The Castle Of The Shadows

ouse gleam like mother-o'-pearl. Had there been no secret business on foot, Virginia Beverly's beauty-loving soul would have been on its knees in worship of the scene as she sat on

be drawn across that blazing lamp and the scintillating stars

d, and the Ile Nou was a black shape in the translucent glitter of the water. On the Bella Cuba all was very still

e lady intended to be convalescent. Kate Gardiner also was in retirement, and had for once shown temper even to Virginia; but Dr. Grayle's report of the day was reassu

nd still she tried to persuade herself that she could not see the little black gliding thing distinctly, because,

ilhouetted on the silver track of the moon, and at the sa

the yacht's captain-an Englishman, discreet and expert-had orders to follow slowly. The start had not been made earlier, because it was desirable that town and prison should be asleep, and the danger of discovery minimized. If the yacht were seen moving in the night suspicion would be a

it until the launch returned, or to approach still closer to the island, if pursuit rendered it advisable. These orders Virginia knew he would obey to the letter; and she knew also, though no word had been spoken

d through the glimmering water. If only one could know exactly where and how to expect the blow, the thought that it might fall would be

to see him dragged back to the old life, with all its past horrors, and many new ones added by way of punishment. Possibly the coral reefs and jagged rocks might prevent the launch getting close to shore, and Maxime would have to swim out to it. Then, there were the sharks. Virginia had already seen two or three to-day-hideous, b

the Ile Nou, which must be their destination, was a flood of molten silver poured from the white-hot furnace of the full moon. They knew how black the launch must be on this sheet of radiance, how conspicuous

ht be hiding, to spring out upon Maxime Dalahaide as he crept toward his friends and far-off safety. There was no sound except the crisp rustle of the water as the launch cut through it; but as they

n a fantastic shadow; but quickly as it had come and gone, Roger and George knew that their hope had not been in vain. Convict 1280 had

rld, but he had meant never to ask for them again, when this mad scheme of rescue had been conceived. He had opposed it as foolish and impossible; then Virginia had hinted that, if he would join her in it, giving help and advice, she would refuse him nothing. After that day he had thrown himself into the adventure heart and soul, saying little, but doing all that man could do. Though his few words had sometimes discouraged Virginia's ardent hopes, he had doggedly meant to succeed if he had to die in the supreme eff

on that night or any other night; or, if, in case he came, he should be retaken. Should this happen, Virginia's implied promise need not hold good, but Roger thought he knew her generous heart well enough to be certain that she would in the end reward him for what he had tried to do, even though-not through his fault-the fight had been in vain. On the other hand, if he and George succeeded in

harder than he did; still, he experienced no warmth of gladness at sight of the dark figure silhouetted for an instant against a moonlit haze. Trent was not close to him in the launch, and yet somehow he felt the thrill of joyous relief which shot through the younger man's b

ard its goal, dividing the rushes and reeds of the lagoon, refused to move on. The lush, green barricad

This is what I was afraid of. He'll have to come out to us. Th

m?" Roger asked. And the Voi

ke to sing out. This luck of ou

hand. Perhaps he'll se

initiative now. He was afraid of be

hat it blurred the impression of the first stealthy sound, came the sharp explosion of a shot. Instantly the slumberous silence of the tropical night was shattered by a

!" cried George. "Luckily for us it's a makeshift concern and no gunboat;

if it were to save all three lives; and it would take some time at best for Dalahaide to wade, and swim, and fight his way to them, among the tangling reeds. The escaping prisoner was weak still from h

was not yet known. But the lagoon was at least as likely a place for the search to begin as any other; and then the launch might have been seen moving across the brig

sten. After the first second of straining attention, he sprang

tle cleverer than its fellows and find its way through the rushes. Anyhow, here goes; and if Dalaha

go, and Roger chose to be that one, he must stay; but, even for Maxime's sake, and for Madeleine's, he could not, he decid

lipping among the slimy tangled stems that were like a network under the surface, a brackish taste in his mouth, the rank, salt smell of seaweeds in his nostrils, and h

thought; still he persevered. "Da

d. I think my wound's broken out again. For heaven's sake, go back and let them take me. After all

w. But aloud Roger cried out that he would go back with Maxime or he would not go back at all, and cheering the other, with death in his own heart, he struggled along, half swimming, half wading,

pery stems and held out a stron

d I'll pull yo

ems so hard that they cut into his fingers. Once he thought they were yielding, but at that instant Dalahaide was lifted out of the mud in which he had sunk. Roger

me time their heads came into sight for him, among the tall, dark spears of the rushes. In another moment George in the

cold Voice that said this; and Roger shuddered, yet half his nature welcomed the suggestion. "I've done what I could, let him die," was the answer that came. Quickly the little launch began to back out from the entanglement of the rushes, and as soon as there was room George tur

the yacht waiting, and with an exclamation Trent pointed to

George. "That's his signal. Trust him to be

with which he could not darken George's mood by speaki

y. But something shot into sight round the point, something big, and black, and sw

the Cuba. It's the Government boat, coming

others who were risking everything to save him. It was this thought which seemed to grip him, and shake him into sudden animat

ght-not too far out. She daren't come where we are, for s

ed us. She's hailing

space of water, as, obedient to Dalahaide's qu

e, and again a raucous cry b

or we

me. "I was mad to bring this on

orge Trent. "Two can play at that game. In heaven's

a loud report, came dancing across the water, churni

was his wont. "Our hope's in speed now, and dodgi

of the battle, could not resist a hurrah; but his shout was deadened by the din of another shot, and then an answering roar from the Bella Cuba. One of those cannon of

nk the yacht and the launch, and drowned every soul concerned in this mad adventure, she would be within her rights, and the fugitives knew it well. The Bella Cuba had flung the red rag into the face of the bull, and Roger Broom and George

ns which, rising just above the shining surface of the water, marked a group of coral reefs. "There won't be much d

r it, he and Roger and Maxime were all three in the water. The ball from the little cannon of the prison-bo

s strong in all healthy men, and, though an instant later he was ashamed on realizing it, the fear that thrilled him was for himself. He expected, as his momentarily sc

t it would be hard indeed if he were to meet a ghastly death in the very act of achieving safety and freedom. Madeleine's beautiful, tragic face rose, clear as a star, before his eyes, and he knew that it would be reward enough for him if he could give his life for the

g the water out of his eyes, he looked anxiously round for Roger and Maxime. They were nowhere to be seen, and a pang shot through Geor

to everything outside; but suddenly he realized that the firing between the yacht and the Gov

ght, a dark dot appeared on the bright mirror of the sea, moving fast, and a cry was raised which,

rk-a s