The Masked Robber and his Gang

3. THE MASKED ROBBER AND HIS GANG-2

“I can assure you, Mr. Hastings, that there is no possibility that your brother, whose actions and behavior were known to you until two years ago, could have any connection with this man. The Masked Robber is a Frenchman, or rather, he was a Frenchman, and his marauding days ended several years ago. According to legend, the Masked Robber was a nobleman who was expelled from his country due to misconduct. He came to the colony and made a living from theft. His nephew, the Count De Moreaux, followed him here and killed him.”

It appears as if Hastings has completely regained his self-control and accepted the explanation.

“And this Count De Moreaux,” he asks casually, “is he still in the Cape?”

“Oh yes,” Captain Wycliffe responds. “He is a man of stature and one of the governor’s closest friends. He is engaged to a young Cape woman who,” and Captain Wycliffe smiles apologetically in Sylvia’s direction, “as I understand, is a stunningly beautiful girl. Apparently, he plans to settle permanently in the Cape.”

“But, Captain Wycliffe,” Marcus D’Southy interrupts again, “if this robber was killed so long ago, why did you connect him to my appointment in the Cape just now?”

Captain Wycliffe shrugs and refills their glasses.

“As I have already told you, Captain D’Southy, one cannot place much value on all the stories surrounding the so-called Masked Robber. However, there was recently some discontent among the farmers and then a black-clad rider suddenly appeared at night and made himself the champion of the oppressed farmers who were being punished. The captain of the garrison was then a certain Otto Mehrens. He was famous for being unbeatable, but he had to leave the Cape with his tail between his legs because one man made a fool out of him, and he appeared inexperienced. Of course, this man was the black-clad rider. Immediately, the people of the Cape Town lowlands began to recall the Masked Robber who had dressed in the same manner in the past.

In any case, Mehrens, with the help of a certain young man, Percival Philip, a nephew of the well-known Dr. Philip who was also here in the Cape at the time, tried to catch this night hawk. However, they failed. Philip was killed and Mehrens was dismissed. Since then, the Masked Robber has not appeared again. Most rational people believe that some young farmer simply revived the legend to instill courage in the farmers. After achieving their goal, he then abandoned his tricks.”

“Well,” says Marcus D’Southy, after taking a sip of wine, “we will surely hear enough of this kind of story in the Cape.”

“But I find it fascinating!” exclaims Sylvia. “And I am eager to know more. How did this legend actually originate?”

The three men turn to laugh, and although Edward Hastings still seems slightly uncomfortable, it appears that he also wants to hear more about this mysterious rider.

“Miss D’Southy,” the captain begins, “I have already told you several times that I do not know much about the matter. The Masked Robber gained notoriety as a bush robber, but many people said that he only stole from the rich and government officials and generously distributed his loot to the poor and oppressed. It is actually because of this that the whole legend originated and people still talk about him. Whether he can really be considered a hero or was just a common thief, I do not know.”

“It sounds romantic,” sighs Sylvia and looks apologetically at Edward Hastings. However, she cannot suppress her curiosity and asks the captain to tell her more.

The conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door. A moment later, the first mate enters and salutes Captain Wycliffe.

“Jennings?” asks Wycliffe.

“The wind is getting stronger, Captain. I think we can expect a storm.”

Wycliffe does not immediately respond. Then he waves his hand.

“Thank you, Jennings,” he says, and as soon as the first mate has left, he turns to his guests. “We will be in Table Bay in an hour or so. As I have already told you, it was my plan to visit the Castle tomorrow, but I wonder if I should not proceed tonight instead.”

His three passengers look at him perplexed. Hastings is the first to understand the captain’s intention.

“You mean to say that you want to disembark us tonight and take advantage of this wind to reach Cape Point as soon as possible?”

“Exactly. It is not necessary for me to go into Cape Town. Moreover, if I drop anchor in Table Bay tonight and the storm breaks out, I will be in trouble, especially since the wind is coming from the north.”

“But that poses no problem,” Marcus D’Southy interjects. “As long as you just drop us ashore, it will suit us just fine.”

The captain thanks him for his compliance and continues.

“Then I advise you to prepare a meal immediately to go ashore.” He stands up. “If you will excuse me, I will just give orders to that effect. Once I come back, we can start the meal.”

Around ten o’clock at night, the three passengers stand by the bulwark. The captain extends his hand and greets the two young men. He then gallantly bends over the young lady’s hand. He hands a package to Captain D’Southy.

“I would be pleased if you could deliver this package to the governor. There are some letters in it, as well as the usual reports we prepare regarding passing ships and other matters.”

They promise to do so, and after thanking him again for his kindness during the journey, they prepare to leave the ship.

The sea is already much rougher than in the afternoon, and they are carefully helped by the first mate and a few of the crew to climb off the ladder and into the boat that moves up and down alongside the ship. A moment later, everyone is safely inside, and the sailors push the small boat away from the ship’s side.

Sylvia and Marcus sit next to each other with their faces turned towards the land. She reaches out her hand to him, and he holds it tightly in his. Since childhood, she had been accustomed to relying on him for everything, and he had accepted it as his duty to protect her. Before them, they can already see a few house lights of the Cape, and both are filled with the excited anticipation of approaching an unknown destination.

The sailors rowed vigorously, and the rolling waves propelled the boat swiftly forward. A quarter of an hour later, they felt the boat rise higher and, judging from the surrounding sounds, realized they had already reached the shore. The night was pitch black and even the outlines of the mountains could not be distinguished. Moments later, they saw the dark shapes of boats ahead of them, and the boat scraped against a wooden quay. The sailors jumped up and grasped the sides of the quay to keep the boat still. The three passengers disembarked, and their luggage was unloaded. The helmsman, Jennings, asked if he could be of further assistance, but it was clear he was eager to return to the ship.

“I doubt that it is necessary, Jennings,” replied D’Southy politely. “We are already truly grateful for your help.”

“That is very kind of you, Captain,” said Jennings relieved and then continued. “I suggest you walk up to the quay. It will take you to a street that leads to an inn. It is there at the first lights you see. You will find someone there to help you with your luggage.”

They thanked him again, and the next moment, the three travelers stood alone in the dark night. Behind them, they could hear the oars of the boat groaning. In front of them was the Cape, almost completely shrouded in darkness.

“Well,” said Mehrens, “one of us will have to stay here to watch the luggage. I suggest Sylvia and I go ahead, and you can wait here for now.”

“A good plan, but I do not think it will be necessary.” There was a sudden hardness in Edward Hastings’ voice. Brother and sister both turned around in surprise and then looked with shocked at the gun in Hastings’ hand. They were close enough to each other to see it clearly.

With an exclamation, Sylvia moved closer to her brother and instinctively reached out to take his hand. Marcus had already stepped forward to place himself between Edward and Sylvia.

“Stay where you are!” Hastings barked. Any hint of civility and friendliness had now disappeared from his voice.

Totally stunned, they froze in their tracks. Then Marcus D’Southy laughed.

“Edward,” he said lightly, “if you are trying to play a joke...”

He hesitated. He wanted to talk to Hastings because he still could not understand how this man, who had been with them on the ship for two months, could suddenly change like this. They knew nothing of Hastings’ past except what he had told them himself, but the man had so far behaved like a true gentleman. What made his words falter on his lips, however, was the sudden movement of the gun in the direction of Sylvia. He now realized that Hastings was serious and that he would use Sylvia to keep him, Marcus, under control.

“I am not joking,” Hastings’ voice is now calm, but there is a chilliness in it that makes the girl shudder. She gets the impression of a cold-blooded snake that has trapped its prey...

“I am not planning on wasting my time here on the pier either. You both will simply have to listen to me, and I warn you that the slightest hint of resistance will send you to eternity. Turn your back, D’Southy.” The command is curt and brooks no delay.

In the darkness, the red glow of anger and helplessness on Marcus D’Southy’s face cannot be seen. However, he tries to control his temper because he knows that resisting now will not benefit him. He shrugs and turns around.

“I am going to remove the gun that you have in your pocket,” Hastings says behind him, “and I warn you that mine is aimed at your sister.”

He steps forward and pulls the weapon out of D’Southy’s pocket. A moment later, the water splashes as it hits the sea.

“And now, walk in front of me,” Hastings commands. “As soon as we come into the light, I will walk alongside your sister with my gun in my pocket, and I warn you not to attempt to escape. You also do not speak a word to each other. Walk now.”

Marcus D’Southy hesitates for a moment, but then he stretches out his hand to Sylvia resignedly.

“Let go of her and stay away from each other. You both walk at least two paces apart!”

D’Southy shrugs his shoulders again. Then he starts walking.

Edward Hastings remains a pace or two behind them, and the three of them walk quickly. After they turn the first street corner, they see the sign of the Old Coast Inn.