A Bid for Fortune Part 42

He shut the door and cried 'Home' to the coachman. Next moment we were spinning down the drive.

"As I was far too much occupied thinking of you, papa, I did not notice the direction we were taking, and it was not until the carriage stopped before a house in a back street that I realized that something was wrong. Then the door was opened, and a gentleman in evening dress begged me to alight. I did so, almost without thinking what I was doing.

"'I am sorry to say your father is not at all well, Miss Wetherell,'

said the person who helped me out. 'If you will be good enough to step into my house I will let the nurse take you to him.'

"Like a person in a dream I followed him into the dwelling.

"'Where is my father? and how is it that he is here?' I cried, beginning to get frightened.

"'You will know all when you see him,' said my companion, throwing open the door of a bedroom. I went in, and that door was also shut upon me.

Then I turned and faced the man."

"What was he like?" cried Wetherell.

"He was the man you were telling us about at dinner--Dr. Nikola."

"Ah! And then?"

"He politely but firmly informed me that I was his prisoner, and that until you gave up something he had for years been trying to obtain he would be compelled to detain me. I threatened, entreated, and finally wept, but he was not to be moved. He promised that no effort should be spared to make me comfortable, but he could not let me go until you had complied with his request. So I was kept there until late one night, when I was informed that I must be ready to leave the house. A brougham was at the door and in this, securely guarded, I was conducted to the harbour, where a boat was in waiting. In this we were rowed out to a schooner, and I was placed on board her. A comfortably furnished cabin was allotted to me, and everything I could possibly want was given me.

But though the greatest consideration in all other matters was shown me, I could gather nothing of where we were going or what my fate was to be, nor could I discover any means of communicating with the sh.o.r.e. About midnight we got under weigh and commenced our voyage. Our destination was the island where you found me."

"And how did Nikola treat you during the voyage and your stay on Pipa Lannu?" I asked.

"With invariable courtesy," she replied. "A more admirable host no one could desire. I had but to express a wish, and it was instantly gratified. When we were clear of the land I was allowed on deck; my meals were served to me in a cabin adjoining my own, and a stewardess had been specially engaged to wait upon me. As far as my own treatment went, I have nothing to complain of. But oh, you can't tell how thankful I was to get away; I imagined all sorts of horrors."

"Well, G.o.d be thanked, it's all done with now," I said earnestly.

"And what is more," said Wetherell, "you have won one of the best husbands in the world. Mr. Hatteras, your hand, sir; Phyllis, my darling, yours! G.o.d bless you both."

A week later the eventful voyage was over, and we were back in Sydney again.

Then came our marriage. But, with your kind permission, I will only give you a very bare description of that. It took place at the cathedral, the Primate officiating. The Marquis of Beckenham was kind enough to act as my best man, while the Colonial Secretary, of course, gave his daughter away.

But now I come to think of it, there is one point I _must_ touch upon in connexion with that happy occasion, and that was the arrival of an important present on the evening prior to the event.

We were sitting in the drawing-room when the butler brought in a square parcel on a salver and handed it to Phyllis. "Another present, I expect," she said, and began to untie the string that bound it.

When the first cover was removed a layer of tissue paper revealed itself, and after that a large Russia leather case came into view. On pressing the spring the cover lifted and revealed a superb _collet_--as I believe it is called--of diamonds, and resting against the lid a small card bearing this inscription:--

_"With heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Lady Hatteras, in memory of an unfortunate detention and a voyage to the Southern Seas,_

_"From her sincere admirer,_ _"Dr. Nikola."_

What do you think of that?

Well, to bring my long story to a close, the Great Event pa.s.sed off with much _eclat_. We spent our honeymoon in the Blue Mountains, and a fortnight later sailed once more for England in the _Orizaba_. Both Mr.

Wetherell--who has now resigned office--and the Marquis of Beckenham, who is as manly a fellow as you would meet anywhere in England, accompanied us home, and it was to the latter's seaside residence that we went immediately on our arrival in the mother country. My own New Forest residence is being thoroughly renovated, and will be ready for occupation in the spring.

And now as to the other persons who have figured most prominently in my narrative. Of Nikola, Baxter, Eastover, or Prendergast I have never heard since. What gigantic _coup_ the first-named intends to accomplish with the little Chinese stick, the possession of which proved so fatal to Wetherell, is beyond my power to tell. I am only too thankful, however, that I am able to say that I am not in the least concerned in it. I am afraid of Nikola, and I confess it. And with this honest expression of my feelings, and my thanks for your attention and forbearance, I will beg your permission to ring the curtain down upon the narrative of my BID FOR FORTUNE.

THE END