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mw*-" .:• |Kvw«. •j^w|gsw wi tJjnro "i ify^plflpj x. Pi: ".' THE ISLAND OF THE SX ,tm PROLOGUE. Here's a tale of the sea and 'the treasure isle, of long hid 'gems and bad men's guile, of perils on land and wave well met, 'spite storm and mutiny's awful threat. I The way of a man with a maid is told as they voyage the seas in quest of gold—the man so brave and the maid so fair. For her sake naught he will not dare, From English fields to south sea shore their path they follow while billows roar, but it leads them safe to their goal at last, with their love and their treas ure tightly clasped. CHAPTER I. Wherein I Bait the Duke Over the Dead. I CANNOT say that I was greatly surprised when I stumbled across the body of Sir Geoffrey in the spinney, which is not for a mo ment meant to convey the Impression that I was not shocked. I had expect ed that Sir Geoffrey would come to some such sad end therefore I say that 3 was not surprised! But as I stood over him in the. gray dawn, looking down upon him lying so quietly on bis back with the handsome, silver mount ed. ivory handled dueling pistol which had done tbe damage still clasped in Iris right hand I was fascinated with horror. ,i Sir Geoffrey had carefully put his bullet through bis heart. It was less disfiguring and brutal, less hard on those left behind, less troublesome, more gentlemanly. His sword lay un derneath bim. the diamond hilt pro truding. I guessed that he was glad enough, after all, that the end had come, for there was not that look of pain or .horror or fe?ir which I have so often seen on the faces of the dead, but his features were calm and composed. He bad not been dead long. As I bent over him 1 noticed that he had some thing ID his left hand. A .i Sir Geoffrey lay on the side of tbe Hpatfi through the spinney, and beyond him the coppice thickened. The path twisted and turned. From tbe sound «of the footsteps I judged tbat men ^jgyfoimfng along it. I instantly step ped across the body and concealed my Mi/ behind a tree trunk In the leafy foliage of tbe undergrowth. I could see without being seen and hear as -well. If! I did not expect that any of the '"•jsaests of the castle would make their appearance at that hour. The foot stopped. Two men. one of whom I® been pointed out to me as Baron 1° the lead, followed by an totber who was strange to .me, sudden -ippeared. A voice which 1 recog- Wl)«i •K3K-P «i ftlzed as Luftdon's at once exclaimed iu awestruck tones: "By gad. he's done it! Here's a pret affair!" "Oh. 1 don't know," said the second ~»t might be worse!' "Worse for him? ftttan. tie's dead!" ll^f^VWorse for us." "What' d'ye mean? I don't nnder fe^'iitand." "He might have shot himself befov* plucked. 1 Being a True Account of Certain Strange and Wonderful Adven tures of Master John Hampdon, By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY Copyright. 1912. by Cyrut Townsend Baftdy gjjare e, death, thats ail. nearer look showed it to be an envelope. I drew St away and saw that it was addressed to Mistress Lucy. Thrusting it in the pocket of my coat, I rose to my feet. At that instant I heard steps and voices. Now I had nothing on earth to fear from anybody. The death of Sir Geoffrey was too obviouslv a sui-1 cide for any one to accuse me even your 3f there bad been any reason ou earth thinking." for bringing me under .suspicion. The "Not I. To do her justice, tbe girl letter which 1 carried in my pocket 'ias the spirit of her father. A wbis "addressed to Mistress Lucy would un- I Per that 1 am disinclined to the match duabtedly explain everything there «vns will be sufficient." to explain. Something, however, mv- I "Aye, but who will give ber that «d me to seek concealment. 1 am a whisper?" •saiior, as you will find out. and can •act quickly in an emergency by a sort i&t Instinct. Great heavens, that matters so? In the first place that swjbrd --Y, [ore Seaman, and Mistress Lucy Wilberforce, Gentlewoman, In'ed in some heat. the Great South Seas. The two stepped a little nearer. The and her father a suicide and tbat 1 first speaker. Lord Luftdon, one of the young bloods who had been hav ing high carouse with Sir Geoffrey for the past week at the castle, bent over him. "Well," continued the drawler non chalantly—as for me, I hated thein both, but the latter speaker the more, biers, men about town, in all England, if possible, for reasons which you will 11 stepped closer to him and struck presently understand "this relieves him with the palm of my hand. His me greatly." "What do you mean? After such a night as we bad to come upon—this is enough to unsettled any man." "Pooh. pooh, man you're nervous!" "Well. I don't know how it relieves you. And after all's said and done, Wilberforce was a gentleman, a good popinjays In my day player and a gallant loser." 'world, and I know the use of the "Exactly, and he lost his all like a weapon, but I would not demean my gentleman w, "Well, how does it relieve you. then? Do you think Wilberforce would have attempted to get you to support him?" The drawler laughed. "Of course not. This"—he pointed to tbe dead body—"is proof enough of the spirit that was in him. But. of course, I cannot marry the girl now." "You can't?" "Certainly not. Her father a bank rupt, a suicide"— "But tbe castle and .this park?" "Mortgaged up to the hilt. Speak ing of hilts"-be stooped down and. daintily avoiding contact with the corpse, drew from the scabbard tbe diamond hilted sword —"this belongs to uie. It's worth taking. You remem ber he staked it last night on the last deal." "Good God. man." protested the first speaker, "don't take the man's sword away! Let him lie with his weapons like a gentleman." "Tut. tut! You grow scrupulous, it seems. We will provide a cheaper badge of his knighthood, if necessary." "And about the girl?" 'Tis all off." "You will have some trouble break- engagement with her. 1 am "We will arrange that some way. Truth to tell, 1 am rather tired of tbe minx. She bores me with ber high I am accustomed tp mbve quickly lis irell as to think quickjy, and be- airs. She does not know that she is "For the matter of that, my word penniless and disgraced. And as for will not be uncorroborated," 1 inter ber good looks, 'tis a country beauty, after all." "Poor girl!" began Luftdon. whose face, though bloated and flushed, still showed some signs of human kind ness. At that point 1 intervened. I could bear no more. When they spoke so frey and ashamed for my friend." slightingly of my mistress It was more "Would you turn against me In than 1 could stand. 1 burst out of the this?" cried the duke. brush and stood before them—mad, en- "1 certainly would." raged all through. I will admit that I "God." whispered his grace hotly, 1 lacked tbe composure and breeding fumbling at tbe empty sheath. "1 wish of these precious two. They started I had my sword!" back at my sudden appearance, from "There is Sir Geoffrey's sword," said which he of the slow speech speedily Lord Luftdon. who did not lack war recovered. age,, clutching his own blade as be "Now. who may you be. and what spoke and .making as If to draw it may you want?" be said. I "NO," said 1. master of the situation "Who I am matters nothing," said as I meant to be, "there will be no I, "but what 1 want matters a great Meal." "Ah! And what Is it th^t you want "flhis?" said tbe man, (holding Sir gaining his coolness and .thrusting Geoffrey's handsome weaptm up light ly by the blade. 1 "That," said 7,, 111 be knew it I bad it by the bilk ud but tbat be released the blade in Itantly I would have cut bis band an I withdrew it. He swung round and clapped bis hand on bis own sword, a tierce oath breaking from bis lips, bis face black as thunder. "Don't draw that little spit." I said, •or I will be under the necessity of )reaking your back." I towered above both of them, and 1 have no doubt that I could have made good my boast. Tbe man bad the courage of his race and station, tie faced me undaunted, bis band on his sword bilt. "Would you rob me of mine own?" he asked calmly. "1 might do so. and with Justice." replied. "You bad no hesitation in rob bing the living or the dead." Zounds!" cried the first man. "it was in fair play we risked each what \ve nad, and Sir Geoffrey lost" Yes 1 see." 1 replied. "Having paid ,\vitb everything else, he had to throw away his life. 1 hoard what you said. You wonder bow Mistress Wilberforce Is to learn the situatiou. You wonder who is to tell her. 1 will.'' "That Is good: well thought of," said the drawler with amazing assurance. "I could not have wished it better You are doubtless some servant of the house"— I am no man's servant." 1 interrupt- "Somebody born on tbe place who probably cherishes a yokel's bumble Admiration for the lady of tbe manor." I flushed like a girl at this. 1 never was good at the dissimulation tbat goes on in polite society. "Tell her, my man, tell ber," he cried, "tell her that she is a beggar have all her property without her. She can go to your arms. She is not meet for the Duke of Arcester." So this was Arcester! 1 had heard of him, as 1 bad of Luftdon. two of the most debauched, unprincipled rakes. Idlers, fortune hunters, gam- sword was out on tbe moment, but before be could make a pass 1 wrench ed it from him. broke tbe blade over my knee and hurled the two pieces into the coppice. "I can match you with swords," said I. "I have fought with men, not all over the 8elf- being an bonest man "And you got it. at least most of it" gentleman, by^ crossing blades with "Patience, my friend you had your ™ch a ruffian." "I don't know but 1 would give it «ave you flung into the mill pond. 1 back to have poor old Geoff with us clap la jai 1 will ... I once again,* said Luftdon, with some heat ..rr.i. *i„ .#n+n. tate though no By God, cried the man, "1 will "You will do nothing of the sort. said 1. "There is no man on the es- who That Is a perfectly foolish state ..h., against yours, especially when 1 re ment, mv buck." returned the other. "Somebody was bound to get-it Wil- Peat wbatjou have said about Mis berforce has been going the pace for 'S^who would not take my part u.ould belJeve your que. ried the duke, whose anger was at a frightful height in being thus braved "Don't draw that little spit." and insulted. In his agitation he tore at his neck cloth. 'Twould be your word against mine, and"— rupted swiftly. "What do you mean?" "This gentleman"— •"'By gad," said Lord Luftdon. "you are right to appeal to me and you were right to strike Arcester. I'm sorry for the girl and for Sir Geof- more fighting over the dead body of 'Sir Geoffrey. You and Lord Luftdon can settle your differences elsewhere." "On s^fond thought, there will be no farther settlement/'^sald Luftdon, re- back into its scabbard his half drawn blade. "His grace and 1 are in too many things to make a permaneat dif ference between oa-possibla** "I thought so," I replied. "By gad," laughed Luftdon, "I like ^our spirit, lad! Who are you and vhat are you?" "The late gardener's son." "Do they breed such as you down bcre In these gardens?' .• "As to that 1 know not. my lordx I am a sailor. I have commanded my own ship and made my owu fortune, I come back bere between cruises be cause I am devoted to"— "The woman!" sneered the duke. And I marveled at tbe temerity of the man, seeing tbat 1 could have choked him to death with one band. "Mention ber name again." I cried, "and you will He beside your victim fonder!" I "Right!" said Luftdon approvingly. "I come back bere because 1 am fond »f tbe old place it is my home. My people have served the Wilberforces for generations. Their forbears and mine lie together in the churchyard feround the hill yonder. You can't un derstand devotion like that." said 1, turning to the duke, "and it is not acc essary that you should." "And indeed what is necessary for me, pray?" he sneered. "That you leave the place at once." "Without speech with my lady?" I "Without speech with any one. Then Is a good inn at the village. I will take it upon myself to see that your servants pack your mails and follow you there at once,'' I "1 will not be ordered about like this!" protested the duke. "Oh. yes. you will." said Luftdon. "The advice he gives Is good. We have nothing more to do here. Don't be a fool. Arcester. You have got everything you wanted in this game, nnd it is only just that you should pay a little for it. What's your name, my man?" "Never mind what it is." "Are you ashamed of It?" I "Hampdon!" "Hampdon, you may not be a gentle man," said Luftdon. "but by gad you are a man. and bere Is my band on it!" He bad played a man's part so I clasped it. And so they went down the path, leaving me not greatly relishing my triumph, for I had to tell Mistress Lucy all tbat bad happened. The scarlet of my lady's riding coat as she galloped up the tree covered road attracted my attention. I quick ened my pace, and we arrived at the steps of the hall at tbe same instant She was alone, for she had evidently chosen to ride unaccompanied, I stood silent before her with that curious dumbness I generally experi ence when first entering her presence, while she drew rein sharply. She was a little thing compared to me—indeed, small compared even to the average woman, but in one sense she was the biggest thing I bad ever confronted. I was almost afraid of her! I who fear ed nothing else. What she thought of me was of little moment to her. It was Mistress Lucy's regular habit to tike a morning gallop every day. It was that usual custom that caused her to look so fresh and young and beau tiful, that put the color in ber cheek and the sparkle in her eye. She nodded carelessly, yet kindJy, to me. It was her habit, tbat careless kindness. When she was a little girl and I had been a great boy we had played together familiarly, but that was long since over. Then she looked about for a groom. Tbe steps that led to the terrace were deserted. Sir Geof frey of late had grown slack in the administration of affairs on account of his troubles, and no one was present Mistress Lucy stared at me, frowning. CHAPTER II. Wherein 1 Break the News. ASTER HAMPDON," said Mistress Lucy at last, "since nobody else seems to be about, suppose you attempt the task." She loosed her little foot from the stirrup and thrust it out toward me. 1 am nothing of a horseman. 1 was very early sent to sea. and I bnve a sailor's awkwardness with horses Naturally. 1 did not kuow how a lady should be dismounted. I stepped over to ber, seized ber about the waist with both hands, lifted her 'bodily from the saddle and set her down gently on the gravel. She looked at me very queerly and gave a faint shriek as ber weight came upon my arms. Indeed, I \iave no doubt thht I held her tightly. "1 dare say there Is not a man among my father's friends or mine who could have done that. Master Hampdon." said she smiling a little and looking flushed and excited. 'Tis no great feat" said 1 stupidly enough. "I have lifted bigger"— "Women!" flashed out Mistress Lucy, slightly frowning up at me. "Things," I replied. "It amazes me," she said. "I have never been dismounted that way be fore. However, you always were stronger than most men, even as a boy. There seems to be no groom abont The place Is wretchedly serv ed. Will yon take my horse to the sta bles?" she asked me. There was a certain flattery to me In that request: If 1 had not shown ber bow strong was in all probability she wOuld have thrown me tbe bridle and, with a nod toward the stables to indicate her wishes, would have left me without a word. "Have you seen my father this morn ing?" she asked as I paused before ber. 1 As luck would have it while she spoke a sleepy groom came round the house. 1 flung the reins to hltn, bade him take the horse away and turned to my lady. "Madam," said I, my voice thick* enlng and choking. "1 have seen your aoble father this morning." There waa something. In my reic* and, manner, great atnpid fool tbat I' vm4,tb*tlnstantl7«PP^isedbertfe«t mm-t .vFiv L*. something was wronjf. With one swift step she was by my side. "Where?" "In the spinney." "What does be there at this hourf "Nothing." "I don't understand." "Sir Geoffrey,"— 1 began racking my brains what to say next and bow to convey the awful tidings. She made a sudden step or two in my direction, then turned toward -the coppice, ber suspicions fully aroused. But now 1 ventured upon a famil iarity—tbat is, I turned and caught ber arm. "I will see him myself," she began resolutely. "Madam," said I swiftly, "you can not." "Master Hampdon," she said, "some thing dreadful baa happened." I nodded. This was breaking it gently with a vengeance, but what could I do? She always did twist me around her little finger, and I was always more or less helpless before her I admit tbat I am still, for that matter, although she will not have it so. "What Is it? Is my father—what is he doing in the spinney? He never rises at this hour?" "Mistress Wilberforce." I said, "you come of a brave stock, and the time for your courage is now." "Is my father dead?" she asked, aft er a sudden, awful stillness. I nodded while she stared at me like one possessed. "Killed in a duel?" she whispered. I shook my head. "Mistress," said 1, "he died by his own band," "Ob. my God!" she cried, clapping ber bands to ber face and reeling back. I caught her about the waist She had no knowledge that she was held or supported. Of course, all her Inter est and attention were elsewhere. She did not weep or give way otherwise. She was a marvelous woman, and ber self mastery and control amazed me, for 1 knew how she had loved her fa ther. "When? Why?" she gasped out. "I was early awake," I answered— and I did not tell ber It was my habit to see ber gallop off for that morning ride—"and 1 beard a shot in the spin ney. 1 hurried there and found Sir Geoffrey"— "Let us go to him." "No," said 1. And I marveled to find myself assuming tbe direction as if I had been on the deck of my own ship, "that you cannot. It is no sight for your eyes. I waa coming to the castle to tell you aud to send the servauts to fetch him. Meanwhile you go Into the hall aud summon your women and"— "1 will do what you say. Master Hampdon," she whispered very small, very forlorn, very despairing. "My fa ther! My dear, good father!" She turned, and I. still supporting her, we mounted the steps of the ter race. Suddenly she stopped, freed her self and faced me. "Lord Luftdon and tbe Duke of Ar cester," she explained, "they are stay ing at the castle. They must be noti fied." "Madam," Baid I, "they already know it" "And why. then, have they left the duty of telling me to you? Where are they? Summon them at once!" "Tbey are gone!" I blustered out, my rage at tbe duke reviving. "Gone!" "Having won everything from Sir Geoffrey, they have left bim alone in his death!" I retorted bitterly. "Impossible!" "I ordered them off the place," I said bluntly. "You?" she flashed out imperiously. "And who gave you the power to dis miss—my father's friends?" "I beard what tbey said, being hid den myself." "Aud what did they say?" "It concerned you, mistress." "The Duke of Arcester," she prompt ly began, "is my betrothed husband. I will hear no calumny against him." "Madam," I said, "your engagement is broken." I "Broken!" she cried in amaze. "The duke declared himself too poor. to marry tbe penniless child of a dis-' graced man-his words, not mine, be-1 lieve me." She turned so white and reeled so tbat I caught her again. I even shook her while 1 crie?"roughly: "You must not give way." "It Is a lie. a dastardly lie!" she pant ed out at last "It is God*, truth," said I. "He re pudiates you.'* "No man could be so base," she per sisted. "He swore tbat he loved me." "I would it were otherwise, .madam, but he is gone, leaving that message for you." "And be made you his messenger?" "I volunteered." "Why? Why?" "Because be is a low coward." "And yop stood by and let him in sult me, your patron's daughter, your mistress?" 1 told her what had happened in the spinney. "Ln ail tbat" she said in a certain strained way. "you acted as a loyal servitor of the house, and I thank you." "1 am to'give orders to, have bis bag gage sent to tbe inn at once," said "And LOrd LuftdonT "He came to your defense as if he were still the gentleman be bad once been. But he goes hence with bis friend. His baggage will also follow him." "f "1 will attend,to that for thein both," said Mistress Lucy, gvowing strangely and firmly resolved again, and even 1 eould guess the tremendoos constraint she put iipon ternlt ."Bnongli of AN rid of btjto MM' ^f. ^ius»%itifliiMlifttiltifc)S£ »8K: his companions. Summon tbe servant* to bring my father's body to tbo erts tle. I suppose tbe crowner will have to be notified." "Yes," said I "I will attend to tbat" "Of all my friends," said she plte ously, "you seem to be the only one left, Master Hampdon." "I have been your faithful servant always, Mistress Lucy," I answered aa I ushered, her into the hall. I delivered my little mistress to ber woman, who came at my call, and then I summoned the butler and steward and told them what bad happened, in a moment all was confusion. Tbey brought the body of Sir Geoffrey back to the castle, which was no longer his. As the duke had said, it was mort gaged to Its full value. Everything that be could get his hands on had been sacrificed to his passion for play. After tbe Inquest and after a due in terval for decent respect for tbe dead "You seem to be the only one left, Mat* ter Hampdon." there was a great funeral, of course, during which what little ready money there was available was of necessity spent The gentry came for miles around. Even Luftdon was there in tbe background, although Arcester had the decency to keep away. I wis there, too, finding a place among ttie upper servants of the household. 1 happened to be immediately back of Mistress Lucy. From under ber veil she shot a forlorn, grateful look at me as she came in. Sir Geoffrey, except Mistress Lucy, was the last of his race. The brave, fine old stock bad at last been reduc ed to this one slender slip of a girl. Kith or kin, save of tbe most distant she had none, nor did she enjoy much. acquaintance. She bad never been formally introduced to society. Sir Geoffrey.bad loved ber and bad been kind enough to ber in his careless, magnificent way, but she had been left much alone since the death of ber mother some years before, and she had grown up under the care of gov ernesses and tutors. Tbe neighboring gentry bad assembled with much show of sympathy, but I knew that Mistress Lucy felt very much alone, and I rather gloried in the position which made me, bumble though 1 was, ber friend. It was over soon enough—the show and parade. No one spoke to me save Lord Luftdon. You seem to be a man of sense, Master Hampdon," he whispered, drawing me apart after it was all over, "and I noticed tbe way Mistress Wilberforce looked at you when she first came in. I have still unspent some of the proceeds of our last boilt at the table with her father that could be conveyed to the lady, and"— "She would burn her hand off rather than accept anything." said 1 promptly. "You speak with authority?" be ask-. ed, looking at me strangely. "I have known her from a child." said I, "and her father before her. It is not in the breed to take favors, and" "But this is restitution, authougb we won It fairly. Sir Geoffrey was the iqost reckless and even the most fool ish gambler I ever played with. We took advantage of that, bat there was 'y no cheating, no, as I am a gentleman." "Under tbe circumstances, then," said I, "there is nothing further to said." "But what will the poor girl do?" he persisted. *. ..V?^ JPl I shook my head. I did not know, VI 1" how to answer that question, for I did 1 not know what she* would do. Never-f theless I was touched and pleased withii^ his Interest The^nan had some in him still. Association with such scoundrel as Arcester bad not wholly ruined him. I "It is too late to make reparation now, although the wish does you hon-V' AO mv lnv/1 or, my lord.' "Well, Hampdon, if you have chance to tell her what I wanted," he said, "please do. I should do it my-|p self," he continued, "only since her re-|* pudlation by that blackguard -Arcester she will not admit me to speech. If were a bit younger and not so con foundedly in debt 1 would marry the woman myself." "She is- meet/for a better man. my lord," said I, exactly as I bad answer ed the duke. jEb lookadit me cnrloudy fotr a I #1 •SWl -Jv* ... .» 3 mm