Hurricane Island Page 2

  CHAPTER II

  IN THE "THREE TUNS"

  The next day I had a full round of visits to make, so that I had littletime to think over the adventure of the previous evening. On Saturday Imade my way, as usual, to the West End, and spent the afternoon inluxury, basking in the renewal of my self-respect. I had leisure thento reflect, and, although the more I considered the less appeared thelikelihood of any advantage to myself derivable out of Lane's promise,yet I allowed myself the satisfaction of certain inquiries. No one inthe club had heard of Morland, the millionaire, and the _Sea Queen_ wasunknown to my yachting friends. Moreover, no Morland appeared in the"Court Guide." Still, it was quite possible, even probable, that he wasan American; so that omission did not abash me. It was only when Irehearsed the circumstances in bald terms that I doubted to the pointof incredulity. I had fished up a tipsy fellow, of a loose good-nature,who, under the stimulus of more whisky, had probably at the bestoffered more than he was entitled to do, and who, at the worst, hadlong since forgotten all about his Good Samaritan. The situation seemedeasy of interpretation, and in the warmth of my pleasant intercoursewith my companions I presently ceased to ponder it.

  Yet, when I arrived at my house and opened the letter that awaited me,I will confess that I experienced a thrill of hope. It was from Hills,a firm of solicitors in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and, premising that I wasa candidate for the post of doctor in the SS. _Sea Queen_, requested meto call on Monday at three o'clock. This looked, so to speak, likebusiness, and I attended at the address with my mind made up and clear.If I was offered the position I would take it, and so cut my cable.

  I had to wait some time in an ante-room, but presently was ushered intothe presence of one of the partners, an amiable, business-like man,with the air of a country squire.

  "Dr. Phillimore?" he queried introductively, and I assented.

  "Please sit down, will you. You are anxious to take position of doctoron the _Sea Queen._" He consulted some note before him. "I see. Yourname has been mentioned to my client in this connection. I assume youare fully qualified?"

  I told him the facts and referred him to the "Medical Year-Book.""Moreover," I added, "I have no doubt, if a recommendation werenecessary, Sir John Wemyss, of Harley Street, would be willing to writeto you."

  "Sir John Wemyss," he echoed reflectively. "Oh, yes, the cancer man.Let me see, he was President, wasn't he, of the College of Surgeons?"

  "Yes, some years ago," I answered.

  "A good man," he declared with a friendly air of patronage. "Well, Idon't suppose there would be any difficulty on that score if Sir Johnwill write. My client is a prudent man, and would naturally like tohave the best advice available. Moreover, he is quite willing to payfor it. There is, of course, that question," and he looked at me as ifinviting my suggestion.

  I laughed. "Really I have no views, only that naturally I should likeas large a salary as is compatible with the circumstances."

  "Very well, Dr. Phillimore," said he, nodding. "I daresay we canarrange that too. You are young yet, and the position might lead----"He broke off, as the baize door on his left opened noiselessly. "Whatis it, Pye?"

  The clerk bent down and whispered to him. "Oh, very well! It'sopportune in a way. Will you ask Mr. Morland to be good enough to comein?"

  The little clerk went out with his neat walk, and the solicitor rose."I shall be able to introduce you to my client, who is the owner of the_Sea Queen_," he said, with a certain change of voice, and quicklywent forward to the outer door.

  "How do you do, Mr. Morland?" he exclaimed, with a cheerful deference,such as was due to the presence of wealth. "I was just engaged on alittle matter of yours. I hope you came right up. These dull offices goso much by routine. It was the question of a doctor, sir."

  As he spoke he indicated me, and for the first time I saw Mr. Morland.

  He was a man of thirty-five, of middle height, slightly disposed tostoutness, but with a fine carriage, and with a bronzed, good-lookingface, rendered heavier for the dull expression of his blue eyes. Hishair, which was short and worn _en brosse_, after a foreign fashion,was straw-yellow.

  "Is it the doctor?" he asked, after a glance at me, and though he spokeexcellent English, there was also something a little foreign in hisaccent.

  "Well, sir, we haven't reached that point yet," said the lawyer,smiling. "This is Dr. Phillimore, whom you wished me to----"

  "Ah, yes," said Mr. Morland, and he put out a hand mechanically. "Youwill arrange it," he said to the other, with an air of command.

  "Most certainly, sir, but I thought you would like to see, being on thespot----"

  "No, there is only one thing. You know anything of throats?" he askedsuddenly.

  I told him I had studied under a specialist at the hospital, as ithappened. In these days we doctors are compelled to take specialcourses in order to keep march with the times.

  "That is right," he said, nodding, and the smile that came upon hisface turned the eyes bluer. He looked quite handsome. "We must all keepstep with the times. I will look to you to arrange it," he added againto the lawyer, and seemed to wait for my dismissal. The solicitor bowedme sharply from the room, for was not his millionaire client inwaiting? And I went down the stairs.

  It was now past four, and as I came out into the Square I saw before methe little lawyer's clerk who had entered the room and had been calledPye. He was talking amiably to another man, and as I passed smiled atme through his pince-nez.

  "You saw Mr. Morland?" he asked in a friendly way.

  "Yes," I said, and looked at the stranger. There seemed no necessity tosay more.

  "It is odd that you should encounter here, gentlemen," said Pye,adjusting his glasses, "and yet I suppose it isn't. Mr. Holgate, thisgentleman is the future doctor of the _Sea Queen_."

  "Oh, dear me, it isn't settled," said I, with a laugh.

  Pye beamed at me. "I think I know my chief's face," he said. "It's mybusiness to interpret him, particularly when he can't interprethimself."

  The other man laughed lazily. He was a man with a big body, and a faceround and gross in proportion, heavy-lidded eyes, and an imperturbableexpression.

  "This is Mr. Holgate, the third officer," said Pye, by way ofintroduction, and somehow or other we began to walk in the direction ofHolborn. When we had threaded the Great Turnstile the little clerkhesitated and swung round. "I was going to drink a glass of wine withMr. Holgate. Perhaps you would join us, sir?"

  "Gladly," said I, for I had made up my mind to take tea beforereturning to Wapping, and somehow my interview had inspirited me. Itook a sanguine view of my chances, for all my words to Pye. Moreover,I have always been interested in my fellow-creatures, and, finally, Iwas in the mood for a glass of something. Enters this trio, then, intothe "Three Tuns" presently, and sits to a table in comfortable chairs,with the clatter of the street falling, like rain, on the senses, andthe bright flare of gas among the dark barrels. There was about theplace an odour of good-fellowship and of peace that pleased me who hadnot visited these haunts for years.

  Little Pye turned his pince-nez on me as the attendant advanced.

  "What'll you have, doctor?" he asked.

  I hesitated.

  "I suppose it must be port," said I; "port is more palatable and nomore noxious in such places than any other wine."

  "Any port in a storm, in fact," said the little man, looking at mequizzically.

  "For my part----" said Holgate, in his stuffy, fat voice.

  "Port, you should say," interposed Pye with brisk wit. He smiled at hissmartness and his eyes seemed to challenge me to respond.

  "There's nothing to beat spirits--and sound rum for choice, but as theywon't have it here, I'll take brandy," continued the third officer.

  He lighted a cigar and began to smoke, examining everything withineyeshot attentively but with indifference. I think, except for thefirst glance he had bestowed upon me, that he had completely ignored mypresence.

  Little Pye put up his glass. "
I drink," said he, "to a prosperousvoyage, Mr. Holgate, and to pleasant companions."

  "Prosperous voyage," said the third officer wheezily, and I murmuredsomething to the same effect.

  "You say the old man's velvet," said Holgate, resuming his puffing.

  "Well," said Pye, beaming through his glasses, "I wouldn't go so far asto say it, but he looks it. He looks kid-glove."

  "I hate 'em," growled Holgate. "I've seen that kind on the ferry--allairs and aitches, and frosty as a berg."

  "Well, of course, it would be much more satisfactory to be sailingunder a real Tartar," remarked the little man with mild pleasantry.

  Holgate cast him a glance which inquired, but was indifferent. "What'syour idea, doctor?" he asked.

  "I have none," said I, smiling. "I am much more interested in thirdofficers."

  His masklike face relaxed, and he stroked his black moustaches, andtook a long pull of his cigar.

  "That was very nice of you, doctor," he said, nodding with morecordiality.

  Pye drew an apple from his pocket, and carefully bit into it. I don'tknow why, but it struck me as comical to see him at this schoolboybusiness, his ears alert, his glasses shining, and his white teethgoing to and fro. He reminded me of a squirrel, a fancy to which thelittle tufts of whiskers by his ears lent themselves. He eyed both ofus brightly.

  "After all," said the third officer heavily, "it's more important inthe end to know your owner, let alone his travelling with you. Iwouldn't give two straws for the old man, velvet or iron, so long as Icould get the lug of my owner."

  "You'll find them both all right," said Pye reassuringly. "Captain DayI have seen and Mr. Morland I know."

  "He is very rich?" I asked.

  "I'll trouble you for a two and a half commission on it," said theclerk cheerfully, "and then I'd live like a fighting-cock. At least,that's what we all believe. There's no knowing."

  The shadows of the November afternoon had gathered in the streetswithout, and a thin scant rain was flying. Into the area of warmth andbrightness entered more customers, and shook the water from theumbrellas. They stood at the bar and drank and talked noisily. Roundabout us in the loom of the great barrels the shadows lurched from thewagging gas-flames. The clerk had finished his apple.

  "We will have another," said Holgate.

  "This is mine," I said. He shook his head. I protested.

  "Doctor, you confess you live in doubt," he said, "whereas I have myappointment in my pocket. Plainly it is my right."

  "I think that's a fair argument, doctor," said Pye.

  "I am in both your debt," said I lightly. "For company and wine."

  "I'm sure we shall owe you both many a time yet," said the thirdofficer civilly.

  At the table near us two men had sat and were talking even as we, butone had a half-penny paper, and turned the flimsy thing about, I fancyin search of racing news.

  "You see there is no doubt about you----," began Pye amiably, andsuddenly dropped his sentence.

  In the unexpected silence I caught some words from the other table.

  "Well, it's good pluck of him if he wants to marry her. What's the oddsif he is a Prince? Live and let live, I say."

  Pye's little squirrel head turned round and he stared for a moment atthe speaker, then it came back again.

  "You are uncommonly polite," said Holgate irritably.

  "I'm sorry. I thought I recognised that voice," said the little mansweetly. "One gets echoes everywhere. I was going to say we took youfor granted, doctor."

  "It's good of you," said I. "But will Mr. Morland?"

  "I can practically answer for my employer; I can't say anything aboutMr. Morland, who has, however, authorised us to appoint."

  "The yacht is from Hamburg?" said I.

  "I believe so," said he.

  "And its destination?"

  "That knowledge is quite out of my province," said the squirrelbriefly.

  When one came to think of it, it was almost a snub, and I had never anypatience for these legal silences. As he shut his jaws he looked a manwho could keep a secret, and knew his own mind. Yet he had been soeasily familiar that I flushed with resentment. Confound these littleprofessional tricks and solemnities! We were meeting on another groundthan lawyer and client.

  "I dare say it will be within the cabin-boy's province to-morrow," saidI, somewhat sharply.

  "Very likely," he assented, and Holgate, who had turned at my tone,exchanged a glance with him.

  "Mr. Pye is fond of keeping his own counsel," said the third officer inhis slow voice, "and I'm not sure he isn't right, being a lawyer."

  "But he isn't a lawyer here," I protested.

  Pye smiled. "No; I'm not," he said, "and please don't remind me of it";at which we all laughed and grew friendly again. "Well, this is a funnysort of tea for me," said the clerk presently. "I generally patronisethe A.B.C.," and he rose to go.

  Holgate did not move, but sat staring at the fire, which shone on hisbroad placid face. "I knew a man once," he observed, "who kept his owncounsel."

  "I hope he was a lawyer," said Pye humourously.

  "No; he was a steward--the steward of an estate in the North. In thehills was the wealth of a millionaire; coal, doctor," Holgate looked atme. "And he kept his counsel and held his tongue."

  "With what object?" I asked.

  "Oh, a little syndicate succeeded in buying it from the owner, and nowit's a seven-figure affair."

  His face had no expression of inquiry or of inviting comment. He hadsimply stated history, but I was moved to say flippantly,

  "What luck!"

  "The steward got it?" asked Pye.

  "He romped in," said the third officer.

  "And will presently be a baronet," said I lightly.

  "Stranger things have happened," he remarked, and began to smile. Ifancy we all smiled, though it was not, of course, altogetherhumourous.

  "Is that called robbery?" asked Holgate.

  "I doubt if the law covers it," said Pye. "No; it's quite an innocenttransaction."

  "What is robbery?" I asked cynically. "Lawyers may feel their way amidthe intricacies, but no one else can hope to. I'm stealing now when Itake these matches."

  "I will follow your example," said Holgate, and did so.

  "I'm not sure that that's not perks," said little Pye with hisquizzical glance.

  "Well, is it perks if I buy a picture from you for ten bob which I knowto be worth L1,000?" inquired Holgate.

  Pye considered. "I give it up," he said.

  "Which only proves," said I, continuing my mood, "that it takes a goodcapercutter to move in and out moral sanctions."

  "I don't believe I know what that means quite," said Holgate, giving methe full charge of his steady eyes.

  I stooped and warmed my fingers, for the cold blast of the streets wasforbidding. "Well, the most famous people have been those who havesuccessfully performed the egg dance between commandments," I remarked.

  "I suppose they have," said Holgate thoughtfully.

  I rose abruptly, and in the glass above the mantelpiece the two figuresbehind me came into vision. The little clerk's eyebrows were elevatedin a question, and the men faced each other. Holgate's lips were pursedand he nodded. I saw this in the flash of rising, and then I turnedabout.

  "I shall get a wigging," said Pye, seizing his umbrella.

  We walked out and I bade them good-bye after a civil exchange ofamenities; then I took an omnibus down Chancery Lane and made for theUnderground. As I travelled back, my thoughts circled about thesituation; I was glad to have made the acquaintance of one or more ofmy shipmates, if, of course, I was to join the company. Holgate puzzledme for a third officer, until I reflected that in these days everyofficer had a master's licence. Yet that this man should not by theforce of his evident individuality take higher rank in life surprisedme. What, however, was of most immediate concern to me was the extremefriendliness of my two companions. Lane was well enough in his way, andcertainly had shown
his goodwill; but Holgate was more than this to alonely man with an appetite for society. Holgate was intelligent.

  I found a few patients waiting, and disposed of them by eight o'clock,after which I strolled down to the docks, in spite of the drizzle. Ihave said that I am interested in my fellows, and, in addition, Iconfess to a certain forethought. I walked down to the docks with thedeliberate intention of acquiring some information about the _SeaQueen_, if that were possible. I knew the name of the owner, or atleast of the man who had chartered her; I had the name and acquaintanceof one or two of the company; but I knew nothing as to her destination,her properties as a boat, or her time of sailing. Some of thisignorance I hoped to remedy by my visit. And it seemed that I was inthe way to do so from the start. For no sooner was I on the quay in theneighbourhood of the yacht than I came upon a handsome young man in thedress of a superior sailor, with whom I fell into talk. He wasoutspoken as a child, but volunteered nothing of his own initiative--anamiable, sluggish, respectful fellow who was, as he stated,quartermaster on the _Sea Queen_.

  I confessed my interest in her, at which he indulgently supplied mewith information.

  "I signed on at Glasgow, sir--and most of us too--and we picked up Mr.Morland at Hamburg--him and the ladies."

  "The ladies!" I echoed, for here was a surprise.

  "Yes; two ladies what came with him--Miss Morland and another lady, adark one," said my friend.

  "Oh!" said I. "Then you're off for a pleasure cruise."

  "I hardly know, sir," said he. "They do say New York, but I haven'theard definite."

  That looked in favour of my theory of Mr. Morland as an American. Hewas perhaps a Trust King, and Miss Morland a vivacious "beauty" fromChicago.

  Here my companion suggested that I might care to have a look at theyacht.

  "My friend," said I, "you mustn't let me take you on false pretences. Imay be your doctor, and I may be not."

  "Oh, that's all right, sir," said he easily. "It can't do no harm.We're only loading up with provisions, and there's no mess about."

  We ascended the gangway, and entered the dark ship, which wassingularly silent. He had already the sailor's affection for hisfloating home, and pointed me out one or two points for admirationwhich I understood but ill, as they were technical. As we were peepinginto the saloon, a man passed us and stopped sharply.

  "That you, Ellison?" he asked in a harsh voice. "Who's that?"

  "Only a gentleman having a look round. He's to be doctor," said thequartermaster.

  The man made no reply, but stared at me, and then went on swiftly.

  "Rather abrupt," I commented, smiling.

  "Oh, that's nothing. It is only his way," said the good-natured fellow."He's the boatswain."

  "Is Mr. Morland an American?" I asked.

  "I don't know, sir. I've hardly seen him. We signed on at Glasgow witha little slip of a fellow representing Mr. Morland--glasses andside-whiskers."

  "That would be Mr. Pye," I said.

  "Very likely. Would you like to take a squint at the engines? Mr.McCrae is on board."

  He led me, without waiting for answer, towards the engine-room, andcalled out, "Mr. McCrae!" which brought presently a little, red-faced,bearded man from the depths. "This gentleman wants to know what you cando," said my friend, by way of introduction. The engineer noddedtowards me. "We can make eighteen," he said, wiping his hands on agreasy piece of rag. "Eighteen at a pinch, but I keep her going steadyat fourteen."

  "A good boat!" said I.

  "Aye, tolerable," he said, and pulled out a sheet of paper, which hebegan to peruse under the slender light. "This now's another slap inthe eye for the Emperor," said McCrae, "this business of the Prince."

  "What is it?" I asked. "I haven't seen the papers to-night."

  He rapped his knuckles on the newspaper. "This Prince Frederic ofHochburg kicking over the traces. I tell ye I'm real sorry for the oldman. I pity him, Emperor though he be. He's had his sup of troubles."

  "But I don't understand what this new one is," I said.

  McCrae was not above explaining. "Well, y'see, this Prince Frederic isthe heir to the Duchy of Hochburg, and he has taken up with somesinger, and swears he'll resign his inheritance and marry her. That'swhere the mischief is. Not that the man's not right," proceeded theScotchman, warming, evidently, to his opinions. "For why should Princesbe exempt from the disposition of Providence. Let him come forward likea man, and, ye'll see, he'll gain the univairsal sympathy of Europe forhis honesty."

  "It certainly increases the Emperor's difficulties," I said. "For witha vacancy at Hochburg, and the Pan-German movement in full swing----"

  "Aye, ye're a student of political affairs," broke in the engineer inhis broad Glasgow accent. "And I'll not say there isn't something to besaid at the present juncture of European politics. But, man, theprinciple's all wrong. Why is a man, no better than you or me, to rideover us, whether it be riches, or kings, or emperors? It's the accidentof birth, and the accident of riches, that dictates to us, and I'mthinking it ought to be set right by legislation."

  "Well, we are getting along to the Millennium famously," said I,jestingly.

  "The Millennium!" he said, with a contemptuous snort.

  I think Ellison was pleased to see us getting on so pleasantly inargument, as he was responsible for the introduction, and he nowventured on a statement in the hopes, no doubt, of cementing theacquaintanceship.

  "This gentleman's coming along with us, Mr. McCrae," he said.

  The engineer looked at me.

  "I have put in for doctor, but it's by no means certain," I explained.

  "Oh, well, we'll hope it is," he said affably, and to thequartermaster: "Ellison, this gentleman'll, maybe, take a finger ofwhisky to his own health--and ours," he added, with a relaxation of hisgrim face at his jest. "Ye'll find a bottle in my cabin."

  So when the quartermaster had returned, once more I had to drink to thesuccess of my application. It appeared that the _Sea Queen_ was peopledwith amiable spirits, if I excepted the boatswain; and as I went overthe side I congratulated myself on having already made the acquaintanceof two more of my shipmates on a friendly footing--if I were destinedto the appointment.

  On my way home it struck me that I had already heard of the affair ofPrince Frederic. The remark of the man at the next table in the "ThreeTuns" must have referred to the scandal, and as I reflected on that, Icould see in my mind's eye the little clerk's head go round in a stareat our neighbours.