the vanished messenger-第3章

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With　the　crashing　of　glass；　the　splitting　of　timber　…　a　hideous；
tearing　sound　…　the　wrecked　saloon；　dragging　the　engine　half…way
over　with　it；　slipped　down　a　low　embankment　and　lay　on　its　side；
what　remained　of　it；　in　a　field　of　turnips。




CHAPTER　III

As　the　young　man　staggered　to　his　feet；　he　had　somehow　a　sense　of
detachment；　as　though　he　were　commencing　a　new　life；　or　had　suddenly
come　into　a　new　existence。　　Yet　his　immediate　surroundings　were
charged　with　ugly　reminiscences。　　Through　a　great　gap　in　the　ruined
side　of　the　saloon　the　rain　was　tearing　in。　　As　he　stood　up；　his
head　caught　the　fragments　of　the　roof。　　He　was　able　to　push　back
the　wreckage　with　ease　and　step　out。　　For　a　moment　he　reeled；　as　he
met　the　violence　of　the　storm。　　Then；　clutching　hold　of　the　side　of
the　wreck；　he　steadied　himself。　　A　light　was　moving　back　and　forth；
close　at　hand。　　He　cried　out　weakly：　〃Hullo！〃

A　man　carrying　a　lantern；　bent　double　as　he　made　his　way　against　the
wind；　crawled　up　to　them。　　He　was　a　porter　from　the　station　close
at　hand。

〃My　God！　　〃he　exclaimed。　　〃Any　one　alive　here？〃

〃I'm　all　right；〃　Gerald　muttered；　〃at　least；　I　suppose　I　am。　　What's
it　all　…　what's　it　all　about？　　We've　had　an　accident。〃

The　porter　caught　hold　of　a　piece　of　the　wreckage　with　which　to
steady　himself。

〃Your　train　ran　right　into　three　feet　of　water；〃　he　answered。　　〃The
rails　had　gone　…　torn　up。　　The　telegraph　line's　down。〃

〃Why　didn't　you　stop　the　train？〃

〃We　were　doing　all　we　could；〃　the　man　retorted　gloomily。　　〃We　weren't
expecting　anything　else　through　to…night。　　We'd　a　man　along　the　line
with　a　lantern；　but　he's　just　been　found　blown　over　the　embankment；
with　his　head　in　a　pool　of　water。　　Any　one　else　in　your　carriage？〃

〃One　gentleman　travelling　with　me；〃　Gerald　answered。　　〃We'd　better
try　to　get　him　out。　　What　about　the　guard　and　engine…driver？〃

〃The　engine…driver　and　stoker　are　both　alive；〃　the　porter　told　him。
〃I　came　across　them　before　I　saw　you。　　They're　both　knocked　sort
of　sillylike；　but　they　aren't　much　hurt。　　The　guard's　stone　dead。〃

〃Where　are　we？〃

〃A　few　hundred　yards　from　Wymondham。　　Let's　have　a　look　for　the
other　gentleman。〃

Mr。　John　P。　Dunster　was　lying　quite　still；　his　right　leg　doubled
up；　and　a　huge　block　of　telegraph　post；　which　the　saloon　had　carried
with　it　in　its　fall；　still　pressing　against　his　forehead。　　He
groaned　as　they　dragged　him　out　and　laid　him　down　upon　a　cushion
in　the　shelter　of　the　wreckage。

〃He's　alive　all　right；〃　the　porter　remarked。　　〃There's　a　doctor　on
the　way。　　Let's　cover　him　up　quick　and　wait。〃

〃Can't　we　carry　him　to　shelter　of　some　sort　Gerald　proposed。

The　man　shook　his　head。　　Speech　of　any　sort　was　difficult。　　Even
with　his　lips　close　to　the　other's　ears；　he　had　almost　to　shout。

〃Couldn't　be　done；〃　he　replied。　　〃It's　all　one　can　do　to　walk　alone
when　you　get　out　in　the　middle　of　the　field；　away　from　the　shelter
of　the　embankment　here。　　There's　bits　of　trees　flying　all　down　the
lane。　　Never　was　such　a　night！　　Folks　is　fair　afraid　of　the　morning
to　see　what's　happened。　　There's　a　mill　blown　right　over　on　its　side
in　the　next　field；　and　the　man　in　charge　of　it　lying　dead。　　This
poor　chap's　bad　enough。〃

Gerald；　on　all　fours；　had　crept　back　into　the　compartment。　　The
bottle　of　wine　was　smashed　into　atoms。　　He　came　out；　dragging　the
small　dressing…case　which　his　companion　had　kept　on　the　table　before
him。　　One　side　of　it　was　dented　in；　but　the　lock；　which　was　of　great
strength；　still　held。

〃Perhaps　there's　a　flask　somewhere　in　this　dressing…case；〃　Gerald
said。　　〃　Lend　me　a　knife。〃

Strong　though　it　had　been；　the　lock　was　already　almost　torn　out
from　its　foundation。　　They　forced　the　spring　and　opened　it。　　The
porter　turned　his　lantern　on　the　widening　space。　　Just　as　Gerald
was　raising　the　lid　very　slowly　to　save　the　contents　from　being
scattered　by　the　wind；　the　man　turned　his　head　to　answer　an
approaching　hail。　　Gerald　raised　the　lid　a　little　higher　and
suddenly　closed　it　with　a　bang。

〃There's　folks　coming　at　last！〃　the　porter　exclaimed；　turning　around
excitedly。　　〃They've　been　a　time　and　no　mistake。　　The　village　isn't
a　quarter　of　a　mile　away。　　Did　you　find　a　flask；　sir？〃

Gerald　made　no　answer。　　The　dressing…case　once　more　was　closed；　and
his　hand　pressed　upon　the　lid。　　The　porter　turned　the　light　upon　his
face　and　whistled　softly。

〃You're　about　done　yourself；　sir；〃　he　remarked。　　〃Hold　up。〃

He　caught　the　young　man　in　his　arms。　　There　was　another　roar　in
Gerald's　ears　besides　the　roar　of　the　wind。　　He　had　never　fainted
in　his　life；　but　the　feeling　was　upon　him　now　…　a　deadly　sickness；
a　swaying　of　the　earth。　　The　porter　suddenly　gave　a　little　cry。

〃If　I'm　not　a　born　idiot！〃　he　exclaimed；　drawing　a　bottle　from　the
pocket　of　his　coat　with　his　disengaged　hand。　　〃There's　whisky　here。
I　was　taking　it　home　to　the　missis　for　her　rheumatism。　　Now；　then。〃

He　drew　the　cork　from　the　bottle　with　his　teeth　and　forced　some　of
the　liquid　between　the　lips　of　the　young　man。　　The　voices　now　were
coming　nearer　and　nearer。　　Gerald　made　a　desperate　effort。

〃I　am　all　right；〃　he　declared。　　〃Let's　look　after　him。〃

They　groped　their　way　towards　the　unconscious　man；　Gerald　still
gripping　the　dressing…case　with　both　hands。　　There　were　no　signs
of　any　change　in　his　condition；　but　he　was　still　breathing　heavily。
Then　they　heard　a　shout　behind；　almost　in　their　ears。　　The　porter
staggered　to　his　feet。

〃It's　all　right　now；　sir！〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃They've　brought　blankets
and　a　stretcher　and　brandy。　　Here's　a　doctor；　sir。〃

A　powerful…looking　man；　hatless；　and　wrapped　in　a　great　ulster；
moved　towards　them。

〃How　many　are　there　of　you？〃　he　asked；　as　he　bent　over　Mr。　Dunster。

〃Only　we　two；〃　Gerald　replied。　　〃Is　my　friend　badly　hurt？〃

〃Concussion；〃　the　doctor　announced。　　〃We'll　take　him　to　the　village。
What　about　you；　young　man？　　Your　face　is　bleeding；　I　see。〃

〃Just　a　cut；〃　Gerald　faltered；　〃nothing　else。〃

〃Lucky　chap；〃　the　doctor　remarked。　　〃Let's　get　him　to　shelter　of
some　sort。　　Come　along。　　There's　an　inn　at　the　corner　of　the　lane
there。〃

They　all　staggered　along；　Gerald　still　clutching　the　dressing…case；
and　supported　on　the　other　side　by　an　excited　and　somewhat
incoherent　villager。

〃Such　a　storm　as　never　was；〃　the　latter　volunteered。　　〃The　telegraph
wires　are　all　down　for　miles　and　miles。　　There　won't　be　no　trains
running　along　this　line　come　many　a　week；　and　as　for　trees　…　why；
it's　as　though　some　one　had　been　playing　ninepins　in　Squire
Fellowes's　park。　　When　the　morning　do　come；　for　sure　there　will　be
things　to　be　seen。　　This　way；　sir。　　Be　careful　of　the　gate。〃

They　staggered　along　down　the　lane；　climbing　once　over　a　tree
which　lay　across　the　lane　and　far　into　the　adjoining　field。　　Soon
they　were　joined　by　more　of　the　villagers；　roused　from　their　beds
by　rumours　of　terrible　happenings。　　The　little；　single…storey；
ivy…covered　inn　was　all　lit　up　and　the　door　held　firmly　open。　　They
passed　through　the　narrow　entrance　and　into　the　stone…flagged
barroom；　where　the　men　laid　down　their　stretcher。　　As　many　of　the
villagers　as　could　crowd　in　filled　the　passage。　　Gerald　sank　into
a　chair。　　The　sudden　absence　of　wind　was　almost　disconcerting。　　He
felt　himself　once　more　in　danger　of　fainting。　　He　was　only　vaguely
conscious　of　drinking　hot　milk；　poured　from　a　jug　by　a　red…faced
and　sympathetic　woman。　　Its　restorative　effect；　however；　was
immediate　and　wonderful。　　The　mist　cleared　from　before　his　eyes；
his　brain　began　to　work。　　Always　in　the　background　the　horror　and
the　shame　were　there；　the　shame　which　kept　his　hand　pressed　with
unnatural　strength　upon　the　broken　lock　of　that　dressing…case。
He　sat　a　little　apart　from　the　others　and　listened。　　Above　the
confused　murmur　of　voices　he　could　hear　the　doctor's　comment　and
brief　orders；　as　he　rose　to　his　feet　after　examining　the　unconscious
man。

〃An　ordinary　concussion；〃　he　declared。　　〃I　must　get　round　and　see
the　engine…driver　now。　　They　have　got　him　in　a　shed　by　the　embankment。
I'll　call　in　again　later　on。　　Let's　have　one　more　look　at　you；
young　man。〃

He　glanced　at　the　cut　on　Gerald's　forehead；　noted　the　access　of
colour　in　his　cheeks；　and　nodded。

〃Born　to　be　hanged；　you　were；〃　he　pronounced。　　〃You've　had　a
marvellous　escape。　　I'll　be　in　again　presently。　　No　need　to　worry
about　your　friend。　　He　looks　as　though　he'd　got　a　mighty　constitution。
Light　my　lantern；　Brown。　　Two　of　you　had　better　come　with　me　to　the
shed。　　It's　no　night　for　a　man　to　be　wandering　about　alone。〃

He　departed；　and　many　of　the　villagers　with　him。　　The　landlady　sat
down　and　began　to　weep。

〃Such　a　night！　　Such　a　night！〃　she　exclaimed；　wringing　her　hands。
〃And　there's　the　doctor　talks　about　putting　the　poor　gentleman　to
bed！　　Why；　the　roof's　off　the　back　part　of　the　house；　and　not　a
bedroom　in　the　place　but　mine　and　John's；　and　the　rain　coming　in
there　in　torrents。　　Such　a　night！　　It's　the　judgment　of　the　Lord
upon　us！　　That's　what　it　is　…　the　judgment　of　the　Lord！〃

〃Judgment　of　the　fiddlesticks！〃　her　husband　growled。　　〃Can't　you
light　the　fire；　woman？　　What's　the　good　of　sitting　there　whining？〃

〃Light　the　fire；〃　she　repeated　bitterly；　〃and　the　chimney　lying　out
in　the　road！　　Do　you　want　to　suffocate　us　all；　or　is　the　beer　still
in　your　head？　　It's　your　evil　doings；　Richard　Budden；　and　others
like　you；　that　have　brought　this　upon　us。　　If　Mr。　　Wembley　would
but　come　in　and　pray！〃

Her　husband　scoffed。　　He　was　dressed　only　in　his　shirt　and　trousers；
his　hair　rough；　his　braces　hanging　down　behind。

〃Come　in　and　pray！〃　he　repeated。　　〃Not　he！　　Not　Mr。　　Wembley！　　He's
safe　tucked　up　in　his　bed；　shivering　with　fear；　I'll　bet　you。　　He's
not　getting　his　feet　wet　to　save　a　body　or　lend　a　hand　here。　　Souls
are　his　job。　　You　let　the　preacher　alone；　mother；　and　tell　us　what
we're　going　to　do　with　this　gentleman。〃

〃The　Lord　only　knows！〃　she　cried；　wringing　her　hands。

〃Can　I　hire　a　motor…car　from　anywhere　near？〃　Gerald　asked。

〃There's　motor…cars；　right　enough；〃　the　innkeeper　replied；　〃but　not
many　as　would　be　fools　enough　to　take　one　out。　　You　couldn't　see
the　road；　and　I　doubt　if　one　of　them　plaguey　things　would　stir　in
this　storm。〃

〃Such　nonsense　as　you　talk；　Richard　Budden！〃　his　wife　exclaimed
sharply。　　〃It's　twenty　minutes　past　three　of　the　clock；　and　there's
light　coming　on　us　fast。　　If　so　be　as　the　young　gentleman　knows
folks　round　about　here；　or　happens　to　live　nigh；　why　shouldn't　he
take　one　of　them　motor…cars　and　get　away　to　some　decent　place？
It'll　be　better　for　the　poor　gentleman　than　lying　here　in　a　house
smitten　by　the　Lord。〃

Gerald　rose　stiffly　to　his　feet。　　An　idea　was　forming　in　his　brain。
His　eyes　were　bright。　　He　looked　at　the　body　of　John　Dunster　upon
the　floor；　and　felt　once　more　in　his　pocket。

〃How　far　off　is　the　garage？〃　he　asked。

〃It's　right　across　the　way；〃　the　innkeeper　replied；　a　speculation
of　Neighbour　Martin's；　and　a　foolish　one　it　do　seem　to　me。　　He's　two
cars　there；　and　one　he　lets　to　the　Government　for　delivering　the
mails。〃

Gerald　felt　in　his　pocket　and　produced　a　sovereign。

〃Give　this；〃　he　said；　〃to　any　man　you　can　find　who　will　go　across
there