 CHAPTER XIII. A TRAP IS SET. They went indoors at last and tried to settle down to reading, but it was very difficult to distract their minds from disturbing thoughts. Miss Marcia retired early, as the ride had tired her, and they were left to their own devices. At length they gave up the attempt to read and sat talking in whispers over the dying fire. When there was nothing left but ashes, Leslie suggested with a shiver that they go to bed, and they withdrew to Leslie's room. Needless to say they did not go to bed at once, but sat long by the side window staring across at Curlew's Nest, and it was then that Phyllis suddenly had her great idea. Now see here, Leslie Crane. I have an idea and I'm going to do something, and I don't want you to interfere with me. Do you understand? What do you mean?" whispered Leslie, looking alarmed. I mean just this. You're going to stay right where you are with rags and keep watch, and I'm going to get out of the window and go over and explore Curlew's Nest by myself. Phyllis, are you crazy? implored Leslie. I think that is one of the most dangerous things you could do. Nothing of the sort. It's safer tonight than it would be almost any other time, because, can't you see, someone has evidently been here all the afternoon, when the coast was entirely clear, and no doubt they've done all they wish to do here for this day anyhow. There couldn't be a better time than this very night, for there's not one chance in a hundred that they'll be back again. But just suppose the hundred's chance did happen, what would you do? argued Leslie in despair. Do I'd shout like everything to you to turn rags loose, and call up the village constable and father. Or better yet, I'd blow this police whistle which father always insists on my carrying, so that I can call them into meals when they're down on the beach. If you hear that, just start things going. That's why I'm leaving you and rags here on guard. Oh, I don't like it. I don't like it at all, moaned Leslie. It wouldn't be so bad if you only met Eileen there, but you can't tell whom you might encounter. I believe there's something more dangerous and desperate about this affair than either of us have guessed. I don't know why I think so. It's just come to me lately. It's sort of a presentiment I can't seem to shake off. Nonsense, declared Phyllis, not to be balked. If I met anyone there, it could only be Eileen, and she's the one I'm crazy to encounter. After the way she has treated us, I'd have a few things to say to that young person, for trespassing on Mrs. Dan Force property. Mrs. Dan Force has always asked that we keep an eye on these cottages of hers while we're here. It's an understood thing between us, so I'd be entirely within my rights and going in there to look the place over, especially if I suspected anything queer, and the other person would be quite in the wrong. Don't you see? Oh yes, I see that, but it doesn't lessen the fact that it may be dangerous, sighed Leslie wearily. Phyllis ignored this. If the hundredth chance should happen and I encounter Eileen, or if I come across anything very unusual and think you ought to see it, I'll let you know. Only in case of the hundredth and first chance of real danger will I blow this whistle. Hold on tight to rags and don't let him try to follow me. Bye-bye, see you later. And before Leslie could expostulate further, she had slipped out of the window, her electric torch in her hand, and was out of sight around the corner of the neighboring cottage. Leslie remained half hanging out of the window in an agony of suspense. The night was moonless and very dark. Added to that, a heavy sea mist hung over everything like a blanket, and out of the gloom the steady pounding of the surf came to her with ominous insistence. The chill of the foggy air was penetrating, and she wrapped a sweater about her almost without realizing that she had done so. Rags was on the seat beside her, ears alertly cocked. There was not a sound from the next house, nor could she see even a single gleam of light from the chinks in the shutters. Where could Phyllis be? Surely there had been time enough for her to have entered the place, looked about, and come out again. What could she be doing? Then her brain began to be filled with horrible pictures of all the possible and impossible things that might have happened. So beyond all bearing did this feature become at length that she came to the sudden conclusion she would endure it no longer. She would get out of the window herself and go in search of her friend. If the worst came to worst, Rags could do someone a pretty bit of damage. She had actually got as far as to put one foot over the low sill when she quickly pulled it back again. A dark form had slipped around the corner of the other house and was hurrying toward her. Leslie! Leslie! Quick! Can you come here with me? Leslie almost collapsed. So swift was the reaction of relief at hearing Phyllis's voice after all her terrible imaginings. What is it? What have you found? She managed to reply. I can't explain it to you here, whispered Phyllis. It would take too long. Come along with me and see for yourself. It's perfectly safe. There's not a soul around. I've been in the house. Bring Rags along. It won't hurt. There have been queer doings here today, evidently. You can see it all in five minutes. Do come. In spite of all her previous fears, the temptation was too much for Leslie. If Phyllis had examined the ground and found it safe, surely there was no need for fear, and her curiosity to see what her friend had seen was now stronger than she could resist. She crept softly out of the window. Speaking to Rags in a whisper, and the dog leaped lightly out after her. They stole around the corner of the next house, three black shadows in the enveloping mist. And not till Phyllis had closed the side door of Curlew's nest behind them was a word spoken. Follow me into the living-room, she ordered, and if you don't see something there that surprises you, I miss my guess. She switched on the electric torch, and Leslie and Rags followed after her in solemn procession. From what she had said, Leslie expected to see the place in a terrible disorder at the very least, and was considerably surprised, when she came into the room, to observe nothing out of its place. In some bewilderment she looked about, while Phyllis stood by, watching her. Why, what's wrong? she whispered. Everything seems to be just as it was. Look at the center table, commanded Phyllis, and she turned the torch full on that article of furniture. Leslie tiptoed over to examine it. Then she uttered a half-suppressed cry. On the table was a slip of paper, not a very large slip, and evidently torn from some larger sheet. And on this paper were a few words, typewritten. She bent to read them. It ran. It is advisable that the article stolen from its hiding place be returned to it as speedily as possible, as otherwise consequences most serious to all parties concerned will result. Leslie turned deadly pale as she read it, and sees Phyllis spasmodically by the arm. Oh, come out of here this moment! she exclaimed. I will not stay in this house another instant. I told you it was dangerous. And she dragged her friend, with the strength of terror, to the side door. Outside, as the chill miss struck her, she breathed a great sigh of relief. What a little freight-cat you are, laughed Phyllis. What in the world were you frightened about? Leslie shivered. Oh, the whole thing strikes me as too uncanny for words. Someone has been in here and left that warning. They may be around here now, for all you know. Who do you suppose it can be? I have a very good notion who it was, but it's too chilly to explain it standing here. Go over to the house with rags, and I'll be there directly. I want to go back a moment. Phyllis, Phyllis, don't go back there again, implored Leslie, almost beside herself with an alarm she could hardly explain. What do you want to do? Never mind. Go back. I'll be there in two minutes. And tearing herself from Leslie's grasp, Phyllis ran back into the dark bungalow. But Leslie would not return to her own house and desert her companion, though she could not bring herself to enter again that fear-inspiring place. So she lingered about outside in a state of unenviable desperation till Phyllis once more emerged from the dark doorway. So you couldn't leave me after all, Phyllis laughed. Well, come back to bed now, and I'll tell you all about it. They were chilled through with the drenching mist by the time they returned, and not till they were enveloped in the warm bed clothing did Phyllis stay in to explain her ideas about the newest development in their mystery. You were mightily scared by that little piece of paper, and I confess that I was startled myself for a moment, but after I thought it over it suddenly dawned on me that there was precious little to be scared about, and I'll tell you why. I'm perfectly convinced that that thing was written in place there by my brother, Ted. Leslie sat up in bed with a jerk. You can't possibly mean it. I certainly do, and here's the reason. You yourself convinced me earlier this evening that there was a chance of Ted's being mixed up in this thing somehow. I can't imagine how he got into it. That's a mystery past my explaining, but it looks very much as if he knew this Eileen, and that he was poking around here this afternoon while we were away. Now he suspects that we are mixed up in it too, for he saw us come out of the bungalow that day. Well, if Eileen has told him about the dragon's secret and its disappearance, perhaps he thinks we know what happened to it. At any rate, he's taken the chance and written this warning for our inspection the next time we happened in. He thinks it will scare us, I suppose. He'll presently find out that we don't scare for a cent, and I have thought of a scheme as good as his. Do you know what I did when I went back there? I took a pencil and printed on the bottom of that paper just this. The article will be returned to its hiding place. Now, here's what I'm going to do next. In my trunk, I have a little jewel case. Very much the size and shape and weight of the dragon's secret. It's one of those antimony things you've often seen. Covered with a kind of carving that might easily pass for what's on that one if it weren't seen. I'm going tomorrow to make a burlap bag, just like the one we found, and sew the jewel case in it, and it will be a sharp person who can tell the difference between them till the bag is opened. Then we'll bury it in the place where rags dug up the other, sometime tomorrow when the coast is clear. After that, we'll wait and see what happens next. Now, what do you think of my scheme? It sounds splendid to me, admitted Leslie. Then she added uneasily. But there's something you haven't explained yet. You think Ted wrote that thing, yet it is typewritten. How do you explain that? Oh, that's simple enough! We have an old typewriter down here that father uses occasionally, and Ted frequently practices on it. But did you notice the paper? Leslie insisted. It was queer, thin, almost foreign-looking stuff. Do you folks use that kind, or happen to have it around? Oh, I don't know. I suppose he got it somewhere. What does it matter anyway?" answered Phyllis sleepily, and in two minutes more she was in the land of dreams. But Leslie, still unconvinced, tossed the night through without closing her eyes. CHAPTER XIV OF THE DRAGON'S SECRET This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. THE DRAGON'S SECRET BY AUGUSTA HEAL SEAMON CHAPTER XIV THE MAN WITH THE LIMP Two days had passed. To Leslie it was a constant marvel, considering the secret tension under which she lived. That outwardly her life went on in the same peaceful groove. She rose and dressed as usual, prepared the meals, ate and chatted with Aunt Marsha, walked on the beach or down to the village, fished occasionally with Phyllis and the Kelvins, took a dip in the ocean when it was not too chilly, read and slept and idled, as if there were nothing in the world but what was quiet and normal and in the ordinary course of things. Aunt Marsha suspected nothing. Even Ted, who she was certain, suspected many things, laughed and chatted with and teased her, and never by so much as a word or look indicated the slightest suspicion of her interest in Curlough's nest and its affairs. With Phyllis his manner was somewhat different, and during the last two days their relations had seemed occasionally rather strained. But there was no open break, in public at least. But at home it's another matter, Phyllis assured her. Some things come over him, I can't guess what. He will hardly speak either to father or myself. He doesn't even want to play his violin when we get together, and usually he adores that. He's moody and silent and just grouchy most of the time, and that's unusual for Ted. I'll give him credit for being a pretty amiable fellow as a rule. I can't make him out. And it surely is queer that we've seen nothing more of Eileen. Don't you think so? questioned Leslie. Well, no. Considering that she gained her point, and got us away all that afternoon, I don't think it at all queer. She's done with us now. Why should she try to keep on with it? By the way, I called her up at Aunt Sally's last night. She wasn't there, but Aunt Sally said her grandfather has been rather worse for the last two days. And she's been at the hospital most of the time. Was there then? All of which may or may not be so. As a matter of fact, I guess Aunt Sally knows precious little of her doings when she's away in that car. Somehow Leslie could never believe Eileen quite as full of duplicity as Phyllis thought her. While she had to admit that the circumstances made the girl's conduct seem almost inexcusable, they're always lingered in her mind a stubborn feeling that perhaps there was more back of it all than they know. That Eileen herself might be struggling with entangling problems. And secretly, she still felt a liking for the girl. But she knew it was useless to express these doubts to Phyllis, so she wisely kept her own counsel. But there was one thing she did allude to. Isn't it strange that Eileen never told us a word about her grandfather, or how sick he was, or what was the matter with him? You would have thought it natural that day when she took us riding, to say something about it anyway. I hardly see how she could have avoided it, and yet she did. You'd never have thought she had such a thing as a sick grandfather on her mind. Leslie, you're such a trusting soul, explained Phyllis scornfully. How do you know she has a sick grandfather in any hospital? I strongly doubt it myself. Oh, I can't believe she's not telling the truth about that, cried Leslie, thoroughly shocked. Don't you believe anything about her any more? I don't know what I believe or don't believe about her, retorted Phyllis. And what's more, there's one thing concerning her that I am interested in just now, whether she has discovered the answer to that note left in there, and when she, or anyone else, is going to make the attempt to unearth their treasure again. Phyllis had been as good as her word. On the morning after that night of the fog she had returned to her bungalow before breakfast, and had reappeared later at Rest Haven with a mysterious bundle. When they had both retired to Leslie's room she revealed its contents, a piece of burlap, an exact duplicate of the one which contained the dragon's secret, and an antimony jewel case. Then they got down the original from its dusty shelf, fashioned a bag the exact size and shape of the one rags had unearthed, placed the jewel case in it, and sewed it up. When all was complete it would have been extremely difficult to tell the original from its duplicate. So nearly alike did they seem. Late that afternoon, while Ted and his father were far up the inlet, and with the beach entirely deserted, they buried the false treasure box in the sand by the old log. Phyllis did the deed, while Leslie scouted the beach in every direction, investigated every nook and corner that could possibly conceal anyone, and made absolutely certain that they were not observed. And from that time on they had awaited results. And to their certain knowledge there had been none. Each day at some hour when there was least likelihood of anyone being near, they had examined the place, only to find the buried bag still in its hiding-place untouched. At night they had taken turns keeping watch all the night through, but no stealthy visitor had come to Curler's Nest, nor had there been any during the day. Of that they were absolutely certain the beach had never seemed so free of visitors before. And thus matters stood on the second afternoon, and they were beginning to be impatient at inaction and delay. Then Phyllis had an idea. I know what's the matter, she cried. We're keeping too close a watch. We don't give anybody a chance to come within gunshot of that place, unobserved. So how can we expect that anything is going to happen? If it's Ted, don't you suppose he sees us hanging about here all the time? He'd be a goose to try anything right in front of our eyes. No doubt he's seen one or the other of us at the window all night too. And if it's Eileen or anyone else, it's the same thing. Let's go off somewhere and give them a chance, not too far though, for we want to be where we can get back with reasonable speed ourselves. So they went for a stroll along the beach, accompanied by rags, who was only too delighted at the prospect of an expedition that promised some change. It was a mild hazy October afternoon. An opalescent mist lay along the horizon, and the waves rolled in lazily, too lazily to break with their accustomed crash. Every little while there would be a flight of wild geese in V-shaped flying-line far overhead, and their honking would float down faintly as they pushed on in their southward course. It was a golden afternoon, and Leslie almost resented the fact that they had any worries or problems on their minds. Why, who in the world is that? exclaimed Phyllis suddenly, as they rounded a slight curve in the beach, and came in sight of a figure standing at the water's edge, a rod in long line in his hand, and a campstool and fishing kit beside him. There hasn't been a stranger fishing in this region in an age. People generally go down by the big bungalow colony three miles farther along for that. We almost never see anyone here. I wonder what it means. As they came nearer, they could see more plainly what sort of person he appeared to be. He was tall and stalwart, and gray-haired. A slouch hat was pulled down to shade his eyes, but still they could see that his face was alert and kindly implacid, with twinkling gray eyes and a whimsical mouth. He was obviously an adept fisherman, as Phyllis remarked when they had witnessed the clever way in which he managed to catch. They were very near him by that time and watching breathlessly. Once his prey almost eluded him, but with a skillful manipulation of his tackle, he presently brought the big fellow lashing wildly to land, well out of reach of the water. Great Scott! he exclaimed, winding up his line, but that fellow gave me a warm ten minutes. The girls had by this time reached the spot and were admiring the catch. Congratulations! laughed Phyllis, with the informal interest of the born fisherman. I couldn't have done it myself. Not after he had almost escaped. He must weigh five pounds. The stranger looked at them with interest. So, you fish? Well, it's the best sport in the world. This bouncer has been dodging me all the afternoon, and I vowed I'd get him before I left. Almost had him once before, but he got away with the bait. Wouldn't let me alone, though, even after that. I warned him. He was flirting with his fate, and he laughed a big, booming, pleasant laugh. At this moment, Rags, who had been elsewhere occupied, came bounding up, and straightway made a beeline over to investigate the fish. Hi! Stop that! exclaimed the stranger. I intend to have that fish for my supper tonight. And he made a dash for his cherished trophy. But Rags, disconcerted by the sudden movement, was on his guard at once. As the man approached, he sank his teeth into the fish, with a growl that was a warning not to be ignored. Oh! Call him off! cried the man anxiously, and Leslie, very much upset, sprang forward to rescue the stranger's dinner. But Rags saw the chance for a lark, and as times had been rather slow and uninteresting for him of late, he determined to make the most of it. Seizing the fish in a firm grip, he galloped madly up the beach, the two girls wildly pursuing. They're ensued a chase very similar to the one he had led them on, that eventful day when he had unearthed the dragon's secret. Never once did he allow them to lay a finger on his prize, though panting and disgusted they pursued him hither and yawn, sometimes so close that he was well within their reach, sometimes with him far in advance. Occasionally he would lie down with the fish between his paws, fairly inviting them to come and help themselves, which they no sooner attempted than he was up and away again. The man wisely took no part in the struggle, but stood looking on, encouraging them with half rueful, half laughing remarks. At length Leslie had an inspiration, while Rags was standing at the edge of the water, panting from a long and furious run, the fish reposing at his feet, she seized a small board lying near, called to him beguilingly, and hurled the board out into the sea. Here was a game that was even more fascinating. Rags always adored it, forsaking the much sought fish. He leaped into the lazy waves and swam out toward his new prize, while the stranger eagerly seized the fish and concealed it in his basket. Oh, I'm so sorry, apologized Leslie. I know he has spoiled it now. I hope you can forgive us for this dreadful thing. Nothing of the sort, laughed the stranger. He hasn't harmed it a bit, for it was only the head he had hold of. When it's washed and cooked, that beauty will taste just as good as if it had never had the adventure. My, but that's a fearsome animal of yours. I wouldn't want to tackle him. But those English sheepdogs are noted for being wonderful protectors, and very interesting pets besides. And just to show that he bore Rags no malice, he picked up the board which the dog had retrieved, and obligingly hurled it into the surf again. Rags ecstatically pursued it once more, dropped it at the man's fee, and begged for another opportunity. But just before it was launched for a third time, he spied a hermit crab scuttling away almost under his nose, for sook his latest diversion, and was off on another hunt. The man laughed, dropped the wet sandy board, dusted off his hands by striking them together, picked up his fishing kit, hung his camp stool over his arm, bathed the girl's good afternoon, and strode away. They gazed after him a moment, and were about to turn back toward their own part of the beach, when Leslie suddenly seized Phyllis's arm in a vice-like grip. Phyllis, Phyllis, don't think me crazy. Something has just come to me. The way that man threw the board just now, and dusted off his hands, and then walked away, was just exactly like the man with the limp that morning at dawn. The action was identical. I'm positive I'm not mistaken, and he looks just like him, the same height and build and all, as he walked away. But my dear child, he doesn't limp, cried Phyllis conclusively. So you certainly are mistaken. I know he doesn't, but I don't care. He's the same one. I'm absolutely sure of it. Maybe he's all over the limp now. But though Leslie was so certain, Phyllis remained unconvinced. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 of The Dragon's Secret This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Dragon's Secret by Augusta Huell-Seaman Chapter 15 Out of the Hurricane With the fickleness of October weather, which is often as freakish as that of April, the golden afternoon had turned cloudy and raw before the girls returned home. By nightfall it was raining and a rising gusty wind had ruffled the ocean into lumpy, foam-crested waves. At seven o'clock the wind had increased to a heavy gale and was steadily growing stronger. The threat and storm, as usual, filled Miss Marshall with nervous forebodings and even Leslie experienced some uncomfortable apprehensions during their supper-hour. At eight o'clock Phyllis arrived, escorted by Ted. My! she exclaimed, shaking the raindrops from her clothes as she stood on the porch. But this is going to be a night. Father says the papers have warnings that we should probably get the tail end of a West Indian hurricane that was headed this way, and I guess it has come. It's getting worse every minute. Have you seen how the tide is rising? Get on your things and come down to the beach. Ted brought me because I could hardly stand up against the wind. He's going back presently. Come and see how the water is rising. Oh, hush! implored Leslie, glancing nervously toward her aunt. You've no idea how upset Aunt Marsha is already. She whispered. She'll be distracted if she gets an idea there's any danger. Forgive me, return Phyllis contritely. I really didn't think for a moment. Father says there probably isn't any real danger. The tide has almost never risen as far as these bungalows, except in winter. And if worse comes to worse, we can always get out of them and walk away. But this threatens to be the worst storm of the kind we've had in years. Are you coming down to see the water? If Aunt Marsha doesn't mind, but if she's afraid to be left alone, I won't. Oh, Ted will be here, and we'll just run down for a minute or two. It's really a great sight. Ted very thoughtfully offered to stay, and the two girls wrapped to the eyes, pushed through the blinding rain and wind down to where the breakers were pounding their way up the beach, spreading when they broke, farther and farther inland. So terrific was the impact of the wind that the girls had to turn their backs to it when they wanted to speak. I brought you out here as much as anything, because I had something to say, shouted Phyllis, her voice scarcely audible, to the girl close beside her. If the tide keeps on like this, it will probably wash away what we've hidden by the old log, and probably others who are concerned with that may be thinking of the same thing. We've got to keep a close watch. I believe things are going to happen tonight. But don't you think we'd better dig it up ourselves right away? Suggested Leslie, we can very well go out to do it later when it may be necessary, and surely you want to save it. Certainly not, declared Phyllis. I don't care if it is washed away. What I want is the fun of seeing the other parties breaking their necks to rescue it. If it's washed away, they'll think the real article has disappeared, and then we'll see what next. Let's take one more look at the surf and then go back. They peered out for a moment into the awe-inspiring blackness where an angry ocean was eating into the beach. Then, battling back against the wind, they returned to the house. Ted, having ascertained that there was no further service he could render, suggested that he had better go back and help his father stop a leak in the roof of Fisherman's luck, which had suddenly proved unseeworthy. I'm so glad Phyllis will be with us tonight, Miss Marsha told him, for I'm very little company for Leslie at a time like this. I get so nervous that I have to take a sedative the doctor has given me for emergencies, and that generally puts me pretty soundly to sleep. They sat about the open fire after Ted had gone, listening to the commotion of the elements outside, and talking fitfully. Every few moments Miss Marsha would rise, go to the window, and peer out nervously into the darkness. Once the telephone bell rang, and everyone jumped. Leslie hurried to answer it. Oh, it's Aunt Sally Blake, she exclaimed. She wants to know how we all are, and if we happen to have seen anything of Eileen. She was at the hospital all the afternoon, but she hasn't returned. Aunt Sally phoned the hospital, but they said Miss Ramsey had left three hours ago. She's terribly worried about her, thinks she might have had an accident in this storm. She thought it just possible Eileen might have come on out here. I said no, but would call her up later and see if she'd had news. This latest turn of affairs added in no wise to Miss Marsha's peace of mind. Why don't you take your powder now, Aunt Marsha, and go to bed? Leslie suggested at last. It's only worrying you to sit up and watch this. There's no danger, and you might as well go peacefully to sleep and forget it. Phyllis and I will stay up quite a while yet, and if there's any reason for it, we will wake you. Miss Marsha herself thought well of the plan and was soon in bed, and having taken her sleeping powder, the good lady was shortly fast and dreamlessly asleep, much to the relief of the girls. And now let's go into your room and watch, whispered Phyllis. I'm just as certain as I can be that something is going to happen tonight. They arranged themselves each at a window, Phyllis at the one toward the sea, Leslie facing Curlough's nest, and began an exciting vigil. With the electric light switched off, it was so black, both inside and out, that it would have been difficult to distinguish anything. But with the windows shut and encrusted with wind-blown sand, it was utterly impossible. And when they dared to open them even a crack, the rain poured in and drenched them. They could do this only at intervals. Even rags seemed to share the general uneasiness, and could find no comfortable spot in which to dispose himself, but kept hovering between the two windows continually. It was Leslie, who suddenly spoke in a hushed whisper. She had just opened her window the mirrors crack and peeped out, then closed it again without sound. Phyllis, come here a moment. Look out when I open the window. It struck me that I saw something, some dark shape, slip around the corner of the house next door. See if you can see it. Phyllis applied her eye to the crack when the window was opened. Then she drew her head back with a jerk. I certainly did see something, she whispered excitedly. It slipped back to the other side of the bungalow. She peered out again. Good gracious! I see it again! Or else it's another one. Doesn't seem quite like the first figure. Can there possibly be two? Leslie then, becoming impatient, demanded a turn at the peephole, and while she was straining her gaze into the darkness, they were both electrified by a light timid dock at the door of the front veranda. Who can that be? cried Leslie, wide-eyed and trembling. Perhaps it's Ted come back, ventured Phyllis. At any rate I suppose we'll have to go and see. Rags alert also, uttered a low growl and Leslie silenced him anxiously. If this arouses Aunt Marcia, she whispered, I shall be awfully worried. Be quiet, rags. They tiptoed into the living room, switched on the light and advanced to the door. Again the knock came, light but insistent, and without further hesitation Leslie threw open the door. A muffled, dripping figure inquired timidly. Please, may I come in? I'm dripping wet and chilled to the bone. Why, Eileen! cried Leslie. What are you doing here in this terrible storm? I got lost on the way back from the hospital, half sobbed the newcomer, and I must have motored round and round in the rain and dark, and at last something went wrong with the engine, and I got out and left the car on the road, and I walked and walked, trying to find some place to stay, and at last I found I was right near here, so I came in. She seemed exhausted and half hysterical, and Leslie could not but believe her. Well, I'm so glad you're found in here! She cried. I must call up Aunt Sally right away and tell her you're all right. She called a while ago and was so anxious about you. Leslie went to the telephone, while Phyllis helped Eileen to rid herself of her wet clothes and get into something dry. Then they all sat down by the fire in an uneasy silence. Presently Phyllis suggested that Eileen might like something warm to eat and drink, as she evidently had no dinner. She assented to this eagerly, and the two girls went to the kitchen to provide something for her. I tell you, whispered Phyllis, I just can't believe that hospital and getting lost stuff. She came here for some purpose. You mark my word, but why she wants to get in here is beyond me just yet. I'll find out later, though. You see if I don't. When they entered the living room with a dainty tray a few minutes later, they found Eileen standing by one of the windows facing the ocean, trying vainly to peer into the outer blackness. She started guiltily when she saw them and retreated to the fire, murmuring something about the awful night. But though she had seemed so eager for food, she ate almost nothing. Can't you take a little of this hot soup, urge Leslie? It will do you so much good. You must be very hungry by now. Oh, thanks so much, Eileen replied, with a grateful glance. You are very good to me. I did really think I was hungry at first, but I'm so nervous. I just can't eat. She pushed the tray aside and began to roam restlessly about the room, at every decent excuse. Such as a heavy gust of wind or a flapping of the shutters, she would hurry to the window and try to peer out. At length, Phyllis made an excuse to disappear into Leslie's room and was gone quite a time. Suddenly she put her head out of the door into the living room and remarked in a voice full of suppressed excitement, Leslie, can you come hear about it? Leslie excused herself and ran to join Phyllis. What is it? She whispered breathlessly. Look out the front window! Returned Phyllis in a hushed undertone. There's something queer going on outside by the old log. Leslie opened the window a crack. The howl of the storm and the lash of rain was appalling and it was two or three minutes before she could accustom her sight to the outer blackness. But when she did manage to distinguish something, she was startled to observe, not only one, but two dark figures, circling slowly round and round the log, like two animals after the same prey and watching each other cautiously. But that's not all, muttered Phyllis behind her. There's a third figure standing in the shadow, right by Curlough's nest. I saw him out of the side window. What on earth can it all mean? So absorbed were they that neither of them noticed the form that slipped into the room behind them and stood peering over their shoulders. But they were suddenly startled beyond words to hear Eileen close behind them, catch her breath with an in-drawn hiss and mutter involuntarily. Oh, Ted, be careful! Look out! Look out! CHAPTER XVI Rags to the Rescue What is the matter? Why do you say that? She demanded in a fierce whisper. Eileen shrank back, evidently appalled by what she had unconsciously revealed. I—I didn't mean anything, she stammered. You certainly did, Phyllis declared. You said something about Ted. Who is Ted? And what is going on outside there? Oh, I don't know. I'm not sure. I'm dreadfully nervous. That's all. Look here! cried Phyllis, with stern determination. I believe you know a great deal more than you will acknowledge. You've said something about Ted. Now, I have a brother, Ted, and I've reasoned to think he has been mixed up in some of your affairs. I wish you would kindly explain it all. I think there's some trouble out there. Oh, I can't! I oughtn't! I leaned moaned, when suddenly Leslie, who had glanced again out of the window, uttered a half-suppressed cry. Oh, there is something wrong! There—they're struggling together for something. Both of the other girls rushed to the window and peered out over her shoulder. There was indeed something decidedly exciting going on. The two figures who had been circling about the old log, watching each other like a couple of wild animals, were now wrestling together in a fierce encounter. How it had come about, the girls did not know, as none of them had been looking out when it began, but it was plainly a struggle for the possession of something, that one of them had clutched tightly in his hand. Vaguely they could see it dangling about as the contest went on, and each, in her secret heart, knew it to be the burlap bag and its contents. Eileen, cried Phyllis, turning sharply upon the other girl, is one of those two my brother Ted? Answer me, truthfully. Yes, oh yes, panted Eileen. And is he in danger, persisted Phyllis? Oh, I'm afraid so. That I'm going out to help him, declared Phyllis courageously. Come Leslie, and bring rags. Leslie never afterward knew how it happened, that she, a naturally timid person, should have walked out of that house, unhesitatingly and unquestioningly, to do battle with some unknown enemy in the storm and the dark. If she had had any time to think about it, she might have faltered. But Phyllis gave her no time. With rags at their heels, they snatched up some wraps, and all suddenly burst out of the front door onto the veranda, Phyllis having stopped only long enough to take up her electric torch from the living room table. She switched this on in the darkness, and guided by its light, they plunged into the storm. The force of the wind almost took their breath away, and as they plowed along, Leslie was horrified to notice that the tide had crept up almost to the level of the old log, and was within sixty feet of the bungalow. Oh, what shall we do if it comes much higher? She moaned to herself. But from that moment on, she had little time for such considerations. Phyllis had plunged ahead with the light, and the other two girls followed her in the shadow. Leslie was somewhat hampered in her advance, as she was holding rags by his collar, and he strongly objected to the restraint. But she dared not let him loose just then. Suddenly they were plunged in utter darkness. Phyllis's torch had given out, and the two others, reaching her side at that instant, heard her gasp. Oh, dreadful! Can anything be the matter with this battery? But after a moment's manipulation, the light flashed on again. It was in this instant that they saw the face of Ted, lying on the ground and staring up at them, while his assailant held him firmly pinned beneath him in an iron grip. Help! shrieked Ted above the roar of the wind. Let rags loose! They needed no other signal. Leslie released her hold on the inpatient animal, and with a snarl that was almost unnerving, he darted straight as an arrow for Ted's assailant. The girls never knew the whole history of that encounter. They only realized that Ted finally emerged from a whirling medley of legs and arms, limping but triumphant, and strove to loosen the dog's grip on a man who was begging to be released. That'll do, rags old boy. You've done the trick. Good old fellow. Now you can let go! He shouted at the dog, trying to persuade him to loosen his hold. But rags was obdurate. He could see no point in giving up the struggle at this interesting juncture. Call him off, Ted shouted to the girls. I can't make him let go. Is it safe? cried Phyllis and answer. We'll have to take a chance, he answered. He's half-killing this fellow. With beating heart Leslie came into the range of the light. Graphs rags by the collar and pulled at him with all her might. Come, rags! Let go! It's all right! The dog gave way reluctantly, and when he had at length loosed his terrible grip and was safely in Leslie's custody, the man scrambled to his feet. Rose held on to his arm with his other hand and groaned. And despite his dishevelled condition and his drenched appearance, in the glare of the electric torch the girls recognized him with a start of amazement. It was the fisherman of the afternoon, the man with the former limp. He turned immediately on Ted with an angry impatient gesture. Well, the other fellow got it after all. I don't know what business you had in this concern, but you spoiled the trick for me and didn't do yourself any good. And if that dog gives me hydrophobia I'll sue the whole outfit of you. He beat it off in that direction, the other fellow. I saw that much. I can't lose any time, though. What I need is a doctor. And with another angry snort he disappeared into the darkness and the hurricane. End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 of The Dragon's Secret This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. The Dragon's Secret by Augusta Huell Seaman Chapter 17 Eileen Explains It was an amazed, bewildered and sheepish group that faced each other in the light of the electric torch after the departure of the unknown man. Phyllis was the first to recover self-possession. Well, we might as well go indoors, she remarked in her decided way. There's evidently nothing to be gained by staying out here in the storm. The others, still too benumbed in mind to have any initiative of their own, followed her obediently. Only when they were at the door did Leslie arouse to the immediate urgencies. Do please be very quiet and not wake Aunt Marsha, she begged. I'm afraid the effect on her would be very bad if she were to realize all that has happened here. They entered the bungalow on tiptoe, removed their drenched wraps, and sank down in the nearest chairs by the dying fire. And now, remarked Phyllis, constituting herself spokesman, as she threw on a fresh log and some smaller sticks, we'd be awfully obliged to you, Ted and Eileen, if you'd kindly explain what this mystery is all about. I don't see why under the sun you had to come budding into it, muttered Ted resentfully, nursing some bruises he had sustained in the recent fray. Please remember, retorted Phyllis, that if I hadn't come budding into it and Leslie and Rags, you'd probably be very much the worst for wear at this moment. That's so. Forgive me, old girl. You did do a fine piece of work, all of you. I'm just sore that the thing turned out so badly. But what I really meant was that I can't say how you got mixed up in it all, from the very beginning, I mean. That's precisely what we think about you, laughed Phyllis. We've felt all along as if it were our affair, and that you were interfering. So I think we'd better have explanations all around. Well, as a matter of fact, it's Eileen's affair, most of all, so I think she'd better do her explaining first, Ted offered, as a solution of the tangle. They all looked toward Eileen, sitting cowered over the fire, and she answered their look with a startled gaze of her own. I—I don't know whether I ought, she faltered, turning to Ted. Do you think I ought? I guess you'd better, he declared. It's got to a point where these folks seem to have some inside information of their own that perhaps might be valuable to you, how they got it I can't think. At any rate, there'll be no harm done by it I can vouch for that. So just fire away. Thus adjured, Eileen took a long breath and said hesitantly, I—I really don't know just where to begin. A lot of it is just as much a mystery to me as it is to you. I think you all have heard that I have a grandfather who is very ill, in a hospital over in Branchville. He is the honorable Arthur Gramscy of Norwich, England. He has been for many years a traveller and explorer in China and India and Tibet. Early this year he had a severe attack of Indian fever and could not seem to recuperate. So he started for England, coming by way of the Pacific and America. When he got to the Atlantic coast this last summer, someone recommended that he should try staying a few weeks at this beach. So he took a bungalow and spent part of the summer in autumn here, and thought he was much benefited. Do excuse me for interrupting, exclaimed Phyllis, but was the bungalow he rented Curlew's Nest? Why, yes, hesitated Eileen, with a startled glance at her. It—it was. Then do you mind telling me how it was that the name was so different, persisted Phyllis? Mrs. Danforth understood that she rented it to a Mr. Horatio Gaines. Oh, that was because grandfather didn't want it in his own name. Because, you see, he's a rather well-known person in England, and even over here, and he needed a complete rest, with no danger of having to be interviewed or called upon or anything like that. So he had his man, Geoffrey Horatio Gaines, hire the place, and transact all the business here in his name. It saved grandfather a lot of trouble, for Geoffrey simply took care of everything, and as grandfather never went among people here, no one was the wiser. After he left the cottage, he expected to go to New York, and remain there till he sailed for home, and he did go there for a few days, but his health at once grew worse, so he returned to the beach. Of course, the bungalow was closed by that time, so he took rooms at the hotel farther along. It was there that I joined him. I had come over with friends of mothers, earlier in the summer, and had been visiting at their summer camp in the Adirondacks, until I should join grandfather, and return to England with him. I hadn't been with him more than two or three days, when I realized that something had gone awfully wrong, somehow or other. Grandfather was worried and upset about something, and he began to watch his mail, and be anxious to avoid meeting anyone. He couldn't or wouldn't explain things to me, but had long interviews with his man Geoffrey, who has been with him for years and years, and whom he trusts completely. At last, one awfully stormy night about two weeks ago, Geoffrey disappeared, and has never been seen or heard of since. We can't imagine what has become of him, and the next day, grandfather was so worried about him and the other troubles that a cold he had ran into a severe attack of pneumonia. Of course, it wasn't feasible for him to remain at the hotel, especially as it was soon to close, so he had himself taken to the nearest good hospital, which happened to be this one at Branchville. Since he didn't have Geoffrey to wait on him, he wanted to be where he could have the best attention and nursing, and as I could run his car, which Geoffrey had always done, I could easily get there to see him. Then, as you probably know, the hotel closed for the season, and the manager very kindly found me a place to stay, was Aunt Sally Blake in the village. She has been very good and kind to me, but I expect I've worried her a lot, not because I didn't care, but because I couldn't help it, and I couldn't tell her about things. But, oh, I've been so troubled, so fairly desperate at times. You cannot even guess the awful burden I've had to bear, and all alone, at least till I came quite by accident to know your brother Ted. He has helped me so much. But that is another part of the story. One night, grandfather's fever was very high, and he was delirious. I begged his nurse to let me sit with him a while, and I heard him constantly muttering about the bungalow, and Geoffrey hiding something there, and it being safe at Curlew's Nest, and a lot more half-incoherent remarks of that kind. Next morning he was a little better and in his right mind again, so I asked him what he had meant by the things he had talked about the night before, and then he said, I lean I'll have to trust you with some of this secret, I believe, since you've overheard what you have. Perhaps you may even be able to help, and of course I can trust you to keep your own counsel, absolutely. There's been a very mysterious mix-up here, and it involves far more than you may imagine. In fact, it might even become an affair of international moment, if something is not found, and quickly too. The gist of the matter is this. While I was in China last year, I had some informal correspondence with an official, very high in government circles there, concerning his attitude in regard to the province of Shantung. As he was inclined to be very friendly toward me at the time, he was just a little expansive and indiscreet. I think those were grandfather's words, in regard to his government's plans. Later I think he regretted this, and made some half-joking overtures to have his letters returned, but I pretended not to understand him, and the matter was dropped. As a matter of fact, I thought them too suggestive and important to my own government to part with them. It is these letters that are the heart of the whole trouble, grandfather says. He heard nothing more about them, till he came to stay at the hotel here. Then he received a very threatening letter, declaring that if this packet was not returned to the writer, serious consequences would result. It didn't say what consequences, but grandfather suspected they might even go as far as an attempt on his life. But he was determined not to give up the letters. You see, they concerned a matter which might involve his own country with China, and he felt they should be delivered to his own government. Beside that, he is just stubborn enough not to be bullied into anything by threats. His man Jeffrey tried to persuade him to put the letters in a safe deposit vault in New York, but grandfather says he is old-fashioned in some things, and doesn't trust even to safe deposit boxes, says he prefers to keep things he values in his own possession. He had the letters in a queer little bronze box that was given him years ago by the late Empress Dowager of China. It had a secret lock that was quite impossible to open unless one knew the trick. He carried this in his pocket, and slept with it under his pillow at night, and felt perfectly safe about it. Here Eileen paused for a moment of breath, and the two other girls glanced at each other guiltily. But they said nothing. Then Eileen went on. One night, just after I came, there was an attempt to rob him at the hotel. The attempt failed, because Jeffrey happened to be awake, and discovered someone prowling about grandfather's sitting-room. Whoever it was escaped through the window without even his face being seen, and there was no trace of him later. Grandfather made Jeffrey keep the thing quiet, and not report it to the hotel, because he didn't want any publicity about the matter. But he decided, then, that it would be safer to have the thing hidden somewhere for a time, in some place where no one would dream of hunting for it. And it struck him that down by the bungalow where he had spent those quiet weeks, and which he supposed was all shut up and deserted, would be as unlikely a spot as any to be suspected of hiding such a thing. He supposed that the one next door, this one, was closed also, or I do not think he would have considered that hiding-place. So the next night, which happened to be one when there was a very hard storm, he sent Jeffrey down to the bungalow, with the little box containing the letters. He did not wish him to take the car, as it might be too conspicuous, but had him go on foot. Jeffrey had found out during the summer that one could get into the place through a door at the side, by working at the hook through the crack with a knife-blade, and he intended to get into the cottage and conceal the box in some out-of-the-way hiding-place there. But here is where the mystery begins. Jeffrey set off that night, but has never been seen or heard of since. What has happened to him, we cannot imagine, unless he was caught and taken a prisoner, by someone concerned in getting those letters. If he had been killed, we would surely know it, yet if he were alive, it seems as if we should have heard from him, somehow. He was a most devoted and faithful and trustworthy soul, so we are sure that something must have happened to him, that he is being detained somewhere. Grandfather is quite certain that he is guarding the secret of that box, somehow, and that it would be best to wait till he comes back or sends us some word. What grandfather asked me to do was to run out here in the car some day, and if there was no one about, to scout around and see if I could discover any clue to the mystery without attracting attention. He supposed, of course, that the beach was by that time entirely deserted. I came out the very next day, but found him, I discussed, that the cottage next door was occupied, by you, as I now know, but I felt it would not be wise to be seen about here in the daytime. So, without saying anything to grandfather, who would be awfully upset if he knew it, I determined to run out about ten o'clock that night and scout around when you people would probably be in bed, and here is where Ted comes into it. I got here that night as I had planned, found no one about, and tried the experiment of getting into the side door, as grandfather had explained, but I found it very difficult, in fact, quite impossible for me, and while I was fussing with it, I was suddenly startled by a low voice right behind me, inquiring very politely what I was trying to do. It was Ted here, who had been out for a stroll, and happened to catch a glimpse of me at this very peculiar occupation, and naturally thinking I was a burglar had come up unobserved to find out about it. You can just imagine what an awful position it was for me. I did not know what to say or what to do. I know that legally I had no business there, and if he were inclined to make a fuss about it, he could have me arrested. I literally almost went out of my mind at that moment. But I guess something must have made him feel that I wasn't really a lady burglar or anything of that sort, for he just said very kindly, if you were in trouble perhaps I can help you. I didn't see how he could possibly help me, unless he knew the whole story, and I thought I ought not to tell anyone that. But, unless I did, I was certainly in a very terrible position, so I suddenly made up my mind it would have to be done, for something made me feel he was honourable and trustworthy, and that the secret would be safe with him. What made me feel all the more sure was that he mentioned that he was staying up the beach at his father's bungalow, and it happened to be out for a walk and had seen me there. I know he said it to make me feel easier, and that everything was all right. So I told him as much as I could of the story, and when he had heard it, he said, I happen to know all about opening that door, because I know the people who own the cottage very well. Perhaps you had better let me try. I said I'd be only too glad to, and he had the door unfastened in a moment. Then he told me to go in and examine the place all I wished to, and he would watch outside. If I needed any help, I could call, and he would come in and do what he could for me. Well, I went in, and examined the whole place with my electric torch, but I could not discover a single thing, except that one of the bricks in the fireplace had been partly loosened, and a broken knife-blade was in the corner of the chimney-place. It was the only thing I could see to show that possibly Jeffrey had been there. I thought the knife-blade looked like one I had seen him use. But as I didn't see a sign of the bronze box, I knew it was useless to stay any longer, so I came out. Ted fastened the door again, went with me to the car, which I had left down the road, and offered to give me any further help he could at any time. He promised to keep the secret from everyone, and said that he would make an even more thorough search over Curlew's Nest if I wished, because he had better opportunity to do so. Of course, I agreed to that, and went back to Aunt Sally's. Two days later, Ted saw my car going along one of the back roads near the village, signaled to me, and told me that, the day before, he had caught you girls coming out of Curlew's Nest, and that you acted rather guilty and refused to explain what you had been in there for. He told me that you might possibly suspect something, and to steer clear of you if we should happen to encounter each other, as it is always likely that people will in this town. He described what you both looked like, so that I couldn't fail to know you. And, sure enough, I met you both that very morning in Miss Selby's little store, and I expect you think I acted in a perfectly abominable manner. I just hated to do it, for I liked the looks of you both, but I felt I must take no chances. Ted also told me that he had been in Curlew's Nest the night before, and had gone over the place very carefully once more, but had found nothing except a string of beads, that had been torn from the fringe of my girdle that other night, and had been lying on the floor. I remember that the girdle caught when I was looking under one of the bureaus. He also gave me the broken pen knife blade to keep. As he said, it was best to leave nothing around there, that anyone else could discover and use as a clue. A day or two later I met you, Phyllis, at Aunt Sally's, and she would insist on introducing us. Though I could see you were no more anxious to make the acquaintance, after the way I'd acted, then I was. But I encountered Ted again that afternoon, and he said he had hunted me up to tell me he had news, and also a plan that he wanted to suggest. He said he had noticed, during the last two or three days, a strange man who seemed to haunt the beach. Just a short way off, and out of sight of the two bungalows. The man seemed to be a very ardent fisherman, and an expert one too, but Ted had noticed that he kept a very sharp lookout toward the bungalows when he thought no one was around to see. He suspected that perhaps this man had something to do with the mystery. The plan he suggested was that I get acquainted with you girls, after all, in some way that seemed the most natural, but without letting you know that I was also acquainted with him, and when I had done so, I had better offer to take you all out for a long drive in the car and keep you away a good while, and give him a chance to see what this man was up to, if anything. The getting acquainted was easy, and you all know how I managed that, and also the ride a day or two later. When I was returning from the ride that night at dusk, Ted signalled me from the bushes near Curlis Nest, jumped into the car, and told me what had happened in the afternoon. He had gone off to the village first, then hurried back, slipped up here by way of the creek, and hidden himself in a clump of rushes across the road. Just as he had suspected, he saw his suspicious fisherman sneak up here after a while. Scout around the outside of the bungalow, disappear into it for a time by the side door, come out, apparently empty-handed, stare at the outside again for a long time, and then at your bungalow, and finally disappear. But that was not all. He waited where he was a few minutes, thinking perhaps the man might come back, and he was just about to come out, when along came an automobile with two men in it, which stopped directly in front of Curlis Nest. He could not see their faces, for they had slouch hats pulled down far on their heads. They got out and walked about a bit, evidently to see if anyone was around. Then thinking themselves alone, they hurried up to the bungalow, worked at the side door, and finally got in. Shortly after, they came out again, and walked down to the beach, where he could not see them. Then they came back, got into the car, and drove off. By that time it was growing so late, that he concluded he would stay where he was, and wait for me to come back, which he did. Before he left me we had a slight breakdown, and in helping me fix it he hurt his hand. But that same night, long after midnight, he got into Curlis Nest again, to see if he could find out what had happened, and he found a very strange message left on the table, a type-written warning to the one who had taken the article, as it was called, from its hiding place to return it, and underneath a printed note in pencil, saying it would be returned. He thought probably the first man had left the type written part, and the other two had printed the answer underneath. That was all he could make of it. It was all very mysterious. But while we couldn't make much out of it, at least it showed that something concerning the affair was going on, and that the place must be closely watched. Ted volunteered to keep this watch. Meanwhile, grandfather had a very bad turn, and I was with him constantly. He was terribly depressed over the whole affair. Even his doctor, who knows nothing about this, said he was evidently worrying about something, and if the cause of worry were not removed, he doubted the possibility of recovery. Tonight I stayed with him later than usual, and in returning actually did lose my way in the storm. But when I at last discovered where I was, I knew that it was not far from here and could not resist the temptation to come over and see if anything was happening. I found Ted also scouting around, and suddenly we realized that someone else was on the ground too, though we could not tell who in the darkness and rain. But Ted thought it very dangerous for me to be out there, so he made me come in here as I did, and I need not tell you what happened after that. Eileen ceased speaking, and Phyllis had just opened her lips to say something when there was a knock at the door. All four jumped nervously, but Ted got up and went to open it. To their immense alarm the opened door revealed the figure of the man with the limp. CHAPTER XVIII. THE DRAGON GIVES UP THE SECRET. The man also started back at the sight of all four of them together. And rags who had been drying himself quietly by the fire rose with a snarl and leaped toward his enemy of the earlier part of the evening. Heavens, don't let that animal loose on me again! cried the man backing off. I've just been down to the village doctor and had my arm quarterized as it is. I stopped in to tell you something you'd better know. Probably you haven't noticed it if you haven't looked out recently. The water is rising rapidly, and will soon be very nearly up to your bungalow. You may want to get out before it sweeps under it. With a cry of alarm they all leaped toward the door. Ted grasping rags firmly by the collar. It was even as the man had said. Peering through the darkness they could see the water spreading inward from a recent breaker, only about twenty-five feet from the veranda, and the next breaker spread in even a few inches farther. What shall we do? cried Leslie. Aunt Marsha will be frightened to death if she knows it. And how I'm going to get her out of here in this howling storm or where I can take her I can't imagine. But Ted had been critically examining the weather. Don't worry, Leslie, he soothed her. The wind is shifting. I notice just now that it seemed to be around to the north and is getting farther west also. That means the storm is almost over, and the tide ought to turn in ten minutes or so. It's practically at its highest now. Ten chances to one it won't rise more than a foot or two further. But we'll keep watch, and if it does we'll get your aunt out of here in Eileen's car, which is just down the road, and take her either to our place or to the village. Our bungalow isn't likely to be damaged as it's farther up to Dune than these. Don't worry. Thus encourage Leslie turned indoors again, and the man who was still lingering on the porch remarked, If it isn't too much trouble, friends, I'd like to come in for a minute or two and ask you folks a few questions about that little fracas this evening, and how you came to be mixed up in it. It's all right and perfectly proper. He hastened to add, seeing their startled glances, I can show you my credentials. He opened his coat and exhibited a shield on his vest, the shield of a detective of the New York police force. So amazed were they that they could scarcely reply. But the man took matters in his own hands and walked into the house, and Leslie never even thought to warn him to speak softly because of Aunt Marsha. Unconsciously they grouped themselves about him at the open fire, and rags now that the obnoxious stranger had been admitted to the house on a hospitable footing made no further demonstrations of enmity. My name is Barnes, Detective Barnes of the New York force. He began. And I'd like to clear up one or two little puzzles here before I go on with this business. It's a rather peculiar one. I heard this young gentleman refer to a car that was standing in the road near here, and say it belonged to one of you young ladies named Eileen. I'd like to inform Miss Eileen that the party who got that little article we were all scrapping for tonight jumped into her car when he got to the road. Tour like mad in it to the station, left it there, and caught the express for New York. I was just in time to see him disappearing in it. But, of course, I had to walk to the village. I suspected what he was going to do, though, and I went straight to the station and found the car standing there. So I took the liberty of getting in it, driving myself to the village doctor, and then back out here. You will find your car, Miss Eileen, standing just where you left it. But I thought you'd like to know it had had the little adventure. Eileen opened her mouth to reply, but the man gave her no chance, turning immediately to Ted. And as for you, young man, I suppose you thought you were doing a wonderful stunt when you landed into me tonight, just as I'd unearthed the thing I'd been on the trail of for a week, but I'll tell you that you've spoiled one of the prettiest little pieces of detective work I've undertaken for several years, and may have helped to precipitate a bit of international trouble beside. I don't know what your motive was. I suppose you thought me a burglar, but— Just a moment, cried Eileen, springing forward. Tell me, why are you concerned in this? My name is Ramsay, and I have a right to ask. Detective Barnes was visibly startled. Are you a relative of the Honourable Arthur Ramsay? He demanded, and when she had told him, he exclaimed, Then you must know all about Jeffrey Gaines and how he disappeared. I've known him since I was a baby, she answered, But how he disappeared is still an awful mystery to us. My grandfather is very ill, in the branchful hospital, you know. But he didn't receive my letter, cried Mr. Barnes? I sent it two days ago. He has been too ill to read any mail for the last two days, replied Eileen, and, of course, I have not opened it. Well, that explains why I haven't heard from him, the man exclaimed with a sigh of relief. Then I guess you will be interested to hear that Gaines is alive and well, but kept a close prisoner by some heathen Chinese in a house on a west side street in New York. But how? Why? Did it happen that the night he came down here? She ventured. I see you're pretty well informed about the matter, he remarked cautiously, and if these others are equally so, I guess it's safe for me to go on and give you a history of the thing. Eileen nodded, and he went on. Gaines and I used to know each other in England years before he entered your grandfather's service. In fact, we had been schoolmates together. Then I came over to this country and entered the detective service, and he went into another walk of life. But we kept in touch with each other by writing occasionally. A week or so ago I was astonished to receive a letter from him, written on all sorts of odds and ends of paper, and in an envelope plainly manufactured by himself. It contained some very singular news. It gave me first the history of those letters and how anxious your grandfather was to keep hold of them. Then it told how he, Gaines, had taken the box down here that night and tried first to conceal it in the bungalow. But no place in the house seemed safe enough to him. He tried to dig up a brick in the fireplace and bury it there, but gave it up after he had broken his knife in the attempt. Then he had the inspiration to bury it in the sand somewhere outside, and he described where he did locate it, right by that log. If Gaines had known much about the tides here he wouldn't have thought that a very good scheme. He didn't, though, and thought he'd found an excellent place. He then turned to walk back to the hotel, but hadn't gone more than a mile—it was storming hard, if you remember—when a terrific blow on the back of the head knocked him senseless. He never knew another thing, until he came to, after what must have been a number of days, to find himself a prisoner in a house he judged to be somewhere in New York, and from his description I've located it about West 61st Street. He appeared to be in the keeping of a Chinaman who dressed American fashion and spoke good English. He was told that he was a prisoner, and that it was hopeless to try to communicate with anyone, until he had reported exactly where and how those letters had been concealed. He begged for a day or two to consider the matter, and was granted it, but told that if he did not comply with their wishes he would disappear for good, and no one would ever be the wiser. In the meantime he managed to get together a few scraps of paper, and with the stub of a pencil he happened to have about him. He wrote this letter to me, describing the location of the letters, and how he had hidden them in a bronze box wrapped in a burlap bag. He urged me to go and get them at once, and then later he could safely describe to his captors where he had hidden them. Perhaps you wonder how he expected to get this letter to me, since he was so carefully guarded. He said that he was on the third floor front of the house, near a corner where he could see a postbox. He happened to have a solitary stamp in his pocket, which he put on the letter. Then at some hour when he thought his captors were busy elsewhere, he expected to attract the attention of some children playing in the street, and offer to throw them some money if they would mail the letter in the nearby box. As I received the letter, no doubt his plan worked successfully. At any rate, I got it a week ago, and started on the trail immediately. I landed out here one morning when it was still dark, and dug all around the spot mentioned, but couldn't find a trace of the bag or box. Oh, I saw you that morning, cried Leslie, but when you walked away you seemed to stoop, and had a bad limp. I don't understand. I know you saw me, he smiled, or at least that someone did, for as I happened to glance back at this house, it was growing just light enough for me to realize there was someone watching at the window, so I adopted that stoop and limp as I walked away, just so you would not be likely to recognize me if you saw me again. It is a ruse I've often practiced. But it didn't work that time, laughed Leslie, for I recognized you again this afternoon, by the way you dusted the sand off your hands and threw away the stick. Well, you are certainly a more observing person than most people, he answered gravely. But to go on. Of course I was very much disappointed, but I remained here, staying at the village hotel, and kept as close a watch on the place as was possible, pretending all the time that I was here on a fishing excursion. I tried very hard to keep out of sight of these bungalows. In the daytime, anyway. The day you all went off on the autoride the coast seemed clear, and I went through the place. But I hadn't been out of it long and walked down to the beach when I saw the two men drive up in a car and enter the bungalow also, and later come out to dig by that old log. Of course they didn't see me about, I took care of that, and I knew, beyond a doubt, that they were gains Chinamen come to find the booty. Of course they didn't find it any more than I had, and I felt sure they would go back and make it hot for gains, and I judged that he would probably try to gain time in some way. I went back to my hotel that night to think it all over, and make further plans, and didn't visit the bungalow again till next evening, when I found to my astonishment a queer note typewritten on the table there, a warning that the article stolen from its hiding place had better be returned, and under it a reply printed in lead pencil saying it would be returned. I couldn't make head or tail of the business. I judged the typewritten part to have been left by the Chinese, but who had scribbled the other was a dark brown mystery. At any rate I concluded that tonight would probably be the crucial time, and determined to get in ahead of everyone else. The storm was a piece of good fortune to me as it concealed things so well, and about nine o'clock I was on the spot, proceeding to dig down by the old log. Pretty soon I realized, though, that there was someone else around, and just as I'd unearthed the bag, which had been mysteriously returned to its hiding place, you appeared out of somewhere young man, fell on me like a thousand of bricks, and we had a grand old tussle. I'll give you credit for being some wrestler, but I was getting the best of it, when along came you others, with that terrible beast, and did the business for me. I thought all along, though, that you, Mr. Ted, were one of the Chinaman, but that person must have been on the scene also, probably lurking in the shelter of the bungalow and watching the fracas, and when your electric light blazed on the scene, miss, he turned to Phyllis. He no doubt saw the bag in my hand. Then, when the light went out for a moment, he rushed in and grabbed the prize, and was off while we two were so busy with one another. It was a losing game all around. While I was in the village I phoned my department in New York to meet his train, when it got in and arrest him, if they could find him, and search him at once. But after I'd been to the doctors, I had a long session there, I phoned them again, and heard that the train had been met, but no one answering such a description as I could give had got off. No doubt he was canny enough to get off at some station short of New York, and so was lost to sight. Well, the prize is lost for this time, but perhaps we can pick up the trail again. At any rate, Gaines is probably free, for they promised to release him as soon as the letters were obtained. When he had ceased speaking, Leslie got up from her chair and disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned she laid a dark bundle in the lap of Eileen. I guess the prize was found some time ago, she remarked quietly. Suppose you open that bag and see Eileen. And amid an astounding silence, Eileen's fingers managed to unloose the fastening of the bag and insert themselves in its depths. Then, with a little cry of joy, she drew out and held up for all to view, the bronze box that caused all the disturbance, the dragon's secret. The complicated explanations were all over at last, and the curious fragmentary story was pieced together. Detective Barnes took up the little bronze box and examined it carefully, experimenting, as they all had done, to find a way of opening it, and of course, unsuccessfully. There's one thing that puzzles me, though, remarked head, about that queer typewritten note, how and why and by whom was it left originally? It was written on thin, foreign-looking paper, replied the detective, and I can only guess that the foreigners left it there, though probably not on their first trip that afternoon. No doubt that either went to the village or, more likely, returned to the city to talk it over, perhaps with gains, and he, supposing I had long since captured the prize, and to put them off the scent, suggested that someone nearby may have been meddling with the matter and that they leave a warning for them. I feel rather certain he must have done this to gain time, for he knew if I had found the thing I would immediately set about having him released, and he must have wondered why I hadn't done so. Perhaps he thought I was having difficulty locating the house, where they had him hidden. But Great Scott, that makes me think. They must by this time have discovered the trick you played, Miss Phyllis, and be jumping mad over having been so fooled. Perhaps they think gains is responsible for it, and they'll certainly be making it hot for him. I must get to the city immediately and get him out of that hole. Aughtn to waste another minute. If you can spare your car, Miss Eileen, I'd like to run up to the city with it. As I know there are no more trains tonight. I'll guarantee to fetch it and gains both back in the morning. You may certainly have it, replied Eileen, and you may take me with you and leave me at the hospital on the way. Grandfather must know of this at once. I'm positive he'll recover now, since the worry is all over. But first, wouldn't you all like to see something? I happen to know the secret of opening this box. Grandfather showed it to me when I was a little girl, and he used to let me play with it. She took a pin from her dress, inserted it into the carved eye of the dragon, and pressed it in a certain fashion, and the lid of the bronze box flew up. They all pressed forward eagerly and gazed in. There lay the packet of foreign letters, safe and sound. Eileen lifted them and looked curiously underneath. Nothing else was in the box except some strange, thin bits of yellow foreign paper, covered with vague pictures and curious Chinese characters. They seemed to be so thin and old as to be almost falling to pieces. I don't know what these things are, she remarked, but they probably have nothing to do with this affair anyway. Grandfather was always picking up queer old things on his travels, but he must have thought them interesting, or he never would have kept them in here. But we must go now, she ended, closing the box, and I'll see you, dear people, all tomorrow. This has surely been a wonderful night. And just as she was ready to go, she said, Do show me the dusty shelf where this was hidden, please. And then as she stood gazing up at it, she exclaimed, to think that it lay here behind those worn-out old kitchen things, all the time we were so badly hunting for it. But perhaps it was the safest place, after all. The two girls escorted Eileen and Mr. Barnes to the door, Ted offering to see them to the car. As they came out on the porch, Leslie uttered a little cry of delight. The storm, which all had momentarily forgotten in the later excitement, was over. The ragged clouds were driving by in a strong northwest wind, and a few stars could be seen peeping through the rifts. While, best of all, the water had already retreated several feet, though the crash of the breakers was still tremendous. As Leslie and Phyllis returned to the room, they were startled to see Aunt Marsha in a dressing-gown, peering out of the door of her room and blinking sleepily. What on earth are you two girls doing up at this unearthly hour? She inquired. I woke and thought I heard voices and came out to see. Oh, we've been talking and watching the storm, laughed Leslie. It's all over now, and the stars are shining. You'd better go back to bed, Aunt Marsha. The fire is out, and it's very chilly. And as the good lady turned back into her room, Leslie whispered to Phyllis, and she slept through all that, and never knew. How can I be thankful enough? End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 of The Dragon's Secret This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Dragon's Secret by Augusta Huell Seaman Chapter 19 The Biggest Surprise of All Phyllis, I've got a nibble! Phyllis, I believe I can land him, too, and it will be the first I've really managed to catch. Leslie began to play her line, her hands fairly trembling with excitement. The two girls and Ted stood at the ocean's edge, almost directly in front of the bungalows, wiling away a glorious, crisp afternoon in striving to induce the reluctant fish to bite. For some reason or other, they seemed remarkably shy that day. Leslie's nibble had been the first suggestion of possible luck. Just as she was cautiously beginning to reel in her line, a pair of hands were clasped over her eyes, and a gay voice laughed, Guess who? Eileen cried Leslie joyfully, forgetting all about her nibble. Oh, but it's good to see you. We've missed you so since you left. Where did you come from? Grandfather and I motored down today, replied Eileen, as they all crowded around her, to stay overnight at Aunt Sally's in the village. He's going to drive out here a little later with a jeffrey at the wheel, because he wants to see you people. You know, we sail for England on Saturday, and he says he doesn't intend to leave before he has a chance to greet the friends who did so much for him. You've no idea how much better he is. He began to pick up the moment I told him the news that night, and in the two weeks since, he's been like another person, but he hates it in New York, and it doesn't agree with him, and he just wanted to come down here once more before we left. But how did you get here if he's coming later in the car? Demanded Phyllis. Oh, I walked, of course. It was a glorious day for it. Aunt Sally wondered so to see me taking the air in anything but that car. What a dear she is, and how scandulously I had to treat her when I stayed there before. But the dear lady never suspected that I was in an agony of worry and suspense all the time, and didn't dare to be nice to her for fear I'd just be tempted to give way and tell the whole secret. I used to long to throw myself in her lap and boo-hoo on her shoulder. I've made it all up with her since, though. There's grandfather now. Come up to the veranda, all of you, because he's not strong enough yet to walk on the sand. They hurried up to the house and got there in time for Eileen to make the introductions. They were all deeply attracted to the tall, stooping, grey-haired, pleasant man or gentleman who greeted them so cordially, as if they were old and valued friends instead of such recent acquaintances. I'm going to ask you to let me sit a while on your front veranda, he said. I want to get a last impression of this lovely spot to carry away with me to England. Also, I would like to have a chat with you young folks and tell you how much I appreciate what you all did for us. Rather embarrassed by his suggestion that there was anything to thank them for, Leslie led him through the house to the veranda facing the ocean. Here Aunt Marsha sat, wrapped to the eyes, enjoying the late October sunshine, the invigorating salt air, and the indescribable beauty of the changeful ocean. Leslie had long since, very cautiously and gradually, revealed to her the story of their adventure at Curleau's Nest. So carefully had she done so, that any possible alarm Ms. Marsha might have experienced was swallowed up in wonder at the marvelous way in which it had all turned out. Leslie now introduced Mr. Ramsay, and they all gathered around him as he settled himself to enjoy the view. He chatted a while with Ms. Marsha, compared notes with her on the effect of the climate on her health and his own, then turned to the young folks. It is quite useless for me, he began, to try to express my appreciation of all you people have done for Eileen and myself in the little matter of the bronze box. But we must tell you, interrupted Phyllis eagerly, that we aren't going to sail under any false colors. We found that little box, or rather rags here found it, and we didn't have a notion, of course, to whom it could be long, and we were just wild to get it open and see what was in it. When we couldn't manage that, we hid it away in the safest place we could think of, to wait for what would happen. I'm afraid we didn't make any very desperate hunt for the owner, and when we suspected that Eileen might have something to do with it, I'm ashamed to say that we wouldn't give it up to her, at first, because we were annoyed at the way she acted. We didn't understand, of course, but that doesn't excuse it. All of what you say may be true, smiled Mr. Ramsey, but that does not alter the fact that you delivered it up, the moment you discovered the rightful owner, and Miss Phyllis' clever little ruse, aburring the false box, probably saved Jeffrey a bad time. For if those fellows hadn't found something there that night, they would certainly have made it hot for him. As it was, it gained us so much time that Detective Barnes had a chance to get my man out of their clutches, before they had done him any damage, though they were furious at being duped. They're all safely in jail now, and there's nothing more to fear from them. Of course, the principal who hired them is safe over in China, but he didn't gain his point, and that's the main thing. As for the letters, I concluded that, after all, my ideas as to how to keep them safely were out of date, and they have long since been forwarded to Washington in care of Barnes, and are now in the hands of my country's representative there, I shall not concern myself any further about their security. He put his hands in his pocket and drew out the little bronze casket. Then he went on, this little box has had some strange adventures in its day, but nothing stranger than the one it has just passed through. It has, however, something else in it that I thought might be of interest to you, and so I have brought it along and will explain about it. He opened the box in the same way as Eileen had done, and revealed to their curious gaze the fragile old bits of paper they had seen on that eventful night. He took them out, fingered them thoughtfully, and handed one to each of the four young folks. There is a strange little adventure connected with these, that perhaps you may be interested to hear. He continued, It happened when I was passing through the city of Peking, some years ago, during their revolution, there was a good deal of lawlessness rife at that time, and bands of natives were running about, pillaging and looting anything they thought it's safe to tamper with. One day, in one of the open places of the city, I happened along just in time to see ten or a dozen lawless natives pulling from its pedestal a great bronze idol hideous as they make them, that had stood there probably for uncounted centuries. When they got it to the ground, they found it to be hollow inside, as most of the really ancient ones are, and filled with all manner of articles representing the sacrifices that had been made to it through the ages, and placed inside it by their priests. These articles included everything from real jewels of undoubted value, to paper mache imitations of food, a device the Chinese often use in sacrificing to the idols. Of course, the mob made an immediate grab for the jewels, but it had begun to make my blood boil to see them making off with so much unlawful booty. So almost without thinking, I snatched out my revolver, placed myself in front of the pile, and shouted to them that I would shoot the first one who laid a finger on the stuff. And in the same breath, I sent Jeffrey, hurrying to find some of the city authorities, to come and rescue what would probably be some thousands of dollars worth of gems. Fortunately, I was armed with an effective weapon, and they were not. So I managed to hold the fort, till Jeffrey returned with the authorities, and on seeing them, the mob promptly melted away. The mandarin wanted to present me with some of the jewels in gratitude for my services, but I had no wish for them, and only asked permission to take with me a few of these little scraps of paper, which had been among the medley of articles in the idols' interior. Of course, they assented, deeming me no doubt, a very stupid foreign devil to be so easily satisfied. I have carried them with me for several years, and now I am going to give them to you young folks, one to each of you, as a little token of my gratitude for your invaluable help. He sat back in his chair, smiling benignly, while he watched the bewilderment on all their faces. Ted, Phyllis, and Leslie were striving to hide this, under a polite assumption of intense gratitude, though they were a bit puzzled as to why he should choose them, of all people, who had no very great interest in such things, as recipients of this special gift. But his own granddaughter was under less compulsion to assume what she did not feel. This is awfully good of you, granddaddy, she cried, but I don't honestly see what the big deal is. I think that story of yours was ripping, but I don't exactly know what to do with this little bit of paper. It seems so old and frail, too, that I am almost afraid a breath will blow it to pieces. I really think it will be safer in your care. He was still smiling indulgently. I suspected that the outspoken Eileen would voice the general opinion of this gift. I don't mind it at least, and I don't blame you a bit for feeling a trifle bewildered about the matter. But I haven't told you the whole story yet, to continue. As I said before, I carried these bits of paper around with me for a number of years, simply because they reminded me of my little adventure. Then, one day early this past summer, on the steamer coming across the Pacific, I chanced to meet a man connected with the British Museum, whom I soon discovered to be one of the principal experts on Chinese antiquities. And it occurred to me to show him these bits of paper and ask if he could imagine what they were. He examined them carefully, then came to me in great delight, declaring that they certainly were, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the oldest existing specimens of Chinese paper money. And he added, moreover, that the British Museum had no specimens in his possession as old as these, and declared that he believed the Museum would be delighted to buy them, probably for three or four hundred pounds apiece. The listening fore gasped and stared at him incredulously, but he went on undisturbed. I said I would think the matter over and decide when I reached England, but meantime, for reasons which I have already enlarged upon, I have decided instead to give them to you, as a little testimony of my deep gratitude. If, by any chance, you should decide that you would prefer to have the money, I will attempt to negotiate the sale for you when I reached London and, he got no further, for with a whoop of joy, Ted sprang forward and laid his bit in Mr. Ramsay's lap, and the others followed his example, striving very inadequately to express their wonder and delight. But he interrupted them, smilingly. I should like to inquire, just as a matter of curiosity, what form of investment each one of you expects to make with the sum you receive. Don't think me too inquisitive, please, it's just an old man's curiosity. I've decided already, cried Eileen. I'm going to spend mine on another trip over here in the spring to visit you girls, and I'm going to bring mother with me. I wouldn't have got here this time if it hadn't been for grandfather, for daddy simply put his foot down and said he couldn't afford it, and next year, grandfather may be in Timbuktu or somewhere like it, and I wouldn't have a chance, but I've just got to see you all again soon, for you're the best friends I ever made. And I'm going to save mine for some extra expense courses in chemical engineering in college that I never supposed I could afford to take, declared Ted. I expected I'd have to go into business after I graduated, for a year or two, till I scraped up enough, but now I can go right on. Of course I'll get my music now, cried Phyllis, and I'm the happiest girl alive. Well, it's hardly necessary for me to say that now little Ralph will have his chance to be strong and well, like other boys, remembered Leslie, tears of joy standing in her eyes. Then to ease the tension of the almost too happy strain, Mr. Ramsey continued, but there is another member of this party that it would not do to forget. He drew from his pocket a handsome leather and silver dog collar, cold rags over to him, and as the dog ambled up, gravely addressed him. Kindly accept this token of my immense gratitude, and allow me to clasp it about your neck. Rags submitted gravely while his old collar was removed and the new one put in place, and immediately after, began to make frantic efforts to get it off over his head. But Mr. Ramsey only laughed and held up a five-dollar bill adding, I realize that you do not entirely appreciate this gift at present. In fact, I sympathize with you in thinking it a decided nuisance, but here is something else that may soothe your sorrow, a five-dollar bill, to be devoted exclusively to the purchase of luscious steaks, tender chops, and juicy bones for your solitary delectation. Amid the general laughter that followed, he added, and now, may I ask that you escort me over to the veranda of Curlew's Nest? I have a great desire to walk up and down on that porch for a few moments and think of all the strange adventures of which that delightful little bungalow has been the scene. And accompanied by rags still striving madly to scrape off his new collar by rubbing it in the sand, they escorted their guests to Curlew's Nest. End of Chapter 19 End of the Dragon's Secret by Augusta Huell Seaman