Part 103

"I go to deposit the check. I will have my bank send it direct for collection, with instructions to wire immediately if paid. I presume you don't wish it to go through the ordinary course."

"Most assuredly not!" Elaine answered.

"This is Thursday," said Jones. "The check, and your note, should reach the Trust Company in the same mail to-morrow morning; they can be depended upon to wire promptly, I presume?"

"Undoubtedly!"

"Then, we may be able to release you to-morrow night, certainly by Saturday."

"It can't come too soon for us."

"You don't seem to like our hospitality," Jones observed.

"It's excellent of its sort, but we don't fancy the sort--you understand, monsieur. And then, too, it is frightfully expensive."

"We have done the best we could under the circumstances," he smiled. "Until Saturday at the latest--meanwhile, permit me to offer you a very hopeful farewell."

Elaine smiled sweetly, and Mr. Jones went out.

"Why do you treat him so amiably?" Davila asked. "I couldn't, if I would."

"Policy," Elaine answered. "We get on better. It wouldn't help our case to be sullen--and it might make it much worse. I would gladly shoot him, and hurrah over it, too, as I fancy you would do, but it does no good to show it, now--when we can't shoot him."

"I suppose not," said Davila. "But I'm glad I don't have to play the part." She hesitated a moment. "Elaine, I don't know how to thank you for my freedom----"

"Wait until you have it!" the other laughed. "Though there isn't a doubt of the check being paid."

"My grandfather, I know, will repay you with his entire fortune, but that will be little----"

Elaine stopped her further words by placing a hand over her mouth, and kissing her.

"That's quite enough, dear!" she said. "Take it that the reward is for my release, and that you were just tossed in for good measure--or, that it is a slight return for the pleasure of visiting you--or, that the money is a small circumstance to me--or, that it is a trifling sum to pay to be saved the embarrassment of proposing to Geoffrey, myself--or, take it any way you like, only, don't bother your pretty head an instant more about it. In the slang of the day: 'Forget it,' completely and utterly, as a favor to me if for no other reason."

"I'll promise to forget it--until we're free," agreed Davila.

"And, in the meantime, let us have a look around this old boat," said Elaine. "You're nearer the door, will you open it? Two can't pass in this room."

Davila tried the door--it refused to open.

"It's locked!" she said.

"Oh, well! we will content ourselves with watching the Bay through the port hole, and when one wants to turn around the other can crawl up in her bunk. I'm going to write a book about this experience, some time.--I wonder what Geoffrey and Colin are doing?" she laughed--"running around like mad and stirring up the country, I reckon."

XXI

THE JEWELS

Macloud went to New York on the evening train. He carried Croyden's power of attorney with stock sufficient, when sold, to make up his share of the cash. He had provided for his own share by a wire to his brokers and his bank in Northumberland. A draft would be awaiting him. He would reduce both amounts to one thousand dollar bills and hurry back to Annapolis to meet Croyden.

But they counted not on the railroads,--or rather they did count on them, and they were disappointed. A freight was derailed just south of Hampton, tearing up the track for a hundred yards, and piling the right of way with wreckage of every description. Macloud's train was twelve hours late leaving Hampton. Then, to add additional ill luck, they ran into a wash out some fifty miles further on; with the result that they did not reach New York until after the markets were over and the banks had closed for the day.

He wired the facts to Croyden. The following day, he sold the stocks, the brokers gave him the proceeds in the desired bills, after the delivery hour, and he made a quick get-away for Annapolis, arriving there at nine o'clock in the evening.

Croyden was awaiting him, at Carvel Hall.