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The hand of Death laid clammy fingers on us. Edith Metford's strength failed at last. It had been sorely tested. She sank into my arms. "Courage, true heart, our time has come," I whispered. "We start for the steamer at once. The horses are ready." My arrangements had been already made. My plan had been as carefully matured as any ever made by Brande himself. "How many horses?" "Three.
It was the practice of Metford's gang to select one of their number to care for all the horses on Sundays, while the others enjoyed the luxury of their one day of leisure. In consequence of this custom the room was still full of snoring sleepers, and the air was very close and foul. Dave sat down by the little table that fronted the open window and rested his head on his hands.
In the passion of the moment I forgot my manners to my host, and formed the resolution to denounce the Society to the police the moment I returned to London. Brande was not offended by my violence. There was not a trace of anger in his voice as he said: "Miss Metford's information was telepathically conveyed to my sister." "Then it was your sister " "My sister knows as little as the other.
"Well, I know how it is to be done. Natalie was restless last night you know that we share the same cabin and she raved a bit. I kept her in her berth by sheer force, but I allowed her to talk." This was serious. I drew my chair close to Miss Metford's and whispered, "For heaven's sake, speak low." Then I remembered Brande's power, and wrung my hands in helpless impotence. "You forget Brande.
Next day I found Natalie in a pleasant morning-room to which I was directed. She wore her most extreme and, in consequence, most exasperating rational costume. When I entered the room she pushed a chair towards me, in a way that suggested Miss Metford's worst manner, and lit a cigarette, for the express purpose, I felt, of annoying me. "I have come," I said somewhat shamefacedly, "to explain."
One table and wash basin had to serve for the eight lodgers; those who were impatient for their turn might omit their ablutions altogether or perform them in the horse-trough at the barn. All Metford's employees, with the exception of Dave, were foreigners, more or less inconversant with the English language.
Everything that was alive upon the island was in motion, and fear was the motor of them all. So far, we saw no natives. Their absence did not surprise me, for I had no time for thought. It was explained later. Edith Metford's pony soon became unmanageable in its fright.
The various scientific diagrams and instruments had been removed, and comfortable arm-chairs were arranged so that a free passage was available, not merely to each row, but to each chair. The place was full when I entered, and soon afterwards the door was closed and locked. Natalie Brande and Edith Metford were seated beside each other. An empty chair was on Miss Metford's right.
Metford's attitude toward his wife fluctuated from course humour to brutality, but there was left in the woman no spark of spirit to resist. With neither tongue nor eye did she make any response, and her shufflings back and forth were neither hastened nor delayed by the pleasure of her lord.
Miss Metford's fugitive attempts at conversation pending the commencement of the lecture were disagreeable to me. There was a little stir on the platform. The chairman, in a few words, announced Herbert Brande.
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