The San Francisco call. [volume], February 24, 1907, Page 10, Image 10

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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THE BETRAYAL
CHAPTER XIII
A Bribe
I WHEELED round and peered
Into the darkness. "Lady Angela's
fingers dotched my arm. I could
feel that ehe was trembling vio
lently. It was Grooton whose figure
looxaed up almost Immediately before
vs — Grooton, bareheaded and breath
less.
"What is It?" I exclaimed quickly.
"I think, air. that you had better
return," ha panted-
He pointed over his shoulder toward
the "Brand," and I understood. In a
moment I was on my way tbither, run
ning as I bad not done elnce my col
lege days. I stumbled over antheaps
and more than once *I set my foot In a
rabbit-hole, but somehow I kept my
balance. As I n eared the cottage I
slackened my epeed and proceeded more
stealthily. I drew close to the window
and peered in. Grooton had been right,
Indeed, to fetch me. The Prince was
etondlng before my desk, with a bun
dle of papers In his hand. I threw
open the door and entered the room.
Swift though my movement had been,
a second's difficulty with tha catch had
given the Prince his opportunity. He
was back in his easy chair when I
entered, reclining there with half
closed eyes. He looked up at tne with
well simulated surprise,
"You are soon back. Mr. Ducaine," ha
remarked calmly. , '"Did yea forget
something?"
"I forgot." I answered, struggling to
recever my breath, "to lock up my
desk."
"An admirable .precaution." ha ad
mitted, watching as I gathered my
papers together, "especially if one has
valuables. It is an exposed spot, this,
and very lonely."
"I am curious," I saJd. leaning
sca'.nst the table and facing him; "I
em curious to know which of my poor
possessions can posisbly be of interest
or of value to the Prince of Malors."
The calm hauteur of his answering
•\u25a0tare -was excellently done. I had a
glimpse now of the aristocrat.
"You speak In enigmas, young man,**
he said. "Kindly be more explicit."
"My language can ecarcely be more
enigmatic than your actions," I an
swered. "I was fool enough to trust
you. and I left you here alone. But
you were not unobserved. Prince. My
servant. I am thankful to say. Is faith
ful. It was he who summoned me
bark."
"Indeed!" he murmured.
•'I might add." I continued, "that I
took the liberty ef looking In through
t r,» side window there before entering."
"If it amused you- to do so, or to set
your servant to spy upon me." he said,
"I sea no reason to object. But your
meaning Is etlll unexplained.**
"The onus of explanation," I de
clared, "appears to me to rest with you.
Prince., I offered the hospitality of my
room presumably to a gentleman — not
to a person who would seize that «£
portunity to examine my private,
papers."
"You speak with assurance, Mr. Du
caine." •
"The assurance of knowledge," I an
swered. "I caw you at my desk from
ouifSde."
"You should consult an occullst," he
declared. "I have not left' this chair.
My foot Is still too painful.".
"You lie well, Prince," I answered,
"but not well enough."
He looked at me thoughtfully.
"T am endeavoring," he said, "to ac
commodate myself to the customs of
this wonderful country of yours. In
France one sends one's seconds. What
do you do here to a man who calls you
a liar?"
'"We treat Mm." I answered hotly,
"as the man deserves to be treated who
nbuses the hospitality of a stranger,
end places himself in the position of a
common thief."
The Prince shrugged his shoulders
lightly, and helped himself to one of
my cigarettes.
'You are v«ry yoong, Mr. Ducaine,"
ha said, looking at me thoughtfully.
"You hava no doubt your career to
! make in the world. So, in a greater
; isense of the word, have L I propose,
if you will allow me, to be quite frank
with you."
"I have no wish for your confidences,
I Prince." I answered. "They cannot
1 possibly concern or Interest me."
"Do not be too sure of that," lie
, said. "Like all young men of your
age. you Jump too readily at conclu
sions. It is very possible that you and
I may be of service to one another, and
:I may add that those who have been of
; service to the Prince of Malors have
! seldom had cause to regret it."
1 *Thl« conversation," I interposed,
I "seems to me to be beside the point.
|I have no desire to be o< service to
I you. My inclinations are rather the
i other way."
"The matter may become more clear
to you If you will only curb your Im
patience, my young friend," the Prince
said. "It is only my ambition to serve
fny country, to command the gratitude
of a nation which today regards both "
ma and mine with mingled doubt and
suspicion. I have ' ambitions, and I
should be an easy and generous master
I to nerve."
I "I em honored with your confidence,
Prince, but I etill fall to see how these
matters concern me," I said, setting
my teeth hard.
"With your permission I will make
It quite clear." ha continued. "For
years your War Office has suffered
from constant dread of an Invasion by
France. The rumors of our great pro
• jected maneuvers in the autumn hays
{inspired your statesmen with an al-
I most paralyzing fear. They sea' in
'these merely an excuse for marshaling
'and equipping an irresistible army
j within etriklng distance of your em
pire. Personally I believe that they
- axe entirely mistaken In their estimate
'of my country's intentions. That, how
iever, is beside the mark. You follow
1 mer
"Perfectly," I assured him. "This is
. most Interesting, although as yet' tt
': seems to ma equally irrelevant."
> "Your War Office." tha Prince con-
Jtlnued, " has established a secret coun
cil of defense, whose only task It Is
to plan the successful resistance to
that invasion, if ever it should take
place. You. Mr. Ducaine. are, I be
lieve, practically the secretary of that
council. You have to elaborate the,di
gests of the meetings, : to file scheme*
;for the establishment of fortification*
]and camps; In a word, the/result of
(these meetings passes through your
'hands. I will not beat about tha bush,
Mr. Ducaine, You can sea that you
have something- in your keeping which,
if passed on to tne, would accomplish
my whole aim. The" «nny would -: be
i forced to acknowledge my claim upon
;them; the nation would hear of it"
, "Weli," I asked, "«uppoElnr all you
Bay Is true? What then?"
•Tou are a little obtuse, Mr. Dn
'caJne,** the Prince said softly.' "lT
'twenty thousand pounds would quicken
( your understanding — — **
(I picked up a small Inkpot from the
side of .the /table and hurl ad it at him,
He sprang aside, but It caught the cor*
j ncr of his forehead and 'he grave ; N a
{shrill cry of pain.; He struck a; fierce
\u25a0 : ' \u25a0 '' T* "\u25a0' '\u25a0 . '
blow at me, which I parried, and a mo
ment later we were lockeflj in one an
other's arms. I think that we must
have been of equal strength, for we
swayed up end down the room, neither
gaining the advantage, till I felt my
breath come short and my head dizzy.
Nevertheless I was slowly gaining the
masters*. My grasp upon his throat
was tightening. I had hoia of his col
lar and tie, and I could have strangled
him with a .turu^ of •my wrist. ; Just
then the door opened. There was a
quick exclamation of horrified- surprise
in a familiar tone. I threw him from
me to the ground and turned my head.
It was Lady Angela who stood upon the
threshold.
:
CHAPTER XIV
A Relnctant Apoioftry
LADY ANGELA looked at us both;
In cold surprise.
"Mr. Ducalne!, 'Prince!" she ex
claimed, vwhat is the meaning
of this extraordinary exhibition?" y.,\i
The Prince, whose sangfroid was
marvelous, rose to his feet and began
to wipe his forehead with a spotless
cambric handkerchief.
"My dear Lady Angela." he said, "I
am most distressed that you should
have been a witness of this — extraordi
nary incident. I have been trying to
adapt myself to the methods of your
country, but, alas! I cannot say that
I am enamored of them. Here, \lt
seems, that gentlemen who differ must
behave like dustmen. Will you pardon
me if I turn my back to you for a mo
ment? I see a small mirror, and 1 am
convinced that my tie and collar need
readjustment."
• "But why quarrel at all?" she ex
claimed. "Mr. Ducaine," she added,
turning coolly to me, "I trust you have
remembered that the Prince is my
father's guest",
X was speechless, but the Prince him
self intervened.
"The blame, if any," he declared,
"was mine. ' Mr. Ducaine appeared to
misunderstand me from the first. I
believe that his little ebullition arose
altogether from too great seal on be- 1
half of his employers. I congratulate
him upon it, while I am bound to
deprecate his extreme measures."
"And you, Mr. Ducaine." she asked,
turning toward me, "what have you to
say?"
"Nothing," I declared, stung by her
tone and manner as much as by his
coolness, "except that I found the
Prince of Malors meddling with my
private papers, and subsequently I in
terrupted him in the offer of a bribe."
The Prince smoothed his necktie,
which he had really tied very wjell, ,
complacently.
"The personal belongings of Mr. Du
caine," he said calmly, "are without
interest to me. I fancy that the Prince
of Malors can ignore any suggestions
to the contrary. As for the bribe, Mr.
Ducaine talks folly. I am not aware
that he ""has anything to sell," and .1
decline to \ believe him a blackmailer.
I prefer to look upon him as a singu
larly hot-headed and not ; overlntelll-v
gent person, who takes very long
jumps at conclusions. Lady. Angela, ; I
find my foot very much better. . May.'
I have the'- pleasure of escorting you
to the. house?" '.". #
I, held my tongue, knowing very well
that the Prince played his part solely
that 1 might bf entrapped into speech. "
But Lady. Angela seemed puzzled at my
silence. - She looked at me for a imo
ment inquiringly out of her soft black
eyes. I - made no sign." She turned
away to the Prince.
"»f you are sure that you can walk
without pain," ehe said. "We will not •
trouble you, Mr. Ducaine," she added,
as I moved to open the door.
So they left me alone, and I was not
sure whether the honors remained with
him or with me. He had never f6r a
moment lost his dignity, nor had he
even looked ridiculous when calmly re
arranging his tie and collar. I laughed
to myself bitterly as I prepared to fol
low them. I was determined to lay
the whole matter before the Duke at
once.
As I reached the terrace I saw a man
walking up and down, smoking a pipe.
He 'stood at the top of tha steps and
waited for me. It waß Colonel Ray.
He took me by the arm.
"I have been waiting for you, Du
caine," he said. "I was afraid that I
might miss you, or I should have come
down." -
"I am on my way to the Duke," I
said, "and my business is urgent."
"So is mine," he aald grimly. "I want
to know exactly what has passed be
tween you and the Prince of Malors." %
"I am not at all sure. Colonel Ray,"
I answered, "that I am at liberty to tell
you. At any rate, I think that I ought
to «cc the Duke first."
His face darkened, his eyes seemed
to flash threatening fires upon me. He
was cmokinar so furiously that little, .
hot shreds of tobacco fell from his
Pipe. -.
"Boy," he exclaimed, "there are
limita even to my forbearance. You
are where you are at my suggestion,
and I could as easily send you adrift.
I do not say. this as a threat, but I
desire to be treated with common con
sideration. Is it well to treat me like
an enemy?"
"Whether you. are indeed my friend
or my enemy I am not even now cure,"
SJ answered. "I am learning to be sus
picious of every person and thing
which breathes. ' But as for tbls
matter between the Prince and myself,
it can make little difference who, knows;
the truth. He shammed a fall over the
cliff and a sprained ankle. Lady An
gela and I started for the house to
send a cart for him; but before we were
half way- across- the park Grooton
"fetched me back. I . found the Prince
examining the papers on : which I had
been working, and when I. charged him
with it ha offered me a bribe."
Jvsy £rros.iicOl. - \u25a0\u25a0 . * \u25a0
"You struck him! And you had him:
in your power — to play with as you*
would. "And you'struck him! Oh, Du
caine, you are very, very young. . I, am
your friend, boy, or rather I would be \u25a0
If you- would let me.. But .1 am afraid
that you are a blunderer.", - -
I faced him with white" face.
"I seem, to .have faund my, way into
a strange place," I answered. • "I % have
neither wit/ .nor* cunning ;, enough to '
know true' men '\u25a0 from™ false.%^ I ~ would;!
trust, you. but': you are a \u25a0.murderer.,"^. I?
would have trusted the' Prince -of ,
Malors, but he has ,j proved "> himself : :- a
common adventurer. So I < have I made
up my mind that air shall be ; alike, Xl*
will be neither 'friend nor \ foe /to'any
; mortal, but true -to \u25a0 .my, country.' I go'
my way and do my duty," Colonel Ray."
He blew out dense volumes of smoke,
puffing furiously at his pipe for. several
\u25a0 minutes. ..; There seemed 7 to *be % many
things which he had it in his mind to
. «ay to me. . But, as though suddenly :
aUeriuff his purpose, he ' stood on one
.;.. •?\u25a0:. ,-; / •;-.\u25a0;\u25a0; ,:-...\u25a0,,./.;; .- ; -.\u25a0.;\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 \u25a0
f*You shall feo your own Way," he said
. grimly. "The Lord oaly knows where
\u25a0 it will take you.---.' ;•:/;/;;\u25a0/: ::: "..;.'•,;-;'->:•
'It took ma in the first place to ; th'e .
Duke,* to whom I recounted briefly what
"MB DCCAISEI . PEINCEI WHAT IS THE MEAXINQ OF • THIS EXTRAORDINARX EXHIBITION:"
had happened. I could see that my
story at once made a deep Impression
upon him. When I had finished he sat
for several minutes deep in thought.'
For the fl^rst time " since 1 1 had known
him he seemed nervous and 111 at ease.
He was unusually pale, andjthere were
deep lines engraven about his mouth.
One hand was resting upon the table,
and I fancied that his fingers were
shaking.:.-. . .:-'.\u25a0.\u25a0;- '- "'-'.''_: '.:,
/ "The, Prlnce ; of Malors," .he', said at
last,, and his .voice lacked altogether its
usual ring/ of cool; assurance, "Is; of
royal blood. ' He is not even'ln touch :
with the V political" powers "of France
today. He may have been guilty of a
moment's idle ; curiosity-—" ; : ,
"Your Grace must forgive me,": l ' in-!
terrupted, ; "but you * are - overlooking "
facts. . The ; fall over, the ; cliff was . pre- v ;
meditated,; 1 the sprained .foot r wa.t a ?
sham, the whole affair; was • clearly^
plan ned in; order that : fte might be left ;
alone in my room. Besides, there is the
bribe.'V \u25a0•;-:-. J :j',;V' '- •*\u25a0•;_" .; 1 ; ,.: /...:; -
The' Duke .folded his hands. nervously
together. He looked away from me into
the 'fire. '', \ : - :.: •', , '.'.-; \u25a0- \u0084: V ; :\u25a0\u25a0;.
"It is a very difficult ' position," he
declared, 'Hery . dlfflcult, indeed. The
Prince has been more than a friend to
Blenavon. He has been his benefactor.
Of course he -will', deny: this thing with
contempt. Let me . think it out, Du-'
came."
"By all means, your Grace," •T : an
swered, a little nettled at his undecided
air. "So far as. I am concerned, ; my
duty in the matter ends here. I have
told you the exact truth concerning 1 , It,
and it seems to me , by . no I means' Im
probable that the Prince has been- in
some way responsible for those ' former
leakages." 3
The Duke shook his head slowly.
. "It is Impossible." he said. ,
"Your Grace is the best Judge," I an
swered. . \u25a0 '->;; -' .:J;' ' •'; ..;..,\u25a0. - ;;•, .. ,
"The Prince was not In the house last
night when the safe wa3> opened," he
objected. - "
"He probably has accomplices," I an
swered. " "Besides, how do we know
that he was not here?" \u25a0'. '. *
"Even If he were," the Duke said,
raising his head; "how could he have
known tne cipher?'.'^ „
.1 made no answer at all. It seemed
useless to argue with a man who had
evidently made up his mind not to be
convinced. "- j '\u25a0.,:, •
"Have you mentioned this" matter to
any one?" the Duke asked.
"To Colonel Ray only, your Grace," I
answered. • \u0084-•*•• : + ; : - .";--- : -. .
"Ray!" The Duke was silent for a
moment. He was looking steadily Into
the fire. "You told Ray what you have
told..me?"v: ' \u25a0\u25a0 * ' - . \u25a0..'.\u25a0' \u25a0
"In substance, yes, your . Grace. In
detail perhaps, not so fully." - :>: >
"And he?" * .
"He did .not doubt my story, your
Grace,? I said quietly." - ,
The Duke; frowned across at me.
"Neither do'li Ducaine," he declared.
"It is nota"questJon;of veracity at; all. 1 "
It'is a^ question of ; construction. You
are young, and these' things; are all
new to you. The '; Prince ' might ; have
been trying, you. 'V. or/' something which
you did not hear, or „' have "forgotten
might throw a different-light upon his
actions and suggestion. I beg 'that-you
will leave the' matter entirely InL my
handfl." . ; \u25a0 . ,
I abandoned the subject then : and .
there. ; But '&a I -'left ;tho room I came
face to face : with ? Blenavon; -who ;,was
loitering ' outside. : ; He at:, once i de
tained me. His manner ?; since.; the*
morning "had, altered."; He 'addressed
me ; now; : with hesitation, almost , with
respect. :-, -'\ ; : \ -:\;v :.}~.-: :^: .\u25a0_\u25a0\u25a0:''/\u25a0 --\u25a0\u25a0"' \u25a0\u25a0 '
"Can you . spare me a -few minutes,
Mr. Ducaine?" he; asked. "1 wlll^not
detain you 10ng." ',.-•
" i"I i> am ; at ; your ; service, Lord " Blen
avon," J I ; answered.
."We will; go into the, hall and' have
a Bmoke." : ; he ! suggested. -.leading j- the
way. ;_ "To me It : seems' the only 4 place
in the", house free • from draughts."./
' . / 1 followed , him;,to\where, in a 1 dark
corrierlof /the -great idome-ehaped :hall
a cushioned lounge*. was set: against; the'
wall.*; He seated himself j and' motioned
me to ;, follow .i his .; example. 1 .; i '. sev
eral moments vhe /remained V.jellent,
twisting >*; cigarettel with; thin nervous
fingers .. stained y yellow.%with \u25a0- nicotine.
Every! now s and*.thend *. then f heV? glanced ] f ur-j.
tlvely 'around.; > I? waited?: for v him' to
speak. : He was Lady {Angela's brother,"
but I ; disliked* and ; distrusted':hlm. /
- . He finally 1 got;? his >,' cigarette lighted
and* turned to me.-; •r •: '•'""y ':\u25a0
"Mr. Ducaine," ; he;sald.4"; I want! you
to " apologize "to ; my v friend,*'! the'^ Prince
of Malors, \u25a0; for ' your behaviour ( this ; af j -
ternoon."*^;--";:.. 1 \u25a0.\u25a0';..;:'/.:"" ://',: : . '"- - : \u25a0'
"Apologize to the,^ Prince T* rl;<exclalmed.,4!*Why,'should:l?*;:cr I;<ex
clalmed.,4!*Why,'should:l?*;:c i "
i- > "Because *thls llm rtheYonly t condition
on which : he will consent -. to \u25a0\u25a0- remain
here.".: •„ /,:"-,";'''"*':-\u25a0;..;;'\u25a0 '<"\u25a0\u25a0 l£ '>';'\u25a0.'\u25a0\u25a0:\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0:\u25a0..;:\u25a0,-\u25a0'
"I; should have thought," I said, "that
. •.'•/;'\u25a0 ." "\u25a0 • ' \u25a0\u25a0'-...-,..•;.• \u25a0.\u25a0;.- \u25a0 ..• : :• - - ;.' -. \u25a0, \u25a0,;
E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
his immediate departure was Inevitable.
I; detected him- in behavior—" !
1 1 "That is ; Just -whore you are wrong,"
Blenavon 'interrupted; eagerly. , "You
ar<si*nistaken,» entirely mistaken." -/
"•IT; laughed,;: a* little impolitely, , I am
afraid, 'i considering that this was \ the
•son of my employer. 'V - ; " .
"You" know; the circumstances?'' I
asked.'VL* :>' \u25a0>..'\u25a0 -\u25a0 .. . ' '. •\u25a0"\u25a0 .A \u25a0"/ : :
\u25a0' : >Ie nodded.; .'.[:"\u25a0\u25a0 \u25a0'.. •'\u25a0 ~'< \u25a0\u25a0•:'•' " 'J*
' "The Prince has explained^them "to
me. ;, It ; : waa* altogether: a %;xnisunder
s'tandlng. ; ;He. felt his H foot' a. little;
easier, and he was simply looking for ;
a A or-, something;; to i read
uhtilTyour, returned. 4 he
turned, over '- some; of [your
and f at;'that (moment- you entered." : - ').
.-' "Most/ inopportunely,, I > am ~ afraid," (
I answered.v wlth(an^unwilHng,*smlle-^
: cannot^sv<?cept'''thls^'ixp)anatidn:-of ; tha -j
! Pfince'svbehaviof.- jSlram * compelled B to ;;
.take" the" "evidence of ; my 'eyes and 'ears •;\u25a0
as .final." '_.\u25a0';;-"-\u25a0 ' - "\u25a0'.'' \u25a0\u25a0
Blenavon sucked at his cigarette i
fiercely for : , a; minute,* threw \lt - away, -
and commenced; to .roll another.: ,-. /,
"It's all rot!" he exclaimed. t'^Malora
wouldn't ;do^a ;me&n v action, ; and,; be-.
sides, what oh earth: has : f lie to ffain?
He Is a; fanatical Royalist He; is not
even on speaking terms k with the Gov
ernment, of France "today." . ,
"I perceive." I remarked.; looking at.
him closely, "that you are familiar with
the nature of my secretarial work."
He'returned myglance, and It seemed^'
to mef that there; was -some hidden |
meaning 1 in his eyes which I failed to •
catch.'.V, ; \u25a0 \u25a0; ' ."-;. - . '\u25a0>\u25a0 ':\u25a0, "\u25a0"
«"I aim in my father's confidence,", he '
said slowly. ; ,. '.; ;'. \ '-i
There. was a moment's silence. I Vts
listeriingr to a distant voice in toe lower
part }of the hall. .:\u25a0:, . .
/"Am I to take It, Mr. Ducaine, then,"
he said t at last, "that you decline to
apologise, to the"Prlnce?"
'1 : have nothing to apologize for 1 ," .1 •
answered calmly. ."The Prlnca was at- *
tempting to obtain information in an
illicit manner by the perusal of papers
whUJi were in my > charge." ' • .
, Blenavon rose slowly to his feet -His
eyes were fixed- upon the .opposite cor- ;
ncr of the hall. Lady Angela, who had I
juat descended ' the i stairs, was standing j
there, pale and unsubstantial ;as -a
shadow, and It seemed to me that her I
eye 3, as' she looked across at me,' were :
full. v of trouble.' '.She came slowly .to
ward us. Blenavon laid his hand upon \u25a0
her, arm. j \u0084-..:.,,,.\u25a0 ,\ -i -j -\u0084.'.' ..,\u25a0":.- "*,
, "Angela," he' said, "Mr. Ducaine will
not accept my' word.' ;I : can • make no
impression upon him. . Perhaps , he" will
the more readily ' believe " your*.": •
."Lady Angela will* not ask ; me to
disbelieve the .evidence of my : own/
senses," I saidj confidently. "' - ;' ; r, \u25a0
'She. stood between \u25a0us.-'! I was. aware :
from the first of something ; unfamiliar >
In her manner." something .of "which* a I
glimmering had appeared ; on our way
home through ;the; wood.. : *>; V "'-•
' "It is about;Malors.VAngela,"-he : con-.*
itinued. , "You i, were : there. ri; You^knbw;j
all , that happened./ ; "Malors ;-. is ; very i
reasonable about it.' , He \u25a0 admits": that >
his actions may have seemedsusplcious."
lie will accept \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 an apology from .; Mr.;
.Ducaine,' and remain." '-.*.'
She turned^ tO;me^-. :' -
. .:-. "And you?'.*.! she* asked. . '• :; .-\u25a0',' '\u25a0'\u25a0'.- '.
"The, idea of .'an: apology. -j I answered,.:
to^ me i r •\u25a0 My c own;;
ipoor little possessions iwere/ wholly,) at?
: his • disposal, jf 1 8 caught*.- hi m,r, however,":-;
in: the act of /meddling, with papers:
.which are'mine only on trust." : . ; V •'\u25a0
>' \u25a0 Lady : Angela' 'played^ for.:a 'moment
with the . dainty !\u25a0 trifles :, which hung ' ;
from . her 1 bracelet. ;; When . she spoked
she did n o f look , at ; me. ' \u25a0-.\u25a0•.;' ' . ; .'. : \u25a0" : ; ,
'.'The '; Prince's explanation," she » said. ;
"Is "plausible," and he Ms our) guests
think perhaps ltwouldAbe'iWlsest^to";
"give him the ;. benefit '> of 1 the doubt" /
/"Doubt!" --V exciaimed,'J -bewildered.
"There is no 'room" for i doubt ; in'{ the
.-matter." L§ : - ..-*'.', \ .-,,''".
• :Then she- raised lier eyes. to mme iand-
\u25a0 I saw . t her e n ew ; thin gs." iI . saw;. there '
i trouble and appeal, and -behind,both" the"
shadow. of mystery.* .. .\u25a0'"' \u25a0: .'"•: .'".- -'\u25a0-'- \u25a0;\u25a0- "\u25a0"-, .-;
' **Have you spoken to my 'father?" she .
'asked.; - • . \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 ;>\u25a0• ;,. > \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 .: \v ;.- : -.. \u25a0
" "Yes,**, 1 answered..- \u25a0 -^Jz \u25a0'.'--'.{. -\ ; .
, . : "Did : he accept* your »,vle w 7". : -.
\u25a0;; £ ? .,**He : dld : not,",^l answered* blttei'ly. **I '
could not ; convince ', him" of (what I caw/
.:':'. > : -s;- \u25a0~ : -'-"\
V'You have done your duty ,\ then," r sha;
I softly.v;"Why;hot!let'theirest:go?|
,Aa you ;toldu«| just jno^thlsflstnot'a^
I personal : matter, and there are reasons >'
iwhy^hetdld- not wish^ the^ Prince to"
; leave suddenly.", *' <' '-.' > • ". »
' I was staggeVei'^liheldimyj peace,
and ' the two stood watching t m«^ Then ;
;I ; heard footsteps V approachlngr ; -\u25a0.- us, i
and a familiar voice.
;,' . "What ; j trio f of I conspirators"! l» ; this I
: talking i so - earnestly I In i. the \u25a0 shadows? »
'Ah!",;.,-'. -;\u25a0 ? .;;,;>•;\u25a0.--;, -j, "'. '\u25a0•?:'.'.--;: ..(j i;:~\ >',.\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0'.
;Th.a Prince had seen 1 me, and 5 he stood •'
.- : ;. \u25a0. -;•\u25a0•\u25a0.->\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0:\u25a0 -..,•-.\u25a0.'. \u25a0• \u25a0;.' .!.-•-.-- - : :' •\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0-"...-..•\u25a0'•.-.\u25a0\u25a0.\u25a0.:.,•,::,\u25a0 \u25a0
still.. I faced him at once.
I "Prince," 1 said, "It has been sug
gested to me that my eyesight Is proi>- ;
ably defective. 7 It is possible in that
case that I have nqts seen, you before
today, that ' tha things V with which : t
charge you are false, and that in all'
probability, you were In^ some other
place altogether. If this Is so, I apolo
gize for my remarks and behavior to
ward you." \ .
lie \u25a0'\u25a0 bowed with a faint mirthless
Bmlle. \u25a0.;\u25a0 /\u25a0 :;;-;"'.,\u25a0_,:\u25a0'.-;\u25a0.\u25a0: X-.i:fr-l
; "It is finished,^ my. young friend.T he
declared. : .fl wipe it froni my memory."
::;It I seemed ; that - 1 could \u25a0 hear Blena
von's 1 sigh of ; : relief, ; that , the shadow
: had ri fallen.; from Lady* Angela's face. *
There was a little murmur of sat isfac-*,
tlon- from both; of , them.*;. But I - turned r j
1 abruptly,, and wltb • acarcely, even . an Ta t« *s'
'tempt at it conventional farewell "I" left';
= tha house and walked ;across_ the^park. : \u25a0
- CHAPTERS XV .V;. :';
"•--- : ; ; ; Ttr« Fair Caller* ~^/
m l w \" FTER threVdays the house party "
: /. V' at Rowchester was* somewhat
/''"'. V unexpectedly broken up. '? Lord
* Cheleford departed early/ one
morning by special \u25a0train,, and the Duke
himself and the remainder of his guests
left for-London later on ln.the day. I
remained behind -wltli ':\ three ; weeks*
work, I and a j fear .which never | left me
by day . or by night. ,>Yet the relief of
solitude after- the mysteries of the last
few, days was in itself -a thing to be
thankful; for.-. \u25a0 /" ,
- For nine tdays I" spoke with |no one
save Grooton. ;, For an- hour every after-;'
noon, and for ..rather longer at. nlght,*l>
walked on the cliffs or the sands. Here
on these lonely stretches of -empty . land •
I met no one, saw, no, living 1 -, thine -save •
the neasrulls. It .was ? almost like * a
corner . of some forgotten land. Theso (
wa',ks. : and an occasional, few hours'
'reading, were my. sole 'recreation.
lit was late In the afternoon when I
•aw a shadow , pass |ray 'window, and
Immediately » afterward- there" was, a. !
timid \u25a0 knock ; at the, , door. ,' Grooton
had gone >*on' : his V dally y; pilgrimage
with letters to;the" village, so I -was :
Obliged jto open it <myself. To my sur
prise it was Blanche Moyat who stood
vpon the threshold. She laughed a little
:nervoualy.' 'i--\ I.- '-"'C;-'* v;' » ., 'f.\ ''. *'>:•'; ' ' » *i
"I'm no ghost. Mr. Ducaine," she said.
•,"and I shan't, bite'."
•xt {'Forgive inc.". 111 1 answered. -"I ..was
1 hard at work and your knock startled
me.,:: Please .:' come ; In.? I > ''
: - . i'; ushered ; her \ Into . my sitting-room.
She was wearing what T recognized as
her best clothes, and not being: entirely
at. her ease ; she . talked loudly and
!rapldly.V..;v'^ .s-.;'A "/'/\u25a0':;..;.-,•:•\u25a0 ;-\u25a0-. \u25a0}?„ ;"
; ; "Such a] stranger: as you are, Mr. Du
. calne.'-.'.she exclaimed.; " "'Fancy, it's get
lting, on for a month; since we any. of ,us i
saw, a i sign j of Tyou^' and "I'm" sure j never ;
a week f used Vto I pass' but .' f ather'd Ibe
looking;, f or/ you; to^drop ' in. • . We ' heard .
> that 1 you: were . living. here all :. by ybur-
r self. > and ;» this ;' morjtwig- -" mother said. .;
• perhaps he's ill. • We tried to get father
'to.jcome ; |up "r and 1 i see. sbut ; he's s off to
< Downham ; market • today, and \u25a0 goodness
; knows ?when he'd find 'time ;if we' left, it
.to him. v So I ; thought I'd come and find
out for myself." .••'\u25a0", |^^@^|^S^^
."I ., am.iquite well.:.i thanks, ,-Mlas \u25a0
J Moyat," •:; I 'answered, "but;, very .busy.
* The s -.Duke ; has /.b'ee'K i giving me some
(work ;to )do,i and he ihas v lent me ; this ,
cottage," so. that I shall beclose at hand.'
:IVshould j have; looked I you -up the : first
time I came 'to. Braster,' but as a'matter
»of ."fact 1 1 1 have ; hot sbeen* there since the I
l nighV of •: my, = lecture." ;: vv-;- \u25a0
< v She "was • nervously playing with ' the
' fastening p* of S; her "and ,it
I seemed- to' me^that | her. silence ,was pur- 1
jposefulo ;i;ventvred some remark about:
' the U, which & she/ interrupted J
\ruthleßßly.'l::.Z;\u25a0;\u25a0;'\u25a0\ ruthleBBly.'l::.Z; \u25a0;\u25a0;'\u25a0 T" ;;\u25a0:': ~;:^i:--- ;';-;; ';-;^ v - y :
\u25a0r .'lt's >. mile and a half toour house.
from here," she said; "not a step farther/!
il^dou'tj sea: why, s you Shouldn't; have^
. made fa purpose; journey.";i- : *'.\ ;*; * ,'l\
i''si I ' Ignored ' the I reproach i 1 n her eyes,
'as]l:hadvevery4rightito^do.iißut^l-bei,
* gan i to| understand ttße; -reason? of h^r ;
' nervousness and ,her.best clothes/and I
prayed 4 for iGrootonVreturnT.'V .
v, \u25a0 \u25a0' .'lf I hadl had an evening to myself," j
11;1 1 ; said,' J'l * should V certainly j have >* paid
' your!: father, a.;ylslt.v; But ; as • it;- happens,
j the Duke has required ; me at the *house ,
\ everyihight I while he ; was 'here,", and \u25a0 he"
I;- has] left: mci enough .work , to do. ; to : keep"
: me rbusy/night ; end; day;; till f> he comes .
% back.V-fi:" -i :^'-r'TS : '^v^^«^,^ '.*. : ' '"'. '\u25a0 *
iQi She ; looked : down upon ; the floor. '
\u25a0^1 had to coma and see you," she said
/toft'low tone. ;l"Sometimes I can't sleep ;
for thinking* of it. -I feel that I haven't.
;:'done';rU'ht.":^ : *v-'-7 ,'vt-^^./- '\u25a0' -\u0084 j~':'i-i ; " : \u0084:
'I knew, of "course, 1 what; she meant. J
: v i"l :* thought we^ had talked {all-, that :
r ; out „: long >; ago,'^ Ii; ftnawered,% T a ,
:",wearny.ii v**You i,would) have. k'been iyery I
Vfdolish! if <youlhad" acted I 'differently; I
don't see how else you could 'have
acted."' . .
j **Oh, I don't, know,- she said. "We
were; always up very - particu
lar-^—especially about telling' the truth."
"Well; you haven't said anything that
wasn't the truth.". I: reminded her.
"OH? I don't know. L I haven't said
what I ought to say,".she declared. • "It
seems all right when you are with me,
and talk about it." she continued slow
ly, raising her eyes to mine. "It's when
I don't see you for weeks, and weeks
that it- seems to get on my mind, and I
get afraid. , I don't understand it, I
don't. understand it -even now.**.- .
"Don't understand what?" I repeated.
'She looked around- v He** ai*" o^ trou- •
bled mystery was only half assumed.
- "How that man died !" she whispered.
"I can assure you that I did not kill
him, if that is what you mean," I told
her coolly. "The matter is over and
done.- with. - I think that you' are very
foolish to give.it another thought!**
She 'shuddered.
."Men can forget those things easier,**
she said. '"Perhaps he had a wife and
children. 'Perhaps they are wondering ]
all this time what has become of him."
"People die away from their homes
and; families every day; every hour," I
answered. "It is only morbid to brood
over one particular example.".
«* "Father would ne.ver forgive ma if
he knew." she murmured. Irrelevantly.
"He hates to have us do anything ua- .
derhand.". ...
I heard Grooton return with a slsh of
relief. - *, r \u25a0'.\u25a0 ''.:-\u25a0'
. ."You -.Trill have some tea?" I sug
gested. ; .
She shook her head and stood up. I v
did! not press her. "'
, "No. I won't," she said. "I am sorry
I came, r don't understand you. Mryf
Ducaine. You seem .to have changed
altogether just these laat few.weeks. I
can see that you are dying to get rid
of me now, but you were glad enough'
to see me. or at any rate you pretended
to be, once."
My breath was a little taken away.
I looked at her in surprise. H«r cheeks
were flushed, -her voice had shaken -
with something more like anger than
any form of pathos. I was at a loss ;
how to answer her. .and while I hesi
tated the interruption which I had. been »
praying for came.' though from a
strange quarter^; My door was pushed
a few Inches o^pen and I heard Lady
Angela's clear young voice.
. "Are you there, Mr. Ducatne? May I
come in?" :
I Before I could answer she stood upon
the threshold. I saw the delightful lit
tle smile fade from. her lips as she
looked in. She hesitated, and seemed .
for a moment about to retreat. -
"Please come in, Lady Angela,", I
begged, eagerly. ;
She came slowly forward.
"I must apologize for'my abominable
country manners." she said, resting tha
tips of her fingers for a moment In
mine. ;"isaw your door was not latch
ed, and it never occurred to ma to
knock." ; ->'.— i ;=vi*:\
"It was not, necessary," I assured her.
"A front; door, which does not boast a
knocker or bell must expect to.be taken
liberties with. ",\ But it Is a great sur
prise Ho sco : you here. I had no Idea 1
that ' any one was at Rowcbestar, or -
•"expected * there. ; except Lord Blenavon. -
Hasthe Duke returnedr*- ; - -
She shook; her head.; ,
;• . VI came idown * alone," she answered.
"I* found \u25a0\u25a0 iSJiidonS'dulL \u25a0 | Let me* s«e.*trr?
am sure" that l?khow your faca, do I .
notr* she added.- turning to Blanche
Moyat - with Ja . smile. "You \u25a0 liva in
Braster, -surely?"-'' *"*"' - - \u25a0\u25a0.•-:\u25a0..;. -"'-
II am Miss Moyat," Blanche answered
quietly.
"Of course. De^r me! 1^ ought to
have recognized, you. have been
neighbors for a good many years."
"I will wish you good afternoon, Mr.
Ducaine,". Blanche said, turning to me.
"Good ; afternoon— your Ladyship," she
added a little awkwardly. —
I opened the door for her.
,'T will come down and see your
father the first evening, I, have to
spare," I said. : *T hope you will tell
him from me that I should havo been
before, but for the luxury of having
some work. to do." •
"'" ' *'I will tell him," she said almost ln
audibly. \u2666
"And thank you very much for com
ing to inquire after me," I added. "Good
(afternoon( af ternoon. * \u25a0\u25a0/
. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ducaine."
'I. closed thf door. I^ady Angela was
lounging in my easy chair a slight
smile upon her lips. '\u25a0.-"
"Two lady callers in ono~afternoon,
Mr. Ducaine," she remarked quietly.
"You will lose jour head, I am afraid."
"1 can assure -you. Lady Angela," I
answered, "that there Is not tha slight
est fear of such a catastrophe.'* .
She sat looking meditatively Into the
fire, swinging her dogskin' gloves in
her hands. She. wore a plain pearl gray »
walking dress and deerstalker hat with
a single quill in It. Tha severe but im
maculate simplicity , of her toilette
might have been designed to accentuate
the barbarities * of ' \u25a0 Blanche > Moyat's .
cheap ; finery. -
"I ; understood . that , you would '\u25a0 ba in
town for at least three weeks." I re
marked. "I trust that his Graca is
we.ll.''."^ - .. -
."I trust that he Is." she answered.
"I see nothing of him : In London. Ha
has company meetings and political
work every moment of his time.. I do
not believe, that there is any ona who
works harder." . :
- "He* has." at least." I remarked, "the
compensation of success." : \u25a0 ' \u25a0
: "You;are wondering.M suppose.'* sha
said, \u25a0 looking : up at : ; me : quickly, **what •
has brought me back again so soon."
'T certainly did not expect you," I
admitted. ; ; • \
She rose abruptly. , '
..."Come outside," she Bald, "and I will
. show I you. i Bring your hat."
"We passed Into; the -March. twilight.
She-led the way, do wni the .cliff and to- .
> ward ; the ; great , silent , stretch of salt
marshes.^ .An evening wind, sharp wjth:
brine, .was blowing in : - from \ the ocean,
stlrring^the, surface of the; long creeks
Jnto silent; ripples.Yandj bending land
ward the t thin: streaks;of, white smoke
rising "among 'the' red-tiled roofs" 0$
the .village. { I felt ' the delicate sting of
; itliipon ;my cheeks. . Lady,, Angela half
-her. eyes as she .turned her face
seaward. .^
"I rame for this." she murmured.
,'tThere' is^ nothing like it -anywhere":.
. else.7 - - - • \u0084 '
We'stood there in silence'' for several
i long Jminutes.'v*. Then sha turned to me
with a little sigli. -- BSStSSSSS
"•'l ami content." : she! said. "Will you
opme ; iup and '"> dina '.with^ us ; tonight T' .
Blenavon will be there,*: you know."
"il hesitated., •;" "^ " :^ ' -'".-'* \u25a0
*~j'l am- afraid it Jis Tather a bother to
;you- to ', leave your : .work,'*rahe" contln-7
: ued, '."but Vl? am ;not' : offering you Idle -
• hospitality. I really? want . ,, you .to
. "In. that case," I answered;. "of course
I shaU be dellghted.'^^Ov^ » •
* \u0084" Shis' pointed ' to" Braster Qrange away
on;the'other.slde" of the.vUlage. 'I no- ,
ticed - for ; the first time .that* it was all
•lit up.,;" -U \ " ;.:; .:X r -w 9X~'\ - : -m
: .". VHava '3 you heard ;,- anything":- of our ;
: new neighbors?^* she. asked. \u0084.* 1
\u25a0 \u25a0••'Only « their s nameal"i' l -answered. "I :
• did i not 7 ; know; that ; they • had ar
jrived." -"\u25a0 ;v'.*.' "; \u25a0\u0084 -.\u25a0». •
." - '.'There is only a woman, I believe,"*
'->\u25a0'\u25a0' v : "\u25a0•. ', • --\u25a0 r - '\u25a0 \u25a0' . -: r "•\u25a0\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0.-'\u25a0:"-'
The San Francisco Sunday Call, jf
she said. "I have, met her 'abroad, and I
dislike her—greatly. I hear that my
brother spends most "of his time with
her. arjd that he has dined th<*r<» th»
last three nights. It Is not safp or
wise of him, for rnanv reasons. I want
to stop It. , That 13 Why I have asfeed
you to.com© to us.'*
"It la quite sufficient," I told her. "If
you want me for any reason I will
come. - I am two days ahead of my
work." ' •
"We threaded our way araons tha
creeks. All ..the time the salt wind
blew upon ns, and the. smell of fre3h
seaweed seemed to f! 11 the air with
ozone. Just as we came in sight of
the road we heard the thunder of hoofa
behind. We turned around. It was
Blenavoo, riding side by side with a
lady who was. a stranger to me. Her
figure was slim, but elegant, i caught,
& glimpse of her face as they flashs*
by, and it puzzled rr.<?. Her hair watt
almost straw, colored, her complexion
was negative, her features were cer
tainly not good. Yet there was some
thing about her attractive, something
which set; me guessing at once an to
the color of her. eyes, tlm quality of
her voice If she- should speak.- Blen
avon reined in his horse.
"So you have turned up. Angela," he
remarked, looking: at her a little nerv
ously. "You remember Mrs. Smith-
Lessing. don't you-r-tlown at Bordi
ghera, - you know.™
Angela shook her head, but she nevsr
glanced toward th* woman who sat
there with, expectant smile.
"I am afraid that I do not." she said.
"I remember a "good many things sboth
Bordlghera. but — not Mrs. Sn»ith-Les-
Vlnsr. I Shall see you at dinner \u25a0time.
Blenavon. I have some messages for
I caw the. whip come down upon th»
woman's horse, but I did not dare to
look Into her face. Blenavon. with a
smothered oath and a black look at hi*
sister, galloped after her. I rejoined!
Lady Angela, who was already i:i tins
"Dear me" she said, "what a mag
nificent nerve that woman* must have!
To dare to imagine that I should m,
celve her! Why. sha is known in every
capital in Europe — a poli*-i> .«j>y, p,
creature -whose brains and body and
soul are to be bought by any one's
gold.**
"What on earth can such a woman
want here 7* I remarked.
"In hiding, very likely.* Lady Angela
remarked. "Or j><»rhap3 she may be an
additional complication for you." ..*}
I laughed a little sSt.'ornfuily. V^^w
"You. too. are getting suspicious." V
declared. -The Princo and Mrs. Smlth-
Lesslng are a strong eombinntiun "\u25a0
"Be careful then* that they are not
too strong for you." she answered,
smiling. "I have heard a famous boast
of Mrs. Smith-Lessins'a that never a.
man nor a lock has yet resisted her "
I thought of her face as I had seen
it In the half light-Va faint impression
of delicate colorlesAiess, and tor tha
life of me I could not help a IlttU
shiver. Lady Angela looked at me in
surprise.
"Are you coldt* she asked. "Let U3
walk more quickly."
, "It Is always cold at this tima In
the. evening." I remarked. "It is the
\u25a0 mist coming up from the marshes. One
feels it at unexpected moments.'*
, "I am not going to tak© you any
farther.'* she declared, "especially as
jyou-aro* coming up .taniarht. Eight
0 clock.-? remember." Cp an<f*i*4T* your
conscience with some work." i
; I protested, but she was Arm. So I
stood by the sate and watched her
slim young figure disappear in tha
gathering; shadows. • -
\ CHAPTER XVI
Lady Ansel*** Ensazemeat
1 DINED that night at Rowchester.
Lord Blenavon was sulky, and
Lady Angela was only fitfully gay.
It was not altogether a cheerful
party, j Lady Angela left us the mo
ment' Blenavon produced h!s ctgaretla
case. i
"Do not stay too long, Mr. Ducaiir^
she said, as I held the door open for
her. \ "I want a lesson at billiards."
I bowed and returned to my seat.
Blenavon was leaning back In his seat.
smoking thoughtfully.
"My sister," he remarked. looking up
at -the celling and speaking as- though
to himself, "would make an admirable
heroine for the psychological novelist.
She is a bundle of fancies; one can
never rely upon what she Is going to
do. What other strl In the world would
get engaged on the Thursday, and coma
down here on the Friday to think It
over— leaving; of course, her flanca in
town? Doesn't that strike you as
singular?"
*'Is It," I asked calmly, *•« renulne
caser*
Lord Blenavon nodded.
;"I do not think that: l£ 1, a a <tcTat."
he said helping himself to wine
and passing the decanter. "Sha
has. made cp her mind at last
to -marry Mostyn Ray. Tha af
fair has been banging about for mor»
than a year. In fact. I think that
there was something said about it be
fore "Ray \u25a0 went* abroad. Personally.
1 think that, ha Is too old. X don't
mind saying so to you, because that
has been my opinion all along. How
ever, I suppose it is all settled now."
I kept my eyes fixed upon the wine
glass in ' front of me, but tlia things
which I saw no four walla had ever
inclosed. One . moment the - rush of
the sea was in my ears, another I was
lying upon the littla horsehair couch
in my sitting- room. I felt her "soft
white fingers upon my pulse and fore
head. Again I saw her leaning down
from the . saddle of her great brown
horse and heard her voice, slow, emo
tionless, yet always with Its atranga. ,
; power to play upon my heartstrings.
And yet, while the gray seas of de*J
spair were closing over my head. I
• sat there with a stereotyped smile upon
my lips, fingering carelessly the stem
of my wineglass, unwilling guest "of
an unwilling host. ' I do not know
' how. long we sat there in- silence, but
It seemed to mean eternity, for- all tha
time I knew that Blenavon was watch-
Ing me. - I felt like a victim upon the
rack, while he. the executioner, held
the cords. I do not think, however,
that he learned anything- from my face.
\u25a0 With a tittle shrug of the shoulders
he abandoned th« subject.
"By the by. Ducaine." ha ; aald. "I
hope you, won't mlnrt my asking you a
rather personal Question." . ..' \u25a0
\\lt ilt is only , personal."! I aaawered
] quietly, "not at all. As you.jtnow. T
may not discuss any subject connected
with. my work."
; **Qulte ' sol I only want to know
'whether iyour secretarial duties -.begin
and. end; with your work on the Coun
cil of. Defense or are you at all in my
father's confidence as regards his pri
vate \u25a0 affairs T'
"l am temporary secretary of tha
Council of -Defense only. Lord Blena
von." I answered. '-? "I - know not^Tcs
.whatever of : your father's, prtvatiAaf
talrs. Ha has .his own man of"btbi
'ness." '; .. ".
_ I' am '•: not sure , whether he, believed
'me.'-' "H** cracked some waliiuts and
: commenced peeling . theetn. .
(To be continued.)
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