THE CAPTAIN
An hour later Naundorff sat surrounded by the three Carbonari, to whom he had related his entire history. Pity and amazement were upon their faces; Louis Pierre seemed stirred out of his taciturnity. On the table lay the open box from which had been taken the documents corroborating the recital. But these papers had scarcely been necessary, for the Carbonari believed Naundorff blindly.
"What a blow is tyranny to receive!" exclaimed Louis Pierre. "'Tis the man who sits upon the throne today that invited foreign troops into our country. Now shall we brand his forehead with the blister of usurpation and fraud. When I longed to inflict upon the House a terrible punishment, I little dreamed that God reserved one so complete, and that I—we should be the instruments."
Then Giacinto spoke:
"We, who are an invincible force, make the cause of Naundorff our own cause. We shall be its defenders even against himself, if he should again seek to overthrow it. What say you, Soliviac? I answer for it that our brothers shall as one stand by him. Ah, we carry on the Polipheme a revelation to our country. To the believing we carry faith; to the incredulous proofs," and he motioned toward the documents.
Amélie's clear voice interposed:
"Gentlemen, formulate no plans, foster no hopes. Are you counting on disembarking on French soil? That spy living and free, there is not a safe spot in Europe."
"Mademoiselle speaks the truth," assented Giacinto, who gazed fascinated upon her imperious beauty and splendid poise. "Our danger is great."
"Until now," she continued, "no one has suspected the existence of these papers, which are of a nature to turn the tide of history. My father had no intention of making use of them. He wished to owe his success to the generosity of his sister, and he still trusts to that generosity. But Volpetti knows our secret and he will set forces in motion to wrest this last guarantee from us. He will not scruple as to means, even though our lives be the price. Instead, therefore, of dreaming of splendid victories and dashing revenges, let us think of a refuge. Captain Soliviac, head the vessel toward Dunkirk, for any other spot of France would be our sepulchre. Not even in Holland should we be safe."
Naundorff buried his face in his hands. The reproach implied in Amélie's words cut him deeply. Tho his heart approved his extravagant magnanimity, he realized that in freeing Volpetti he shut in his own face the doors of France and lost the opportunity of an interview with the sister whom he was so anxious to convince.
"Our fate is in God's hands, Amélie," he said with an imposing gesture, "Volpetti is under superhuman control."
"That superhuman control," observed Giacinto sarcastically, "sent a vessel to rescue him. That vessel at this moment carries him to France. Heart of the Madonna! we require genius now to escape with our lives. Am I not right, brothers?" and he turned solemnly toward the other Carbonari.
"Gentlemen," said Amélie, "a secret merits a secret. Of what force do you speak?"
"Mademoiselle," replied the Italian, "we are not permitted to reveal the key of our society. But this much may I say: We are the mines which, in annihilating the present, shall become the basis of the future. Though having the appearance of pygmies, we are loosening the foundations of the columns which support giants. Our aim is to protect the weak."
René listened with knitted brow and uneasy expression.
Louis Pierre added:
"We are vital reaction manifesting itself through convulsions. We are creating by destroying. Our program is to undo the done."
"The program of Satan," murmured Naundorff involuntarily.
"No one can speak those words with so little reason as you, Monseigneur," replied the other. "Did you not say just now that justice is realized in violence? Did you not speak of expiation? and of the iniquities of the past?"
"Yes," answered Naundorff. "I am effacing the sins of a dynasty—its abuses, cruelties and indifference to human suffering."
"Father," said Amélie, "we are effacing also its frailties and apostasies. Therefore, we must not temporize nor vacillate in critical moments. O, can you not comprehend that justice would be on our side at this moment if we might deal the usurpation a deadly blow?" "We are ready to serve your cause," said Giacinto. "Naundorff and his daughter may count upon our loyalty and we are those who walk by night through the bowels of the earth. The soles of our shoes are cork that our footsteps may not reach men's ears. Captain Soliviac," he concluded, suddenly turning toward the seaman, "you are commanding aboard this vessel. What route are we to take?"
Soliviac's green Celtic eyes flashed. So far he had taken no part in the discussion, but now resolution stamped itself upon his face and his voice vibrated with authority, that authority of supreme moments when the ship ran great danger.
"We are to take the route which the other ship has taken; we are to overtake her before she reaches France and capture her. She shall not touch French soil while Camille Soliviac is Captain of the Polipheme."
The others were silent, comprehending the danger. No war raged on the seas; corsairs and pirates were restrained severely.
"What other suggestion can you offer?" asked Soliviac.
"None," replied Giacinto and Louis Pierre.
"Such being the case—," and he turned to descend the stairway.
"Captain," interrupted Louis Pierre, "the schooner is lighter and swifter than our brig. She has an enormous advantage."
"No," replied Soliviac. "She is going at ordinary speed and is unconscious of our intention. Besides, she seems to be traveling backward while we have increased speed since the lulling of the storm. As soon as she is within reach of our cannon, we will salute and watch the effect. Therefore, let us drink each other good luck in another punch, after which Mademoiselle may retire to her state-room and pray for us."
"I to my state-room?" demanded Amélie, her eyes flashing. "How little you know me, Captain."
Naundorff clutched Soliviac by the sleeve, and, almost kneeling, entreated:
"Renounce force, for in that renunciation is the secret of life. It has been written: I took your cause in my hands and your grievance have I avenged. O forbear to spill blood, forbear to destroy life."
The Captain, respectfully but with evident displeasure, moved away, saying:
"There is no alternative."
"But what right have you, Captain, to attack that vessel for performing a charitable deed?"
"What right?" retorted the Breton. "Tell me first by what right the innocent boy-king was tortured, imprisoned, buried? When that schooner and its crew sleep on the floor of ocean, no man will arise to speak to me about rights. Ho there! to business." And he ran down the stairs, followed by René and the Carbonari. Amélie flung her arms around her father's neck as he fell on his knees in prayer. The pale blue morning light filtered through the cabin windows and gleamed over the water.