CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CAPTAIN'S VISIT.--HOMEWARD BOUND.--BROTHER AND SISTER.
At last the expected draft arrived, and the party were to leave forHalifax the next day in the Cunard steamer. La Salle had invited CaptainRandall to spend the evening in a private parlor of the hotel, and ateight o'clock he was ushered in, and found no other guest save his firstmate, Mr. Blake, who was still first officer of the Mercedes.
The table was well spread with delicacies, and although some constraintexisted, the wine did its work, and soon Blake and Randall were laughingand joking, as if no cause for ill-feeling existed between them. AtRandall's request La Salle gave a summary of their adventures,concluding the recital as follows:--
"Thus passed the long days of our anxious drift, until your vesselsteamed back to her old sealing-ground, and we left forever behind usour ice-built hut and the Deadman's Berg."
The effect was magical. The smiles faded from the faces of the guests.Randall's lips were drawn and thin, his eyes fixed and glittering, andone hand stole stealthily to his hip. Regnar, too, was pale, but notwith fear, and his hand grasped the hilt of the antique dagger.
"Let me help you to some of this, captain," said La Salle; and rising,he uncovered a small dish before him, and taking from thence a pair ofDerringers, presented them at the head of his astounded guest. "Up withyour hands, murderer," he said, sternly, "or you die on the instant!" Atthe same time Blake and Regnar seized him by the arms.
"What is the meaning of all this?" asked Waring, trembling and appalled.
"Dis no good, La Salle. No Injin hurt man in his wigwam, or strike whenhe give 'em food," shouted Peter, angry at what he considered a breachof hospitality; but both were unheeded.
"Why am I treated thus?" faltered the prisoner, whose trembling kneescould scarcely support him.
"Captain Randall, I have here a man with whom you have an account tosettle. He has been known among us as Regnar Orloff. His real name isRegnar Orloff Hubel. Where is the money and other valuables which yourbrother, Albert Randall, stole from two orphans, and was murdered for byyou, that you in turn might become the thief?"
"Mr. Blake here knows the story, for we have told him how we found thecorpse of his commander, with the skull pierced with one of yourmurderous shells. We buried him in the berg; if you doubt it, behold thetokens."
Regnar raised his hand: on one finger glittered the golden setting ofthe native talisman; on the table he laid the sheathed dagger.
"Are you satisfied, George Randall?" said he.
The wretch glared around as if he would have destroyed all whosurrounded him; then he seemed to realize the futility of his rage, andcatching his breath with a fierce sob, he asked, hoarsely,--
"What will you have me do?"
Regnar stepped forward, and answered for himself.
"Give up the secret money-belt which you took from the person of yourvictim, with its contents untouched, and secure to me compensation forthe sums taken by your brother. Your life I do not want, but if youhesitate I will have both."
"What security have I for your silence?" asked Randall, more boldly; foreven his craven fears were unable to repress his naturally cold andgrasping disposition.
"Only our oaths, and the remembrance that my half-sister has sleptbeneath your roof, and has borne your name, although it shall no longerbe a reproach to her."
"It is hers no longer. She married last week, after losing her firstbeau somewhere at sea: but never mind; I must take your offer and yourword, I suppose. Let go of my arms. You may take my pistols from my hip,if you are afraid of me." With these words he proceeded to unfasten hisvest, and from beneath it drew a water-proof bag of thin rubber, whichwas tightly fastened with twine, and enclosed in a money-belt ofchamois-skins. "It is all there but ten thousand dollars, and that hehad a right to take," said he.
"What do you mean?" asked Regnar, with a softened look and glisteningeyes.
"Open and read for yourself," said Randall, moodily.
Unfastening the belt, Hubel untied the inner bag, and poured thecontents upon the table. A roll of bank bills fell upon it. There werewithin twenty bills of the denomination of one thousand pounds each, onthe Bank of England, and a folded paper, which, on being opened, provedto be a copy of the last will and testament of Paul Hubel. By itsprovisions a sum amounting to about ten thousand dollars was given "tomy old and tried friend, Albert Perry."
"Al, put that ten thousand into this vessel last year, and I persuadedhim to put thirty thousand of your money in, too. We made money lastspring, and I kept trying to get him to buy all of her. He took adislike to your sister, and said he would hold on to the money until hefound you. Last summer he secured a passage on a vessel bound to theLabrador, and only that he got sick, I believe he would have seen youthen.
"This last winter we had several quarrels about the money, but I nevermeant to injure him until the day it happened. We were having splendidluck, when he proposed that we should climb the berg, as he feared beingcaught between the pack and the islands. We had to ascend on theopposite side, and when we got to the top, we saw the storm brewing towindward, and started to return.
"As we came along the ice-foot, I said, 'You're making money this tripfast. Isn't that better than giving up everything to that sullen girland a half-breed boy?' Then he seemed sad, and said, 'George, you'vemade a rascal of me; but, thank God, I've made up my mind to be true tomy old comrade at last.'
"'What do you mean?' said I.
"'I mean,' said he, turning to me, 'that I've sold out the shares Ibought with that thirty thousand, and I've got their money safe here inthis belt.'
"'But you don't mean to be such a fool as to give it up--do you?' saidI; for I was angry to think that, instead of the four shares I hadcounted on all along, we should have but one in the division of theprofits.
"And then I taunted him with a fatal quarrel long ago, and he--well, hetaunted me with a crime that I thought no one knew. Says he,--
"'I'm not afraid of you. If the rope is ready for my neck, you couldscarcely live out the time, between the sentence and the gallows, if thepeople of San Francisco once listened to your trial.'
"So one word brought on another, and at last he shook his gaff at me,and made one step; and my blood was on fire, and I fired the carbine. Henever spoke.
"I don't believe I ever should have enjoyed the money, although at timesI felt as if I could hug myself when I counted it over; and I laid outto go back to Baltimore, and go into business there. What am I to dowith the share in the vessel, and his money in the bank?" he asked,suddenly.
Regnar rose, with his eyes red with weeping; but a sad smile wreathedhis lips, as he asked,--
"He was your only brother, and unmarried--was he not?"
Randall answered, hoarsely,--
"It is true, God help me! it is true."
"To all that is his, then, you are sole heir. I lay no claim to interestor forfeit, and I wish that thrice the sum would restore him to life,since even at the last he was not wholly unworthy of my father'sconfidence and his children's love. Come," said he, turning to thosepresent, and taking from his breast a Bible, "repeat after me the oathof silence and secrecy:--
"'We, who alone know of the circumstances attending the decease ofCaptain Albert Randall, and the suspicions attaching to the part actedtherein by his brother George Randall, do solemnly swear that, exceptunder the seal of confession, or as compelled by the power of the law,we will never divulge our knowledge or suspicions until after thedecease of the brother of the dead.'"
The oath was taken with due solemnity, and Randall rose to depart.Blake, filled with anger and desire of vengeance, had preceded him. LaSalle coldly did as common politeness required, but Regnar saw thatsickness and mental torture had overcome the strong man, whose kneestrembled beneath him, as, with the curse of Cain upon him, he turned todepart, without friends, far from home, and weary of life.
"It is not right, La Salle," said the boy. "I was unjust to _him_althoug
h it is better for all that no eyes but our own saw him laid inthe Deadman's Berg. Let us give this man human sympathy; he is weak andsick; let us see that he does not despair of the mercy and love of God."
La Salle could not but acknowledge the righteousness of this appeal,and, followed by Regnar, hastened into the hall.
"Captain," said he, "forgive us if we have failed to treat you withChristian forbearance, and believe that our hearts will retain yourmemory, with sympathy for your heavy burden of remorse, if not with theesteem that might have existed between us. The night is dark and cold;let us help you to find a conveyance."
"I thank you," said he, feebly; "you are very kind--far kinder than Ideserve. No man can measure the remorse that burns within me, and yetthe world would say that you have let me off too easily."
La Salle rang the bell sharply, and a waiter hastened up from the lowerlanding.
"Did you ring, sir?"
"Yes. Call a cab at once. Regnar, get my coat and yours. Mr. Randall, wemust see you safely home. Where do you board?"
"At the Albion; but you need not take that trouble. Ah, sir, I know yourfears; but my head is clear, and you need not be afraid that I shall doanything rash. I shall not despair of the pardon of God, since I havefound some merciful pity in man."
The carriage was announced; the tall form was again erect, and thevoice, though husky with emotion, came strangely sweet and clear, as heturned to go.
"I would that we might be friends, but I know it cannot be. My blessingmen would shrink from, if they knew what you do; but may God bless youfor your kindness to me." And standing motionless in the dusky passage,they heard the footsteps die away in the empty corridors, and the rattleof the wheels of the vehicle which bore him away forever.
The next day they took the steamer for Halifax, and arriving there, theparty separated, Peter and Waring going to St. Jean, and La Salle to thehome of his father in Baltimore, where Regnar also was bound, in searchof his half-sister. The parting was not pleasant, for the mutual trialsand dangers of the few days spent amid the ice had done more to cement astrong and lasting friendship between the four, than years of ordinarycompanionship would have done.
"Look out, Peter, when you get on board the Princess, for Lund hassecured such a story to tell, that he may pitch you two overboard tokeep you from spoiling it by your return."
"All light," answered Peter; "Capten Lund good man; see spirit, too,sure enough. He see two men; he look 'gain, no men dere. He see you an'me on _h_ice. Snow fall t'ick, an' he see us no more. What hurt we comeback? Much better we come back for all han's; you come back soon, Is'pose, too."
"Yes, Peter," answered La Salle, kindly, "we shall come back soon, and Ihope next fall to be spending the moonlight nights with you onShepherd's Creek, and the duck-haunted reed-ponds of Battery Marsh. Goodby;" and going on board, the two friends went rather disconsolately totheir state-room.
Regnar still seemed ill at ease, as if he wanted to inquire aboutsomething; and at last he said, abruptly,--
"Charley, what shall I say to my sister?"
"Say to her, Regnie? Why, that you are delighted to see her, of course.You may add that you come to make her wealthy; that is not likely tohurt your reception," said La Salle, philosophically.
"Yes, of course I know that; but--but about you, Charley. You know whatRandall said about--about her--"
"About her being married, do you mean? Why, my dear boy, say nothing. Iam resigned, and, I may say, almost glad that it is so. Neither was italtogether an unexpected announcement, for I felt long ago that my firstimpressions upon her susceptible heart had faded with lapse of time anda low state of the exchequer. No, no, boy! be kind and loving to her,for she has not your firmness of soul or depth of affection. I carry youto her as my marriage gift. Is it agreed?"
"It is, Charley; and you will not let the caprice of a girl separate mefrom my friend--will you, La Salle?"
"Regnie," answered the other, not without a touch of tenderness in histone, "the bonds which connect us are not the ties of passion, or thecalm preferences of the selfish world. We met amid a gathering of savageand half-civilized men, and our acquaintance has ripened into friendshipamid many dangers and strange experiences. A doubtful and dangerousquest still lies before you. I hope that you will not undertake itwithout me to accompany you."
"You, of all men, are the one I should choose, and we will set out thisvery summer to carry out my father's wishes;" and during the rest oftheir journey little was talked of but their future expedition into theinterior of Newfoundland.
At Baltimore La Salle and his friend went to the home of the former, andwere received as men from the dead. Of course the papers were full ofsketches of their strange adventure, and wood-cuts of icebergs and sealscovered the paper-stands for a week; and then a horrible murder, and adelicious bit of scandal in high life, closed the brief notoriety of thefriends.
Two visits were paid during the first week of their return. Both calledon the day of their arrival at Mrs. Randall's, and La Salle sent up hiscard. After waiting a while, that lady, who was not without misgivingsas to what might be said about her matchmaking proclivities, sailed intothe room very richly dressed, and rather red in the face.
"I am happy to see you, Mr. La Salle, and to know that you were notreally lost, after all. Do you make a long stay in the city?"
"Don't waste unnecessary effort to appear cool and freezingly polite,Mrs. Randall," said La Salle, calmly. "I am here on a matter ofbusiness. I want Pauline's present address, as it is highly importantthat I should see her at once."
"Dear Pauline resides at No.--Crescent Avenue, and is now, as you are,of course, aware, the wife of Mr. Reginald Ashley, who is, as you know,closely connected with some of our first families."
"Yes, I know he is first cousin to Green, the rich broker, who sometimesinvites him to dinners and parties, and makes it twice as hard for poorAshley to make his small salary at the custom-house pay his way."
"Well, I dare say Pauline has done as well, and even better than shemight have done, had not the poor girl had some one to advise her, whoknew the world and--"
"Threw away an heiress worth fifty thousand dollars on a clerk witheighteen hundred dollars a year," interrupted La Salle, with a smile. "Ibeg leave, Mrs. Randall, to introduce to you Regnar Hubel, herhalf-brother, who comes to return to her her moiety of the fortune leftby her father. I did not come here," continued he, more gravely, "tobandy bitter words, for you will ere long hear news from Newfoundland,which, I hope, will teach you that hidden sin is never safe fromdiscovery, and that all injustice meets with its meed of punishment.Adieu, madam."
Later in the day they called at the hotel, where the young couple werepassing the honeymoon. Slipping a _douceur_ into the hands of thewaiter, he introduced them into the suite without the usual presentationof visiting cards. As the young bride swept into the boudoir in herreception dress, La Salle stepped forward; for he knew that she hadalready heard of his arrival.
"Charley--Mr. La Salle! Why--that is, how do you do? I was glad tohear--"
La Salle interrupted the fair speaker, for the awkwardness and pain ofthe interview were but too apparent.
"I did not come, Mrs. Ashley, to give you pain, or annoy you by mypresence. I come to fulfill a prophecy."
"To fulfill a prophecy? You speak in riddles, and I have never delightedmuch in anything of that kind since I was a child."
"I may say, then, that I come to offer my congratulations, and to bringyou my bridal gift."
"A gift? and from you? Surely you do not mean to offer, and I cannotaccept it."
Regnar arose, and addressing the agitated girl, ended the painfulinterview.
"You were the daughter of Paul Hubel, of Schleswig--were you not?"
"Yes, sir. I was adopted by the brother of Mr. Randall, who was thefriend of my father."
"Then, I assure you that my friend speaks truth. He has fulfilled aprediction, and gives you a fortune, and the brother who shares it withyou."
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The next few moments were spent in mutual explanations, and the younggirl, deprived of a mother's love in early life, sent away to learnlife's duties of strangers, and yearning during all her brief existencefor the affection she had never known, received the brother she hadnever seen with an outburst of welcome which revealed what she mighthave been, had her life been spent under happier auspices.
At last La Salle interrupted their mutual joy.
"I have finished my task, and the prophecy of Krasippe is accomplished."
"Yes," said Regnar, "last summer I met with an old Esquimaux who servedour father well for many years, and who now claims some power of insightinto the future. He heard the story of my futile efforts to find you,but uttered this prophecy which we to-day accomplish. He said, 'You willmeet in a desert of ice the man who will lead you to your heart'sdearest wish. He will lose, and you will gain.'"
"And yet, Regnie, although the coincidence of events may bring me withinthe purview of the Esquimaux oracle, I have a misgiving that we have,perhaps, overlooked the claims of one whom we met but once in a desertof ice, and who still voyages, in silence unbroken, ADRIFT IN THEICE-FIELDS."
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