I got in the cart again and went to Cruden as hard as the mare could go.As I went, I formed my plans, and had my telegrams made up in my mindready to write them out at once. For a while I doubted whether I shouldgo to another telegraph office, lest the Cruden people might come toknow too much. But there was no need of concealment now. I was notafraid of any one knowing, though I determined to be discreet andsecret if possible. The circuit was occupied, so I found the use of thepriority telegraph forms Adams had sent me. There was not a moment lost;one was being despatched whilst I was writing the next. To Adams I said:
"They have succeeded: Wire men see me at Crom right away. Come if youcan. Want all help can get. Time vital...."
To Cathcart I wired at his house in Invernesshire:
"Come to me without moment's delay. Vital. Want every kind of help." Iknew he would understand, and would come armed.
As it would be some little time before anything could be done, Idetermined to find Don Bernardino if possible; and induce him to show methe secret exit. Without knowledge of this we would be powerless; withit we might find some clue. I did not make up my mind as to what I woulddo if he refused; but to myself the instinctive grinding of my teeth,and clenching of my fingers, seemed to answer my question. Of one thingI was glad, he was a gentleman. In such a matter as that in which I wasengaged, there were possibilities, if even there were not definite hope.
I drove to Ellon; and from the agent there got his address. I soon foundit; an old-fashioned house near the town, in a tiny park surrounded withgreat trees. I left the cart on the road, with the mare tethered to thegate post, there being no lodgekeeper or no lodge. Before I rang thehall-door bell I saw that my revolver was ready to my hand. The instantthe door was opened I stepped in, and said to the old woman who openedit:
"Mr. Barnard is in the study I suppose? I have pressing business withhim!" She was so taken aback by the suddenness of my entry and speechthat she pointed to a door saying: "He is in there."
As I entered the room, closing the door behind me, the Don, who had beenseated in a large chair with his back to the door turned unconcernedly.He had evidently not expected any disturbing visitor. The instant hesaw me, however, he leaped to his feet, all his hostility awake. Ashe scanned my face his concern grew; and he glanced around, as thoughseeking for some weapon. I put my hand on my revolver, and said asquietly as I could, remembering his own precision of manner:
"Forgive my intrusion, Sir; but I have urgent need of speech with you."I suppose there was something in my tone which bore home to his brainthe idea that I had changed in some way since we had met. Do what Iwould, I could not conceal the anxiety of my voice. After a pause hesaid:
"Regarding the treasure?"
"No!" said I: "Since last night I have not even given it a thought." Astrange, new look came over his face, a look in which hope and concernseemed to have equal parts. He paused again; I could see he wasthinking. Mechanically I tapped my foot on the floor with impatience;the golden moments were flying by. He realised my gravity of purpose,and, manifestly turning his attention to me, said:
"Speak on Senor!" By this time I had well in my mind what I intended tosay. It was not my purpose to further antagonise the Spaniard; at theoutset at any rate. Later on, that might be necessary; but I shouldexhaust other means first.
"I have come, Sir, to ask your aid, the help of a gentleman; and I feelat a loss how to ask it." Through the high-bred courtesy of theSpaniard's manner came a note of bitterness, as he answered:
"Alas! Senor, I know the feeling. Have not I myself asked on such aplea; and stooped in vain!" I had nothing to say in reply to this, sowent on:
"Sir, I am aware that you can make much sacrifice: I ask, not formyself, but for a lady in peril!
" He answered quickly:
"A lady! in peril! Say on Senor!" There was such hope and purpose in hisquick tone that my heart instinctively leaped as I went on:
"In peril, sir; of life; of honour. To you I appeal to lay aside yourfeelings of hate towards me, however just they may be; and come like atrue gentleman to her aid. I am emboldened to ask this because it was,I think, by your act that the peril--the immediate peril, has come toher." He flushed at once:
"Through me! Peril to a lady's honour through me! Have a care, sir! Havea care!" With a rush I went on:
"By your going into the castle through a secret passage, other enemiesof the lady, low, base and unscrupulous who have been plotting to carryher off for ransom, have doubtless made an entry otherwise impossible tothem. Now we must find a clue, and at once. Tell me, I implore you, ofthe secret way; that thus we may at once begin our search." For a fewseconds he looked me through and through; I think he suspected some plotor trap, for he said slowly:
"And the treasure; can you leave it?" I answered hotly:
"The treasure! I have not even thought of it since the news came ofMarjory's disappearance!" Here I took it that he was beginning hisunscrupulous purpose, and was playing my loss against his own; and athought came to me that had not even crossed my mind before--had he beenthe abductor for the purpose of just such a bargain? I took from mypocket the key of the house in Whinnyfold and held it out to him. "HereSir" I said "is the key of my house. Take it with all it contains, andall it leads to! The treasure is as you left it last night; only help mein my need."
He waved my hand aside with an impatient gesture as he said simply:
"I do not bargain with a woman's honour. Such comes before all thetreasures of Popes or Kings; before the oath and duty of a de Escoban.Come! Senor, there is no time to lose. Let us settle this affair first;later we can arrange matters that rest between thee and me!"
"Your hand, Sir" was all I could say. "In such trouble as mine, there isno help like that of a gentleman. But will you not honour me by keepingthe key? This other is a trust which you have won by honour; as yourgreat ancestor won his glorious duty long ago." He did not hesitate; allhe said as he took the key was:
"It is a part of my duty which I must not forego."
As we left the house he looked like a new man--a man born again; therewas such joyous gladness in his face and voice and movements that Iwondered. I could not help saying when we had got into the cart and wereon our way:
"You seem happy, Sir. I would that I could feel the same."
"Ah, Senor, I am happy beyond belief. I am happy as one raised from Hellto Heaven. For now my honour is no more perilled. God has been good tome to show a way, even to death, without dishonour."
As we flew along to Crom I told him what I knew of the secret passagebetween the chapel and the monument. He wondered at my having discoveredthe secret; but when I told him of how the blackmailing gang had usedthe way to evade the Secret Service men, he suddenly cried out: