by Guy Boothby
CHAPTER XV
Between ten and eleven o'clock on one never-to-be-forgotten evening,the _La Belle Josephine_ sailed into the harbour of La Gloria, anddropped her anchor a short distance from the old coal hulk. Who thatwitnessed the arrival of that tiny craft imagined the important partshe had played in the destiny of that small but exceedingly excitableRepublic? For my part I know that as I stood on deck and watchedMonsieur Maxime take her in between the heads, and scientificallybring her to her anchorage, I found myself experiencing a series ofemotions, the like of which I have never before known. The Presidentstood on my right, the Senorita on my left, and as we watched thetwinkling lights ashore, I fancy all three of us recalled the eventfulmorning when we had said good-bye to the town under such verydifferent circumstances. Our arrival had evidently been signalled fromthe forts, for we had scarcely dropped our anchor before a hail fromthe bows announced the fact that the harbour-master's boat wasapproaching.
Most men, I suppose, have at some time of their lives a touch of thetheatrical. For myself at that moment I was distinctly desirous ofgiving a dramatic turn to the situation. The plot of my drama is anexciting one. The President of the Republic is missing; the supposedvillain is believed to have abducted him. Time goes by. A mysteriousvessel enters the harbour at the dead of night, when, to the amazementof every one, the missing President is found to be on board, and theman who has saved him, and has brought him back to the nation he lovesso well, turns out to be the very individual who is supposed to havewrought his ruin. What situation could have been more thrilling? I hadalready walked a short distance along the deck, but as soon as Irecognized in the boat coming alongside the pompous little officialwho had boarded the yacht with so much ceremony on the occasion of myfirst appearance in the country, I changed my mind, and hastened backto the President!
"What does your Excellency desire?" I inquired. "Would you prefer thenews of your return to reach the city at once, or would you ratherthat it should be announced in the morning?"
"It is immaterial to me," he replied. Then he added quickly, "No! No!On the contrary, it is most material. There is a considerable amountof business to be transacted first!"
I could guess what was passing in his mind.
"Yes, to-morrow morning would certainly be better," he continuedreflectively.
"In that case," I replied, "it would be as well for you to retire withthe Senorita to the cabin. From what I know of our friends who are nowcoming aboard, the secret of your arrival would not be a secret manyminutes after they got ashore."
"You are still in command, Senor Trevelyan," the President returned,with one of his short laughs. "Permit me, Dolores, to escort you tothe saloon. I trust that you will not keep us there longer than youcan help."
"If you will permit me I shall join you there myself as soon as I havegiven instructions to Monsieur Maxime," I replied. "For severalreasons I have no desire to be recognized in Equinata at present."
Having seen them depart to the miserable little hole aft, I wentforward to Monsieur Maxime, and gave him his orders in a low voice.After that I rejoined my friends. From what we could hear of theconversation that followed, the port officials were in by no meansgood tempers, and poor Maxime was roundly taken to task for putting inan appearance at such an hour, for giving them the trouble of boardinghis vessel, and, it would appear, for his remissness in having nocases of infectious disease on board. After about a quarter of an hourthe officials departed as they had come, that is to say, grumbling.When the sound of their oars had died away we left the cabin.
"Now the question to be decided is how to get ashore withoutattracting attention," said Fernandez. "If they recognize me in thestreets, the news will be all over the city by breakfast-time."
"Maxime must put us ashore further down the bay," I replied. "If weare discovered we shall then only run the risk of being taken forsmugglers."
I had heard Fernandez boast of the completeness and efficiency of hiscoastguard service. This was certainly a good opportunity of puttingit to the test.
Fernandez agreed to the arrangement, and, as soon as all was quietashore, we began our preparations for leaving the schooner. A boat waslowered, and four of Monsieur Maxime's ebony crew took their places inher. Then we bade the owner good-night, ordered him to call at thepalace on the morrow for his reward, and in our turn descended to theboat.
It was an exquisite night, and so still that we could distinctly hearthe ripple of the waves upon the beach, more than half-a-mile away.Carrying out the plan we had arranged we did not make for the shorenear the city, but steered a course more to the south, in thedirection of the little fishing village where we had captured thePresident. At last the boat's nose touched the shore, and the menleapt out and pulled her out of the water on to the beach. I landed,and gave my hand to the Senorita, who sprang nimbly ashore; thePresident followed.
"Welcome back to Equinata, your Excellency," I said, with a bow.
For once his composure deserted him. He did not answer me, but turninghis back upon us, walked for a short distance along the beach. When herejoined us he was himself again. In the meantime I had ordered themen to take the boat back to the schooner, and had promised them thata liberal reward should be sent them in the morning. After that wetook council together as to how we should reach the city. It would beimpossible for the Senorita to walk so far in the shoes she was thenwearing; there was also the risk of the President and Senorita beingrecognized to be considered. We were still discussing this momentousquestion when a noise behind us attracted our attention. Weimmediately turned to find three men hastening towards us. They worethe uniform of the Equinata Coastguard Service, and the individual inthe centre was plainly an officer.
"Confound them," I muttered to myself, "they're smarter than Iimagined. If I'm not mistaken, this will upset our plans, and thePresident's arrival will be known after all."
This was not the case, however. Their appearance was destined to provea blessing in disguise.
"What brings you ashore, senors, at such an hour?" the officerinquired, addressing me. "And what boat was it that landed you?"
I was about to invent some story, but the President, with hiscustomary quickness, had grasped the situation, and was prepared tomake capital out of it.
"A word with you in private, senor," he said, addressing the officerbefore him. "I fancy I can satisfy you as to our honesty."
The other threw a glance at the Senorita, bowed, and acquiesced. Theywalked a few paces together, and though I could hear the President'svoice, I could not catch anything of what he said. Their conversationlasted something like five minutes, after which they rejoined us.
"Our friend here," said Fernandez, "quite understands the situation,and has kindly offered to arrange matters for us."
The officer bowed with ceremonious respect to the Senorita. Then to mehe said, with a pomposity that was almost ludicrous--
"Senor, Equinata thanks you for the service you have rendered her."
Then, having invited us to follow him, and bidding his men continuetheir patrol, he led us across the beach by a rough footpath to thehigh road above.
"If your Excellency will do me the honour to wait here," he said, "Iwill hasten to the house of my friend, Senor Rodriguez Cardaja, andobtain from him the loan of a carriage in which to convey you to thepalace."
"We will await your return," answered the President. "I may, ofcourse, rely upon your impressing the necessity of silence upon SenorCardaja?"
"He will be as silent as the grave, Excellency," the other returned,and added somewhat inconsequently, "we are old friends!"
Then, begging us to excuse him, he hastened on his errand.
"I trust he will not be long obtaining the carriage," said Fernandez,offering me a cigar, and lighting one himself. "As I said a shorttime ago, I have a large amount of business to get through beforedaylight. Dolores, my dear, I fancy you will not be sorry to exchangethat dress for another."
"If you knew how I hate it," she repl
ied passionately, "and yet--" shestopped suddenly, and I fancied that she shivered. "Oh, how glad I amto be back!"
A long silence fell upon us, which was eventually broken by the soundof carriage-wheels. A few moments later a lumbering vehicle made itsappearance round the side of the hill. To our surprise it was drivenby the lieutenant himself. He explained that he had not brought hisfriend's coachman, having regard to the desire for secrecy expressedby the President. He would himself drive us into the Capital, andreturn the carriage to his friend afterwards. Then we took our placesin it and set off. During the journey the officer informed us of allthat had transpired in the country during our absence. General Sagana,it appeared, had assumed the office of President--much against hiswill--while Hermanos and his band of patriots boldly announced thereturn of Silvestre to power.
"Hermanos and I must discuss the matter together," said the Presidentquietly, and I fancied I could see the smile upon his face as he saidit.
In something under half-an-hour we reached the palace. We descendedfrom the vehicle at a side door, thanked the lieutenant for theservices he had rendered us, and then watched him drive off on hisreturn journey. So far matters had prospered excellently; but I amprepared to admit that I did not quite see what was going to happennext. Fernandez, however, seemed to have made up his mind. Taking abunch of keys from his pocket, as calmly as if he were only returningafter a short stroll, he approached the door and opened it. A smallgas-jet illumined the vestibule. We entered and softly closed the doorafter us. From the vestibule we passed into a narrow passage, which inits turn communicated with the great hall and the State apartments.Surely never had the ruler of a country returned to his palace in amore unostentatious fashion. We made our way through the great glassdoors into the magnificent entrance hall, between the lines ofstatuary, and finally entered the President's private study. So farour presence in the house had not been discovered. General Sagana, hiswife and daughters, their _aides-de-camp_ and secretaries, to saynothing of the household, were all in bed and doubtless asleep.
"I wonder if the Gas Company, which, by the way, my dear Trevelyan, iscapitalized almost exclusively by Englishmen, realizes what animportant part it is playing in the history of Equinata," Fernandezremarked, as he applied a match to one of the jets. "Now, if you haveno objection, we will proceed to business. It would be a pity todisturb the family of Sagana; they will know everything in due course.Dolores, you may remember that there is an excellent sofa in yourboudoir. Permit me to conduct you thither!"
Before replying she looked at me, and there was something in herglance that I was at a loss to understand. She was tired, draggled,and altogether different to her real self, and, strange to say, therewas also a curious hunted look in her eyes for which I could notaccount. She seemed to be appealing to me, and yet I was not consciousof any reason why she should do so. However, she rose and went awaywith the President, leaving me alone in the room.
It was a fine apartment, hung with the portraits of many pastPresidents. I looked from one to the other, as if in the hope ofgathering information from them. But they only regarded me with stonyindifference, as if the fate of Equinata was a thing in which they nolonger took any interest.
It would be difficult to express in words my feelings at that moment.As a matter of fact, I knew that I was between two fires. I had goneout of my way to save Fernandez; at the same time, unless I allowedhim to reward me, which I was determined not to do, I had lost all Ipossessed (for I was resolved not to keep the first five thousandpounds of Silvestre's money) in the world. I must begin life overagain, in which case my marriage with Molly was as far off as ever. Iwas aware of Fernandez' friendship, so far as I was concerned, yet Iknew him well enough to feel sure that he would repay old scoresagainst Hermanos and his other enemies. That being so, could I standby and let them be punished, when, but for me, they would have escapedscot-free. It was not a cheerful outlook for any of us.
A few minutes later Fernandez returned.
"Now to business," he said. "Do me the favour of seating yourself atthat writing-table."
I did so, wondering, and he placed a sheet of notepaper before me.
"I want you to write to Senor Hermanos, asking him to come to thepalace with all haste. Tell him that the rightful President hasreturned, and at the same time request him to bring his friends withhim to welcome him!"
"One moment," I said. "Before I do that I must know your intentions. Iam going to speak plainly, General Fernandez! You must remember thatI have already had experience of the manner in which Presidents ofEquinata deal with their rivals."
He was not in the least put out by my candour. On the contrary, helaughed good-humouredly.
"You need not be afraid," he said. "I am not going to harm them. As amatter of fact I intend making them very good friends--not for to-day,but for all time. What assurance can I give you?"
I could not see that there was any. What was more, I could not see howmy refusal to write the letter could save Hermanos, if Fernandez weredetermined to be revenged on him. I accordingly took up my pen and didas he requested. When I had finished, he read the letter carefully,possibly to make sure that I had not said anything in it that mightserve as a warning to the conspirators. Would his ruse succeed? WouldHermanos fall into such a very simple trap? The mere fact thatSilvestre had not written it himself would surely make him suspicious.Fernandez, however, evidently thought otherwise. When I had addressedthe envelope he placed the letter inside, and then, begging me toexcuse him once more, left the room. When he returned a quarter of anhour later, he informed me that he had dispatched the letter by atrustworthy messenger.
"You should have seen the worthy Antoine's face when I woke him," hesaid. "He thought he was looking at a ghost. In an hour or so ourfriends should be here."
To while away the time of waiting we made a raid upon the palacelarder, carried the spoil we obtained there to the smallerdining-room, where presently the curious spectacle might have beenobserved of a lady in a sadly-dilapidated ball-dress, the President ofthe Republic of Equinata, and your humble servant, demolishing coldchicken with considerable gusto.
Our meal was barely finished before the door opened and a littlegrey-haired man entered the room. He was Antoine, the old major-domoof the household, who had served more Presidents than any otherofficial in Equinata.
"Well, Antoine, what is it?" the President inquired.
"They are coming, your Excellency," said the little man.
"And they do not suspect?"
"No, Excellency," the other replied. "I told Senor Hermanos that if hedesired to be the first to welcome President Silvestre, he must makehaste."
"Excellent! Immediately they arrive, meet them yourself, and conductthem to the small audience chamber. I will receive them there!"
Half-an-hour or so later, and just as we had finished our secondbottle of champagne, Antoine again made his appearance to inform usthat Hermanos and his companions had arrived and were awaiting aninterview in the room above mentioned. I saw Fernandez' mouth twitchand then set firm; there was also an ominous twinkle in his eyes as hesaid--
"Come with me, my friend, and we will interview them."
"You will remember the promise you have given me?" I said, laying myhand upon his arm.
"You will find that I shall keep it," he replied curtly.
I followed him from the room along the hall to a door on the right, atwhich Antoine was waiting.
"Have my instructions concerning the guard been obeyed?" he asked in alow voice before he turned the handle.
"They have, Excellency," Antoine replied.
Then we passed into the room.
If I live to be a hundred I shall not forget the scene that followed.Hermanos was standing on the opposite side of the room, and groupedabout him were three men whom, to the best of my knowledge, I hadnever seen before. It is possible they might have been Hermanos'assistants on that memorable night when we had secured the President,but as they then wore masks I cannot speak on
that point with anydegree of certainty.
The light in the room was not particularly good, and for a moment Ithought that Hermanos did not realize who it was that entered theroom. Had he done so he would scarcely have taken those two or threequick steps forward. When he grasped the situation his surprise wasoverwhelming.
"Fernandez?" I heard him mutter, as if he were thunderstruck.
His companions also seemed taken aback.
"Ah, my dear Hermanos," said the President genially, "and so we meetagain. Gentlemen, I am delighted to find you here to welcome me."
"We've been tricked," cried Hermanos hoarsely. Then fixing his eyes onme, he continued, "So you've turned traitor, after all, senor? Icongratulate you on the facility with which you change sides."
"Pardon me," interposed the President, "but I cannot permit you toinsult my friend. I owe more to Senor Trevelyan than I can say, andwhen you have heard the story I have to tell, I fancy you, andEquinata with you, will regard his behaviour in the light that I do.But before we say anything about that, let us endeavour to come to anunderstanding of our relative positions."
He paused for a moment to allow his audience to appreciate his words.
Then he went on--
"I cannot forget that you, Hermanos, are one of the gentlemen to whomI owe my abduction. The complicity of your companions I have yet todiscover. Now for such an offence what is the punishment to be? Myonly desire is to be just."
I felt really sorry for Hermanos at that moment. He was familiar withthe form that Fernandez' justice usually took.
"Come, come, my friend, why do you not answer me?" said the Presidentbanteringly. "You know how Silvestre would have acted under similarcircumstances. What am I to do? Shall I call in the guard, have youarrested, and shot at sunrise, or shall I let you go free? You know myreputation, I think, and surely even a President should live up tothat?"
"We are in your power and cannot help ourselves," the unfortunateHermanos replied.
"I am very much afraid you cannot," the President returned. "Youshould have thought of that, however, before you took to kidnappingthe head of your country. You were never a man, Hermanos, who couldmake up his mind!"
Once more the President paused, and looked from one to the other ofthe wretched men before him.
"Don't play with us," cried one of the others. "If you have made upyour mind to shoot us, do so, but don't keep us in suspense."
"Forgive me, it was remiss of me," Fernandez replied with dangerouspoliteness. "Antoine."
The door was opened immediately, and the major-domo appeared.
"Call up the Guards," said the President.
Antoine disappeared, to return a few moments later with the officer ofthe Guard and his men.
"Take these gentlemen to the cartel," said the President, "and standguard over them until daylight. I will send you word within an hour asto what you are to do with them. In the meantime I hold youresponsible for their safety."
I was altogether unprepared for this move. Was Fernandez about tobreak his promise to me? It certainly looked very much like it. I wason the point of expostulating, when the door opened and the Senoritaentered hurriedly. She glanced from one to the other of us with afrightened expression upon her face. Then she turned to Fernandez.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, holding out her hands to himas if in supplication.
"Forgive me, my dear, but I think it would be better if you leave us,"the President replied. "I shall be very happy to give you fullparticulars later."
"No, no," she cried. "Senor Hermanos, you helped to bring this troubleupon us, and--ah! I see it all. Why are you here at this hour, andwhat is the meaning of the Guard?" Then turning to the President shecontinued, "Oh, sir, are we never to be free from this sort of thing?Is it impossible for us all to be friends?"
"It certainly seems difficult," Fernandez replied. "Thanks to SenorHermanos and his friends, I have passed through an extremely dangerousand unpleasant crisis. Had matters gone as they intended they shoulddo, by this time I should have been in my grave. Fortune favoured me,however, and now I have returned to my own. Who can blame me if Irepay those who would have worked my ruin?"
Turning to the captain of the Guard, he bade him remove his prisoners.On hearing this the Senorita completely broke down. She fell on herknees at the President's feet and implored him to forgive. Whether itwas a mere matter of acting and had all been previously arranged, as Iam sometimes tempted to believe, or whether it was genuine, I am notin a position to say. Whatever else it may have been, however, it wasat least effective. Then I saw my opportunity and took advantage ofit.
"Your Excellency must forgive me if I interfere," I said. "There seemsone point, however, that has escaped your attention. If Senor Hermanosand his companions are to be held guilty for your abduction, it isonly fit and proper that I, who was the leading spirit in it, shouldtake my place with them. If they are to be shot then I must sharetheir fate."
My decision seemed to stagger them. He looked from me to them and thenback again. Then he laughed outright, but I could not help thinkingthat his merriment lacked sincerity.
"You are certainly an extraordinary man, my dear Trevelyan. You abductme and then save my life. You rejoice at being friends with me againand then ask me to shoot you. It seems to me, Hermanos, that you arefortunate in your advocates. The Senorita, to whom I can deny nothing,pleads for you; Senor Trevelyan, to whom I owe my life, refuses to letyou die unless he dies too. I should be more than human to resist!"Then, waving his hand to the captain of the Guard, who had beenwatching us with a puzzled expression upon his face, he continued,"Well, well, since it must be, let it be so! You can leave us."
The captain retired with his men, and a somewhat awkward silence fellupon us. There was still a look of pleading upon the Senorita's face.The President, however, seemed thoughtful. It was evident that he hadno desire to forego his vengeance. He paced the room for a fewminutes, while we watched him with anxious faces. Heaven alone knowswhat Hermanos and his friends were thinking of, but I know very wellwhat I thought, and I can assure you, my dear reader, I was far fromhappy. At last he stopped, and, after a momentary pause, facedHermanos.
"Hermanos," he said, "you threw in your lot with my enemies, and youcould not blame me if I made you answer for so doing. I certainlyintended to do so; but I suppose we are none of us infallible, andwith such pleading in your favour, I have nothing left me but tosurrender. From this moment you are free. I give you your lives,gentlemen! Is it possible, since Silvestre is dead, for you to give meyour allegiance? Now, shall we shake hands, endeavour to forget thepast, and live only to promote the happiness of the country, for whichwe have risked so much?"
One by one they advanced and solemnly shook Fernandez by the hand.Then, at a signal from the President, Antoine left the room, toappear a moment later with a tray of glasses and two bottles ofchampagne.
"Gentlemen," cried Fernandez, holding his glass aloft, "I give you thetoast, 'Peace and prosperity to the fair State of Equinata.'"
When they had departed, Fernandez turned to me with a queer smile uponhis face.
"I don't think they will trouble us again," he said.
I did not reply! What I was thinking was that I would have givensomething to have heard their conversation as they crossed theSquare!