the amateur cracksman-第25章

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Raffles　shook　his　head。

〃Hardly　this　time。〃

〃Then　you　think　he's　after　you？〃

〃I've　been　afraid　of　it　for　some　weeks。〃

〃Yet　there　you　stand！〃

〃What　am　I　to　do？　　I　don't　want　to　swim　for　it　before　I　must。　　I　begin　to　wish　I'd　taken　your　advice；　Bunny；　and　left　the　ship　at　Genoa。　　But　I've　not　the　smallest　doubt　that　Mac　was　watching　both　ship　and　station　till　the　last　moment。　　That's　why　he　ran　it　so　fine。〃

He　took　a　cigarette　and　handed　me　the　case；　but　I　shook　my　head　impatiently。

〃I　still　don't　understand；〃　said　I。　　〃Why　should　he　be　after　you？　　He　couldn't　come　all　this　way　about　a　jewel　which　was　perfectly　safe　for　all　he　knew。　　What's　your　own　theory？〃

〃Simply　that　he's　been　on　my　track　for　some　time；　probably　ever　since　friend　Crawshay　slipped　clean　through　his　fingers　last　November。　　There　have　been　other　indications。　　I　am　really　not　unprepared　for　this。　　But　it　can　only　be　pure　suspicion。　　I'll　defy　him　to　bring　anything　home；　and　I'll　defy　him　to　find　the　pearl！　　Theory；　my　dear　Bunny？　　I　know　how　he's　got　here　as　well　as　though　I'd　been　inside　that　Scotchman's　skin；　and　I　know　what　he'll　do　next。　　He　found　out　I'd　gone　abroad；　and　looked　for　a　motive；　he　found　out　about　von　Heumann　and　his　mission；　and　there　was　his　motive　cut…and…dried。　　Great　chanceto　nab　me　on　a　new　job　altogether。　　But　he　won't　do　it；　Bunny；　mark　my　words；　he'll　search　the　ship　and　search　us　all；　when　the　loss　is　known；　but　he'll　search　in　vain。　　And　there's　the　skipper　beckoning　the　whippersnapper　to　his　cabin：　the　fat　will　be　in　the　fire　in　five　minutes！〃

Yet　there　was　no　conflagration；　no　fuss；　no　searching　of　the　passengers；　no　whisper　of　what　had　happened　in　the　air；　instead　of　a　stir　there　was　portentous　peace；　and　it　was　clear　to　me　that　Raffles　was　not　a　little　disturbed　at　the　falsification　of　all　his　predictions。　　There　was　something　sinister　in　silence　under　such　a　loss；　and　the　silence　was　sustained　for　hours　during　which　Mackenzie　never　reappeared。　　But　he　was　abroad　during　the　luncheon…hourhe　was　in　our　cabin！　　I　had　left　my　book　in　Raffles's　berth；　and　in　taking　it　after　lunch　I　touched　the　quilt。　　It　was　warm　from　the　recent　pressure　of　flesh　and　blood；　and　on　an　instinct　I　sprang　to　the　ventilator；　as　I　opened　it　the　ventilator　opposite　was　closed　with　a　snap。

I　waylaid　Raffles。　　〃All　right！　　Let　him　find　the　pearl。〃

〃Have　you　dumped　it　overboard？〃

〃That's　a　question　I　shan't　condescend　to　answer。〃

He　turned　on　his　heel；　and　at　subsequent　intervals　I　saw　him　making　the　most　of　his　last　afternoon　with　the　inevitable　Miss　Werner。　　I　remember　that　she　looked　both　cool　and　smart　in　quite　a　simple　affair　of　brown　holland；　which　toned　well　with　her　complexion；　and　was　cleverly　relieved　with　touches　of　scarlet。　　I　quite　admired　her　that　afternoon；　for　her　eyes　were　really　very　good；　and　so　were　her　teeth；　yet　I　had　never　admired　her　more　directly　in　my　own　despite。　　For　I　passed　them　again　and　again　in　order　to　get　a　word　with　Raffles；　to　tell　him　I　knew　there　was　danger　in　the　wind；　but　he　would　not　so　much　as　catch　my　eye。　　So　at　last　I　gave　it　up。　　And　I　saw　him　next　in　the　captain's　cabin。

They　had　summoned　him　first；　he　had　gone　in　smiling；　and　smiling　I　found　him　when　they　summoned　me。　　The　state…room　was　spacious；　as　befitted　that　of　a　commander。　　Mackenzie　sat　on　the　settee；　his　beard　in　front　of　him　on　the　polished　table；　but　a　revolver　lay　in　front　of　the　captain；　and；　when　I　had　entered；　the　chief　officer；　who　had　summoned　me；　shut　the　door　and　put　his　back　to　it。　Von　Heumann　completed　the　party；　his　fingers　busy　with　his　mustache。

Raffles　greeted　me。

〃This　is　a　great　joke！〃　he　cried。　　〃You　remember　the　pearl　you　were　so　keen　about；　Bunny；　the　emperor's　pearl；　the　pearl　money　wouldn't　buy？　　It　seems　it　was　entrusted　to　our　little　friend　here；　to　take　out　to　Canoodle　Dum；　and　the　poor　little　chap's　gone　and　lost　it；　ergo；　as　we're　Britishers；　they　think　we've　got　it！〃

〃But　I　know　ye　have；〃　put　in　Mackenzie；　nodding　to　his　beard。

〃You　will　recognize　that　loyal　and　patriotic　voice；〃　said　Raffles。　　〃Mon；　'tis　our　auld　acquaintance　Mackenzie；　o'　Scoteland　Yarrd　an'　Scoteland　itsel'！〃

〃Dat　is　enough；〃　cried　the　captain。　　〃Have　you　submid　to　be　searge；　or　do　I　vorce　you？〃

〃What　you　will；〃　said　Raffles；　〃but　it　will　do　you　no　harm　to　give　us　fair　play　first。　　You　accuse　us　of　breaking　into　Captain　von　Heumann's　state…room　during　the　small　hours　of　this　morning；　and　abstracting　from　it　this　confounded　pearl。　　Well；　I　can　prove　that　I　was　in　my　own　room　all　night　long；　and　I　have　no　doubt　my　friend　can　prove　the　same。〃

〃Most　certainly　I　can；〃　said　I　indignantly。　〃The　ship's　boys　can　bear　witness　to　that。〃

Mackenzie　laughed；　and　shook　his　head　at　his　reflection　in　the　polished　mahogany。

〃That　was　ver　clever；〃　said　he；　〃and　like　enough　it　would　ha'　served　ye　had　I　not　stepped　aboard。　　But　I've　just　had　a　look　at　they　ventilators；　and　I　think　I　know　how　ye　worrked　it。　　Anyway；　captain；　it　makes　no　matter。　　I'll　just　be　clappin'　the　derbies　on　these　young　sparks；　an'　then〃

〃By　what　right？〃　roared　Raffles；　in　a　ringing　voice；　and　I　never　saw　his　face　in　such　a　blaze。　〃Search　us　if　you　like；　search　every　scrap　and　stitch　we　possess；　but　you　dare　to　lay　a　finger　on　us　without　a　warrant！〃

〃I　wouldna'　dare；〃　said　Mackenzie；　as　he　fumbled　in　his　breast　pocket；　and　Raffles　dived　his　hand　into　his　own。　　〃Haud　his　wrist！〃　shouted　the　Scotchman；　and　the　huge　Colt　that　had　been　with　us　many　a　night；　but　had　never　been　fired　in　my　hearing；　clattered　on　the　table　and　was　raked　in　by　the　captain。

〃All　right；〃　said　Raffles　savagely　to　the　mate。　〃You　can　let　go　now。　　I　won't　try　it　again。　　Now；　Mackenzie；　let's　see　your　warrant！〃

〃Ye'll　no　mishandle　it？〃

〃What　good　would　that　do　me？　　Let　me　see　it；〃　said　Raffles；　peremptorily；　and　the　detective　obeyed。　　Raffles　raised　his　eyebrows　as　he　perused　the　document；　his　mouth　hardened；　but　suddenly　relaxed；　and　it　was　with　a　smile　and　a　shrug　that　he　returned　the　paper。

〃Wull　that　do　for　ye？〃　inquired　Mackenzie。

〃It　may。　　I　congratulate　you；　Mackenzie；　it's　a　strong　hand；　at　any　rate。　　Two　burglaries　and　the　Melrose　necklace；　Bunny！〃　　And　he　turned　to　me　with　a　rueful　smile。

〃An'　all　easy　to　prove；〃　said　the　Scotchman；　pocketing　the　warrant。　　〃I've　one　o'　these　for　you；〃　he　added；　nodding　to　me；　〃only　not　such　a　long　one。〃

〃To　think；〃　said　the　captain　reproachfully；　〃that　my　shib　should　be　made　a　den　of　thiefs！　　It　shall　be　a　very　disagreeable　madder；　I　have　been　obliged　to　pud　you　both　in　irons　until　we　get　to　Nables。〃

〃Surely　not！〃　exclaimed　Raffles。　　〃Mackenzie；　intercede　with　him；　don't　give　your　countrymen　away　before　all　hands！　　Captain；　we　can't　escape；　surely　you　could　hush　it　up　for　the　night？　　Look　here；　here's　everything　I　have　in　my　pockets；　you　empty　yours；　too；　Bunny；　and　they　shall　strip　us　stark　if　they　suspect　we've　weapons　up　our　sleeves。　All　I　ask　is　that　we　are　allowed　to　get　out　of　this　without　gyves　upon　our　wrists！〃

〃Webbons　you　may　not　have；〃　said　the　captain；　〃but　wad　aboud　der　bearl　dat　you　were　sdealing？〃

〃You　shall　have　it！〃　cried　Raffles。　　〃You　shall　have　it　this　minute　if　you　guarantee　no　public　indignity　on　board！〃

〃That　I'll　see　to；〃　said　Mackenzie；　〃as　long　as　you　behave　yourselves。　　There　now；　where　is't？〃

〃On　the　table　under　your　nose。〃

My　eyes　fell　with　the　rest；　but　no　pearl　was　there；　only　the　contents　of　our　pocketsour　watches；　pocket…books；　pencils；　penknives；　cigarette　caseslay　on　the　shiny　table　along　with　the　revolvers　already　mentioned。

〃Ye're　humbuggin'　us；〃　said　Mackenzie。　〃What's　the　use？〃

〃I'm　doing　nothing　of　the　sort；〃　laughed　Raffles。　　〃I'm　testing　you。　　Where's　the　harm？〃

〃It's　here；　joke　apart？〃

〃On　that　table；　by　all　my　gods。〃

Mackenzie　opened　the　cigarette　cases　and　shook　each　particular　cigarette。　　Thereupon　Raffles　prayed　to　be　allowed　to　smoke　one；　and；　when　his　prayer　was　heard；　observed　that　the　pearl　had　been　on　the　table　much　longer　than　the　cigarettes。　　Mackenzie　promptly　caught　up　the　Colt　and　opened　the　chamber　in　the　butt。

〃Not　there；　not　there；〃　said　Raffles；　〃but　you're　getting　hot。　　Try　the　cartridges。〃

Mackenzie　emptied　them　into　his　palm；　and　shook　each　one　at　his　ear　without　result。

〃Oh；　give　them　to　me！〃

And；　in　an　instant；　Raffles　had　found　the　right　one；　had　bitten　out　the　bullet；　and　placed　the　emperor's　pearl　with　a　flourish　in　the　centre　of　the　table。

〃After　that　you　will　perhaps　show　me　such　little　consideration　as　is　in　your　power。　　Captain；　I　have　been　a　bit　of　a　villain；　as　you　see；　and　as　such　I　am　ready　and　willing　to　lie　in　irons　all　night　if　you　deem　it　requisite　for　the　safety　of　the　ship。　　All　I　ask　is　that　you　do　me　one　favor　first。〃

〃That　shall　debend　on　wad　der　vafour　has　been。〃

〃Captain；　I've　done　a　worse　thing　aboard　your　ship　than　any　of　you　know。　　I　have　become　engaged　to　be　married；　and　I　want　to　say　good…by！〃

I　suppose　we　were　all　equally　amazed；　but　the　only　one　to　express　his　amazement　was　von　Heumann；　whose　deep…chested　German　oath　was　almost　his　first　contribution　to　the　proceedings。　　He　was　not　slow　to　follow　it；　however；　with　a　vigorous　protest　against　the　proposed　farewell；　but　he　was　overruled；　and　the　masterful　prisoner　had　his　way。　He　was　to　have　five　minutes　with　the　girl；　while　the　captain　and　Mackenzie　stood　within　range　（but　not　earshot）；　with　their　revolvers　behind　their　backs。　　As　we　were　moving　from　the　cabin；　in　a　body；　he　stopped　and　gripped　my　hand。

〃So　I　've　let　you　in　at　last；　Bunnyat　last　and　after　all！　　If　you　knew　how　sorry　I　am。　。　。　。　But　you　won't　get　muchI　don't　see　why　you　should　get　anything　at　all。　　Can　you　forgive　me？　This　may　be　for　years；　and　it　may　be　for　ever；　you　know！　　You　were　a　good　pal　always　when　it　came　to　the　scratch；　some　day　or　other　you　mayn't　be　so　sorry　to　remember　you　were　a　good　pal　at　the　last！〃

There　was　a　meaning　in　his　eye　that　I　understood；　and　my　teeth　were　set；　and　my　nerve　strung　ready；　as　I　wrung　that　strong　and　cunning　hand　for　the　last　time　in　my　life。

How　that　last　scene　stays　with　me；　and　will　stay　to　my　death！　　How　I　see　every　detail；　every　shadow　on　the　sunlit　deck！　　We　were　among　the　islands　that　dot　the　course　from　Genoa　to　Naples；　that　was　Elba　falling　back　on　our　starboard　quarter；　that　purple　patch　with　the　hot　sun　setting　over　it。　　The　captain's　cabin　opened　to　starboard；　and　the　starboard　promenade　deck；　sheeted　with　sunshine　and　scored　with　shadow；　was　deserted；　but　for　the　group　of　which　I　was　one；　and　for　the　pale；　slim；　brown　figure　further　aft　with　Raffles。　　Engaged？　　I　could　not　believe　it；　cannot　to　this　day。　Yet　there　they　stood　together；　and　we　did　not　hear　a　word；　there　they　stood　out　against　the　sunset；　and　the　long；　dazzling　highway　of　sunlit　sea　that　sparkled　from　Elba　to　the　Uhlan's　plates；　and　their　shadows　reached　almost　to　our　feet。

Suddenlyan　instantand　the　thing　was　donea　thing　I　have　never　known　whether　to　admire　or　to　detest。　　He　caught　herhe　kissed　her　before　us　allthen　flung　her　from　him　so　that　she　almost　fell。　　It　was　that　action　which　foretold　the　next。　The　mate　sprang　after　him；　and　I　sprang　after　the　mate。

Raffles　was　on　the　rail；　but　only　just。

〃Hold　him；　Bunny！〃　he　c