Mr. Crawford the Reverend, and Percival Fielding"s murderer. It strained even and Percival Fielding"s murderer. It strained even my my propensity for cynical calculation. propensity for cynical calculation.
I sat down upon the lowest step in an att.i.tude of shock, the lighted taper dropping from my nerveless fingers. James could not suppress an exclamation of anxiety, and fell to his knees by my side.
"Dear miss!" he cried. "Are you unwell? What can I have said?"
I reached a shaking hand to ward off his concern. "It is nothing, James-nothing-a mere trifling indisposition. I shall be myself in a moment."
"A gla.s.s o" water, mebbe?" He dashed into the scullery and rummaged about in a cupboard, reappearing in-standy with a saucerless teacup filled to the brim. "You drink that down, now, miss, and you"ll be right as rain."
I brushed his hand aside and rose, my faculties all but routed. "I must be off at once," I said. "I must speak with Mr. Dobbin!"
"At such an hour?" James"s voice was doubtful, and I saw from his look that he thought my senses quite fled. "He"ll be a-bed, surely, or close to it."
"That is as nothing. The man must be stopped."
"What man, Miss?"
I ascended the stairs as hastily as I knew how, in search of a bonnet and cloak, paying little heed to my father, who emerged from his bedroom in nightshirt and cap, his countenance overlaid with wonder.
"Are you intending to pay a call, call, my dear? And in the middle of the night?" my dear? And in the middle of the night?"
"It is not above ten o"clock," I replied crossly, and turned from him in haste. "I do but go to Mr. Dobbin, and shall return direcdy."
Comprehension dawned on my father"s face. "But do you know the proper direction? Had not I better accompany you?"
At this, I paused-for indeed, I had not the slightest idea of where the justice of the peace was to be found. "I shall have James to accompany me," I said, with an air of decision that brooked no reply. "He will know the way, and may serve as greater protection in case of need. Do not alarm yourself, Father, and endeavour to disguise the truth to my mother. Inform her I have been called to the side of a sick friend-Mrs. Barnewall, if need be-at the lady"s request."
"Are you certain, Jane, that such activity is required required of your benevolence?" of your benevolence?"
"Justice demands it, Father. I shall not be long." I gave him a swift kiss, and received his hand on my head in blessing, and turned from him in a swirl of my wool skirts.
It was as James and I stepped out upon the threshold of Wings cottage, and turned up Broad towards the center of Lyme, that the glow upon the horizon-so incongruous in so dark a sky-astounded our senses. We stood aghast, our purpose forgotten at the sight of the blaze, and smelled the sharp odour of wood and tar upon the wind.
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"FIRE! FIRE!"
All was chaos, with the old wooden buildings at the center of town aflame. Fire licked at the stone pavements, and found no purchase, and so turned to leap greedily from thatched roof to thatched roof, in a crackle and volley of sparks that suggested a riotous celebration, as though the Devil himself had determined to hold a party. Several of the princ.i.p.al buildings along Silver Street were ablaze, and a long line of men were engaged in swinging buckets from the town"s main cistern; but the water was as a drop to the throat of a dying man; it had no power to stem the course of events, except in that it allowed the onlookers to feel comfort in the activity of refusal.
"How did it start?" James cried hoa.r.s.ely to a pa.s.sing man.
"Dunno," the fellow replied. "Does it matter?" and he handed my manservant a sack of burlap and a stout shovel. "Get you to the fireguard, there, and join in the diggin". If the flames come near, beat at "em with the sack."
James did not hesitate; in an instant he had disappeared into the thick cloud of smoke and townspeople collected near the blaze; and I was alone at the periphery of h.e.l.l.
I gazed in horror, remembering Sidmouth"s words of but a few hours ago-unless it be that chaos reign and fire cover the earth-and that swiftly, I felt I knew knew how the blaze had begun, and the object of so much general diversion. Did the townsfolk exert their energies in an hour of true crisis, they should be little likely to guard the gaol. The Royalists had done as their leader predicted. Fire rained down from the heavens, and chaos reigned; how the blaze had begun, and the object of so much general diversion. Did the townsfolk exert their energies in an hour of true crisis, they should be little likely to guard the gaol. The Royalists had done as their leader predicted. Fire rained down from the heavens, and chaos reigned;1 and in the midst of it all, I knew that Sidmouth was fled. and in the midst of it all, I knew that Sidmouth was fled.
I turned away from the prospect of Silver Street, and ducked down a narrow alley towards the whitewashed stone keep. The fire was at just enough distance from the gaol, and threatened so valuable a number of shops, as to ensure complete distraction. A very few moments sufficed to bring me to Gordy Trimble"s cubby; and to find it deserted, and the doorway beyond flung wide. I did not bother to look within; for I knew I should find the manacles burst, from the blow of an axe, and the prisoner gone into the dark.
I turned-in the grip, at the moment, of indecision; and nearly collided with a gentleman at my back.
"Miss Austen!" he cried, and despite the disorder of our surroundings, did not neglect to bow.
"Mr. Crawford!" I replied, in a tremulous tone-and wished, of a sudden, for James by my side. "The blaze has brought you out, 1 see!"
"How could it not? I observed the light of the flames from Darby"s high position; and waited only long enough for Miss Crawford to put up some bread and cheese, before mounting my horse and hastening to town. You cannot know, I realise, that we are very much prey to such blazes, here along the coast; a similar fire not a year ago quite nearly levelled the lower part of town; and every man"s aid must be necessary at such a time."
His earnest face was as good-natured as ever beneath the balding pate, and he betrayed not the slightest hint of his propensity for evil, nor the incongruity of us both, as we stood many streets away from the conflagration he had hastened so far to combat. I forbore from suggesting that he might find his way closer to the flames, from fear of arousing his suspicions; and endeavoured to appear as though my anxiety were active only on the crisis"s behalf.
"But what do you here, Miss Austen-at such a remove from both your home and the blaze together?" he enquired, bending nearer. Did I imagine it-or did his tone bear a sharper construction?
"I began by observing the activity in some proximity," I attempted, "but found the heat from the flames and the noise of the townsfolk to be too great; and so sought relief in this removal. I hardly know where I have got to."
"Indeed," Crawford said. "I think you have fetched up quite close to the Lyme gaol." And at that, he peered over my shoulder into the yard beyond, and his eyes widened. "I see that Sidmouth"s friends-if, indeed, he retains any-have profited from the confusion, to effect his escape. Mr. Dobbin must be informed!"
I turned about, and pretended to as great a surprise as Mr. Crawford, though I imagine neither of us saw anything very unexpected; and delayed only a moment to speed the gentleman on his way to the justice of the peace.
"Do you hasten, Mr. Crawford, sir, lest the villain be lost in the general alarm!" I cried, with as much fervour as my desire to be rid of the man allowed. "With such criminals about, I believe I shall make my way back to Wings cottage, and take refuge there with all my dear family, until a general order is restored. I declare, I had not an idea of such terrifying adventures-such utter disregard for propriety, or such a propensity for revolution-when I undertook to travel to Lyme. Our sojourn in this place has been one long trial of fort.i.tude; I wonder that either either you or your good sister can long sustain a residence in the place." you or your good sister can long sustain a residence in the place."
"It is possible," he replied, "that we shall seek a removal in the near future-for I may admit that Miss Crawford"s views are very similar to your own, Miss Austen. But I hesitate to send you off so very alone-I fear that perhaps I should accompany you-for great are the misfortunes that might befall so gentle a nature as your own, in the general recklessness of these streets."
"I would not delay your errand for the world!" I cried, with energy. "Only consider the consequences!"
"Indeed," he said, in some hesitation; and I felt him to have anything but but the justice"s house in view. His object, rather, should be to see me safely out of the way, before proceeding himself in pursuit of Sidmouth; for Crawford"s plans had been too carefully laid to be put so awry. Sidmouth must serve as scapegoat for Crawford"s crimes; and if the man were lost as a result of the fire, and never appeared again, so much the better. I knew, of a sudden, what Crawford intended. He would make his way to the beach below the Grange, there to search for Sidmouth as he awaited removal by boat; his friend had no reason to suspect Crawford"s motives, and did he appear in the guise of aid, should welcome him with open arms. It but remained to thrust a dagger through his heart, or turn him over to the justice, and complete his betrayal. the justice"s house in view. His object, rather, should be to see me safely out of the way, before proceeding himself in pursuit of Sidmouth; for Crawford"s plans had been too carefully laid to be put so awry. Sidmouth must serve as scapegoat for Crawford"s crimes; and if the man were lost as a result of the fire, and never appeared again, so much the better. I knew, of a sudden, what Crawford intended. He would make his way to the beach below the Grange, there to search for Sidmouth as he awaited removal by boat; his friend had no reason to suspect Crawford"s motives, and did he appear in the guise of aid, should welcome him with open arms. It but remained to thrust a dagger through his heart, or turn him over to the justice, and complete his betrayal.
Sidmouth must, at all costs, be warned.
I bobbed a curtsey to Crawford, and summoned the falsest of smiles. "I shall be quite all right, I a.s.sure you," I said, and turned away. "I should never sleep easy, Mr. Crawford, did you not hasten to Mr. Dobbin this very moment G.o.d forbid that Jane Austen should stand in justice"s way!"
I RETURNED WITH HASTE TO WLNGS COTTAGE, IN THE EVENT THAT Mr. Crawford followed; for I knew not how narrowly he suspected my motives, or my presence by the gaol, and I would wish to preserve the Mr. Crawford followed; for I knew not how narrowly he suspected my motives, or my presence by the gaol, and I would wish to preserve the appearance appearance of credulity in Mr. Sidmouth"s guilt and an innocence of my intended plan. But I knew that Crawford should spare a very little time, and should be mounted on horseback, and must lose nothing to delay. And so I tarried only long enough to discard my c.u.mbersome cloak and bonnet, don my stout boots, and mount the steps to Wings cottage"s back garden-there to slip once more into the night. It was but a scramble up the hillside, and a furtive ducking through the yard of a neighbour, before I found my road; and in a very little while, my hand pressed to a st.i.tch in my side, I was hastening across the exposed expanse of Broad Ledge at low tide, and down into the little cove of Charmouth beach. of credulity in Mr. Sidmouth"s guilt and an innocence of my intended plan. But I knew that Crawford should spare a very little time, and should be mounted on horseback, and must lose nothing to delay. And so I tarried only long enough to discard my c.u.mbersome cloak and bonnet, don my stout boots, and mount the steps to Wings cottage"s back garden-there to slip once more into the night. It was but a scramble up the hillside, and a furtive ducking through the yard of a neighbour, before I found my road; and in a very little while, my hand pressed to a st.i.tch in my side, I was hastening across the exposed expanse of Broad Ledge at low tide, and down into the little cove of Charmouth beach.
THE ROYALISTS SHOULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN TO SET THE TOWN alight, and free Sidmouth from his chains, only to keep him in hiding several days-no, there was a plan behind all of this, and a purpose, and I little doubted that I should find a party upon the beach, in expectation of the arrival of a ship offsh.o.r.e, and a signal light that should go unremarked against the broader glare of flames to the west. That Crawford might a.s.sume as much-or look for Sidmouth to return to the Grange, and from thence make his way down the cliff side to the shingle, seemed equally likely. I had not a moment to lose. alight, and free Sidmouth from his chains, only to keep him in hiding several days-no, there was a plan behind all of this, and a purpose, and I little doubted that I should find a party upon the beach, in expectation of the arrival of a ship offsh.o.r.e, and a signal light that should go unremarked against the broader glare of flames to the west. That Crawford might a.s.sume as much-or look for Sidmouth to return to the Grange, and from thence make his way down the cliff side to the shingle, seemed equally likely. I had not a moment to lose.
Caution must be my guide, however; and so, as I drew shuddering breath at the eastern foot of Broad Ledge, my shins much abused by my pa.s.sage and my gown spattered with sea spray, I attempted to calm my racing heart. I could not know for certain the route Mr. Crawford should take; but his own familiarity with this bit of coast, and the proximity of his fossil digs, must make him a knowing adversary. I strained to make out the beach"s foreground, and observed no movement; but for safety"s sake, I turned into the cliffs, and began to creep my way up the shingle.
Nothing but the soft susurration of waves upon the sh.o.r.e, did I have for comfort in the darkness; that, and the light patter of raindrops that had begun to fall from the clouds above-slowly at first, and then with a mounting urgency, as though the very heavens wished to save the houses and shops of Lyme, in letting fall a healing flood. My turn of mind was grown quite biblical, I reflected-a propensity for which I must blame Geoffrey Sidmouth, and the discord his circ.u.mstances had unleashed. I placed a careful foot upon a rock, in an effort to leap a small sea-pool, and found I had miscalculated; the rock o"erturned, with a sharp clink! clink!y and I stopped in horror of discovery. and I stopped in horror of discovery.
Nothing greeted my misstep, however-no leap to alarm, or sudden gunshot, or cry of warning torn from an anxious throat Had I miscalculated? Was Charmouth beach empty, and Sidmouth lost in the mouth of the Pinny, and far from the effects of Crawford and my warning together? Or-and at this, I felt a shudder of apprehension-was Crawford better apprised of his friend"s whereabouts, and I had lost both Sidmouth and the opportunity to effect his salvation?
I found my fingers were trembling, and willed myself to complaisance with an effort; but it was not fear that had so unnerved me, but cold cold-for I was wet through to the skin from the combined effects of rain and spray, and my hair hung in wet rat-tails about my face. I looked the very part of castaway, and must find some shelter soon, or catch my death.
The cave, I thought; I thought; of course. They shall have hidden themselves in the cave, and await the signal of the ship, and be all but invisible to my wandering eye. of course. They shall have hidden themselves in the cave, and await the signal of the ship, and be all but invisible to my wandering eye.
But did Crawford know of the cavern as well? No, I could not believe him ignorant of a feature of the landscape he had occupied so long.
The gentleman"s fossil pits were before me; I longed to explore their depths, and find there a storeroom, and a quant.i.ty of silk of exceptional quality; but such things were better left to the light of day, and Mr. Dobbin"s men. It remained now for me to pa.s.s the entrance in as much safety as possible, against the possibility that Mr. Crawford was even now about; and so, despite the cold, I pulled my clinging skirts into a girdle around my waist, exposing my stockinged legs to the elements, and fell to the sand on hands and knees. A stealthy crawl along the sh.o.r.e, with many a pause for safety, and the pits were nearly pa.s.sed; when a soft nicker nearly starded me out of my wits, and I looked up to find a horse tethered to a rock not three feet from my head. -A dark horse, nearly invisible on such a night, and undoubtedly Mr. Crawford"s.
But xuhere was the man himself?
A shudder, part cold and part terror, overcame my body, and I laid my face against the sand. Did he find me here, I should a.s.suredly be lost.
"Miss Austen," came a voice from above, "and in so abject a posture! Can this be the light angel of old?"
I raised my head slowly, in fear for my life-and gazed squarely into the eyes of Lord Harold Trowbridge.2 IT IS NOT FOR ME HERE TO RELATE THE JOY WITH WHICH I I GREETED GREETED his narrow, calculating face; nor the shock and relief I felt, nor the questions I plied-for I was denied all such, in being grasped roughly by the arm, and dragged into the safety of a cairn, and held with rapidly beating heart against the wet wool of Trowbridge"s greatcoat. his narrow, calculating face; nor the shock and relief I felt, nor the questions I plied-for I was denied all such, in being grasped roughly by the arm, and dragged into the safety of a cairn, and held with rapidly beating heart against the wet wool of Trowbridge"s greatcoat.
"Make no sound," he commanded in a whisper. "It is as much as your life is worth."
I nodded once; and in an instant, observed the confident pacing of a man across the shingle with a c.o.c.ked pistol in his hand, some twenty feet from the rocks behind which we sat. Crawford. Crawford. Quite careless of discovery- or confident that he should prevail against it. Quite careless of discovery- or confident that he should prevail against it.
"He is making for the cavern/" I breathed. The slightest pressure of Trowbridge"s hand warned me against further speech. We waited, with breath suspended, until Crawford had achieved the mouth of the cave-and startled us with a sudden cry.
"I say! Sidmouth! Are you there? It"s Cholmondeley Crawford. I"ve come to offer my a.s.sistance!"
I stole a glance at Trowbridge. "The man is Sidmouth"s enemy."
"I know."
"But how?"
"I have had you followed for some days," he whispered in reply. "Having observed to whom you spoke, I merely spoke to them in turn. What you have deduced, I have seconded. Crawford is the Reverend, and hopes to put Sidmouth in the way of settling his score with the law." He rose to a half-crouch, and peered around our sheltering stone. "He is being ushered within. We have not a moment to lose. I doubt not that the law follows hard upon his heels, and that he expects to hold Sidmouth and his men at gunpoint until he might hand them over to the dragoons, and pose as hero of the day."
"But are not the Royalists armed?"
"It shall avail them nothing, if they are taken by surprise. Stay here in safety, and do not move until I return." He took a step out from the rock, but I clutched at his coattails immediately.
"You would not leave me here!"
"I have no choice, Miss Austen," Lord Harold said impatiently. "You must find your fort.i.tude where you may."
"I am coming with you."
"You cannot."
"I must," I insisted, and rose to my feet. "If you do not allow it, I shall scream at the full pitch of my lungs, and bring Crawford down upon you."
We had parried closely before, but never in the presence of such mortal danger. Tonight Trowbridge was neither amused nor incensed at my insistence; he merely calculated a measure past it, and handed me his pistol. I had never held such a thing before, and had not the slightest notion of how to discharge it.
"It is loaded with ball," Trowbridge said. "Keep it pointed in the air, and fire at will if the dragoons approach. In this you should be performing a dearer service, and prove less of an enc.u.mbrance, than if you dragged at my heels. Not another word!" he commanded; and was gone as swiftly as a star at sunrise.
I gave him a few moments; observed his lean form scuttle along the beach with bent back and arms akimbo, for all the world like a retreating crab; and then turned as noiselessly as I might, and began the slow ascent up the cliff"s face.
I DID NOT EXPEND MUCH THOUGHT IN RESOLVING LORD HAROLD"S presence upon Charmouth beach, or his admission that he had had me followed. Sidmouth"s support of the Royalists, as I had already divined, had as its object the destruction of Napoleon"s reign; and that Harold Trowbridge, servant of the Crown, should be behind the Grange"s projects, should hardly astonish. Tho "the Royal Navy stood vigilant against invasion, and the Sea Fencibles3 were roused along the coasdine, how much more easy should all of Britain sleep, if the tyrant were torn from his throne, and France no longer in thrall! What lives should be saved, at the expense of this one life! were roused along the coasdine, how much more easy should all of Britain sleep, if the tyrant were torn from his throne, and France no longer in thrall! What lives should be saved, at the expense of this one life! Others, Others, did they know of it, might speak with shock of statecraft so dishonourably conducted, behind the veil of proper diplomacy; and were the Royalists unmasked, and Lord Harold"s part in their skulduggery exposed, he should bring down upon his head only the usual measure of disapprobation his activities generally enjoyed. But I may, perhaps, look more kindly on Sidmouth and his men, for having did they know of it, might speak with shock of statecraft so dishonourably conducted, behind the veil of proper diplomacy; and were the Royalists unmasked, and Lord Harold"s part in their skulduggery exposed, he should bring down upon his head only the usual measure of disapprobation his activities generally enjoyed. But I may, perhaps, look more kindly on Sidmouth and his men, for having two two brothers much exposed to the caprice of war; and count as nothing the cloak and the dagger deployed to secure their continued health and safety. In truth, I quite admired His Majesty for undertaking such a course. brothers much exposed to the caprice of war; and count as nothing the cloak and the dagger deployed to secure their continued health and safety. In truth, I quite admired His Majesty for undertaking such a course.4 After perhaps ten minutes of struggle, I gained the cliff"s head; and from there, it was but a short scramble to Captain Fielding"s garden, and the wilderness temple. I glanced swiftly around me-at the still shadows cloaking the empty house, and the rank-upon-rank of dormant rose bushes, and the discerning eyes of the stone wood nymphs-and without a second thought, secure in such isolation, I plunged into the tool-shed and made for the tunnel"s very mouth.
THE DARKNESS OF THE Pa.s.sAGE WAS AS ABSOLUTE AS I I REMEMBERED; REMEMBERED; I felt my way down the initial flight of steps, and along the sloping ground, with as much haste as discretion allowed. I could not recall with certainty how many minutes were required for the completion of the distance; but that it should be far less than the I felt my way down the initial flight of steps, and along the sloping ground, with as much haste as discretion allowed. I could not recall with certainty how many minutes were required for the completion of the distance; but that it should be far less than the ten ten demanded of a direct a.s.sault upon the cliff"s face, I confidently a.s.sumed. And indeed, a little over half that time had elapsed, when I found myself confronted with the wooden door, and the faint line of light at its edges, that proclaimed me come to the cavern itself. I placed my ear against it, and stood as still as a mouse. demanded of a direct a.s.sault upon the cliff"s face, I confidently a.s.sumed. And indeed, a little over half that time had elapsed, when I found myself confronted with the wooden door, and the faint line of light at its edges, that proclaimed me come to the cavern itself. I placed my ear against it, and stood as still as a mouse.
"At the very least, Crawford, allow Mademoiselle Le-Fevre to go free," came a grim voice; I recognised Sidmouth, and knew that his every illusion regarding Crawford"s purpose must be now o"erthrown. "She has done nothing to deserve arrest, and her brother is wounded, as you may plainly see. Send them out to the boat-at pistol point, if need be-and keep me hostage to their word. I may fully vouch that they shall depart without a backwards glance, if I so command it"
"Do you think me a fool? Should I allow a boat to land, and armed men with it, before the dragoons are come? 1 have not spent a decade in flight of the law, to fall victim to another rogue. No, Sidmouth, you shall remain within, and the signal go unsent, and the boat remain offsh.o.r.e."
There was a faint groan of suffering-from the injured Philippe, 1 supposed. It was because of the boy that I had a.s.sumed Sidmouth would seek hiding so near to the Grange, rather than in the wilds of the Pinny, or simply flying along the Crewkerne road. He was not the sort to leave his ailing cousin, and since any attempt at removal by waggon should delay them insupportably, they must must go by boat, and be borne swiftly out of harm"s way, or die in the attempt. go by boat, and be borne swiftly out of harm"s way, or die in the attempt.
There was a rapid cursing in French from Seraphine, and the sound of a woman spitting.
"You may rest easy, Mademoiselle," came Crawford"s voice. "By my lights, we have not long to wait"
Where, oh, where, was Lord Harold?
"What was that?" Crawford"s voice held a note of apprehension. "A sound, like a rock falling." A pause, during which I a.s.sume the Reverend peered cautiously from the cavern"s mouth. "Not the dragoons-they should have no need for stealth," he mused. "Some other, other, then. Sidmouth!" then. Sidmouth!"
Footsteps crossed the cavern swifdy, and I heard with a shudder a cry of pain from Seraphine and the c.o.c.king of a pistol. "Your beloved dies, unless you speak the truth. What manner of man is beyond the cavern mouth? Is it Dagliesh, your black dog? Or one of your lily-bearers, perhaps? Out with it!"
"You had better keep your ball for the defence of your prize," Sidmouth drily rejoined, "than spend it in terrorizing my cousin. I have no notion who might be beyond."
He spoke strongly, with much of bravado; but there was something like hope in his voice. A sudden in-drawing of breath, and an ill-suppressed whimper from Seraphine, was his only reward.
A gunshot rang out, and I jumped, in a fever of anxiety that Crawford had carried out his ruthless aim; but even as the thought occurred, I knew the ball to have been fired from some distance, the beach beyond, perhaps, and not from within the cavern. It must, it could only be, Lord Harold. There was the sound of a scuffle, and a dragging of a body across the floor of the cave, and then Crawford"s voice was very nearly at my ear.
"The girl comes with me, Sidmouth, as proof against your aims. If I am pursued, she dies-even if I must die with her. But if your man outside makes no attempt to follow, you have my word that she shall live."
I knew with sharp certainty that Crawford intended some retreat up the very tunnel whose doorway I commanded, with Seraphine as his hostage, and I felt my heart race. I pressed myself against the tunnel wall, my breath suspended, and raised Lord Harold"s pistol high in both hands. 1 should have only one chance, or be overcome.
The door was thrust wide, and Crawford backed into the pa.s.sage, his left arm hooked about the throat of Seraphine, who struggled futilely, with rolling eyes; and in his right hand, an upraised gun, that trembled with a cowardly anxiety.
So much? saw, before I brought the b.u.t.t of Lord Harold"s pistol down upon his skull, with all the force in my slender frame and a guttural yell that shocked even my my overwrought senses-and Crawford swayed a moment on his feet, then crumpled to the ground. overwrought senses-and Crawford swayed a moment on his feet, then crumpled to the ground.
What hullabaloo did then ensue! It was Sidmouth first who vaulted into the pa.s.sage, followed swiftly by one or two men I judged to be French, and in their train, Lord Harold Trowbridge, with something very like amazement on his narrow face, and a touch of amus.e.m.e.nt in his cold grey eyes. Seraphine had sprung free, and thrown herself in Sidmouth"s arms; but it was to me he looked, over her golden head, and spoke all his astonished grat.i.tude.
As for myself-the apprehension of the moment having given way to energetic activity, I found myself with tremors now renewed, and a shaking at the knees, and all but crumpled to the insensible Mr. Crawford"s side; but found support, at the last, in the strong arm of a French stranger, who helped me from the tunnel and into the comparative freedom of the cavern"s depths.
"My compliments, Miss Austen," Lord Harold said briefly, joining us. "Mademoiselle-the signal?"
"The boy has it," Seraphine managed, from the folds of Sidmouth"s shirt.
Trowbridge turned to Toby, who leaned in a shadow on his crutches, and held out his hand for the spout lant-horn. He waited only for the striking of a match, and was as swiftly gone to the beach.
A groan, and I turned to observe Mr. Crawford regaining his wits; and saw that he was firmly trussed in rope, with his hands bound behind.
"Leave him," Sidmouth tersely ordered his companions. "Lord Harold shall deal with him. Let us bear Philippe to the beach. If the dragoons come before the boat, at least we may make our stand in the open, and die n.o.bly at the last." He gave a shake to Seraphine, who released him with a sigh, and bent to the task of removing her brother, who lay on a litter in the very midst of the cave. I drew a deep breath, and pa.s.sed a hand over my draggled locks. The flight had been planned with extreme simplicity; a few sacks only lay about the floor, filled, I supposed, with but a change of dress and provisions against the journey. I reached for one, and carried it to the cavern"s mouth.
Trowbridge stood upon the shingle, careless of all who might observe him, a pocket gla.s.s to his eye, his every fibre straining towards the horizon. "The boat!" he cried. "It advances!"
The rain that had begun perhaps a half-hour before had become a veritable storm-smugglers" weather, I recalled with a half-smile-and the suspense that characterised the skiff"s approach was such as I hope never to endure again. Twice, it was nearly capsized, but for a manful pulling at the oars, as it attempted to breast the surf at the bar; and once, an oarsman was swept overboard with a terrible cry, and was only retrieved by his mates with difficulty, at the loss of several moments" precious time. But at last it achieved the beach, with Lord Harold and Sidmouth running into the surf to their thighs" height to aid its approach; and the Frenchmen bent to Philippe"s litter. I recalled with a half-smile-and the suspense that characterised the skiff"s approach was such as I hope never to endure again. Twice, it was nearly capsized, but for a manful pulling at the oars, as it attempted to breast the surf at the bar; and once, an oarsman was swept overboard with a terrible cry, and was only retrieved by his mates with difficulty, at the loss of several moments" precious time. But at last it achieved the beach, with Lord Harold and Sidmouth running into the surf to their thighs" height to aid its approach; and the Frenchmen bent to Philippe"s litter.
At that moment, Seraphine gave a cry. I turned to observe her uplifted hand, pointing back along the cliff"s edge; what seemed an army of men was descending the road to the fossil works, swarming over the beach and heading in our direction. The men sprang to the boat; Lord Harold heaved with all his wiry strength at the prow, and Sidmouth swung Seraphine to safety amidships. He turned, half-standing, half-kneeling, in the boat, and searched for my face.
"Jane!" he cried. "What we owe, nothing might repay! G.o.d keep you, all the days of your life! And may you find the happiness denied to me, me, with your loss-" with your loss-"
I could not answer, for the tears streaming down my face, and slowly raised a hand in salute. Lord Harold surged out into the waves; the oarsmen bent to their burden, and with an agonising slowness, the boat turned towards the open water beyond the bar, fighting, fighting, against the storm.