Lister's Great Adventure

by Harold Bindloss

  LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE

  BY HAROLD BINDLOSS

  _Author_ of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," "WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THEOUT-TRAIL," "THE BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRLFROM KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC.

  1920

  CONTENTS

  PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION

  CHAPTER

  I CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES

  II IN THE DARK

  III BARBARA VANISHES

  IV THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM

  V SHILLITO GETS AWAY

  VI WINNIPEG BEACH

  VII LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION

  VIII THE TEST

  IX BARBARA PLAYS A PART

  X VERNON'S CURIOSITY

  PART II--THE RECKONING

  I VERNON'S PLOT

  II BARBARA'S RETURN

  III LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND

  IV A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER

  V CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES

  VI A NASTY KNOCK

  VII THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING

  VIII A STOLEN EXCURSION

  IX CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN

  X A BOLD SPECULATION

  XI THE START

  PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN

  I THE FIRST STRUGGLE

  II THE WRECK

  III A FUEL PROBLEM

  IV MONTGOMERY'S OFFER

  V MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER

  VI LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST

  VII BARBARA'S REFUSAL

  VIII CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK

  IX LISTER MAKES GOOD

  X BARBARA TAKES CONTROL

  XI LISTER'S REWARD

  PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION

  CHAPTER I

  CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES

  Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair on the lawn in front ofthe Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw sparkling showersacross the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as oil, inthe sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines thatrolled down to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against abackground of luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beamtouched a branch with fire.

  Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, who was satisfied toloaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, dined well,his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an hour.Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulgedher when he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights hadnot begun to spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part theguests were boating on the lake. When he had finished his cigar it wouldbe time to join the party in the smoking-room. Cartwright was somethingof a gambler and liked the American games. They gave one scope forbluffing, and although his antagonists declared his luck was good, heknew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost his money by areckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet some peopletrusted Tom Cartwright.

  Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull woman, but had kept atouch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She waskind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line.Cartwright was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and hadthree children when she married him, her friends declared her moneyaccounted for much, and a lawyer relation carefully guarded, againstCartwright's using her fortune.

  Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, although his venturesin finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an old Liverpoolfamily whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing ships.His father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, butwas not altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner ofthe Independent Freighters Line. The company's business had brought himto Montreal, and when it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright andher family to the hotel by the Ontario lake.

  Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his face was fleshy and red.He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor cleverly hid thebulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and commanding,but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright wasclever, he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged hisappetites, and wore the stamp of what is sometimes called good living.

  The managing owner of the Independent Freighters needed cleverness,since the company was small and often embarrassed for money. For themost part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. Whenthe _Conference_ forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed themerchants and offered to carry their goods at something under thestandard rate, if the shippers would engage to fill up his boat. As arule, secrecy was important, but sometimes, when cargo was scarce,Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed the _Conference_ to buyhim off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was marked, thecompany paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders.Now, however, he was satisfied. _Oreana_ had sailed for Montreal, loadedto the limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo beforethe _Conference_ knew he was cutting rates.

  Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and Cartwright hardlylistened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from behind aneighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light.Then a man dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer andbroke the reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, puther hands in the water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at hercompanion her laugh came across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen andhe began to note his wife's remarks.

  "Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the fellow?" he asked.

  "I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. Cartwright admitted. "In away, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes meddling does harm, and, ofcourse, if Barbara really loved the young man--" She paused and gaveCartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I married for love, and anumber of my friends did not approve."

  Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because she was rich, but itwas something to his credit that she had not suspected this. Clara wasdull, and her dullness often amused him.

  "If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about meddling," heremarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk."

  "He said he was _treasurer_ for an important lumber company. Barbara'svery young and romantic, and although she has not known him long--"

  "She has known him for about two weeks," Cartwright rejoined. "Perhapsit's long enough. Shillito's what Canadians call a looker and Barbara'sa romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found out she'll inherit some money;it's possible she's told him. Now I come to think about it, she was offsomewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if she had promised thefellow the evening."

  He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. Cartwright agreed,since he refused to wear spectacles and own his sight was going.Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, indeed,did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner'spost was not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did notadmit that one was getting old.

  "I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could wish,'" Mrs.Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't you think? Mrs.Grant--the woman with the big hat--knows something about him and shesaid he was _fierce_. I think she meant he was wild. Then she hinted hespent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a treasurer's pay good?"

  Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. "It depends upon thecompany. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping clerk. However, thetrouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't know where shegot her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough."

  "Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "She'srash and obstinate; not like the others. I don't know if they're
tame,but they had never given me much anxiety. One can trust them to do allthey ought."

  Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son and elder daughterannoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was finickingand bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; there was noblood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara wasfrankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck.

  When the canoe came to the landing he got up. "Leave the thing to me,"he said. "I'll talk to Shillito."

  He went off, but when he reached the steps to the veranda in front ofthe hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top Mortimer Hyslopwas smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked bored; hissummer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicatehands like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I helpyou up, sir?"

  Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of help that drew attentionto his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew.

  "No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen Shillito?"

  "You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The card party has gonein and he's a gambler."

  "So am I!"

  Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether the fellow meant toimply that his gambling was not important since he had married a richwife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful.

  "I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, but if my supposition'snear the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, I'd begun towonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's plausible.Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate--"

  Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the head of the house andimagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't matter if yoursister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito."

  He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to his chair andcigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted thatCartwright could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer'sfastidiousness was sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none.

  Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed the floor to a table, atwhich two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. One was youngand tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were veryblack, and his figure was marked by an agile grace.

  He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced.

  "I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said roughly, as if he gavean order.

  Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back veranda. Although thenight was warm and an electric light burned under the roof, nobody wasabout. Cartwright signed the other to sit down.

  "I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel car meets the train inthe morning," he remarked.

  "What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not going yet."

  "You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly.

  Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but his smile vanished.Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and his eyeswere very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronteddisappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings.Shillito saw the fellow was dangerous.

  "I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's phrase.

  "Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my cards are good, and if I can'twin on one suit, I'll try another. To begin with, the hotel proprietorsent for me. He stated the house was new and beginning to pay, and hewas anxious about its character. People must be amused, but he wasrunning a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play was too high, andyoung fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got broke.Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would."

  "He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a good joke!"

  "Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like an exciting game, so longas it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I do lose, and if I come outfifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. How much have youcleared?"

  Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My antagonists are oldcard-players who know the game; but when you broke Forman he was drunkand the other two were not quite sober. You play against young fools and_your luck's too good_. If you force me to tell all I think andsomething that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit."

  "You talked about another plan," Shillito remarked.

  "On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated will work. If it does notand you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's family, I'll thrash youon the veranda when people are about. I won't state my grounds for doingso; they ought to be obvious."

  Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's eyes were bloodshot, hisface was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. Shillitothought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. The oldfellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, butShillito saw he had the power to do him an injury that was notaltogether physical. He pondered for a few moments, and then got up.

  "I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost him much.

  Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you write to Miss Hyslop,your letters will be burned."

  He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with his usual boldness,won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the front verandaand remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the morning."

  Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had long known that whenshe asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. Now he hadremoved Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not.Cartwright knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar.

  "You had better watch Barbara until the fellow starts," he resumed."Then I think you and the girls might join the Vernons at their fishingcamp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful friend; besides, it'spossible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't follow you; havethem sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must goback in a few days."

  Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was a Winnipeg merchant,and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing camp in thewoods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the plan.Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons.

  "Can't you come with us?" she asked. "Mortimer is going to Detroit."

  "Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I don't want to leave you, butbusiness calls."

  He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. Clara was a good sortand seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for two weeks andhad had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the _Conference_ foundout before his boat arrived that he had engaged _Oreana's_ return load,they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would usesome effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promisedregular customers a drawback on standard rates.

  "I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. Cartwright remarked.

  "Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time when he had made aplan. "When the lines are not engaged after business hours, you can senda night-letter; a long message at less than the proper charge."

  Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was rich and sometimesgenerous, she liked small economies.

  "After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she said. "Telegrams are easy.Will you get me a form?"