For the Term of His Natural Life
Page 93
Sarah flew to Rex. "Rouse yourself, John, for Heaven's sake. We have nota moment." John Rex passed his hand over his forehead wearily.
"I cannot think. I am broken down. I am ill. My brain seems dead."
Nervously watching the prostrate figure on the floor, she hurried onbonnet, cloak, and veil, and in a twinkling had him outside the houseand into a cab.
"Thirty-nine, Lombard Street. Quick!"
"You won't give me up?" said Rex, turning dull eyes upon her.
"Give you up? No. But the police will be after us as soon as that womancan speak, and her brother summon his lawyer. I know what her promise isworth. We have only got about fifteen hours start."
"I can't go far, Sarah," said he; "I am sleepy and stupid."
She repressed the terrible fear that tugged at her heart, and strove torally him.
"You've been drinking too much, John. Now sit still and be good, while Igo and get some money for you."
She hurried into the bank, and her name secured her an interview withthe manager at once.
"That's a rich woman," said one of the clerks to his friend. "A widow,too! Chance for you, Tom," returned the other; and, presently, from outthe sacred presence came another clerk with a request for "a draft onSydney for three thousand, less premium", and bearing a cheque signed"Sarah Carr" for L200, which he "took" in notes, and so returned again.
From the bank she was taken to Green's Shipping Office. "I want a cabinin the first ship for Sydney, please."
The shipping-clerk looked at a board. "The Highflyer goes in twelvedays, madam, and there is one cabin vacant."
"I want to go at once--to-morrow or next day."
He smiled. "I am afraid that is impossible," said he. Just then one ofthe partners came out of his private room with a telegram in his hand,and beckoned the shipping-clerk. Sarah was about to depart for anotheroffice, when the clerk came hastily back.
"Just the thing for you, ma'am," said he. "We have got a telegram froma gentleman who has a first cabin in the Dido, to say that his wife hasbeen taken ill, and he must give up his berth."
"When does the Dido sail?"
"To-morrow morning. She is at Plymouth, waiting for the mails. If yougo down to-night by the mail-train which leaves at 9.30, you will be inplenty of time, and we will telegraph."
"I will take the cabin. How much?"
"One hundred and thirty pounds, madam," said he.
She produced her notes. "Pray count it yourself. We have been delayed inthe same manner ourselves. My husband is a great invalid, but I was notso fortunate as to get someone to refund us our passage-money."
"What name did you say?" asked the clerk, counting. "Mr. and Mrs. Carr.Thank you," and he handed her the slip of paper.
"Thank you," said Sarah, with a bewitching smile, and swept down toher cab again. John Rex was gnawing his nails in sullen apathy. Shedisplayed the passage-ticket. "You are saved. By the time Mr. FrancisWade gets his wits together, and his sister recovers her speech, weshall be past pursuit."
"To Sydney!" cries Rex angrily, looking at the warrant. "Why there ofall places in God's earth?"
Sarah surveyed him with an expression of contempt. "Because your schemehas failed. Now this is mine. You have deserted me once; you will do soagain in any other country. You are a murderer, a villain, and a coward,but you suit me. I save you, but I mean to keep you. I will bring you toAustralia, where the first trooper will arrest you at my bidding as anescaped convict. If you don't like to come, stay behind. I don't care.I am rich. I have done no wrong. The law cannot touch me--Do you agree?Then tell the man to drive to Silver's in Cornhill for your outfit."
Having housed him at last--all gloomy and despondent--in a quiet tavernnear the railway station, she tried to get some information as to thislast revealed crime.
"How came you to kill Lord Bellasis?" she asked him quietly.
"I had found out from my mother that I was his natural son, and oneday riding home from a pigeon match I told him so. He taunted me--and Istruck him. I did not mean to kill him, but he was an old man, and in mypassion I struck hard. As he fell, I thought I saw a horseman among thetrees, and I galloped off. My ill-luck began then, for the same night Iwas arrested at the coiner's."
"But I thought there was robbery," said she.
"Not by me. But, for God's sake, talk no more about it. I am sick--mybrain is going round. I want to sleep."
"Be careful, please! Lift him gently!" said Mrs. Carr, as the boatranged alongside the Dido, gaunt and grim, in the early dawn of a bleakMay morning.
"What's the matter?" asked the officer of the watch, perceiving thebustle in the boat.
"Gentleman seems to have had a stroke," said a boatman.
It was so. There was no fear that John Rex would escape again from thewoman he had deceived. The infernal genius of Sarah Purfoy had savedher lover at last--but saved him only that she might nurse him till hedied--died ignorant even of her tenderness, a mere animal, lacking theintellect he had in his selfish wickedness abused.
CHAPTER XVII. THE REDEMPTION.