CHAPTER XXXIV.
FACE TO FACE.
—"Ah me! The world is full of meetings such as this.” —Willis.
“What next?”
It was Ranty who spoke in a deep, excited voice. Ray, white and stone-like, stood with one arm resting on the mantel, his face shaded by his heavy, falling hair, his deep breathing painfully breaking the silence. Ah! in that moment how the gossamer wall of his sophistry was swept away! He had flattered himself his resolution was strong enough to keep him from loving Pet; but now, now that she was gone, and perhaps forever, the truth stood glaring out in all its vividness, and he felt that he loved her with his whole heart and soul, as only a strong, fervid, passionate nature like his could love. His strong chest heaved with an emotion too deep and intense for words; and as he thought of her, alone and unprotected, in the power of those ruthless men, his very respiration stopped, until it became painful to listen for its return. Ranty’s question roused him; and the necessity for immediate action restored, in some measure, his customary calmness and clear-headed energy.
“We ought instantly engage the services of the Judestown police, and begin a vigorous search, I think,” said Ranty.
“Search! have not the police and the revenue officers searched for this infernal smugglers’ den for the last six months without ceasing? and yet they were as near finding it the first day as they are now.”
“Then what is to be done?” said Ranty. “We must try some means to find her, that is certain. Poor Pet! Oh! I always had a sort of presentiment that mad girl would get herself into some scrape of that kind, sooner or later. Hang the villains! I would like to swing every one of them to the yard-arm myself.”
“Ought you not to send word to your father?” suggested Erminie whose face was perfectly colorless with fear for Pet.
“I suppose I ought; but where am I to find him? He has gone, as well as Pet, and no one seems to know in what direction he may be found. The smugglers can’t surely have taken him, too.”