Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell - Страница 16
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room gloating on what would one night happen there. I noted that he
kept his dueling pistols there, and they were loaded. I hoped to use
one of these instead of mine own, for the murder would then seem
suicide. Well, gentlemen, we will use the key now, and with God’s help
rescue your ladies and deal with the Squire.”
Silently they got into the boat, and the farmer took the oars, rowing
with caution against any noise. As they passed the Squire’s boathouse
they heard a man’s voice singing a bawdy song, and saw a light in a
window above it.
“It is the waterman,” whispered the farmer. “He drinks himself into
the early hours like his master. He will not trouble us.”
The water -gate was round a bend of the river, some fifty yards from
the boat -house, and the only spot where the house itself touched the
river. With a final pull the farmer shipped his oars carefully and
crawled into the bow, where he crouched with a s hort boat-hook. Without
a word he pointed above his head, and the young men knew that the large
mullioned window lighted up was the oak room for which they were bound.
The farmer eased the boat gently to the wall and made fast to a mooringring. He then crawled on to the gateway step and mentioned the others to
follow. There was no noise save the gentle lapping of the river beneath
the boat.
The water -gate was fitted with a heavy oak door, iron -studded. The
farmer produced his key from his shirt, and by the time the door had
swung silently into the darkness the young men were standing close
behind him. Cautiously they all entered, and the farmer shut the door
behind him. Step by step they mounted, the farmer first, since he knew
where to find the se cret spring. Doctor Syn next, and Cobtree last.
After completing the first turn of the turret, the farmer put out his
hand behind him to call a half while he listened. It was then that Syn
turned to his friend and whispered:
“I would have been happy to see you clear of this adventure, Tony.
For your parents’ sake, and for your lady. But oh, man, I am yet glad
to have you with me. But it is first of all my quarrel!”
The farmer turned and warned them not to whisper. Then once more
they mounted up. Syn calculated that they had completed three full turns
of the turret, and by the sound of a man’s voice knew they were reaching
the top, when the farmer turned and whispered the order, “Back.” they
retreated three
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steps, and only just in time, for suddenly the turret steps were flooded
with light, and the hitherto murmuring voice of the man arose loud and
clear, showing that the panel was open wide. The farmer levelled his
pistol, and the young men’s hands went to their sword-hilts.
“It leads to the river,” said the voice of the Squire. “I show it to
you just to prove how completely you are in my power. In a few minutes
it will be time for you to hear your mother scream again. My rascals
are punctual. They delight in their work. If, as you tried to threaten
when you heard the last scream, your mother were to die of shock, her
body would be carried down these steps and with a bag of stones around
her neck she would sink to the bottom of the river. You know that you
can stop your mother’s terror at will. You have only to consent o me,
and all will be happy for her. And for you, too, if you only knew it. I
am something of a god lover, my dear. After the next scream or groan,
whichever it may be, you will hear them more rapidly, for my
instructions are to increase the dose as the night wears on. Why not
let the old girl alone, my dear? She could lie upon the bed and cry
herself to sleep if you will only be kind to me. Why not give in?
Eventually you must, and you will save her so mu ch pain. Listen. There.
A moan. Do you hear? Ah yes, and now?”
A piercing scream arose from a distant part of the house. Doctor Syn
tried to push past the farmer, but he held him firmly back.
The Squire’s voice went on: “It is no use you running to that door,
my dear. I have the key in my pocket. What horrid scream that was!
She must be suffering. How can you suffer it? Now obey me, child. Undo
your little bodice. I have a wish to kiss you on the shoulders.”
Once more Doctor Syn tried to push by the farmer. But the latter was
a strong man, and, being above the parson on the steps, had the
advantage. Thrusting his pistol into his side pocket, he used one hand
in keeping the Doctor back and the other was pressed hard over his mouth
to prevent him from making a noise.
It was then that they heard Imogene’s voice for the first time.
“God will have no mercy on you when my Christopher, Doctor Syn,
arrives. He will kill you, and God will bless him for the deed.”
“I have tried to be merciful to you,” replied the Squire. “I have
been patient too long. Why should I wait when my lips are burning for
you? I am going to take you in my arms.”
At this moment, and just as Doctor Syn was about to hurl himself at
the farmer, whose strong arms had pressed him back, there came a sharp
knocking on the locked door at the far end of the room.
“That will be news of your mother, no doubt,” said the Squire. “We
will open and see. But in case you are tempted to run down these dusty
steps, we will c lose the panel. Not that you could get far, because
below there is a locked door that leads to the river.”
The Squire closed the panel as he spoke, and as his heavy strides
crossed the room the three avengers climbed the remaining steps. The
farmer had his hand upon the secret spring, and Doctor Syn whispered him
to open it.
“Wait till whoever has come has gone,” cautioned the farmer.
When the Squire unlocked the door, Imogene gave a gasp of horror, for
there stood before her an enormous man stripped to the waist and holding
a huge pair of blacksmith’s pincers.
“Well, fool, what is it?” asked the Squire.
“That last nip I gave her put her out,” growled the brute. “What
shall I do? Wait for her to wake up, or go on as your ordered?”
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“Throw a jug, full of water over her, throw her on the bed, and lock
her in for the night,” ordered the Squire. “Leave the key in her lock,
in case I wish to view her. And give the strictest orders to the
servants that I am not to be disturbed until the morning. Under no
circumstances are any of you to set foot in this wing of the house. You
will mount guard in the main hall, with the stable-lads. If this Doctor
Syn should come clamoring at the doors, see first who comes with him.
If he is alone, or merely with his lawyer friend, admit him, and deal
with him. You will be more than enough to settle with them. Have cords
to last them up, and put them down in the old dungeon vaults till
morning. It may be I shall kill him in the morning—both of them if
they come. That depends upon this little beauty here. If the loving is
to be all on my side tonight, the parson has preached his last sermon.
Now go, and don’t disturb me till the morning, no matter what shrieks
and screams you hear from this part of the house. Understand?”
“I understand, your honour, and wish you a very good night. I think
your honour will have it, too.” And with a grin of appreciation at the
terrified girl, he went out, closing the door behind him.
The Squire poured himself out another glass of wine.
“Just one more to wish your mother a happier state, which is in your
hands and then—” He drank, set down the glass and eyed her. “And now,
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