"I suppose not," said Davila. "But I'm glad I don't have to play the part." She hesitated a moment. "Elaine, I don't know how to thank you for my freedom----"
"Wait until you have it!" the other laughed. "Though there isn't a doubt of the check being paid."
"My grandfather, I know, will repay you with his entire fortune, but that will be little----"
Elaine stopped her further words by placing a hand over her mouth, and kissing her.
"That's quite enough, dear!" she said. "Take it that the reward is for my release, and that you were just tossed in for good measure--or, that it is a slight return for the pleasure of visiting you--or, that the money is a small circumstance to me--or, that it is a trifling sum to pay to be saved the embarrassment of proposing to Geoffrey, myself--or, take it any way you like, only, don't bother your pretty head an instant more about it. In the slang of the day: 'Forget it,' completely and utterly, as a favor to me if for no other reason."
"I'll promise to forget it--until we're free," agreed Davila.
"And, in the meantime, let us have a look around this old boat," said Elaine. "You're nearer the door, will you open it? Two can't pass in this room."
Davila tried the door--it refused to open.
"Oh, well! we will content ourselves with watching the Bay through the port hole, and when one wants to turn around the other can crawl up in her bunk. I'm going to write a book about this experience, some time.--I wonder what Geoffrey and Colin are doing?" she laughed--"running around like mad and stirring up the country, I reckon."
Macloud went to New York on the evening train. He carried Croyden's power of attorney with stock sufficient, when sold, to make up his share of the cash. He had provided for his own share by a wire to his brokers and his bank in Northumberland. A draft would be awaiting him. He would reduce both amounts to one thousand dollar bills and hurry back to Annapolis to meet Croyden.
But they counted not on the railroads,--or rather they did count on them, and they were disappointed. A freight was derailed just south of Hampton, tearing up the track for a hundred yards, and piling the right of way with wreckage of every description. Macloud's train was twelve hours late leaving Hampton. Then, to add additional ill luck, they ran into a wash out some fifty miles further on; with the result that they did not reach New York until after the markets were over and the banks had closed for the day.