The Cryptogram: A Story of Northwest Canada Read online

  CHAPTER III.

  FLORA HATHERTON.

  The next morning, at the hour of seven, I might have been found on thelanding-quay by the river. The Good Hope, I was informed, still lay ashort distance below the town, where for some reason she had anchoredduring the night. It was unlikely that I should be kept waiting long,yet I was in no haste to play the unaccustomed role of gallant. Toconceal my nervousness I tried to affect an air of jaunty composure. Irepeated over and over the words of greeting that I had chosen for theoccasion.

  It was as fine a day as ever dawned on Quebec. A crisp, cool air blewfrom the St. Lawrence, ruffling the water into little tips of foam. Froma blue and cloudless sky the rising sun shone on the scattered shipping,on the green hills and islands, on the rugged and historical heights ofthe town. Many others besides myself were on the quay, doubtless drawnhither for the same purpose--priests, soldiers, soberly-clad citizens,several coureurs-de-bois, and a redskin or two. I had a distant view ofChristopher Burley, and closer at hand I saw Captain Myles Rudstone inconversation with a group of men. By-and-by he discovered me, andstrolling forward he gave me a pleasant word of greeting.

  "It is quite an event, the arrival of a ship from England," said I.

  "An event of importance," the captain replied. "But for the early hourthe quay would be crowded."

  His manner was reserved and dignified, and I liked him better in thismood. Yet I observed that his face wore a puzzled and uneasy expressionas he glanced at me, and that he seemed disinclined to look me straightin the eyes. He ignored the events of the previous night, neither makingany reference to them nor offering the slightest apology. He chattedindifferently for a moment or two, and then asked abruptly:

  "You are waiting for the Good Hope, Mr. Carew?"

  I nodded assent.

  "Expecting a friend, perhaps?" he went on, carelessly; and I detected amasked note of curiosity in his voice. It put me on my guard.

  "Not exactly a friend," I replied evasively. "I am to meet a person whomI have never seen."

  "A strange coincidence, indeed!" said the captain, with a laugh. "Thatis precisely my situation." He bent his head a little closer. "I am onduty this morning," he added. "Secret work for the company, youunderstand."

  If he hoped by this confidence to draw my own in return he wasdisappointed, though there was in truth no reason why I should not speakfreely; but it pleased me to be as mysterious as himself, so I answeredhim by nodding my head wisely. Our eyes met, and he hastily turned andlooked out on the river.

  "The ship is coming!" he exclaimed; and with that he bowed curtly andstrode away. He was soon lost to view in the crowd.

  I gave him no further thought at the time. For a few moments I was allin a flutter, and half-minded to take to my heels like a foolish boy.But for very shame I presently plucked up courage and sought a point ofvantage at the edge of the quay.

  Now the people were cheering loudly, and joyous hails floated shorewardover the water. Nobly the Good Hope came in, her bulwarks and poop-deckcrowded with figures, the breeze bellying her canvas and fluttering theflag of England at the masthead. I was fairly carried away by the novelexcitement, and I only came to my sober senses when the vessel was atlast moored alongside the quay and the gangway rattled down almost at myfeet.

  I stuck to my place in spite of pressure and crowding. The first to comeashore were all men--English merchants, returning Canadians, a couple ofuniformed officers, Frenchmen decked out in lace and fine clothing, anda motley sprinkling of others. They passed on, some being met andembraced by waiting friends; and next came an elderly, sour-lookingdame, who regarded me with ill-favor. I followed her a few paces beyondthe crowd, never doubting that I was right. Then I stepped boldly up toher and doffed my cap.

  "Do I address Miss Hatherton?" I began.

  "No!" she snapped. "Wretch, how dare you?"

  I fell back in confusion, with a titter of mocking laughter ringing inmy ears. I longed to hide my face, and I vowed that I would make no morerash ventures. I was about to stride away when a hand touched me on theshoulder, and a sweet voice asked:

  "Pardon me, sir, but did I hear you inquire for Miss Hatherton?"

  I turned round quickly, and what I saw brought my heart to my mouth andthe hot blood to my cheeks and temples. Before me stood a young girl ofno more than nineteen, slight and graceful of figure, with eyes of apurple hue, a complexion like a ripe peach, and little curls of brownhair straying from under her dainty bonnet. By her fine clothing and herclear-cut features I knew that her station in life was of the best. I,who had given no second thought to a woman in all my life, felt a thrillof admiration. I stared at this fair creature as though she had been agoddess, for I had never seen anything so lovely before. For a moment Iwas speechless, and the girl repeated the question with some spirit,accompanying it by a tap of the little foot.

  "I--I did ask for Miss Hatherton," I stammered, "but surely you arenot--"

  "I am Flora Hatherton," she interrupted; and as she spoke she made asudden and strange sign that puzzled me. "Who sent you to meet me, sir?"she added impatiently.

  Again I was at a loss for words. A great pity and resentment swelled upin my heart. I still hoped that there might be a mistake somewhere. Ishrank from picturing this young and beautiful girl as the wife of oldGriffith Hawke, sharing with him the uncouth and half-barbarous life ofa wilderness trading post. It was too cruel for belief!

  "Who sent you, stupid?" she repeated.

  "Are you truly Miss Hatherton?" I asked.

  "Of course I am!"

  "Then I am at your service," said I, "and I am here to meet you inbehalf of the factor of Fort Royal."

  Her eyes dropped and her face saddened.

  "Oh," she exclaimed, "I thought you might be--"

  But before she could finish the sentence a tall figure was thrustimpetuously between us, and I looked up to recognize Captain Rudstone.He paid no heed to my presence, but made a swift sign to the girl. Sheanswered it as quickly, and then said, with a smile:

  "You are Captain Rudstone?"

  "The same, mademoiselle," he replied, with a courteous bow.

  They moved a few paces to one side, and began to talk in low tones. Ihung back in confusion and anger, feeling bitterly the slight that hadbeen put upon me, and quite at a loss to know what the affair meant. Ioverheard the words "Lord Selkirk" and "dispatches," and then I saw thegirl draw the end of a sealed packet of papers from her bosom; but shethrust them out of sight again at a sharp command from Captain Rudstone.The latter looked round just then, and I could have sworn that hesneered contemptuously when he met my glance. My temper was ruffled bythe neglect and the sneer, and I stepped forward.

  "Will Miss Hatherton permit me to escort her to the lodgings where sheis expected?" I asked the girl.

  "My claim to this young lady's attention is prior to yours, sir," brokein Captain Rudstone.

  "I deny that, sir!" I cried hotly. "Will you be so kind as to state yourclaim?"

  "My word is enough. Be careful lest you provoke me further, Mr. Carew."

  "I beseech you not to quarrel on my account, sirs," exclaimed MissHatherton. "You are both right." The captain scowled at me.

  "Which of us is to have precedence, mademoiselle?" he asked curtly.

  But before the girl could answer an abrupt and unexpected interruptionfell upon us.