Tony went on, calmly:
“She was apparently seized with a sudden and overwhelming desire to see for herself what was in the passages beneath the crypt altar.”
“Good God!” Hamilton said in a shocked tone. “Do you mean to say she went down there by herself, in the dark?”
“She took a lamp, John, but dropped it, apparently. Fortunately I woke, for some unaccountable reason, and went down to see if everything was all right. Finding the way to the crypt open, I investigated, and was, fortunately, just in time.”
“In time for what, Tony?”
“In time to save her from the curse.”
“Good heavens! You don’t mean to tell me there really is something in the legend, then?”
Tony sighed wearily.
“I can’t hope to explain, John, if you don’t understand what I mean. Suffice it that she was nearly frightened out of her wits, in the same manner as my father was. If I had not arrived when I did she would be insane now, at the very least, if not literally dead from shock.”
Hamilton sat silent, his face showing plainly the turmoil which was going on in his head. There was much he did not understand, much that he felt he ought to understand, but which, somehow, just eluded him.
Vaughan, who by this time had recovered his voice, remarked suavely:
“It might well have been a horrible tragedy, Sir Anthony. You know my views as to the nature of the curse. I wonder what can have possessed Miss Bennett to go down, after my warning.”
Gaunt, taking his cue from the other, put in:
“I don’t think you put it plainly enough, Vaughan. You spoke to her of purely physical dangers from falling rocks and so on. Miss Bennett probably did not appreciate the appalling spiritual dangers of the place. I am very glad you were in time, Tony.”
Tony looked at his tutor so strangely that the doctor lowered his eyes and was silent. This was one of the very few occasions in his life upon which Gaunt did not feel master of the situation. As soon as he could he excused himself and withdrew, taking Vaughan with him.
When they were gone, Hamilton spoke very gravely.
“I can’t say ‘Thank you’, Tony,” he said. “This is the second time you have probably saved Valerie’s life. One doesn’t thank a person for saving one’s own life, and her life means more to me than that even.”
He put out his hand, and Tony gripped it firmly, saying no less earnestly:
“I know, John. You see, I love her too. Did you guess?”
“I suspected as much. Well, we’re too old friends to quarrel over her. She must choose for herself. Good luck, old man.”
“Thanks, John. Now look: we must get her away from here as soon as possible. After last night I dare not let her stay an hour longer than is absolutely necessary. The sea appears to be a little less rough today. It will be dangerous to attempt the crossing, but not, I think, so dangerous as to remain here. Are you game to risk it?”
“Of course, if you think best. I’m afraid that even now I can’t realize the meaning of all this.”
“You will one day.” There was a hint of sadness in Tony’s voice. “I’ve seen Valerie this morning and told her, so when she’s ready we’ll try to get across.”
Less than an hour later Tony and Hamilton stood waiting in the kitchen, wearing oilskins. Hamilton still wore a vaguely puzzled expression, but the younger man’s face was a mask of grim determination.
When Valerie joined them, her face pale and strained, looking ridiculously small in a macintosh belonging to Tony, Hamilton started towards her, saying:
“Are you all right, Valerie? I can’t imagine — “
But she cut him short with:
“Please, John, not now. I’ll tell you all about it afterwards. I’m ready, Tony.”
Hamilton fell back abashed and let Tony lead her out. Mrs. Lorrimer had followed Valerie downstairs and stood watching them, her kindly face lined with worry. Hamilton briefly bade her good-bye and followed the others.
The launch was waiting at the landing-stage with her engine running. Lorrimer stood by and helped Valerie aboard. Tony followed her and sat down by Tregellis, who was at the wheel. As Hamilton came up the old servant said softly:
“You still don’t remember, sir?”
Receiving only a blank stare, he shook his head with a sigh and said:
“Good-bye, sir, and a safe voyage.”
Hamilton scrambled on board and sat down by Valerie in the stern. Tregellis threw the screw into gear, the water behind the boat began to boil, and they glided away, slowly at first, but with gathering speed as they passed through the narrow harbour mouth, from which the water-gate had now been removed. Hamilton looked back and saw Lorrimer, a forlorn figure, standing watching them go. Then they reached the open sea and the long struggle began.
The wind had dropped to a stiff breeze, but it was raining heavily, and there was a strong sea running. Twice they were almost dashed against the rocks before they reached open water. Hamilton remembered vividly the last occasion upon which he and Valerie had been in a boat together, and he looked down at her. It was evident that the same thought was in her mind, for a small, cold hand crept into his, and he held it fast.
The launch rolled horribly and shipped a good deal of water as it wallowed in the trough of the long rollers, but Tregellis knew his job, and made a long detour to the south to avoid the tide race between the island and the mainland. Perhaps three hours passed before they began to fight their way back towards Pentock.
When at last they reached the quay they found the waterfront deserted and the boats beached. Even the fishermen had been forced to abandon their occupation by reason of the great storm.
At the steps Hamilton jumped out and, turning, caught the girl as she followed. Tony remained in the launch. Hamilton exclaimed:
“Aren’t you coming with us, Tony? The rector will be very pleased to see you, I know.”
“No, John, thank you. I must get back to my friends. I have a bone to pick with them. Valerie will explain.”
“Say good-bye to them for me,” replied Hamilton. “I quite forgot.”
Tony made no reply, but told Tregellis to put about and make for Kestrel. Then he called across the widening space:
“Don’t think too hardly of me, John. I’ve done my best.”
“What does he mean?” Hamilton turned a puzzled face to Valerie, but she only caught his arm, saying:
“Do hurry, John. We must get to the rectory before anyone sees us and rushes to tell Uncle we’re alive. His heart’s not too good, you know, and the shock might kill him. I’m terribly worried as it is.”
He suffered her to lead him away, but still he kept looking back at the receding launch, with Tony’s figure sitting still and silent beside the helmsman, until it was out of sight behind the headland.
Since their path did not lie through the village they met no one before reaching the rectory. The girl’s worry over her uncle had communicated itself to her companion by this time, and he was wondering desperately what he should say to the old man.
The front door was unfastened and they walked in. There seemed to be no one about, so they went through into the kitchen, where they found Mrs. Drew, the housekeeper, washing crockery in the sink. She looked round as they entered, and for a moment it seemed as though she would faint, but she recovered herself and flung her wet arms round Valerie, crying:
“Thank God, Miss Valerie, thank God! We thought you was drowned for sure.”
Valerie calmed the good soul and asked her where the rector was.
“In church, my dear. Where else should he be? He was nigh crazed at first, but now he does naught but pray.”