The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings | Page 7

send it on shore. It went about an hour ago."
I waited to hear no more. Rushing to my cabin, I began flinging my
things pell-mell into my portmanteau. I was full of apprehension at this
sudden move of Dr. Fietta's. Calling a steward who was passing to help
me, I got my things on deck, and in a few moments had them in a boat
and was making rapidly for the shore. I drove back at once to the Grand
Hotel in the Strada Reale.
"Did the gentleman who came here to-day from, the Hydaspes,
accompanied by a little boy, engage rooms for the night?" I asked of
the proprietor in the bureau at the top of the stairs.
"No, sir," answered the man; "they breakfasted here, but did not return.
I think they said they were going to the gardens of San Antonio."
For a minute or two I paced the hall in uncontrollable excitement. I was
completely at a loss what step to take next. Then suddenly an idea
struck me. I hurried down the steps and made my way to Cook's office.
"A gentleman of that description took two tickets for Naples by the
Spartivento, a Rupertino boat, two hours ago," said the clerk, in answer
to my inquiries. "She has started by now," he continued, glancing up at
the clock.
"To Naples?" I cried. A sickening fear seized me. The very name of the
hated place struck me like a poisoned weapon.
"Is it too late to catch her?" I cried.

"Yes, sir, she has gone."
"Then what is the quickest route by which I can reach Naples?"
"You can go by the Gingra, a P. & 0. boat, to-night to Brindisi, and
then overland. That is the quickest way now."
I at once took my passage and left the office. There was not the least
doubt what had occurred. Dr. Fietta had missed his syringe, and in
consequence had immediately altered his plans. He was now taking the
lad to the very fountain-head of the Brotherhood, where other means if
necessary would be employed to put an end to his life.
It was nine o'clock in the evening, three days later, when, from the
window of the railway carriage, I caught my first glimpse of the glow
on the summit of Vesuvius. During the journey I had decided on my
line of action. Leaving my luggage in the cloak-room I entered a
carriage and began to visit hotel after hotel. For a long time I had no
success. It was past eleven o'clock that night when, weary and
heart-sick, I drew up at the Hotel Londres. I went to the concierge with
my usual question, expecting the invariable reply, but a glow of relief
swept over me when the man said:
"Dr. Fietta is out, sir, but the young man is in. He is in bed Ñ will you
call to-morrow? What name shall I say?"
"I shall stay here," I answered; "let me have a room at once, and have
my bag taken to it. What is the number of Lord Kairn's room?"
"Number forty-six. But he will be asleep, sir; you cannot see him now."
I made no answer, but going quickly upstairs, I found the boy's room. I
knocked; there was no reply, I turned the handle and entered. All was
dark. Striking a match I looked round. In a white bed at the farther end
lay the child. I went up and bent softly over him. He was lying with one
hand beneath his cheek. He looked worn and tired, and now and then
moaned as if in trouble. When I touched him lightly on the shoulder he
started up and opened his eyes. A dazed expression of surprise swept

over his face; then with an eager cry he stretched out both his hands
and clasped one of mine.
"I am so glad to see you," he said. "Dr. Fietta told me you were angry
Ñ that I had offended you. I very nearly cried when I missed you that
morning at Malta, and Dr. Fietta said I should never see you any more.
I don't like him Ñ I am afraid of him. Have you come to take me
home?" As he spoke he glanced eagerly round in the direction of the
door, clutching my hand still tighter as he did so.
"Yes, I shall take you home, Cecil. I have come for the purpose," I
answered; "but are you quite well?"
"That's just it; I am not. I have awful dreams at night. Oh, I am so glad
you have come back and you are not angry. Did you say you were
really going to take me home?"
"To-morrow, if you like."
"Please do. I am Ñ stoop down, I