Part 48 (1/2)

”And yet you believed she stole your papers!”

”I thought she did,” d.i.c.k answered doggedly. ”Still, I didn't blame her.”

”You blamed me? But you ought to be satisfied, in one respect, because Clare and I are separated, and I'll own that I'm anxious about her future. Had things gone well, I would have tried to keep her away from you; in fact, I did try, because I frankly think she might have made a better marriage. For all that, if you are determined and she is willing, you have my consent. You will probably never be very rich, but I could trust Clare to you.”

”I am determined.”

”Very well. I can tell you something you may be glad to hear. Clare did not rob you, nor did I.”

d.i.c.k looked at him with keen relief. ”Then who took the plans?”

”Your cousin. The pocket they were in was unb.u.t.toned when he took hold of you and hurried you out of the house. He brought them to me afterwards, but I saw they were not valuable and destroyed them.”

It was impossible to doubt the statement, and d.i.c.k flushed with shame and anger as he realized that his absurd and unjust suspicion of Clare had prevented his seeing who the real culprit was. Clare had accidentally torn his pocket loose, the bulky envelope must have been sticking out, and Lance had noticed it as he hustled him across the hall.

”Yes; Lance took the plans!” he exclaimed hoa.r.s.ely. ”But why?”

”It looks as if you hadn't heard from home. Your cousin has stepped into your place. I imagine he had always envied it, and didn't hesitate when he saw an opportunity of getting rid of you.”

d.i.c.k was silent for a few moments and his face was very hard. He heard the crew hurrying about the deck, and a winch rattle as the hatches were lifted. The vessel would soon be in port, and Kenwardine's fate must be decided before they went ash.o.r.e; but the man looked very cool as he leaned back in his chair, languidly waiting.

”Why didn't you tell me this earlier?” d.i.c.k asked sternly.

”I should have thought my object was plain enough,” Kenwardine replied.

”I didn't want Clare to marry a badly paid engineer. Things are different now and I admit that you have stood a rather severe test. I'll give you two letters; one to Clare, advising her to marry you, and the other stating how your cousin stole the plans, which you can use in any way you like. Before writing them, I'd like to see Fuller for a minute or two.

You needn't hesitate about it, because I don't mean to victimize him in any way. In fact, I want to tell him something to his advantage.”

d.i.c.k went out, and when he had sent Jake down, leaned upon the steamer's rail lost in thought. It had been a shock to learn of his cousin's treachery, but this was balanced by the relief of knowing that Clare was innocent. Indeed, he grew hot with shame as he wondered how he had suspected her. He felt angry with Kenwardine for keeping him in the dark so long, but his indignation was tempered by a touch of grim amus.e.m.e.nt.

Since the fellow was ambitious for Clare, he must have regretted having destroyed the plans when he learned that d.i.c.k's father was rich, but after conniving at the theft he could not put matters right. Now, when his career was ended, he was willing, for his daughter's sake, to clear d.i.c.k's name and help him to regain the station he had lost. But d.i.c.k was not sure he wished to regain it just yet. He had been turned out of the army; his father, who had never shown much love for him, had been quick to believe the worst; and he was bound for a time to a man who had befriended him.

Presently he looked about. Lights were opening out in twinkling lines as the steamer moved sh.o.r.eward, and a splash of oars came out of the gloom.

d.i.c.k vacantly noted that several boats were approaching, and then a winch rattled and Don Sebastian, who had come up quietly, touched his arm. A chain sling swung past beneath a moving derrick, and as they crossed the deck to get out of the way he saw a steamer close by. Her windla.s.s was clanking as she shortened her cable and he supposed she was the Spanish boat the mate had spoken of, but he followed his companion and listened to what he had to say. Then as the anchor was let go he thought Jake ought to have come back and went to look for him. He found the lad leaning against the deckhouse, smoking a cigarette.

”Where's Kenwardine?” he asked.

”I left him in the saloon. He gave me two letters for you and a useful hint about some debts of mine.”

”Never mind that! How long is it since you left him?”

”Quite five minutes,” Jake answered coolly.

Struck by something in his tone, d.i.c.k ran below and found no luggage in Kenwardine's room. None of the stewards whom he asked had seen him for some time, and a hasty search showed that he was not on deck. d.i.c.k went back to Jake.

”Do you know where the fellow is?” he asked sharply as Don Sebastian came up.

”If you insist, I imagine he's on board the Spanish boat,” Jake answered with a chuckle. ”As she seems to have her anchor up, I guess it's too late for us to interfere.”