Dutch the Diver Part 33

What should she do? What should she do? She dared not speak now, but as soon as they were safe on board she would warn Dutch of his danger, and if the Cuban slew her, what then? She would have saved her husband's dear life.

But if he killed Dutch instead!

The thought paralysed her, and a death-like perspiration broke out on her forehead as she felt that she dared not speak lest ill should happen to him she loved. She essayed to rise, but sank back trembling, with her eyes fixed upon the spot where she knew the Cuban was hidden, when Bessy came in sight.

"Why, you've been crying, dear," she said, gaily, as she sat down beside her on the tree trunk. "Come, come, dear, be a woman. All will come right if we wait."

"All will come right if we wait," muttered Hester to herself. Would it?

Ought she to wait and trust, or should she warn Dutch?

"Yes, she would," she said to herself, as soon as they were on board; and, rising, she accompanied Bessy on to the beach, where the first person on whom her eyes lit was the Cuban, with drooping eyelids, limping slowly along with some sh.e.l.lfish in his hand, so changed once more that Hester asked herself whether this scene had indeed been the nightmare of some dream.

A shout came now from the schooner, and they moved towards the boat, for the sun was beginning to dip, when another shout from behind made them turn, to see Mr Wilson, Mr Meldon, and the two sailors coming from their expedition, laden with beautifully-plumaged birds.

They were soon on board once more, Hester sick at heart, for the Cuban had contrived to whisper to her that one word, "Remember!" and she had shrunk away shivering, feeling that she dared not speak. So great was this man's influence over her that she spent the evening in torture, feeling that his eyes were following her everywhere, that his face was at her cabin window, at the skylight; and she was in both instances right, for Laure felt that she might betray him at any moment, and his plans were not yet ripe.

He watched, then, without intermission, with the intent of forcing her to swear some terrible oath that she would be silent, and this he felt that he could exact from her could he get the chance.

"I shall begin to think that you are going to have some relapse, Hester," said Bessy at last, as they sat alone, trying to read by the light in their little cabin, for John Studwick had gone to rest, and Bessy was sitting with Hester alone.

"Oh, no," she exclaimed, with a smile, "I am quite well."

"But you have been acting so strangely, and starting as you looked up at the skylight. Surely you have not caught some terrible fever through sitting in that bit of jungle."

"Oh, no; I am quite well," said Hester, making an effort to control her feelings. "The heat, perhaps, makes me nervous."

"I know," said Bessy, "you are nervous about your husband going down to-morrow."

"Yes, yes, I am," cried Hester. "I always fear when I know of his taking the work in hand himself. He is so venturesome."

"I wish he would be a little more kind. There, I'll say no more.

Good-night. He has the watch to-night on deck--the first watch."

"Has he?"

"Yes; and if he were my husband I should go to him and ask him if this wicked estrangement was to last, because, if so, it should last for ever, for I would never make another advance to him."

"Are you sure he has the watch to-night?"

"Yes," said Bessy, kissing her; "and it's as dark as pitch on deck.

Shall I go with you, dear?"

"No, no," whispered Hester, eagerly, as her heart began to throb.

"Good-night, good-night."

"But where are you going?" said Bessy, playfully.

"I am going to speak to my husband," said Hester, whose face was as white as ashes, but her voice very firm, for the strength that she had prayed for seemed to have come at last, and she felt that at any hazard she must go and tell Dutch of the impending danger to them both. For it was evident from the Cuban's words, as much as from his presence, that he held some deep design on hand, and perhaps she might be saving others as well as her husband by the step she was about to take.

But he had said that he would kill Dutch if she betrayed him, and her heart seemed to stand still at the horrible thought. But no--Dutch was so strong and brave, and he would seize this villain, and, by taking rapid action, secure safety to himself, perhaps to the ship as well.

"You had better let me go too," said Bessy, smiling.

"No, no," said Hester, shaking her head; "stop here. I shall be back almost directly."

"I am not so sure," said Bessy, laughing. "There, dear, all happiness come of your meeting. You will find him right forward, I think."

Hester took a step towards the door, and then realised how weak she was, for she trembled and felt as if she should drop. But this was no time for hesitation, and she came back to say farewell.

"Put out the light or turn it down. I do not want any one to see me go on deck."

Bessy smiled, and turned down the lamp until it was almost out; and then, opening the door gently, Hester stepped to the foot of the cabin stairs, where, as she laid her hand upon the cold bra.s.s rail, the trembling fit again seized her, for her heart whispered that Laure should be watching her.

She recovered herself directly and ascended the cabin stairs, leaving the deep voices of the captain and the others talking behind her; and as she went on her courage seemed to increase, and whispering to herself that it was to save him she loved, she stepped cautiously upon the deck.

All was perfectly silent, and the darkness was intense, save ash.o.r.e, where the fireflies glanced and played in scintillations amongst the trees. She turned from them with a shudder, for it reminded her of the evening's encounter, and, trying to make out where her husband was watching, she went cautiously on, for there was not a sound to be heard.

The distance was very short, but she had to go to the side so as to avoid the masts and deckhouse, beyond which she felt that Dutch would be standing, and she had already reached the mainmast, when she heard a slight cough, which she knew to have been uttered by Dutch.

"He will believe me and love me again," she said to herself, with her heart beginning to throb with joy, "and I shall save him from some dreadful death--save myself too, from that wretch."

As these words were p.r.o.nounced silently by her lips a chill of horror and a curse made her cower shivering back as something dark rose before her, an arm was pa.s.sed tightly round her quivering form, and a damp, cold hand laid upon her mouth checked the shriek with which she was about to pierce the darkness of the night.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

THE SHADOW DARKENED.

In the horror of those moments Hester Pugh felt nerveless, and after the first spasmodic attempt to shriek there was no necessity for the hand pressed so tightly over her lips as she was lifted by a strong arm and carried back a few paces, and then held firmly against the bulwarks.

The next moment, as with starting eyes she gazed wildly about in search of help, her captor's lips were placed close to her, and words that seemed to scorch her brain were hissed into her ear.

"Have I not warned you sufficiently? But for the intense love I bear you, this moment would be your last. One plunge, and it would be impossible to save you in this darkness, and no one would realise who did the deed. Do you wish me to make use of the knowledge I gained to-day with those dynamite experiments; because, listen, I have not looked on in vain. One touch of a wire--one that I have laid--and this ship and all on board would be in fragments. That would have happened if you had gone forward to-night and betrayed me. Once more, listen; it is useless for you to fight against your fate, for I am not alone here; and when I cease watching you others take up the task. There. See, I release and trust you after what I have said."

He took his hand from the trembling woman's lips, but grasped her tightly still, lest she should sink down fainting.

"Now return quietly to your cabin," he continued, "and remember this.

You think to save Dutch Pugh and the rest by betraying me. Instead of that you will send them to their death. Now go back without a sound."

Hester felt her arm released, and that she was free. Her first wild thought was to run forward, shrieking for help; her next that Laure would keep his word, and, controlling herself she tottered with outstretched hands back to the cabin stairs, and reached the little cabin where Bessy was already asleep, and then, sinking on her knees, prayed for help in this time of need.

That night of agony seemed as if it would never pa.s.s away, for Hester crouched there sleepless and watching, starting at every sound, and trembling lest the Cuban should be already putting some diabolical scheme into action. At length the day broke, and quite exhausted she sank into a troubled slumber, from which she awoke affrighted with the feeling upon her that Laure was bending down trying to read her face and tell whether she was going to warn her husband or not.

A smile of relief crossed her lips, though, as she saw that it was Bessy Studwick, and she listened calmly to her chidings, but refused to go to bed.

"It was so foolish," said Bessy, "to sit there the night through. It is not the way to grow strong."