Refugee Rock

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Comrades Three 15

II. Where the Dog Led 26

II

T the top of the shingle was a pebbly path, bordered with beach-peas and bay. The dog trotted along this, as indeed he had to do, unless he wanted to scale a sheer and slippery rock. Presently, however, he came to a little gully, leading inland. Turning into this he brought his three followers to a stretch of marshy ground, brilliant with purple iris. Beyond, a fairly smooth slope led upward. Here the dog raced ahead, turning midway to look back and make sure of his friends. Then on again he went until he reached the top, where he stopped and wagged his tail more excitedly than ever.

‘ 4 There’s something doing, I’ll bet,” said Tom. “This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the water.”

The three rejoined their delighted friend, and found themselves on a small plateau, with a view of the sea to the south. Ahead were thick woods, mostly spruce and balsam. The dog frisked along, was lost in the woods, reappeared again, and presently brought them out on the other side.

The three explorers stopped. In front of them was a good-sized summer cottage, built of gray shingles. And on a stretch of springy turf before the house stood a young man. The man had a long, shining rapier in his hand and was making lunges at the air.

The dog also had stopped and was rubbing his shaggy coat against Rodney ’s leg. The only sound on the hill-top was an occasional muttered exclamation from the young man as he danced back and forth.

The man was a striking-looking fellow. He wore riding-breeches and puttees and gleaming russet boots. His white silk shirt was open at the throat and the rolled-up sleeves showed slim, muscular arms. His hair was black and rather long. He seemed as supple as whalebone ; tall, slender, wiry ; the rapier itself seemed no more graceful than he as he bent forward, drew back, parried an imaginary thrust, drove again at his opponent.

His back was turned to his audience, and the duel went on for fully five minutes before the dog let out a loud, peremptory bark. The fencer whirled round. For an instant he appeared startled, then he grinned and lowered his blade. “Ah, gentlemen, you take me 27 unawares. The good Caesar has brought you here no doubt/ ’

4 'If Caesar’s the dog, you’re right,’ ’ said Rodney. "We didn’t know that anyone lived along here.”

The man lowered his rapier, and drawing a silk handkerchief from his pocket wiped his face. 6 6 Caesar is the dog,” he said, smiling. "As for anyone living along here, I can assure you that except for my little household the place is quite solitary. ’ ’

A gentleman, a foreigner to judge from something in his appearance and an accent in his speech, a good fellow — so the three mates sized him up.

"We’re off on a cruise, the three of us,” explained Tom. "Our boat’s moored off shore and we thought we’d camp out on your beach.”

The man was now twisting the ends of his small black mustache. "A delightful thing to do,” he said. "I know of no pleasanter occupation than sailing a small boat. But since the good Caesar has been so thoughtful as to bring you here, may I not have the pleasure of offering you tea or lemonade on my porch?”

No one could decline such a polite invitation. The three mates went forward and as each shook hands with his host each told the man his name. "Thank you, thank you,” said the fencer. "As for myself, I 28 am called Pierre Romaine. I was taking my daily exercise, you know. How quickly the arm grows stiff, and the wrist — ah, my friends, the wrist is more than nine-tenths of the battle.’ ’

With his rapier tucked under his arm, Romaine led his guests up to his porch. A number of comfortable wicker chairs were standing about and he waved toward them. ‘ ‘ Make yourselves at home, I beg of you. I will rejoin you in a few minutes.”

The three did as they were bid. Caesar stretched himself across Rodney’s feet. Stephen winked at Tom. “ Roddy was wise all right, wasn’t he? Pretty nice — running into refreshments like this. What do you make of him?” He jerked his head in the direction of the door through which Romaine had vanished.

“I like him,” said Tom. “Of course, he’s a little queer.”

“Wish I knew something about fencing,” put in Rodney. “It looked awfully exciting, dancing back and forth the way he did.”

There appeared on the porch a servant, a tall and solemn-looking man, bearing a tray with tea-things and a pitcher of lemonade. These he set on a table. In silence the three watched him and waited until he 29 had withdrawn again. “ Pretty smooth,’ ’ observed Tom. “I’ll bet Mr. Romaine has a mighty good time out here.”

Then the host returned. He had put on a purple tie and a Norfolk jacket made of many colors, which gave him a decidedly gay appearance. “Ah,” he said delightedly, rubbing his hands together, “Simmons has been quick with the things. Simmons is a jewel. On my word, I don’t know how I’d ever manage to get along without Simmons. ’ ’

There was a frank enthusiasm about this Pierre Romaine that was most engaging. The three mates felt no longer like strangers, but like old friends.

“Teal” inquired the host. “It’s rather nice tea; not the kind you get at the grocers’ nowadays.”

Each of the three boys, however, voted for lemonade.

“Ah, well,” said Romaine, filling their glasses from the pitcher, “I fancy you know you own tastes best. Where I come from; however, we think there’s nothing like tea, nothing so refreshing, so cooling, so delicious. ’ ’

“Where do you come from?” asked Rodney in his direct way.

The young man took a sip from his cup and a bite from a toasted cracker before he answered. “Per- 30 haps it was indiscreet of me to say that much. My tongue is apt to be careless. , ’

“I knew you weren’t an American,” said Stephen. 4 ‘Anyone could tell that.”

“So?” said Romaine ; and for the first time a musing look came into his dark eyes. 4 4 Can I ask you three to keep a secret?”

The three heads instantly nodded.

4 4 I’m not supposed to be living here at all. I don’t own this cottage. Simmons procured it through an agent. Simmons does the marketing at the village on the mainland. The only other person here is the colored hoy Dan. And you three are the first visitors I’ve had this month.”

4 4 We saw two fishermen down on the beach,” said Tom. 4 4 And they told us there was nobody on the island.”

4 4 Fishermen!” echoed Romaine. 4 4 What were they doing here?”

4 4 They were just rowing out to their smack.” Tom looked around. 4 4 You can’t see the boat. It’s hidden by those pines.”

4 < Hm. Now I wonder—” began the young man. 4 4 Simmons,” he called. 4 4 Simmons, come out here.”

The solemn servant appeared.

“Simmons, my friends here tell me they saw two men down on the beach this afternoon. What do you know about it?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Pierre, but I know nothing about

it.”

“Ah, ah, Simmons.” Romaine shook his forefinger warningly. “Remember that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. I don’t remember who said that, but it fits our situation very aptly. These two are reported to be fishermen ; but you know, Simmons — you know — ”

“Yes, Mr. Pierre, I know. I’ll inquire of Daniel.”

i ‘ Send him out here, ’ ’ ordered the young man.

A couple of minutes later the colored boy arrived. Romaine put the same question to him that he had already put to Simmons.

“I dunno nothin’ ’bout ’em, Mistah Pierre,” said Daniel. “I was over to the town this afternoon. I’se mighty sorry, sah. ’ ’

“It appears that I must depend on Caesar then. It was Caesar who discovered my three friends here.”

“Yas, sah. Caesar am a mighty clevar dog. An’ did he invite the three young gen’lemen up here?”

“You mean he’s not very wise to be so hospitable? I quite agree with you, Dan. But we’ll forgive him 32 this time. These young men are all right. They’re to be treated as guests as long as they care to stay.”

“Yas, Mistah Pierre.” At a wave from his master the colored boy withdrew.

Romaine surveyed the three boys, a quizzical smile curling his lips as he noted how absorbed and intent each of them was over what was happening. “Well,” he said, “you’re wondering why I’m so mysterious about all this, aren’t you? I haven’t the least objection to telling you. It ’s because I trust each one of you as I do Simmons and Dan. I think I’m a pretty good judge of character. You’ve given me your word that you’ll keep my secret, and I’m entirely satisfied to rely on that.”

“You needn’t be at all afraid that we’ll tell what we know about your being here,” Tom spoke up promptly.

“And we don’t really know anything — except that you are here,” said Rodney.

Romaine took a good look at the sandy-haired boy whose face and arms were covered with sun-blisters. Rodney appeared to amuse him; and back of his amusement was a genuine liking. “Ah, yes,” he said. “That is so, isn’t it? To tell the truth I am a bit lonely. Simmons and Dan are very good fellows, but they’re not exactly companions, as I might say. I 33 haven’t seen anyone of my own sort for a month, and I’m naturally a very sociable person.” Here he cocked one of his long legs over the arm of his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “What would you think if I should tell you that I’m a refugee? In the strictest confidence, of course.”

“Of course,” echoed Rodney. “We’d never tell a soul. ’ ’

“A refugee from what?” demanded Stephen. The word had a delightful sound to him, but he was naturally suspicious of anything that savored of mystery.

“Ah, I don’t know that I could go so far as to tell you that. But it’s a fact that this island is my refuge, and that I don ’t want certain people to know I ’m here. That’s the long and the short of it, my friends. So when you sail away from here I’ll ask you to forget that you ever encountered such a man as Pierre Romaine.”

“I say,” put in Rodney, “if you’re in some sort of trouble why couldn’t we help you out?”

“Spoken like an American gentleman,” answered Romaine. “I’m sure I’d ask no better helpers than you three. But, you see — ” Here he shrugged his shoulders. “The truth is that I’m almost as much in the dark as you are as to when or how I might need 34 assistance. I have simply to wait here and see what happens. And waiting is very slow business. Meantime I amuse myself fencing, in case any of my enemies should presently appear.’ ’

Tom, feeling that this surprising man had said all that he meant to say, now stood up. “It was mighty good of you to let us in on your secret, and to give us lemonade. No one shall know you’re here through any of us. ’ ’

“Not a peep will we peep,” said Stephen.

Rodney disengaged his feet from Caesar, who appeared to have fallen asleep. “If you’re really a refugee, Mr. Romaine, I’d like nothing better than to see you come out safe.”

“Thanks, thanks.” The man with the purple tie beamed delightedly. “And I’d almost be inclined to urge you to make me a visit here if you weren’t off on a cruise. And a cruise does need the water, doesn’t it? Not a steady old rock sticking out in the ocean. ’ ’

The three shook hands with their host and departed. Romaine waved them a farewell and Caesar wagged his tail from the top step of the porch. Into the woods they went and soon were on the slope that led down to their beach.

“Well,” said Stephen, “I thought we’d run into some kind of adventure if we had old Roddy along. ’ ’

“A refugee — ” mused Rodney. “A refugee from what? You don’t suppose he’s gotten in wrong with the law?”

“He doesn’t look like that sort,” said Tom. “I’m sure he’s a foreigner, for all he speaks such good English. And foreigners are always getting mixed up in queer things, you know.”

“I wish I knew what it was.” Rodney’s brow was furrowed with thought. “You don’t suppose it has anything to do with those two fishermen, do you?”

“I don’t suppose anything about it, you old sleuth,” said Stephen. “Pierre Romaine doesn’t mean to tell you any more than he has ; and how are you going to find out what’s the truth?”

That seemed a conclusive answer. And as they had now reached the place where they had left their provisions and their appetites were demanding supper the three set to work building their fire, fixing their oven, and getting out the food. Further discussion of the rock’s mystery must wait till they had fed. But each of the three was secretly wondering what it could be that had brought the man of the rapier to that particular spot.

Ill

S UPPER of fried bacon and scrambled eggs, baked sweet potatoes, toast, coffee and apricot preserves produced in the crew of the Penguin the feeling that everything was going very well. The sun had set to the west of the rock, but the little bay was bright with the wonderful tints of the summer afterglow. A bonfire was ready for lighting whenever they should need it. And having decided to sleep on shore instead of on the boat the three had cut a supply of hemlock boughs and pared off the tips and feathery branches. These, with blankets over them, would make as soft beds as any campers could wish.

Stephen, sitting cross-legged in the dry, warm sand, finished scraping the bottom of the jar that had held the apricots and wiped his knife on a bunch of beachgrass. ‘ ‘ If you were to ask me, ’ ’ he said, ‘ ‘ I ’d say that our friend on the hill-top was a Frenchman. They ’re great hands at fencing, you know.”

4 ‘His name sounds like it,” agreed Tom. “But 37 what would a Frenchman be doing way over here?”

* ‘Ah, there you’ve got me. Perhaps Roddy’s been thinking up an answer while he’s been eating. He hasn’t talked much.”

They both looked at Rodney, who, with a sweater doubled under his head, was lying on his back, looking up at the sky.

“How about it, old scout?” said Tom. “You’re the deep thinker of the party. ’ ’

“Well,” said Rodney slowly, “I’m of the opinion that he made some enemies over in Europe' and that he’s afraid they’re coming over here to take him back. As to his being a Frenchman, I wouldn’t like to say. And of course we don’t know whether Romaine’s his real name. ’ ’

‘ ‘ Cautious as ever, ’ ’ chuckled Stephen. ‘ ‘ You ought to be a lawyer. They ’re always saying ‘ I wouldn ’t like to say this’ and ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ ”

“Well,” retorted Rodney, “you asked me a question. If you know any better answer why don’t you let us have it?”

Over the quiet water came the chug-chug-chug of a motor. The sound was to the south of them; the boat, if it came from a boat, was hidden by the next point of land.

All three looked in the direction of the chug-chug, but after a few minutes the noise ceased.

“ Seems to me this neighborhood isn’t as much deserted as our friend on top of the rock thinks,” said Tom.

They were all still looking to the south when a step on the shingle back of them made each one start and glance hastily round. The solemn-faced Simmons stood there, wearing a fuzzy red and green striped cap that made an odd contrast to his sober black coat and trousers.

4 ‘Hello!” said Stephen. “Are you out for an evening stroll?”

Simmons bobbed his head and came up to the campers. “I trust you young gentlemen will pardon me,” he said. “To tell you the truth, I was a bit uneasy.”

“About Mr. Romaine?” questioned Rodney. “And our coming here ? ’ ’

“Not so much about your coming here,” was the answer, “as about what you said in regard to the two men you saw on the beach and the smack you mentioned seeing off shore.”

“The smack was gone when we came back,” said Tom.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Simmons seated himself 39 on a log partly covered by sand. 4 ‘ Mr. Romaine is not always as cautious as he should be.”

“Well, I’m sure he didn’t tell us very much,” put in Stephen. “All we know is that he’s some sort of a refugee.”

“I don’t make the least criticism of his confiding in you young gentlemen, ’ 9 said Simmons in his * suave manner. “I believe that the more friends he has the better. But I don’t think he keeps sufficiently on the lookout for enemies.”

“You mean the two fishermen?” suggested Rodney.

The man in black shrugged his shoulders and made an expressive gesture with his upturned hands.

“You know, Mr. Simmons,” said Stephen, “our friend Roddy here is remarkably canny. He’s the greatest little detective along the coast of Maine.”

“Indeed?” Simmons looked admiringly at Rodney, who flushed even under his lobster-like sunburn, but paid no other attention to Stephen’s joke. “If it were possible then to secure your friend’s interest in Mr. Romaine ’s situation — ”

‘ ‘ Oh, it ’s quite possible, ’ ’ said Stephen. ‘ ‘ Provided you let him know the facts in the case.”

‘ 4 Ah, that ’s the difficulty. ’ ’ The servant took off his gaudy cap and thoughtfully scratched his head. “I 40 know that Mr. Romaine regards you all as friends — and yet it might be unwise to let you know precisely how matters stand/ ’

“Is Mr. Romaine a Frenchman ?” Tom asked bluntly.

“Not precisely,’ ’ answered Simmons. “His mother was French, and he has lived considerably in Paris. It was there that he first took me into his service, eight years ago. Previous to that I had been valet to Lord Hartlepool. I come from Yorkshire myself.”

Simmons replaced his cap carefully on his head while the three waited for more information.

“His father was Russian, and had great estates in the south of that country, along the Black Sea. They call the place the Crimea. I was there with them for a while. And then came the Revolution, and everybody who could got out. Mr. Romaine chose America ; he has a taste for strange places. He is a man of remarkable spirit. I think he would like nothing better than to go hunting with some of your native Indian tribes.”

Stephen chuckled. “I’m afraid he won’t get the chance, Mr. Simmons. Most of our Indian tribes are weaving baskets out on reservations in the west.”

“Indeed? Is that so? Really I know very little 41 about your great country. I suggested England as a place of refuge to my master, but he would have America. He said he had spent a number of seasons in London, and found the climate too damp.”

Rodney bent forward. “But if he got safely out of Russia, why should he need to keep in hiding here ? ”

“Ah, he has enemies. You see, he knows certain things his enemies would like very much to know. And there again he did not think wise to follow my suggestion. I was of the opinion that a large city was the best place to hide ; but he said he preferred a place in the open, where he could keep track of everything that went on around him. ’ 9

“I think he was right,” stated Tom. “I don’t see how he could have a better place than this rocky island, with open water on every side. ’ ’

“But look here,” said Rodney, “why should you get stirred up because we saw those two men on the beach? They weren’t Russians.”

Simmons shook his head. “His enemies have agents. They belong to a band that has confederates everywhere. Any man may be on his track.” He smiled slightly. “I make an exception for you three young gentlemen. It’s not to be supposed that you are in the league against him. You are exactly what 42 .

yon seem. That, and the fact that yon have promised to keep this matter a complete secret, is what lead me to speak so openly. I feel the need of making friends for my master. He may need them so much at any time.”

4 Tt ’s very good of you to speak that way about us, ’ ’ said Stephen, nodding. He shot a glance at Rodney. 4 4 But it ’s a little rough on you, old scout, to know that you’re exactly what you seem. Nothing mysterious about you, in spite of that pink disguise you’ve been putting on.”

4 4 Well, Mr. Simmons — ” began Rodney, completely ignoring Stephen’s flippancy, as was his custom.

But at this point something happened. Simmons suddenly looked round to the south, and then, without a word, quickly rose and hurried across the shingle to a near-by clump of pines.

44 Hello!” muttered Tom. 44 What in thunder — ”

The English servant had vanished. He seemed in fact to have glided across the beach and disappeared in the woods before any one of the three knew what had happened.

4 4 The original gumshoe man!” Stephen whispered. 4 4 Gee, but his nibs certainly can make tracks!”

4 ‘Perhaps there’s a reason/ ’ said Rodney. “Somebody’s coming.”

The other two followed Rodney’s glance and saw that a man was climbing over the rocks at the southern end of their little beach. He was a tall and awkwardlooking person. As he came nearer they discovered that he wore a scraggly reddish beard and that his clothes were almost ready to be handed over to a scarecrow.

“Howdy,” said the stranger. “It’s a nice night for a picnic. ’ ’

“It’s a real large night,” assented Stephen agreeably.

‘ ‘ That your boat out there f ’ ’

“Yes, that’s our boat.” And in return for the stranger’s question Stephen asked another. “Was it your motor we heard out on the water a little while ago?”

The man twisted his beard and eyed the three as if he were trying to make up his mind about them. He looked as if he had always lived on the water, almost as if he had lived in it, for his coat and trousers were discolored with brine. Before replying to Stephen’s question he took a short, stumpy black pipe from his pocket, filled it with tobacco and lighted it. “Yes, that 44 war my motor/ ’ he said. “I left her in the cove t’other side o’ the pint.”

“ Making yonr rounds of the lobster pots and fishnets, I suppose?” said Rodney.

“Not exactly, young feller. I do that ’round sunup, before you’re out o’ bed.”

As he vouchsafed nothing more about his present business the campers kept silent, wondering what he would do.

“Seen any folks about here?” The stranger looked out over the water, as if he asked the question more for the sake of friendly conversation than because he was in need of information.

None of the three answered.

“Well, it ain’t likely you would have. There don’t many people come to this here place. I heard tell in the village there was a smack seen off the island to-day.”

Still the campers kept their discreet silence.

“What time did you fellers land?”

“About five this afternoon, or a little later,” said Tom.

The stranger grunted. “ ’Tain’t likely you would have seen the smack then,” said he. “I guess she got away some time before sundown.” He smiled, in an 45 evident attempt to be friendly. 4 4 You ’ll be sailing away yourselves to-morrow morning most likely. Having a good time ? ’ ’

4 4 We can’t complain,” said Stephen. 44 A life on the rolling wave’s the life for me.”

The stranger grinned. 4 4 I’ve been on the water for forty odd year myself. Fishin ’s my business. Fishin ’ an’ lobsterin’. ’Most everyone in these here parts knows Ben Craddock. That’s my name. I live around to the village, Swannock’s Neck. Time was when there was quite some money in my business. I sold to the city markets. But lobsters ain’t what they used to be.” Sadly he shook his head. 4 4 No, siree, lobsters ain’t at all what they used to be.”

His remarks seemed to call for no answer. The three mates looked at the elderly fisherman, and Ben Craddock regarded them with melancholy eyes.

4 4 Well, I guess I’d better be getting on. I thought mebbe you’d seen some o’ the men from that smack. I’m a right curious feller. I always like to know what’s goin’ on. I was wonderin’ what the boat was doin’ here.” He looked along the shore to the north speculatively. 44 Seein’ I’m here, I guess I might as well take a stroll. So long, friends. Hope you enjoy yourselves.”

With that the fisherman stuck his pipe in his mouth and resumed his walk, soon hidden from view by the headland just beyond.

Nothing was said until he had disappeared. Then Stephen, hugging his knees in his hands, rocked back and forth. “Well, lads,” he said, “for a deserted island this place has got more people coming and going than any spot I ever saw. First those two fellows with the dory, then dog Caesar and Mr. Romaine and Simmons and Daniel, and now this queer old lobsterman Ben Craddock. It may be deserted all right, but it’s certainly not the sort of place you’d call lonely. ’ ’

“Craddock’s looking for something,” observed Tom, his eyes still on the point of rocks to the north.

“Now I wonder — ” said Rodney, in a brown study, staring at the particles of sand he was filtering through his fingers.

There was the soft thud of footsteps directly behind them. “Ah, young gentlemen, here I am again. You’ll pardon my taking French leave the way I did, but I was anxious not to be seen by a stranger. May I ask what you learned from him?”

It was Simmons again, Simmons come back from his hiding-place in the woods.

“It’s all right this time,” said Stephen. “But it’s getting dark, and if you keep up this habit of creeping along the beach without making a sound you’ll throw somebody into fits. ’ ’

“I beg your pardon,” the servant answered respectfully. “I’ll give a little cough next time to warn you of my coming.” He looked at Rodney. “May I repeat my inquiry as to what you learned from the redbearded stranger?”

“He’s a lobsterman by the name of Craddock, and lives at the village. He came out here in his motorboat to see what he could learn about the doings of that smack we saw off the island this afternoon. At least, that ’s what he said, ’ ’ concluded Rodney.

“Ah, that’s what he said !” echoed Simmons, his tone indicating his doubt of the truth of the lobsterman ’s words. “But if I may put the question, what affair is it of his what the ship was doing around here ? ’ ’

‘ i He said he was a curious chap, who always wanted to know what was going on, ’ ’ added Rodney.

“Aye, he’s curious ; I’ll not deny that. But what do you think of him yourself, young man ? ’ ’

Rodney shook his head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t look to me as if he was on the track of Mr. Romaine.” “Anybody may be on his track, sir. That’s what 48 makes it so difficult to guard him. I suspect everyone. That is, everyone except you three young men.”

“Well,” said Tom, “Craddock did look to me like a pretty nosey old party. What’s to hinder our seeing what he’s up to, if he is up to something? It’s pretty dark now. We can do a little spying as well as anyone else.”

“That suits me,” said Stephen, springing up. “Will you come along, Mr. Simmons?”

The Englishman nodded. “I like the idea. But I may as well tell you in advance that if we come upon anyone I shall take to hiding. This Craddock person knows you three are here, but he doesn’t know about me.”

“Sure. You can turn ghost any time you’ve a mind to,” Stephen assured him. “Fade away like the Cheshire Cat or turn into a tree. If we find Craddock doing anything he oughtn ’t to we three can handle him. Come along, lads.”