Wyndham's Pal Part 26

Elliot stopped and drained his gla.s.s, and when he went on his voice was hoa.r.s.e. "We were crossing her bows, close-hauled on the starboard tack.

Our business, of course, was to carry on, but our lights were low and not very bright, and as a rule, it's prudent to give a steamer room.

Anyhow, I shoved down the helm to bring her round, and told Jevons to get out the big oar when I found her slow. The wind was light and she was plunging on the North-Wall boat's wake. She came headto, and then a roller hit her bows and she fell off. Jevons was trying to pull her round, and for two or three moments I saw the steamer's forecastle. She was a big, clumsy craft, going light, and looked as high as a house.

"Then there was a crash and the mast went. I saw our side deck crumble and the other's stem cut through to the cabin top. Mast and boom were over the side, and when the round of her bow filled our c.o.c.kpit I knew it was time to go. By good luck, we had towed the dinghy and the steamer held up _Deva_ until we got on board. Then as we cut the painter the old boat broke away, and the steamer went on, over the top of her. I imagine she stopped, because we heard her whistle in the fog, but we'd had enough of her and pulled for the beach. We landed at Kingstown, and I think that's all."

Marston sympathized and ordered drinks. Elliot drained his gla.s.s and turned to Wyndham.

"Well," he said, "she was insured and I want another boat. What's your price for _Red Rose_?"

"_Red Rose_ is not for sale," Marston interposed.

"Then why did Forwood tell me you wanted an offer?"

Marston looked at Wyndham, who nodded. "It's all right, Bob; I'm going to sell." Then he turned to Elliot and stated a sum.

"A moderate price!" the other remarked. "I'll admit it's less than I thought. Is she sound?"

"She is not," Wyndham replied. "Port side's weak where the strain of the rigging comes; she needs some new timbers. The covering board ought to be relaid all round. Keel's shaky aft; the deadwood ought to be lifted----"

He indicated the repairs he thought necessary and Elliot looked at him with surprise.

"Since you want to sell, aren't you taking a rather unusual line?"

Wyndham smiled. "I allowed for defects when I fixed the price. The carpenter's job will be expensive, but if it's properly done, the boat will afterwards be nearly as good as new. I think you can rely on this."

Marston gave his partner a puzzled glance and Elliot said, "After your frankness, I'll buy her and take my chance."

"I imagine it's a safe investment," Wyndham rejoined.

For a few moments Elliot was quiet and then he fixed his eyes on Wyndham and said in a thoughtful voice, "_Red Rose_ is fast and you sailed her cleverly. All the same, I never understood how you beat us when you won the Commodore's cup."

"I imagine I went the wrong side of the Knoll buoy," Wyndham answered coolly. "Perhaps this gave us some advantage, because the tide runs longer near the coast."

Marston moved abruptly, but Wyndham went on: "I'm not certain; but if you had filed a protest, I wouldn't have claimed the prize. Bob thought he saw something in the haze. It might have been a gull, but it might have been the buoy. Anyhow, we went on and the tide carried us along the sh.o.r.e."

The short silence that followed had a hint of strain. Wyndham knew Elliot knew his winning the race had appealed to Flora's imagination.

Moreover, he thought Elliot had wanted to marry Flora and would have had Chisholm's support. Marston saw they had got on awkward ground, and felt embarra.s.sed.

"After all you did beat us and you were not sure it was the buoy,"

Elliot said, in a quiet, meaning voice. "It's too late to file a protest now. Besides, we were talking about the boat----"

"I'll put her on the hard, if you'd like a proper survey before you decide."

"No," said Elliot. "I don't think it's needful. Your statement satisfied me. I'll buy her."

He went off and Wyndham gave Marston a smile. "You look surprised, Bob."

"Let's have another drink," said Marston, who called a waiter and then resumed awkwardly: "Elliot played up pretty well. I like the fellow; he's a sportsman, but after all I think it was a gull we saw. Anyhow, we won't bother about it again. Why have you sold _Red Rose_?"

"It ought to be obvious. A yacht costs something and my keeping an expensive toy wouldn't be justified just now."

"Romantic exaggeration! You're frankly ridiculous," said Marston with some warmth. "Wyndhams' isn't going broke."

Wyndham picked up the newspaper and indicated an advertis.e.m.e.nt. "I really think I'm logical. Perhaps, this ought to persuade you I've made up my mind."

"Preposterous!" Marston exclaimed, throwing down the paper. "Your pretty new house? Besides, it's Flora's house as well as yours!"

"Flora agrees," said Wyndham quietly.

Marston got up and his face was red. "Looks as if you don't mean to let me help much. It's senseless exaggeration; things aren't as bad as you make out. However, I've had enough. I'll get angry if I stay."

"You ought to approve; I imagined you liked a thorough job," Wyndham rejoined, and Marston frowned as he crossed the floor.

Men spoke to him as he pa.s.sed their tables, but he did not stop and going to the drawing-room found Flora alone. When he came in she put down her book and indicated an easy chair.

"Stop and talk to me, Bob. I was beginning to feel neglected," she said.

"But what has happened? You look annoyed."

"I am rather savage," Marston admitted. "Think I'll stand until I get cool. Do you know Harry has sold _Red Rose_?"

"I knew he wanted to sell her," Flora said quietly.

"This is not all. D'you know about the ridiculous advertis.e.m.e.nt he's put in the newspaper?"

"Of course! I don't altogether see why you are surprised."

Marston hesitated. He did not want to admit he had been surprised, and, after studying Flora thought he could not urge that Wyndham's reformation might be overdone.

"Anyhow, you can see why I'm annoyed," he said. "I'm Harry's partner and am going to marry your oldest friend."

"I have not forgotten this and it helps me to be frank. You're generous, Bob, but Harry has done wrong and must pay. He cannot make good at another's cost."

"The trouble is, _you_ must pay. Your house, for example! You planned it, you worked out all the colors, and thought where everything ought to go. The house is beautiful, you're proud of it, and a woman's home means much to her."

Flora turned her head for a moment, but when she looked up again her eyes shone.

"I would sooner be proud of my husband. I am proud now and am going to be prouder. Harry has pluck and meeting obstacles spurs him on. Our part is to encourage him, while he struggles up hill. I know he'll reach the top."

"With a wife like you, he ought to go far," said Marston quietly. "I'm sorry you won't let me help in the way I want, but s'pose I must agree.

Don't know if I'm romantic, but I've felt the world's a better place since I knew you and Mabel."

He went off and soon afterwards Chisholm came in, carrying a newspaper.

"What does this mean?" he asked, indicating an advertis.e.m.e.nt. "Telford showed me the paper. Wanted to know why you were selling the house. I couldn't tell him. Is Harry getting rich so fast that it isn't big enough?"

Flora smiled. "The story's rather long, but I think you must be told. If we stay here, somebody may come in. Let's go to the breakwater."

She got her hat and crossing a street they reached a long granite wall that ran out to sea. The languid swell beat against the ma.s.sive, dovetailed blocks, the moon was rising above the gray hills, and when they had pa.s.sed the landing place there was n.o.body about. By-and-by Chisholm indicated a mooring post and, when Flora sat down, leaned against the granite parapet.