THE TREASURE OF THE 'ISABELLA' by G. H. Teed

Author:G. H. Teed
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Sexton Blake
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

"I Must Know the Truth!"

SEXTON BLAKE awoke to the realisation that someone was shaking him by the shoulder.

He opened his eyes to find the naked flame of a candle within six inches of his face, and then above that he recognised the gawky face of Fred Penberry. He sat up with a jerk, a sudden feeling of dread seizing upon him.

"What is it?" he asked sharply. "What’s wrong?"

"There be young woman to see ‘ee, maister."

"Young woman to see me! What time is it?"

"Past fowr o’ the clock, maister."

"Four o’clock in the morning and a young woman to see me! Is this some joke the young master has put you up to?"

"No, maister—the young maister not come home."

Blake landed on the floor with a bound. Getting into his slippers, he threw on his dressing-gown, gave his hair a quick brush, and, reaching for his cigarette-case, swung round to the boy.

"Where is this young woman?"

"Her be in the gairden, maister; her wudn’t come out the house."

"All right—I’ll go to her."

With that Blake took the candle from Fred, and, opening the door, made for the stairs. He set the candle on the table in the lower hall, and, opening the front door, stepped out into the misty night that was just on the verge of dawn. Standing at the edge of the porch, he peered about him. A wraith-like figure rose up at his side.

"You are Mr. Sexton Blake?" came the question in a voice which Blake knew at once for that of a young girl.

"Yes," he answered sharply. "Why do you wish to see me?"

"I have quite a lot to tell you. Mr. Blake, and it must not be overheard. May we talk in the summerhouse at the bottom of the garden?"

"Yes. But who are you?"

"My name is Madge Fenner, but that will mean nothing to you."

Blake didn’t tell her it meant a good deal, but jerked out another question.

"Is it something about the young fellow who has been staying here with me?"

"Yes."

Her tone was shaky, as if she were frightened by his abrupt manner.

"Is he in danger? Answer me the truth."

"I—I am afraid so."

"Then come."

With that he caught her by the arm and hurried her across the miniature lawn until he came to the path that led down to the garden. He needed no light to guide him, for he knew the way blindfolded. In the summer-house he felt his way to a seat and urged her into it.

"Now then," he said curtly, "let me hear what you have to say."

Madge Fenner began with her rescue from drowning by Tinker that morning. She explained that she had given him something to take care of for her, although she gave Blake no hint as to what it was. Then she went on frankly to explain how she had sent Tinker a note later in the day, asking him to meet her at the same little cove at ten o’clock that night. From that she gave a brief but fairly accurate description of what had taken place until Tinker had disappeared down the chimney.

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