The Solitary Farm

by Fergus Hume

  CHAPTER XXI

  A DESPERATE ATTEMPT

  When the darkness came on, and just as the moon was rising, Lister andBella proceeded to the plank bridge of the boundary channel. Beforeleaving Cyril on that afternoon, Durgo had intimated that he wished MissHuxham to meet him at that hour and at that place, and of course Cyrilcame also. He had every trust in the negro, who had proved himself inevery way to be a man of sterling worth. All the same, he did not intendto let Durgo meet Bella without being present. The black man was far toointimate with unseen forces, to please the white man, and it wasnecessary to protect Bella, if necessary.

  "He might put you into a hypnotic trance," explained Cyril, who haddescribed all that had taken place.

  "I should not let him do that," said the girl decidedly.

  Cyril shrugged his shoulders. "Durgo might not care if you liked it ornot. He would hypnotize you, if he wished."

  "No, Cyril, he could not do that unless I consented. My will is my own,and it is a strong one. I suppose," said Bella, after a pause, "that hemade Granny feel those aches and pains by controlling her subjectivemind."

  Lister glanced sideways at her in surprise. "You seem to know all aboutit," he declared. "Where did you learn those terms?"

  "At my school at Hampstead there was a girl who could hypnotise people.She read all manner of books about hypnotism, and talked about thesubjective mind, although I don't know what it is. I can understand somuch of Durgo's power over Granny. But that sending her spirit to theManor is strange. I don't believe that he did."

  "He must have done so," insisted Cyril, "as Durgo did not know that theVands were leaving, and Granny distinctly stated that they were, in myhearing. Also, if we find that the jewels are in the small portmanteau,marked with the initials M. F., we can be certain that her spirit reallydid travel."

  "'M. F.,'" repeated Bella, dreamily: "those are my father's initials."

  "Maxwell Faith. So they are. Humph! There is something in this businessafter all, Bella."

  "But do you really think anyone can separate the spirit from the body?"

  Lister reflected. "I don't see why not. After all, as St. Paul says, weare composed of spirit, soul and body, so in certain cases the one maybecome detached from the other. I remember"--he looked thoughtfully upto the cloudy sky--"I remember reading in some magazine of a boat-loadof people being saved, owing to one of them transferring his spirit to apassing ship, and leaving written instructions in the cabin where theship was to steer to."

  "Oh, Cyril, that's impossible."

  "My dear," he said drily, "you can see the log of that very ship,containing an account of the incident, at Somerset House. However, wehave no time to discuss these matters further. Yonder is Durgo by thebridge. I want to know why he asked you to meet him here. Such a night,too"--Cyril shivered--"quite a change. I feel cold."

  "So do I. It will rain, Cyril. Look at that heavy bank of clouds behindwhich the moon is hiding. And oh, how dark it is!"

  It certainly was dark, and the two came very near Durgo before they sawhim. The sky was heavy with gloomy clouds, and undoubtedly therepromised to be rain before midnight. Durgo, wrapped in a heavy militarycloak, stood sentinel by the plank bridge. When the lovers came up heled them across to the other side, and when they stood on Bleacres heused his great strength to rip up a couple of planks.

  "There!" said the negro, flinging these into the standing corn, "theywill not be able to get their boxes across, even if they can crossthemselves."

  "Are you talking of the Vands?" asked Bella quickly.

  "Yes; they are still at the Manor-house. Look!"

  He pointed through the gloom, and they saw two or three windows of theold house lighted up brilliantly. Across other windows occasionallyflitted more lights. Apparently Mrs. Vand was anxiously trying toimpress the neighbours at least, such as might be abroad on thisnight--that she and her husband were ostentatiously at home. Durgolaughed grimly.

  "They have quite an eye for dramatic effect," he said in his gutturalvoice, and very contemptuously. "Well, they shall have all the dramathey want to-night, and more."

  "Durgo," Bella spoke in an alarmed tone, "you won't hurt them?"

  "Not if I can help it."

  Cyril interposed imperiously. "I shall not be a party to the breaking ofthe law," he said with sharpness, "nor will I allow Bella to----"

  "Cyril Lister," interrupted the negro, turning on him and addressing himby his full name, as was his odd way; "if I could bring the police onthe scene I would do so. But you know, as I do, that we have no proofssave those of the unseen, which would not be accepted in a court of law,to prove that the two are guilty of murder--of a double murder for all Iknow."

  "A double murder!" echoed Bella, drawing closer to her lover.

  "Yes. Edwin Lister, my master, has disappeared, and Huxham is dead. Theold sailor, certainly, may have killed my master, but on the other hand,as I believe, Vand murdered Huxham, and probably murdered Edwin Listeralso. Howsoever this may be, we can prove neither murder, so it is notadvisable to bring the police into the matter.

  "It would be safer," said Cyril uneasily. He feared lest Durgo'sbarbaric instincts should be aroused against the couple at theManor-house.

  "It would not be safer," retorted the negro. "While the police weredebating and searching, the Vands would be getting out of the kingdom,and we could not stop them. Besides, they have the jewels. I am certainof that from what Granny Tunks saw when I loosened her spirit. Once theVands got news of the police being on their track they would hide thosejewels, and we should never find them. I want those jewels for you, MissHuxham, as, before I leave England, I wish to see you happily married toCyril Lister here. It is the least that I can do for his father's son."

  "But if my father is alive and has the jewels?" asked Cyril doubtfully.

  "That will make a difference," assented Durgo, "although I daresay thatEdwin Lister will not mind returning the jewels. We can arrange ourfunds for the expedition in another way. But I fear," he added in gloomytones, "that my master is dead. If so, I can only avenge him."

  "But with your occult powers, can't you learn if my father is dead oralive?"

  "No," said Durgo very decidedly. "You forget that on the side of theunseen are mighty powers who have to be obeyed. I can do much, but notall, and for some reason I am not permitted to know the truth about mymaster. Sooner or later I shall understand about this. What we have todo at the present time is to prevent the Vands from escaping. Will youboth help?"

  "Yes," said Bella, anticipating Cyril; "that is if you don't intendviolence."

  "Be comforted," said Durgo ironically; "be comforted, missy. I have nowish to put a rope round my neck. I simply mean to force these devils togive up the jewels, and to solve so much of this mystery as they know.When I regain the jewels and know what has become of my master, I shalllet them go, or if you like I shall hand them over to the police. Buttime presses," added Durgo impatiently, "and at any time the two maycome along on their way to freedom. Will you help?"

  "Yes," said Cyril simply. "What do you want us to do?"

  "Missy"--Durgo turned to the girl--"can you work that search-light?"

  Bella nodded. "For an evening's amusement my father--I mean CaptainHuxham--once showed me how to manipulate it."

  "Well it is in good order, as we know that Vand used it last night. Youcan get into the house by the secret passage and watch for the going outof our two friends. Then turn on the search-light and use it as apointer."

  "I can use the search-light, and I daresay it is in order since HenryVand used it last night," said Bella quickly; "also I can get to theupper part of the house and on to the roof, through a kind of well whichruns from the lower to the higher secret passage. But what do you meanby my using the light as a pointer?"

  "Direct the ray on to Vand and his wife; they may come down this path,or they may try and escape in another way. But if you bend the ray ofthe search-light to where they are, I'll be able to catch them. Use
theray as a finger, as it were."

  Bella nodded. "I see, and where will you be?"

  "I shall hide in the corn somewhere or another," explained Durgo. "Idon't know where, as I can't be sure how Vand and his wife intend toescape."

  "They may take the boat," suggested Cyril, "and that is tied up somedistance yonder. I believe they will use the boat."

  "No;" said Durgo shaking his head; "there is no place where they can rowto, as this channel ends in mere swamps. All I can do is to walk hereand there, and watch for the finger of the search-light."

  "What am I to do?" asked Cyril anxiously; "go with Bella?"

  "No you wait in Mrs. Tunk's hut. I daresay she is alone, as I asked herto send her grandson away to his gipsy caravan before I came. I shallwalk down with you, while Miss Huxham goes to the Manor-house."

  "I would rather go with Bella," objected the young man uneasily.

  "I am quite safe," said Bella determinedly, "and if you came, Cyril,there would be no room for us both in that narrow secret passage. Ishall go by myself. Have no fear for me, dearest."

  "One moment," said Durgo, as she was moving away. "Since you think thatI may use violence, I may tell you, to quieten your minds, that thepolice are coming, after all."

  "When did you tell the police to come? I thought you said----"

  "Yes, yes!" interrupted the negro impatiently. "I know what I said. ButI saw Inspector Inglis the other day when I went to Pierside, andinformed him of my suspicions. I wired him to-day asking him to be withthree or four men on the bank of the boundary channel opposite to GrannyTunks' hut."

  "At what time?"

  "About eleven, as I don't suppose that the Vands will try and escapeuntil everyone in Marshely is asleep."

  "Did you tell Inglis about the jewels?" asked Cyril.

  "No, there is no need to tell more than is necessary. Besides, thepolice might take possession of the jewels, and I want them for MissHuxham. All Inglis knows is that I suspect the Vands of a double murder,and that they intend to fly. He will come with his constables to arrestthem if there is sufficient evidence."

  "But I say, Durgo. I wanted you to do as you say, some time ago, and youtalked of it not being advisable to bring the police into the matter. Itseems that you have done so."

  "It is a fact," said Durgo drily. "I didn't wish to tell you all myplans at once, as you and Miss Huxham here seemed to be so certain thatI intended blue murder. If you had not been ready to trust me, I shouldnot have changed my mind or have told you about the presence of thepolice. You look on me as a barbarous black man."

  "We look on you as a very good friend," said Bella quickly, for thenegro seemed hurt by their suspicions.

  "There! there!" said Durgo gruffly, but bowing to the compliment. "Go tothe Manor-house, Miss Huxham, and do what you can."

  "Good-bye, Cyril," said Bella.

  The young man ran after her as she moved up the corn path. "Don't gowithout a kiss, Bella," he said, catching her in his arms. "God keepyou, my darling, and bring us safely through this dark business!"

  "I'm not afraid, now that I know Inspector Inglis and his men will be onthe spot," whispered Bella. "Good-bye! and good-bye! and good-bye!" andshe kissed him between each word. In a few minutes she was swallowed upin the gloom, which was growing denser every minute.

  "There will be a storm," prophesied Durgo, as the two men proceeded sideby side to Mrs. Tunks' hut. "Hark!"

  Just as he spoke there came a deep, hoarse roll of thunder, as thoughthe artillery of heaven was being prepared to bombard the guilty pair inthe old Manor-house. Durgo, with the instinct of a wild animal, raisedhis nose and sniffed. "I smell the rain. Glory! look at the lightning."

  A vivid flash of forked lightning zig-zagged across the violent-huedsky, and again came the crash of thunder. Already the wind was rising,and the vast fields of corn were rustling and sighing and bending underits chill breath. "It is going to be a fierce night," said Durgo,dilating his nostrils to breathe the freshness of the air. "Do youremember in Macbeth, Cyril Lister, of the night of Duncan's murder?" andhe quoted in his deep voice--

  "_--but this sore night, Hath trifled former knowings._"

  Cyril looked at the strong black face, which showed clearly in thefrequent flashes of lightning. "You are a strange man, Durgo. One wouldthink that you were almost--" he hesitated.

  "A white man," finished Durgo coolly. "No, my friend. I am an educatedblack man, and an ingrained savage." He spoke mockingly, then flung backhis military cloak. "Look! Would a man be like this in your soberEngland?"

  Cyril uttered an ejaculation, and had every reason to. In the bluishflare of the lightning he saw that Durgo had stripped himself to aloin-cloth, and that his powerful body was glistening with oil. The solecivilised things about him were canvas running-shoes which he wore, andthe cloak. "Why have you stripped to the buff?" asked Cyril astonished.

  "I may have hard work to catch those two this night," said Durgo,replacing his cloak, which made him look quite respectable, "so I wishto run as easily as possible."

  "But there was no need to strip. The police won't be stripped."

  "It's my way, and was the way of my fathers before me."

  "In Africa, but not in England."

  "Pooh!" was all that Durgo answered, and the two trudged along, bowingtheir heads against the now furiously driving wind. Shortly they came toMrs. Tunks' hut, and the door was opened by the old woman herself.

  "I felt that you were coming, master," she said, nodding. "Enter."

  "No," said Durgo, pausing on the threshold of the ill-smelling room. "Ihave to go back to my post and watch for the coming of the Vands. Mr.Lister will remain here. Has your grandson gone?"

  "No, lovey--I mean master," said Granny coaxingly. "He's ever so muchbetter for the medicine you gave him, and is quite his own self. ButI've sent the gel to get a boat to take him to the caravan. They'vemoved it down the channel to a meadow near the high road. The gel willbring the boat up here in an hour or so, and take Luke back with her;then he'll go on the merry road with her and my sister."

  "You should have sent Luke away before," said Durgo frowning, "for heknew all about the murder, and has blackmailed the Vands. Inglis and hisconstables will be on the opposite bank to this place soon, and they mayarrest him. I shan't say more than I can help, but get him away as soonas you can."

  "Yes, master; yes, deary; yes, lovey!" croaked the old woman; and Durgo,with a significant glance at her and a nod to Cyril, turned away intothe gloom.

  "Won't you come in, lovey?" asked Mrs. Tunks coaxingly.

  "No," said Cyril, who did not relish the malodorous hut; "I'll stay hereand watch for the signal."

  "What signal?" demanded the witch wife.

  "Never mind. Go in!" commanded Lister, and settled himself under theeaves of the hut to keep guard.

  Granny scowled at him as she obeyed. She did not mind cringing to Durgo,who was her master in the black art, but she objected to Cyril orderingher about. Had Granny really possessed the powers she laid claim to shewould have blighted his fresh youth on the spot. As it was, she simplymuttered a curse on what she regarded as his impertinence, and wentindoors.

  Cyril lighted his pipe and kept his eyes on the distant mass of theManor-house, which was revealed blackly when the lightning flashed.Across the ocean of grain tore the furious wind, making it rock like anunquiet sea. Flash after flash darted across the livid sky, and everynow and then came the sudden boom of the thunder. Hour upon hour passeduntil the watcher almost lost count of time. Within the cottage all wasquiet, although at intervals he could hear the querulous voice of Mrs.Tunks shrilly scolding the Romany girl. Lister began to grow impatient,as he dreaded lest Bella should have fallen into the clutches of theVands, who would certainly show her no mercy. It was in his mind toleave his post and see for himself what had occurred. Suddenly a longclear beam smote through the darkness of the night, and he sprang to hisfeet.

  "They have left the house," muttered Cyril, thru
sting his pipe into hispocket; "what's to be done now?"

  The lightning was not quite so frequent, so the vivid beam of thesearch-light had full and fair play. But as the lightning ceased and thethunder became silent, a deluge of rain descended on the thirsty earth.On its strong wings the wind brought the rain, and a tropical down-pouralmost blotted out the haggard moon, which now showed herself betweendriving clouds. But through the steady beam of the search-light could beseen the straight arrows of the rain, and the vast corn-fields hissed asthe heavy drops descended. Here and there swung the ray of light,evidently looking for the fugitives, but as it did not come to rest,Cyril guessed that Bella had not yet descried the flying couple. But therain was so incessant, and the wind so strong, that he was angered tothink how Bella, on the high altitude of the quarter deck, was exposedto its fury.

  Suddenly, as sometimes happens in furious storms, there came a lull bothin the wind and the rain. A perfect silence ensued, and Cyril straininghis ears, heard the soft dip of oars. As he peered towards the blackgulf of the water-way running past the hut, the ray from the Manor-housebecame steady, and the finger of light pointed straight to the boundarychannel. Cyril heard a wild shriek and ran down to the bank. Comingalong the stream he saw a light boat, and in it Mrs. Vand huddled up atthe end in her shawl. Vand himself was rowing with great care: but whenthe beam revealed their doings he lost all caution and rowed withdesperation. Again came a drench of rain, almost blotting out thelandscape, but the ray of light still picked out the guilty couple,following the course of the boat steadily, like an avenging angel'ssword.

  "Row, Henry, row hard!" shrieked Mrs. Vand, crouching in the stern ofthe boat and steering down the narrow channel as best she could, "We'llsoon be safe. Row hard, dear! row hard!"

  "Stop!" cried Cyril from the bank. "Mrs. Vand, you must wait here untilthe police come. Stop!"

  "The police!" yelled the terrified woman, and her face was pearly whitein the brilliant search-light. "Row, Henry; don't stop!"

  Lister whipped out a revolver, with which he had been careful to providehimself. "If you don't stop, Vand, I shall shoot," and he levelled it.

  But the cripple was too desperate to obey. He bent again to the oars andbrought the shallop sweeping right under Cyril's feet. Then, before theyoung man could conjecture what he intended to do, he stood up in therocking boat and swung up an oar with the evident intention of strikingthe man with the revolver into the water. Lister dodged skilfully as theoar came crashing viciously past his ear, and fired at random.

  Mrs. Vand shrieked, her husband cursed, as the shot rang out. There camean answering cry from the near distance, and into the glare of thesearch-light bounded Durgo, naked save for his loin-cloth, black as thepit and furious as the devil who lives therein. Showing his white teethlike those of a wild animal, he raced up to the boat, and without amoment's hesitation flung himself on the figure of Vand as he stood up.The next moment the light craft was overturned, and Durgo, with theVands, was struggling in the water. At the same moment the beam of thesearch-light suddenly vanished, leaving everyone in complete darkness.And the rain, driven by the triumphant wind, deluged the fields.