the vanished messenger-第5章

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be　at　St。　David's　Hall。　　You　can　have　as　much　rest　as　you　like　then。〃

They　were　facing　the　wind　now；　and　conversation　became　impossible。
Twice　they　had　to　pull　up　sharp　and　make　a　considerable　detour；　once
on　account　of　a　fallen　tree　which　blocked　the　road；　and　another
time　because　of　the　yawning　gap　where　a　bridge　had　fallen　away。
Gerald；　however；　knew　every　inch　of　the　country　they　were　in　and
was　able　to　give　the　necessary　directions。　　They　began　to　meet　farm
wagons　now；　full　of　people　who　had　been　driven　from　their　homes。
Warnings　and　information　as　to　the　state　of　the　roads　were　shouted
to　them　continually。　　Presently　they　came　to　the　last　steep　descent；
and　emerged　from　the　devastated　fragment　of　a　wood　almost　on　to　the
sea　level。　　The　chauffeur　clapped　on　his　brakes　and　stopped　short。

〃My　God！〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃Here's　more　trouble！〃

Gerald　for　a　moment　was　speechless。　　They　seemed　to　have　come
suddenly　upon　a　huge　plain　of　waters；　an　immense　lake　reaching　as　
ar　as　they　could　see　on　either　side。　　The　road　before　them　stretched
like　a　ribbon　for　the　next　three　miles。　　Here　and　there　it
disappeared　and　reappeared　again。　　In　many　places　it　was　lapped　by
little　waves。　　Everywhere　the　hedges　were　either　altogether　or　half
under　water。　　In　the　distance　was　one　farmhouse；　only　the　roof　of
which　was　visible；　and　from　which　the　inhabitants　were　clambering
into　a　boat。　　And　beyond；　with　scarcely　a　break　save　for　the　rising
of　one　strangely…shaped　hill；　was　the　sea。　　Gerald　pointed　with　his
finger。

〃　There's　St。　David's　Hall；〃　he　said；　〃on　the　other　side　of　the
hill。　　The　road　seems　all　right。〃

〃Does　it！〃　the　chauffeur　grunted。　　〃It's　under　water　more　than　half
the　way；　and　Heaven　knows　how　deep　it　is　at　the　sides！　　I'm　not
going　to　risk　my　life　along　there。　　I　am　going　to　take　the　car　back
to　Holt。〃

His　hand　was　already　upon　the　reverse　lever；　but　Gerald　gripped　it。

〃Look　here；〃　he　protested；　〃we　haven't　come　all　this　way　to　turn　back。
You　don't　look　like　a　coward。〃

〃I　am　not　a　coward；　sir；〃　was　the　quiet　answer。　　〃Neither　am　I　a
fool。　　I　don't　see　any　use　in　risking　our　lives　and　my　master's
motor…car；　because　you　want　to　get　home。〃

〃Naturally；〃　Gerald　answered　calmly；　〃but　remember　this。　　I　am
responsible　for　your　car　…　not　you。　　Mr。　Fentolin　is　my　uncle。〃

The　chauffeur　nodded　shortly。

〃You're　Mr。　Gerald　Fentolin；　aren't　you；　sir？〃　he　remarked。　　〃I
thought　I　recognised　you。〃

〃I　am；〃　Gerald　admitted。　　〃We've　had　a　rough　journey；　but　it　doesn't
seem　sense　to　turn　back　now；　does　it；　with　the　house　in　sight？〃

〃That's　all　very　well；　sir；〃　the　chauffeur　objected　doubtfully；　〃but
I　don't　believe　the　road's　even　passable；　and　the　floods　seem　to　me
to　be　rising。〃

〃Try　it；〃　the　young　man　begged。　　〃Look　here；　I　don't　want　to　bribe
you；　or　anything　of　that　sort。　　You　know　you're　coming　out　of　this
well。　　It's　a　serious　matter　for　me；　and　I　shan't　be　likely　to　forget
it。　　I　want　to　take　this　gentleman　to　St。　David's　Hall　and　not　to
a　hospital。　　You've　brought　me　here　so　far　like　a　man。　　Let's　go
through　with　it。　　If　the　worst　comes　to　the　worst；　we　can　both　swim；
I　suppose；　and　we　are　not　likely　to　get　out　of　our　depth。〃

The　chauffeur　moved　his　head　backwards。

〃How　about　him？〃

〃He　must　take　his　chance；〃　Gerald　replied。　　〃He's　all　right　where
he　is。　　The　car　won't　upset　and　there　are　plenty　of　people　who'll
see　if　we　get　into　trouble。　　Come；　let's　make　a　dash　for　it。〃

The　chauffeur　thrust　in　his　clutch　and　settled　himself　down。　　They
glided　off　along　that　winding　stretch　of　road。　　To　its　very　edge；
on　either　side　of　them；　so　close　that　they　could　almost　touch　it；
came　the　water；　water　which　stretched　as　far　as　they　could　see；
swaying；　waveless；　sinister…looking。　　Even　Gerald；　after　his　first
impulse　of　wonder；　kept　his　eyes　averted　and　fixed　upon　the　road
ahead。　　Soon　they　reached　a　place　where　the　water　met　in　front。
There　were　only　the　rows　of　white　palings　on　either　side　to　guide
them。　　The　chauffeur　muttered　to　himself　as　he　changed　to　his　first
speed。

〃If　the　engine　gets　stopped；〃　he　said；　〃I　don't　know　how　we　shall
get　out　of　this。〃

They　emerged　on　the　other　side。　　For　some　time　they　had　a　clear　run。
Then　suddenly　the　driver　clapped　on　his　brakes。

〃My　God！〃　he　cried。　　〃We　can't　get　through　that！〃

In　front　of　them　for　more　than　a　hundred　yards　the　water　seemed
suddenly　to　have　flowed　across　the　road。　　Still　a　mile　distant；
perched　on　a　ridge　of　that　strangely…placed　hill；　was　their
destination。

〃It　can't　be　done；　sir！〃　the　man　groaned。　　〃There　isn't　a　car　ever
built　could　get　through　that。　　See；　it's　nearly　up　to　the　top　of
those　posts。　　I　must　put　her　in　the　reverse　and　get　back；　even　if
we　have　to　wait　on　the　higher　part　of　the　road　for　a　boat。〃

He　glanced　behind；　and　a　second　cry　broke　from　his　lips。　　Gerald
stood　up　in　his　place。　　Already　the　road　which　had　been　clear　a
few　minutes　before　was　hidden。　　The　water　was　washing　almost　over
the　tops　of　the　white　posts　behind　them。　　Little　waves　were　breaking
against　the　summit　of　the　raised　bank。

〃We're　cut　off！〃　the　chauffeur　exclaimed。　　〃'What　a　fool　I　was　to
try　this！　　There's　the　tide　coming　in　as　well！〃

Gerald　sat　down　in　his　place。

〃Look　here；〃　he　said；　〃we　can't　go　back；　whether　we　want　to　or　not。
It's　much　worse　behind　there　than　it　is　in　front。　　There's　only　one
chance。　　Go　for　it　straight　ahead　in　your　first　speed。　　It　may　not
stop　the　engine。　　In　any　case；　it　will　be　worse　presently。　　There's
no　use　funking　it。　　If　the　worst　happens；　we　can　sit　in　the　car。
The　water　won't　be　above　our　heads　and　there　are　some　boats　about。
Blow　your　horn　well　first；　in　case　there's　any　one　within　hearing；
and　then　go　for　it。〃

The　chauffeur　obeyed。　　They　hissed　and　spluttered　into　the　water。
Soon　all　trace　of　the　road　was　completely　lost。　　They　steered　only
by　the　tops　of　the　white　posts。

〃It's　getting　deeper；〃　the　man　declared。　〃It's　within　an　inch　or
two　of　the　bonnet　now。　　Hold　on。〃

A　wave　broke　almost　over　them　but　the　engine　continued　its　beat。

〃If　we　stop　now；〃　he　gasped；　〃we're　done！〃

The　engine　began　to　knock。

〃Stick　at　it；〃　Gerald　cried；　rising　in　his　place　a　little。　　〃Look；
there's　only　one　post　lower　than　the　last　one　that　we　passed。　　They
get　higher　all　the　time；　ahead。　　You　can　almost　see　the　road　in
front　there。　　Now；　in　with　your　gear　again；　and　stick　at　it。〃

Another　wave　broke；　this　time　completely　over　them。　　They　listened
with　strained　ears　…　the　engine　continued　to　beat。　　They　still　moved
slowly。　　Then　there　was　a　shock。　　The　wheel　had　struck　something　in
the　road　…　a　great　stone　or　rock。　　The　chauffeur　thrust　the　car　out
of　gear。　　The　engine　still　beat。　　Gerald　leaped　from　the　car。　　The
water　was　over　his　knees。　　He　crossed　in　front　of　the　bonnet　and
stooped　down。

〃I've　got　it！〃　he　exclaimed；　tugging　hard。　　〃It's　a　stone。〃

He　moved　it；　rolled　it　on　one　side；　and　pushed　at　the　wheel　of　the
car　as　his　companion　put　in　the　speed。　　They　started　again。　　He
jumped　back　his　place。

〃We've　done　it；　all　right！〃　he　cried。　　〃Don't　you　see？　　It's　getting
lower　all　the　time。〃

The　chauffeur　had　lost　his　nerve。　　His　cheeks　were　pale；　his　teeth
were　chattering。　　The　engine；　however；　was　still　beating。　　Gradually
the　pressure　of　the　water　grew　less。　　In　front　of　them　they　caught
a　glimpse　of　the　road。　　They　drew　up　at　the　top　of　a　little　bridge
over　one　of　the　dikes。　　Gerald　uttered　a　brief　exclamation　of　triumph。

〃We're　safe！〃　he　almost　sobbed。　　〃There's　the　road；　straight　ahead
and　round　to　the　right。　　There's　no　more　water　anywhere　near。〃

They　had　left　the　main　part　of　the　flood　behind　them。　　There　were
still　great　pools　in　the　side　of　the　road；　and　huge　masses　of
seaweed　had　been　carried　up　and　were　lying　in　their　track。　　There
was　no　more　water；　however。　　At　every　moment　they　drew　nearer　to
the　strangely…shaped　hill　with　its　crown　of　trees。

〃The　house　is　on　the　other　side；〃　Gerald　pointed　out。　　〃We　can　go
through　the　lodge　gates　at　the　back　here。　　The　ascent　isn't　so
steep。〃

They　turned　sharply　to　the　right；　along　another　stretch　of　straight
road　set　with　white　posts；　ending　before　a　red　brick　lodge　and　a
closed　gate。　　They　blew　the　horn　and　a　gardener　came　out。　　He　gazed
at　them　in　amazement。

〃It's　all　right；〃　Gerald　cried。　　〃Let　us　through　quickly；　Foulds。
We've　a　gentleman　in　behind　who's　ill。〃

The　man　swung　open　the　gate　with　a　respectful　salute。　　They　made
their　way　up　a　winding　drive　of　considerable　length；　and　at　last
they　came　to　a　broad；　open　space　almost　like　a　platform。　　On　their
left　were　the　marshes；　and　beyond；　the　sea。　　Along　their　right
stretched　the　long　front　of　an　Elizabethan　mansion。　　They　drew　up
in　front　of　the　hail　door。　　Their　coming　had　been　observed；　and
servants　were　already　waiting。　　Gerald　sprang　to　the　ground。

〃There's　a　gentleman　in　behind　who's　ill；〃　he　explained　to　the
butler。　　〃He　has　met　with　an　accident　on　the　way。　　Three　or　four
of　you　had　better　carry　him　up　to　a　bedroom　…　any　one　that　is　ready。
And　you；　George；〃　he　added；　turning　to　a　boy；　〃get　into　the　car　and
show　this　man　the　way　round　to　the　garage；　and　then　take　him　to　the
servants'　hall。〃

Several　of　the　servants　hastened　to　do　his　bidding；　and　Gerald　did
his　best　to　answer　the　eager　but　respectful　stream　of　questions。
And　then；　just　as　they　were　in　the　act　of　lifting　the　still
unconscious　man　on　to　the　floor　of　the　hall；　came　a　queer　sound　…　a
shrill；　reverberating　whistle。　　They　all　looked　up　the　stairs。

〃The　master　is　awake；〃　Henderson；　the　butler；　remarked；　dropping
his　voice　a　little。

Gerald　nodded。

〃I　will　go　to　him　at　once；〃　he　said。




CHAPTER　V

Accustomed　though　he　was　to　the　sight　which　he　was　about　to　face；
Gerald　shivered　slightly　as　he　opened　the　door　of　Mr。　Fentolin's
room。　　A　strange　sort　of　fear　seemed　to　have　crept　into　his　bearing
and　expression；　a　fear　of　which　there　had　been　no　traces　whatever
during　those　terrible　hours　through　which　he　had　passed　…　not　even
during　that　last　reckless　journey　across　the　marshes。　　He　walked
with　hesitating　footsteps　across　the　spacious　and　lofty　room。　　He
had　the　air　of　some　frightened　creature　approaching　his　master。
Yet　all　that　was　visible　of　the　despot　who　ruled　his　whole
household　in　deadly　fear　was　the　kindly　and　beautiful　face　of　an
elderly　man；　whose　stunted　limbs　and　body　were　mercifully　concealed。
He　sat　in　a　little　carriage；　with　a　rug　drawn　closely　across　his
chest　and　up　to　his　armpits。　　His　beautifully　shaped　hands　were
exposed；　and　his　face；　nothing　else。　　His　hair　was　a　silvery　white；
his　complexion　parchment…like；　pallid；　entirely　colourless。　　His
eyes　were　a　soft　shade　of　blue。　　His　features　were　so　finely　cut
and　chiselled　that　they　resembled　some　exquisite　piece　of　statuary。
He　smiled　as　his　nephew　came　slowly　towards　him。　　One　might　almost
have　fancied　that　the　young　man's　abject　state　was　a　source　of
pleasure　to　him。

〃So　you　are　back　again；　my　dear　Gerald。　　A　pleasant　surprise；
indeed；　but　what　is　the　meaning　of　it？　　And　what　of　my　little
commission；　eh？〃

The　young　man's　face　was　dark　and　sullen。　　He　spoke　quickly　but
without　any　sign　of　eagerness　or