Part 36 (1/2)
He left me and pa.s.sed through the green baize door to the servants'
wing; while I went to my bedroom and changed my things. This done, I pa.s.sed into the study, where I found a meal awaiting me. To this I did ample justice, for my long walk and the excitement of the evening had given me an unusual appet.i.te.
Just as I was cutting myself a third slice of beef Mr. Wetherell returned, and informed me that the housekeeper was on the alert, and would receive the girl on her reappearance.
”Now tell me of your doings,” said the old gentleman.
I thereupon narrated all that had occurred, and when I had finished, he said:--
”Do you believe then that my poor girl has been carried off by Nikola to this island called Pipa Lannu?”
”I do.”
”Well, then, what are we to do to rescue her? Shall, I ask the Government to send a gunboat down?”
”If you think it best; but, for my own part, I must own I should act independently of them. You don't want to make a big sensation, I presume; and remember, to arrest Nikola would be to open the whole affair.”
”Then what do you propose?”
”I propose,” I answered, ”that we charter a small schooner, fit her out, select half a dozen trustworthy and silent men, and then take our departure for Pipa Lannu. I am well acquainted with the island, and, what's more, I hold a master's certificate. We would sail in after dark, arm all our party thoroughly, and go ash.o.r.e. I expect they will be keeping your daughter a prisoner in a hut. If that is so, we will surround it and rescue her without any trouble, and, what is better still, without any public scandal. What do you think?”
”I quite agree with what you say. I think it's an excellent idea; and, while you've been speaking, I too have been thinking of something.
There's my old friend McMurtough, who has a nice steam yacht. I'm sure he'd be willing to let us have the use of her.”
”Where does he live?--far from here?”
”His office would be best; we'll go over and see him directly after breakfast if you like.”
”By all means. Now I think I'll go and take a little nap; I feel quite worn out. When the Inspector arrives you will be able to explain all that has happened; but I think I should ask him to keep a quiet tongue in his head about the island. If it leaks out at all, it may warn them, and they'll be off elsewhere--to a place perhaps where we may not be able to find them.”
”I'll remember,” said Mr. Wetherell, and thereupon I retired to my room, and, having partially undressed, threw myself upon my bed. In less than two minutes I was fast asleep, never waking until the first gong sounded for breakfast; then, after a good bath, which refreshed me wonderfully, I dressed in my usual habiliments, and went downstairs. Mr. Wetherell and the Marquis were in the dining-room, and when I entered both he and the Marquis, who held a copy of the _Sydney Morning Herald_ in his hand, seemed prodigiously excited.
”I say, Mr. Hatteras,” said the latter (after I had said ”Good-morning”), ”here's an advertis.e.m.e.nt which is evidently intended for you!”
”What is it about?” I asked. ”Who wants to advertise for me?”
”Read for yourself,” said the Marquis, giving me the paper.
I took it, and glanced down the column to which he referred me until I came to the following:--
”Richard Hatteras.--If this should meet the eye of Mr. Richard Hatteras, of Thursday Island, Torres Straits, lately returned from England, and believed to be now in Sydney; he is earnestly requested to call at the office of Messrs. Dawson & Gladman, Solicitors, Castlereagh Street, where he will hear of something to his advantage.”
There could be no doubt at all that I was the person referred to; but what could be the reason of it all? What was there that I could possibly hear to my advantage, save news of Phyllis, and it would be most unlikely that I would learn anything about the movements of the gang who had abducted her from a firm of first-cla.s.s solicitors such as I understood Messrs. Dawson & Gladman to be. However, it was no use wondering about it, so I dismissed the matter from my mind for the present, and took my place at the table. In the middle of the meal the butler left the room, in response to a ring at the front door. When he returned, it was to inform me that a man was in the hall, who wished to have a few moments' conversation with me. Asking Mr. Wetherell to excuse me, I left the room.
In the hall I found a seedy-looking individual of about middle age. He bowed, and on learning that my name was Hatteras, asked if he might be permitted five minutes alone with me. In response, I led him to the morning-room, and having closed the door, pointed to a seat. ”What is your business?” I inquired, when he had sat down.
”It is rather a curious affair to approach, Mr. Hatteras,” the man began. ”But to commence, may I be permitted to suggest that you are uneasy in your mind about a person who has disappeared?”
”You may certainly suggest that, if you like,” I answered cautiously.
”If it were in a man's power to furnish a clue regarding that person's whereabouts, it might be useful to you, I suppose,” he continued, craftily watching me out of the corners of his eyes.