The Copper House A detective story
journalist; "I think we shall still be left in peace for a bit."
"Not for long, though," Lona Ivanovna put in, pointing towards one of
the windows that faced seawards, from which they saw the reflection of
the blue light over the tops of the trees.
"It's coming at last, is it?" murmured Wallion, and he went upstairs
three steps at a time, followed by Leo who guessed that he was
returning to his post of observation. When they reached the window
overlooking the shore, they saw that almost total darkness had set in.
Long shadows, and floods of bluish-white light drifted alternately
across the mirror-like surface of the bay, and only the dim outline of
the lighter could be distinguished.
"Now you are going to see something which will surprise you," said a
voice behind Leo: it was that of the Austrian, who had followed them
upstairs.
"Yes," Wallion chimed in, almost gaily, "if I am not mistaken, we may
look for Gabriel Ortiz at any minute now!"
The journalist was worked up to a high pitch of excitement; he was
evidently in his element at the near prospect of a good tussle: a faint
flush mounted to his cheeks, and his eyes sparkled: he was smoking
continuously.
Leo's eyes were fixed on the channel between the islands and the
shore, and there he saw something which made him suddenly grip the
window-ledge. In the center of the flood of light, something seemed to
be moving on the surface of the water: a spar had shot right up out
of the sea, and was approaching the lighter at an astounding rate. It
seemed to increase in height as it came nearer, and presently, out of
the foaming water there appeared a turret, and a convex shining mass,
like the back of a whale.
"What is that?" he exclaimed; "why--but that's impossible!" The beam
of light followed the extraordinary object, which was now slackening
speed very noticeably: a hatchway was seen to open, and men's figures
began to emerge from the turret, which was still streaming wet from its
immersion.
"It's too absurd!" cried Leo, staring harder than ever; "a submarine! I
don't understand...."
"Why, what an unbelieving fellow you are!" growled the Austrian. "Can't
you see for yourself...."
"Yes, but ... when you come to think of it ... a submarine!"
"Well, it's evident that nothing less will do for Gabriel Ortiz. Of
course, that's his flagship. Surely you didn't expect him to come in a
rowing-boat!"
Wallion smiled.
"Did you know it?" demanded Leo quickly.
"Yes," replied the journalist. "I guessed as much, when I saw how
the side of the lighter was damaged. The Russian submarine fleet has
practically gone the way of all flesh: half of it blown up, and the
remainder surrendered. Why shouldn't one or two of them have been
simply stolen? You can't deny that Ortiz is a man who knows how to
make the most of his opportunities. It is really a brilliant idea! He
always ran a certain amount of risk with the motor-launch 'Nelly,' but
with this one, he is never obliged to 'lie-to' and answer inconvenient
questions from the coastguards. There they go, bang against the
lighter!"
The three spectators now heard a subdued creaking, and the flare
on board the lighter was extinguished. A sharp order was given, and
in a few minutes, a less powerful light appeared, and began to move
backwards and forwards. The respective silhouettes of the lighter and
the submarine were merged into one; a little yawl approached the ruined
pier, and several lanterns began to twinkle like glowworms. They were
arranged in a row on the beach, and by their light a party of six or
eight men could be seen, starting up the path that led to the Copper
House. At the same time, voices, amongst which they recognized the
baron's, were heard in excited conversation beneath the window: the
arrival of the submarine had been discovered.
At the head of the little band, walked a solitary undersized figure, in
a flapping waterproof: it was obvious who this must be.
"That's the man!" said the Austrian, in a low voice: "that's Ortiz!"
As if the powers of the air had been waiting for this announcement,
the storm now burst upon them in earnest. An unusually dazzling glare
of violet lightning spread a network of phosphorescent light over the
whole extent of the blue-black sky, and as it faded out, a peal of
thunder crashed over the house like an avalanche, till the walls seemed
to shake, and the floors to rock. The rain fell in torrents, pouring
down in one continuous cascade; when the echo of the thunder at length
died away, the noise of the rain took its place, and the drops pattered
against the panes and the roof like machine-gun fire after the heavy
artillery has ceased.
But nothing stopped the progress of the little band. The three men who
were watching them could see through the veil of rain the solitary
figure marching along at their head, the cape of his waterproof
fluttering like black wings about his shoulders.
"Well," said Wallion, "our ally is rather late in arriving, but has
come at all events. Come along...."
"Our ally?" echoed Raebel.
"Yes, the storm. It deprives them of sight and hearing for the time
being. Let's go downstairs."
They went down again, and joined the three Bernins, who were silently
awaiting them in the dark dining-room.
"Now for it!" said the journalist, gathering them all round him.
"Quick's the word, and sharp the action! Sergius Tassler, whatever
happens, you must continue to play the part of Andrei Bernin as long
as it can be kept up--and you, Lona Ivanovna, must stand by him.
Above all, we must do nothing rashly: our chief aim is to gain time.
I propose to remain here and meet the first brunt of Ortiz' attack:
I think I shall be able to give him plenty to think about! But you,
gentlemen," turning to Leo and Raebel, "you must make a last attempt to
run the blockade: one or other of you will, in all probability be able
to get through. Do anything you like, steal the baron's car, or fight
your way to the station, but get word to Robert Lang of the arrival of
the submarine, and instruct him to take immediate steps to capture the
whole gang."
"Yes, yes," answered Leo eagerly, "we ought to have thought of that
long ago!"
"Thought! I have thought of little else!" said Wallion impatiently.
"But can't you see, that the rain and the darkness have given us our
chance?"
"That's clear," interposed the Austrian, "so don't let's waste time in
talking."
He went to a window, and opened it without a sound; the darkness
outside rose up like a wall in front of him. As Leo was following him,
he felt a hand on his arm: it was Sonia.
"Let me come too!" she whispered.
Wallion, who overheard her, was on the point of refusing, but Lona
Ivanovna said:
"Let the child go, she can look after herself better than any boy!"
The journalist, moved by the pleading in the girl's eyes, gave in to
the old lady, and offered no opposition, the more so, as every minute's
delay was dangerous. Sonia had changed into her black riding costume,
probably in the expectation of some such contingency, and was already
at the window; to Leo's whispered attempt to dissuade her, she only
replied with a shake of the head.
"Be off, then, at once, all three of you," said Wallion briskly; "don't
stop, whatever happens; if one of you gets through, lose no time in
getting in touch with the nearest authorities; knock people up,
telephone to Stockholm, do everything you can...."
He continued to whisper his instructions to them, whilst he was helping
them to get through the window. They were eager to start off, and carry
out their orders, and the storm seemed to swallow them up in a moment.
It was like being thrown into the sea. The rain lashed their faces, and
the wind tore at their clothes, but the three adventurers summoned up
all their courage, bent their heads, and began to cross the terrace.
Darkness had obliterated the big house behind them, they could not hear
their own footsteps, and groped their way onwards, afraid of losing one
another. Sheets of rain enveloped them: it was impossible to see or
hear the sentries, who must certainly be near them; but this they had
to risk.
"This way," said Leo, just above his breath.
They were brought up short by the stone balustrade, over which they
scrambled, jumping down on to the grass. At that instant, the sky was
lit up by a flash, broad and blue as a stream of molten silver. For
one second, they, the trees and the bushes, stood out distinctly, then
the darkness wrapped them round again, and they were deafened by the
succeeding peal of thunder. Leo seized Sonia's hand, and dragged her
along with him: an alarming sight had met their eyes; crouching under
the shelter of the trees were a number of sentries, their hoods pulled
up over their heads, and their guns under their waterproof capes. The
fugitives had been seen. A shrill whistle was audible through the
dying reverberations of the thunder, and lanterns appeared at various
points. The darkness protected them for a moment, but they dreaded the
next flash. The lights seemed to move more rapidly, and voices called
out questions and answers. Leo and the girl ran on wildly through the
wet grass; suddenly a rough voice shouted something quite close to
them, and a lantern was flashed into their faces. Before the young man
knew what was happening, he found himself engaged in a hand-to-hand
combat; his left hand grasped a rifle-barrel, his right, a wet and
twisted collar. A shot rang out, and a red flame seemed to flash just
below his elbow: using his knee as a lever, he bent the gun across
it, wrenched it free, and flung it away. His panting assailant, whose
breath reeked of bad tobacco, seized him by the shoulders and tried to
force him down, but Leo got the fellow round the waist, lifted him off
the ground, and they rolled over together. His clenched fist came in
contact with a chin, and he received several kicks from feet tramping
backwards and forwards. He sprang up, caught hold of someone, who swore
violently, and hurled him far in amongst the bushes, just as another
flash lighted up the landscape. The vivid glare showed him the Austrian
struggling with three men at once.
"They've got me!" Raebel cried; "see to yourself!"
Leo turned to find yet another adversary, gave him a stinging blow on
the ear, and dodged past him into the shelter of the trees. Somebody
made a grab at his foot, but he kicked it loose, and after a minute's
frantic rush through soaking wet branches and leaves, which slapped him
in the face, he found himself on level ground, drew a deep breath, and
realized that he was in the avenue. Had he actually broken through the
cordon of sentries? It seemed almost impossible, but without stopping
to puzzle it out, he sped on down the avenue. He fancied he could hear
light footsteps running a little ahead of him; it was Sonia, and he
called out softly to her. But what was this? She was running towards
him: was she turning back? They stopped opposite one another.
"Why have you turned back?" he panted; "are they in front of us?"
"No, no," she whispered eagerly; "it is you ... if you go in this
direction ... it's you that are making a mistake ... look, look!"
Sure enough, Leo noticed to his dismay that in the darkness he had
taken a wrong turn. Through the trees in front of them, he now saw
the terrace steps, full of lights and men. The little party from the
boat were just marching up the path from the bay, and the short figure
in the waterproof was ascending the steps, at a brisk, steady pace.
Someone held a lantern in front to guide him, and by its light they saw
his pale, determined face, looking upwards and onwards, as though he
intended to allow nothing to turn him from his purpose.