The Mistress of Bonaventure

by Harold Bindloss

  CHAPTER XXIV

  A SECRET TRIBUNAL

  Some little time had elapsed since my acquittal, when, one pleasantsummer morning, I rode out from the railroad settlement bound forBonaventure. The air was soft and balmy, the sunshine brilliant, and theprairie sod, which, by that time, had in most years grown parched anddry, formed a springy green carpet beneath the horse's feet. There hadbut once before been such a season within my memory, and my spirits werealmost as buoyant as the wallet in my pocket was heavy. The lean yearshad passed and left us, perhaps a little more grave in face and quiet inspeech, to look forward to a brightening future, while the receipts Ihad brought back from the nearest town meant freedom at least.

  I was also unwearied in body, for the roll of paper money in the wallethad made a vast difference to me, and instead of riding all night aftera long railroad journey, I had slept and breakfasted well at the woodenhotel. Indeed, I almost wondered whether I were the same man who hadpreviously ridden that way in a state of sullen desperation, spurred onby hatred and dogged obstinacy instead of hope. Now I was, however,rather thankful than jubilant, for my satisfaction was tempered by aperhaps unusual humility. Steel, Thorn, and I had, in our own blunderingfashion, made the best fight we could, but it was the generosity ofothers and the winds of heaven which had brought us the victory.

  Distance counts for little in these days, when the steel track and themodern cargo steamer together girdle the face of the globe; and the lossof others had been our gain. There had been scarcity in Argentina, andAustralian grass was shriveling for want of rain. Famine had smittenIndia, and the great cattle-barons beyond our frontier had beenoverbusily engaged, attempting the extermination of the smallersettlers, to attend their legitimate business; so buyers in Europe werelooking to Canada for wheat and cattle. Our own beasts had flourished,and before the usual season we had driven every salable head in to therailroad, riding in force behind them. That drive and the events whichfollowed it were worth remembering.

  I sold the cattle in Winnipeg for excellent prices, and deducting my ownshare of the proceeds, took the first train westward to visit Lane, andpaid him down three-fourths of the balance of the loan. Having boughtwisdom dearly, I took a lawyer with me. Lane showed neither surprise norchagrin, though he must have felt both, and I could almost admire theway he bore defeat. He was less a man than a money-making machine, andthe more to be dreaded for his absence of passion. Rage was apparentlyas unknown to him as pity, and, though he knew he had lost Crane Valley,and with it the completion of a well-laid scheme, he actually pushed acigar-box towards me as he signed the receipt. I drew a deep breath ofrelief as I passed the papers to the lawyer, for the harvest would morethan cover what remained of the debt, and then I laid down certain sumson behalf of others. Lane smiled almost affably as he tossed thequittances upon the table.

  "They're all in order, Rancher. A capable man don't need to usesecond-rate trickery, and I'm open to allow that the bull-frog was hardto squash," he said.

  I pocketed the documents and went out in silence. Speech would have beenuseless, because the man had no sensibilities that could be wounded; butthe interview struck me as a grotesquely commonplace termination of astruggle which had cost me months of misery. Indeed, I found it hard toconvince myself that what had happened was real, and the heavy burdenflung off at last. Being by no means a mere passionless money-makingmachine, I had, nevertheless, not finished with Lane.

  It was evening the next day when I reached Bonaventure, and was showninto the presence of its owner, who had lately returned there from theEast. He looked haggard, and did not rise out of the chair he loungedin, though his voice was cordial. "You have been successful, Ormesby. Ican see it by your face," he said.

  "I have, sir," I answered. "More so than I dared to hope, and I fancyyou will be astonished when you count these bills. The Bonaventure draftplayed a leading part in my release, and now I find it difficult torealize that the luck has changed at last."

  It was not quite dark outside, but the curtains were drawn, and Haldanesat beside a table littered with papers under a silver reading-lamp. Hisface looked curiously ascetic and thin, but the smile in his keen eyeswas genial. Boone sat opposite him smoking, and nodded good-humoredly tome.

  "You will soon get used to prosperity, and there is no occasion forgratitude," Haldane said, tossing the roll of paper money across thetable, but taking up the account I laid beside it. "I notice that youhave earned me a profit of twenty per cent. You have tolerable businesstalents in your own direction, Ormesby, and I shall expect your goodcounsel in the practical management of Bonaventure which I haveundertaken."

  "The management of Bonaventure?" I said, and Haldane's forehead grewwrinkled as he nodded.

  "Exactly. The verdict has been given. No more exciting corners orsupposititious heaping up of unearned increments for me. I am sentencedby the specialists to a dormant life and open-air exercise, and haveaccordingly chosen the rearing of cattle on the salubrious prairie."

  I guessed what that sentence meant to a man of his energies; but he hadaccepted it gracefully, and I was almost startled when he said: "Do youknow that I envied you, Ormesby, even when things looked worst for you?"

  I could only murmur a few not overappropriate words of sympathy, thoughI fancied that had Haldane been under the same grip he might have enviedme less.

  "It takes time to grow used to idleness, which is why I sent for youto-night," he said, with a swift resumption of his usual tone. "Ipurpose to teach Lane that he is not altogether so omnipotent as hebelieves himself--partly by way of amusement and to forward certainviews of my own, and partly because my younger daughter insists that heis a menace to every honest man on the prairie. Boone appears inclinedto agree with her."

  "I might even go a little further, sir," said Boone.

  Haldane ignored the comment, and pointed to the papers, of which thereappeared to be a bushel. "I have been posting myself in my newprofession, and conclude that the prospects for grain and live stock areencouraging," he said. "News from Chile, California, and the Austral,all confirm this view; and, remembering it, we will consider Lane'sposition. Boone has taken considerable pains to discover that, as Iexpected, his resources are far from inexhaustible, and circumstancespoint to the fact that he has set his teeth in too big a morsel. Atpresent neither the speculative public nor would-be emigrants havegrasped the position, and therefore Lane would get little if he realizedon his stolen lands just now."

  "That is plain; but what results from it?" I said.

  "Prosperity to poor men, according to my daughter;" and Haldane's smilewas not wholly cynical. "We purpose that he should realize as soon aspossible. Boone discovered that he is raising money to carry on byquietly selling out his stock in the Investment Company which hasconsistently backed him, and I feel inclined for a speculation in thatdirection, especially as the public will shortly be invited to increasethe company's capital. Lastly, I am in possession of accurateinformation, while Lane is not. Contrary to general opinion, therailroad will be hurried through very shortly."

  It was great news, and the possible downfall of my enemy perhaps theleast of it. It implied swift prosperity for all that district, andwhile I stared at the speaker the blood surged to my forehead. Thoughfate had robbed me of the best, part of what I had toiled, and fought,and suffered for was to come about at last; and the calmness of theothers appeared unnatural. Haldane's eyes were keen, but he showed nosign of unusual interest; Boone's face was merely grim, and I guessedthat the man whose heel had been on my neck would fare ill between them.

  "If he had used legitimate weapons one could almost be sorry for him," Isaid. "It will try even his nerve to lose all he has plotted for whenthe prize is actually, if he knew it, within his grasp."

  "He deserves no mercy," Boone broke in. "This is justice, Ormesby,neither more nor less; and unless we cripple him once for all he willtake hold again with the first bad season. What you will shortly hearshould demonstrate the necessity for decisive measure
s; but our hostforgot to mention that he declines to profit individually by thisopportunity."

  "If anyone wishes to learn my virtues he can apply to certain companypromoters in Montreal," said Haldane languidly. "Boone will rememberthat I came here to farm for my health, and have been coerced intoassisting at this Vehmgericht. Those wheels, however, give warning thatthe first sitting will commence."

  A minute or two later I started wrathfully to my feet as Niven wasushered into the room. He on his part seemed equally astonished, and, Ithink, would have backed out again, but that Boone adroitly slammed thedoor behind him. It may be mentioned that he had been tried in my place,and, to the disgust of Sergeant Mackay, just escaped conviction.

  "I need not introduce Mr. Ormesby, who will kindly resume his place,"said Haldane pleasantly. "Sit down and choose a cigar if you feel likeit. You sent word you wanted to talk to me?"

  "I didn't want to talk to that man;" and Niven scowled at me, whileHaldane shrugged his shoulders.

  "I can't turn him out, you see. Now hadn't you better explain what youwant with me?"

  There was a languid contempt beneath the speaker's surface good-humorwhich was not lost on the fidgeting man; but he lighted a cigar with anair of bravado, and commenced:

  "Thinking over things, I figured both you and Adams had your knife inLane;" and Haldane's mild surprise was excellently assumed. "Well, I'vegot my own knife in him, too. It's this way. Lane put up the money forme to buy out Ormesby, and made a mighty close bargain, thinking Idaren't kick. It would have been inconvenient, and I didn't mean to; butwhen those blame police ran me in for a thing I never done, he justturns his back, and wouldn't put up a dollar to defend me! 'I've no usefor blunderers of your kind,' says he."

  "One could understand that it is necessary for him to make sure of hissubordinates' abilities," said Haldane reflectively; and Niven, whostared hard at him, appeared to gulp down something before he proceeded.

  "Well, he can't fool with me, and it comes to this. I'm recorded ownerof Gaspard's Trail; paid for it with my own check--Lane fixed that up.Now, what I want to ask you is, how's Lane going to turn me out if Ihold on to the place? Strikes me he can't do it."

  In spite of this assurance the speaker looked distinctly eager untilHaldane answered: "We need not discuss the moral aspect of the case,because it apparently hasn't one, and you might not understand it if ithad. Speaking from a purely business point of view, I feel tolerablycertain that, in the circumstances, he would not take legal proceedingsagainst you, though I have no doubt he might arrange the affair in someother way."

  "Feel quite sure?" asked Niven. And Haldane answered: "I may say I do."

  Niven's grin of triumph would have sickened any honest man, but I wasnot sorry for his employer. "I guess I'll take my chances of the otherway, and I'm coming straight to business. Will you stand behind me? It'snot going to be a charity. There is money in Gaspard's Trail, and I'mopen to make a fair deal with the man who sees me through."

  I saw Haldane's lips set tightly for a moment, and my hand itched for agood hold of Niven's collar; but the master of Bonaventure nextregarded him with a quiet amusement which appeared disconcerting.

  "I fancy your worthy master was correct when he described you as ablunderer," he said. "It would be quite impossible for me to make abargain of that--or any other--kind with you. You might also have addedthat he inspired you to more than the buying of Gaspard's Trail."

  There was pluck in Niven, for he laughed offensively. "I got my verdict,and if you won't deal I may as well be going. Anyhow, you've told mewhat I most wanted to know."

  He departed without further parley, and Haldane smiled at me. "It wouldhave been a pity to detain him, and Lane was wrong in choosing anunderstudy he could not scare into submission. That rascal will hold onto Gaspard's Trail, and the loss of it will further hamper his master."

  Some little time passed, and Boone, who appeared impatient, said atlast: "She is late; but Gordon may have been too busy to drive her overearlier, and she promised me faithfully that she would come."

  Haldane said nothing, though he seemed dubious until there was anothersound of wheels, and I had a second surprise when a lady was usheredinto the room, for I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw that itwas Redmond's daughter. She had changed greatly from the girl who calleddown vengeance on the oppressor when we brought her father home,although the glitter in her eyes and the intentness of her face showedthe strain of emotional nature in her. Still, she was handsomely andtastefully dressed, and carried herself with dignity.

  "This is Mr. Haldane, Miss Redmond, and I am sure he will be grateful toyou for coming," said Boone, who I noticed appeared relieved when thenew arrival laid a packet on the table. "I may explain for Ormesby'sbenefit that Miss Redmond, who is winning fame as a singer, hassomething of importance to show him," he added.

  The girl's hand was very cold when it touched my own, and her movementsnervous as she drew a book in tattered binding out of its wrappings.

  "I hope Mrs. Gordon will spare you as long as possible, and that yourvisit to the prairie will do you good," said Haldane, placing a chairfor her.

  "Once I fancied I could never look at the prairie without a shudder, butof late I have been longing for sunshine and air, and shall perhaps behappier when this is over," said the girl. "It is a very hard thing Ihave to do, and I must tell you the whole painful story."

  "We can understand that it must be," said Haldane gently.

  "When I left home for Winnipeg I joined a second-rate variety company. Ihad inherited a gift for singing, and those who heard me were pleasedwith the old Irish ballads my mother taught me. So there was soon nofear of poverty, and I was trying to bury the past, when, the night Ifirst sang to a packed audience in Winnipeg, it was once more dragged upbefore me. I came home from what the newspapers said was a triumph, andbecause one critic had questioned a verse of an old song I looked for abook of my mother's among the relics I had brought from the prairie. Ifound--this--instead."

  Ailin Redmond ceased with a little gasp. And glancing at the dilapidatedaccount book she touched, I wondered what power it could have had tochange her triumph into an agony.

  "I sat all that night beside the stove trying to force myself to burnthe book, and yet afraid," she continued. "Perhaps we are superstitious;but I felt that I dare not, and its secret has been a very burden eversince. Sometimes I thought of the revenge it would give me, and yet Icould not take it without blackening my father's memory. So I keptsilence until my health commenced to fail under the strain, and meetingMr. Boone at Brandan, where I sang at the time Mr. Ormesby's trialfilled the papers, I felt I must tell him part of my discovery. Had thetrial not ended as it did he would have consulted with Lawyer Dixon.Afterwards, though I hated Lane the more, I pledged Mr. Boone tosecrecy, and kept silent until, when I could bear the load no longer, Itold my trouble to Pere Louis. 'If you only desire vengeance it would bebetter to burn the book; but if you can save innocent men frompersecution and prevent the triumph of the wicked, silence would be asin,' he said. Then I wrote to Mr. Boone and told him I would show thepapers to Mr. Ormesby."

  I opened the battered volume handed me with a strong sense ofanticipation, and, as I did so, the girl shrank back shivering.Redmond's writing was recognizable, and I thrilled alternately with pityand indignation against another person as I read his testimony. Omittingother details, the dated entries, arranged in debit and credit fashion,told the whole story.

  "Deep snow and stock very poor," the first I glanced at ran. "Receivedfrom Ormesby three loads of hay. Sure 'tis a decent neighbor, for hewouldn't take no pay. Entered so, if I ever have the luck, to send itback to him.

  "Plow-oxen sick; horse-team sore-backed; seven days' plowing done byOrmesby, say--money at harvest, or to be returned in help stock driving.

  "Fifty dollars loan from Ormesby; see entry overdue grocery bill."

  "Is it necessary for me to read any more of these?" I asked.

  "No. If you are sati
sfied that he at least recognized the debt, pass onto the other marked pages," answered the writer's daughter.

  I set my lips as I did so, for there was only one inference to be drawnfrom the following entries, which ran dated in a series: "Demand forfifteen hundred dollars from Lane. No credit, ten dollars in the house.Lane came over, and part renewed the loan in return for services to berendered. Black curses on the pitiless devil! Took twenty head of primestock, to be driven to the hollow with Ormesby's. Started out with thestock for Gaspard's Trail."

  There were no further entries, and Miss Redmond, who had been watchingme, said, with a perceptible effort:

  "You will remember all those dates well. Now read what is written onthe loose leaf. When I came in one night the book lay on the table withthat leaf projecting; but as my father was always fretting over theaccounts, I did not glance at it as I replaced the book."

  The writing was blurred and scrawling--the work of an unstable man in amoment of agony; and some of the half-coherent sentences ran: "It wasLane and his master the devil who drove me. I did not mean to do what Idid; but when the fire came down, remembered he said 'any convenientaccident.' I knew it was murder when I saw Ormesby with the blood on hisface." Further lines were almost unintelligible, but I made out, "Judas.No room on earth. Lane says he is dying fast. You will hate the man whodrove me for ever and ever."

  I folded up the paper, and, not having read the whole of it, handed itto the girl. "I am almost sorry you were brave enough to show me this;but I can only try to forget it," I said.

  Miss Redmond's eyes were dry; but she moved as if in physical pain, andclenched one hand as she said: "That secret has worn me down for wearymonths, and I dare not change my mind again. I shall never rest until itis certain that wicked man shall drive no one else to destruction. Youmust show Mr. Haldane all you have read."

  Haldane laid down the book, and sat silent for at least a minute. "Willyou please tell us, Miss Redmond, how far you can allow us to make useof this?" he said.

  The girl shuddered before she answered: "It must not be made public; butif in any other way you can strike Lane down, I will leave it you. Youcan hardly guess what all this has cost me; but, God forgive me, thehate I feel is stronger than shame--and his last words are burned intomy brain."

  Ailin Redmond rose as she spoke, and I saw that part of Pere Louis'sadmonition had fallen upon stony ground. Her face and pose were whatthey had been when she had bidden us bring the dead man in. She came ofa passionate race; but there had also been a signal lack of balance inher father's temperament, and perhaps it was this very strain ofwildness which had made her singing a success.

  Haldane, with expressions of sympathy, led her to the door, andreturning, sat staring straight before him with a curious expression. "Idon't know that the stolid, emotionless person is not far the happiest,"he said at last. "She must have suffered a good deal--poor soul; and,even allowing that you had not seen those pitiful papers, I'm doubtfulif you acted quite wisely, Boone. However, the question now is: how arewe going to use them?"

  "Nobody but ourselves must see them," I managed to answer, savage as Iwas.

  "I would make one exception," said the owner of Bonaventure. "That oneis the man responsible. It can be no enlightenment to him, and the factthat he would not suspect us of any reluctance to make the most of ourpower, strengthens our ability to deal with him."

  Our conference ended shortly, and when we joined the others I saw thatLucille Haldane had taken Redmond's daughter under her wing. How she hadmanaged it, of course I do not know; but the latter appeared comfortedalready, and there was a gentle dimness instead of the former hardglitter in her eyes. Then, and it was not for the first time, I feltthat I could have bowed down and worshiped the Mistress of Bonaventure.

  It was evident that Boone had also been observant, for he afterwardssaid, with unusual gravity: "Women resembling Miss Lucille Haldane arethe salt of this sorrowful world. There was only one I ever knew tocompare with her, and she, being too good for it, was translated towhat, if only because she was called there, must be a better."

  I agreed with his first statement entirely, and took his word for therest; but made no answer. Boone did not appear to desire one, and againa strange longing filled his eyes while the shadow crept into his face.I remembered it was written that the heart knows its own bitterness.