Cord and Creese

by James De Mille

  CHAPTER XLVI.

  THE LAST ESCAPE.

  The hour which Beatrice had mentioned in her diary was awaited byherewith feverish impatience. She had confidence in Asgeelo, and thisconfidence was heightened by the fact that Mrs. Compton was going toaccompany her. The very timidity of this poor old creature would haveprevented her from thinking of escape on any ordinary occasion; but nowthe latter showed no fear. She evinced a strange exultation. She showedPhilips's letter to Beatrice, and made her read it over and over again.It contained only a few words.

  "The time has come at last. I will keep my word to you, dear old woman.Be ready tonight to leave Brandon Hall and those devils forever. TheHindu will help you.

  "EDGAR."

  Mrs. Compton seemed to think far more of the letter than of escaping.The fact that she had a letter seemed to absorb all her faculties, andno other idea entered her mind. Beatrice had but few preparations tomake; a small parcel contained all with which she dared to encumberherself. Hastily making it up she waited in extreme impatience for thetime.

  At last two o'clock came. Mrs. Compton was in her room. There was afaint tap at the door. Beatrice opened it. It was Asgeelo. The Hindustood with his finger on his lips, and then moved away slowly andstealthily. They followed.

  The Hindu led the way, carrying a small lantern. He did not show anyvery great caution, but moved with a quiet step, thinking it sufficientif he made no noise. Beatrice followed, and Mrs. Compton came last,carrying nothing but the note from Philips, which she clutched inher hand as though she esteemed it the only thing of value which shepossessed.

  [ILLUSTRATION: "THE GIGANTIC FIGURE OF ASGEELO STOOD ERECT, ONE ARMCLUTCHING THE THROAT OF HIS ASSAILANT, AND THE OTHER HOLDING THE KNIFEALOFT."]

  In spite of Beatrice's confidence in Asgeelo she felt her heart sinkwith dread as she passed through the hall and down the great stairway.But no sound disturbed them. The lights were all out and the house wasstill. The door of the dining-room was open, but no light shone through.

  Asgeelo led the way to the north door. They went on quietly without anyinterruption, and at last reached it. Asgeelo turned the key and heldthe door half open for a moment. Then he turned and whispered to them togo out.

  Beatrice took two or three steps forward, when suddenly a dark figureemerged from the stairway that led to the servants' hall and with asudden spring, advanced to Asgeelo.

  The latter dropped the lamp, which fell with a rattle on the floor butstill continued burning. He drew a long, keen knife from his breast, andseized the other by the throat.

  Beatrice started back. By the light that flickered on the floor she sawit all. The gigantic figure of Asgeelo stood erect, one arm clutchingthe throat of his assailant, and the other holding the knife aloft.

  Beatrice rushed forward and caught the uplifted arm.

  "Spare him!" she said, in a low whisper. "He is my friend. He helped meto escape once before."

  She had recognized Vijal.

  The Hindu dropped his arm and released his hold. The Malay staggeredback and looked earnestly at Beatrice. Recognizing her, he fell on hisknees and kissed her hand.

  "I will keep your secret," he murmured.

  Beatrice hurried out, and the others followed. They heard the key turnin the door after them. Vijal had locked it from the inside.

  Asgeelo led the way with a swift step. They went down the main avenue,and at length reached the gate without any interruption. The gates wereshut.

  Beatrice looked around in some dread for fear of being discovered.Asgeelo said nothing, but tapped at the door of the porter's lodge. Thedoor soon opened, and the porter came out. He said nothing, but openedthe gates in silence.

  They went out. The huge gates shut behind them. They heard the key turnin the lock. In her excitement Beatrice wondered at this, and saw thatthe porter must also be in the secret. Was this the work of Brandon?

  They passed down the road a little distance, and at length reached aplace where there were two coaches and some men.

  One of these came up and took Mrs. Compton. "Come, old woman," said he;"you and I are to go in this coach." It was too dark to see who it was;but the voice sounded like that of Philips. He led her into the coachand jumped in after her.

  There was another figure there. He advanced in silence, and motioned tothe coach without a word. Beatrice followed; the coach door was opened,and she entered. Asgeelo mounted the box. The stranger entered the coachand shut the door.

  Beatrice had not seen the face of this man; but at the sight of theoutline of his figure a strange, wild thought came to her mind. As heseated himself by her side a thrill passed through every nerve. Not aword was spoken.

  He reached out one hand, and caught hers in a close and fervid clasp. Hethrew his arm about her waist, and drew her toward him. Her head sank ina delicious languor upon his breast; and she felt the fast throbbingof his heart as she lay there. He held her pressed closely for a longwhile, drawing quick and heavy breaths, and not speaking a word. Then hesmoothed her brow, stroked her hair, and caressed her cheek. Every touchof his made her blood tingle.

  "Do you know who I am?" said at last a well-known voice.

  She made no answer, but pressed his hand and nestled more closely to hisheart.

  The carriages rushed on swiftly. They went through the village, passedthe inn, and soon entered the open country. Beatrice, in that moment ofecstasy, knew not and cared not whither they were going. Enough that shewas with him.

  "You have saved me from a fate of horror," said she, tremulously; "orrather, you have prevented me from saving myself."

  "How could you have saved yourself?"

  "I found poison."

  She felt the shudder that passed through his frame. He pressed her againto his heart, and sat for a long time in silence.

  "How had you the heart to let me go back when you could get me away soeasily?" said she, after a time, in a reproachful tone.

  "I could not save you then," answered he, "without open violence. Iwished to defer that for the accomplishment of a purpose which you know.But I secured your safety, for all the servants at Brandon Hall are inmy pay."

  "What! Vijal too?"

  "No, not Vijal; he was incorruptible; but all the others. They wouldhave obeyed your slightest wish in any respect. They would have shedtheir blood for you, for the simple reason that I had promised to payeach man an enormous sum if he saved you from any trouble. They wereall on the look out. You never were so watched in your life. If you hadchosen to run off every man of them would have helped you, and wouldhave rejoiced at the chance of making themselves rich at the expense ofPotts. Under these circumstances I thought you were safe."

  "And why did you not tell me?"

  "Ah! love, there are many things which I must not tell you."

  He sighed. His sombre tone brought back her senses which had beenwandering. She struggled to get away. He would not release her.

  "Let me go!" said she. "I am of the accursed brood--the impure ones! Youare polluted by my touch!"

  "I will not let you go," returned he, in a tone of infinite sweetness."Not now. This may be our last interview. How can I let you go?"

  "I am pollution."

  "You are angelic. Oh, let us not think of other things. Let us banishfrom our minds the thought of that barrier which rises between us. Whilewe are here let us forget every thing except that we love one another.To-morrow will come, and our joy will be at an end forever. But you,darling, will be saved! I will guard you to my life's end, even though Ican not come near you."

  Tears fell from Beatrice's eyes. He felt them hot upon his hand. Hesighed deeply.

  "I am of the accursed brood!--the accursed!--the accursed! You dishonoryour name by touching me."

  Brandon clang to her. He would not let her go. She wept there upon hisbreast, and still murmured the words, "Accursed! accursed!"

  Their carriage rolled on, behind them came the other; on for mile aftermile, round the bays and creeks of the sea, until at
last they reached avillage.

  "This is our destination," said Brandon.

  "Where are we?" sighed Beatrice.

  "It is Denton," he replied.

  The coach stopped before a little cottage. Asgeelo opened the door.Brandon pressed Beatrice to his heart.

  "For the last time, darling," he murmured.

  She said nothing. He helped her out, catching her in his arms as shedescended, and lifting her to the ground. Mrs. Compton was alreadywaiting, having descended first. Lights were burning in the cottagewindow.

  "This is your home for the present," said Brandon. "Here you are safe.You will find every thing that you want, and the servants are faithful.You may trust them."

  He shook hands, with Mrs. Compton, pressed the hand of Beatrice, andleaped into the coach.

  "Good-by," he called, as Asgeelo whipped the horses.

  "Good-by forever," murmured Beatrice through her tears.