“Suppose we try and get down in the saloon, then. I don’t suppose they will keep us below, or exercise restraint if we do not seem to be aware that we are entrapped.”
“Perhaps not; let us venture, Miss Chain.”
When they descended, they found that the stewardess was fully expecting their arrival, and had been in and out of the ladies’ cabin preparing for them, for there was a lumpy sea on and a nasty look outside the south coast in the direction they were going. They had not been down below many minutes before the groans of the poor sufferer were again heard. Then Miss Chain came close to Miss Dove and whispered to her,—
“Make some excuse to get the stewardess on deck with you; say that you want her arm to steady you as you can’t stop below. Say anything you like, but get the woman out of the way, for I intend to solve the mystery of those distressful cries myself, and learn the poor creature’s story.”
It was some little time before Miss Dove could carry out this stratagem, but at length she succeeded. They had no sooner disappeared, than Miss Chain approached the cabin where the sick woman lay. She had been locked in, but the key had been carelessly left in the door. No words can express Miss Chain’s horror and astonishment on beholding her dear mother, who, putting her finger to her lips, begged her to speak low.
“I have been trying for some time to draw your attention, dear,” said Mrs Chain, “as I heard you in the saloon, and thank God for this chance of telling you that I am sure we are kidnapped, no doubt by that wretch Falcon, who would not hesitate to carry us out to sea and even take our lives. Be quick, dear, and take this leather bag, for it contains money which you may want. It is part of the proceeds of the fifty-pound cheque Miss Dove most kindly sent me a while ago, when she heard the story of our losses through Falcon. My idea is that you should bribe the stewardess, and also terrify her by informing her that Miss Dove is the daughter of the squire, who is a magistrate.”
“My dear mother, how providential is this meeting, and how singularly opportune is Miss Dove’s present to you at a time when it may assist us and her too. But how came you here, mother?”
“I was told in a letter that I was to meet you and Miss Dove on board a yacht. But when I got on board yesterday, I discovered that I had been entrapped. Then, in my hearing, Falcon told the stewardess that if I attempted to communicate with anyone who might come on board I should be put down in the fore hold. Fearing that he would carry out his threat, I had recourse to pretending to be desperately sea-sick, so as to give him the impression that I was too ill to notice anything around me.”
“But have they hired this yacht for a cruise, or for what purpose?”
“Oh, I don’t know, dear child; but from what the mate told me after I was entrapped yesterday, they are going over to Havre first of all to meet a friend who had preceded them.”