Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/301

Rh In answer I took her in my arms and, whispering my name, kissed her over and over again. Then, bidding her step quietly, I passed out into the starlight and led her after me. As we were about to make for the path by which I had descended, Beckenham stepped forward, and at the same instant the man with whom I had been wrestling gave a shout of alarm. In an instant there was the noise of scurrying feet and the shouting of orders.

"Make for the boats!" I cried at the top of my voice, and then, taking Phyllis by the hand, set off as quick as I could up the path, Beckenham assisting her on the other side. If I live to be a hundred I shall never forget that rush up the hill. Like rabbits we dashed in and out of trees and bushes, scratching ourselves and tearing our clothes, but conscious only of the necessity for speed. Before we were half way down the other side Phyllis's strength was quite exhausted, so I took her in my arms and carried her for the remainder of the distance. At last we reached the boats and jumped on board. The rest of the party were already there, and, the word being given, we prepared to row out to the yacht. But before we could push off a painful surprise was in store for us. Suddenly the Marquis cried, "Where is Mr. Wetherell?"

We looked round upon each other, and surely enough the old gentleman was not with us. At this Phyllis nearly gave way, and implored us to go back at once and find him. But having rescued her with so much difficulty, I did not wish to run any risk of her falling into her enemies' hands again, so selecting four volunteers from the party, I bade the rest pull the boat out to the yacht and give Miss Wetherell into the captain's charge, while we went ashore again in search of her father.