the vanished messenger-第39章

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followed　his　example。　　They　disappeared　in　perfect　silence　and　left
the　door　open。　　Presently　a　gleam　of　light　came　travelling　up；　from
which　Hamel　knew　that　they　had　lit　a　lamp　below。　　Very　softly　he
crept　across　the　floor；　threw　himself　upon　his　stomach　and　peered
down。　　Below　him　was　a　room；　or　rather　a　cellar；　parts　of　which
seemed　to　have　been　cut　out　of　the　solid　rock。　　Immediately
underneath　was　a　plain　iron　bedstead；　on　which　was　lying　stretched
the　figure　of　a　man。　　In　those　first　few　moments　Hamel　failed
altogether　to　recognise　Mr。　Dunster。　　He　was　thin　and　white；　and
he　seemed　to　have　shrunken；　his　face；　with　its　coarse　growth　of
beard；　seemed　like　the　face　of　an　old　man。　　Yet　the　eyes　were　open；
eyes　dull　and　heavy　as　though　with　pain。　　So　far　no　word　had　been
spoken；　but　at　that　moment　Mr。　Fentolin　broke　the　silence。

〃My　dear　guest；〃　he　said；　〃I　bring　you　our　most　sincere　apologies。
It　has　gone　very　much　against　the　grain；　I　can　assure　you；　to　have
neglected　you　for　so　long　a　time。　　It　is　entirely　the　fault　of　the
very　troublesome　young　man　who　occupies　the　other　portion　of　this
building。　　In　the　daytime　his　presence　makes　it　exceedingly
difficult　for　us　to　offer　you　those　little　attentions　which　you
might　naturally　expect。〃

The　man　upon　the　bed　neither　moved　nor　changed　his　position　in　any
way。　　Nor　did　he　speak。　　All　power　of　initiative　seemed　to　have
deserted　him。　　He　lay　quite　still；　his　eyes　fixed　upon　Mr。　Fentolin。

〃There　comes　a　time；〃　the　latter　continued；　〃when　every　one　of　us
is　confronted　with　what　might　be　described　as　the　crisis　of　our
lives。　　Yours　has　come；　my　guest；　at　precisely　this　moment。　　It　is；
if　my　watch　tells　me　the　truth；　five　and　twenty　minutes　to　four。
It　is　the　last　day　of　April。　　The　year　you　know。　　You　have　exactly
one　minute　to　decide　whether　you　will　live　a　short　time　longer；　or
whether　you　will　on　this　last　day　of　April；　and　before　…　say；　a
quarter　to　four；　make　that　little　journey　the　nature　of　which　you
and　I　have　discussed　more　than　once。〃

Still　the　man　upon　the　bed　made　no　movement　nor　any　reply。　　Mr。
Fentolin　sighed　and　beckoned　to　Doctor　Sarson。

〃I　am　afraid；〃　he　whispered；　〃that　that　wonderful　drug　of　yours；
Doctor；　has　been　even　a　little　too　far…reaching　in　its　results。　　It
has　kept　our　friend　so　quiet　that　he　has　lost　even　the　power　of
speech；　perhaps　even　the　desire　to　speak。　　A　little　restorative；
I　think　…　just　a　few　drops。〃

Doctor　Sarson　nodded　silently。　　He　drew　from　his　pocket　a　little
phial　and　poured　into　a　wine…glass　which　stood　on　a　table　by　the
side　of　the　bed；　half　a　dozen　drops　of　some　ruby…coloured　liquid；
to　which　he　added　a　tablespoonful　of　water。　　Then　he　leaned　once
more　over　the　bed　and　poured　the　contents　of　the　glass　between　the
lips　of　the　semi…conscious　man。

〃Give　him　two　minutes；〃　he　said　calmly。　　〃He　will　be　able　to　speak
then。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　nodded　and　leaned　back　in　his　chair。　　He　glanced　around
the　room　a　little　critically。　　There　was　a　thick　carpet　upon　the
floor；　a　sofa　piled　with　cushions　in　one　corner；　and　several　other
articles　of　furniture。　　The　walls；　however；　were　uncovered　and　were
stained　with　damp。　　A　great　pink　fungus　stood　out　within　a　few
inches　of　the　bed；　a　grim　mixture　of　exquisite　colouring　and
loathsome　imperfections。　　The　atmosphere　was　fetid。　　Meekins　suddenly
struck　a　match　and　lit　some　grains　of　powder　in　a　saucer。　　A　curious
odour　of　incense　stole　through　the　place。　　Mr。　Fentolin　nodded
appreciatively。

〃That　is　better；〃　he　declared。　　〃　Really；　the　atmosphere　here　is
positively　unpleasant。　　I　am　ashamed　to　think　that　our　guest　has
had　to　put　up　with　it　so　long。　　And　yet；〃　he　went　on；　〃I　think　we
must　call　it　his　own　fault。　　I　trust　that　he　will　no　longer　be
obstinate。〃

The　effect　of　the　restorative　began　to　show　itself。　　The　man　on　the
bed　moved　restlessly。　　His　eyes　were　no　longer　altogether
expressionless。　　He　was　staring　at　Mr。　Fentolin　as　one　looks　at　some
horrible　vision。　　Mr。　Fentolin　smiled　pleasantly。

〃Now　you　are　looking　more　like　your　old　self；　my　dear　Mr。　Dunster；〃
he　remarked。　　〃I　don't　think　that　I　need　repeat　what　I　said　when　I
first　came；　need　I？　　You　have　just　to　utter　that　one　word；　and　your
little　visit　to　us　will　be　at　an　end。〃

The　man　looked　around　at　all　of　them。　　He　raised　himself　a　little
on　his　elbow。　　For　the　first　time；　Hamel；　crouching　above；
recognised　any　likeness　to　Mr。　　John　P。　Dunster。

〃I'll　see　you　in　hell　first！〃

Mr。　Fentolin's　face　momentarily　darkened。　　He　moved　a　little　nearer
to　the　man　upon　the　bed。

〃Dunster；〃　he　said；　〃I　am　in　grim　earnest。　　Never　mind　arguments。
Never　mind　why　I　am　on　the　other　side。　　They　are　restless　about　you
in　America。　　Unless　I　can　cable　that　word　to…morrow　morning；　they'll
communicate　direct　with　The　Hague；　and　I　shall　have　had　my　trouble
for　nothing。　　It　is　not　my　custom　to　put　up　with　failure。　　Therefore；
let　me　tell　you　that　no　single　one　of　my　threats　has　been
exaggerated。　　My　patience　has　reached　its　breaking　point。　　Give　me
that　word；　or　before　four　o'clock　strikes；　you　will　find　yourself
in　a　new　chamber；　among　the　corpses　of　those　misguided　fishermen；
mariners　of　ancient　days；　and　a　few　others。　　It's　only　a　matter　of
fifty　yards　out　to　the　great　sea　pit　below　the　Dagger　Rocks　…　I've
spoken　to　you　about　it　before；　haven't　I？　　So　surely　as　I　speak　to
you　of　it　at　this　moment

Mr。　Fentolin's　speech　came　to　an　abrupt　termination。　　A　convulsive
movement　of　Meekins'；　an　expression　of　blank　amazement　on　the　part
of　Doctor　Sarson；　had　suddenly　checked　the　words　upon　his　lips。　　He
turned　his　head　quickly　in　the　direction　towards　which　they　had　been
gazing；　towards　which　in　fact；　at　that　moment；　Meekins；　with　a　low
cry；　had　made　a　fruitless　spring。　　The　ladder　down　which　they　had
descended　was　slowly　disappearing。　　Meekins；　with　a　jump；　missed
the　last　rung　by　only　a　few　inches。　　Some　unseen　hand　was　drawing
it　up。　　Already　the　last　few　feet　were　vanishing　in　mid…air。　　Mr。
Fentolin　sat　quite　quiet　and　still。　　He　looked　through　the　trap…door
and　saw　Hamel。

〃Most　ingenious　and；　I　must　confess；　most　successful；　my　young
friend！〃　he　exclaimed　pleasantly。　　〃When　you　have　made　the　ladder
quite　secure；　perhaps　you　will　be　so　good　as　to　discuss　this　little
matter　with　us？〃

There　was　no　immediate　reply。　　The　eyes　of　all　four　men　were　turned
now　upon　that　empty　space　through　which　the　ladder　had　finally
disappeared。　　Mr。　Fentolin's　fingers　disappeared　within　the　pocket
of　his　coat。　　Something　very　bright　was　glistening　in　his　hand　when
he　withdrew　it。

〃Come　and　parley　with　us；　Mr。　Hamel；〃　he　begged。　　〃You　will　not　find
us　unreasonable。〃

Hamel's　voice　came　back　in　reply；　but　Hamel　himself　kept　well　away
from　the　opening。

〃The　conditions；〃　he　said；　〃are　unpropitious。　　A　little　time　for
reflection　will　do　you　no　harm。〃

The　trap…doors　were　suddenly　closed。　　Mr。　Fentolin's　face；　as　he
looked　up；　became　diabolic。

〃We　are　trapped！〃　he　muttered；　〃caught　like　rats　in　a　hole！〃




CHAPTER　XXXIII

A　gleam　of　day　was　in　the　sky　as　Hamel；　with　Mrs。　　Fentolin　by　his
side；　passed　along　the　path　which　led　from　the　Tower　to　St。　David's
Hall。　　Lights　were　still　burning　from　its　windows；　the　outline　of
the　building　itself　was　faintly　defined　against　the　sky。　　Behind
him；　across　the　sea；　was　that　one　straight　line　of　grey　merging
into　silver。　　　The　rain　had　ceased　and　the　wind　had　dropped。　　On
either　side　of　them　stretched　the　brimming　creeks。

〃Can　we　get　into　the　house　without　waking　any　one？〃　he　asked。

〃Quite　easily；〃　she　assured　him。　　〃The　front　door　is　never　barred。〃

She　walked　by　his　side；　swiftly　and　with　surprising　vigour。　　In　the
still；　grey　light；　her　face　was　more　ghastly　than　ever；　but　there
was　a　new　firmness　about　her　mouth；　a　new　decision　in　her　tone。
They　reached　the　Hall　without　further　speech；　and　she　led　the　way
to　a　small　door　on　the　eastern　side；　through　which　they　entered
noiselessly　and　passed　along　a　little　passage　out　into　the　hall。
A　couple　of　lights　were　still　burning。　　The　place　seemed　full　of
shadows。

〃What　are　you　going　to　do　now？〃　she　whispered。

〃I　want　to　ring　up　London　on　the　telephone；〃　he　replied。　　〃I　know
that　there　is　a　detective　either　in　the　neighbourhood　or　on　his
way　here；　but　I　shall　tell　my　friend　that　he　had　better　come　down
himself。〃

She　nodded。

〃I　am　going　to　release　Esther；〃　she　said。　　〃She　is　locked　in　her
room。　　The　telephone　is　in　the　study。　　I　will　come　down　there　to
you。〃

She　passed　silently　up　the　broad　staircase。　　Hamel　groped　his　way
across　the　hail　into　the　library。　　He　turned　on　the　small　electric
reading…lamp　and　drew　up　a　chair　to　the　side　of　the　telephone。　　Even
as　he　lifted　the　receiver　to　his　ear；　he　looked　around　him　half
apprehensively。　　It　seemed　as　though　every　moment　he　would　hear　the
click　of　Mr。　Fentolin's　chair。

He　got　the　exchange　at　Norwich　without　difficulty；　and　a　few　minutes
later　a　sleepy　reply　came　from　the　number　he　had　rung　up　in　London。
It　was　Kinsley's　servant　who　answered。

〃I　want　to　speak　to　Mr。　Kinsley　at　once　upon　most　important
business；〃　Hamel　announced。

〃Very　sorry；　sir；〃　the　man　replled。　　〃Mr。　Kinsley　left　town　last
night　for　the　country。〃

〃Where　has　he　gone？〃　Hamel　demanded　quickly。　　〃You　can　tell　me。
You　know　who　I　am；　I　am　Mr。　Hamel。〃

〃Into　Norfolk　somewhere；　sir。　　He　went　with　several　other　gentlemen。〃

〃Is　that　Bullen？〃　Hamel　asked。

The　man　admitted　the　fact。

〃Can　you　tell　me　if　any　of　the　people　with　whom　Mr。　Kinsley　left
London　were　connected　with　the　police？〃　he　inquired。

The　man　hesitated。

〃I　believe　so；　sir；〃　he　admitted。　　〃The　gentlemen　started　in　a
motor…car　and　were　going　to　drive　all　night。〃

Hamel　laid　down　the　receiver。　　At　any　rate；　he　would　not　be　left
long　with　this　responsibility　upon　him。　　He　walked　out　into　the　hall。
The　house　was　still　wrapped　in　deep　silence。　　Then；　from　somewhere
above　him；　coming　down　the　stairs；　he　heard　the　rustle　of　a　woman's
gown。　　He　looked　up；　and　saw　Miss　Price；　fully　dressed；　coming
slowly　towards　him。　　She　held　up　her　finger　and　led　the　way　back
into　the　library。　　She　was　dressed　as　neatly　as　ever；　but　there
was　a　queer　light　in　her　eyes。

〃I　have　seen　Mrs。　Seymour　Fentolin；〃　she　said。　　〃She　tells　me　that
you　have　left　Mr。　　Fentolin　and　the　others　in　the　subterranean　room
of　the　Tower。〃

Hamel　nodded。

〃They　have　Dunster　down　there；〃　he　told　her。　　〃I　followed　them　in；
it　seemed　the　best　thing　to　do。　　I　have　a　friend　from　London　who　is
on　his　way　down　here　now　with　some　detective　officers；　to　enquire
into　the　matter　of　Dunster's　disappearance。〃

〃Are　you　going　to　leave　them　where　they　are　until　these　people
arrive？〃　she　asked。

〃I　think　so；〃　he　replied；　after　a　moment's　hesitation。　　〃I　don't
seem　to　have　had　time　to　consider　even　what　to　do。　　The　opportunity
came；　and　I　embraced　it。　　There　they　are；　and　they　won't　dare　to
do　any　further　harm　to　Dunster　now。　　Mrs。　Fentolin　was　down　in　my
room；　and　I　thought　it　best　to　bring　her　back　first　before　I　even
parleyed　with　them　again。

〃　You　must　be　careful；〃　she　advised　slowly。　　The　man　Dunster　has
been　drugged；　he　has　lost　some　of　his　will；　he　may　hav