The Cryptogram: A Story of Northwest Canada Read online

  CHAPTER VI.

  PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT.

  When I heard Mackenzie's name pronounced by those fair lips and realizedthat the scoundrel had dared to force his way to Miss Hatherton'sbedchamber, I was put in such a rage as I had never known before. I didnot wait for further information, but, brushing past the girl, I leapedthrough the open window. There was a narrow balcony beyond it--as Iknew--which ran along the side of the house, and looked down on a pavedcourtyard overshadowed by an adjoining building.

  Being familiar with the hotel, I was at no loss to account for the meansby which the villain had entered and fled. I dashed at once to the endof the balcony, which was within easy reach of the limbs of a tree thatgrew up from the court. As I peered down from the shadows, I heard arustling noise, and the next instant I saw a man at the base of thetree; it must have taken him all this time to descend the trunk. I wassure that I recognized Mackenzie, and as he made off I took aim with mypistol and fired. A sharp cry and an oath followed the report, but thefellow sped on to the end of the court, where a passage led out to aback street. Here a voice hailed him; showing that one or more hadshared his enterprise.

  But a moment had passed since I leaped out of the window, and now Ifound Captain Rudstone at my side.

  "Did you hit him?" he demanded.

  "I think so," I replied; "but he ran like a deer."

  "He'll not run far if I can get sight of him. To take the scoundrel willbe a good card in our hands!"

  With that the captain swung himself into the tree, and went down handover hand, from limb to limb, with the agility of a cat. He was on theground before I could have counted ten.

  "Do not follow me," he called up: and then he vanished in the shadowsacross the court.

  I would have preferred to take a part in the chase, but I swallowed mydisappointment and returned along the balcony. The pistol-shot hadraised some clamor in the neighborhood. I could hear men shouting, andseveral lights were moving in the opposite house. I climbed through thewindow into the room, where I found Monsieur and Madame Ragoul and theirthree servants all in a state of excitement. Miss Hatherton had by thistime put on a dressing-gown and slippers, and seemed to have entirelyrecovered from her fright. She blushed prettily as she saw me.

  "You have not killed him. Mr. Carew?" she asked.

  "I fear not," I replied; "but Captain Rudstone hopes to take him."

  "It will be a shame if he escapes," cried Madame Ragoul. "Oh, thepig--the wicked robber! He might have strangled the pretty Englishmademoiselle!"

  The servants were rolling their eyes and shivering with fear, andMonsieur Ragoul was dancing about, with his red nightcap hanging to oneear.

  "I am ruined!" he wailed. "The good name of my house is gone!Never--never did such a thing happen before! The officers of the lawwill enter--they will demand why a pistol is fired to waken thequarter!"

  "Coward, be quiet!" snapped his wife. "The affair is no fault of ours."

  I judged it was time to interfere. The distant clamor had notperceptibly increased, and I saw some chance of keeping the matter asecret, which was a thing greatly to be desired.

  "Monsieur Ragoul, I think there need be no publicity," said I. "Will yoube so good as to close the window and draw the curtains, and also putout that candle you are holding?"

  He obeyed me promptly, and just as the room was darkened Baptiste made atardy appearance. I explained the situation to him in a few words, andthen I turned to Miss Hatherton.

  "I trust you are none the worse," I said. "I deeply regret that youshould have suffered such an outrage--"

  "And I am sorry to have put you to so much trouble on my account," sheinterrupted. "This is twice you have come to my help at a time of need."

  "Then I am twice honored," I replied. "But, tell me, was the scoundrelindeed Mr. Mackenzie?"

  "I am sure of it, Mr. Carew. I woke suddenly, and saw him standing inthe moonlight at the foot of my bed. When I screamed the second time hevanished through the window. It was the shock that unnerved me. I begyou to believe that I am not ordinarily a coward."

  "The adventure would have terrified the bravest of women," I answered.Bending to her ear, I added, in a whisper: "As for Mr. Mackenzie, I takeit he was seeking the dispatches?"

  "Yes, he doubtless thought I still had them," Miss Hatherton replied. "Iam afraid he will pay dearly for his folly if Captain Rudstone overtakeshim."

  Even as she spoke a startling thing happened. In the silence of the roomwe all heard the faint report of a pistol. The sound came from somedistance away, and in the direction of the upper town.

  "That was the captain's shot," I declared.

  "Or Mr. Mackenzie's," the girl suggested, in a tone of alarm.

  "The saints save us!" cried Monsieur Ragoul. "This is worse and worse!"

  I was for going out to investigate, but Miss Hatherton would have itthat such a step meant danger, and I yielded reluctantly to herpleadings. However, I persuaded the little Frenchman to let me into thecourtyard, by which way I knew the captain would return if he was able.We went downstairs, accompanied by Baptiste, and Monsieur Ragoulunbarred and opened the side door. .

  When I stepped into the court I was relieved to discover that theimmediate neighborhood was comparatively quiet. But at a distance, inthe direction whence the shot had come, a confused clamor was audible. Ihad been listening no more than a minute when I heard footsteps, andacross the moonlit court came Captain Rudstone. My heart leaped for joyat the sight of him. Without a word he motioned us into the house, andclosed and fastened the door. Then I knew that he had bad news.

  "Monsieur Ragoul," he said, "will you go and tell Miss Hatherton todress at once and to put in a parcel as many of her belongings as shecan carry in one hand. Be quick!"

  The Frenchman dared not ask any questions. He departed in a state ofalarm and mystery, and Baptiste and I were left alone with the captain.The latter rested a hand on my shoulder.

  "Mr. Carew," he said gravely, "you remember the question I put to you anhour ago? You have no longer any choice in the matter; we must leaveQuebec at once--within a few minutes. That is, if we can."

  "What do you mean?" I asked hoarsely. "What has happened?"

  "Much," he replied. "In the first place, you wounded Mr. Mackenzie inthe right arm. In the second place, I followed the ruffians for aquarter of a mile--there were two of them--and finally came up with themat a lonely spot. I tried to take them both, but they resisted fiercely.To save my own life I shot and killed Mackenzie's companion, a Northwestman named Tredennis. Mackenzie fled, raising the alarm as he ran, and bya detour I got back to the hotel unobserved."

  "There is likely to be trouble over the affair," said I; and indeed Ifelt more alarm than I put into my voice.

  "Trouble?" cried the captain, with some irritation. "By Heavens, Mr.Carew, it's as black an outlook as I ever faced! Mackenzie knows hispower, and he will hatch up a devil of a lie. In Quebec feeling runshigh against the Hudson Bay people, and the authorities openly favor theNorthwest Company. I tell you there will be warrants out for our arrestwithin the hour--perhaps in less time. And you must perceive what theresult will be if we are taken. Lord Selkirk's dispatches will fall intothe hands of our enemies; you and I will be thrown into prison. And Godonly knows what will become of Miss Hatherton!"

  I felt a sensation as of a hand clutching at my heart. I knew that thesituation was as dismal as Captain Rudstone had painted it--that wecould not expect fair dealing from the authorities of Quebec. And thethought of the girl's peril, if she should be left to the wiles ofCuthbert Mackenzie, put me in a mind to accept any opportunity of escapethat offered.

  "What is your plan?" I asked.

  "The Yankee ship Speedwell sails for the Bay in the morning," thecaptain replied. "She lies anchored a short distance down the river, andwe must get on board as soon as possible. I have known her master, HiramBunker, of Salem, for several years."

  I made no object
ion to the arrangement. Baptiste had been listening, anda few sentences put everything clear. He was trusty and I saw a way toutilize him.

  "Off with you to the river--to the landing at the foot of BonaventureStreet," I directed. "There are plenty of boats about. Get possession ofone, and wait for us."

  Captain Rudstone warmly approved this step. We let Baptiste into thecourt, locked the door, and hurried upstairs. In the hall we encounteredMiss Hatherton, fully dressed and carrying a small bundle. The bravegirl had promptly obeyed instructions, though ignorant of what theymeant. When we explained our purpose she showed an admirable pluck andspirit, putting herself entirely in our hands, and urging us to be offwithout delay. Monsieur Ragoul seemed disposed to give us some troubleat first, but that blew over when we presented him with a few goldpieces, and pointed out to him that our departure was for his own good.Our destination, of course, we did not reveal.

  In ten minutes more we were ready to start. My musket was strapped to myback, and the captain and I had each a bundle containing a change ofclothes. We came quietly down the dark stairs, monsieur and madameleading the way, and the servants bringing up the rear--traversing thehall, we turned toward the side exit. And just then, on the front doorof the hotel we heard a loud and sudden thumping.