Barraclough

“ Then to the glowering Jane who had answered the summons of the bell; "Kindly show this gentleman out."
"Pray do not disturb yourself," said Mr. Bolt with dignity. "I can find my own way."
And with astonishing speed for a man of his build he seized the handle and threw open the door of Mrs. Barraclough's bedroom. The action was deliberate since he desired to find out who might possibly be concealed in the inner room and its advantages were immeasurable for at the very moment his back was turned Anthony Barraclough, dusty and spent, stumbled in through the French window. ”

“ Barraclough lit a cigarette.
"Oh, very well," he said. "So I'm to be kidnapped."
"At twelve precisely," Cranbourne nodded. "In the course of the next three days Van Diest will try the persuasion of bribes and failing success you disappear, my friend, for a short inquisition."
Barraclough shut his fists tight.
"By God," he said. "So that's the way of it. Three days, what! I'll break through that damned ring if it kills me."
"I wonder," murmured Mr. Torrington. "Quite a lot I wonder. Still it's great fun. Don't do anything in a hurry. Three days is a life time. ”

“ Barraclough admitted me.
"I have it," said I. "Let's find the Prince."
"Man, we can't afford to leave the doors."
"We may be attacked," said he.
"No; they won't venture just yet," I replied. "It's not their game—at least, not Holgate's. He's giving us time to find the treasure and then he'll attack."
"I wish you wouldn't talk riddles," said Barraclough shortly.
"I'll speak out when we get to the Prince," I said; and forthwith we hastened to his room.
"Mr. Morland," I burst out, "Pye came aboard as representing your solicitors?" ”

“ More fool you. Then it's Barraclough, is it, playing on his own." He chuckled. "That man treated me as pretty dirt all along, didn't he? I'll go bail it was public property. Barraclough's real blue blood. Prick him and see. My son, he's got to be pricked, but I'm no surgeon."
"I understand nothing of all this," I replied. "You enjoy mystification, Holgate, and your talents are remarkable. You can beat Sir John out of his boots. But I wish you'd used your talents elsewhere. Better have buried them. For you've given us a stiff job, and we've simply got to lick you." ”

“ He walked out with a ceremonious bow to Mademoiselle, and I followed. She had dried her eyes, and was looking at me eagerly. She passed into the corridor in front of me, and pressed forward to where Barraclough and Lane stood.
"The mutineers, sir, offer terms," said Barraclough to the Prince. "They propose that if we hand over the contents of the safes we shall be landed on the coast with a week's provisions."
The Prince gazed stolidly and stupidly at his officer.
"I do not understand," said he. "The scoundrels are in possession of the safes." ”

“ There was a moment's pause on this, and Barraclough looked toward me in the dim light, as if he would, ask my advice.
"They've got the safes," he said in perplexity. "This is more treachery, I suppose."
"Shoot 'em," said Lane furiously. "Don't trust the brutes."
"Wait a bit," said I hurriedly. "Don't let's be rash. We had better call Mr. Morland. There's something behind this. Tell them that we will answer presently."
Barraclough shouted the necessary statement, and I hurried off to the Prince's cabin. ”

“ We're all on a level here, and we're not thieves."
Each one looked at the other. "We're cornered," said Barraclough. "It will make 'em mad, if they haven't got that. There's no chance of a bargain."
"It is not my desire there should be any bargain," said the Prince stiffly.
Barraclough shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. But it was plain to all that we were in a hole. The mutineers were probably infuriated by finding the treasure gone, and at any moment might renew their attack. There was but a small prospect that we could hold out against them. ”

“ Barraclough saw the flash out of the tail of his eye and simultaneously his motor cycle seemed to leap forward with a noisy roar. The bullet had struck the exhaust pipe cutting it clear of the silencer and making him a gift of five miles an hour. A new life seemed to run through the veins of the machine and the hill flattened out before him like a level track. As he realised the charity of Fate, Barraclough lifted a gladsome "Yoicks" and waved his right arm above his head. Again the pistol cracked and a red hot knitting needle seemed to pass through the palm of his hand. ”

“ Even as he spoke a noise announced the return of the party, and Sir John Barraclough entered.
"Your man's missing," said he.
Day uttered an exclamation, and the Prince's frown deepened.
"There's no one in the cabin," said Barraclough.
At that instant a knock fell on the door. "Is the doctor here?" said a voice which I recognised at once. Barraclough opened the door and Holgate stood on the threshold.
"It has been reported to me as I came on duty," he said, "that Adams is missing, doctor. It seems a bad case. He was delirious, and two of the men say they heard a plunge. ”

“ They parted at the doors of Crest Chambers, W., where Barraclough had a flat.
"By the way, any message for Mr. Van Diest?"
"You can tell him to go to the devil," said Anthony Barraclough.
"Right, I will. I say, if you feel a bit neglected during the night don't worry, there are plenty of us knocking about in the street below and we shan't desert you." ”

“ I immediately sought him there, but found only Grant, who informed me that he had relieved Sir John at his orders half an hour earlier. He could not give any information beyond that. It was possible Barraclough had gone to his cabin, and so I repaired thither; but without success. I made inquiries of Ellison, who had not seen the first officer, and of the steward, who was in a like case.
It was Lane who gave me the clue, in a vein which I will set down without comment.
"He's on a perch, and crowing like a rooster, is the bart. You need not look for flies on Barraclough, doctor. ”

“ There was a pause, and it was the lady who broke it.
"What is it that you mean, doctor?"
I addressed her. "The mutineers cut off the light preparatory to an attack."
"You are the most wonderful sleuth-hound, Dr. Phillimore," said Barraclough with a hard laugh; "your talents are quite thrown away."
"I regret to say they are here," I answered sharply. "And where would he be if he had paid some attention to the patent detective? I tell you again, Sir John Barraclough, that we've got to expect an attack to-night, and that's why the light is gone."
A man may endure hostility and defeat ”

“ Dirk fell back a pace fumbling for the pocket in which he kept his "Mascot." It was a fatal mistake. Running down the length of the jetty between the two men was a fisherman's net, and as Harrison Smith sprang toward him pistol in hand, Barraclough ducked, seized the net and raised it in the air.
It was the barest fluke that the manoeuvre should have worked so well. Harrison Smith stumbled heavily, grabbed at Dirk and missed him. Barraclough's foot just above his waist line destroyed the last of his equilibrium and over the edge he went into the shallow water below. ”

“ When I had done, Lane whistled, the Prince's brow was black, but Barraclough's face was impassive. He looked at me.
"Then you are of opinion that Holgate is running this show for himself?" he asked.
"I will wager ten to one on it," I answered. "That's like him. He'll leave the others in the lurch if he can. He's aiming at it. And he'll leave Pye there, too, I shouldn't wonder. And if so, what sort of a man is that to make terms with?"
Barraclough made no answer. For a man of his even nature he looked troubled. ”

“ All he desired to say was this: that he knew more about the honourable gentleman than anybody else in that room; knew him for a high-minded, straightforward, kind-hearted young man; in time of trouble Mr. Barraclough had stood by him like a brick. The room, easily touched, applauded Alfred, and the interrupting man at the back of the room found himself glared at reproachfully by all.
'You've got the gift of the gab, old man,' said the young carman admiringly as Mr. Barraclough proceeded. 'I often wish I'd got more cheek ”

“ He rattled off Lord Almont's address in Park Lane.
"Save my soul!" gasped the old woman. "Are you crazy? Didn't expect more'n a florin. Bless your pretty heart. You must be badly frightened of something."
But Barraclough waited for no more. He jumped into the taxi with the words 'Westminster Bridge' and drove away, swearing to himself.
"Of all rotten luck. Yet I can't help feeling she didn't belong to that gang after all. Wonder if I've made an almighty fool of myself."
For the first time in his life his nerves were beginning to fray. ”

“ After all it was more fun to shoot a man than to ride him down.
The little twin in front was labouring bravely at the hill, but its muffled exhaust was pleading unmistakably for still another change down. Barraclough knew very well that were he to accept this invitation he would be lost. The only hope was to keep in second and pray hard that the engine wouldn't conk out. A glance over his shoulder revealed the Ford bounding up the hill toward him. Then it was Harrison Smith fired. ”

“ Barraclough.
The door opened and Jane came in with an abnormally large whiskey and soda which she nearly dropped at the sight of the visitor.
"Oh! Mrs. Barraclough!" said Bolt, pointing an accusing finger.
But the old lady was equal to the moment.
"And drink," she said, seizing the glass and swallowing an immense gulp that almost paralysed the muscles of her throat.
Mr. Bolt smiled cynically and took his gloves from Flora's outstretched hand.
"Gloves are so expensive nowadays, are they not?" he asked. ”

“ Meanwhile Barraclough was narrating in his deliberate way the adventures of the party; but I cut him short, only asking one question:
"Where is Legrand?"
"They took him up and carried him forward, but I couldn't say if he were dead."
"We have no time to lose," I said. "They may attack at any moment, and we have too much space to defend for comfort."
"Why, we can manage this well enough," said he easily.
"And be starved," said I. "No; we must keep the access to the saloon and the kitchens, and that means precautions. Look at the windows through which we may be approached." ”

“ Holgate's eyes shifted only when Barraclough spoke next.
"If you leave the yacht at the next port or place of call we shall be powerless to prevent you and the men under you," said Barraclough in a dry, formal voice. "But the mutiny will be, of course, reported to the British Consul at the most accessible port."
"That's a compromise, I reckon," observed Holgate with a grin, which showed his fang. "That's owner and first officer commanding rolled into one and halved, or I'm Dutch. Well, I'll let it go; but I've offered fair terms. ”

“ Goodbye."
"What's wrong with the policeman's missus?" demanded Anthony.
"As you're not a married man, Tony, I shall refuse to tell you," said
Mrs. Barraclough in the manner of Queen Victoria.
"Going to see her?"
"I was going to take her this basket of roses and some vegetables, but as——"
"No, no, you take 'em and I'll go down to the village with you in the car and take it on. You won't mind walking home across the fields."
"Anthony," said Mrs. Barraclough seriously. "Is it very real danger you're in?"
"Pretty solid but don't you fret, I'm equal to it."
Flora and Jane came in from the garden. ”

“ Barraclough cut in. "Our views are opposed about that. I made the find and as soon as I have turned it into actual possession, you will have the chance to exploit it, but until——"
"Yes, but half a shake, old son," said Lord Almont. "How about the marvellous healing properties—all the jolly old hospitals we were going to endow. One doesn't want to be a dog in the manger."
Barraclough grinned. Whatever other qualities Nature had bestowed upon the ebullient peer philanthropy was not outstanding. ”

“ Barraclough apologised, "but I give you my solemn word that somehow I'll win you the purse."
"The purse," Mr. Torrington smiled. "One almost forgets the purse in a case like this. It is eclipsed by the will to succeed. Adventure! The one thing of which old people never tire."
And then it was that Cranbourne who, curled up in the window seat with his chin resting on his knees, had taken no part in the debate, made his first observation.
"If Barraclough is to succeed it will have to be in the next three days. At midnight on the 27th he is going to be kidnapped." ”

“ It was Flora who poured out the story of the chase and ultimate smash and at the very moment of explanation the lights of Harrison Smith's Ford flashed for a moment upon the sky line to reappear a second later creeping down the avenue of trees on the hillside.
"Look, look," she cried.
To Anthony Barraclough it was a novel experience to act on another man's orders. In that instant of gathering danger Richard Frencham Altar became captain of the situation. He literally flung Anthony into the car and refused to listen to Auriole's protests.
"We're players of a game, aren't we?" ”

“ I suppose that some gleam of reason prevented Barraclough from firing. He barred the windows afresh, and came back to me.
"Why the mischief doesn't he attack?" he exclaimed peevishly.
I did not know, but I was near guessing just then. In point of fact, I did guess that afternoon. I paid my usual visit to the forecastle and the hold. Legrand played the same farce with remarkable persistence, and I was no longer puzzled by him. He was biding his time, like Holgate, and his reasons were obvious. ”