Part 49 (1/2)

”I must have telephoned my ideas to you mighty quick,” was the retort.

”My dear boy, even at this moment we don't know what she intended to do.

Why did she go out? What is the nature of her sudden illness? How comes it that she is at Brand's house?”

”I may be mistaken, but I think we will be given answers to all your questions in due time. Nothing really serious can be amiss, or we should have heard of it from Brand himself. Now, will you remain on guard here whilst I go out with Elsie and Mamie? The one thing that matters in their little lives this morning is that I shall hurry up and go doll-hunting with them.”

”I will hold the fort until you return. You will not be long?”

”Perhaps half an hour. Whilst I am out I will make some inquiries as to the condition of our other friends of the _Chinook_.”

”By the way, many of them must be dest.i.tute. It is my desire, Charlie, to pay the expenses of any such to their destination, and equip them properly for the journey.”

”You are a first-rater, uncle, but it'll make your arm tired if you O.K.

the bill all the time. Now here's a fair offer. Let me go halves.”

”Be off, you rascal. You are keeping two ladies waiting.”

With seeming anxiety to atone for the excesses of the week, the weather that morning justified the claim of Cornwall to be the summer land of England. The sun shone from a blue sky flecked with white clouds. The waters of Mount's Bay sparkled and danced in miniature wavelets. The air was so mild, the temperature so equable, that it was hard to credit sea and wind with the havoc of the preceding days.

The Gulf Rock disaster did not stand alone in the records of the hurricane. Even the day's papers contained belated accounts of casualties on the coasts of Normandy, Holland, and far-off Denmark. But nowhere else had there been such loss of life, whilst renewed interest was evoked by the final relief of all the survivors.

Pyne's appearance outside the sitting-room was hailed with a yell.

Notwithstanding her own perplexities, Mrs. Vansittart had taken good care that the children were well provided for. They were beautifully dressed, and the smiling maid who freed them from control when the door opened said that they might go out without jackets, the day was so fine.

He descended the stairs, with a cigar in his mouth and a delighted youngster clinging to each hand.

In the hall he encountered a dozen journalists waiting to devour him.

They had failed to penetrate the strategic screen interposed by the head waiter. Now the enemy was unmasked and they advanced to the attack.

Pyne was ready for them. He had already outlined his defence.

”Will one of you gentlemen, representing all, kindly give me a word in private?” he asked.

This was readily agreed to.

”Now this is the deal I will make,” he said, when the two were isolated.

”I will meet you all here in an hour's time. I will be interviewed, sketched, snapshotted, give you locks of my hair, my autograph, my views on the Far East, the next Presidential election, and the fiscal question, if you bind yourself to one thing.”

”And that is?”

”Among the pa.s.sengers saved from the _Chinook_ is a Mrs. Vansittart. She is very ill, and is being cared for by Mr. Brand and his daughters. Make no reference to her in any way whatever beyond including her name in the published lists. Promise that and I'll talk a page.”

”I am sure I can agree without consulting my colleagues,” said the surprised reporter.

”Come along, kids,” said Pyne. ”I am delivered bound to the torture.”

He pa.s.sed out into the street, when Elsie's sharp eyes, searching for a shop, suddenly caught sight of Enid hurrying towards the hotel.