Polly caught a sympathetic glance from Mrs. Courtneys eye in the direction of the troubled host, then the guests accepted the inevitable and left the man to seek Elizabeth in every niche and corner of the vast resort.
As the group of guests from the White Crest got near to the wharf where they had left the yacht, they were astonished to see the craft gone. They looked at each other and then all around to reassure themselves that they were not dreaming. A young colored night watchman on the dock saw the wondering expressions on their faces and spoke up.
You-all a-lookin foh dat white yacht from Noo Yoork?
Yes, my boy; what can you tell us
about it? asked Mr. Ashby.
Why, not much; onny, bout a nour ago, long comes a fine pert missy wid a lot of swells, an dey gits on bohd. Den de skippeh what was lef to watch the boat, comes off afumin mad, an says hes goin to see bout dat! I heahs him say somefin not werry nice to free er four dudes lef on deck, but dey laffs and waves a han, so off he goes threatenin to get the boss on de job to onct! Fust ting I knows, the yacht up and sails away. I watches, cuz I got a stay on dis dock till mawnin and keep an eye on decency, an sure nuff, dat boat goes dancing off down coast. Lots of likker at a certain port dere, yuh see, and swells heah takes a trip down ebery onct in a while.
And you havent seen a sign of the yacht since then? demanded Mr. Ashby, red hectic spots suddenly coming to his cheeks as symbols of his ire at such high-handed treatment of his friend.
Beggin yur pawdon, suh, but I knows two of dem dudes, an I doubts if dey kin sail that yacht back straight to-night, if dey gets what dey sets out foh gittin. Fom all I heah said, dey went foh jus such a time.
At this disturbing information, Mr. Ashby joined the negro for a moment and at his advice, turned and said: Fabian, Im going back for Dalken, but what had you-all better do meantime? Mr. Ashby seemed anxious to meet his friend before he should come to the dock and learn the news from others.
We will wait here for orders. The yacht may come in while you are gone, and in that case we will try to straighten out matters, and see that Elizabeths friends get quickly out of the way of her fathers righteous indignation.
The moment Mr. Ashby left, Mrs. Courtney went over to the mulatto youth and spoke in a low voice. He replied in a tone too low to be heard by any one but the lady with him. Then she slipped him some money and returned to her own party.
I learned that no older woman was in the party with Elizabeth, but a young divorcee and the several men who seemed past forty. I had judged from Elizabeths uncompromising attitude to us in our disregard to little matters concerning dinner dress and social nothings, that she would have been most strict and careful in such a delicate situation as this which she has brought about.
Mr. Ashby had secured the names of the ports where those with enough money might secure liquor in spite of the dry laws, and it was his plan to hire the fastest car to be had and drive Dalken along the shore until they found the yacht and the runaways.
In telling the story to his friend, Mr. Ashby purposely shielded Elizabeth by making it appear that she was misled by her friends. But Mr. Dalken was not to be hoodwinked. He was an experienced man of the world, and he understood present-day flapperdom perfectly.
Why take an automobile when we might get a launch and go on their track? Im sure the launch would prove best, and it may be possible to find a large enough power launch to accommodate our party. Then we need not return to this hateful place. We can ship back the society cads in the launch and go on our way as planned. Mr. Dalken seemed to consider the case with more coolness and sense than his friend had done.
What about John and Anne and Tom? They expected to go ashore here, after getting their bags. And how about the crew?
John and Anne and Tom can leave us at Miami as well as at Palm Beach. As for the crew; the Captains orders were for every man to be on hand at the yacht at twelve. It is now past the time, and doubtless they will be waiting on the dock, explained Mr. Dalken, having looked at his watch and then slipped it back into his pocket.
As predicted, the crew were all at the dock, standing in small groups; the Captain stood with Mr. Fabian, wondering what would be the outcome of this escapade. Mr. Dalken seemed perfectly cool and self-possessed as he called to the Captain.
Get a craft at once large enough to take us all. You understand, Captain Blake, that price is nothing now!
The same negro youth, who had been the informer in the first place, now spoke up. I knows whar you-all kin hire a fine big gaserline launch my boss rents it out ebery day. I kin sen yuh dere.
Giving Captain Blake minute directions to find the boat which was not far off, the negro gladly pocketed another windfall of money from the owner of the White Crest.
In less than twenty minutes the launch came alongside the wharf and its owner stepped out. Its the quickest and safest boat in Florida. Manys the trip I takes to Havana during the season.