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“You think that we are simply the pawns?” asked Davila.
“Undoubtedly!”
“And if it isn’t acceded to, they will kill us?”
“They will doubtless make the threat.”
“Pleasant prospect for us!”
“We won’t contemplate it, just yet. They may gain their point, or we may be rescued; in either case, we’ll be saved from dying!” Elaine laughed. “And, at the worst, I may be able to buy them off – to pay our own ransom. If it’s money they want, we shall not die, I assure you.”
“You would pay what they demand?” Davila asked, quickly.
“If I have to choose between death and paying, I reckon I’ll pay.”
“But can you pay?”
“Yes, I think I can pay,” she said quietly. “I’m not used to boasting my wealth, but I can draw my check for a million, and it will be honored without a moment’s question. Does that make you feel easier, my dear?”
“Considerably easier,” said Davila, with a glad laugh. “I couldn’t draw my check for much more than ten thousand cents. I am only – ” She stopped, staring.
“What on earth is the matter, Davila?” Elaine exclaimed.
“I have it! – it’s the thieves!”
“Have you suddenly lost your mind?”
“No! I’ve found it! I’ve come out of my trance. It’s Parmenter’s chest.”
“Parmenter’s chest?” echoed Elaine. “I reckon I must be in a trance, also.”
“Hasn’t Mr. Croyden told you – or Mr. Macloud?”
“No!”
“Then maybe I shouldn’t – but I will. Parmenter’s chest is a fortune in jewels.”
“A what?”
“A fortune in jewels, which Mr. Croyden has searched for and not found – and the thieves think – ”
“You would better tell me the story,” said Elaine, pushing back the cards.
And Davila told her…
“It is too absurd!” laughed Elaine, “those rogues trying to force Geoffrey to divide what he hasn’t got, and can’t find, and we abducted to constrain him. He couldn’t comply if he wanted to, poor fellow!”
“But they will never believe it,” said Davila.
“And, meanwhile, we suffer. Well, if we’re not rescued shortly, I can advance the price and buy our freedom. They want half a million. Hum! I reckon two hundred thousand will be sufficient – and, maybe, we can compromise for one hundred thousand. Oh! it’s not so bad, Davila, it’s not so bad!”
She smiled, shrewdly. Unless she were wofully mistaken, this abduction would release her from the embarrassment of declaring herself to Geoffrey. She could handle the matter, now.
“What is it?” asked Davila. “Why are you smiling so queerly?”
“I was thinking of Colin and Geoffrey – and how they are pretty sure to know their minds when this affair is ended.”
“You mean?”
“Exactly! I mean, if this doesn’t bring Colin to his senses, he is hopeless.”
“And Mr. Croyden?” Davila queried. “How about him?”
“He will surrender, too. All his theoretical notions of relative wealth will be forgotten. I’ve only to wait for rescue or release. On the whole, Davila, I’m quite satisfied with being abducted. Moreover, it is an experience which doesn’t come to every girl.” She looked at her friend quizzically. “What are you going to do about Colin? I rather think you should have an answer ready; the circumstances are apt to make him rather precipitate.”
The next morning after breakfast, which was served in their rooms, Elaine was looking out through the bars on her window, trying to get some notion of the country, when she saw, what she took to be, the chief abductor approaching. He was a tall, well-dressed man of middle age, with the outward appearance of a gentleman. She looked at him a moment, then rang for the maid.
“I should like to have a word with the man who just came in,” she said.
“I will tell him, Miss.”
He appeared almost immediately, an inquiring look on his face.
“How can I serve you, Miss Cavendish?” he said, deferentially.
“By permitting us to go out for some air – these rooms were not designed, apparently, for permanent residence.”
“It can be arranged,” he answered. “When do you wish to go?”
“At once!”
“Very good!” he said. “You will have no objection to being attended, to make sure you don’t stray off too far, you know?”
“None whatever, if the attendant remains at a reasonable distance.”
He bowed and stood aside.
“You may come,” he said.
“Is the locality familiar?” Elaine asked, when they were some distance from the house.
Davila shook her head. “It is south of Hampton, I think, but I can’t give any reason for my impression. The car was running very rapidly; we were, I reckon, almost two hours on the way, but we can’t be more than fifty miles away.”
“If they came direct – but if they circled, we could be much less,” Elaine observed.
“It’s a pity we didn’t think to drop something from the car to inform our friends which way to look for us.”
“I did,” said Elaine. “I tossed out a handkerchief and a glove a short distance from Hampton – just as I struck that fellow. The difficulty is, there isn’t any assurance we kept to that road. Like as not, we started north and ended east or south of town. What is this house, a fishing club?”
“I rather think so. There is a small wharf, and a board-walk down to the Bay, and the house itself is one story and spread-out, so to speak.”
“Likely it’s a summer club-house, which these men have either rented or preëmpted for our prison.”
“The country around here is surely deserted!” said Davila.
“Hence, a proper choice for our temporary residence.”
“I can’t understand the care they are taking of us – the deference with which we are treated, the food that is given us.”
“Parmenter’s treasure, and the prize they think they’re playing for, has much to do with it. We are of considerable value, according to their idea.”
After a while, they went back to the house. The two men, who had remained out of hearing, but near enough to prevent any attempt to escape, having seen them safely within, disappeared. As they passed through the hall they encountered the chief. He stepped aside.
“You enjoyed your walk, I trust?” he said.
Davila nodded curtly. Elaine stopped.
“I feel sorry for you!” she said, smiling.
“You are very kind,” he replied. “But why?”
“You are incurring considerable expense for nothing.”
He grinned. “It is a very great pleasure, I assure you.”
“You are asking the impossible,” she went on. “Mr. Croyden told you the simple truth. He didn’t find the Parmenter jewels.”
The man’s face showed his surprise, but he only shrugged his shoulders expressively, and made no reply.
“I know you do not believe it – yet it’s a fact, nevertheless. Mr. Croyden couldn’t pay your demands, if he wished. Of course, we enjoy the experience, but, as I said, it’s a trifle expensive for you.”
The fellow’s grin broadened.
“You’re a good sport!” he said – “a jolly good sport! But we’re dealing with Mr. Croyden and Mr. Macloud, so, you’ll pardon me if I decline to discuss the subject.”
XIX
ROBERT PARMENTER’S SUCCESSORS
In half-an-hour from the time Captain Carrington strode to the telephone to arouse his friends, all Hampton had the startling news: Davila Carrington and her guest, Miss Cavendish, had disappeared.
How, when, and where, it could not learn, so it supplied the deficiency as best pleased the individual – by morning, the wildest tales were rehearsed and credited.
The truth was bad enough, however. Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish were not in the town, nor anywhere within a circuit of five miles. Croyden, Macloud, all the men in the place had searched the night through, and without avail. Every horse, and every boat had been accounted for. It remained, that they either had fallen into the Bay, or had gone in a strange conveyance.
Croyden and Macloud had returned to Clarendon for a bite of breakfast – very late breakfast, at eleven o’clock. They had met by accident, on their way to the house, having come from totally different directions of search.
“It’s Parmenter again!” said Croyden, suddenly.
“It’s what?” said Macloud.
“Parmenter: – Pirate’s gold breeds pirate’s ways. The lawyer villain has reappeared. I told you it was he I saw, yesterday, driving the automobile.”
“I don’t quite understand why they selected Elaine and Miss Carrington to abduct,” Macloud objected, after a moment’s consideration. “Why didn’t they take you?”
“Because they thought we would come to time more quickly, if they took the women. They seem to be informed on everything, so, we can assume, they are acquainted with your fondness for Miss Carrington and mine for Elaine. Or, it’s possible they thought that we both were interested in Davila – for I’ve been with her a lot this autumn – and then, at the pinch, were obliged to take Elaine, also, because she was with her and would give the alarm if left behind.”
“A pretty fair scheme,” said Macloud. “The fellow who is managing this business knew we would do more for the women than for ourselves.”
“It’s the same old difficulty – we haven’t got Parmenter’s treasure, but they refuse to be convinced.”
The telephone rang, and Croyden himself answered it.
“Captain Carrington asks that we come over at once,” he said, hanging up the receiver. “The Pinkerton men have arrived.”
They finished their breakfast and started. Half way to the gate, they met the postman coming up the walk. He handed Croyden a letter, faced about and trudged away.
Croyden glanced at it, mechanically tore open the envelope, and drew it out. As his eyes fell on the first line, he stopped, abruptly.
“Listen to this!” he said.
“On Board The Parmenter,“Pirate Sloop of War,“Off the Capes of the Chesapeake.“Dear Sir: —
“It seems something is required to persuade you that we mean business. Therefore, we have abducted Miss Carrington and her friend, Miss Cavendish, in the hope that it will rouse you to a proper realization of the eternal fitness of things, and of our intention that there shall be a division of the jewels – or their value in money. Our attorney had the pleasure of an interview with you, recently, at which time he specified a sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, as being sufficient. A further investigation of the probable value of the jewels, having convinced us that we were in slight error as to their present worth, induces us to reduce the amount, which we claim as our share, to two hundred thousand dollars. This is the minimum of our demand, however, and we have taken the ladies, aforesaid, as security for its prompt payment.
“They will be held in all comfort and respect (if no effort at rescue be attempted – otherwise we will deal with them as we see fit), for the period of ten days from the receipt of this letter, which will be at noon to-morrow. If the sum indicated is not paid, they will, at the expiration of the ten days, be turned over to the tender mercies of the crew. – Understand?
“As to the manner of payment – You, yourself, must go to Annapolis, and, between eleven and twelve in the morning, proceed to the extreme edge of Greenberry Point and remain standing, in full view from the Bay, for the space of fifteen minutes. You will, then, face about, step ten paces, and bury the money, which must be in thousand dollar bills, under a foot of sand. You will then, immediately, return to Annapolis and take the first car to Baltimore, and, thence, to Hampton.
“In the event that you have not reduced the jewels to cash, we will be content with such a division as will insure us a moiety thereof. It will be useless to try deception concerning them, – though a few thousand dollars, one way or the other, won’t matter. When you have complied with these terms, the young women will be released and permitted to return to Hampton. If not – they will wish they were dead, even before they are. We are, sir, with deep respect,
“Y’r h’mbl. and ob’dt. serv’ts,“Robert Parmenter’s Successors.“Geoffrey Croyden, Esq’r.
“Hampton, Md.”
“Where was it mailed?” Macloud asked.
Croyden turned over the envelope. It was postmarked Hampton, 6.30 A.M., of that day.
“Which implies that it was mailed some time during the night,” said he.
“What do you make of it?”
“Do you mean, will they carry out their threat?”
Croyden nodded.
“They have been rather persistent,” Macloud replied.
“It’s absurd!” Croyden exclaimed. “We haven’t the jewels. Damn Parmenter and his infernal letter!”
“Parmenter is not to blame,” said Macloud. “Damn the thieves.”
“And damn my carelessness in letting them pick my pocket! there lies the entire difficulty.”
“Well, the thing, now, is to save the women – and how?”
“Pay, if need be!” exclaimed Croyden. “The two hundred thousand I got for the Virginia Development bonds will be just enough.”
Macloud nodded. “I’m in for half, old man. Aside from any personal feelings we may have for the women in question,” he said, with a serious sort of smile, “we owe it to them – they were abducted solely because of us – to force us to disgorge.”
“I’m ready to pay the cash at once.”
“Don’t be hasty!” Macloud cautioned. “We have ten days, and the police can take a try at it.”
“That, for the police!” said Croyden, snapping his fingers. “They’re all bunglers – they will be sure to make a mess of it, and, then, no man can foresee what will happen. It’s not right to subject the women to the risk. Let us pay first, and punish after – if we can catch the scoundrels. How long do you think Henry Cavendish will hesitate when he learns that Elaine has been abducted, and the peril which menaces her?”
“Thunder! we have clean forgot her father!” exclaimed Macloud. “He should be informed at once.”
“Just what he shouldn’t be,” Croyden returned. “What is the good in alarming him? Free her – then she may tell him, or not, as it pleases her.”
Macloud held out his hand.
“Done!” he said. “Our first duty is to save the women, the rest can bide until they are free. How about the money? Are your stocks readily convertible? If not, I’ll advance your share.”
“Much obliged, old man,” said Croyden, “but a wire will do it – they’re all listed on New York.”
“Will you lose much, if you sell now?” asked Macloud. He wished Croyden would let him pay the entire amount.
“Just about even; a little to the good, in fact,” was the answer.
And Macloud said no more – he knew it was useless.
At Ashburton, they found Captain Carrington pacing the long hall, in deep distress – uncertain what course to pursue, because there was no indication as to what had caused the disappearance. He turned, as the two men entered.
“The detectives are quizzing the servants in the library,” he said. “I couldn’t sit still. – You have news?” he exclaimed, reading Croyden’s face.
“I have!” said Croyden, and gave him the letter.
He seized it. As he read, concern, perplexity, amazement, anger, all showed in his countenance.
“They have been abducted! – Davila and Miss Cavendish, and are held for ransom! – a fabulous ransom, which you are asked to pay,” he said, incredulously. “So much, at least, is intelligible. But why? why? Who are Robert Parmenter’s Successors? – and who was he? and the jewels? – I cannot understand – ”
“I’m not surprised,” said Croyden. “It’s a long story – too long to tell – save that Parmenter was a pirate, back in 1720, who buried a treasure on Greenberry Point, across the Severn from Annapolis, you know, and died, making Marmaduke Duval his heir, under certain conditions. Marmaduke, in turn, passed it on to his son, and so on, until Colonel Duval bequeathed it to me. We searched – Mr. Macloud and I – for three weeks, but did not find it. Our secret was chanced upon by two rogues, who, with their confederates, however, are under the conviction we did find it. They wanted a rake-off. I laughed at them – and this abduction is the result.”
“But why abduct the women?” asked the old man.
“Because they think I can be coerced more easily. They are under the impression that I am – fond of Miss Carrington. At any rate, they know I’m enough of a friend to pay, rather than subject her to the hazard.”
“Pay! I can’t pay! My whole fortune isn’t over twenty thousand dollars. It I will gladly sacrifice, but more is impossible.”
“You’re not to pay, my old friend,” said Croyden. “Mr. Macloud and I are the ones aimed at and we will pay.”
“I won’t permit it, sir!” the Captain exclaimed. “There is no reason for you – ”
“Tut! tut!” said Croyden, “you forget that we are wholly responsible; but for us, Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish would not have been abducted. The obligation is ours, and we will discharge it. It is our plain, our very plain, duty.”
The old man threw up his hands in the extremity of despair.
“I don’t know what to do!” he said. “I don’t know what to do!”
“Do nothing – leave everything to us. We’ll have Miss Carrington back in three days.”
“And safe?”
“And safe – if the letter is trustworthy, and I think it is. The police can’t do as well – they may fail entirely – and think of the possible consequences! Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish are very handsome women.”
“My God, yes!” exclaimed the Captain. “Anything but that! If they were men, or children, it would be different – they could take some chances. But women!” – He sank on a chair and covered his face with his hands. “You must let me pay what I am able,” he insisted. “All that I have – ”
Croyden let his hand fall sympathizingly on the other’s shoulder.
“It shall be as you wish,” he said quietly. “We will pay, and you can settle with us afterward – our stocks can be converted instantly, you see, while yours will likely require some time.”
The Captain pulled himself together and arose.
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ve been sort of unmanned – I’m better now. Shall you show the detectives the letter – tell them we are going to pay the amount demanded?”
“I don’t know,” said Croyden, uncertainly. “What’s your opinion, Colin?”
“Let them see the letter,” Macloud answered, “but on the distinct stipulation, that they make no effort to apprehend ‘Robert Parmenter’s Successors’ until the women are safely returned. They may pick up whatever clues they can obtain for after use, but they must not do anything which will arouse suspicion, even.”
“Why take them into our confidence at all?” asked Croyden.
“For two reasons: It’s acting square with them (which, it seems to me, is always the wise thing to do). And, if they are not let in on the facts, they may blunder in and spoil everything. We want to save the women at the earliest moment, without any possible handicaps due to ignorance or inadvertence.”
“But can we trust them?” Croyden asked, doubtfully.
“It’s the lesser of two evils.”
“We will have to explain the letter, its reference to the Parmenter jewels, and all that it contains.”
“I can see no objection. We didn’t find the treasure, and, I reckon, they’re welcome to search, if they think there is a chance.”
“Well, let it be exactly as you wish – you’re quite as much concerned for success as I am,” said Croyden.
“Possibly, more so,” returned Macloud, seriously.
And Croyden understood.
Then, they went into the library. The two detectives arose at their entrance. The one, Rebbert, was a Pinkerton man, the other, Sanders, was from the Bureau at City Hall. Both were small men, with clean shaven faces, steady, searching eyes, and an especially quiet manner.
“Mr. Croyden,” said Rebbert, “we have been questioning the servants, but have obtained nothing of importance, except that the ladies wore their hats and coats (at least, they have disappeared). This, with the fact that you found Miss Cavendish’s glove and handkerchief, on a road without the limits of Hampton, leads to the conclusion that they have been abducted. But why? Miss Carrington, we are informed, has no great wealth – how as to Miss Cavendish?”
“She has more than sufficient – in fact, she is very rich – ”
“Ah! then we have a motive,” said the detective.
“There is a motive, but it is not Miss Cavendish,” Croyden answered. “You’re correct as to the abduction, however – this will explain,” and he handed him the letter.
The two men read it.
“When did you receive this?” said one.
“At noon to-day,” replied Croyden, passing over the envelope.
They looked carefully at the postmark.
“Do you object to explaining certain things in this letter?” Rebbert asked.
“Not in the least,” replied Croyden. “I’ll tell you the entire story… Is there anything I have missed?” he ended.
“I think not, sir.”
“Very well! Now, we prefer that you should take no measures to apprehend the abductors, until after Miss Cavendish and Miss Carrington have been released. We are going to pay the amount demanded.”
“Going to pay the two hundred thousand dollars!” cried the detectives, in one breath.
Croyden nodded. “Afterward, you can get as busy as you like.”
A knowing smile broke over the men’s faces, at the same instant.
“You too think we found the treasure?” Croyden exclaimed.
“It looks that way, sir,” said Rebbert; while Sanders acquiesced, with another smile.
Croyden turned to Macloud and held up his hands, hopelessly.
“If we only had!” he cried. “If we only had!”
XX
THE CHECK
On the second morning after their abduction, when Elaine and Davila arose, the sky was obscured by fog, the trees exuded moisture, and only a small portion of the Bay was faintly visible through the mist.
“This looks natural!” said Elaine. “We must have moved out to Northumberland, in the night.”
Davila smiled, a feeble sort of smile. It was not a morning to promote light-heartedness, and particularly under such circumstances.
“Is this anything like Northumberland?” she asked.
“Yes! – Only Northumberland is more so. For a misty day, this would be remarkably fine. – With us, it’s midnight at noon – all the lights burning, in streets, and shops, and electric cars, bells jangling, people rushing, pushing, diving through the dirty blackness, like devils in hell. Oh, it’s pleasant, when you get used to it. – Ever been there?”
“No,” said Davila, “I haven’t.”
“We must have you out – say, immediately after the holidays. Will you come?”
“I’ll be glad to come, if I’m alive – and we ever get out of this awful place.”
“It is stupid here,” said Elaine. “I thought there was something novel in being abducted, but it’s rather dreary business. I’m ready to quit, are you?”
“I was ready to quit before we started!” Davila laughed.
“We will see what can be done about it. We’ll have in the head jailer.” She struck the bell. “Ask the chief to be kind enough to come here a moment,” she said, to the girl who attended them.
In a few minutes, he appeared – suave, polite, courteous.
“You sent for me, Miss Cavendish?” he inquired.
“I did. Sit down, please, I’ve something to say to you, Mr. – ”
“Jones, for short,” he replied.
“Thank you!” said Elaine, with a particularly winning smile. “Mr. Jones, for short – you will pardon me, I know, if I seem unduly personal, but these quarters are not entirely to our liking.”
“I’m very sorry, indeed,” he replied. “We tried to make them comfortable. In what are they unsatisfactory? – we will remedy it, if possible.”
“We would prefer another locality – Hampton, to be specific.”
“You mean that you are tired of captivity?” he smiled. “I see your point of view, and I’m hopeful that Mr. Croyden will see it, also, and permit us to release you, in a few days.”
“It is that very point I wish to discuss a moment with you,” she interrupted. “I told you before, that Mr. Croyden didn’t find the jewels and that, therefore, it is impossible for him to pay.”
“You will pardon me if I doubt your statement. – Moreover, we are not privileged to discuss the matter with you. We can deal only with Mr. Croyden, as I think I have already intimated.”
“Then you will draw an empty covert,” she replied.
“That remains to be seen, as I have also intimated,” said Mr. Jones, easily.
“But you don’t want to draw an empty covert, do you – to have only your trouble for your pains?” she asked.
“It would be a great disappointment, I assure you.”
“You have been at considerable expense to provide for our entertainment?”
“Pray do not mention it! – it’s a very great pleasure.”