haveoverpowered your gaolers, and you are free!"

  "But where am I?" I asked, in the same low voice.

  "In the old cartel on the outskirts of the town," Hermanos replied."Now I want you to pay attention to what I am about to say to you.There is still time to retrieve matters, if we go the proper way towork about it. The President, when he left the ball to-night--and nowyou will be able to understand his reasons for leaving so early--droveout to consult with General Mopaxus, who is lying ill at his house sixmiles distant on the road to Sarbassa. The road in question is hilly,and it will take him at least an hour to get there. We will say thathe remains with the General an hour. In that case, he should not reachthe Capital until four o'clock at the earliest. Word must be sent tothe captain of the yacht to shift his moorings and to have a boatashore at the little bay of Horejos at three o'clock. Horejos is threemiles outside the city, and Fernandez will have to pass through thevillage on his way home. We must catch him at any hazard."

  "How many men have you with you?"

  "Seven," he replied.

  "Can they be relied upon?"

  "To the death! They know that their own safety depends upon gettingFernandez out of the way. Four of them he has suspected for some timepast. They would prefer to shoot him, and so make sure of him, but asthere are definite orders against that, they feel that the next bestthing they can do is to get him out of the country. And betweenourselves, that is exactly my own case."

  "And what about the Guards here?"

  "They are safe for the present," he answered. "But no time must belost, for it is more than likely that at daybreak others will come totake their places."

  "And how am I to communicate with Ferguson?"

  He fumbled in his pocket for a moment.

  "Here is a sheet of paper, an envelope, and a pencil. He knows yourwriting, of course. When you have written it, one of my men shall takeit aboard. If he has to get steam up, there is not any too much timefor him to do so. Every moment is of the utmost importance."

  I forthwith pencilled a hasty note to the captain, bidding him get upsteam, weigh anchor, and have a boat ashore in Horejos Bay at threeo'clock, and stand by to leave Equinata at latest by four o'clock.This note I handed to Hermanos, and when I had done so, followed himfrom the cell.

  Once outside, I found myself in a large yard, illuminated by thebright moonlight. I looked about me for the bodies of my captors, butwas informed by my companion that they had been securely bound andplaced in an adjoining cell. On hearing our steps, six figuresappeared from the shadow of the wall. They did not speak, but at asign from Hermanos, one went on ahead and opened the gates, whereupontwo of them passed out. After an interval of some thirty seconds, twomore disappeared in the same mysterious fashion, the remaining pairmaking themselves scarce when the same duration of time had elapsed.

  "Now it is our turn," Hermanos whispered. "With the exception of theman who has gone to the yacht, each company will proceed to therendezvous by different routes through the city. Fernandez has spieseverywhere, and we must be careful that our behaviour does not attracttheir attention. To that end I have brought this poncho and hat foryou."

  I had noticed a bundle upon the ground, and had wondered what it mightbe. My own hat had disappeared, goodness only knows where. So placingthe sombrero on my head, I pulled the poncho over my shoulders, andthen we, in our turn, left the cartel.

  As Hermanos had said, the lock-up was on the outskirts of the city,and the locality through which he led me was quite unknown to me.

  What was the end of our adventure to be?