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Dell</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 9pt;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Lamp in the Desert, by Ethel M. Dell</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Lamp in the Desert</p> +<p>Author: Ethel M. Dell</p> +<p>Release Date: October 16, 2004 [eBook #13763]<br> +Most recently updated: July 28, 2011</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAMP IN THE DESERT***</p> +<br><br><h3>E-text prepared by Audrey Longhurst, Gregory Smith,<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<h1>The Lamp in the Desert</h1> +<br /><br /> +<b><u><i>By Ethel M. Dell</i></u></b> + +<br /><br /> +The Way of an Eagle<br /> +The Knave of Diamonds<br /> +The Rocks of Valpré<br /> +The Swindler, and Other Stories<br /> +The Keeper of the Door<br /> +The Bars of Iron<br /> +The Hundredth Chance<br /> +The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories<br /> +Greatheart<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> + +<center> +<img src='images/frontispiece.jpg' width='400' height='583' alt='' title=''> +</center> +<h5>He knelt beside her, his arms comfortingly around her.</h5> + +<h5>Drawn by D.C. Hutchinson <i>Chapter V</i>.</h5> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>The Lamp in the Desert</h1> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h2>Ethel M. Dell</h2> + +<center>Author of <i>The Way of an Eagle</i>, <i>The Hundredth Chance</i>, etc.</center> + +<br /><br /> +<br> + +<center>1919</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + +<center>I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO</center> + +<center>MY DEARLY-LOVED</center> + +<center>ELIZABETH</center> + +<center>AND TO THE MEMORY OF HER GREAT GOODNESS</center> + +<center>WHEN SHE WALKED IN THE</center> +<center>DESERT WITH ME</center> +<br /><br /> +<center><i>"He led them all the night through with a light of fire."</i></center> + +<center>PSALM lxxviii, 14</center> + + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>Lamps that gleam in the city,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Lamps that flare on the wall,<br /></span> +<span>Lamps that shine on the ways of men,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Kindled by men are all.<br /></span> +</div><div class='stanza'> +<span>But the desert of burnt-out ashes,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Which only the lost have trod,<br /></span> +<span>Dark and barren and flowerless,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Is lit by the Hand of God.<br /></span> +</div><div class='stanza'> +<span>To lighten the outer darkness,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>To hasten the halting feet,<br /></span> +<span>He lifts a lamp in the desert<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Like the lamps of men in the street.<br /></span> +</div><div class='stanza'> +<span>Only the wanderers know it,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>The lost with those who mourn,<br /></span> +<span>That lamp in the desert darkness,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And the joy that comes in the dawn.<br /></span> +</div><div class='stanza'> +<span>That the lost may come into safety,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And the mourners may cease to doubt,<br /></span> +<span>The Lamp of God will be shining still<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>When the lamps of men go out.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> +<a href='#PART_I'><b>PART I</b></a><br /> +<br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_I'><b>I.—BEGGAR'S CHOICE</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_II'><b>II.—THE PRISONER AT THE BAR</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_III'><b>III.—THE TRIUMPH</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_IV'><b>IV.—THE BRIDE</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_V'><b>V.—THE DREAM</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_VI'><b>VI.—THE GARDEN</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VII.—THE SERPENT IN THE GARDEN</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_1_CHAPTER_VIII'><b>VIII.—THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE</b></a><br /> +<br /> + + <a href='#PART_II'><b>PART II</b></a><br /> +<br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_I'><b>I.—THE MINISTERING ANGEL</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_II'><b>II.—THE RETURN</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_III'><b>III.—THE BARREN SOIL</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_IV'><b>IV.—THE SUMMONS</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_V'><b>V.—THE MORNING</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_VI'><b>VI.—THE NIGHT-WATCH</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VII.—SERVICE RENDERED</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_VIII'><b>VIII.—THE TRUCE</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_IX'><b>IX.—THE OASIS</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_2_CHAPTER_X'><b>X.—THE SURRENDER</b></a><br /> +<br /> + + <a href='#PART_III'><b>PART III</b></a><br /> +<br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_I'><b>I.—BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_II'><b>II.—EVIL TIDINGS</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_III'><b>III.—THE BEAST OF PREY</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_IV'><b>IV.—THE FLAMING SWORD</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_V'><b>V.—TESSA</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_VI'><b>VI.—THE ARRIVAL</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VII.—FALSE PRETENCES</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_3_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VIII.—THE WRATH OF THE GODS</b></a><br /> +<br /> + + <a href='#PART_IV'><b>PART IV</b></a><br /> +<br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_I'><b>I.—DEVIL'S DICE</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_II'><b>II.—OUT OF THE DARKNESS</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_III'><b>III.—PRINCESS BLUEBELL</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_IV'><b>IV.—THE SERPENT IN THE DESERT</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_V'><b>V.—THE WOMAN'S WAY</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_VI'><b>VI.—THE SURPRISE PARTY</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VII.—RUSTAM KARIN</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_VIII'><b>VIII.—PETER</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_IX'><b>IX.—THE CONSUMING FIRE</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_4_CHAPTER_X'><b>X.—THE DESERT PLACE</b></a><br /> +<br /> + + <a href='#PART_V'><b>PART V</b></a><br /> +<br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_I'><b>I.—GREATER THAN DEATH</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_II'><b>II.—THE LAMP</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_III'><b>III.—TESSA'S MOTHER</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_IV'><b>IV.—THE BROAD ROAD</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_V'><b>V.—THE DARK NIGHT</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_VI'><b>VI.—THE FIRST GLIMMER</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_VII'><b>VII.—THE FIRST VICTIM</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_VIII'><b>VIII.—THE FIERY VORTEX</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_IX'><b>IX.—THE DESERT OF ASHES</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_X'><b>X.—THE ANGEL</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_XI'><b>XI.—THE DAWN</b></a><br /> + <a href='#P_5_CHAPTER_XII'><b>XII.—THE BLUE JAY</b></a><br /> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='PART_I'></a><h2>PART I</h2> + +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_I'></a><h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h3>BEGGAR'S CHOICE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>A great roar of British voices pierced the jewelled curtain of the +Indian night. A toast with musical honours was being drunk in the +sweltering dining-room of the officers' mess. The enthusiastic hubbub +spread far, for every door and window was flung wide. Though the season +was yet in its infancy, the heat was intense. Markestan had the +reputation in the Indian Army for being one of the hottest corners in +the Empire in more senses than one, and Kurrumpore, the military centre, +had not been chosen for any especial advantages of climate. So few +indeed did it possess in the eyes of Europeans that none ever went there +save those whom an inexorable fate compelled. The rickety, wooden +bungalows scattered about the cantonment were temporary lodgings, not +abiding-places. The women of the community, like migratory birds, dwelt +in them for barely four months in the year, flitting with the coming of +the pitiless heat to Bhulwana, their little paradise in the Hills. But +that was a twenty-four hours' journey away, and the men had to be +content with an occasional week's leave from the depths of their +inferno, unless, as Tommy Denvers put it, they were lucky enough to go +sick, in which case their sojourn in paradise was prolonged, much to the +delight of the angels.</p> + +<p>But on that hot night the annual flitting of the angels had not yet come +to pass, and notwithstanding the heat the last dance of the season was +to take place at the Club House. The occasion was an exceptional one, as +the jovial sounds that issued from the officers' mess-house testified. +Round after round of cheers followed the noisy toast, filling the night +with the merry uproar that echoed far and wide. A confusion of voices +succeeded these; and then by degrees the babel died down, and a single +voice made itself heard. It spoke with easy fluency to the evident +appreciation of its listeners, and when it ceased there came another +hearty cheer. Then with jokes and careless laughter the little company +of British officers began to disperse. They came forth in lounging +groups on to the steps of the mess-house, the foremost of them—Tommy +Denvers—holding the arm of his captain, who suffered the familiarity as +he suffered most things, with the utmost indifference. None but Tommy +ever attempted to get on familiar terms with Everard Monck. He was +essentially a man who stood alone. But the slim, fair-haired young +subaltern worshipped him openly and with reason. For Monck it was who, +grimly resolute, had pulled him through the worst illness he had ever +known, accomplishing by sheer force of will what Ralston, the doctor, +had failed to accomplish by any other means. And in consequence and for +all time the youngest subaltern in the mess had become Monck's devoted +adherent.</p> + +<p>They stood together for a moment at the top of the steps while Monck, +his dark, lean face wholly unresponsive and inscrutable, took out a +cigar. The night was a wonderland of deep spaces and glittering stars. +Somewhere far away a native <i>tom-tom</i> throbbed like the beating of a +fevered pulse, quickening spasmodically at intervals and then dying away +again into mere monotony. The air was scentless, still, and heavy.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be deuced warm," said Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Have a smoke?" said Monck, proffering his case.</p> + +<p>The boy smiled with swift gratification. "Oh, thanks awfully! But it's a +shame to hurry over a good cigar, and I promised Stella to go straight +back."</p> + +<p>"A promise is a promise," said Monck. "Have it later!" He added rather +curtly, "I'm going your way myself."</p> + +<p>"Good!" said Tommy heartily. "But aren't you going to show at the Club +House? Aren't you going to dance?"</p> + +<p>Monck tossed down his lighted match and set his heel on it. "I'm keeping +my dancing for to-morrow," he said. "The best man always has more than +enough of that."</p> + +<p>Tommy made a gloomy sound that was like a groan and began to descend the +steps by his side. They walked several paces along the dim road in +silence; then quite suddenly he burst into impulsive speech.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what it is, Monck!"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't," said Monck.</p> + +<p>Tommy checked abruptly, looking at him oddly, uncertainly. "How do you +know what I was going to say?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I don't," said Monck.</p> + +<p>"I believe you do," said Tommy, unconvinced.</p> + +<p>Monck blew forth a cloud of smoke and laughed in his brief, rather +grudging way. "You're getting quite clever for a child of your age," he +observed. "But don't overdo it, my son! Don't get precocious!"</p> + +<p>Tommy's hand grasped his arm confidentially. "Monck, if I don't speak +out to someone, I shall bust! Surely you don't mind my speaking out to +you!"</p> + +<p>"Not if there's anything to be gained by it," said Monck.</p> + +<p>He ignored the friendly, persuasive hand on his arm, but yet in some +fashion Tommy knew that it was not unwelcome. He kept it there as he +made reply.</p> + +<p>"There isn't. Only, you know, old chap, it does a fellow good to +unburden himself. And I'm bothered to death about this business."</p> + +<p>"A bit late in the day, isn't it?" suggested Monck.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, I know; too late to do anything. But," Tommy spoke with force, +"the nearer it gets, the worse I feel. I'm downright sick about it, and +that's the truth. How would you feel, I wonder, if you knew your one and +only sister was going to marry a rotter? Would you be satisfied to let +things drift?"</p> + +<p>Monck was silent for a space. They walked on over the dusty road with +the free swing of the conquering race. One or two 'rickshaws met them as +they went, and a woman's voice called a greeting; but though they both +responded, it scarcely served as a diversion. The silence between them +remained.</p> + +<p>Monck spoke at last, briefly, with grim restraint. "That's rather a +sweeping assertion of yours. I shouldn't repeat it if I were you."</p> + +<p>"It's true all the same," maintained Tommy. "You know it's true."</p> + +<p>"I know nothing," said Monck. "I've nothing whatever against Dacre."</p> + +<p>"You've nothing in favour of him anyway," growled Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Nothing particular; but I presume your sister has." There was just a +hint of irony in the quiet rejoinder.</p> + +<p>Tommy winced. "Stella! Great Scott, no! She doesn't care the toss of a +halfpenny for him. I know that now. She only accepted him because she +found herself in such a beastly anomalous position, with all the +spiteful cats of the regiment arrayed against her, treating her like a +pariah."</p> + +<p>"Did she tell you so?" There was no irony in Monck's tone this time. It +fell short and stern.</p> + +<p>Again Tommy glanced at him as one uncertain. "Not likely," he said.</p> + +<p>"Then why do you make the assertion? What grounds have you for making +the assertion?" Monck spoke with insistence as one who meant to have an +answer.</p> + +<p>And the boy answered him, albeit shamefacedly. "I really can't say, +Monck. I'm the sort of fool that sees things without being able to +explain how. But that Stella has the faintest spark of real love for +that fellow Dacre,—well, I'd take my dying oath that she hasn't."</p> + +<p>"Some women don't go in for that sort of thing," commented Monck dryly.</p> + +<p>"Stella isn't that sort of woman." Hotly came Tommy's defence. "You +don't know her. She's a lot deeper than I am."</p> + +<p>Monck laughed a little. "Oh, you're deep enough, Tommy. But you're +transparent as well. Now your sister on the other hand is quite +inscrutable. But it is not for us to interfere. She probably knows what +she is doing—very well indeed."</p> + +<p>"That's just it. Does she know? Isn't she taking a most awful leap in +the dark?" Keen anxiety sounded in Tommy's voice. "It's been such +horribly quick work, you know. Why, she hasn't been out here six weeks. +It's a shame for any girl to marry on such short notice as that. I said +so to her, and she—she laughed and said, 'Oh, that's beggar's choice! +Do you think I could enjoy life with your angels in paradise in +unmarried bliss? I'd sooner stay down in hell with you.' And she'd have +done it too, Monck. And it would probably have killed her. That's partly +how I came to know."</p> + +<p>"Haven't the women been decent to her?" Monck's question fell curtly, as +if the subject were one which he was reluctant to discuss.</p> + +<p>Tommy looked at him through the starlight. "You know what they are," he +said bluntly. "They'd hunt anybody if once Lady Harriet gave tongue. She +chose to eye Stella askance from the very outset, and of course all the +rest followed suit. Mrs. Ralston is the only one in the whole crowd who +has ever treated her decently, but of course she's nobody. Everyone sits +on her. As if," he spoke with heat, "Stella weren't as good as the best +of 'em—and better! What right have they to treat her like a social +outcast just because she came out here to me on her own? It's hateful! +It's iniquitous! What else could she have done?"</p> + +<p>"It seems reasonable—from a man's point of view," said Monck.</p> + +<p>"It was reasonable. It was the only thing possible. And just for that +they chose to turn the cold shoulder on her,—to ostracize her +practically. What had she done to them? What right had they to treat her +like that?" Fierce resentment sounded in Tommy's voice.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you if you want to know," said Monck abruptly. "It's the law +of the pack to rend an outsider. And your sister will always be +that—married or otherwise. They may fawn upon her later, Dacre being +one to hold his own with women. But they will always hate her in their +hearts. You see, she is beautiful."</p> + +<p>"Is she?" said Tommy in surprise. "Do you know, I never thought of +that!"</p> + +<p>Monck laughed—a cold, sardonic laugh. "Quite so! You wouldn't! But +Dacre has—and a few more of us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, confound Dacre!" Tommy's irritation returned with a rush. "I detest +the man! He behaves as if he were conferring a favour. When he was +making that speech to-night, I wanted to fling my glass at him."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but you mustn't do those things." Monck spoke reprovingly. "You may +be young, but you're past the schoolboy stage. Dacre is more of a +woman's favourite than a man's, you must remember. If your sister is not +in love with him, she is about the only woman in the station who isn't."</p> + +<p>"That's the disgusting part of it," fumed Tommy. "He makes love to +every woman he meets."</p> + +<p>They had reached a shadowy compound that bordered the dusty road for a +few yards. A little eddying wind made a mysterious whisper among its +thirsty shrubs. The bungalow it surrounded showed dimly in the +starlight, a wooden structure with a raised verandah and a flight of +steps leading up to it. A light thrown by a red-shaded lamp shone out +from one of the rooms, casting a shaft of ruddy brilliance into the +night as though it defied the splendour without. It shone upon Tommy's +face as he paused, showing it troubled and anxious.</p> + +<p>"You may as well come in," he said. "She is sure to be ready. Come in +and have a drink!"</p> + +<p>Monck stood still. His dark face was in shadow. He seemed to be debating +some point with himself.</p> + +<p>Finally, "All right. Just for a minute," he said. "But, look here, +Tommy! Don't you let your sister suspect that you've been making a +confidant of me! I don't fancy it would please her. Put on a grin, man! +Don't look bowed down with family cares! She is probably quite capable +of looking after herself—like the rest of 'em."</p> + +<p>He clapped a careless hand on the lad's shoulder as they turned up the +path together towards the streaming red light.</p> + +<p>"You're a bit of a woman-hater, aren't you?" said Tommy.</p> + +<p>And Monck laughed again his short, rather bitter laugh; but he said no +word in answer.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_II'></a><h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h3>THE PRISONER AT THE BAR</h3> +<br /> + +<p>In the room with the crimson-shaded lamp Stella Denvers sat waiting. The +red glow compassed her warmly, striking wonderful copper gleams in the +burnished coils of her hair. Her face was bent over the long white +gloves that she was pulling over her wrists, a pale face that yet was +extraordinarily vivid, with features that were delicate and proud, and +lips that had the exquisite softness and purity of a flower.</p> + +<p>She raised her eyes from her task at sound of the steps below the +window, and their starry brightness under her straight black brows gave +her an infinite allurement. Certainly a beautiful woman, as Monck had +said, and possessing the brilliance and the wonder of youth to an almost +dazzling degree! Perhaps it was not altogether surprising that the +ladies of the regiment had not been too enthusiastic in their welcome of +this sister of Tommy's who had come so suddenly into their midst, +defying convention. Her advent had been utterly unexpected—a total +surprise even to Tommy, who, returning one day from the polo-ground, +had found her awaiting him in the bachelor quarters which he had shared +with three other subalterns. And her arrival had set the whole station +buzzing.</p> + +<p>Led by the Colonel's wife, Lady Harriet Mansfield, the women of the +regiment had—with the single exception of Mrs. Ralston whose opinion +was of no account—risen and condemned the splendid stranger who had +come amongst them with such supreme audacity and eclipsed the fairest of +them. Stella's own simple explanation that she had, upon attaining her +majority and fifty pounds a year, decided to quit the home of some +distant relatives who did not want her and join Tommy who was the only +near relation she had, had satisfied no one. She was an interloper, and +as such they united to treat her. As Lady Harriet said, no nice girl +would have dreamed of taking such an extraordinary step, and she had not +the smallest intention of offering her the chaperonage that she so +conspicuously lacked. If Mrs. Ralston chose to do so, that was her own +affair. Such action on the part of the surgeon's very ordinary wife +would make no difference to any one. She was glad to think that all the +other ladies were too well-bred to accept without reservation so +unconventional a type.</p> + +<p>The fact that she was Tommy's sister was the only consideration in her +favour. Tommy was quite a nice boy, and they could not for his sake +entirely exclude her from the regimental society, but to no intimate +gathering was she ever invited, nor from the female portion of the +community was there any welcome for her at the Club.</p> + +<p>The attitude of the officers of the regiment was of a totally different +nature. They had accepted her with enthusiasm, possibly all the more +marked on account of the aloofness of their women folk, and in a very +short time they were paying her homage as one man. The subalterns who +had shared their quarters with Tommy turned out to make room for her, +treating her like a queen suddenly come into her own, and like a queen +she entered into possession, accepting all courtesy just as she ignored +all slights with a delicate self-possession that yet knew how to be +gracious when occasion demanded.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston would have offered her harbourage had she desired it, but +there was pride in Stella—a pride that surged and rebelled very far +below her serenity. She received favours from none.</p> + +<p>And so, unshackled and unchaperoned, she had gone her way among her +critics, and no one—not even Tommy—suspected how deep was the wound +that their barely-veiled hostility had inflicted. In bitterness of soul +she hid it from all the world, and only her brother and her brother's +grim and somewhat unapproachable captain were even vaguely aware of its +existence.</p> + +<p>Everard Monck was one of the very few men who had not laid themselves +down before her dainty feet, and she had gradually come to believe that +this man shared the silent, side-long disapproval manifested by the +women. Very strangely that belief hurt her even more deeply, in a +subtle, incomprehensible fashion, than any slights inflicted by her own +sex. Possibly Tommy's warm enthusiasm for the man had made her more +sensitive regarding his good opinion. And possibly she was over ready to +read condemnation in his grave eyes. But—whatever the reason—she would +have given much to have had him on her side. Somehow it mattered to her, +and mattered vitally.</p> + +<p>But Monck had never joined her retinue of courtiers. He was never other +than courteous to her, but he did not seek her out. Perhaps he had +better things to do. Aloof, impenetrable, cold, he passed her by, and +she would have been even more amazed than Tommy had she heard him +describe her as beautiful, so convinced was she that he saw in her no +charm.</p> + +<p>It had been a disheartening struggle, this hewing for herself a way +along the rocky paths of prejudice, and many had been the thorns under +her feet. Though she kept a brave heart and never faltered, she had +tired inevitably of the perpetual effort it entailed. Three weeks after +her arrival, when the annual exodus of the ladies of the regiment to the +Hills was drawing near, she became engaged to Ralph Dacre, the +handsomest and most irresponsible man in the mess.</p> + +<p>With him at least her power to attract was paramount. He was blindly, +almost fulsomely, in love. Her beauty went to his head from the outset; +it fired his blood. He worshipped her hotly, and pursued her untiringly, +caring little whether she returned his devotion so long as he ultimately +took possession. And when finally, half-disdainfully, she yielded to his +insistence, his one all-mastering thought became to clinch the bargain +before she could repent of it. It was a mad and headlong passion that +drove him—not for the first time in his life; and the subtle pride of +her and the soft reserve made her all the more desirable in his eyes.</p> + +<p>He had won her; he did not stop to ask himself how. The women said that +the luck was all on her side. The men forebore to express an opinion. +Dacre had attained his captaincy, but he was not regarded with great +respect by any one. His fellow-officers shrugged their shoulders over +him, and the commanding officer, Colonel Mansfield, had been heard to +call him "the craziest madman it had ever been his fate to meet." No +one, except Tommy, actively disliked him, and he had no grounds for so +doing, as Monck had pointed out. Monck, who till then had occupied the +same bungalow, declared he had nothing against him, and he was surely in +a position to form a very shrewd opinion. For Monck was neither fool nor +madman, and there was very little that escaped his silent observation.</p> + +<p>He was acting as best man at the morrow's ceremony, the function having +been almost thrust upon him by Dacre who, oddly enough, shared +something of Tommy's veneration for his very reticent brother-officer. +There was scant friendship between them. Each had been accustomed to go +his own way wholly independent of the other. They were no more than +casual acquaintances, and they were content to remain such. But +undoubtedly Dacre entertained a certain respect for Monck and observed a +wariness of behaviour in his presence that he never troubled to assume +for any other man. He was careful in his dealings with him, being at all +times not wholly certain of his ground.</p> + +<p>Other men felt the same uncertainty in connection with Monck. None—save +Tommy—was sure what manner of man he was. Tommy alone took him for +granted with whole-hearted admiration, and at his earnest wish it had +been arranged between them that Monck should take up his abode with him +when the forthcoming marriage had deprived each of a companion. Tommy +was delighted with the idea, and he had a gratifying suspicion that +Monck himself was inclined to be pleased with it also.</p> + +<p>The Green Bungalow had become considerably more homelike since Stella's +arrival, and Tommy meant to keep it so. He was sure that Monck and he +would have the same tastes.</p> + +<p>And so on that eve of his sister's wedding, the thought of their coming +companionship was the sole redeeming feature of the whole affair, and +he turned in his impulsive fashion to say so just as they reached the +verandah steps.</p> + +<p>But the words did not leave his lips, for the red glow flung from the +lamp had found Monck's upturned face, and something—something about +it—checked all speech for the moment. He was looking straight up at the +lighted window and the face of a beautiful woman who gazed forth into +the night. And his eyes were no longer cold and unresponsive, but +burning, ardent, intensely alive. Tommy forgot what he was going to say +and only stared.</p> + +<p>The moment passed; it was scarcely so much as a moment. And Monck moved +on in his calm, unfaltering way.</p> + +<p>"Your sister is ready and waiting," he said.</p> + +<p>They ascended the steps together, and the girl who sat by the open +window rose with a stately movement and stepped forward to meet them.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Stella!" was Tommy's greeting. "Hope I'm not awfully late. They +wasted such a confounded time over toasts at mess to-night. Yours was +one of 'em, and I had to reply. I hadn't a notion what to say. Captain +Monck thinks I made an awful hash of it though he is too considerate to +say so."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary I said 'Hear, hear!' to every stutter," said Monck, +bowing slightly as he took the hand she offered.</p> + +<p>She was wearing a black lace dress with a glittering spangled scarf of +Indian gauze floating about her. Her neck and shoulders gleamed in the +soft red glow. She was superb that night.</p> + +<p>She smiled at Monck, and her smile was as a shining cloak hiding her +soul. "So you have started upon your official duties already!" she said. +"It is the best man's business to encourage and console everyone +concerned, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>The faint cynicism of her speech was like her smile. It held back all +intrusive curiosity. And the man's answering smile had something of the +same quality. Reserve met reserve.</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall not find it very arduous in that respect," he said. "I +did not come here in that capacity."</p> + +<p>"I am glad of that," she said. "Won't you come in and sit down?"</p> + +<p>She motioned him within with a queenly gesture, but her invitation was +wholly lacking in warmth. It was Tommy who pressed forward with eager +hospitality.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and have a drink! It's a thirsty right. It's getting infernally +hot. Stella, you're lucky to be going out of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am very lucky," Stella said.</p> + +<p>They entered the lighted room, and Tommy went in search of refreshment.</p> + +<p>"Won't you sit down?" said Stella.</p> + +<p>Her voice was deep and pure, and the music in it made him wonder if she +sang. He sat facing her while she returned with apparent absorption to +the fastening of her gloves. She spoke again after a moment without +raising her eyes. "Are you proposing to take up your abode here +to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"That's the idea," said Monck.</p> + +<p>"I hope you and Tommy will be quite comfortable," she said. "No doubt he +will be a good deal happier with you than he has been for the past few +weeks with me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know why he should be," said Monck.</p> + +<p>"No?" She was frowning slightly over her glove. "You see, my sojourn +here has not been—a great success. I think poor Tommy has felt it +rather badly. He likes a genial atmosphere."</p> + +<p>"He won't get much of that in my company," observed Monck.</p> + +<p>She smiled momentarily. "Perhaps not. But I think he will not be sorry +to be relieved of family cares. They have weighed rather heavily upon +him."</p> + +<p>"He will be sorry to lose you," said Monck.</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course, in a way. But he will soon get over that." She looked up +at him suddenly. "You will all be rather thankful when I am safely +married, Captain Monck," she said.</p> + +<p>There was a second or two of silence. Monck's eyes looked straight back +into hers while it lasted, but they held no warmth, scarcely even +interest.</p> + +<p>"I really don't know why you should say that, Miss Denvers," he said +stiffly at length.</p> + +<p>Stella's gloved hands clasped each other. She was breathing somewhat +hard, yet her bearing was wholly regal, even disdainful.</p> + +<p>"Only because I realize that I have been a great anxiety to all the +respectable portion of the community," she made careless reply. "I think +I am right in classing you under that heading, am I not?"</p> + +<p>He heard the challenge in her tone, delicately though she presented it, +and something in him that was fierce and unrestrained sprang up to meet +it. But he forced it back. His expression remained wholly inscrutable.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I can claim to be anything else," he said. "But that fact +scarcely makes me in any sense one of a community. I think I prefer to +stand alone."</p> + +<p>Her blue eyes sparkled a little. "Strangely, I have the same +preference," she said. "It has never appealed to me to be one of a +crowd. I like independence—whatever the crowd may say. But I am quite +aware that in a woman that is considered a dangerous taste. A woman +should always conform to rule."</p> + +<p>"I have never studied the subject," said Monck.</p> + +<p>He spoke briefly. Tommy's confidences had stirred within him that which +could not be expressed. The whole soul of him shrank with an almost +angry repugnance from discussing the matter with her. No discussion +could make any difference at this stage.</p> + +<p>Again for a second he saw her slight frown. Then she leaned back in her +chair, stretching up her arms as if weary of the matter. "In fact you +avoid all things feminine," she said. "How discreet of you!"</p> + +<p>A large white moth floated suddenly in and began to beat itself against +the lamp-shade. Monck's eyes watched it with a grim concentration. +Stella's were half-closed. She seemed to have dismissed him from her +mind as an unimportant detail. The silence widened between them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a movement. The fluttering creature had found the +flame and fallen dazed upon the table. Almost in the same second Monck +stooped forward swiftly and silently, and crushed the thing with his +closed fist.</p> + +<p>Stella drew a quick breath. Her eyes were wide open again. She sat up.</p> + +<p>"Why did you do that?"</p> + +<p>He looked at her again, a smouldering gleam in his eyes. "It was on its +way to destruction," he said.</p> + +<p>"And so you helped it!"</p> + +<p>He nodded. "Yes. Long-drawn-out agonies don't attract me."</p> + +<p>Stella laughed softly, yet with a touch of mockery. "Oh, it was an act +of mercy, was it? You didn't look particularly merciful. In fact, that +is about the last quality I should have attributed to you."</p> + +<p>"I don't think," Monck said very quietly, "that you are in a position to +judge me." She leaned forward. He saw that her bosom was heaving. "That +is your prerogative, isn't it?" she said. "I—I am just the prisoner at +the bar, and—like the moth—I have been condemned—without mercy."</p> + +<p>He raised his brows sharply. For a second he had the look of a man who +has been stabbed in the back. Then with a swift effort he pulled himself +together.</p> + +<p>In the same moment Stella rose. She was smiling, and there was a red +flush in her cheeks. She took her fan from the table.</p> + +<p>"And now," she said, "I am going to dance—all night long. Every officer +in the mess—save one—has asked me for a dance."</p> + +<p>He was on his feet in an instant. He had checked one impulse, but even +to his endurance there were limits. He spoke as one goaded.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me one?"</p> + +<p>She looked him squarely in the eyes. "No, Captain Monck."</p> + +<p>His dark face looked suddenly stubborn. "I don't often dance," he said. +"I wasn't going to dance to-night. But—I will have one—I must have +one—with you."</p> + +<p>"Why?" Her question fell with a crystal clearness. There was something +of crystal hardness in her eyes.</p> + +<p>But the man was undaunted. "Because you have wronged me, and you owe me +reparation."</p> + +<p>"I—have wronged—you!" She spoke the words slowly, still looking him in +the eyes.</p> + +<p>He made an abrupt gesture as of holding back some inner force that +strongly urged him. "I am not one of your persecutors," he said. "I have +never in my life presumed to judge you—far less condemn you."</p> + +<p>His voice vibrated as though some emotion fought fiercely for the +mastery. They stood facing each other in what might have been open +antagonism but for that deep quiver in the man's voice.</p> + +<p>Stella spoke after the lapse of seconds. She had begun to tremble.</p> + +<p>"Then why—why did you let me think so? Why did you always stand aloof?"</p> + +<p>There was a tremor in her voice also, but her eyes were shining with the +light half-eager, half-anxious, of one who seeks for buried treasure.</p> + +<p>Monck's answer was pitched very low. It was as if the soul of him gave +utterance to the words. "It is my nature to stand aloof. I was waiting."</p> + +<p>"Waiting?" Her two hands gripped suddenly hard upon her fan, but still +her shining eyes did not flinch from his. Still with a quivering heart +she searched.</p> + +<p>Almost in a whisper came his reply. "I was waiting—till my turn should +come."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The fan snapped between her hands; she cast it from her with a +movement that was almost violent.</p> + +<p>Monck drew back sharply. With a smile that was grimly cynical he veiled +his soul. "I was a fool, of course, and I am quite aware that my +foolishness is nothing to you. But at least you know now how little +cause you have to hate me."</p> + +<p>She had turned from him and gone to the open window. She stood there +bending slightly forward, as one who strains for a last glimpse of +something that has passed from sight.</p> + +<p>Monck remained motionless, watching her. From another room near by there +came the sound of Tommy's humming and the cheery pop of a withdrawn +cork.</p> + +<p>Stella spoke at last, in a whisper, and as she spoke the strain went out +of her attitude and she drooped against the wood-work of the window as +if spent. "Yes; but I know—too late."</p> + +<p>The words reached him though he scarcely felt that they were intended to +do so. He suffered them to go into silence; the time for speech was +past.</p> + +<p>The seconds throbbed away between them. Stella did not move or speak +again, and at last Monck turned from her. He picked up the broken fan, +and with a curious reverence he laid it out of sight among some books on +the table.</p> + +<p>Then he stood immovable as granite and waited.</p> + +<p>There came the sound of Tommy's footsteps, and in a moment the door was +flung open. Tommy advanced with all a host's solicitude.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I say, I'm awfully sorry to have kept you waiting so long. That +silly ass of a <i>khit</i> had cleared off and left us nothing to drink. +Stella, we shall miss all the fun if we don't hurry up. Come on, Monck, +old chap, say when!"</p> + +<p>He stopped at the table, and Stella turned from the window and moved +forward. Her face was pale, but she was smiling.</p> + +<p>"Captain Monck is coming with us, Tommy," she said.</p> + +<p>"What?" Tommy looked up sharply. "Really? I say, Monck, I'm pleased. +It'll do you good."</p> + +<p>Monck was smiling also, faintly, grimly. "Don't mix any strong waters +for me, Tommy!" he said. "And you had better not be too generous to +yourself! Remember, you will have to dance with Lady Harriet!"</p> + +<p>Tommy grimaced above the glasses. "All right. Have some lime-juice! You +will have to dance with her too. That's some consolation!"</p> + +<p>"I?" said Monck. He took the glass and handed it to Stella, then as she +shook her head he put it to his own lips and drank as a man drinks to a +memory. "No," he said then. "I am dancing only one dance to-night, and +that will not be with Lady Harriet Mansfield."</p> + +<p>"Who then?" questioned Tommy.</p> + +<p>It was Stella who answered him, in her voice a note that sounded +half-reckless, half-defiant. "It isn't given to every woman to dance at +her own funeral," she said: "Captain Monck has kindly consented to +assist at the orgy of mine."</p> + +<p>"Stella!" protested Tommy, flushing. "I hate to hear you talking like +that!"</p> + +<p>Stella laughed a little, softly, as though at the vagaries of a child. +"Poor Tommy!" she said. "What it is to be so young!"</p> + +<p>"I'd sooner be a babe in arms than a cynic," said Tommy bluntly.</p> + + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_III'></a><h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h3>THE TRIUMPH</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Lady Harriet's lorgnettes were brought piercingly to bear upon the +bride-elect that night, and her thin, refined features never relaxed +during the operation. She was looking upon such youth and loveliness as +seldom came her way; but the sight gave her no pleasure. She deemed it +extremely unsuitable that Stella should dance at all on the eve of her +wedding, and when she realized that nearly every man in the room was +having his turn, her disapproval by no means diminished. She wondered +audibly to one after another of her followers what Captain Dacre was +about to permit such a thing. And when Monck—Everard Monck of all +people who usually avoided all gatherings at the Club and had never been +known to dance if he could find any legitimate means of excusing +himself—waltzed Stella through the throng, her indignation amounted +almost to anger. The mess had yielded to the last man.</p> + +<p>"I call it almost brazen," she said to Mrs. Burton, the Major's wife. +"She flaunts her unconventionality in our faces."</p> + +<p>"A grave mistake," agreed Mrs. Burton. "It will not make us think any +the more highly of her when she is married."</p> + +<p>"I am in two minds about calling on her," declared Lady Harriet. "I am +very doubtful as to the advisability of inviting any one so obviously +unsuitable into our inner circle. Of course Mrs. Ralston," she raised +her long pointed chin upon the name, "will please herself in the matter. +She will probably be the first to try and draw her in, but what Mrs. +Ralston does and what I do are two very different things. She is not +particular as to the society she keeps, and the result is that her +opinion is very justly regarded as worthless."</p> + +<p>"Oh, quite," agreed Mrs. Burton, sending an obviously false smile in the +direction of the lady last named who was approaching them in the company +of Mrs. Ermsted, the Adjutant's wife, a little smart woman whom Tommy +had long since surnamed "The Lizard."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston, the surgeon's wife, had once been a pretty girl, and there +were occasions still on which her prettiness lingered like the gleams of +a fading sunset. She had a diffident manner in society, but yet she was +the only woman in the station who refused to follow Lady Harriet's lead. +As Tommy had said, she was a nobody. Her influence was of no account, +but yet with unobtrusive insistence she took her own way, and none could +turn her therefrom.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted held her up to ridicule openly, and yet very strangely she +did not seem to dislike the Adjutant's sharp-tongued little wife. She +had been very good to her on more than one occasion, and the most +appreciative remark that Mrs. Ermsted had ever found to make regarding +her was that the poor thing was so fond of drudging for somebody that it +was a real kindness to let her. Mrs. Ermsted was quite willing to be +kind to any one in that respect.</p> + +<p>They approached now, and Lady Harriet gave to each her distinctive smile +of royal condescension.</p> + +<p>"I expected to see you dancing, Mrs. Ermsted," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's too hot," declared Mrs. Ermsted. "You want the temperament of +a salamander to dance on a night like this."</p> + +<p>She cast a barbed glance towards Stella as she spoke as Monck guided her +to the least crowded corner of the ball-room. Stella's delicate face was +flushed, but it was the exquisite flush of a blush-rose. Her eyes were +of a starry brightness; she had the radiant look of one who has achieved +her heart's desire.</p> + +<p>"What a vision of triumph!" commented Mrs. Ermsted. "It's soothing +anyway to know that that wild-rose complexion won't survive the summer. +Captain Monck looks curiously out of his element. No doubt he prefers +the bazaars."</p> + +<p>"But Stella Denvers is enchanting to-night," murmured Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>Lady Harriet overheard the murmur, and her aquiline nose was instantly +elevated a little higher. "So many people never see beyond the outer +husk," she said.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burton smiled out of her slitty eyes. "I should scarcely imagine +Captain Monck to be one of them," she said. "He is obviously here as a +matter of form to-night. The best man must be civil to the +bride—whatever his feelings."</p> + +<p>Lady Harriet's face cleared a little, although her estimate of Mrs. +Burton's opinion was not a very high one. "That may account for Captain +Dacre's extremely complacent attitude," she said. "He regards the +attentions paid to his <i>fiancée</i> as a tribute to himself."</p> + +<p>"He may change his point of view when he is married," laughed Mrs. +Ermsted. "It will be interesting to watch developments. We all know what +Captain Dacre is. I have never yet seen him satisfied to take a back +seat."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burton laughed with her. "Nor content to occupy even a front one at +the same show for long," she observed. "I marvel to see him caught in +the noose so easily."</p> + +<p>"None but an adventuress could have done it," declared Mrs. Ermsted. +"She has practised the art of slinging the lasso before now."</p> + +<p>"My dear," said Mrs. Ralston, "forgive me, but that is unworthy of you."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted flicked an eyelid in Mrs. Burton's direction with an +<i>insouciance</i> that somehow robbed the act of any serious sting. "Poor +Mrs. Ralston holds such a high opinion of everybody," she said, "that +she must meet with a hundred disappointments in a day."</p> + +<p>Lady Harriet's down-turned lips said nothing, but they were none the +less eloquent on that account.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's eyes of faded blue watched Stella with a distressed look. +She was not hurt on her own account, but she hated to hear the girl +criticized in so unfriendly a spirit. Stella was more brilliantly +beautiful that night than she had ever before seen her, and she longed +to hear a word of appreciation from that hostile group of women. But she +knew very well that the longing was vain, and it was with relief that +she saw Captain Dacre himself saunter up to claim Mrs. Ermsted for a +partner.</p> + +<p>Smiling, debonair, complacent, the morrow's bridegroom had a careless +quip for all and sundry on that last night. It was evident that his +<i>fiancée's</i> defection was a matter of no moment to him. Stella was to +have her fling, and he, it seemed, meant to have his. He and Mrs. +Ermsted had had many a flirtation in the days that were past and it was +well known that Captain Ermsted heartily detested him in consequence. +Some even hinted that matters had at one time approached very near to a +climax, but Ralph Dacre knew how to handle difficult situations, and +with considerable tact had managed to avoid it. Little Mrs. Ermsted, +though still willing to flirt, treated him with just a tinge of +disdain, now-a-days; no one knew wherefore. Perhaps it was more for +Stella's edification than her own that she condescended to dance with +him on that sweltering evening of Indian spring.</p> + +<p>But Stella was evidently too engrossed with her own affairs to pay much +attention to the doings of her <i>fiancé</i>. His love-making was not of a +nature to be carried on in public. That would come later when they +walked home through the glittering night and parted in the shadowy +verandah while Tommy tramped restlessly about within the bungalow. He +would claim that as a right she knew, and once or twice remembering the +methods of his courtship a little shudder went through her as she +danced. Very willingly would she have left early and foregone all +intercourse with her lover that night. But there was no escape for her. +She was pledged to the last dance, and for the sake of the pride that +she carried so high she would not shrink under the malicious eyes that +watched her so unsparingly. Her dance with Monck was quickly over, and +he left her with the briefest word of thanks. Afterwards she saw him no +more.</p> + +<p>The rest of the evening passed in a whirl of gaiety that meant very +little to her. Perhaps, on the whole, it was easier to bear than an +evening spent in solitude would have been. She knew that she would be +too utterly weary to lie awake when bedtime came at last. And the night +would be so short—ah, so short! And so she danced and laughed with the +gayest of the merrymakers, and when it was over at last even the +severest of her critics had to admit that her triumph was complete. She +had borne herself like a queen at a banquet of rejoicing, and like a +queen she finally quitted the festive scene in a 'rickshaw drawn by a +team of giddy subalterns, scattering her careless favours upon all who +cared to compete for them.</p> + +<p>As she had foreseen, Dacre accompanied the procession. He had no mind to +be cheated of his rights, and it was he who finally dispersed the +irresponsible throng at the steps of the verandah, handing her up them +with a royal air and drawing her away from the laughter and cheering +that followed her.</p> + +<p>With her hand pressed lightly against his side, he led her away to the +darkest corner, and there he pushed back the soft wrap from her +shoulders and gathered her into his arms.</p> + +<p>She stood almost stiffly in his embrace, neither yielding nor attempting +to avoid. But at the touch of his lips upon her neck she shivered. There +was something sensual in that touch that revolted her—in spite of +herself.</p> + +<p>"Ralph," she said, and her voice quivered a little, "I think you must +say good-bye to me. I am tired to-night. If I don't rest, I shall never +be ready for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>He made an inarticulate sound that in some fashion expressed what the +drawing of his lips had made her feel. "Sweetheart—to-morrow!" he +said, and kissed her again with a lingering persistence that to her +overwrought nerves had in it something that was almost unendurable. It +made her think of an epicurean tasting some favourite dish and smacking +his lips over it.</p> + +<p>A hint of irritation sounded in her voice as she said, drawing slightly +away from him, "Yes, I want to rest for the few hours that are left. +Please say good night now, Ralph! Really I am tired."</p> + +<p>He laughed softly, his cheek laid to hers. "Ah, Stella!" he said. "What +a queen you have been to-night! I have been watching you with the rest +of the world, and I shouldn't mind laying pretty heavy odds that there +isn't a single man among 'em that doesn't envy me."</p> + +<p>Stella drew a deep breath as if she laboured against some oppression. +"It's nice to be envied, isn't it?" she said.</p> + +<p>He kissed her again. "Ah! You're a prize!" he said. "It was just a +question of first in, and I never was one to let the grass grow. I +plucked the fruit while all the rest were just looking at it. +Stella—mine! Stella—mine!"</p> + +<p>His lips pressed hers between the words closely, possessively, and again +involuntarily she shivered. She could not return his caresses that +night.</p> + +<p>His hold relaxed at last. "How cold you are, my Star of the North!" he +said. "What is it? Surely you are not nervous at the thought of +to-morrow after your triumph to-night! You will carry all before you, +never fear!"</p> + +<p>She answered him in a voice so flat and emotionless that it sounded +foreign even to herself. "Oh, no, I am not nervous. I'm too tired to +feel anything to-night."</p> + +<p>He took her face between his hands. "Ah, well, you will be all mine this +time to-morrow. One kiss and I will let you go. You witch—you +enchantress! I never thought you would draw old Monck too into your +toils."</p> + +<p>Again she drew that deep breath as of one borne down by some heavy +weight. "Nor I," she said, and gave him wearily the kiss for which he +bargained.</p> + +<p>He did not stay much longer, possibly realizing his inability to awake +any genuine response in her that night. Her remoteness must have chilled +any man less ardent. But he went from her too encompassed with blissful +anticipation to attach any importance to the obvious lack of +corresponding delight on her part. She was already in his estimation his +own property, and the thought of her happiness was one which scarcely +entered into his consideration. She had accepted him, and no doubt she +realized that she was doing very well for herself. He had no misgivings +on that point. Stella was a young woman who knew her own mind very +thoroughly. She had secured the finest catch within reach, and she was +not likely to repent of her bargain at this stage.</p> + +<p>So, unconcernedly, he went his way, throwing a couple of <i>annas</i> with +careless generosity to a beggar who followed him along the road whining +for alms, well-satisfied with himself and with all the world on that +wonderful night that had witnessed the final triumph of the woman whom +he had chosen for his bride, asking nought of the gods save that which +they had deigned to bestow—Fortune's favourite whom every man must +envy.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_IV'></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE BRIDE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was remarked by Tommy's brother-officers on the following day that it +was he rather than the bride who displayed all the shyness that befitted +the occasion.</p> + +<p>As he walked up the aisle with his sister's hand on his arm, his face +was crimson and reluctant, and he stared straight before him as if +unwilling to meet all the watching eyes that followed their progress. +But the bride walked proudly and firmly, her head held high with even +the suspicion of an upward, disdainful curve to her beautiful mouth, the +ghost of a defiant smile. To all who saw her she was a splendid +spectacle of bridal content.</p> + +<p>"Unparalleled effrontery!" whispered Lady Harriet, surveying the proud +young face through her lorgnettes.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but she is exquisite," murmured Mrs. Ralston with a wistful mist in +her faded eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null,'" scoffed little +Mrs. Ermsted upon whose cheeks there bloomed a faint fixed glow.</p> + +<p>Yes, she was splendid. Even the most hostile had to admit it. On that, +the day of her final victory, she surpassed herself. She shone as a +queen with majestic self-assurance, wholly at her ease, sublimely +indifferent to all criticism.</p> + +<p>At the chancel-steps she bestowed a brief smile of greeting upon her +waiting bridegroom, and for a single moment her steady eyes rested, +though without any gleam of recognition, upon the dark face of the best +man.</p> + +<p>Then the service began, and with the utmost calmness of demeanour she +took her part.</p> + +<p>When the service was over, Tommy extended his hesitating invitation to +Lady Harriet and his commanding officer to follow the newly wedded pair +to the vestry. They went. Colonel Mansfield with a species of jocose +pomposity specially assumed for the occasion, his wife, upright, +thin-lipped, forbidding, instinct with wordless disapproval.</p> + +<p>The bride,—the veil thrown back from her beautiful face,—stood +laughing with her husband. There was no fixity in the soft flush of +those delicately rounded cheeks. Even Lady Harriet realized that, though +she had never seen so much colour in the girl's face before. She +advanced stiffly, and Ralph Dacre with smiling grace took his wife's arm +and drew her forward.</p> + +<p>"This is good of you, Lady Harriet," he declared. "I was hoping for your +support. Allow me to introduce—my wife!"</p> + +<p>His words had a pride of possession that rang clarion-like in every +syllable, and in response Lady Harriet was moved to offer a cold cheek +in salutation to the bride. Stella bent instantly and kissed it with a +quick graciousness that would have melted any one less austere, but in +Lady Harriet's opinion the act was marred by its very impulsiveness. She +did not like impulsive people. So, with chill repression, she accepted +the only overture from Stella that she was ever to receive.</p> + +<p>But if she were proof against the girl's ready charm, with her husband +it was quite otherwise. Stella broke through his pomposity without +effort, giving him both her hands with a simplicity that went straight +to his heart. He held them in a tight, paternal grasp.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, my dear!" he said. "I wish you both every happiness from +the bottom of my soul."</p> + +<p>She turned from him a few seconds later with a faintly tremulous laugh +to give her hand to the best man, but it did not linger in his, and to +his curtly proffered felicitations she made no verbal response whatever.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later, as she left the vestry with her husband, Mrs. Ralston +pressed forward unexpectedly, and openly checked her progress in full +view of the whole assembly.</p> + +<p>"My dear," she murmured humbly, "my dear, you'll allow me I know. I +wanted just to tell you how beautiful you look, and how earnestly I pray +for your happiness."</p> + +<p>It was a daring move, and it had not been accomplished without courage. +Lady Harriet in the background stiffened with displeasure, nearer to +actual anger than she had ever before permitted herself to be with any +one so contemptible as the surgeon's wife. Even Major Ralston himself, +most phlegmatic of men, looked momentarily disconcerted by his wife's +action.</p> + +<p>But Stella—Stella stopped dead with a new light in her eyes, and in a +moment dropped her husband's arm to fling both her own about the gentle, +faded woman who had dared thus openly to range herself on her side.</p> + +<p>"Dear Mrs. Ralston," she said, not very steadily, "how more than kind of +you to tell me that!"</p> + +<p>The tears were actually in her eyes as she kissed the surgeon's wife. +That spontaneous act of sympathy had pierced straight through her armour +of reserve and found its way to her heart. Her face, as she passed on +down the aisle by her husband's side, was wonderfully softened, and even +Mrs. Ermsted found no gibe to fling after her. The smile that quivered +on Stella's lips was full of an unconscious pathos that disarmed all +criticism.</p> + +<p>The sunshine outside the church was blinding. It smote through the +awning with pitiless intensity. Around the carriage a curious crowd had +gathered to see the bridal procession. To Stella's dazzled eyes it +seemed a surging sea of unfamiliar faces. But one face stood out from +the rest—the calm countenance of Ralph Dacre's magnificent Sikh +servant clad in snowy linen, who stood at the carriage door and gravely +bowed himself before her, stretching an arm to protect her dress from +the wheel.</p> + +<p>"This is Peter the Great," said Dacre's careless voice, "a highly +honourable person, Stella, and a most efficient bodyguard."</p> + +<p>"How do you do?" said Stella, and held out her hand.</p> + +<p>She acted with the utmost simplicity. During her four weeks' sojourn in +India she had not learned to treat the native servant with contempt, and +the majestic presence of this man made her feel almost as if she were +dealing with a prince.</p> + +<p>He straightened himself swiftly at her action, and she saw a sudden, +gleaming smile flash across his grave face. Then he took the proffered +hand, bending low over it till his turbaned forehead for a moment +touched her fingers.</p> + +<p>"May the sun always shine on you, my <i>mem-sahib!</i>" he said.</p> + +<p>Stella realized afterwards that in action and in words there lay a tacit +acceptance of her as mistress which was to become the allegiance of a +lifelong service.</p> + +<p>She stepped into the carriage with a feeling of warmth at her heart +which was very different from the icy constriction that had bound it +when she had arrived at the church a brief half-hour before with Tommy.</p> + +<p>Her husband's arm was about her as they drove away. He pressed her to +his side. "Oh, Star of my heart, how superb you are!" he said. "I feel +as if I had married a queen. And you weren't even nervous."</p> + +<p>She bent her head, not looking at him. "Poor Tommy was," she said.</p> + +<p>He smiled tolerantly. "Tommy's such a youngster."</p> + +<p>She smiled also. "Exactly one year younger than I am."</p> + +<p>He drew her nearer, his eyes devouring her. "You, Stella!" he said. "You +are as ageless as the stars."</p> + +<p>She laughed faintly, not yielding herself to the closer pressure though +not actually resisting it. "That is merely a form of telling me that I +am much older than I seem," she said. "And you are quite right. I am."</p> + +<p>His arm compelled her. "You are you," he said. "And you are so divinely +young and beautiful that there is no measuring you by ordinary +standards. They all know it. That is why you weren't received into the +community with open arms. You are utterly above and beyond them all."</p> + +<p>She flinched slightly at the allusion. "I hope I am not so extraordinary +as all that," she said.</p> + +<p>His arm became insistent. "You are unique," he said. "You are superb."</p> + +<p>There was passion barely suppressed in his hold and a sudden swift +shiver went through her. "Oh, Ralph," she said, "don't—- don't worship +me too much!"</p> + +<p>Her voice quivered in its appeal, but somehow its pathos passed him by. +He saw only her beauty, and it thrilled every pulse in his body. +Fiercely almost, he strained her to him. And he did not so much as +notice that her lips trembled too piteously to return his kiss, or that +her submission to his embrace was eloquent of mute endurance rather than +glad surrender. He stood as a conqueror on the threshold of a newly +acquired kingdom and exulted over the splendour of its treasures because +it was all his own.</p> + +<p>It did not even occur to him to doubt that her happiness fully equalled +his. Stella was a woman and reserved; but she was happy enough, oh, she +was happy enough. With complacence he reflected that if every man in the +mess envied him, probably every woman in the station would have gladly +changed places with her. Was he not Fortune's favourite? What happier +fate could any woman desire than to be his bride?</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_V'></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE DREAM</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was a fortnight after the wedding, on an evening of intense heat, +that Everard Monck, now established with Tommy at The Green Bungalow, +came in from polo to find the mail awaiting him. He sauntered in through +the verandah in search of a drink which he expected to find in the room +which Stella during her brief sojourn had made more dainty and artistic +than the rest, albeit it had never been dignified by the name of +drawing-room. There was light green matting on the floor and there were +also light green cushions in each of the long wicker chairs. Curtains of +green gauze hung before the windows, and the fierce sunlight filtering +through gave the room a strangely translucent effect. It was like a +chamber under the sea.</p> + +<p>It had been Monck's intention to have his drink and pass straight on to +his own quarters for a bath, but the letters on the table caught his eye +and he stopped. Standing in the green dimness with a tumbler in one +hand, he sorted them out. There were two for himself and two for Tommy, +the latter obviously bills, and under these one more, also for Tommy in +a woman's clear round writing. It came from Srinagar, and Monck stood +for a second or two holding it in his hand and staring straight out +before him with eyes that saw not. Just for those seconds a mocking +vision danced gnomelike through his brain. Just at this moment probably +most of the other men were opening letters from their wives in the +Hills. And he saw the chance he had not taken like a flash of far, +elusive sunlight on the sky-line of a troubled sea.</p> + +<p>The vision passed. He laid down the letter and took up his own +correspondence. One of the letters was from England. He poured out his +drink and flung himself down to read it.</p> + +<p>It came from the only relation he possessed in the world—his brother. +Bernard Monck was the elder by fifteen years—a man of brilliant +capabilities, who had long since relinquished all idea of worldly +advancement in the all-absorbing interest of a prison chaplaincy. They +had not met for over five years, but they maintained a regular +correspondence, and every month brought to Everard Monck the thin +envelope directed in the square, purposeful handwriting of the man who +had been during the whole of his life his nearest and best friend. Lying +back in the wicker-chair, relaxed and weary, he opened the letter and +began to read.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later, Tommy Denvers, racing in, also in polo-kit, stopped +short upon the threshold and stared in shocked amazement as if some +sudden horror had caught him by the throat.</p> + +<p>"Great heavens above, Monck! What's the matter?" he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was in part due to the green twilight of the room, but it +seemed to him in that first startled moment that Monck's face had the +look of a man who had received a deadly wound. The impression passed +almost immediately, but the memory of it was registered in his brain for +all time.</p> + +<p>Monck raised the tumbler to his lips and drank before replying, and as +he did so his customary grave composure became apparent, making Tommy +wonder if his senses had tricked him. He looked at the lad with sombre +eyes as he set down the glass. His brother's letter was still gripped in +his hand.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Tommy!" he said, a shadowy smile about his mouth. "What are you +in such a deuce of a hurry about?"</p> + +<p>Tommy glanced down at the letters on the table and pounced upon the one +that lay uppermost. "A letter from Stella! And about time, too! She +isn't much of a correspondent now-a-days. Where are they now? Oh, +Srinagar. Lucky beggar—Dacre! Wish he'd taken me along as well as +Stella! What am I in such a hurry about? Well, my dear chap, look at the +time! You'll be late for mess yourself if you don't buck up."</p> + +<p>Tommy's treatment of his captain was ever of the airiest when they were +alone. He had never stood in awe of Monck since the days of his +illness; but even in his most familiar moments his manner was not +without a certain deference. His respect for him was unbounded, and his +pride in their intimacy was boyishly whole-hearted. There was no +sacrifice great or small that he would not willingly have offered at +Monck's behest.</p> + +<p>And Monck knew it, realized the lad's devotion as pure gold, and valued +it accordingly. But, that fact notwithstanding, his faith in Tommy's +discretion did not move him to bestow his unreserved confidence upon +him. Probably to no man in the world could he have opened his secret +soul. He was not of an expansive nature. But Tommy occupied an inner +place in his regard, and there were some things that he veiled from all +beside which he no longer attempted to hide from this faithful follower +of his. Thus far was Tommy privileged.</p> + +<p>He got to his feet in response to the boy's last remark. "Yes, you're +right. We ought to be going. I shall be interested to hear what your +sister thinks of Kashmir. I went up there on a shooting expedition two +years after I came out. It's a fine country."</p> + +<p>"Is there anywhere that you haven't been?" said Tommy. "I believe you'll +write a book one of these days."</p> + +<p>Monck looked ironical. "Not till I'm on the shelf, Tommy," he said, +"where there's nothing better to do."</p> + +<p>"You'll never be on the shelf," said Tommy quickly. "You'll be much too +valuable."</p> + +<p>Monck shrugged his shoulders slightly and turned to go. "I doubt if that +consideration would occur to any one but you, my boy," he said.</p> + +<p>They walked to the mess-house together a little later through the +airless dark, and there was nothing in Monck's manner either then or +during the evening to confirm the doubt in Tommy's mind. Spirits were +not very high at the mess just then. Nearly all the women had left for +the Hills, and the increasing heat was beginning to make life a burden. +The younger officers did their best to be cheerful, and one of them, +Bertie Oakes, a merry, brainless youngster, even proposed an impromptu +dance to enliven the proceedings. But he did not find many supporters. +Men were tired after the polo. Colonel Mansfield and Major Burton were +deeply engrossed with some news that had been brought by Barnes of the +Police, and no one mustered energy for more than talk.</p> + +<p>Tommy soon decided to leave early and return to his letters. Before +departing, he looked round for Monck as was his custom, but finding that +he and Captain Ermsted had also been drawn into the discussion with the +Colonel, he left the mess alone.</p> + +<p>Back in The Green Bungalow he flung off his coat and threw himself down +in his shirt-sleeves on the verandah to read his sister's letter. The +light from the red-shaded lamp streamed across the pages. Stella had +written very fully of their wanderings, but her companion she scarcely +mentioned.</p> + +<p>It was like a gorgeous dream, she said. Each day seemed to bring +greater beauties. They had spent the first two at Agra to see the +wonderful Taj which of course was wholly beyond description. Thence they +had made their way to Rawal Pindi where Ralph had several military +friends to be introduced to his bride. It was evident that he was +anxious to display his new possession, and Tommy frowned a little over +that episode, realizing fully why Stella touched so lightly upon it. For +some reason his dislike of Dacre was increasing rapidly, and he read the +letter very critically. It was the first with any detail that she had +written. From Rawal Pindi they had journeyed on to exquisite Murree set +in the midst of the pines where only to breathe was the keenest +pleasure. Stella spoke almost wistfully of this place; she would have +loved to linger there.</p> + +<p>"I could be happy there in perfect solitude," she wrote, "with just +Peter the Great to take care of me." She mentioned the Sikh bearer more +than once and each time with growing affection. "He is like an immense +and kindly watch-dog," she said in one place. "Every material comfort +that I could possibly wish for he manages somehow to procure, and he is +always on guard, always there when wanted, yet never in the way."</p> + +<p>Their time being limited and Ralph anxious to use it to the utmost, they +had left Murree after a very brief stay and pressed on into Kashmir, +travelling in a <i>tonga</i> through the most glorious scenery that Stella +had ever beheld.</p> + +<p>"I only wished you could have been there to enjoy it with me," she +wrote, and passed on to a glowing description of the Hills amidst which +they had travelled, all grandly beautiful and many capped with the +eternal snows. She told of the River Jhelum, swift and splendid, that +flowed beside the way, of the flowers that bloomed in dazzling profusion +on every side—wild roses such as she had never dreamed of, purple +acacias, jessamine yellow and white, maiden-hair ferns that hung in +sprays of living green over the rushing waterfalls, and the vivid, +scarlet pomegranate blossom that grew like a spreading fire.</p> + +<p>And the air that blew through the mountains was as the very breath of +life. Physically, she declared, she had never felt so well; but she did +not speak of happiness, and again Tommy's brow contracted as he read.</p> + +<p>For all its enthusiasm, there was to him something wanting in that +letter—a lack that hurt him subtly. Why did she say so little of her +companion in the wilderness? No casual reader would have dreamed that +the narrative had been written by a bride upon her honeymoon.</p> + +<p>He read on, read of their journey up the river to Srinagar, punted by +native boatmen, and again, as she spoke of their sad, droning chant, she +compared it all to a dream. "I wonder if I am really asleep, Tommy," she +wrote, "if I shall wake up in the middle of a dark night and find that I +have never left England after all. That is what I feel like +sometimes—almost as if life had been suspended for awhile. This strange +existence cannot be real. I am sure that at the heart of me I must be +asleep."</p> + +<p>At Srinagar, a native <i>fête</i> had been in progress, and the howling of +men and din of <i>tom-toms</i> had somewhat marred the harmony of their +arrival. But it was all interesting, like an absorbing fairy-tale, she +said, but quite unreal. She felt sure it couldn't be true. Ralph had +been disgusted with the hubbub and confusion. He compared the place to +an asylum of filthy lunatics, and they had left it without delay. And so +at last they had come to their present abiding-place in the heart of the +wilderness with coolies, pack-horses, and tents, and were camped beside +a rushing stream that filled the air with its crystal music day and +night. "And this is Heaven," wrote Stella; "but it is the Heaven of the +Orient, and I am not sure that I have any part or lot in it. I believe I +shall feel myself an interloper for all time. I dread to turn each +corner lest I should meet the Angel with the Flaming Sword and be driven +forth into the desert. If only you were here, Tommy, it would be more +real to me. But Ralph is just a part of the dream. He is almost like an +Eastern potentate himself with his endless cigarettes and his wonderful +capacity for doing nothing all day long without being bored. Of course, +I am not bored, but then no one ever feels bored in a dream. The lazy +well-being of it all has the effect of a narcotic so far as I am +concerned. I cannot imagine ever feeling active in this lulling +atmosphere. Perhaps there is too much champagne in the air and I am +never wholly sober. Perhaps it is only in the desert that any one ever +lives to the utmost. The endless singing of the stream is hushing me +into a sweet drowsiness even as I write. By the way, I wonder if I have +written sense. If not, forgive me! But I am much too lazy to read it +through. I think I must have eaten of the lotus. Good-bye, Tommy dear! +Write when you can and tell me that all is well with you, as I think it +must be—though I cannot tell—with your always loving, though for the +moment strangely bewitched, sister, Stella."</p> + +<p>Tommy put down the letter and lay still, peering forth under frowning +brows. He could hear Monck's footsteps coming through the gate of the +compound, but he was not paying any attention to Monck for once. His +troubled mind scarcely even registered the coming of his friend.</p> + +<p>Only when the latter mounted the steps on to the verandah and began to +move along it, did he turn his head and realize his presence. Monck came +to a stand beside him.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tommy," he said, "isn't it time to turn in?"</p> + +<p>Tommy sat up. "Oh, I suppose so. Infernally hot, isn't it? I've been +reading Stella's letter."</p> + +<p>Monck lodged his shoulder against the window-frame. "I hope she is all +right," he said formally.</p> + +<p>His voice sounded pre-occupied. It did not convey to Tommy the idea that +he was greatly interested in his reply.</p> + +<p>He answered with something of an effort. "I believe she is. She doesn't +really say. I wish they had been content to stay at Bhulwana. I could +have got leave to go over and see her there."</p> + +<p>"Where exactly are they now?" asked Monck.</p> + +<p>Tommy explained to the best of his ability. "Srinagar seems their +nearest point of civilization. They are camping in the wilderness, but +they will have to move before long. Dacre's leave will be up, and they +must allow time to get back. Stella talks as if they are fixed there for +ever and ever."</p> + +<p>"She is enjoying it then?" Monck's voice still sounded as if he were +thinking of something else.</p> + +<p>Tommy made grudging reply. "I suppose she is, after a fashion. I'm +pretty sure of one thing." He spoke with abrupt force. "She'd enjoy it a +deal more if I were with her instead of Dacre."</p> + +<p>Monck laughed, a curt, dry laugh. "Jealous, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not such a fool." The boy spoke recklessly. "But I know—I +can't help knowing—that she doesn't care twopence about the man. What +woman with any brains could?"</p> + +<p>"There's no accounting for women's tastes or actions at any time," said +Monck. "She liked him well enough to marry him."</p> + +<p>Tommy made an indignant sound. "She was in a mood to marry any one. +She'd probably have married you if you'd asked her."</p> + +<p>Monck made an abrupt movement as if he had lost his balance, but he +returned to his former position immediately. "Think so?" he said in a +voice that sounded very ironical. "Then possibly she has had a lucky +escape. I might have been moved to ask her if she had remained free much +longer."</p> + +<p>"I wish to Heaven you had!" said Tommy bluntly.</p> + +<p>And again Monck uttered his short, sardonic laugh. "Thank you, Tommy," +he said.</p> + +<p>There fell a silence between them, and a hot draught eddied up through +the parched compound and rattled the scorched twigs of the creeping rose +on the verandah with a desolate sound, as if skeleton hands were feeling +along the trellis-work. Tommy suppressed a shudder and got to his feet.</p> + +<p>In the same moment Monck spoke again, deliberately, emotionlessly, with +a hint of grimness. "By the way, Tommy, I've a piece of news for you. +That letter I had from my brother this, evening contained news of an +urgent business matter which only I can deal with. It has come at a +rather unfortunate moment as Barnes, the policeman, brought some +disturbing information this evening from Khanmulla and the Chief wanted +to make use of me in that quarter. They are sending a Mission to make +investigations and they wanted me to go in charge of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, man!" Tommy's eyes suddenly shone with enthusiasm. "What a +chance!"</p> + +<p>"A chance I'm not going to take," rejoined Monck dryly. "I applied for +leave instead. In any case it is due to me, but Dacre had his turn +first. The Chief didn't want to grant it, but he gave way in the end. +You boys will have to work a little harder than usual, that's all."</p> + +<p>Tommy was staring at him in amazement. "But, I say, Monck!" he +protested. "That Mission business! It's the very thing you'd most enjoy. +Surely you can't be going to let such an opportunity slip!"</p> + +<p>"My own business is more pressing," Monck returned briefly.</p> + +<p>Then Tommy remembered the stricken look that he had surprised on his +friend's face that evening, and swift concern swallowed his +astonishment. "You had bad news from Home! I say, I'm awfully sorry. Is +your brother ill, or what?"</p> + +<p>"No. It's not that. I can't discuss it with you, Tommy. But I've got to +go. The Chief has granted me eight weeks and I am off at dawn." Monck +made as if he would turn inwards with the words.</p> + +<p>"You're going Home?" ejaculated Tommy. "By Jove, old fellow, it'll be +quick work." Then, his sympathy coming uppermost again, "I say, I'm +confoundedly sorry. You'll take care of yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, every care." Monck paused to lay an unexpected hand upon the lad's +shoulder. "And you must take care of yourself, Tommy," he said. "Don't +get up to any tomfoolery while I am away! And if you get thirsty, stick +to lime-juice!"</p> + +<p>"I'll be as good as gold," Tommy promised, touched alike by action and +admonition. "But it will be pretty beastly without you. I hate a lonely +life, and Stella will be stuck at Bhulwana for the rest of the hot +weather when they get back."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shan't stay away for ever," Monck patted his shoulder and +turned away. "I'm not going for a pleasure trip, and the sooner it's +over, the better I shall be pleased."</p> + +<p>He passed into the room with the words, that room in which Stella had +sat on her wedding-eve, gazing forth into the night. And there came to +Tommy, all-unbidden, a curious, wandering memory of his friend's face on +that same night, with eyes alight and ardent, looking upwards as though +they saw a vision. Perplexed and vaguely troubled, he thrust her letter +away into his pocket and went to his own room.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_VI'></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE GARDEN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The Heaven of the Orient! It was a week since Stella had penned those +words, and still the charm held her, the wonder grew. Never in her life +had she dreamed of a land so perfect, so subtly alluring, so +overwhelmingly full of enchantment. Day after day slipped by in what +seemed an endless succession. Night followed magic night, and the spell +wound closer and ever closer about her. She sometimes felt as if her +very individuality were being absorbed into the marvellous beauty about +her, as if she had been crystallized by it and must soon cease to be in +any sense a being apart from it.</p> + +<p>The siren-music of the torrent that dashed below their camping-ground +filled her brain day and night. It seemed to make active thought +impossible, to dull all her senses save the one luxurious sense of +enjoyment. That was always present, slumbrous, almost cloying in its +unfailing sweetness, the fruit of the lotus which assuredly she was +eating day by day. All her nerves seemed dormant, all her energies +lulled. Sometimes she wondered if the sound of running water had this +stultifying effect upon her, for wherever they went it followed them. +The snow-fed streams ran everywhere, and since leaving Srinagar she +could not remember a single occasion on which they had been out of +earshot of their perpetual music. It haunted her like a ceaseless +refrain, but yet she never wearied of it. There was no thought of +weariness in this mazed, dream-world of hers.</p> + +<p>At the beginning of her married life, so far behind her now that she +scarcely remembered it, she had gone through pangs of suffering and +fierce regret. Her whole nature had revolted, and it had taken all her +strength to quell it. But that was long, long past. She had ceased to +feel anything now, but a dumb and even placid acquiescence in this +lethargic existence, and Ralph Dacre was amply satisfied therewith. He +had always been abundantly confident of his power to secure her +happiness, and he was blissfully unconscious of the wild impulse to +rebellion which she had barely stifled. He had no desire to sound the +deeps of her. He was quite content with life as he found it, content to +share with her the dreamy pleasures that lay in this fruitful +wilderness, and to look not beyond.</p> + +<p>He troubled himself but little about the future, though when he thought +of it that was with pleasure too. He liked, now and then, to look +forward to the days that were coming when Stella would shine as a +queen—his queen—among an envious crowd. Her position assured as his +wife, even Lady Harriet herself would have to lower her flag. And how +little Netta Ermsted would grit her teeth! He laughed to himself +whenever he thought of that. Netta had become too uppish of late. It +would be amusing to see how she took her lesson.</p> + +<p>And as for his brother-officers, even the taciturn Monck had already +shown that he was not proof against Stella's charms. He wondered what +Stella thought of the man, well knowing that few women liked him, and +one evening, as they sat together in the scented darkness with the roar +of their mountain-stream filling the silences, he turned their fitful +conversation in Monck's direction to satisfy his lazy curiosity in this +respect.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I ought to write to the fellow," he said, "but if you've +written to Tommy it's almost the same thing. Besides, I don't suppose he +would be in the smallest degree interested. He would only be bored."</p> + +<p>There was a pause before Stella answered; but she was often slow of +speech in those days. "I thought you were friends," she said.</p> + +<p>"What? Oh, so we are." Ralph Dacre laughed, his easy, complacent laugh. +"But he's a dark horse, you know. I never know quite how to take him. +Your brother Tommy is a deal more intimate with him than I am, though I +have stabled with him for over four years. He's a very clever fellow, +there's no doubt of that—altogether too brainy for my taste. Clever +fellows always bore me. Now I wonder how he strikes you."</p> + +<p>Again there was that slight pause before Stella spoke, but there was +nothing very vital about it. She seemed to be slow in bringing her mind +to bear upon the subject. "I agree with you," she said then. "He is +clever. And he is kind too. He has been very good to Tommy."</p> + +<p>"Tommy would lie down and let him walk over him," remarked Dacre. +"Perhaps that is what he likes. But he's a cold-blooded sort of cuss. I +don't believe he has a spark of real affection for anybody. He is too +ambitious."</p> + +<p>"Is he ambitious?" Stella's voice sounded rather weary, wholly void of +interest.</p> + +<p>Dacre inhaled a deep breath of cigar-smoke and puffed it slowly forth. +His curiosity was warming. "Oh yes, ambitious as they're made. Those +strong, silent chaps always are. And there's no doubt he will make his +mark some day. He is a positive marvel at languages. And he dabbles in +Secret Service matters too, disguises himself and goes among the natives +in the bazaars as one of themselves. A fellow like that, you know, is +simply priceless to the Government. And he is as tough as leather. The +climate never touches him. He could sit on a grille and be happy. No +doubt he will be a very big pot some day." He tipped the ash from his +cigar. "You and I will be comfortably growing old in a villa at +Cheltenham by that time," he ended.</p> + +<p>A little shiver went through Stella. She said nothing and silence fell +between them again. The moon was rising behind a rugged line of +snow-hills across the valley, touching them here and there with a +silvery radiance, casting mysterious shadows all about them, sending a +magic twilight over the whole world so that they saw it dimly, as +through a luminous veil. The scent of Dacre's cigar hung in the air, +fragrant, aromatic, Eastern. He was sleepily watching his wife's pure +profile as she gazed into her world of dreams. It was evident that she +took small interest in Monck and his probable career. It was not +surprising. Monck was not the sort of man to attract women; he cared so +little about them—this silent watcher whose eyes were ever searching +below the surface of Eastern life, who studied and read and knew so much +more than any one else and yet who guarded knowledge and methods so +closely that only those in contact with his daily life suspected what he +hid.</p> + +<p>"He will surprise us all some day," Dacre placidly reflected. "Those +quiet, ambitious chaps always soar high. But I wouldn't change places. +with him even if he wins to the top of the tree. People who make a +specialty of hard work never get any fun out of anything. By the time +the fun comes along, they are too old to enjoy it."</p> + +<p>And so he lay at ease in his chair, feasting his eyes upon his young +wife's grave face, savouring life with the zest of the epicurean, +placidly at peace with all the world on that night of dreams.</p> + +<p>It was growing late, and the moon had topped the distant peaks sending a +flood of light across the sleeping valley before he finally threw away +the stump of his cigar and stretched forth a lazy arm to draw her to +him.</p> + +<p>"Why so silent, Star of my heart? Where are those wandering thoughts of +yours?"</p> + +<p>She submitted as usual to his touch, passively, without enthusiasm. "My +thoughts are not worth expressing, Ralph," she said.</p> + +<p>"Let us hear them all the same!" he said, laying his head against her +shoulder.</p> + +<p>She sat very still in his hold. "I was only watching the moonlight," she +said. "Somehow it made me think—of a flaming sword."</p> + +<p>"Turning all ways?" he suggested, indolently humorous. "Not driving us +forth out of the garden of Eden, I hope? That would be a little hard on +two such inoffensive mortals as we are, eh, sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she said seriously. "I doubt if the plea of +inoffensiveness would open the gates of Heaven to any one."</p> + +<p>He laughed. "I can't talk ethics at this time of night, Star of my +heart. It's time we went to our lair. I believe you would sit here till +sunrise if I would let you, you most ethereal of women. Do you ever +think of your body at all, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>He kissed her neck with the careless words, and a quick shiver went +through her. She made a slight, scarcely perceptible movement to free +herself.</p> + +<p>But the next moment sharply, almost convulsively, she grasped his arm. +"Ralph! What is that?"</p> + +<p>She was gazing towards the shadow cast by a patch of flowering azalea in +the moonlight about ten yards from where they sat. Dacre raised himself +with leisurely self-assurance and peered in the same direction. It was +not his nature to be easily disturbed.</p> + +<p>But Stella's hand still clung to his arm, and there was agitation in her +hold. "What is it?" she whispered. "What can it be? I have seen it +move—twice. Ah, look! Is it—is it—a panther?"</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, child, no!" Carelessly he made response, and with the +words disengaged himself from her hand and stood up. "It's more probably +some filthy old beggar who fondly thinks he is going to get <i>backsheesh</i> +for disturbing us. You stay here while I go and investigate!"</p> + +<p>But some nervous impulse goaded Stella. She also started up, holding him +back. "Oh, don't go, Ralph! Don't go! Call one of the men! Call Peter!"</p> + +<p>He laughed at her agitation. "My dear girl, don't be absurd! I don't +want Peter to help me kick a beastly native. In fact he probably +wouldn't lower himself to do such a thing."</p> + +<p>But still she clung to him. "Ralph, don't go! Please don't go! I have a +feeling—I am afraid—I—" She broke off panting, her fingers tightly +clutching his sleeve. "Don't go!" she reiterated.</p> + +<p>He put his arm round her. "My dear, what do you think a tatterdemalion +gipsy is going to do to me? He may be a snake-charmer, and if so the +sooner he is got rid of the better. There! What did I tell you? He is +coming out of his corner. Now, don't be frightened! It doesn't do to +show funk to these people."</p> + +<p>He held her closely to him and waited. Beside the flowering azalea +something was undoubtedly moving, and as they stood and watched, a +strange figure slowly detached itself from the shadows and crept towards +them. It was clad in native garments and shuffled along in a bent +attitude as if deformed. Stella stiffened as she stood. There was +something unspeakably repellent to her in its toadlike advance.</p> + +<p>"Make one of the men send him away!" she whispered urgently. "Please do! +It may be a snake-charmer as you say. He moves like a reptile himself. +And I—abhor snakes."</p> + +<p>But Dacre stood his ground. He felt none of her shrinking horror of the +bowed, misshapen creature approaching them. In fact he was only curious +to see how far a Kashmiri beggar's audacity would carry him.</p> + +<p>Within half a dozen paces of them, in the full moonlight, the shambling +figure halted and salaamed with clawlike hands extended. His deformity +bent him almost double, but he was so muffled in rags that it was +difficult to discern any tangible human shape at all. A tangled black +beard hung wisplike from the dirty <i>chuddah</i> that draped his head, and +above it two eyes, fevered and furtive, peered strangely forth.</p> + +<p>The salaam completed, the intruder straightened himself as far as his +infirmity would permit, and in a moment spoke in the weak accents of an +old, old man. "Will his most gracious excellency be pleased to permit +one who is as the dust beneath his feet to speak in his presence words +which only he may hear?"</p> + +<p>It was the whine of the Hindu beggar, halting, supplicatory, almost +revoltingly servile. Stella shuddered with disgust. The whole episode +was so utterly out of place in that moonlit paradise. But Dacre's +curiosity was evidently aroused. To her urgent whisper to send the man +away he paid no heed. Some spirit of perversity—or was it the hand of +Fate upon him?—made him bestow his supercilious attention upon the +cringing visitor.</p> + +<p>"Speak away, you son of a centipede!" he made kindly rejoinder. "I am +all ears—the <i>mem-sahib</i> also."</p> + +<p>The man waved a skinny, protesting arm. "Only his most gracious +excellency!" he insisted, seeming to utter the words through parched +lips. "Will not his excellency deign to give his unworthy servant one +precious moment that he may speak in the august one's ear alone?"</p> + +<p>"This is highly mysterious," commented Dacre. "I think I shall have to +find out what he wants, eh, Stella? His information may be valuable."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do send him away!" Stella entreated. "I am not used to these +natives. They frighten me."</p> + +<p>"My dear child, what nonsense!" laughed Dacre. "What harm do you imagine +a doddering old fool like this could do to any one? If I were Monck, I +should invite him to join the party. Not being Monck, I propose to hear +what he has to say and then kick him out. You run along to bed, dear! +I'll soon settle him and follow you. Don't be uneasy! There is really no +need."</p> + +<p>He kissed her lightly with the words, flattered by her evident anxiety +on his behalf though fully determined to ignore it.</p> + +<p>Stella turned beside him in silence, aware that he could be immovably +obstinate when once his mind was made up. But the feeling of dread +remained upon her. In some fantastic fashion the beauty of the night had +become marred, as though evil spirits were abroad. For the first time +she wanted to keep her husband at her side.</p> + +<p>But it was useless to protest. She was moreover half-ashamed herself at +her uneasiness, and his treatment of it stung her into the determination +to dismiss it. She parted with him before their tent with no further +sign of reluctance.</p> + +<p>He on his part kissed her in his usual voluptuous fashion. "Good-night, +darling!" he said lightly. "Don't lie awake for me! When I have got rid +of this old Arabian Nights sinner, I may have another smoke. But don't +get impatient! I shan't be late."</p> + +<p>She withdrew herself from him almost with coldness. Had she ever been +impatient for his coming? She entered the tent proudly, her head high. +But the moment she was alone, reaction came. She stood with her hands +gripped together, fighting the old intolerable misgiving that even the +lulling magic all around her had never succeeded in stilling. What was +she doing in this garden of delights with a man she did not love? Had +she not entered as it were by stealth? How long would it be before her +presence was discovered and she thrust forth into the outermost darkness +in shame and bitterness of soul?</p> + +<p>Another thought was struggling at the back of her mind, but she held it +firmly there. Never once had she suffered it to take full possession of +her. It belonged to that other life which she had found too hard to +endure. Vain regrets and futile longings—she would have none of them. +She had chosen her lot, she would abide by the choice. Yes, and she +would do her duty also, whatever it might entail. Ralph should never +know, never dimly suspect. And that other—he would never know either. +His had been but a passing fancy. He trod the way of ambition, and there +was no room in his life for anything besides. If she had shown him her +heart, it had been but a momentary glimpse; and he had forgotten +already. She was sure he had forgotten. And she had desired that he +should forget. He had penetrated her stronghold indeed, but it was only +as it were the outer defences that had fallen. He had not reached the +inner fort. No man would ever reach that now—certainly, most certainly, +not the man to whom she had given herself. And to none other would the +chance be offered.</p> + +<p>No, she was secure; she was secure. She guarded her heart from all. And +she could not suffer deeply—so she told herself—so long as she kept it +close. Yet, as the wonder-music of the torrent lulled her to sleep, a +face she knew, dark, strong, full of silent purpose, rose before her +inner vision and would not be driven forth. What was he doing to-night? +Was he wandering about the bazaars in some disguise, learning the +secrets of that strange native India that had drawn him into her toils? +She tried to picture that hidden life of his, but could not. The keen, +steady eyes, set in that calm, emotionless face, held her persistently, +defeating imagination. Of one thing only was she certain. He might +baffle others, but by no amount of ingenuity could he ever deceive her. +She would recognize him in a moment whatever his disguise. She was sure +that she would know him. Those grave, unflinching eyes would surely give +him away to any who really knew him. So ran her thoughts on that night +of magic till at last sleep came, and the vision faded. The last thing +she knew was a memory that awoke and mocked her—the sound of a low +voice that in spite of herself she had to hear.</p> + +<p>"I was waiting," said the voice, "till my turn should come."</p> + +<p>With a sharp pang she cast the memory from her—and slept.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_VII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE SERPENT IN THE GARDEN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Now, you old sinner! Let's hear your valuable piece of information!" +Carelessly Ralph Dacre sauntered forth again into the moonlight and +confronted the tatterdemalion figure of his visitor.</p> + +<p>The contrast between them was almost fantastic so strongly did the +arrogance of the one emphasize the deep abasement of the other. Dacre +was of large build and inclined to stoutness. He had the ruddy +complexion of the English country squire. He moved with the swagger of +the conquering race.</p> + +<p>The man who cringed before him, palsied, misshapen, a mere wreck of +humanity, might have been a being from another sphere—some underworld +of bizarre creatures that crawled purblind among shadows.</p> + +<p>He salaamed again profoundly in response to Dacre's contemptuous words, +nearly rubbing his forehead upon the ground. "His most noble excellency +is pleased to be gracious," he murmured. "If he will deign to follow his +miserably unworthy servant up the goat-path where none may overhear, he +will speak his message and depart."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a message, is it?" With a species of scornful tolerance Dacre +turned towards the path indicated. "Well, lead on! I'm not coming +far—no, not for untold wealth. Nor am I going to waste much time over +you. I have better things to do."</p> + +<p>The old man turned also with a cringing movement. "Only a little way, +most noble!" he said in his thin, cracked voice. "Only a little way!"</p> + +<p>Hobbling painfully, he began the ascent in front of the strolling +Englishman. The path ran steeply up between close-growing shrubs, +following the winding of the torrent far below. In places the hillside +was precipitous and the roar of the stream rose louder as it dashed +among its rocks. The heavy scent of the azalea flowers hung like incense +everywhere, mingling aromatically with the smoke from Dacre's newly +lighted cigar.</p> + +<p>With his hands in his pockets he followed his guide with long, easy +strides. The ascent was nothing to him, and the other's halting progress +brought a smile of contemptuous pity to his lips. What did the old +rascal expect to gain from the interview he wondered?</p> + +<p>Up and up the narrow path they went, till at length a small natural +platform in the shoulder of the hill was reached, and here the ragged +creature in front of Dacre paused and turned.</p> + +<p>The moonlight smote full upon him, revealing him in every repulsive +detail. His eyes burned in their red-rimmed sockets as he lifted them. +But he did not speak even after the careless saunter of the Englishman +had ceased at his side. The dash of the stream far below rose up like +the muffled roar of a train in a tunnel. The bed of it was very narrow +at that point and the current swift.</p> + +<p>For a moment or two Dacre stood waiting, the cigar still between his +lips, his eyes upon the gleaming caps of the snow-hills far away. But +very soon the spell of them fell from him. It was not his nature to +remain silent for long.</p> + +<p>With his easy, superior laugh he turned and looked his motionless +companion up and down. "Well?" he said. "Have you brought me here to +admire the view? Very fine no doubt; but I could have done it without +your guidance."</p> + +<p>There was no immediate reply to his carelessly flung query, and faint +curiosity arose within him mingling with his strong contempt. He pulled +a hand out of his pocket and displayed a few <i>annas</i> in his palm.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he said again. "What may this valuable piece of information be +worth?"</p> + +<p>The other made an abrupt movement; it was almost as if he curbed some +savage impulse to violence. He moved back a pace, and there in the +moonlight before Dacre's insolent gaze—he changed.</p> + +<p>With a deep breath he straightened himself to the height of a tall man. +The bent contorted limbs became lithe and strong. The cringing humility +slipped from him like a garment. He stood upright and faced Ralph +Dacre—a man in the prime of life.</p> + +<p>"That," he said, "is a matter of opinion. So far as I am concerned, it +has cost a damned uncomfortable journey. But—it will probably cost you +more than that."</p> + +<p>"Great—Jupiter!" said Dacre.</p> + +<p>He stood and stared and stared. The curt speech, the almost fiercely +contemptuous bearing, the absolute, unwavering assurance of this man +whom but a moment before he had so arrogantly trampled underfoot sent +through him such a shock of amazement as nearly deprived him of the +power to think. Perhaps for the first time in his life he was utterly +and completely at a loss. Only as he gazed at the man before him, there +came upon him, sudden as a blow, the memory of a certain hot day more +than a year before when he and Everard Monck had wrestled together in +the Club gymnasium for the benefit of a little crowd of subalterns who +had eagerly betted upon the result. It had been sinew <i>versus</i> weight, +and after a tough struggle sinew had prevailed. He remembered the +unpleasant sensation of defeat even now though he had had the grit to +take it like a man and get up laughing. It was one of the very few +occasions he could remember upon which he had been worsted.</p> + +<p>But now—to-night—he was face to face with something of an infinitely +more serious nature. This man with the stern, accusing eyes and wholly +merciless attitude—what had he come to say? An odd sensation stirred at +Dacre's heart like an unsteady hand knocking for admittance. There was +something wrong here—- something wrong.</p> + +<p>"You—madman!" he said at length, and with the words pulled himself +together with a giant effort. "What in the name of wonder are you doing +here?" He had bitten his cigar through in his astonishment, and he +tossed it away as he spoke with a gesture of returning confidence. He +silenced the uneasy foreboding within and met the hard eyes that +confronted him without discomfiture. "What's your game?" he said. "You +have come to tell me something, I suppose. But why on earth couldn't you +write it?"</p> + +<p>"The written word is not always effectual," the other man said.</p> + +<p>He put up a hand abruptly and stripped the ragged hair from his face, +pushing back the heavy folds of the <i>chuddah</i> that enveloped his head as +he did so. His features gleamed in the moonlight, lean and brown, +unmistakably British.</p> + +<p>"Monck!" said Dacre, in the tone of one verifying a suspicion.</p> + +<p>"Yes—Monck." Grimly the other repeated the name. "I've had considerable +trouble in following you here. I shouldn't have taken it if I hadn't had +a very urgent reason."</p> + +<p>"Well, what the devil is it?" Dacre spoke with the exasperation of a man +who knows himself to be at a disadvantage. "If you want to know my +opinion, I regard such conduct as damned intrusive at such a time. But +if you've any decent excuse let's hear it!"</p> + +<p>He had never adopted that tone to Monck before, but he had been rudely +jolted out of his usually complacent attitude, and he resented Monck's +presence. Moreover, an unpleasant sense of inferiority had begun to make +itself felt. There was something judicial about Monck—something +inexorable and condemnatory—something that aroused in him every +instinct of self-defence.</p> + +<p>But Monck met his blustering demand with the utmost calm. It was as if +he held him in a grip of iron intention from which no struggles, however +desperate, could set him free.</p> + +<p>He took an envelope from the folds of his ragged raiment. "I believe you +have heard me speak of my brother Bernard," he said, "chaplain of +Charthurst Prison."</p> + +<p>Dacre nodded. "The fellow who writes to you every month. Well? What of +him?"</p> + +<p>Monck's steady fingers detached and unfolded a letter. "You had better +read for yourself," he said, and held it out.</p> + +<p>But curiously Dacre hung back as if unwilling to touch it.</p> + +<p>"Can't you tell me what all the fuss is about?" he said irritably.</p> + +<p>Monck's hand remained inflexibly extended. He spoke, a jarring note in +his voice. "Oh yes, I can tell you. But you had better see for yourself +too. It concerns you very nearly. It was written in Charthurst Prison +nearly six weeks ago, where a woman who calls herself your wife is +undergoing a term of imprisonment for forgery."</p> + +<p>"Damnation!" Ralph Dacre actually staggered as if he had received a blow +between the eyes. But almost in the next moment he recovered himself, +and uttered a quivering laugh. "Man alive! You are not fool enough to +believe such a cock-and-bull story as that!" he said. "And you have come +all this way in this fancy get-up to tell me! You must be mad!"</p> + +<p>Monck was still holding out the letter. "You had better see for +yourself," he reiterated. "It is damnably circumstantial."</p> + +<p>"I tell you it's an infernal lie!" flung back Dacre furiously. "There is +no woman on this earth who has any claim on me—except Stella. Why +should I read it? I tell you it's nothing but damned fabrication—a +tissue of abominable falsehood!"</p> + +<p>"You mean to deny that you have ever been through any form of marriage +before?" said Monck slowly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do!" Dacre uttered another angry laugh. "You must be a +positive fool to imagine such a thing. It's preposterous, unheard of! +Of course I have never been married before. What are you thinking of?"</p> + +<p>Monck remained unmoved. "She has been a music-hall actress," he said. +"Her name is—or was—Madelina Belleville. Do you tell me that you have +never had any dealings whatever with her?"</p> + +<p>Dacre laughed again fiercely, scoffingly. "You don't imagine that I +would marry a woman of that sort, do you?" he said.</p> + +<p>"That is no answer to my question," Monck said firmly.</p> + +<p>"Confound you!" Dacre blazed into open wrath. "Who the devil are you to +enquire into my private affairs? Do you think I am going to put up with +your damned impertinence? What?"</p> + +<p>"I think you will have to." Monck spoke quitely, but there was deadly +determination in his words. "It's a choice of evils, and if you are wise +you will choose the least. Are you going to read the letter?"</p> + +<p>Dacre stared at him for a moment or two with eyes of glowering +resentment; but in the end he put forth a hand not wholly steady and +took the sheet held out to him. Monck stood beside him in utter +immobility, gazing out over the valley with a changeless vigilance that +had about it something fateful.</p> + +<p>Minutes passed. Dacre seemed unable to lift his eyes from the page. But +it fluttered in his hold, though the night was still, as if a strong +wind were blowing.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he moved, as one who violently breaks free from some fettering +spell. He uttered a bitter oath and tore the sheet of paper passionately +to fragments. He flung them to the ground and trampled them underfoot.</p> + +<p>"Ten million curses on her!" he raved. "She has been the bane of my +life!"</p> + +<p>Monck's eyes came out of the distance and surveyed him, coldly curious. +"I thought so," he said, and in his voice was an odd inflection as of +one who checks a laugh at an ill-timed jest.</p> + +<p>Dacre stamped again like an infuriated bull. "If I had her here—I'd +strangle her!" he swore. "That brother of yours is an artist. He has +sketched her to the life—the she-devil!" His voice cracked and broke. +He was breathing like a man in torture. He swayed as he stood.</p> + +<p>And still Monck remained passive, grim and cold and unyielding. "How +long is it since you married her?" he questioned at last.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I never married her!" Desperately Dacre sought to recover +lost ground, but he had slipped too far.</p> + +<p>"You told me that lie before," Monck observed in his even judicial +tones. "Is it—worth while?"</p> + +<p>Dacre glared at him, but his glare was that of the hunted animal trapped +and helpless. He was conquered, and he knew it.</p> + +<p>Calmly Monck continued. "There is not much doubt that she holds proof of +the marriage, and she will probably try to establish it as soon as she +is free."</p> + +<p>"She will never get anything more out of me," said Dacre. His voice was +low and sullen. There was that in the other man's attitude that stilled +his fury, rendering it futile, even in a fashion ridiculous.</p> + +<p>"I am not thinking of you." Monck's coldness had in it something brutal. +"You are not the only person concerned. But the fact remains—this woman +is your wife. You may as well tell the truth about it as not—since I +know."</p> + +<p>Dacre jerked his head like an angry bull, but he submitted. "Oh well, if +you must have it, I suppose she was—once," he said. "She caught me when +I was a kid of twenty-one. She was a bad 'un even then, and it didn't +take me long to find it out. I could have divorced her several times +over, only the marriage was a secret and I didn't want my people to +know. The last I heard of her was that her name was among the drowned on +a wrecked liner going to America. That was six years ago or more; and I +was thankful to be rid of her. I regarded her death as one of the +biggest slices of luck I'd ever had. And now—curse her!"—he ended +savagely—"she has come to life again!"</p> + +<p>He glanced at Monck with the words, almost as if seeking sympathy; but +Monck's face was masklike in its unresponsiveness. He said nothing +whatever.</p> + +<p>In a moment Dacre took up the tale. "I've considered myself free ever +since we separated, after only six weeks together. Any man would. It was +nothing but a passing fancy. Heaven knows why I was fool enough to marry +her, except that I had high-flown ideas of honour in those days, and I +got drawn in. She never regarded it as binding, so why in thunder should +I?" He spoke indignantly, as one who had the right of complaint.</p> + +<p>"Your ideas of honour having altered somewhat," observed Monck, with +bitter cynicism.</p> + +<p>Dacre winced a little. "I don't profess to be anything extraordinary," +he said. "But I maintain that marriage gives no woman the right to wreck +a man's life. She has no more claim upon me now than the man in the +moon. If she tries to assert it, she will soon find her mistake." He was +beginning to recover his balance, and there was even a hint of his +customary complacence audible in his voice as he made the declaration. +"But there is no reason to believe she will," he added. "She knows very +well that she has nothing whatever to gain by it. Your brother seems to +have gathered but a vague idea of the affair. You had better write and +tell him that the Dacre he means is dead. Your brother-officer belongs +to another branch of the family. That ought to satisfy everybody and no +great harm done, what?"</p> + +<p>He uttered the last word with a tentative, disarming smile. He was not +quite sure of his man, but it seemed to him that even Monck must see +the utter futility of making a disturbance about the affair at this +stage. Matters had gone so far that silence was the only course—silence +on his part, a judicious lie or two on the part of Monck. He did not see +how the latter could refuse to render him so small a service. As he +himself had remarked but a few moments before, he, Dacre, was not the +only person concerned.</p> + +<p>But the absolute and uncompromising silence with which his easy +suggestion was received was disquieting. He hastened to break it, +divining that the longer it lasted the less was it likely to end in his +favour.</p> + +<p>"Come, I say!" he urged on a friendly note. "You can't refuse to do this +much for a comrade in a tight corner! I'd do the same for you and more. +And remember, it isn't my happiness alone that hangs in the balance! +We've got to think of—Stella!"</p> + +<p>Monck moved at that, moved sharply, almost with violence. Yet, when he +spoke, his voice was still deliberate, cuttingly distinct. "Yes," he +said. "And her honour is worth about as much to you, apparently, as your +own! I am thinking of her—and of her only. And, so far as I can see, +there is only one thing to be done."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" Dacre's air of half-humorous persuasion dissolved into +insolence. "And I am to do it, am I? Your humble servant to command!"</p> + +<p>Monck stretched forth a sinewy arm and slowly closed his fist under the +other man's eyes. "You will do it—yes," he said. "I hold you—like +that."</p> + +<p>Dacre flinched slightly in spite of himself. "What do you mean? You +would never be such a—such a cur—as to give me away?"</p> + +<p>Monck made a sound that was too full of bitterness to be termed a laugh. +"You're such an infernal blackguard," he said, "that I don't care a damn +whether you go to the devil or not. The only thing that concerns me is +how to protect a woman's honour that you have dared to jeopardize, how +to save her from open shame. It won't be an easy matter, but it can be +done, and it shall be done. Now listen!" His voice rang suddenly hard, +almost metallic. "If this thing is to be kept from her—as it must +be—as it shall be—you must drop out—vanish. So far as she is +concerned you must die to-night."</p> + +<p>"I?" Dacre stared at him in startled incredulity. "Man, are you mad?"</p> + +<p>"I am not." Keen as bared steel came the answer. Monck's impassivity was +gone. His face was darkly passionate, his whole bearing that of a man +relentlessly set upon obtaining the mastery. "But if you imagine her +safety can be secured without a sacrifice, you are wrong. Do you think I +am going to stand tamely by and see an innocent woman dragged down to +your beastly level? What do you suppose her point of view would be? How +would she treat the situation if she ever came to know? I believe she +would kill herself."</p> + +<p>"But she never need know! She never shall know!" There was a note of +desperation in Dacre's rejoinder. "You have only got to hush it up, and +it will die a natural death. That she-devil will never take the trouble +to follow me out here. Why should she? She knows very well that she has +no claim whatever upon me. Stella is the only woman who has any claim +upon me now."</p> + +<p>"You are right." Grimly Monck took him up. "And her claim is the claim +of an honourable woman to honourable treatment. And so far as lies in +your power and mine, she shall have it. That is why you will do this +thing—disappear to-night, go out of her life for good, and let her +think you dead. I will undertake then that the truth shall never reach +her. She will be safe. But there can be no middle course. She shall not +be exposed to the damnable risk of finding herself stranded."</p> + +<p>He ceased to speak, and in the moonlight their eyes met as the eyes of +men who grip together in a death-struggle.</p> + +<p>The silence between them was more terrible than words. It held +unutterable things.</p> + +<p>Dacre spoke at last, his voice low and hoarse. "I can't do it. There is +too much involved. Besides, it wouldn't really help. She would come to +know inevitably."</p> + +<p>"She will never know." Inexorably came the answer, spoken with pitiless +insistence. "As to ways and means, I have provided for them. It won't be +difficult in this wilderness to cover your tracks. When the news has +gone forth that you are dead, no one will look for you."</p> + +<p>A hard shiver went through Dacre. His hands clenched. He was as a man in +the presence of his executioner. The paralysing spell was upon him +again, constricting as a rope about his neck. But sacrifice was no part +of his nature. With despair at his heart, he yet made a desperate bid +for freedom.</p> + +<p>"The whole business is outrageous!" he said. "It is out of the question. +I refuse to do it. Matters have gone too far. To all intents and +purposes, Stella is my wife, and I'm damned if any one shall come +between us. You may do your worst! I refuse."</p> + +<p>Defiance was his only weapon, and he hurled it with all his strength; +but the moment he had done so, he realized the hopelessness of the +venture. Monck made a single, swift movement, and in a moment the +moonlight glinted upon the polished muzzle of a Service revolver. He +spoke, briefly, with iron coldness.</p> + +<p>"The choice is yours. Only—if you refuse to give her—the sanctuary of +widowhood—I will! After all it would be the safest way for all +concerned."</p> + +<p>Dacre went back a pace. "Going to murder me, what?" he said.</p> + +<p>Monck's teeth gleamed in a terrible smile. "You need not—refuse," he +said.</p> + +<p>"True!" Dacre was looking him full in the eyes with more of curiosity +than apprehension. "And—as you have foreseen—I shall not refuse under +those circumstances. It would have saved time if you had put it in that +light before."</p> + +<p>"It would. But I hoped you might have the decency to act +without—persuasion." Monck was speaking between his teeth, but the +revolver was concealed again in the folds of his garment. "You will +leave to-night—at once—without seeing her again. That is understood."</p> + +<p>It was the end of the conflict. Dacre attempted no further resistance. +He was not the man to waste himself upon a cause that he realized to be +hopeless. Moreover, there was about Monck at that moment a force that +restrained him, compelled instinctive respect. Though he hated the man +for his mastery, he could not despise him. For he knew that what he had +done had been done through a rigid sense of honour and that chivalry +which goes hand in hand with honour—the chivalry with which no woman +would have credited him.</p> + +<p>That Monck had nought but the most disinterested regard for any woman, +he firmly believed, and probably that conviction gave added strength to +his position. That he should fight thus for a mere principle, though +incomprehensible in Dacre's opinion, was a circumstance that carried +infinitely more weight than more personal championship. Monck was the +one man of his acquaintance who had never displayed the smallest desire +to compete for any woman's favour, who had never indeed shown himself to +be drawn by any feminine attractions, and his sudden assumption of +authority was therefore unassailable. In yielding to the greater power, +Dacre yielded to a moral force rather than to human compulsion. And +though driven sorely against his will, he respected the power that +drove. His dumb gesture of acquiescence conveyed as much as he turned +away relinquishing the struggle.</p> + +<p>He had fought hard, and he had been defeated. It was bitter enough, but +after all he had had his turn. The first hot rapture was already +passing. Love in the wilderness could not last for ever. It had been +fierce enough—too fierce to endure. And characteristically he reflected +that Stella's cold beauty would not have held him for long. He preferred +something more ardent, more living. Moreover, his nature demanded a +certain meed of homage from the object of his desire, and undeniably +this had been conspicuously lacking. Stella was evidently one to accept +rather than to give, and there had been moments when this had slightly +galled him. She seemed to him fundamentally incapable of any deep +feeling, and though this had not begun to affect their relations at +present, he had realized in a vague fashion that because of it she would +not hold him for ever. So, after the first, he knew that he would find +consolation. Certainly he would not break his heart for her or for any +woman, nor did he flatter himself that she would break hers for him.</p> + +<p>Meantime—he prepared to shrug his shoulders over the inevitable. Things +might have been much worse. And perhaps on the whole it was safer to +obey Monck's command and go. An open scandal would really be a good deal +worse for him than for Stella, who had little to lose, and there was no +knowing what might happen if he took the risk and remained. Emphatically +he had no desire to face a personal reckoning at some future date with +the she-devil who had been the bane of his existence. It was an unlikely +contingency but undoubtedly it existed, and he hated unpleasantness of +all kinds. So, philosophically, he resolved to adjust himself to this +burden. There was something of the adventurer in his blood and he had a +vast belief in his own ultimate good luck. Fortune might frown for +awhile, but he knew that he was Fortune's favourite notwithstanding. And +very soon she would smile again.</p> + +<p>But for Monck he had only the bitter hate of the conquered. He cast a +malevolent look upon him with eyes that were oddly narrowed—a +measuring, speculative look that comprehended his strength and +registered the infallibility thereof with loathing. "I wonder what +happened to the serpent," he said, "when the man and woman were thrust +out of the garden."</p> + +<p>Monck had readjusted his disguise. He looked back with baffling, +inscrutable eyes, his dark face masklike in its impenetrability. But he +spoke no word in answer. He had said his say. Like a mantle he gathered +his reserve about him again, as a man resuming a solitary journey +through the desert which all his life he had travelled alone.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_1_CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she +must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings +pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours. +She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was +alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, +which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.</p> + +<p>When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the +roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing +of a swarm of bees. She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering +why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent +than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that +seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.</p> + +<p>For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck +powerless, every nerve strained to listen. Who had uttered that dreadful +wail? What did it portend? Then, her strength returning, she started +up, and knew that she was alone. The camp-bed by her side was empty. It +had not been touched. Fear, nameless and chill, swept through her. She +felt her very heart turn cold.</p> + +<p>Shivering, she seized a wrap, and crept to the tent-entrance. The flap +was unfastened, just as it had been left by her husband the night +before. With shaking fingers she drew it aside and looked forth.</p> + +<p>The hubbub of voices had died down to awed whisperings. A group of +coolies huddled in the open space before her like an assembly of monkeys +holding an important discussion.</p> + +<p>Further away, with distorted limbs and grim, impassive countenance, +crouched the black-bearded beggar whose importunity had lured Ralph from +her side the previous evening. His red-rimmed, sunken eyes gazed like +the eyes of a dead man straight into the sunrise. So motionless were +they, so utterly void of expression, that she thought they must be +blind. There was something fateful, something terrible in the aloofness +of him. It was as if an invisible circle surrounded him within which +none might intrude.</p> + +<p>And close at hand—so close that she could have touched his turbaned +head as she stood—the great Sikh bearer, Peter, sat huddled in a heap +on the soft green earth and rocked himself to and fro like a child in +trouble. She knew at the first glance that it was he who had uttered +that anguished wail.</p> + +<p>To him she turned, as to the only being she could trust in that strange +scene.</p> + +<p>"Peter," she said, "what has happened? What is wrong? Where—where is +the captain <i>sahib</i>?"</p> + +<p>He gave a great start at the sound of her voice above him, and +instantly, with a rapid noiseless movement, arose and bent himself +before her.</p> + +<p>"The <i>mem-sahib</i> will pardon her servant," he said, and she saw that his +dark face was twisted with emotion. "But there is bad news for her +to-day. The captain <i>sahib</i> has gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" Stella echoed the word uncomprehendingly, as one who speaks an +unknown language.</p> + +<p>Peter's look fell before the wide questioning of hers. He replied almost +under his breath: "<i>Mem-sahib</i>, it was in the still hour of the night. +The captain <i>sahib</i> slept on the mountain, and in his sleep he fell—and +was taken away by the stream."</p> + +<p>"Taken away!" Again, numbly, Stella repeated his words. She felt +suddenly very weak and sick.</p> + +<p>Peter stretched a hand towards the inscrutable stranger. "This man, +<i>mem-sahib</i>," he said with reverence, "he is a holy man, and while +praying upon the mountain top, he saw the <i>sahib</i>, sunk in a deep sleep, +fall forward over the rock as if a hand had touched him. He came down +and searched for him, <i>mem-sahib</i>; but he was gone. The snows are +melting, and the water runs swift and deep."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" It was a gasp rather than an exclamation. Stella was blindly +tottering against the tent-rope, clutching vaguely for support.</p> + +<p>The great Sikh caught her ere she fell, his own distress subdued in a +flash before the urgency of her need. "Lean on me, <i>mem-sahib!</i>" he +said, deference and devotion mingling in his voice.</p> + +<p>She accepted his help instinctively, scarcely knowing what she did, and +very gently, with a woman's tenderness, he led her back into the tent.</p> + +<p>"My <i>mem-sahib</i> must rest," he said. "And I will find a woman to serve +her."</p> + +<p>She opened her eyes with a dizzy sense of wonder. Peter had never failed +before to procure anything that she wanted, but even in her extremity +she had a curiously irrelevant moment of conjecture as to where he would +turn in the wilderness for the commodity he so confidently mentioned.</p> + +<p>Then, the anguish returning, she checked his motion to depart. "No, no, +Peter," she said, commanding her voice with difficulty. "There is no +need for that. I am quite all right. But—but—tell me more! How did +this happen? Why did he sleep on the mountain?"</p> + +<p>"How should the <i>mem-sahib's</i> servant know?" questioned Peter, gently +and deferentially, as one who reasoned with a child. "It may be that the +opium of his cigar was stronger than usual. But how can I tell?"</p> + +<p>"Opium! He never smoked opium!" Stella gazed upon him in fresh +bewilderment. "Surely—surely not!" she said, as though seeking to +convince herself.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib</i>, how should I know?" the Indian murmured soothingly.</p> + +<p>She became suddenly aware that further inaction was unendurable. She +must see for herself. She must know the whole, dreadful truth. Though +trembling from head to foot, she spoke with decision. "Peter, go outside +and wait for me! Keep that old beggar too! Don't let him go! As soon as +I am dressed, we will go to—the place—and—look for him."</p> + +<p>She stumbled over the last words, but she spoke them bravely. Peter +straightened himself, recognizing the voice of authority. With a deep +salaam, he turned and passed out, drawing the tent-flap decorously into +place behind him.</p> + +<p>And then with fevered energy, Stella dressed. Her hands moved with +lightning speed though her body felt curiously weighted and unnatural. +The fantastic thought crossed her brain that it was as though she +prepared herself for her own funeral.</p> + +<p>No sound reached her from without, save only the monotonous and endless +dashing of the torrent among its boulders. She was beginning to feel +that the sound in some fashion expressed a curse.</p> + +<p>When she was ready at length, she stood for a second or two to gather +her strength. She still felt ill and dizzy, as though the world she knew +had suddenly fallen away from her and left her struggling in +unimaginable space, like a swimmer in deep waters. But she conquered her +weakness, and, drawing aside the tent-flap once more, she stepped forth.</p> + +<p>The morning sun struck full upon her. It was as if the whole earth +rushed to meet her in a riot of rejoicing; but she was in some fashion +outside and beyond it all. The glow could not reach her.</p> + +<p>With a sharp sense of revulsion, she saw the deformed man squatting +close to her, his <i>chuddah</i>-draped head lodged upon his knees. He did +not stir at her coming though she felt convinced that he was aware of +her, aware probably of everything that passed within a considerable +radius of his disreputable person. His dark face, lined and dirty, +half-covered with ragged black hair that ended in a long thin wisp like +a goat's beard on his shrunken chest, was still turned to the east as +though challenging the sun that was smiting a swift course through the +heavens as if with a flaming sword. The simile rushed through her mind +unbidden. Where would she be—what would have happened to her—by the +time that sword was sheathed?</p> + +<p>She conquered her repulsion and approached the man. As she did so, Peter +glided silently up like a faithful watch-dog and took his place at her +right hand. It was typical of the position he was to occupy in the days +that were coming.</p> + +<p>Within a pace or two of the huddled figure, Stella stopped. He had not +moved. It was evident that he was so rapt in meditation that her +presence at that moment was no more to him than that of an insect +crawling across his path. His eyes, red-rimmed, startlingly bright, +still challenged the coming day. His whole expression was so grimly +aloof, so sternly unsympathetic, that she hesitated to disturb him.</p> + +<p>Humbly Peter came to her assistance. "May I be allowed to speak to him, +<i>mem-sahib?</i>" he asked.</p> + +<p>She turned to him thankfully. "Yes, tell him what I want!"</p> + +<p>Peter placed himself in front of the stranger. "The noble lady desires +your service," he said. "Her gracious excellency is waiting."</p> + +<p>A quiver went through the crouching form. He seemed to awake, his mind +returning as it were from a far distance. He turned his head, and Stella +saw that he was not blind. For his eyes took her in, for the moment +appraised her. Then with ungainly, tortoiselike movements, he arose.</p> + +<p>"I am her excellency's servant," he said, in hollow, quavering accents. +"I live or die at her most gracious command."</p> + +<p>It was abjectly spoken, yet she shuddered at the sound of his voice. Her +whole being revolted against holding any converse with the man. But she +forced herself to persist. Only this monstrous, half-bestial creature +could give her any detail of the awful thing that had happened in the +night. If Ralph were indeed dead, this man was the last who had seen +him in life.</p> + +<p>With a strong effort she subdued her repugnance and addressed him. "I +want," she said, "to be guided to the place from which you say he fell. +I must see for myself."</p> + +<p>He bent himself almost to the earth before her. "Let the gracious lady +follow her servant!" he said, and forthwith straightened himself and +hobbled away.</p> + +<p>She followed him in utter silence, Peter walking at her right hand. Up +the steep goat-path which Dacre had so arrogantly ascended in the wake +of his halting guide they made their slow progress in dumb procession. +Stella moved as one rapt in some terrible dream. Again that drugged +feeling was upon her, that sense of being bound by a spell, and now she +knew that the spell was evil. Once or twice her brain stirred a little +when Peter offered his silent help, and she thanked him and accepted it +while scarcely realizing what she did. But for the most part she +remained in that state of awful quiescence, the inertia of one about +whom the toils of a pitiless Fate were closely woven. There was no +escape for her. She knew that there could be no escape. She had been +caught trespassing in a forbidden paradise, and she was about to be +thrust forth without mercy.</p> + +<p>High up on a shelf of naked rock their guide stood and waited—a ragged, +incongruous figure against the purity of the new day. The early sun had +barely topped the highest mountains, but a great gap between two mighty +peaks revealed it. As Stella pressed forward, she came suddenly into the +splendour of the morning.</p> + +<p>It affected her strangely. She felt as Moses must have felt when the +Glory of God was revealed to him. The brightness was intolerable. It +seemed to pierce her through and through. She was not able to look upon +it.</p> + +<p>"Excellency," the stranger said, "it was here."</p> + +<p>She moved forward and stood beside him. Quiveringly, in a voice she +hardly recognized as her own, she spoke. "You were with him. You brought +him here."</p> + +<p>He made a gesture as of one who repudiates responsibility. "I, +excellency, I am the servant of the Holy Ones," he said. "I had a +message for him. I knew that the Holy Ones were angry. It was written +that the white <i>sahib</i> should not tread the sacred ground. I warned him, +excellency, and then I left him. And now the Holy Ones have worked their +will upon him, and lo, he is gone."</p> + +<p>Stella gazed at the man with fascinated eyes. The confidence with which +he spoke somehow left no room for question.</p> + +<p>"He is mad," she murmured, half to herself and half to Peter. "Of course +he is mad."</p> + +<p>And then, as if a hand had touched her also, she moved forward to the +edge of the precipice and looked down.</p> + +<p>The rush of the torrent rose up like the tumult of many voices calling +to her, calling to her. The depth beneath her feet widened to an abyss +that yawned to engulf her. With a sick sense of horror she realized that +ghastly, headlong fall—from warm, throbbing life on the enchanted +height to instant and terrible destruction upon the green, slimy +boulders over which the water dashed and roared continuously far below. +Here he had sat, that arrogant lover of hers, and slipped from somnolent +enjoyment into that dreadful gulf. At her feet—proof indisputable of +the truth of the story she had been told—lay a charred fragment of the +cigar that had doubtless been between his lips when he had sunk into +that fatal sleep. The memory of Peter's words flashed through her brain. +He had smoked opium. She wondered if Peter really knew. But of what +avail now to conjecture? He was gone, and only this mad native vagabond +had witnessed his going.</p> + +<p>And at that, another thought pierced her keen as a dagger, rending its +way through living tissues. The manner of the man's appearing, the +horror with which he had inspired her, the mystery of him, all combined +to drive it home to her heart. What if a hand had indeed touched him? +What if a treacherous blow had hurled him over that terrible edge?</p> + +<p>She turned to look again upon the stranger, but he had withdrawn +himself. She saw only the Indian servant, standing close beside her, his +dark eyes following her every action with wistful vigilance.</p> + +<p>Meeting her desperate gaze, he pressed a little nearer, like a faithful +dog, protective and devoted. "Come away, my <i>mem-sahib!</i>" he entreated +very earnestly. "It is the Gate of Death."</p> + +<p>That pierced her anew. Her desolation came upon her in an overwhelming +wave. She turned with a great cry, and threw her arms wide to the risen +sun, tottering blindly towards the emptiness that stretched beneath her +feet. And as she went, she heard the roar of the torrent dashing down +over its grim boulders to the great river up which they two had glided +in their dream of enchantment aeons and aeons before....</p> + +<p>She knew nothing of the sinewy arms that held her back from death though +she fought them fiercely, desperately. She did not hear the piteous +entreaties of poor harassed Peter as he forced her back, back, back, +from those awful depths. She only knew a great turmoil that seemed to +her unending—a fearful striving against ever-increasing odds—and at +the last a swirling, unfathomable darkness descending like a wind-blown +blanket upon her—enveloping her, annihilating her....</p> + +<p>And British eyes, keen and grey and stern, looked on from afar, watching +silently, as the Indian bore his senseless <i>mem-sahib</i> away.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='PART_II'></a><h3>PART II</h3> + +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_I'></a><h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h3>THE MINISTERING ANGEL</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"And what am I going to do?" demanded Mrs. Ermsted fretfully. She was +lounging in the easiest chair in Mrs. Ralston's drawing-room with a +cigarette between her fingers. A very decided frown was drawing her +delicate brows. "I had no idea you could be so fickle," she said.</p> + +<p>"My dear, I shall welcome you here just as heartily as I ever have," +Mrs. Ralston assured her, without lifting her eyes from the muslin frock +at which she was busily stitching.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted pouted. "That may be. But I shan't come very often when she +is here. I don't like widows. They are either so melancholy that they +give you the hump or so self-important that you want to slap them. I +never did fancy this girl, as you know. Much too haughty and superior."</p> + +<p>"You never knew her, dear," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted's laugh had a touch of venom. "As I have tried more than +once to make you realize," she said, "there are at least two points of +view to everybody. You, dear Mrs. Ralston, always wear rose-coloured +spectacles, with the unfortunate result that your opinion is so +unvaryingly favourable that nobody values it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's faded face flushed faintly. She worked on in silence.</p> + +<p>For a space Netta Ermsted smoked her cigarette with her eyes fixed upon +space; then very suddenly she spoke again. "I wonder if Ralph Dacre +committed suicide."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston started at the abrupt surmise. She looked up for the first +time. "Really, my dear! What an extraordinary thing to say!"</p> + +<p>Little Mrs. Ermsted jerked up her chin aggressively. "Why extraordinary, +I wonder? Nothing could be more extraordinary than his death. Either he +jumped over the precipice or she pushed him over when he wasn't looking. +I wonder which."</p> + +<p>But at that Mrs. Ralston gravely arose and rebuked her. She never +suffered any nervous qualms when dealing with this volatile friend of +hers. "It is more than foolish," she said with decision; "it is wicked, +to talk like that. I will not sit and listen to you. You have a very +mischievous brain, Netta. You ought to keep it under better control."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted stretched out her dainty feet in front of her and made a +grimace. "When you call me Netta, I always know it is getting serious," +she remarked. "I withdraw it all, my dear angel, with the utmost +liberality. You shall see how generous I can be to my supplanter. But do +like a good soul finish those tiresome tucks before you begin to be +really cross with me! Poor little Tessa really needs that frock, and +<i>ayah</i> is such a shocking worker. I shan't be able to turn to you for +anything when the estimable Mrs. Dacre is here. In fact I shall be +driven to Mrs. Burton for companionship and counsel, and shall become +more catty than ever."</p> + +<p>"My dear, please"—Mrs. Ralston spoke very earnestly—"do not imagine +for an instant that having that poor girl to care for will make the +smallest difference to my friendship for you! I hope to see as much of +you and little Tessa as I have ever seen. I feel that Stella would be +fond of children. Your little one would be a comfort to any sore heart."</p> + +<p>"She can be a positive little devil," observed Tessa's mother +dispassionately. "But it's better than being a saint, isn't it? Look at +that hateful child, Cedric Burton—detestable little ape! That Burton +complacency gets on my nerves, especially in a child. But then look at +the Burtons! How could they help having horrible little self-opinionated +apes for children?"</p> + +<p>"My dear, your tongue—your tongue!" protested Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted shot it out and in again with an impudent smile. "Well, +what's the matter with it? It's quite a candid one—like your own. A +little more pointed perhaps and something venomous upon occasion. But it +has its good qualities also. At least it is never insincere."</p> + +<p>"Of that I am sure." Mrs. Ralston spoke with ready kindliness. "But, oh, +my dear, if it were only a little more charitable!"</p> + +<p>Netta Ermsted smiled at her like a wayward child. "I like saying nasty +things about people," she said. "It amuses me. Besides, they're nearly +always true. Do tell me what you think of that latest hat erection of +Lady Harriet's! I never saw her look more aristocratically hideous in my +life than she looked at the Rajah's garden-party yesterday. I felt quite +sorry for the Rajah, for he's a nice boy notwithstanding his forty +wives, and he likes pretty things." She gave a little laugh, and +stretched her white arms up, clasping her hands behind her head. "I have +promised to ride with him in the early mornings now and then. Won't +darling Dick be jealous when he knows?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston uttered a sigh. There were times when all her attempts to +reform this giddy little butterfly seemed unavailing. Nevertheless, +being sound of principle and unfailingly conscientious, she made a +gallant effort. "Do you think you ought to do that, dear? I always think +that we ought to live more circumspectly here at Bhulwana than down at +Kurrumpore. And—if I may be allowed to say so—your husband is such a +good, kind man, so indulgent, it seems unfair to take advantage of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he?" laughed Netta. "How ill you know my doughty Richard! Why, +it's half the fun in life to make him mad. He nearly turned me over his +knee and spanked me the last time."</p> + +<p>"My dear, I wish he had!" said Mrs. Ralston, with downright fervour. "It +would do you good."</p> + +<p>"Think so?" Netta flicked the ash from her cigarette with a disdainful +gesture. "It all depends. I should either worship him or loath him +afterwards. I wonder which. Poor old Richard! It's silly of him to stay +in love with the same person always, isn't it? I couldn't be so +monotonous if I tried."</p> + +<p>"In fact if he cared less about you, you would think more of him," +remarked Mrs. Ralston, with a quite unusual touch of severity.</p> + +<p>Netta Ermsted laughed again, her light, heartless laugh. "How crushingly +absolute! But it is the literal truth. I certainly should. He's cheap +now, poor old boy. That's why I lead him such a dog's life. A man should +never be cheap to his wife. Now look at your husband! Indifference +personified! And you have never given him an hour's anxiety in his +life."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's pale blue eyes suddenly shone. She looked almost young +again. "We understand each other," she said simply.</p> + +<p>A mocking smile played about Mrs. Ermsted's lips, but she said nothing +for the moment. In her own fashion she was fond of the surgeon's wife, +and she would not openly deride her, dear good soul.</p> + +<p>"When you've quite finished that," she remarked presently, "there's a +tussore frock of my own I want to consult you about. There's one thing +about Stella; she won't be wanting many clothes, so I shall be able to +retain your undivided attention in that respect. I really don't know +what Tessa and I would do without you. The tiresome little thing is +always tearing her clothes to pieces."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston smiled, a soft mother-smile. "You're a lucky, lucky girl," +she said, "though you don't realize it, and probably never will. When +are you going to bring the little monkey to see me again?"</p> + +<p>"She will probably come herself when the mood takes her," carelessly +Mrs. Ermsted made reply. "I assure you, you stand very high on her +visiting list. But I hardly ever take her anywhere. She is always so +naughty with me." She chose another cigarette with the words. "She is +sure to be a pretty frequent visitor while Tommy Denvers is here. She +worships him."</p> + +<p>"He is a nice boy," observed Mrs. Ralston. "I wish he could have got +longer leave. It would have comforted Stella to have him."</p> + +<p>"I suppose she can go down to him at Kurrumpore if she doesn't mind +sacrificing that rose-leaf complexion," rejoined Mrs. Ermsted, shutting +her matchbox with a spiteful click. "You stayed down last hot weather."</p> + +<p>"Gerald was not well and couldn't leave his post," said Mrs. Ralston. +"That was different. I felt he needed me."</p> + +<p>"And so you nearly killed yourself to satisfy the need," commented Mrs. +Ermsted. "I sometimes think you are rather a fine woman, notwithstanding +appearances." She glanced at the watch on her wrist. "By Jove, how late +it is! Your latest <i>protégée</i> will be here immediately. You must have +been aching to tell me to go for the last half-hour. You silly saint! +Why didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"I have no wish for you to go, dear," responded Mrs. Ralston tranquilly. +"All my visitors are an honour to my house."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ermsted sprang to her feet with a swift, elastic movement. "Mary, I +love you!" she said. "You are a ministering angel, faithful friend, and +priceless counsellor, all combined. I laugh at you for a frump behind +your back, but when I am with you, I am spellbound with admiration. You +are really superb."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>She returned the impulsive kiss bestowed upon her with a funny look in +her blue eyes that might almost have been compassionate if it had not +been so unmistakably humorous. She did not attempt to make the embrace a +lingering one, however, and Netta Ermsted took her impetuous departure +with a piqued sense of uncertainty.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if she really has got any brains after all," she said aloud, +as she sped away in her "rickshaw." "She is a quaint creature anyhow. I +rather wonder that I bother myself with her."</p> + +<p>At which juncture she met the Rajah, resplendent in green <i>puggarree</i> +and riding his favourite bay Arab, and forthwith dismissed Mrs. Ralston +and all discreet counsels to the limbo of forgotten things. She had +dubbed the Rajah her Arabian Knight. His name for her was of too +intimate an order to be pronounced in public. She was the Lemon-scented +Lily of his dreams.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_II'></a><h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h3>THE RETURN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Stella's first impression of Bhulwana was the extremely European +atmosphere that pervaded it. Bungalows and pine-woods seemed to be its +main characteristics, and there was about it none of the languorous +Eastern charm that had so haunted the forbidden paradise. Bhulwana was a +cheerful place, and though perched fairly high among the hills of +Markestan it was possible to get very hot there. For this reason perhaps +all the energies of its visitors were directed towards the organizing of +gaieties, and in the height of the summer it was very gay indeed.</p> + +<p>The Rajah's summer palace, white and magnificent, occupied the brow of +the hill, and the bungalows that clustered among the pines below it +looked as if there had been some competition among them as to which +could get the nearest.</p> + +<p>The Ralstons' bungalow was considerably lower down the hill. It stood +upon more open ground than most, and overlooked the race-course some +distance below. It was an ugly little place, and the small compound +surrounding it was a veritable wilderness. It had been named "The Grand +Stand" owing to its position, but no one less racy than its present +occupant could well have been found. Mrs. Ralston's wistful blue eyes +seldom rested upon the race-course. They looked beyond to the +mist-veiled plains.</p> + +<p>The room she had prepared for Stella's reception looked in an easterly +direction towards the winding, wooded road that led up to the Rajah's +residence. Great care had been expended upon it. Her heart had yearned +to the girl ever since she had heard of her sudden bereavement, and her +delight at the thought of receiving her was only second to her sorrow +upon Stella's account.</p> + +<p>Higher up the hill stood the dainty bungalow which Ralph Dacre had taken +for his bride. The thought of it tore Mrs. Ralston's tender heart. She +had written an urgent epistle to Tommy imploring him not to let his +sister go there in her desolation. And, swayed by Tommy's influence, +and, it might be, touched by Mrs. Ralston's own earnest solicitude, +Stella, not caring greatly whither she went, had agreed to take up her +abode for a time at least with the surgeon's wife. There was no +necessity to make any sudden decision. The whole of her life lay before +her, a dreary waste of desert. It did not seem to matter at that stage +where she spent those first forlorn months. She was tired to the soul of +her, and only wanted to rest.</p> + +<p>She hoped vaguely that Mrs. Ralston would have the tact to respect this +wish of hers. Her impression of this the only woman who had shown her +any kindness since her arrival in India was not of a very definite +order. Mrs. Ralston with her faded prettiness and gentle, retiring ways +did not possess a very arresting personality. No one seeing her two or +three times could have given any very accurate description of her. Lady +Harriet had more than once described her as a negligible quantity. But +Lady Harriet systematically neglected everyone who had no pretensions to +smartness. She detested all dowdy women.</p> + +<p>But Stella still remembered with gratitude the warmth of affectionate +admiration and sympathy that had melted her coldness on her wedding-day, +and something within her, notwithstanding her utter weariness, longed to +feel that warmth again. Though she scarcely realized it, she wanted the +clasp of motherly arms, shielding her from the tempest of life.</p> + +<p>Tommy, who had met her at Rawal Pindi on the dreadful return journey, +had watched over her and cared for her comfort with the utmost +tenderness; but Tommy, like Peter, was somehow outside her confidence. +He was just a blundering male with the best intentions. She could not +have opened her heart to him had she tried. She was unspeakably glad to +have him with her, and later on she hoped to join him again at The Green +Bungalow down at Kurrumpore where they had dwelt together during the +weeks preceding her marriage. For Tommy was the only relative she had +in the world who cared for her. And she was very fond of Tommy, but she +was not really intimate with him. They were just good comrades.</p> + +<p>As a married woman, she no longer feared the veiled shafts of malice +that had pierced her before. Her position was assured. Not that she +would have cared greatly in any case. Such trivial things belonged to +the past, and she marvelled now at the thought that they had ever +seriously affected her. She was changed, greatly changed. In one short +month she had left her girlhood behind her. Her proud shyness had +utterly departed. She had returned a grave, reserved woman, indifferent, +almost apathetic, wholly self-contained. Her natural stateliness still +clung about her, but she did not cloak herself therewith. She walked +rather as one rapt in reverie, looking neither to the right nor to the +left.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston nearly wept when she saw her, so shocked was she by the +havoc that strange month had wrought. All the soft glow of youth had +utterly passed away. White and cold as alabaster, a woman empty and +alone, she returned from the forbidden paradise, and it seemed to Mrs. +Ralston at first that the very heart of her had been shattered like a +beautiful flower by the closing of the gates.</p> + +<p>But later, when Stella had been with her for a few hours, she realized +that life still throbbed deep down below the surface, though, perhaps +in self-defence, it was buried deep, very far from the reach of all +casual investigation. She could not speak of her tragedy, but she +responded to the mute sympathy Mrs. Ralston poured out to her with a +gratitude that was wholly unfeigned, and the latter understood clearly +that she would not refuse her admittance though she barred out all the +world beside.</p> + +<p>She was deeply touched by the discovery, reflecting in her humility that +Stella's need must indeed have been great to have drawn her to herself +for comfort. It was true that nearly all her friends had been made in +trouble which she had sought to alleviate, but Mary Ralston was too +lowly to ascribe to herself any virtue on that account. She only thanked +God for her opportunities.</p> + +<p>On the night of their arrival, when Stella had gone to her room, Tommy +spoke very seriously of his sister's state and begged Mrs. Ralston to do +her utmost to combat the apathy which he had found himself wholly unable +to pierce.</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen her shed a single tear," he said. "People who didn't +know would think her heartless. I can't bear to see that deadly +coldness. It isn't Stella."</p> + +<p>"We must be patient," Mrs. Ralston said.</p> + +<p>There were tears in the boy's own eyes for which she liked him, but she +did not encourage him to further confidence. It was not her way to +discuss any friend with a third person, however intimate.</p> + +<p>Tommy left the subject without realizing that she had turned him from +it.</p> + +<p>"I don't know in the least how she is left," he said restlessly. +"Haven't an idea what sort of state Dacre's affairs were in. I ought to +have asked him, but I never had the chance; and everything was done in +such a mighty hurry. I don't suppose he had much to leave if anything. +It was a fool marriage," he ended bitterly. "I always hated it. Monck +knew that."</p> + +<p>"Doesn't Captain Monck know anything?" asked Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Oh, goodness knows. Monck's away on urgent business, been away for ever +so long now. I haven't seen him since Dacre's death. I daresay he +doesn't even know of that yet. He had to go Home. I suppose he is on his +way back again now; I hope so anyway. It's pretty beastly without him."</p> + +<p>"Poor Tommy!" Mrs. Ralston's sympathy was uppermost again. "It's been a +tragic business altogether. But let us be thankful we have dear Stella +safely back! I am going to say good night to her now. Help yourself to +anything you want!"</p> + +<p>She went, and Tommy stretched himself out on a long chair with a sigh of +discontent over things in general. He had had no word from Monck +throughout his absence, and this was almost the greatest grievance of +all.</p> + +<p>Treading softly the passage that led to Stella's door, Mrs. Ralston +nearly stumbled over a crouching, white-clad figure that rose up swiftly +and noiselessly on the instant and resolved itself into the salaaming +person of Peter the Sikh. He had slept across Stella's threshold ever +since her bereavement.</p> + +<p>"My <i>mem-sahib</i> is still awake," he told her with a touch of +wistfulness. "She sleeps only when the night is nearly spent."</p> + +<p>"And you sleep at her door?" queried Mrs. Ralston, slightly +disconcerted.</p> + +<p>The tall form bent again with dignified courtesy. "That is my privilege, +<i>mem-sahib,</i>" said Peter the Great.</p> + +<p>He smiled mournfully, and made way for her to pass.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston knocked, and heard a low voice speak in answer. "What is +it, Peter?"</p> + +<p>Softly she opened the door. "It is I, my dear. Are you in bed? May I +come and bid you good night?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Stella made instant reply. "How good you are! How kind!"</p> + +<p>A shaded night-lamp was burning by her side. Her face upon the pillow +was in deep shadow. Her hair spread all around her, wrapping her as it +were in mystery.</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Ralston drew near, she stretched out a welcoming hand. "I hope +my watch-dog didn't startle you," she said. "The dear fellow is so +upset that I don't want an <i>ayah</i>, he is doing his best to turn himself +into one. I couldn't bear to send him away. You don't mind?"</p> + +<p>"My dear, I mind nothing." Mrs. Ralston stooped in her warm way and +kissed the pale, still face. "Are you comfortable? Have you everything +you want?"</p> + +<p>"Everything, thank you," Stella answered, drawing her hostess gently +down to sit on the side of the bed. "I feel rested already. Somehow your +presence is restful."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear!" Mrs. Ralston flushed with pleasure. Not many were the +compliments that came her way. "And you feel as if you will be able to +sleep?"</p> + +<p>Stella's eyes looked unutterably weary; yet she shook her head. "No. I +never sleep much before morning. I think I slept too much when I was in +Kashmir. The days and nights all seemed part of one long dream." A +slight shudder assailed her; she repressed it with a shadowy smile. +"Life here will be very different," she said. "Perhaps I shall be able +to wake up now. I am not in the least a dreamy person as a rule."</p> + +<p>The quick tears sprang to Mrs. Ralston's eyes; she stroked Stella's hand +without speaking.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to go back to Kurrumpore with Tommy," Stella went on, "but he +won't hear of it, though he tells me that you stayed there through last +summer. If you could stand it, so could I. I feel sure that physically I +am much stronger."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, dear, no. You couldn't do it." Mrs. Ralston looked down upon the +beautiful face very tenderly. "I am tough, you know, dried up and wiry. +And I had a very strong motive. But you are different. You would never +stand a hot season at Kurrumpore. I can't tell you what it is like +there. At its worst it is unspeakable. I am very glad that Tommy +realizes the impossibility of it. No, no! Stay here with me till I go +down! I am always the first. And it will give me so much pleasure to +take care of you."</p> + +<p>Stella relinquished the discussion with a short sigh. "It doesn't seem +to matter much what I do," she said. "Tommy certainly doesn't need me. +No one does. And I expect you will soon get very tired of me."</p> + +<p>"Never, dear, never." Mrs. Ralston's hand clasped hers reassuringly. +"Never think that for a moment! From the very first day I saw you I have +wanted to have you to love and care for."</p> + +<p>A gleam of surprise crossed Stella's face. "How very kind of you!" she +said.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, dear. It was your own doing. You are so beautiful," murmured the +surgeon's wife. "And I knew that you were the same all +through—beautiful to the very soul."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" Sharply Stella broke in upon her. "Don't think it! +You don't know me in the least. You—you have far more beauty of soul +than I have, or can ever hope to have now."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston shook her head.</p> + +<p>"But it is so," Stella insisted. "I—What am I?" A tremor of passion +crept unawares into her low voice. "I am a woman who has been denied +everything. I have been cast out like Eve, but without Eve's +compensations. If I had been given a child to love, I might have had +hope. But now I have none—I have none. I am hard and bitter,—old +before my time, and I shall never now be anything else."</p> + +<p>"Oh, darling, no!" Very swiftly Mrs. Ralston checked her. "Indeed you +are wrong. We can make of our lives what we will. Believe me, the barren +woman can be a joyful mother of children if she will. There is always +someone to love."</p> + +<p>Stella's lips were quivering. She turned her face aside. "Life is very +difficult," she said.</p> + +<p>"It gets simpler as one goes on, dear," Mrs. Ralston assured her gently. +"Not easy, oh no, not easy. We were never meant to make an easy-chair of +circumstance however favourable. But if we only press on, it does get +simpler, and the way opens out before us as we go. I have learnt that at +least from life." She paused a moment, then bent suddenly down and spoke +into Stella's ear. "May I tell you something about myself—something I +have never before breathed to any one—except to God?"</p> + +<p>Stella turned instantly. "Yes, tell me!" she murmured back, clasping +closely the thin hand that had so tenderly stroked her own.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston hesitated a second as one who pauses before making a +supreme effort. Then under her breath she spoke again. "Perhaps it will +not interest you much. I don't know. It is only this. Like you, I +wanted—I hoped for—a child. And—I married without loving—just for +that. Stella, my sin was punished. The baby came—and went—and there +can never be another. I thought my heart was broken at the time. Oh, it +was bitter—bitter. Even now—sometimes—" She stopped herself. "But no, +I needn't trouble you with that. I only want to tell you that very +beautiful flowers bloom sometimes out of ashes. And it has been so with +me. My rose of love was slow in growing, but it blossoms now, and I am +training it over all the blank spaces. And it grew out of a barren soil, +dear, out of a barren soil."</p> + +<p>Stella's arms were close about her as she finished. "Oh, thank you," she +whispered tremulously, "thank you for telling me that."</p> + +<p>But though she was deeply stirred, no further confidence could she bring +herself to utter. She had found a friend—a close, staunch friend who +would never fail her; but not even to her could she show the blackness +of the gulf into which she had been hurled. Even now there were times +when she seemed to be still falling, falling, and always, waking or +sleeping, the nightmare horror of it clung cold about her soul.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_III'></a><h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h3>THE BARREN SOIL</h3> +<br /> + +<p>No one could look askance at poor Ralph Dacre's young widow. Lady +Harriet Mansfield graciously hinted as much when she paid her state call +within a week of her arrival. Also, she desired to ascertain Stella's +plans for the future, and when she heard that she intended to return to +Kurrumpore with Mrs. Ralston she received the news with a species of +condescending approval that seemed to indicate that Stella's days of +probation were past. With the exercise of great care and circumspection +she might even ultimately be admitted to the fortunate circle which +sunned itself in the light of Lady Harriet's patronage.</p> + +<p>Tommy elevated his nose irreverently when the august presence was +withdrawn and hoped that Stella would not have her head turned by the +royal favour. He prophesied that Mrs. Burton would be the next to come +simpering round, and in this he was not mistaken; but Stella did not +receive this visitor, for on the following day she was in bed with an +attack of fever that prostrated her during the rest of his leave.</p> + +<p>It was not a dangerous illness, and Mrs. Ralston nursed her through it +with a devotion that went far towards cementing the friendship already +begun between them. Tommy, though regretful, consoled himself by the +ready means of the station's gaieties, played tennis with zest, +inaugurated a gymkhana, and danced practically every night into the +early morning. He was a delightful companion for little Tessa Ermsted +who followed him everywhere and was never snubbed, an inquiring mind +notwithstanding. Truly a nice boy was Tommy, as everyone agreed, and the +regret was general when his leave began to draw to a close.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of his last day he made his appearance on the verandah +of The Grand Stand for tea, with his faithful attendant at his heels, to +find his sister reclining there for the first time on a <i>charpoy</i> well +lined with cushions, while Mrs. Ralston presided at the tea-table beside +her.</p> + +<p>She looked the ghost of her former self, and for a moment though he had +visited her in bed only that morning, Tommy was rudely startled.</p> + +<p>"Great Jupiter!" he ejaculated. "How ill you look!"</p> + +<p>She smiled at his exclamation, while his small, sharp-faced companion +pricked up attentive ears. "Do people look like that when they're going +to die?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Not in the least, dear," said Mrs. Ralston tranquilly. "Come and speak +to Mrs. Dacre and tell us what you have been doing!"</p> + +<p>But Tessa would only stand on one leg and stare, till Stella put forth a +friendly hand and beckoned her to a corner of her <i>charpoy</i>.</p> + +<p>She went then, still staring with wide round eyes of intensest blue that +gazed out of a somewhat pinched little face of monkey-like intelligence.</p> + +<p>"What have you and Tommy been doing?" Stella asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just hobnobbing," said Tessa. "Same as Mother and the Rajah."</p> + +<p>"Have some cake!" said Tommy. "And tell us all about the mongoose!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Scooter! He's such a darling! Shall I bring him to see you?" asked +Tessa, lifting those wonderful unchildlike eyes of hers to Stella's. +"You'd love him! I know you would. He talks—almost. Captain Monck gave +him to me. I never liked him before, but I do now. I wish he'd come +back, and so does Tommy. Don't you think he's a nice man?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know him very well," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you? That's because he's so quiet. I used to think he was +surly. But he isn't really. He's only shy. Is he, Aunt Mary?" The blue +eyes whisked round to Mrs. Ralston and were met by a slightly reproving +shake of the head. "No, but really," Tessa protested, "he is a nice man. +Tommy says so. Mother doesn't like him, but that's nothing to go by. The +people she likes are hardly ever nice. Daddy says so."</p> + +<p>"Tessa," said Mrs. Ralston gently, "we don't want to hear about that. +Tell us some more about Captain Monck's mongoose instead!"</p> + +<p>Tessa frowned momentarily. Such nursery discipline was something of an +insult to her eight years' dignity, but in a second she sent a dazzling +smile to her hostess, accepting the rebuff. "All right, Aunt Mary, I'll +bring him to see you to-morrow, shall I?" she said brightly. "Mrs. Dacre +will like that too. It'll be something to amuse us when Tommy's gone."</p> + +<p>Tommy looked across with a grin. "Yes, keep your spirits up!" he said. +"It's dull work with the boys away, isn't it, Aunt Mary? And Scooter is +a most sagacious animal—almost as intelligent as Peter the Great who +coils himself on Stella's threshold every night as if he thought the +bogeyman was coming to spirit her away. He's developing into a habit, +isn't he Stella? You'd better be careful."</p> + +<p>Stella smiled her faint, tired smile. "I like to have him there," she +said. "I am not nervous, of course, but he is a friend."</p> + +<p>"You'll never shake him off," predicted Tommy. "He comes of a romantic +stock. Hullo! Here is his high mightiness with the mail! Look at the +sparkle in Aunt Mary's eyes! Did you ever see the like? She expects to +draw a prize evidently."</p> + +<p>He stretched a leisurely arm and took the letter from the salver that +the Indian extended. It was for Mrs. Ralston, and she received it +blushing like an eager girl.</p> + +<p>"Why does Aunt Mary look like that?" piped Tessa, ever observant. "It's +only from the Major. Mother never looks like that when Daddy writes to +her."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Daddy's letters are not so interesting," suggested Tommy.</p> + +<p>Tessa chuckled. "Shall I tell you what? She'd ever so much rather have a +letter from the Rajah. I know she would. She keeps his locked up, but +she never bothers about Daddy's. I can't think what the Rajah finds to +write about when they are always meeting. I think it's silly, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Very silly," said Tommy. "I hate writing letters myself. Beastly dull +work."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will excuse me while I read mine," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>Stella smiled at her. "Oh do! Perhaps there will be some interesting +news of Kurrumpore in it."</p> + +<p>"News of Monck perhaps," suggested Tommy. "There's a fellow who never +writes a letter. I haven't the faintest idea where he is or what he is +doing, except that he went to his brother somewhere in England. He is +due back in about a fortnight, but I probably shan't hear a word of him +until he's there."</p> + +<p>"You have not written to him either?" questioned Stella.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't. I didn't know where to write." Tommy's eyes met hers with +slight hesitation. "I haven't been able to tell him anything of our +affairs. It's quite possible though that he will have heard before he +gets back to The Green Bungalow. He generally gets hold of things."</p> + +<p>"It need not make any difference." Stella spoke slowly, her eyes fixed +upon the green race-course that gleamed in the sun below them. "So far +as I am concerned, he is quite welcome to remain at The Green Bungalow. +I daresay we should not get in each other's way. That is," she looked at +her brother, "if you prefer that arrangement."</p> + +<p>"I say, that's jolly decent of you!" Tommy's face was flushed with +pleasure. "Sure you mean it?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure." Stella spoke rather wearily. "It really doesn't matter to +me—except that I don't want to come between you and your friend. Now +that I have been married—" a tinge of bitterness sounded in her +voice—"I suppose no one will take exception. But of course Captain +Monck may see the matter in a different light. If so, pray let him do as +he thinks fit!"</p> + +<p>"You bet he will!" said Tommy. "He's about the most determined cuss that +ever lived."</p> + +<p>"He's a very nice man," put in Tessa jealously.</p> + +<p>Tommy laughed. "He's one of the best," he agreed heartily. "And he's the +sort that always comes out on top sooner or later. Just you remember +that, Tessa! He's a winner, and he's straight—straight as a die." +"Which is all that matters," said Mrs. Ralston, without lifting her eyes +from her letter.</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear!" said Tommy. "Why do you look like that, Stella? Mean to +say he isn't straight?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say anything." Stella still spoke wearily, albeit she was +faintly smiling. "I was only wondering."</p> + +<p>"Wondering what?" Tommy's voice had a hint of sharpness; he looked +momentarily aggressive.</p> + +<p>"Just wondering how much you knew of him, that's all," she made answer.</p> + +<p>"I know as much as any one," asserted Tommy quickly. "He's a man to be +honoured. I'd stake my life on that. He is incapable of anything mean or +underhand."</p> + +<p>Stella was silent. The boy's faith was genuine, she knew, but, +remembering what Ralph Dacre had told her on their last night together, +she could not stifle the wonder as to whether Tommy had ever grasped the +actual quality of his friend's character. It seemed to her that Tommy's +worship was of too humble a species to afford him a very comprehensive +view of the object thereof. She was sure that unlike herself—he would +never presume to criticize, would never so much as question any action +of Monck's. Her own conception of the man, she was aware, had altered +somewhat since that night. She regarded him now with a wholly +dispassionate interest. She had attracted him, but she much doubted if +the attraction had survived her marriage. For herself, that chapter in +her life was closed and could never, she now believed, be reopened. +Monck had gone his way, she hers, and they had drifted apart. Only by +the accident of circumstance would they meet again, and she was +determined that when this meeting took place their relations should be +of so impersonal a character that he should find it well-nigh impossible +to recall the fact that any hint of romance had ever hovered even for a +fleeting moment between them. He had his career before him. He followed +the way of ambition, and he should continue to follow it, unhindered by +any thought of her. She was dependent upon no man. She would pick up the +threads of her own life and weave of it something that should be worth +while. With the return of health this resolution was forming within her. +Mrs. Ralston's influence was making itself felt. She believed that the +way would open out before her as she went. She had made one great +mistake. She would never make such another. She would be patient. It +might be in time that to her, even as to her friend, a blossoming might +come out of the barren soil in which her life was cast.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_IV'></a><h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h3>THE SUMMONS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>During those months spent at Bhulwana with the surgeon's wife a measure +of peace did gradually return to Stella. She took no part in the +gaieties of the station, but her widow's mourning made it easy for her +to hold aloof. Undoubtedly she earned Lady Harriet's approval by so +doing, but Mrs. Ermsted continued to look at her askance, +notwithstanding the fact that her small daughter had developed a warm +liking for the sister of her beloved Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Wait till she gets back to Kurrumpore," said Mrs. Ermsted. "We shall +see her in her true colours then."</p> + +<p>She did not say this to Mrs. Ralston. She visited The Grand Stand less +and less frequently. She was always full of engagements and seldom had a +moment to spare for the society of this steady friend of hers. And Mrs. +Ralston never sought her out. It was not her way. She was ready for all, +but she intruded upon none.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's affection for Stella had become very deep. There was +between them a sympathy that was beyond words. They understood each +other.</p> + +<p>As the wet season drew on, their companionship became more and more +intimate though their spoken confidences were few. Mrs. Ralston never +asked for confidences though she probably received more than any other +woman in the station.</p> + +<p>It was on a day in September of drifting clouds and unbroken rain that +Stella spoke at length of a resolution that had been gradually forming +in her mind. She found no difficulty in speaking; in fact it seemed the +natural thing to do. And she felt even as she gave utterance to the +words that Mrs. Ralston already knew their import.</p> + +<p>"Mary," she said, "after Christmas I am going back to England."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston betrayed no surprise. She was in the midst of an elaborate +darn in the heel of a silk sock. She looked across at Stella gravely.</p> + +<p>"And when you get there, my dear?" she said.</p> + +<p>"I shall find some work to do." Stella spoke with the decision of one +who gives utterance to the result of careful thought. "I think I shall +go in for hospital training. It is hard work, I know; but I am strong. I +think hard work is what I need."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston was silent.</p> + +<p>Stella went on. "I see now that I made a mistake in ever coming out +here. It wasn't as if Tommy really wanted me. He doesn't, you know. His +friend Captain Monck is all-sufficing—and probably better for him. In +any case—he doesn't need me."</p> + +<p>"You may be right, dear," Mrs. Ralston said, "though I doubt if Tommy +would view it in the same light. I am glad anyhow that you will spend +Christmas out here. I shall not lose you so soon."</p> + +<p>Stella smiled a little. "I don't want to hurt Tommy's feelings, and I +know they would be hurt if I went sooner. Besides I would like to have +one cold weather out here."</p> + +<p>"And why not?" said Mrs. Ralston. She added after a moment, "What will +you do with Peter?"</p> + +<p>Stella hesitated. "That is one reason why I have not come to a decision +sooner. I don't like leaving poor Peter. It occurred to me possibly that +down at Kurrumpore he might find another master. Anyway, I shall tell +him my plans when I get there, and he will have the opportunity"—she +smiled rather sadly—"to transfer his devotion to someone else."</p> + +<p>"He won't take it," said Mrs. Ralston with conviction. "The fidelity of +these men is amazing. It puts us to shame."</p> + +<p>"I hate the thought of parting with him," Stella said. "But what can I +do?"</p> + +<p>She broke off short as the subject of their discussion came softly into +the room, salver in hand. He gave her a telegram and stood back +decorously behind her chair while she opened it.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's grave eyes watched her, and in a moment Stella looked up +and met them. "From Kurrumpore," she said.</p> + +<p>Her face was pale, but her hands and voice were steady.</p> + +<p>"From Tommy?" questioned Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"No. From Captain Monck. Tommy is ill—very ill. Malaria again. He +thinks I had better go to him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear!" Mrs. Ralston's exclamation held dismay.</p> + +<p>Stella met it by holding out to her the message. "Tommy down with +malaria," it said. "Condition serious. Come if you are able. Monck."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston rose. She seemed to be more agitated than Stella. "I shall +go too," she said.</p> + +<p>"No, dear, no!" Stella stopped her. "There is no need for that. I shall +be all right. I am perfectly strong now, stronger than you are. And they +say malaria never attacks newcomers so badly. No. I will go alone. I +won't be answerable to your husband for you. Really, dear, really, I am +in earnest."</p> + +<p>Her insistence prevailed, albeit Mrs. Ralston yielded very unwillingly. +She was not very strong, and she knew well that her husband would be +greatly averse to her taking such a step. But the thought of Stella +going alone was even harder to face till her look suddenly fell upon +Peter the Great standing motionless behind her chair.</p> + +<p>"Ah well, you will have Peter," she said with relief.</p> + +<p>And Stella, who was bending already over her reply telegram, replied +instantly with one of her rare smiles. "Of course I shall have Peter!"</p> + +<p>Peter's responding smile was good to see. "I will take care of my +<i>mem-sahib</i>," he said.</p> + +<p>Stella's reply was absolutely simple. "Starting at once," she wrote; and +within half an hour her preparations were complete.</p> + +<p>She knew Monck well enough to be certain that he would not have +telegraphed that urgent message had not the need been great. He had +nursed Tommy once before, and she knew that in Tommy's estimation at +least he had been the means of saving his life. He was a man of steady +nerve and level judgment. He would not have sent for her if his faith in +his own powers had not begun to weaken. It meant that Tommy was very +ill, that he might be dying. All that was great in Stella rose up +impulsively at the call. Tommy had never really wanted her before.</p> + +<p>To Mrs. Ralston who at the last stood over her with a glass of wine she +was as a different woman. There was nothing headlong about her, but the +quiet energy of her made her realize that she had been fashioned for +better things than the social gaieties with which so many were content. +Stella would go to the deep heart of life.</p> + +<p>She yearned to accompany her upon her journey to the plains, but +Stella's solemn promise to send for her if she were taken ill herself +consoled her in a measure. Very regretfully did she take leave of her, +and when the rattle of the wheels that bore Stella and the faithful +Peter away had died at last in the distance she turned back into her +empty bungalow with tears in her eyes. Stella had become dear to her as +a sister.</p> + +<p>It was an all-night journey, and only a part of it could be accomplished +by train, the line ending at Khanmulla which was reached in the early +hours of the morning. But for Peter's ministrations Stella would +probably have fared ill, but he was an experienced traveller and +surrounded her with every comfort that he could devise. The night was +close and dank. They travelled through pitch darkness. Stella lay back +and tried to sleep; but sleep would not come to her. She was tired, but +repose eluded her. The beating of the unceasing rain upon the tin roof, +and the perpetual rattle of the train made an endless tattoo in her +brain from which there was no escape. She was haunted by the memory of +the last journey that she had made along that line when leaving +Kurrumpore in the spring, of Ralph and the ever-growing passion in his +eyes, of the first wild revolt within her which she had so barely +quelled. How far away seemed those days of an almost unbelievable +torture! She could regard them now dispassionately, albeit with wonder. +She marvelled now that she had ever given herself to such a man. By the +light of experience she realized how tragic had been her blunder, and +now that the awful sense of shock and desolation had passed she could be +thankful that no heavier penalty had been exacted. The man had been +taken swiftly, mercifully, as she believed. He had been spared much, and +she—she had been delivered from a fate far worse. For she could never +have come to love him. She was certain of that. Lifelong misery would +have been her portion, school herself to submission though she might. +She believed that the awakening from that dream of lethargy could not +have been long deferred for either of them, and with it would have come +a bitterness immeasurable. She did not think he had ever honestly +believed that she loved him. But at least he had never guessed at the +actual repulsion with which at times she had been filled. She was +thankful to think that he could never know that now, thankful that now +she had come into her womanhood it was all her own. She valued her +freedom almost extravagantly since it had been given back to her. And +she also valued the fact that in no worldly sense was she the richer for +having been Ralph Dacre's wife. He had had no private means, and she was +thankful that this was so. She could not have endured to reap any +benefit from what she now regarded as a sin. She had borne her +punishment, she had garnered her experience. And now she walked once +more with unshackled feet; and though all her life she would carry the +marks of the chain that had galled her she had travelled far enough to +realize and be thankful for her liberty.</p> + +<p>The train rattled on through the night. Anxiety came, wraith-like at +first, drifting into her busy brain. She had hardly had time to be +anxious in the rush of preparation and departure. But restlessness paved +the way. She began to ask herself with growing uneasiness what could be +awaiting her at the end of the journey. The summons had been so clear +and imperative. Her first thought, her instinct, had been to obey. Till +the enforced inaction of this train journey she had not had time to feel +the gnawing torture of suspense. But now it came and racked her. The +thought of Tommy and his need became paramount. Did he know that she was +hastening to him, she wondered? Or had he—had he already passed beyond +her reach? Men passed so quickly in this tropical wilderness. The solemn +music of an anthem she had known and loved in the old far-off days of +her girlhood rose and surged through her. She found herself repeating +the words:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"Our life is but a shadow;<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>So soon passeth it away,<br /></span> +<span>And we are gone,—<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>So soon,—so soon."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The repetition of those last words rang like a knell. But Tommy! She +could not think of Tommy's eager young life passing so. Those words were +written for the old and weary. But for such as Tommy—a thousand times +No! He was surely too ardent, too full of life, to pass so. She felt as +if he were years younger than herself.</p> + +<p>And then another thought came to her, a curious haunting thought. Was +the Nemesis that had overtaken her in the forbidden paradise yet +pursuing her with relentless persistence? Was the measure of her +punishment not yet complete? Did some further vengeance still follow her +in the wilderness of her desolation? She tried to fling the thought from +her, but it clung like an evil dream. She could not wholly shake off the +impression that it had made upon her.</p> + +<p>Slowly the night wore away. The heat was intense. She felt as if she +were sitting in a tank of steaming vapour. The oppression of the +atmosphere was like a physical weight. And ever the rain beat down, +rattling, incessant, upon the tin roof above her head. She thought of +Nemesis again, Nemesis wielding an iron flail that never missed its +mark. There was something terrible to her in this perpetual beating of +rain. She had never imagined anything like it.</p> + +<p>It was in the dark of the early morning that she began at last to near +her destination. A ten-mile drive through the jungle awaited her, she +knew. She wondered if Monck had made provision for this or if all +arrangements would be left in Peter's capable hands. She had never felt +more thankful for this trusty servant of hers than now with the +loneliness and darkness of this unfamiliar world hedging her round. She +felt almost as one in a hostile country, and even the thought of Tommy +and his need could not dispel the impression.</p> + +<p>The train rattled into the little iron-built station of Khanmulla. The +rainfall seemed to increase as they stopped. It was like the beating of +rods upon the station-roof. There came the usual hubbub of discordant +cries, but in foreign voices and in a foreign tongue.</p> + +<p>Stella gathered her property together in readiness for Peter. Then she +turned, somewhat stiff after her long journey, and found the door +already swinging open and a man's broad shoulders blocking the opening.</p> + +<p>"How do you do?" said Monck.</p> + +<p>She started at the sound of his voice. His face was in the shadow, but +in a moment his features, dark and dominant, flashed to her memory. She +bent to him swiftly, with outstretched hand.</p> + +<p>"How good of you to meet me! How is Tommy?"</p> + +<p>He held her hand for an instant, and she was aware of a sharp tingling +throughout her being, as though by means of that strong grasp he had +imparted strength. "He is about as bad as a man can be," he said. +"Ralston has been with him all night. I've borrowed his two-seater to +fetch you. Don't waste any time!"</p> + +<p>Her heart gave a throb of dismay. The brief words were as flail-like as +the rain. They demanded no answer, and she made none; only instant +submission, and that she gave.</p> + +<p>She had a glimpse of Peter's tall form standing behind Monck, and to him +for a moment she turned as she descended.</p> + +<p>"You will see to everything?" she said. "You will follow."</p> + +<p>"Leave all to me, my <i>mem-sahib</i>!" he said, deeply bowing; and she took +him at his word.</p> + +<p>Monck had a military overcoat on his arm in which he wrapped her before +they left the station-shelter. Ralston's little two-seater car shed +dazzling beams of light through the dripping dark. She floundered +blindly into a pool of water before she reached it, and was doubly +startled by Monck lifting her bodily, without apology, out of the mire, +and placing her on the seat. The beat of the rain upon the hood made her +wonder if they could make any headway under it. And then, while she was +still wondering, the engine began to throb like a living thing, and she +was aware of Monck squeezing past her to his seat at the wheel.</p> + +<p>He did not speak, but he wrapped the rug firmly about her, and almost +before she had time to thank him, they were in motion.</p> + +<p>That night-ride was one of the wildest experiences that she had ever +known. Monck went like the wind. The road wound through the jungle, and +in many places was little more than a rough track. The car bumped and +jolted, and seemed to cry aloud for mercy. But Monck did not spare, and +Stella crouched beside him, too full of wonder to be afraid.</p> + +<p>They emerged from the jungle at length and ran along an open road +between wide fields of rice or cotton. Their course became easier, and +Stella realized that they were nearing the end of their journey. They +were approaching the native portion of Kurrumpore.</p> + +<p>She turned to the silent man beside her. "Is Tommy expecting me?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>He did not answer her immediately; then, "He was practically unconscious +when I left," he said.</p> + +<p>He put on speed with the words. They shot forward through the pelting +rain at a terrific pace. She divined that his anxiety was such that he +did not wish to talk.</p> + +<p>They passed through the native quarter as if on wings. The rain fell in +a deluge here. It was like some power of darkness striving to beat them +back. She pictured Monck's face, grim, ruthless, forcing his way through +the opposing element. The man himself she could barely see.</p> + +<p>And then, almost before she realized it, they were in the European +cantonment, and she heard the grinding of the brakes as they reached the +gate of The Green Bungalow. Monck turned the little car into the +compound, and a light shone down upon them from the verandah.</p> + +<p>The car came to a standstill. "Do you mind getting out first?" said +Monck.</p> + +<p>She got out with a dazed sense of unreality. He followed her +immediately; his hand, hard and muscular, grasped her arm. He led her up +the wooden steps all shining and slippery in the rain.</p> + +<p>In the shelter of the verandah he stopped. "Wait here a moment!" he +said.</p> + +<p>But Stella turned swiftly, detaining him. "No, no!" she said. "I am +coming with you. I would rather know at once."</p> + +<p>He shrugged his shoulders without remonstrance, and stood back for her +to precede him. Later it seemed to her that it was the most merciful +thing he could have done. At the time she did not pause to thank him, +but went swiftly past, taking her way straight along the verandah to +Tommy's room.</p> + +<p>The window was open, and a bar of light stretched therefrom like a fiery +sword into the streaming rain. Just for a second that gleaming shaft +daunted her. Something within her shrank affrighted. Then, aware of +Monck immediately behind her, she conquered her dread and entered. She +saw that the bar of light came from a hooded lamp which was turned +towards the window, leaving the bed in shadow. Over the latter a man was +bending. He straightened himself sharply at her approach, and she +recognized Major Ralston.</p> + +<p>And then she had reached the bed, and all the love in her heart pulsed +forth in yearning tenderness as she stooped. "Tommy!" she said. "My +darling!"</p> + +<p>He did not stir in answer. He lay like a figure carved in marble. +Suddenly the rays of the lamp were turned upon him, and she saw that his +face was livid. The eyes were closed and sunken. A terrible misgiving +stabbed her. Almost involuntarily she drew back.</p> + +<p>In the same moment she felt Monck's hands upon her. He was unbuttoning +the overcoat in which she was wrapped. She stood motionless, feeling +cold, powerless, strangely dependent upon him.</p> + +<p>As he stripped the coat back from her shoulders, he spoke, his voice +very measured and quiet, but kind also, even soothing.</p> + +<p>"Don't give up!" he said. "We'll pull him through between us."</p> + +<p>A queer little thrill went through her. Again she felt as if he had +imparted strength. She turned back to the bed.</p> + +<p>Major Ralston was on the other side. Across that silent form he spoke to +her.</p> + +<p>"See if you can get him to take this! I am afraid he's past it. But +try!"</p> + +<p>She saw that he was holding a spoon, and she commanded herself and took +it from him. She wondered at the steadiness of her own hand as she put +it to the white, unconscious lips. They were rigidly closed, and for a +few moments she thought her task was hopeless. Then very slowly they +parted. She slipped the spoon between.</p> + +<p>The silence in the room was deathly, the heat intense, heavy, +pall-like. Outside, the rain fell monotonously, and, mingling with its +beating, she heard the croaking of innumerable frogs. Neither Ralston +nor Monck stirred a finger. They were watching closely with bated +breath.</p> + +<p>Tommy's breathing was wholly imperceptible, but in that long, long pause +she fancied she saw a slight tremor at his throat. Then the liquid that +had been in the spoon began to trickle out at the corner of his mouth.</p> + +<p>She stood up, turning instinctively to the man beside her. "Oh, it's no +use," she said hopelessly.</p> + +<p>He bent swiftly forward. "Let me try! Quick, Ralston! Have it ready! +That's it. Now then, Tommy! Now, lad!"</p> + +<p>He had taken her place almost before she knew it. She saw him stoop with +absolute assurance and slip his arm under the boy's shoulders. Tommy's +inert head fell back against him, but she saw his strong right hand come +out and take the spoon that Ralston held out. His dark face was bent to +his task, and it held no dismay, only unswerving determination.</p> + +<p>"Tommy!" he said again, and in his voice was a certain grim tenderness +that moved her oddly, sending the tears to her eyes before she could +check them. "Tommy, wake up, man! If you think you're going out now, +you're damn well mistaken. Wake up, do you hear? Wake up and swallow +this stuff! There! You've got it. Now swallow—do you hear?—swallow!"</p> + +<p>He held the spoon between Tommy's lips till it was emptied of every +drop; then thrust it back at Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Here take it! Pour out some more! Now, Tommy lad, it's up to you! +Swallow it like a dear fellow! Yes, you can if you try. Give your mind +to it! Pull up, boy, pull up! play the damn game! Don't go back on me! +Ah, you didn't know I was here, did you? Thought you'd slope while my +back was turned. You weren't quick enough, my lad. You've got to come +back."</p> + +<p>There was a strange note of passion in his voice. It was obvious to +Stella that he had utterly forgotten himself in the gigantic task before +him. Body and soul were bent to its fulfillment. She could see the +perspiration running down his face. She stood and watched, thrilled +through and through with the wonder of what she saw.</p> + +<p>For at the call of that curt, insistent voice Tommy moved and made +response. It was like the return of a departing spirit. He came out of +that deathly inertia. He opened his eyes upon Monck's face, staring up +at him with an expression half-questioning and half-expectant.</p> + +<p>"You haven't swallowed that stuff yet," Monck reminded him. "Get rid of +that first! What a child you are, Tommy! Why can't you behave yourself?"</p> + +<p>Tommy's throat worked spasmodically, he made a mighty effort and +succeeded in swallowing. Then, through lips that twitched as if he were +going to cry, weakly he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Hullo—hullo—you old bounder!"</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" said Monck in stern rejoinder. "A nice game this! Aren't you +ashamed of yourself? You ought to be. I'm furious with you. Do you know +that?"</p> + +<p>"Don't care—a damn," said Tommy, and forced his quivering lips to a +smile.</p> + +<p>"You will presently, you—puppy!" said Monck witheringly. "You're more +bother than you're worth. Come on, Ralston! Give him another dose! +Tommy, you hang on, or I'll know the reason why! There, you little ass! +What's the matter with you?"</p> + +<p>For Tommy's smile had crumpled into an expression of woe in spite of +him. He turned his face into Monck's shoulder, piteously striving to +hide his weakness.</p> + +<p>"Feel—so beastly—bad," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"All right, old fellow, all right! I know." Monck's hand was on his +head, soothing, caressing, comforting. "Stick to it like a Briton! We'll +pull you round. Think I don't understand? What? But you've got to do +your bit, you know. You've got to be game. And here's your sister +waiting to lend a hand, come all the way to this filthy hole on purpose. +You are not going to let her see you go under. Come, Tommy lad!"</p> + +<p>The tears overflowed down Stella's cheeks. She dared not show herself. +But, fortunately for her, Tommy did not desire it. Monck's words took +effect upon him, and he made a trembling effort to pull himself +together.</p> + +<p>"Don't let her see me—like this!" he murmured. "I'll be better +presently. You tell her, old chap, and—I say—look after her, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"All right, you cuckoo," said Monck.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_V'></a><h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h3>THE MORNING</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Day broke upon a world of streaming rain. Stella sat before a meal +spread in the dining-room and wanly watched it. Peter hovered near her; +she had a suspicion that the meal was somehow of his contriving. But how +he had arrived she had not the least idea and was too weary to ask.</p> + +<p>Tommy had fallen into natural sleep, and Ralston had persuaded her to +leave him in his care for a while, promising to send for her at once if +occasion arose. She had left Monck there also, but she fancied Ralston +did not mean to let him stay. Her thoughts dwelt oddly upon Monck. He +had surprised her; more, in some fashion he had pierced straight through +her armour of indifference. Wholly without intention he had imposed his +personality upon her. He had made her recognize him as a force that +counted. Though Major Ralston had been engaged upon the same task, she +realized that it was his effort alone that had brought Tommy back. +And—she saw it clearly—it was sheer love and nought else that had +obtained the mastery. This man whom she had always regarded as a being +apart, grimly self-contained, too ambitious to be capable of more than a +passing fancy, had shown her something in his soul which she knew to be +Divine. He was not, it seemed, so aloof as she had imagined him to be. +The friendship between himself and Tommy was not the one-sided affair +that she and a good many others had always believed it. He cared for +Tommy, cared very deeply. Somehow that fact made a vast difference to +her, such a difference as seemed to reach to the very centre of her +being. She felt as if she had underrated something great.</p> + +<p>The rush of the rain on the roof of the verandah seemed to make coherent +thought impossible. She gazed at the meal before her and wondered if she +could bring herself to partake of it. Peter had put everything ready to +her hand, and in justice to him she felt as if she ought to make the +attempt. But a leaden weariness was upon her. She felt more inclined to +sink back in her chair and sleep.</p> + +<p>There came a sound behind her, and she was aware of someone entering. +She fancied it was Peter returned to mark her progress, and stretched +her hand to the coffee-urn. But ere she touched it she knew that she was +mistaken. She turned and saw Monck.</p> + +<p>By the grey light of the morning his face startled her. She had never +seen it look so haggard. But out of it the dark eyes shone, alert and +indomitable, albeit she suspected that they had not slept for many +hours.</p> + +<p>He made her a brief bow. "May I join you?" he said.</p> + +<p>His manner was formal, but she could not stand on her dignity with him +at that moment. Impulsively, almost involuntarily it seemed to her +later, she rose, offering him both her hands. "Captain Monck," she said, +"you are—splendid!"</p> + +<p>Words and action were alike wholly spontaneous. They were also wholly +unexpected. She saw a strange look flash across his face. Just for a +second he hesitated. Then he took her hands and held them fast.</p> + +<p>"Ah—Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>With the name his eyes kindled. His weariness vanished as darkness +vanishes before the glare of electricity. He drew her suddenly and +swiftly to him.</p> + +<p>For a few throbbing seconds Stella was so utterly amazed that she made +no resistance. He astounded her at every turn, this man. And yet in some +strange and vital fashion her moods responded to his. He was not beyond +comprehension or even sympathy. But as she found his dark face close to +hers and felt his eyes scorch her like a flame, expediency rather than +dismay urged her to action. There was something so sublimely natural +about him at that moment that she could not feel afraid.</p> + +<p>She drew back from him gasping. "Oh please—please!" she said. "Captain +Monck, let me go!"</p> + +<p>He held her still, though he drew her no closer. "Must I?" he said. And +in a lower voice, "Have you forgotten how once in this very room you +told me—that I had come to you—too late? And—now!"</p> + +<p>The last words seemed to vibrate through and through her. She quivered +from head to foot. She could not meet the passion in his eyes, but +desperately she strove to cope with it ere it mounted beyond her +control.</p> + +<p>"Ah no, I haven't forgotten," she said. "But I was a good deal younger +then. I didn't know much of life. I have changed—I have changed +enormously."</p> + +<p>"You have changed—in that respect?" he asked her, and she heard in his +voice that note of stubbornness which she had heard on that night that +seemed so long ago—the night before her marriage.</p> + +<p>She freed one hand from his hold and set it pleadingly against his +breast. "That is a difficult question to answer," she said. "But do you +think a slave would willingly go back into servitude when once he has +felt the joy of freedom?"</p> + +<p>"Is that what marriage means to you?" he said.</p> + +<p>She bent her head. "Yes."</p> + +<p>But still he did not let her go. "Stella," he said, "I haven't changed +since that night."</p> + +<p>She trembled again, but she spoke no word, nor did she raise her eyes.</p> + +<p>He went on slowly, quietly, almost on a note of fatalism. "It is beyond +the bounds of possibility that I should change. I loved you then, I love +you now. I shall go on loving you as long as I live. I never thought it +possible that you could care for me—until you told me so. But I shall +not ask you to marry me so long as the thought of marriage means slavery +to you. All I ask is that you will not hold yourself back from loving +me—that you will not be afraid to be true to your own heart. Is that +too much?"</p> + +<p>His voice was steady again. She raised her eyes and met his look. The +passion had gone out of it, but the dominance remained. She thrilled +again to the mastery that had held Tommy back from death.</p> + +<p>For a moment she could not speak. Then, as he waited, she gathered her +strength to answer. "I mean to be true," she said rather breathlessly. +"But I—I value my freedom too much ever to marry again. Please, I want +you to understand that. You mustn't think of me in that way. You mustn't +encourage hopes that can never be fulfilled."</p> + +<p>A faint gleam crossed his face. "That is my affair," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I mean it." Quickly she broke in upon him. "I am in earnest. I +am in earnest. It wouldn't be right of me to let you imagine—to let you +think—" she faltered suddenly, for something obstructed her utterance. +The next moment swiftly she covered her face. "My dear!" he said.</p> + +<p>He led her back to the table and made her sit down. He knelt beside her, +his arms comfortingly around her.</p> + +<p>"I've made you cry," he said. "You're worn out. Forgive me! I'm a brute +to worry you like this. You've had a rotten time of it, I know, I know. +No, don't be afraid of me! I won't say another word. Just lean on me, +that's all. I won't let you down, I swear."</p> + +<p>She took him at his word for a space and leaned upon him; for she had no +alternative. She was weary to the soul of her; her strength was gone.</p> + +<p>But gradually his strength helped her to recover. She looked up at +length with a quivering smile. "There! I am going to be sensible. You +must be worn out too. I can see you are. Sit down, won't you, and let us +forget this?"</p> + +<p>He met her look steadily. "No, I can't forget," he said. "But I shan't +pester you. I don't believe in pestering any one. I shouldn't have done +it now, only—" he broke off faintly smiling—"it's all Tommy's fault, +confound him!" he said, and rose, giving her shoulder a pat that was +somehow more reassuring to her than any words.</p> + +<p>She laughed rather tremulously. "Poor Tommy! Now please sit down and +have a rational meal! You are looking positively gaunt. It will be +Tommy's and my turn to nurse you next if you are not careful."</p> + +<p>He pulled up a chair and seated himself. "What a pleasing suggestion! +But I doubt if Tommy's assistance will be very valuable to any one for +some little time to come. No milk in that coffee, please. I will have +some brandy."</p> + +<p>Looking back upon that early breakfast, Stella smiled to herself though +not without misgiving. For somehow, in spite of what had preceded it, it +was a very light-hearted affair. She had never seen Monck in so genial a +mood. She had not believed him capable of it. For though he looked +wretchedly ill, his spirits were those of a conqueror.</p> + +<p>Doubtless he regarded the turn in Tommy's illness as a distinct and +personal victory. But was that his only cause for triumph? She wished +she knew.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_VI'></a><h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h3>THE NIGHT-WATCH</h3> +<br /> + +<p>When Stella saw Tommy again, he greeted her with a smile of welcome that +told her that for him the worst was over. He had returned. But his +weakness was great, greater than he himself realized, and she very +quickly comprehended the reason for Major Ralston's evident anxiety. +Sickness was rife everywhere, and now that the most imminent danger was +past he was able to spare but little time for Tommy's needs. He placed +him in Stella's care with many repeated injunctions that she did her +utmost to fulfil.</p> + +<p>For the first two days Monck helped her. His management of Tommy was +supremely arbitrary, and Tommy submitted himself with a meekness that +sometimes struck Stella as excessive. But it was so evident that the boy +loved to have his friend near him, whatever his mood, that she made no +comments since Monck was not arbitrary with her. She saw but little of +him after their early morning meal together, for when he could spare the +time to be with Tommy, she took his advice and went to her room for the +rest she so sorely needed.</p> + +<p>She hoped that Monck rested too during the hours that she was on duty in +the sick-room. She concluded that he did so, though his appearance gave +small testimony to the truth of her supposition. Once or twice coming +upon him suddenly she was positively startled by the haggardness of his +look. But upon this also she made no comment. It seemed advisable to +avoid all personal matters in her dealings with him. She was aware that +he suffered no interference from Major Ralston whose time was in fact so +fully occupied at the hospital and elsewhere that he was little likely +to wish to add him to his sick list.</p> + +<p>Tommy's recovery, however, was fairly rapid, and on the third night +after her arrival she was able to lie down in his room and rest between +her ministrations. Ralston professed himself well satisfied with his +progress in the morning, and she looked forward to imparting this +favourable report to Monck. But Monck did not make an appearance. She +watched for him almost unconsciously all through the day, but he did not +come. Tommy also watched for him, and finally concluded somewhat +discontentedly that he had gone on some mission regarding which he had +not deemed it advisable to inform them.</p> + +<p>"He is like that," he told Stella, and for the first time he spoke +almost disparagingly of his hero. "So beastly discreet. He never thinks +any one can keep a secret besides himself."</p> + +<p>"Ah well, never mind," Stella said. "We can do without him."</p> + +<p>But Tommy had reached the stage when the smallest disappointment was a +serious matter. He fretted and grew feverish over his friend's absence.</p> + +<p>When Major Ralston saw him that evening he rated him soundly, and even, +Stella thought, seemed inclined to blame her also for the set-back in +his patient's condition.</p> + +<p>"He must be kept quiet," he insisted. "It is absolutely essential, or we +shall have the whole trouble over again. I shall have to give him a +sedative and leave him to you. I can't possibly look in again to-night, +so it will be useless to send for me. You will have to manage as best +you can."</p> + +<p>He departed, and Stella arranged to divide the night-watches with Peter +the Great. She did not privately believe that there was much ground for +alarm, but in view of the doctor's very emphatic words she decided to +spend the first hours by Tommy's side. Peter would relieve her an hour +after midnight, when at his earnest request she promised to go to her +room and rest.</p> + +<p>The sedative very speedily took effect upon Tommy and he slept calmly +while she sat beside him with the light from the lamp turned upon her +book. But though her eyes were upon the open page her attention was far +from it. Her thoughts had wandered to Monck and dwelt persistently upon +him. The memory of that last conversation she had had with Ralph Dacre +would not be excluded from her brain. What was the meaning of this +mysterious absence? What was he doing? She felt uneasy, even troubled. +There was something about this Secret Service employment which made her +shrink, though she felt that had their mutual relations been of the +totally indifferent and casual order she would not have cared. It seemed +to her well-nigh impossible to place any real confidence in a man who +deliberately concealed so great a part of his existence. Her instinct +was to trust him, but her reason forbade. She was beginning to ask +herself if it would not be advisable to leave India just as soon as +Tommy could spare her. It seemed madness to remain on if she desired to +avoid any increase of intimacy with this man who had already so far +overstepped the bounds of convention in his dealing with her.</p> + +<p>And yet—in common honesty she had to admit it—she did not want to go. +The attraction that held her was as yet too intangible to be definitely +analyzed, but she could not deny its existence. She did not love the +man—oh, surely she did not love him—for she did not want to marry him. +She brought her feelings to that touchstone and it seemed that they were +able to withstand the test. But neither did she want to cut herself +finally adrift from all chance of contact with him. It would hurt her to +go. Probably—almost certainly—she would wish herself back again. But, +the question remained unanswered, ought she to stay? For the first time +her treasured independence arose and mocked her. She had it in her heart +to wish that the decision did not rest with herself.</p> + +<p>It was at this point, while she was yet deep in her meditations, that a +slight sound at the window made her look up. It was almost an +instinctive movement on her part. She could not have said that she +actually heard anything besides the falling rain which had died down to +a soft patter among the trees in the compound. But something induced her +took up, and so doing, she caught a glimpse of a figure on the verandah +without that sent all the blood in her body racing to her heart. It was +but a momentary glimpse. The next instant it was gone, gone like a +shadow, so that she found herself asking breathlessly if it had ever +been, or if by any means her imagination had tricked her. For in that +fleeting second it seemed to her that the past had opened its gates to +reveal to her a figure which of late had drifted into the back alleys of +memory—the figure of the dreadful old native who, in some vague +fashion, she had come to regard as the cause of her husband's death.</p> + +<p>She had never seen him again since that awful morning when oblivion had +caught her as it were on the very edge of the world, but for long after +he had haunted her dreams so that the very thought of sleep had been +abhorrent to her. But now—like the grim ghost of that strange life that +she had so resolutely thrust behind her—the whole revolting +personality of the man rushed vividly back upon her.</p> + +<p>She sat as one petrified. Surely—surely—she had seen him in the flesh! +It could not have been a dream. She was certain that she had not slept. +And yet—how had that horrible old Kashmiri beggar come all these +hundreds of miles from his native haunts? It was not likely. It was +barely possible. And yet she had always been convinced that in some way +he had known her husband beforehand. Had he come then of set intention +to seek her out, perhaps to attempt to extract money from her?</p> + +<p>She could not answer the question, and her whole being shrank from the +thought of going out into the darkness to investigate. She could not +bring herself to it. Actually she dared not.</p> + +<p>Minutes passed. She sat still gazing and gazing at the blank darkness of +the window. Nothing moved there. The wild beating of her heart died +gradually down. Surely it had been a mistake after all! Surely she had +fallen into a doze in the midst of her reverie and dreamed this hateful +apparition with the gleaming eyes and famished face!</p> + +<p>She exerted her self-command and turned at last to look at Tommy. He was +sleeping peacefully with his head on his arm. He would sleep all night +if undisturbed. She laid aside her book and softly rose.</p> + +<p>Her first intention was to go to the door and see if Peter were in the +passage. But the very fact of moving seemed to give her courage. The +man's rest would be short enough; it seemed unkind to disturb him.</p> + +<p>Resolutely she turned to the window, stifling all qualms. She would not +be a wretched coward. She would see for herself.</p> + +<p>The night was steaming hot, and there was a smell of mildew in the air. +A swarm of mosquitoes buzzed in the glare thrown by the lamp with a +shrill, attenuated sound like the skirl of far-away bagpipes. A creature +with bat-like wings flapped with a monstrous ungainliness between the +outer posts of the verandah. From across the compound an owl called on a +weird note of defiance. And in the dim waste of distance beyond she +heard the piercing cry of a jackal. But close at hand, so far as the +rays of the lamp penetrated, she could discern nothing.</p> + +<p>Stay! What was that? A bar of light from another lamp lay across the +verandah, stretching out into the darkness. It came from the room next +to the one in which she stood. Her heart gave a sudden hard throb. It +came from Monck's room.</p> + +<p>That meant—that meant—what did it mean? That Monck had returned at +that unusual hour? Or that there really was a native intruder who had +found the window unfastened and entered?</p> + +<p>Again the impulse to retreat and call Peter to deal with the situation +came upon her, but almost angrily she shook it off. She would see for +herself first. If it were only Monck, then her fancy had indeed played +her false and no one should know it. If it were any one else, it would +be time enough then to return and raise the alarm.</p> + +<p>So, reasoning with herself, seeking to reassure herself, crying shame on +her fear, she stepped noiselessly forth into the verandah and slipped, +silent as that shadow had been, through the intervening space of +darkness to the open window of Monck's room.</p> + +<p>She reached it, was blinded for a moment by the light that poured +through it, then, recovering, peered in.</p> + +<p>A man, dressed in pyjamas, stood facing her, so close to her that he +seemed to be in the act of stepping forth. She recognized him in a +second. It was Monck,—but Monck as she never before had seen him, Monck +with eyes alight with fever and lips drawn back like the lips of a +snarling animal. In his right hand he gripped a revolver.</p> + +<p>He saw her as suddenly as she saw him, and a rapid change crossed his +face. He reached out and caught her by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Come in! Come in!" he said, his words rushing over each other in a +confused jumble utterly unlike his usual incisive speech. "You're safe +in here. I'll shoot the brute if he dares to come near you again."</p> + +<p>She saw that he was not himself. The awful fire in his eyes alone would +have told her that. But words and action so bewildered her that she +yielded to the compelling grip. In a moment she was in the room, and he +was closing and shuttering the window with fevered haste.</p> + +<p>She stood and watched him, a cold sensation beginning to creep about her +heart. When he turned round to her, she saw that he was smiling, a +fierce, triumphant smile.</p> + +<p>He threw down the revolver, and as he did so, she found her voice. +"Captain Monck, what does that man want? What—what is he doing?"</p> + +<p>He stood looking at her with that dreadful smile about his lips and the +red fire leaping, leaping in his eyes. "Can't you guess what he wants?" +he said. "He wants—you."</p> + +<p>"Me?" She gazed back at him astounded. "But why—why? Does he want to +get money out of me? Where has he gone?"</p> + +<p>Monck laughed, a low, terrible laugh. "Never mind where he has gone! +I've frightened him off, and I'll shoot him—I'll shoot him—if he comes +back! You're mine now—not his. You were right to come to me, quite +right. I was just coming to you. But this is better. No one can come +between us now. I know how to protect my wife."</p> + +<p>He reached out his hands to her as he ended. His eyes shocked her +inexpressibly. They held a glare that was inhuman, almost devilish.</p> + +<p>She drew back from him in open horror. "Captain Monck! I am not your +wife! What can you be thinking of? You—you are not yourself."</p> + +<p>She turned with the words, seeking the door that led into the passage. +He made no attempt to check her. Instinct told her, even before she laid +her hand upon it, that it was locked.</p> + +<p>She turned back, facing him with all her courage. "Captain Monck, I +command you to let me go!"</p> + +<p>Clear and imperious her voice fell, but it had no more visible effect +upon him than the drip of the rain outside. He came towards her swiftly, +with the step of a conqueror, ignoring her words as though they had +never been uttered.</p> + +<p>"I know how to protect my wife," he reiterated. "I will shoot any man +who tries to take you from me."</p> + +<p>He reached her with the words, and for the first time she flinched, so +terrible was his look. She shrank away from him till she stood against +the closed door. Through lips that felt stiff and cold she forced her +protest.</p> + +<p>"Indeed—indeed—you don't know what you are doing. Open the door +and—let me—go!"</p> + +<p>Her voice sounded futile even to herself. Before she ceased to speak, +his arms were holding her, his lips, fiercely passionate, were seeking +hers.</p> + +<p>She struggled to avoid them, but her strength was as a child's. He +quelled her resistance with merciless force. He choked the cry she tried +to utter with the fiery insistence of his kisses. He held her crushed +against his heart, so overwhelming her with the volcanic fires of his +passion that in the end she lay in his hold helpless and gasping, too +shattered to oppose him further.</p> + +<p>She scarcely knew when the fearful tempest began to abate. All sense of +time and almost of place had left her. She was dizzy, quivering, on +fire, wholly incapable of coherent thought, when at last it came to her +that the storm was arrested.</p> + +<p>She heard a voice above her, a strangely broken voice. "My God!" it +said. "What—have I done?"</p> + +<p>It sounded like the question of a man suddenly awaking from a wild +dream. She felt the arms that held her relax their grip. She knew that +he was looking at her with eyes that held once more the light of reason. +And, oddly, that fact affected her rather with dismay than relief. +Burning from head to foot, she turned her own away.</p> + +<p>She felt his hand pass over her shamed and quivering face as though to +assure himself that she was actually there in the flesh. And then +abruptly—so abruptly that she tottered and almost fell—he set her +free.</p> + +<p>He turned from her. "God help me! I am mad!" he said.</p> + +<p>She stood with throbbing pulses, gasping for breath, feeling as one who +had passed through raging fires into a desert of smouldering ashes. She +seemed to be seared from head to foot. The fiery torment of his kisses +had left her tingling in every nerve.</p> + +<p>He moved away to the table on which he had flung his revolver, and stood +there with his back to her. He was swaying a little on his feet.</p> + +<p>Without looking at her, he spoke, his voice shaky, wholly unfamiliar. +"You had better go. I—I am not safe. This damned fever has got into my +brain."</p> + +<p>She leaned against the door in silence. Her physical strength was coming +back to her, but yet she could not move, and she had no words to speak. +He seemed to have reft from her every faculty of thought and feeling +save a burning sense of shame. By his violence he had broken down all +her defences. She seemed to have lost both the power and the will to +resist. She remained speechless while the dreadful seconds crept away.</p> + +<p>He turned round upon her at length suddenly, almost with a movement of +exasperation. And then something that he saw checked him. He stood +silent, as if not knowing how to proceed.</p> + +<p>Across the room their eyes met and held for the passage of many +throbbing seconds. Then slowly a change came over Monck. He turned back +to the table and deliberately picked up the revolver that lay there.</p> + +<p>She watched him fascinated. Over his shoulder he spoke. "You will think +me mad. Perhaps it is the most charitable conclusion you could come to. +But I fully realize that when a thing is beyond an apology, it is an +insult to offer one. The key of the door is under the pillow on the +bed. Perhaps you will not mind finding it for yourself."</p> + +<p>He sat down with the words in a heavy, dogged fashion, holding the +revolver dangling between his knees. There was grim despair in his +attitude; his look was that of a man utterly spent. It came to Stella at +that moment that the command of the situation had devolved upon her, and +with it a heavier responsibility than she had ever before been called +upon to bear.</p> + +<p>She put her own weakness from her with a resolution born of expediency, +for the need for strength was great. She crossed the room to the bed, +felt for and found the key, returned to the door and inserted it in the +lock. Then she paused.</p> + +<p>He had not moved. He was not watching her. He sat as one sunk deep in +dejection, bowed beneath a burden that crushed him to the earth. But +there was even in his abasement a certain terrible patience that sent an +icy misgiving to her heart. She did not dare to leave him so.</p> + +<p>It needed all the strength she could muster to approach him, but she +compelled herself at last. She came to him. She stood before him.</p> + +<p>"Captain Monck!" she said.</p> + +<p>Her voice sounded small and frightened even in her own ears. She +clenched her hands with the effort to be strong.</p> + +<p>He scarcely stirred. His eyes remained downcast. He spoke no word.</p> + +<p>She bent a little. "Captain Monck, if you have fever, you had better go +to bed."</p> + +<p>He moved slightly, influenced possibly by the increasing steadiness of +her voice. But still he did not look at her or speak.</p> + +<p>She saw that his hold upon the revolver had tightened to a grip, and, +prompted by an inner warning that she could not pause to question, she +bent lower and laid her hand upon his arm. "Please give that to me!" she +said.</p> + +<p>He started at her touch; he almost recoiled. "Why?" he said.</p> + +<p>His voice was harsh and strained, even savage. But the needed strength +had come to Stella, and she did not flinch.</p> + +<p>"You have no use for it just now," she said. "Please be sensible and let +me have it!"</p> + +<p>"Sensible!" he said.</p> + +<p>His eyes sought hers suddenly, involuntarily, and she had a sense of +shock which she was quick to control; for they held in their depths the +torment of hell.</p> + +<p>"You are wrong," he said, and the deadly intention of his voice made her +quiver afresh. "I have a use for it. At least I shall have—presently. +There are one or two things to be attended to first."</p> + +<p>It was then that a strange and new authority came upon Stella, as if an +unknown force had suddenly inspired her. She read his meaning beyond all +doubting, and without an instant's hesitation she acted.</p> + +<p>"Captain Monck," she said, "you have made a mistake. You have done +nothing that is past forgiveness. You must take my word for that, for +just now you are ill and not in a fit state to judge for yourself. Now +please give me that thing, and let me do what I can to help you!"</p> + +<p>Practical and matter-of-fact were her words. She marvelled at herself +even as she stooped and laid a steady hand upon the weapon he held. Her +action was purposeful, and he relinquished it. The misery in his eyes +gave place to a dumb curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Now," Stella said, "get to bed, and I will bring you some of Tommy's +quinine."</p> + +<p>She turned from him, revolver in hand, but paused and in a moment turned +back.</p> + +<p>"Captain Monck, you heard what I said, didn't you? You will go straight +to bed?"</p> + +<p>Her voice held a hint of pleading, despite its insistence. He +straightened himself in his chair. He was still looking at her with an +odd wonder in his eyes—wonder that was mixed with a very unusual touch +of reverence.</p> + +<p>"I will do—whatever you wish," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Stella. "Then please let me find you in bed when I +come back!"</p> + +<p>She turned once more to go, went to the door and opened it. From the +threshold she glanced back.</p> + +<p>He was on his feet, gazing after her with the eyes of a man in a +trance.</p> + +<p>She lifted her hand. "Now remember!" she said, and with that passed +quietly out, closing the door behind her.</p> + +<p>Her brain was in a seething turmoil and her heart was leaping within her +like a wild thing suddenly caged. But, very strangely, all fear had +departed from her.</p> + +<p>Only a brief interval before, she had found herself wishing that the +decision of her life's destiny had not rested entirely with herself. It +seemed to her that a great revelation had been vouchsafed between the +amazing present and those past moments of troubled meditation. And she +knew now that it did not.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_VII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h3>SERVICE RENDERED</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The news that Monck was down with the fever brought both the Colonel and +Major Ralston early to the bungalow on the following morning.</p> + +<p>They found Stella and the ever-faithful Peter in charge of both +patients. Tommy was better though weak. Monck was in a high fever and +delirious.</p> + +<p>Stella was in the latter's room, for he would not suffer her out of his +sight. She alone seemed to have any power to control him, and Ralston +noted the fact with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"There's some magic about you," he observed in his blunt fashion. "Are +you going to take on this job? It's no light one but you'll probably do +it better than any one else."</p> + +<p>It was a tacit invitation, and Stella knowing how widespread was the +sickness that infected the station, accepted it without demur.</p> + +<p>"It rather looks as if it were my job, doesn't it?" she said. "I am +willing, anyway to do my best."</p> + +<p>Ralston looked at her with a gleam of approval, but the Colonel drew her +aside to remonstrate.</p> + +<p>"It's not fit for you. You'll be ill yourself. If Ralston weren't nearly +at his wit's end he'd never dream of allowing it."</p> + +<p>But Stella heard the protest with a smile. "Believe me, I am only too +glad to be able to do something useful for a change," she assured him. +"As to being ill myself, I will promise not to behave so badly as that."</p> + +<p>"You're a brick, my dear," said Colonel Mansfield. "I wish there were +more like you. Mind you take plenty of quinine!" With which piece of +fatherly advice he left her with the determination to keep an eye on her +and see that Ralston did not work her too hard.</p> + +<p>Stella, however, had no fears on her own account. She went to her task +resolute and undismayed, feeling herself actually indispensable for +almost the first time in her life. Her influence upon Monck was beyond +dispute. She alone possessed the power to calm him in his wildest +moments, and he never failed to recognize her or to control himself to a +certain extent in her presence.</p> + +<p>The attack was a sharp one, and for a while Ralston was more uneasy than +he cared to admit. But Monck's constitution was a good one, and after +three days of acute illness the fever began to subside. Tommy was by +that time making good progress, and Stella, who till then had snatched +her rest when and how she could, gave her charge into Peter's keeping +and went to bed for the first time since her arrival at Kurrumpore.</p> + +<p>Till she actually lay down she did not realize how utterly worn out she +was, or how little the odd hours of sleep that she had been able to +secure had sufficed her. But as she laid her head upon the pillow, +slumber swept upon her on soundless wings. She slept almost before she +had time to appreciate the exquisite comfort of complete repose.</p> + +<p>That slumber of hers lasted for many hours. She had given Peter express +injunctions to awake her in good time in the morning, and she rested +secure in the confidence that he would obey her orders. But it was the +light of advancing evening that filled the room when at last she opened +her eyes.</p> + +<p>There had come a break in the rain, and a bar of misty sunshine had +penetrated a chink in the green blinds and lay golden across the Indian +matting on the floor. She lay and gazed at it with a bewildered sense of +uncertainty as to her whereabouts. She felt as if she had returned from +a long journey, and for a time her mind dwelt hazily upon the Himalayan +paradise from which she had been so summarily cast forth. Vague figures +flitted to and fro through her brain till finally one in particular +occupied the forefront of her thoughts. She found herself recalling +every unpleasant detail of the old Kashmiri beggar who had lured Ralph +Dacre from her side on that last fateful night. The old question arose +within her and would not be stifled. Had the man murdered and robbed him +ere flinging him down to the torrent that had swept his body away? The +wonder tormented her as of old, but with renewed intensity. She had +awaked with the conviction strong upon her that the man was not far +away, that she had seen him recently, and that Everard Monck had seen +him also.</p> + +<p>That brought her thoughts very swiftly to the present, to Monck's +illness and dependence upon her, and in a flash to the realization that +she had spent nearly the whole day as well as the night in sleep. In +keen dismay she started from her bed and began a rapid toilet.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later she heard Peter's low, discreet knock at the +door, and bade him enter. He came in with a tea-tray, smiling upon her +with such tender solicitude that she had it not in her heart to express +any active annoyance with him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Peter, you should have called me hours ago!" was all she found to +say.</p> + +<p>He set down the tray with a deep salaam. "But the captain <i>sahib</i> would +not permit me," he said.</p> + +<p>"He is better?" Stella asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"He is much better, my <i>mem-sahib</i>. The doctor <i>sahib</i> smiled upon him +only this afternoon and told him he was a damn' fraud. So my <i>mem-sahib</i> +may set her mind at rest."</p> + +<p>Obviously the term constituted a high compliment in Peter's estimation +and the evident satisfaction that it afforded to Stella seemed to +confirm the impression. He retired looking as well pleased as Stella had +ever seen him.</p> + +<p>She finished dressing as speedily as possible, ate a hasty meal, and +hastened to Tommy's room. To her surprise she found it empty, but as she +turned on the threshold the sound of her brother's laugh came to her +through the passage. Evidently Tommy was visiting his fellow sufferer.</p> + +<p>With a touch of anxiety as to Monck's fitness to receive a visitor, she +turned in the direction of the laugh. But at Monck's door she paused, +constrained by something that checked her almost like a hand laid upon +her. The blood ran up to her temples and beat through her brain. She +found she could not enter.</p> + +<p>As she stood there hesitating, Monck's voice came to her, quiet and +rational. She could not hear what he said, but Tommy's more impetuous +tones cutting in were clearly audible.</p> + +<p>"Oh, rats, my dear fellow! Don't be so damn' modest! You're worth a +score of Dacres and you bet she knows it."</p> + +<p>Stella tingled from head to foot. In another moment she would have +passed swiftly on, but even as the impulse came to her it was +frustrated. The door in front of her suddenly opened, and she was face +to face with Monck himself.</p> + +<p>He stood leaning slightly on the handle of the door. He was draped in a +long dressing-gown of Oriental silk that hung upon him dejectedly as if +it yearned for a stouter tenant. In it he looked leaner and taller than +he had ever seemed to her before. He had a cigarette between his lips, +but this he removed with a flicker of humour as he observed her glance.</p> + +<p>"Caught in the act," he remarked. "Please come in!"</p> + +<p>Something that was very far from humour impelled Stella to say quickly, +"I hope you don't imagine I was eavesdropping."</p> + +<p>He looked sardonic for an instant. "No, I do not so far flatter myself," +he said. "I was referring to my cigarette."</p> + +<p>She entered, striving for dignity. Then as his attitude caught her +attention she forgot herself and turned upon him in genuine dismay. +"What are you doing out of bed? You know you are not fit for it. Oh, how +wrong of you! Take my arm!"</p> + +<p>He transferred his hand from the door to her shoulder, and she felt it +tremble though his hold was strong.</p> + +<p>"May I not sit up to tea with you, nurse <i>sahib</i>?" he suggested, as she +piloted him firmly to the bedside.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," she made answer. The consciousness of his weakness had +fully restored her confidence and her authority. "Besides, I have had +mine. Tommy, you too! It is too bad, I shall never dare to close my eyes +again."</p> + +<p>At this point Monck laughed so suddenly and boyishly that she found it +utterly impossible to continue her reproaches. He humbly apologized as +he subsided upon the bed, and turning to Tommy who, fully dressed, was +reclining at his ease in a deck-chair by its side said with a smile, +"You get back to your own compartment, my son. It isn't good for me to +have two people in the room with me at the same time. And your sister +wants to take my pulse undisturbed."</p> + +<p>"Or listen to your heart?" suggested Tommy irreverently as he rose.</p> + +<p>"Turn him out!" said Monck, leaning luxuriously upon the pillows that +Stella arranged for him.</p> + +<p>Tommy laughed as he sauntered away, pulling the door carelessly after +him but recalled by Monck to shut it.</p> + +<p>A sudden silence followed his departure. Stella was at the window, +looping back the curtains. The vague sunlight still smote across the +dripping compound; the whole plain was smoking like a mighty cauldron. +Stella finished her task and stood still.</p> + +<p>Across the silence came Monck's voice. "Aren't you going to give me my +medicine?"</p> + +<p>She turned slowly round. "I think you are nearly equal to doctoring +yourself now," she said.</p> + +<p>He was lying raised on his elbow, his eyes, intent and searching, fixed +upon her. Abruptly, in a different tone, he spoke. "In other words, quit +fooling and play the game!" he said. "All right, I will—to the best of +my ability. First of all, may I tell you something that Ralston said to +me this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly." Stella's voice sounded constrained and formal. She remained +with her back to the window; for some reason she did not want him to see +her face too clearly.</p> + +<p>"It was only this," said Monck. "He said that I had you to thank for +pulling me through this business, that but for you I should probably +have gone under. Ralston isn't given to saying that sort of thing. +So—if you will allow me—I should like to thank you for the trouble you +have taken and for the service rendered."</p> + +<p>"Please don't!" Stella said. "After all, it was no more than you did for +Tommy, nor so much." She spoke nervously, avoiding his look.</p> + +<p>The shadow of a smile crossed Monck's face. "I chance to be rather fond +of Tommy," he said, "so my motive was more or less a selfish one. But +you had not that incentive, so I should be all the more grateful. I am +afraid I have given you a lot of trouble. Have you found me very +difficult to manage?"</p> + +<p>He put the question suddenly, almost imperiously. Stella was conscious +of a momentary surprise. There was something in the tone rather than the +words that puzzled her. She hesitated over her reply.</p> + +<p>"You have?" said Monck. "That means I have been very unruly. Do you mind +telling me what happened on the night I was taken ill?"</p> + +<p>She felt a burning blush rush up to her face and neck before she could +check it. It was impossible to attempt to hide her distress from him. +She forced herself to speak before it overwhelmed her. "I would rather +not discuss it or think of it. You were not yourself, and I—and I—"</p> + +<p>"And you?" said Monck, his voice suddenly sunk very low.</p> + +<p>She commanded herself with a supreme effort. "I wish to forget it," she +said with firmness.</p> + +<p>He was silent for a moment or two. She began to wonder if it would be +possible to make her escape before he could pursue the subject further. +And then he spoke, and she knew that she must remain.</p> + +<p>"You are very generous," he said, "more generous than I deserve. Will it +help matters at all if I tell you that I would give all I have to be +able to forget it too, or to believe that the thing I remember was just +one of the wild delusions of my brain?"</p> + +<p>His voice was deep and sincere. In spite of herself she was moved by it. +She came forward to his side. "The past is past," she said, and gave him +her hand.</p> + +<p>He took it and held it, looking at her in his straight, inscrutable way. +"True, most gracious!" he said. "But I haven't quite done with it yet. +Will you hear me a moment longer? You have of your goodness pardoned my +outrageous behaviour, so I make no further allusion to that, except to +tell you that I had been tempted to try a native drug which in its +effects was worse than the fever pure and simple. But there is one point +which only you can make clear. How was it you came to seek me out that +night?"</p> + +<p>His grasp upon her hand was reassuring though she felt the quiver of +physical weakness in its hold. It was the grasp of a friend, and her +embarrassment began to fall away from her.</p> + +<p>"I came," she said, "because I had been startled. I had no idea you were +anywhere near. I was really investigating the verandah because of—of +something I had seen, when the light from this window attracted me. I +thought possibly someone had broken in."</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me what startled you?" Monck said.</p> + +<p>She looked at him. "It was a man—an old native beggar. I only saw him +for a moment. I was in Tommy's room, and he came and looked in at me. +You—you must have seen him too. You were talking very excitedly about +him. You threatened to shoot him."</p> + +<p>"Was that how you came to deprive me of my revolver?" questioned Monck.</p> + +<p>She coloured again vividly. "No, I thought you were going to shoot +yourself. I will give it back to you presently."</p> + +<p>"When you consider that I can be safely trusted with it?" he suggested, +with his brief smile. "But tell me some more about this mysterious old +beggar of yours! What was he like?"</p> + +<p>She hesitated momentarily. "I only had a very fleeting glimpse of him. I +can't tell you what he was really like. But—he reminded me of someone +I never want to think of or suffer myself to think of again if I can +help it."</p> + +<p>"Who?" said Monck.</p> + +<p>His voice was quiet, but it held insistence. She felt as if his eyes +pierced her, compelling her reply.</p> + +<p>"A horrible old native—a positive nightmare of a man—whom I shall +always regard as in some way the cause of my husband's death."</p> + +<p>In the pause that followed her words, Monck's hand left hers. He lay +still looking at her, but with that steely intentness that told her +nothing. She could not have said whether he were vitally interested in +the matter or not when he spoke again.</p> + +<p>"You think that he was murdered then?"</p> + +<p>A sharp shudder went through her. "I am very nearly convinced of it," +she said. "But I shall never know for certain now."</p> + +<p>"And you imagine that the murderer can have followed you here?" he +pursued.</p> + +<p>"No! Oh no!" Hastily she made answer. "It is ridiculous of course. He +would never be such a fool as to do that. It was only my imagination. I +saw the figure at the window and was reminded of him."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure the figure at the window was not imagination too?" said +Monck. "Forgive my asking! Such things have happened."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," Stella said. "It is a question I have been asking myself +ever since. But, you know—" she smiled faintly—"I had no fever that +night. Besides, I fancy you saw him too."</p> + +<p>His smile met hers. "I saw many things that night as they were not. And +you also were overwrought and very tired. Perhaps you had had an +exciting supper!"</p> + +<p>She saw that he meant to turn the subject away from her husband's death, +and a little thrill of gratitude went through her. He had seen how +reluctant she was to speak of it. She followed his lead with relief.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps—perhaps," she said. "We will say so anyhow. And now, do you +know, I think you had better have your tea and rest. You have done a lot +of talking, and you will be getting feverish again if I let you go on. I +will send Peter in with it."</p> + +<p>He raised one eyebrow with a wry expression. "Must it be Peter?" he +said.</p> + +<p>She relented. "I will bring it myself if you will promise not to talk."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said. "And if I promise that—will you promise me one thing +too?"</p> + +<p>She paused. "What is that?"</p> + +<p>His eyes met hers, direct but baffling. "Not. to run away from me," he +said.</p> + +<p>The quick blood mounted again in her face. She stood silent.</p> + +<p>He lifted an urgent hand. "Stella, in heaven's name, don't be afraid of +me!"</p> + +<p>She laid her hand again in his. She could not do otherwise. She wanted +to beg him to say nothing further, to let her go in peace. But no words +would come. She stood before him mute.</p> + +<p>And—perhaps he knew what was in her mind—Monck was silent also after +that single earnest appeal of his. He held her hand for a few seconds, +and then very quietly let it go. She knew by his action that he would +respect her wish for the time at least and say no more. </p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h3>THE TRUCE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Tommy was in a bad temper with everyone—a most unusual state of +affairs. The weather was improving every day; the rains were nearly +over. He was practically well again, too well to be sent to Bhulwana on +sick leave, as Ralston brutally told him; but it was not this fact that +had upset his internal equilibrium. He did not want sick leave, and +bluntly said so.</p> + +<p>"Then what the devil do you want?" said Ralston, equally blunt and ready +to resent irritation from one who in his opinion was too highly favoured +of the gods to have any reasonable grounds for complaint.</p> + +<p>Tommy growled an inarticulate reply. It was not his intention to confide +in Ralston whatever his grievance. But Ralston, not to be frustrated, +carried the matter to Monck, then on the high road to recovery.</p> + +<p>"What in thunder is the matter with the young ass?" he demanded. "He +gets more lantern-jawed and obstreperous every day."</p> + +<p>"Leave him to me!" said Monck. "Discharge him as cured! I'll manage +him."</p> + +<p>"But that's just what he isn't," grumbled Ralston. "He ought to be well. +So far as I can make out, he is well. But he goes about looking like a +sick fly and stinging before you touch him."</p> + +<p>"Leave him to me!" Monck said again.</p> + +<p>That afternoon as he and Tommy lounged together on the verandah after +the lazy fashion of convalescents, he turned to the boy in his abrupt +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Tommy!" he said. "What are you making yourself so +conspicuously unpleasant for? It's time you pulled up."</p> + +<p>Tommy turned crimson. "I?" he stammered. "Who says so? Stella?"</p> + +<p>There was the suspicion of a smile about Monck's grim mouth as he made +reply. "No; not Stella, though she well might. I've heard you being +beastly rude to her more than once. What's the matter with you? Want a +kicking, eh?"</p> + +<p>Tommy hunched himself in his wicker chair with his chin on his chest. +"No, want to kick," he said in a savage undertone.</p> + +<p>Monck laughed briefly. He was standing against a pillar of the verandah. +He turned and sat down unexpectedly on the arm of Tommy's chair. "Who do +you want to kick?" he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy glanced at him and was silent.</p> + +<p>"Significant!" commented Monck. He put his hand with very unwonted +kindness upon the lad's shoulder. "What do you want to kick me for, +Tommy?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tommy shrugged the shoulder under his hand. "If you don't know, I can't +tell you," he said gruffly.</p> + +<p>Monck's fingers closed with quiet persistence. "Yes, you can. Out with +it!" he said.</p> + +<p>But Tommy remained doggedly silent.</p> + +<p>Several seconds passed. Then very suddenly Monck raised his hand and +smote him hard on the back.</p> + +<p>"Damn!" said Tommy, straightening involuntarily.</p> + +<p>"That's better," said Monck. "That'll do you good. Don't curl up again! +You're getting disgracefully round-shouldered. Like to have a bout with +the gloves?"</p> + +<p>There was not a shade of ill-feeling in his voice. Tommy turned round +upon him with a smile as involuntary as his exclamation had been.</p> + +<p>"What a brute you are, Monck! You have such a beastly trick of putting a +fellow in the wrong."</p> + +<p>"You are in the wrong," asserted Monck. "I want to get you out of it if +I can. What's the grievance? What have I done?"</p> + +<p>Tommy hesitated for a moment, then finally reached up and gripped the +hand upon his shoulder. "Monck! I say, Monck!" he said boyishly. "I feel +such a cur to say it. But—but—" he broke off abruptly. "I'm damned if +I can say it!" he decided dejectedly.</p> + +<p>Monck's fingers suddenly twisted and closed upon his. "What a funny +little ass you are, Tommy!" he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy brightened a little. "It's infernally difficult—taking you to +task," he explained blushing a still fierier red. "You'll never speak to +me again after this."</p> + +<p>Monck laughed. "Yes, I shall. I shall respect you for it. Get on with +it, man! What's the trouble?"</p> + +<p>With immense effort Tommy made reply. "Well, it's pretty beastly to have +to ask any fellow what his intentions are with regard to his sister, but +you pretty nearly told me yours."</p> + +<p>"Then what more do you want?" questioned Monck.</p> + +<p>Tommy made a gesture of helplessness. "Damn it, man! Don't you know she +is making plans to go Home?"</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Monck.</p> + +<p>Tommy faced round. "I say, like a good chap,—you've practically forced +this, you know—you're not going to—to let her go?"</p> + +<p>Monck's eyes looked back straight and hard. He did not speak for a +moment; then, "You want to know my intentions, Tommy," he said. "You +shall. Your sister and I are observing a truce for the present, but it +won't last for ever. I am making plans for a move myself. I am going to +live at the Club."</p> + +<p>"Is that going to help?" demanded Tommy bluntly.</p> + +<p>Monck looked sardonic. "We mustn't offend the angels, you know, Tommy," +he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy made a sound expressive of gross irreverence. "Oh, that's it, is +it? Now we know where we are. I've been feeling pretty rotten about it, +I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"You always were an ass, weren't you?" said Monck, getting up.</p> + +<p>Tommy got up too, giving himself an impatient shake. He pushed an +apologetic hand through Monck's arm. "I can't expect ever to get even +with a swell like you," he said humbly,</p> + +<p>Monck looked at him. Something in the boy's devotion seemed to move him, +for his eyes were very kindly though his laugh was ironic. "You'll have +an almighty awakening one of these days, my son," he said. "By the way, +if we are going to be brothers, you had better call me by my Christian +name."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I will," said Tommy eagerly. "And if there is anything I can +do, old chap—anything under the sun—"</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know," said Monck.</p> + +<p>So, like the lifting of a thunder cloud, Tommy's very unwonted fit of +temper merged into a mood of great benignity and Ralston complained no +more.</p> + +<p>Monck took up his abode at the Club before the brief winter season +brought the angels flitting back from Bhulwana to combine pleasure with +duty at Kurrumpore.</p> + +<p>Stella accepted his departure without comment, missing him when gone +after a fashion which she would have admitted to none. She did not +wholly understand his attitude, but Tommy's serenity of demeanour made +her somewhat suspicious; for Tommy was transparent as the day.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's return made her life considerably easier. They took up +their friendship exactly where they had left it and found it wholly +satisfactory. When Lady Harriet Mansfield made her stately appearance, +Stella's position was assured. No one looked askance at her any longer. +Even Mrs. Burton's criticism was limited to a strictly secret smile.</p> + +<p>Netta Ermsted was the last to leave Bhulwana. She returned nervous and +fretful, accompanied by Tessa whose joy over rejoining her friends was +as patent as her mother's discontent. Tessa had a great deal to say in +disparagement of the Rajah of Markestan, and said it so often and with +such emphasis that at last Captain Ermsted's patience gave way and he +forbade all mention of the man under penalty of a severe slapping. When +Tessa had ignored the threat for the third time he carried it out with +such thoroughness that even Netta was startled into remonstrance.</p> + +<p>"You are quite right to keep the child in order," she said. "But you +needn't treat her like that. I call it brutal."</p> + +<p>"You can call it what you like," said Ermsted. "I did it quite as much +for your benefit as for hers."</p> + +<p>Netta tossed her head. "I'm not a sentimental mother," she observed. +"You won't punish me in that way. I object to a commotion, that's all."</p> + +<p>He took her by the shoulder. "Do you?" he said. "Then I advise you to be +mighty careful, for, I warn you, my blood is up."</p> + +<p>She made a face at him, albeit there was a quality of menace in his +hold. "Are you going to treat me as you have just treated Tessa?"</p> + +<p>His teeth were clenched upon his lower lip. "Don't be a little devil, +Netta!" he said.</p> + +<p>She snapped her fingers. "Then don't you be a big fool, most noble +Richard! It doesn't pay to bully a woman. She can always get her own +back one way or another. Remember that!"</p> + +<p>He gripped her suddenly by both arms. "By Heaven!" he said passionately. +"I'll do worse than beat you if you dare to trifle with me!"</p> + +<p>She tried to laugh, but his look frightened her. She turned as white as +the muslin wrap she wore. "Richard—Dick—don't," she gasped helplessly.</p> + +<p>He held her locked to him. "You've gone too far," he said.</p> + +<p>"I haven't, Dick! I haven't!" she protested. "Dick, I swear to you—I +have never—I have never—"</p> + +<p>He stopped the words upon her lips with his own, but his kiss was +terrible. She shrank from it trembling, appalled.</p> + +<p>In a moment he let her go, and she sank upon her couch, hiding her +quivering face with convulsive weeping.</p> + +<p>"You are cruel! You are cruel!" she sobbed.</p> + +<p>He remained beside her, looking down at her till some of the sternness +passed from his face.</p> + +<p>He bent at last and touched her. "I'm not cruel," he said. "I'm just in +earnest, that's all. You be careful for the future! There's a bit of the +devil in me too when I'm goaded."</p> + +<p>She drew herself away from him, half-frightened still and half petulant. +"You used to be—ever so much nicer than you are now," she said, keeping +her face averted.</p> + +<p>He answered her sombrely as he turned away, "I used to have a wife that +I honoured before all creation."</p> + +<p>She sprang to her feet. "Dick! How can you be so horrid?"</p> + +<p>He shrugged his shoulders as he walked to the door. "I was—a big fool," +he said very bitterly.</p> + +<p>The door closed upon him. Netta stood staring at it, tragic and +tear-stained.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she stamped her foot and whirled round in a rage. "I won't be +treated like a naughty child! I won't—I won't! I'll write to my Arabian +Knight—I'll write now—and tell him how wretched I am! If Dick objects +to our friendship I'll just leave him, that's all. I was a donkey ever +to marry him. I always knew we shouldn't get on."</p> + +<p>She paused, listening, half-fearing, half-hoping, that she had heard +him returning. Then she heard his voice in the next room. He was talking +to Tessa.</p> + +<p>She set her lips and went to her writing-table. "Oh yes, he can make it +up with his child when he knows he has been brutal; but never a single +kind word to his wife—not one word!"</p> + +<p>She took up a pen with fingers that trembled with indignation, and began +to write.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_IX'></a><h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<h3>THE OASIS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>For two months Tommy possessed his impulsive soul in patience. For two +months he watched Monck go his impassive and inscrutable way, asking no +further question. The gaieties of the station were in full swing. +Christmas was close at hand.</p> + +<p>Stella was making definite plans for departure in the New Year. She +could not satisfy herself with an idle life, though Tommy vehemently +opposed the idea of her going. Monck never opposed it. He listened +silently when she spoke of it, sometimes faintly smiling. She often saw +him. He came to the Green Bungalow in Tommy's company at all hours of +the day. She met him constantly at the Club, and he never failed to come +to her side there and by some means known only to himself to banish the +crowd of subalterns who were wont to gather round her. He asserted no +claim, but the claim existed and was mutely recognized. He never spoke +to her intimately. He never attempted to pass the bounds of ordinary +friendship. Only very rarely did he make her aware that her company was +a pleasure to him. But the fact remained that she was the only woman +that he ever sought, and the tongues of all the rest were busy in +consequence.</p> + +<p>As for Stella, she still told herself that she would escape with her +freedom. He would speak, she was convinced, before she left. She even +sometimes told herself that after what had passed between them, it was +almost incumbent upon him to speak. But she believed that he would +accept her refusal philosophically, possibly even with relief. She +restrained herself forcibly from dwelling upon the thought of him. Again +and again she reminded herself that he trod the way of ambition. His +heart was given to his work, and a man may not serve two masters. He +cared for her, probably, but in a calm, judicial fashion that could +never satisfy her. If she married him she would come second—and a very +poor second—to his profession. And so she did not mean to marry him. +And so she checked the fevered memory of passionate kisses that had +burned her to the soul, of arms that had clasped and held her by a force +colossal. That had been only the primitive man in him, escaped for the +moment beyond his control—the primitive man which he had well-nigh +succeeded in stifling with the bonds of his servitude. Had he not told +her that he would have given all he had to forget that single wild lapse +into savagery? She was sure that he despised himself for it. He would +never for an instant suffer such an impulse again. He did not really +love her. It was not in him to love any woman. He would make her a +formal offer of marriage, and when she had refused him he would dismiss +the matter from his mind and return to his work undisturbed.</p> + +<p>So she schooled herself to make her plans, leaving him out of the +reckoning, telling herself ever that her newly restored freedom was too +dear ever to be sacrificed again. In Mrs. Ralston's company she attended +some of the social gatherings of the station, but she took no keen +pleasure in them. She disliked Lady Harriet, she distrusted Mrs. Burton, +and more often than not she remained away. The coming Christmas +festivities did not attract her. She held aloof till Tommy who was in +the thick of everything suddenly and vehemently demanded her presence.</p> + +<p>"It's ridiculous to be so stand-offish," he maintained. "Don't let 'em +think you're afraid of 'em! Come anyway to the moonlight picnic at +Khanmulla on Christmas Eve! It's going to be no end of a game."</p> + +<p>Stella smiled a little. "Do you know, Tommy, I think I'd rather go to +bed?"</p> + +<p>"Absurd!" declared Tommy. "You used to be much more sporting."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't a widow in those days," Stella said.</p> + +<p>"What rot! What damn' rot!" cried Tommy wrathfully.</p> + +<p>"There is no altering the fact," said Stella.</p> + +<p>He left her, fuming.</p> + +<p>That evening as she sat on the Club verandah with Mrs. Ralston, watching +some tennis, Monck came up behind her and stood against the wall smoking +a cigarette.</p> + +<p>He did not speak for some time and after a word of greeting Stella +turned back to the play. But presently Mrs. Ralston got up and went +away, and after an interval Monck came silently forward and took the +vacant seat.</p> + +<p>Tommy was among the players. His play was always either surprisingly +brilliant or amazingly bad, and on this particular evening he was +winning all the honours.</p> + +<p>Stella was joining in the general applause after a particularly fine +stroke when suddenly Monck's voice spoke at her side.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you take a hand sometimes instead of always looking on?"</p> + +<p>The question surprised her. She glanced at him in momentary +embarrassment, met his straight look, and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I am lazy."</p> + +<p>"That isn't the reason," he said. "Why do you lead a hermit's life? Do +you follow your own inclination in so doing? Or are you merely proving +yourself a slave to an unwritten law?"</p> + +<p>His voice was curt; it held mastery. But yet she could not resent it, +for behind it was a masked kindness which deprived it of offence.</p> + +<p>She decided to treat the question lightly. "Perhaps a little of both," +she said. "Besides, it seems scarcely worth while to try to get into +the swim now when I am leaving so soon."</p> + +<p>He made an abrupt movement which seemed to denote suppressed impatience. +"You are too young to say that," he said.</p> + +<p>She laughed a little. "I don't feel young. I think life moves faster in +tropical countries. I have lived years since I have been here, and I am +glad of a rest."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a space; then again abruptly he returned to the +charge. "You're not going to waste all the best of your life over a +memory, are you? The finest man in the world isn't worth that."</p> + +<p>She felt the colour rise in her face as she made reply. "I hope I am not +going to waste my life at all. Is it a waste not to spend it in a +feverish round of social pleasures? If so, I do not think you are in a +position to condemn me."</p> + +<p>She saw his brief smile for an instant. "My life is occupied with other +things," he said. "But I don't lead a hermit's existence. I am going to +the officers' picnic at Khanmulla on the twenty-fourth for instance."</p> + +<p>"Being a case of 'Needs must'," suggested Stella.</p> + +<p>"By no means." Monck leaned forward to light another cigarette. "I am +going for a particular purpose. If that purpose is not fulfilled—" he +paused a moment and she felt his eyes upon her again—"I shall come +straight back," he ended with a certain doggedness of determination that +did not escape her.</p> + +<p>Stella's gaze was fixed upon the court below her and she kept it there, +but she saw nothing of the game. Her heart was beating oddly in leaps +and jerks. She felt curiously as if she were under the influence of an +electric battery; every nerve and every vein seemed to be tingling.</p> + +<p>He had not asked a question, yet she felt that in some fashion he had +made it incumbent upon her to speak in answer. In the silence that +followed his words she was aware of an insistence that would not be +denied. She tried to put it from her, but could not. In the end, more +than half against her will, she yielded.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I shall have to go," she said, "if only to pacify Tommy."</p> + +<p>"A very good and sufficient reason," commented Monck enigmatically.</p> + +<p>He lingered on beside her for a while, but nothing further of an +intimate nature passed between them. She felt that he had gained his +objective and would say no more. The truce between them was to be +observed until the psychological moment arrived to break it, and that +moment would occur some time on Christmas Eve in the moonlit solitudes +of Khanmulla.</p> + +<p>Later she reflected that perhaps it was as well to go and get it over. +She could not deny him his opportunity, and it would not take long—she +was sure it would not take long to convince him that they were better +as they were.</p> + +<p>Had he been younger, less wedded to his work, less the slave of his +ambition, things might have been different. Had she never been married +to Ralph Dacre, never known the bondage of those few strange weeks, she +might have been more ready to join her life to his.</p> + +<p>But Fate had intervened between them, and their paths now lay apart. He +realized it as well as she did. He would not press her. Their eyes were +open, and if the oasis in the desert had seemed desirable to either for +a space, yet each knew that it was no abiding-place.</p> + +<p>Their appointed ways lay in the waste beyond, diverging ever more and +more, till presently even the greenness of that oasis in which they had +met together would be no more to either than a half-forgotten dream.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_2_CHAPTER_X'></a><h3>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h3>THE SURRENDER</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The moon was full on Christmas Eve. It shone in such splendour that the +whole world was transformed into a fairyland of black and silver. Stella +stood on the verandah of the Green Bungalow looking forth into the +dazzling night with a tremor at her heart. The glory of it was in a +sense overwhelming. It made her feel oddly impotent, almost afraid, as +if some great power menaced her. She had never felt the ruthlessness of +the East more strongly than she felt it that night. But the drugged +feeling that had so possessed her in the mountains was wholly absent +from her now. She felt vividly alive, almost painfully conscious of the +quick blood pulsing through her veins. She was aware of an intense +longing to escape even while the magic of the night yet drew her +irresistibly. Deep in her heart there lurked an uncertainty which she +could not face. Up to that moment she had been barely aware of its +existence, but now she felt it stirring, and strangely she was afraid. +Was it the call of the East, the wonder of the moonlight? Or was it +some greater thing yet, such as had never before entered into her life? +She could not say; but her face was still firmly set towards the goal of +liberty. Whatever was in store for her, she meant to extricate herself. +She meant to cling to her freedom at all costs. When next she stood upon +that verandah, the ordeal she had begun to dread so needlessly, so +unreasonably, would be over, and she would have emerged triumphant.</p> + +<p>So she told herself, even while the shiver of apprehension which she +could not control went through her, causing her to draw her wrap more +closely about her though there was nought but a pleasant coolness in the +soft air that blew across the plain.</p> + +<p>She and Tommy were to drive with the Ralstons to the ruined palace in +the jungle of Khanmulla where the picnic was to take place. She had +never seen it, but had heard it described as the most romantic spot in +Markestan. It had been the site of a fierce battle in some bye-gone age, +and its glories had departed. For centuries it had lain deserted and +crumbling. Yet some of its ancient beauty remained. Its marble floors +and walls of carved stone were not utterly obliterated though only owls +and flying-foxes made it their dwelling-place. Natives regarded it with +superstitious awe and seldom approached it. But Europeans all looked +upon it as the most beautiful corner within reach, and had it been +nearer to Kurrumpore, it would have been a far more frequented +playground than it was.</p> + +<p>The hoot of a motor-horn broke suddenly upon the silence, and Stella +started. It was the horn of Major Ralston's little two-seater; she knew +it well. But they had not proposed using it that night. She and Tommy +were to accompany them in a waggonette. The crunching of wheels and +throb of the engine at the gate told her it was stopping. Then the +Ralstons had altered their plans, unless—Something suddenly leapt up +within her. She was conscious of a curious constriction at the throat, a +sense of suffocation. The fuss and worry of the engine died down into +silence, and in a moment there came the sound of a man's feet entering +the compound. Standing motionless, with hands clenched against her +sides, she gazed forth. A tall, straight figure was coming towards her +between the whispering tamarisks. It was not Major Ralston. He walked +with a slouch, and this man's gait was firm and purposeful. He came up +to the verandah-steps with unfaltering determination. He was looking +full at her, and she knew that she stood revealed in the marvellous +Indian moonlight. He mounted the steps with the same absolute +self-assurance that yet held nought of arrogance. His face remained in +shadow, but she did not need to see it. The reason of his coming was +proclaimed in every line, in every calm, unwavering movement.</p> + +<p>He came to her, and she waited there in the merciless moonlight; for she +had no choice.</p> + +<p>"I have come for you," he said.</p> + +<p>The words were brief, but they thrilled her strangely. Her eyes +fluttered and refused to meet his look.</p> + +<p>"The Ralstons are taking us," she said.</p> + +<p>Her tone was cold, her bearing aloof. She was striving for self-control. +He could not have known of the tumult within her. Yet he smiled. "They +are taking Tommy," he said.</p> + +<p>She heard the stubborn note in his voice and suddenly and completely the +power to resist went from her.</p> + +<p>She held out her hand to him with a curious gesture of appeal, "Captain +Monck, if I come with you—"</p> + +<p>His fingers closed about her own. "If?" he said.</p> + +<p>She made a rather piteous attempt to laugh. "Really I don't want to," +she said.</p> + +<p>"Really?" said Monck. He drew a little nearer to her, still holding her +hand. His grasp was firm and strong. "Really?" he said again.</p> + +<p>She stood in silence, for she could not give him any answer.</p> + +<p>He waited for a moment or two; then, "Stella," he said, "are you afraid +of me?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head. Her lips had begun to tremble inexplicably. +"No—no," she said.</p> + +<p>"What then?" He spoke with a gentleness that she had never heard from +him before. "Of yourself?"</p> + +<p>She turned her face away from him. "I am afraid—of life," she told him +brokenly. "It is like a great Wheel—a vast machinery. I have been +caught in it once—caught and crushed. Oh can't you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said.</p> + +<p>Again for a space he was silent, his hand yet holding hers. There was +subtle comfort in his grasp. It held protection.</p> + +<p>"And so you want to run away from it?" he said at length. "Do you think +that's going to help you?"</p> + +<p>She choked back a sob. "I don't know. I have no judgment. I don't trust +myself."</p> + +<p>"You believe in sincerity?" he said. "In being true to yourself?" Then, +as she winced, "No, I don't want to go over old ground. We are talking +of present things. I'm not going to pester you, not going to ask you to +marry me even—" again she was aware of his smile though his speech +sounded grim—"until you have honestly answered the question that you +are trying to shirk. Perhaps you won't thank me for reminding you a +second time of a conversation that you and I once had on this very spot, +but I must. I told you that I had been waiting for my turn. And you told +me that I had come—too late."</p> + +<p>He paused, but she did not speak. She was trembling from head to foot.</p> + +<p>He leaned towards her. "Stella, I'm not such a fool as to make the same +mistake twice over. I'm not going to miss my turn a second time. I loved +you then—though I had never flattered myself that I had a chance. And +my love isn't the kind that burns and goes out." His voice suddenly +quivered. "I don't know whether you have any use for it. You have been +too discreet and cautious to betray yourself. Your heart has been a +closed book to me. But to-night—I am going to open that book. I have +the right, and you can't deny it to me. If you were queen of the whole +earth I should still have the right, because I love you, to ask you—as +I ask you now—have you any love for me? There! I have done it. If you +can tell me honestly that I am nothing to you, that is the end. But if +not—if not—" again she heard a deep vibration in his voice—"then +don't be afraid—in the name of Heaven! Marriage with me would not mean +slavery."</p> + +<p>He stopped abruptly and turned from her. From the room behind them there +came a cheery hail. Tommy came tramping through.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, old chap! You, is it? Has Stella been attending to your comfort? +Have you had a drink?"</p> + +<p>Monck's answer had a sardonic note, "Your sister has been kindness +itself—as she always is. No drinks for me, thanks. I am just off in +Ralston's car to Khanmulla." He turned deliberately back again to +Stella. "Will you come with me? Or will you go with Tommy—and the +Ralstons?"</p> + +<p>There was neither anxiety nor persuasion in his voice. Tommy frowned +over its utter lack of emotion. He did not think his friend was playing +his cards well.</p> + +<p>But to Stella that coolness had a different meaning. It stirred her to +an impulse more headlong than at the moment she realized.</p> + +<p>"I will come with you," she said.</p> + +<p>"Good!" said Monck simply, and stood back for her to pass.</p> + +<p>She went by him without a glance. She felt as if the wild throbbing of +her heart would choke her. He had spoken in such a fashion as she had +dreamed that he could ever speak. He had spoken and she had not sent him +away. That was the thought that most disturbed her. Till that moment it +had seemed a comparatively easy thing to do. Her course had been clear. +But he had appealed to that within her which could not be ignored. He +had appealed to the inner truth of her nature, and she could not close +her ears to that. He asked her only to be true to herself. He had taken +his stand on higher ground than that on which she stood. He had not +urged any plea on his own behalf. He had only urged her to be honest. +And in so doing he had laid bare that ancient mistake of hers that had +devastated her life. He did not desire her upon the same terms as those +upon which she had bestowed herself upon Ralph Dacre. He made that +abundantly clear. He did not ask her to subordinate her happiness to +his. He only asked for straight dealing from her, and she knew that he +asked it as much for her sake as for his own. He would not seek to hold +her if she did not love him. That was the great touchstone to which he +had brought her, and she knew that she must face the test. The mastery +of his love compelled her. As he had freely asserted, he had the +right—just because he was an honourable man and he loved her +honourably.</p> + +<p>But how far would that love of his carry him? She longed to know. It was +not the growth of a brief hour's passion. That at least she knew. It +would not burn and go out. It would endure; somehow she realized that +now past disputing. But was it first and greatest with him? Were his +cherished career, his ambition, of small account beside it? Was he +willing to do sacrifice to it? And if so, how great a sacrifice was he +prepared to offer?</p> + +<p>She yearned to ask him as he sped her in silence through the chequered +moonlight of the Khanmulla jungle. But some inner force restrained her. +She feared to break the spell.</p> + +<p>The road was deserted, just as it had been on that dripping night when +she had answered his summons to Tommy's sick bed. She recalled that wild +rush through the darkness, his grim strength, his determination. The +iron of his will had seemed to compass her then. Was it the same +to-night? Had her freedom already been wrested from her? Was there to be +no means of escape?</p> + +<p>Through the jungle solitudes there came the call of an owl, weird and +desolate and lonely. Something in it pierced her with a curious pain. +Was freedom then everything? Did she truly love the silence above all?</p> + +<p>She drew her cloak closer about her. Was there something of a chill in +the atmosphere? Or was it the chill of the desert beyond the oasis that +awaited her?</p> + +<p>They emerged from the thickest part of the jungle into a space of +tangled shrubs that seemed fighting with each other for possession of +the way. The road was rough, and Monck slackened speed.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to leave the car," he said. "There is a track here that +leads to the ruined palace. It is only a hundred yards or so. We shall +have to do it on foot."</p> + +<p>They descended. The moonlight poured in a flood all about them. They +were alone.</p> + +<p>Stella turned up the narrow path he indicated, but in a moment he +overtook her. "Let me go first!" he said.</p> + +<p>He passed her with the words and walked ahead, holding the creepers back +from her as she followed.</p> + +<p>She suffered him silently, with a strange sense of awe, almost as though +she trod holy ground. But the old feeling of trespass was wholly absent. +She had no fear of being cast forth from this place that she was about +to enter.</p> + +<p>The path began to widen somewhat and to ascend. In a few moments they +came upon a crumbling stonewall crossing it at right angles.</p> + +<p>Monck paused. "One way leads to the palace, the other to the temple," he +said. "Which shall we take?"</p> + +<p>Stella faced him in the moonlight. She thought he looked stern. "Is not +the picnic to be at the palace?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes." He answered her without hesitation. "You will find Lady Harriet +and Co. there. The temple on the other hand is probably deserted."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" His meaning flashed upon her. She stood a second in indecision. +Then "Is it far?" she said.</p> + +<p>She saw his faint smile for an instant. "A very long way—for you," he +said.</p> + +<p>"I can come back?" she said.</p> + +<p>"I shall not prevent you." She heard the smile in his voice, and +something within her thrilled in answer.</p> + +<p>"Let us go then!" she said.</p> + +<p>He turned without further words and led the way.</p> + +<p>They entered the shadow of the jungle once more. For a space the path +ran beside the crumbling wall, then it diverged from it, winding darkly +into the very heart of the jungle. Monck walked without hesitation. He +evidently knew the place well.</p> + +<p>They came at length upon a second clearing, smaller than the first, and +here in the centre of a moonlit space there stood the ruined walls of a +little native temple or mausoleum.</p> + +<p>A flight of worn, marble steps led to the dark arch of the doorway. +Monck stretched a hand to his companion, and they ascended side by side. +A bubbling murmur of water came from within. It seemed to fill the place +with gurgling, gnomelike laughter. They entered and Monck stood still.</p> + +<p>For a space of many seconds he neither moved nor spoke. It was almost as +if he were waiting for some signal. They looked forth into the moonlight +they had left through the cave-like opening. The air around them was +chill and dank. Somewhere in the darkness behind them a frog croaked, +and tiny feet scuttled and scrambled for a few moments and then were +still.</p> + +<p>Again Stella shivered, drawing her cloak more closely round her. "Why +did you bring me to this eerie place?" she said, speaking under her +breath involuntarily.</p> + +<p>He stirred as if her words aroused him from a reverie. "Are you afraid?" +he said.</p> + +<p>"I should be—- by myself," she made answer. "I don't think I like India +at too close quarters. She is so mysterious and so horribly ruthless."</p> + +<p>He passed over the last two sentences as though they had not been +uttered. "But you are not afraid with me?" he said.</p> + +<p>She quivered at something in his question. "I am not sure," she said. "I +sometimes think that you are rather ruthless too."</p> + +<p>"Do you know me well enough to say that?" he said.</p> + +<p>She tried to answer him lightly. "I ought to by this time. I have had +ample opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said rather bitterly. "But you are prejudiced. You cling to a +preconceived idea. If you love me—it is in spite of yourself."</p> + +<p>Something in his voice hurt her like the cry of a wounded thing. She +made a quick, impulsive movement towards him. "Oh, but that is not so!" +she said. "You don't understand. Please don't think anything so—so hard +of me!"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it is not so?" he said. "Stella! Stella! Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>The words pierced her afresh. She suddenly felt that she could bear no +more. "Oh, please!" she said. "Oh, please!" and laid a quivering hand +upon his arm. "You are making it very difficult for me. Don't you +realize how much better it would be for your own sake not to press me +any further?"</p> + +<p>"No!" he said; just the one word, spoken doggedly, almost harshly. His +hands were clenched and rigid at his sides.</p> + +<p>Almost instinctively she began to plead with him as one who pleads for +freedom. "Ah, but listen a moment! You have your life to live. Your +career means very much to you. Marriage means hindrance to a man like +you. Marriage means loitering by the way. And there is no time to +loiter. You have taken up a big thing, and you must carry it through. +You must put every ounce of yourself into it. You must work like a +galley slave. If you don't you will be—a failure."</p> + +<p>"Who told you that?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>She met the fierceness of his eyes unflinchingly. "I know it. Everyone +knows it. You have given yourself heart and soul to India, to the +Empire. Nothing else counts—or ever can count now—in the same way. It +is quite right that it should be so. You are a builder, and you must +follow your profession. You will follow it to the end. And you will do +great things,—immortal things." Her voice shook a little. "But you must +keep free from all hampering burdens, all private cares. Above all, you +must not think of marriage with a woman whose chief desire is to escape +from India and all that India means, whose sympathies are utterly alien +from her, and whose youth has died a violent death at her hands. Oh, +don't you see the madness of it? Surely you must see!"</p> + +<p>A quiver of deep feeling ran through her words. She had not meant to go +so far, but she was driven, driven by a force that would not be denied. +She wanted him to see the matter with her eyes. Somehow that seemed +essential now. Things had gone so far between them. It was intolerable +now that he should misunderstand.</p> + +<p>But as she ceased to speak, she abruptly realized that the effect of her +words was other than she intended. He had listened to her with a rigid +patience, but as her words went into silence it seemed as if the iron +will by which till then he had held himself in check had suddenly +snapped.</p> + +<p>He stood for a second or two longer with an odd smile on his face and +that in his eyes which startled her into a momentary feeling that was +almost panic; then with a single, swift movement he bent and caught her +to him.</p> + +<p>"And you think that counts!" he said. "You think that anything on earth +counts—but this!"</p> + +<p>His lips were upon hers as he ended, stopping all protest, all +utterance. He kissed her hotly, fiercely, holding her so pressed that +above the wild throbbing of her own heart she felt the deep, strong beat +of his. His action was passionate and overwhelming. She would have +withstood him, but she could not; and there was that within her that +rejoiced, that exulted, because she could not. Yet as at last his lips +left hers, she turned her face aside, hiding it from him that he might +not see how completely he had triumphed.</p> + +<p>He laughed a little above her bent head; he did not need to see. +"Stella, you and I have got to sink or swim together. If you won't have +success with me, then I will share your failure."</p> + +<p>She quivered at his words; she was clinging to him almost without +knowing it. "Oh, no! Oh, no!" she said.</p> + +<p>His hand came gently upwards and lay upon her head. "My dear, that rests +with you. I have sworn that marriage to me shall not mean bondage. If +India is any obstacle between us, India will go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" she said again. "No, Everard! No!"</p> + +<p>He bent his face to hers. His lips were on her hair. "You love me, +Stella," he said.</p> + +<p>She was silent, her breathing short, spasmodic, difficult.</p> + +<p>His cheek pressed her forehead. "Why not own it?" he said softly. "Is +it—so hard?"</p> + +<p>She lifted her face swiftly; her arms clasped his neck. "And if—if I +do,—will you let me go?" she asked him tremulously.</p> + +<p>The smile still hovered about his lips. "No," he said.</p> + +<p>"It is madness," she pleaded desperately.</p> + +<p>"It is—Kismet," he made answer, and took her face between his hands +looking deeply, steadily, into her eyes. "Your life is bound up with +mine. You know it. Stella, you know it."</p> + +<p>She uttered a sob that yet was half laughter. "I have done my best," she +said. "Why are you so—so merciless?"</p> + +<p>"You surrender?" he said.</p> + +<p>She gave herself to the drawing of his hands. "Have I any choice?"</p> + +<p>"Not if you are honest," he said.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" She coloured rather painfully. "I have at least been honest in +trying to keep you from this—this big mistake. I know you will repent +it. When this—fever is past, you will regret—oh, so bitterly."</p> + +<p>He set his jaw and all the grim strength of the man was suddenly +apparent. "Shall I tell you the secret of success?" he said abruptly. +"It is just never to look back. It is the secret of happiness also, if +people only realized it. If you want to make the best of life, you've +got to look ahead. I'm going to make you do that, Stella. You've been +sitting mourning by the wayside long enough."</p> + +<p>She smiled almost in spite of herself, for the note of mastery in his +voice was inexplicably sweet. "I've thought that myself," she said. "But +I'm not going to let you patch up my life with yours. If this must +be—and you are sure—you are sure that it must?"</p> + +<p>"I have spoken," he said.</p> + +<p>She faced him resolutely. "Then India shall have us both. Now I have +spoken too."</p> + +<p>His face changed. The grimness became eagerness. "Stella, do you mean +that?" he said. "It's a big sacrifice—too big for you."</p> + +<p>Her eyes were shining as stars shine through a mist. She was drawing his +head downwards that her lips might reach his. "Oh, my darling," she +said, and the thrill of love triumphant was in her words, "nothing would +be—too big. It simply ceases to be a sacrifice—if it is done—for your +dear sake."</p> + +<p>Her lips met his upon the words, and in that kiss she gave him all she +had. It was the rich bestowal of a woman's full treasury, than which it +may be there is nought greater on earth.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='PART_III'></a><h2>PART III</h2> + +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_I'></a><h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h3>BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Bhulwana in early spring! Bhulwana of the singing birds and darting +squirrels! Bhulwana of the pines!</p> + +<p>Stella stood in the green compound of the bungalow known as The Grand +Stand, gazing down upon the green racecourse with eyes that dreamed.</p> + +<p>The evening was drawing near. They had arrived but a few minutes before +in Major Ralston's car, and the journey had taken the whole day. Her +mind went back to that early hour almost in the dawning when she and +Everard Monck had knelt together before the altar of the little English +Church at Kurrumpore and been pronounced man and wife. Mrs. Ralston and +Tommy alone had attended the wedding. The hour had been kept a strict +secret from all besides. And they had gone straight forth into the early +sunlight of the new day and sped away into the morning, rejoicing. A +blue jay had laughed after them at starting, and a blue jay was laughing +now in the budding acacia by the gate. There seemed a mocking note in +its laughter, but it held gaiety as well. Listening to it, she forgot +all the weary miles of desert through which they had travelled. The +world was fair, very fair, here at Bhulwana. And they were alone.</p> + +<p>There fell a step on the grass behind her; she thrilled and turned. He +came and put his arm around her.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can stand seven days of it?" he said.</p> + +<p>She leaned her head against him. "I want to catch every moment of them +and hold it fast. How shall we make the time pass slowly?"</p> + +<p>He smiled at the question. "Do you know, I was afraid this place +wouldn't appeal to you?"</p> + +<p>Her hand sought and closed upon his. "Ah, why not?" she said.</p> + +<p>He did not answer her. Only, with his face bent down to hers, he said, +"The past is past then?"</p> + +<p>"For ever," she made swift reply. "But I have always loved +Bhulwana—even in my sad times. Ah, listen! That is a <i>koïl</i>!"</p> + +<p>They listened to the bird's flutelike piping, standing closely linked in +the shadow of a little group of pines. In the bungalow behind them Peter +the Great was decking the table for their wedding-feast. The scent of +white roses was in the air, languorous, exquisite.</p> + +<p>The blue jay laughed again in the acacia by the gate, laughed and flew +away. "Good riddance!" said Monck.</p> + +<p>"Don't you like him?" said Stella.</p> + +<p>"I'm not particularly keen on being jeered at," he answered.</p> + +<p>She laughed at him in her turn. "I never thought you cared a single +<i>anna</i> what any one thought of you."</p> + +<p>He smiled. "Perhaps I have got more sensitive since I knew you."</p> + +<p>She lifted her lips to his with a sudden movement. "I am like that too, +Everard. I care—terribly now."</p> + +<p>He kissed her, and his kiss was passionate. "No one shall ever think +anything but good of you, my Stella," he said.</p> + +<p>She clung to him. "Ah, but the outside world doesn't matter," she said. +"It is only we ourselves, and our secret, innermost hearts that count. +Everard, let us be more than true to each other! Let us be quite, quite +open—always!"</p> + +<p>He held her fast, but he made no answer to her appeal.</p> + +<p>Her eyes sought his. "That is possible, isn't it?" she pleaded. "My +heart is open to you. There is not a single corner of it that you may +not enter."</p> + +<p>His arms clasped her closer. "I know," he said. "I know. But you mustn't +be hurt or sorry if I cannot say the same. My life is a more complex +affair than yours, remember."</p> + +<p>"Ah! That is India!" she said. "But let me share that part too! Let me +be a partner in all! I can be as secret as the wiliest Oriental of them +all. I would so love to be trusted. It would make me so proud!"</p> + +<p>He kissed her again. "You might be very much the reverse sometimes," he +said, "if you knew some of the secrets I had to keep. India is India, +and she can be very lurid upon occasion. There is only one way of +treating her then; but I am not going to let you into any unpleasant +secrets. That is Bluebeard's Chamber, and you have got to stay outside."</p> + +<p>She made a small but vehement gesture in his arms. "I hate India!" she +said. "She dominates you like—like—"</p> + +<p>"Like what?" he said.</p> + +<p>She hid her face from him. "Like a horrible mistress," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>She throbbed in his hold. "I had to say it. Are you angry with me?"</p> + +<p>"No," he said.</p> + +<p>"But you don't like me for it all the same." Her voice came muffled from +his shoulder. "You don't realize—very likely you never will—how near +the truth it is."</p> + +<p>He was silent, but in the silence his hold tightened upon her till it +was almost a grip.</p> + +<p>She turned her face up again at last. "I told you it was madness to +marry me," she said tremulously. "I told you you would repent."</p> + +<p>He looked at her with a strange smile. "And I told you it was—Kismet," +he said. "You did it because it was written that you should. For better +for worse—" his voice vibrated—"you and I are bound by the same Fate. +It was inevitable, and there can be no repentance, just as there can be +no turning back. But you needn't hate India on that account. I have told +you that I will give her up for your sake, and that stands. But I will +not give you up for India—or for any other power on earth. Now are you +satisfied?"</p> + +<p>Her face quivered at the question. "It is—more than I deserve," she +said. "You shall give up nothing for me."</p> + +<p>He put his hand upon her forehead. "Stella, will you give her a trial? +Give her a year! Possibly by that time I may tell you more than I am +able to tell you now. I don't know if you would welcome it, but there +are always a chosen few to whom success comes. I may be one of the few. +I have a strong belief in my own particular star. Again I may fail. If I +fail, I swear I will give her up. I will start again at some new job. +But will you be patient for a year? Will you, my darling, let me prove +myself? I only ask—one year."</p> + +<p>Her eyes were full of tears. "Everard! You make me feel—ashamed," she +said. "I won't—won't—be a drag on you, spoil your career! You must +forgive me for being jealous. It is because I love you so. But I know it +is a selfish form of love, and I won't give way to it. I will never +separate you from the career you have chosen. I only wish I could be a +help to you."</p> + +<p>"You can only help me by being patient—just at present," he said.</p> + +<p>"And not asking tiresome questions!" She smiled at him though her tears +had overflowed. "But oh, you won't take risks, will you? Not unnecessary +risks? It is so terrible to think of you in danger—to think—to think +of that horrible deformed creature who sent—Ralph—" She broke off +shuddering and clinging to him. It was the first time she had ever +spoken of her first husband by name to him.</p> + +<p>He dried the tears upon her cheeks. "My own girl, you needn't be +afraid," he said, and though his words were kind she wondered at the +grimness of his voice. "I am not the sort of person to be disposed of in +that way. Shall we talk of something less agitating? I can't have you +crying on our wedding-night."</p> + +<p>His tone was repressive. She was conscious of a chill. Yet it was a +relief to turn from the subject, for she recognized that there was small +satisfaction to be derived therefrom. The sun was setting moreover, and +it was growing cold. She let him lead her back into the bungalow, and +they presently sat down at the table that Peter had prepared with so +much solicitude.</p> + +<p>Later they lingered for awhile on the verandah, watching the blazing +stars, till it came to Monck that his bride was nearly dropping with +weariness and then he would not suffer her to remain any longer.</p> + +<p>When she had gone within, he lit a pipe and wandered out alone into the +starlight, following the deserted road that led to the Rajah's summer +palace.</p> + +<p>He paced along slowly with bent head, deep in thought. At the great +marble gateway that led into the palace-garden he paused and stood for a +space in frowning contemplation. A small wind had sprung up and moaned +among the cypress-trees that overlooked the high wall. He seemed to be +listening to it. Or was it to the hoot of an owl that came up from the +valley?</p> + +<p>Finally he drew near and deliberately tapped the ashes from his +half-smoked pipe upon the shining marble. The embers smouldered and went +out. A black stain remained upon the dazzling white surface of the stone +column. He looked at it for a moment or two, then turned and retraced +his steps with grim precision.</p> + +<p>When he reached the bungalow, he turned into the room in which they had +dined; and sat down to write.</p> + +<p>Time passed, but he took no note of it. It was past midnight ere he +thrust his papers together at length and rose to go.</p> + +<p>The main passage of the bungalow was bright with moonlight as he +traversed it. A crouching figure rose up from a shadowed doorway at his +approach. Peter the Great looked at him with reproach in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Monck stopped short. He accosted the man in his own language, but Peter +made answer in the careful English that was his pride.</p> + +<p>"Even so, <i>sahib</i>, I watch over my <i>mem-sahib</i> until you come to her. I +keep her safe by night as well as by day. I am her servant."</p> + +<p>He stood back with dignity that Monck might pass, but Monck stood still. +He looked at Peter with a level scrutiny for a few moments. Then: "It is +enough," he said, with brief decision. "When I am not with your +<i>mem-sahib</i>, I look to you to guard her."</p> + +<p>Peter made his stately <i>salaam</i>. Without further words, he conveyed the +fact that without his permission no man might enter the room behind him +and live.</p> + +<p>Very softly Monck turned the handle of the door and passed within, +leaving him alone in the moonlight.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_II'></a><h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h3>EVIL TIDINGS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>They walked on the following morning over the pine-clad hill and down +into the valley beyond, a place of running streams and fresh spring +verdure. Stella revelled in its sweetness. It made her think of Home.</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me anything about your brother," she said, as they sat +together on a grey boulder and basked in the sunshine.</p> + +<p>"Haven't I?" Monck spoke meditatively. "I've got a photograph of him +somewhere. You must see it. You'll like my brother," he added, with a +smile. "He isn't a bit like me."</p> + +<p>She laughed. "That's a recommendation certainly. But tell me what he is +like! I want to know."</p> + +<p>Monck considered. "He is a short, thick-set chap, stout and red, rather +like a comedian in face. I think he appreciates a joke more than any one +I know."</p> + +<p>"He sounds a dear!" said Stella; and added with a gay side-glance, "and +certainly not in the least like you. Have you written yet to break the +news of your very rash marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I wrote two days ago. He will probably cable his blessing. That is +the sort of chap he is."</p> + +<p>"It will be rather a shock for him," Stella observed. "You had no idea +of changing your state when you saw him last summer."</p> + +<p>There fell a somewhat abrupt silence. Monck was filling his pipe and the +process seemed to engross all his thoughts. Finally, rather suddenly, he +spoke. "As a matter of fact, I didn't see him last summer."</p> + +<p>"You didn't see him!" Stella opened her eyes wide. "Not when you went +Home?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't go Home." Monck's eyes were still fixed upon his pipe. "No one +knows that but you," he said, "and one other. That is the first secret +out of Bluebeard's chamber that I have confided in you. Keep it close!"</p> + +<p>Stella sat and gazed; but he would not meet her eyes. "Tell me," she +said at last, "who is the other? The Colonel?"</p> + +<p>He shook his head. "No, not the Colonel, You mustn't ask questions, +Stella, if I ever expand at all. If you do, I shall shut up like a clam, +and you may get pinched in the process."</p> + +<p>She slipped her hand through his arm. "I will remember," she said. +"Thank you—ever so much—for telling me. I will bury it very deep. No +one shall ever suspect it through me."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he said. He pressed her hand, but he kept his eyes lowered. "I +know I can trust you. You won't try to find out the things I keep +back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never!" she said. "Never! I shall never try to pry into affairs of +State."</p> + +<p>He smiled rather cynically. "That is a very wise resolution," he said. +"I shall tell Bernard that I have married the most discreet woman in the +Empire—as well as the most beautiful."</p> + +<p>"Did you marry her for her beauty or for her discretion?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"Neither," he said.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" She leaned her cheek against his shoulder. "It's no good +pretending with me you know, I can see through anything, detect any +disguise, so far as you are concerned."</p> + +<p>"Think so?" said Monck.</p> + +<p>"Answer my question!" she said.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you asked one." His voice was brusque; he pushed his pipe +into his mouth without looking at her.</p> + +<p>She reached up and daringly removed it. "I asked what you married me +for," she said. "And you suck your horrid pipe and won't even look at +me."</p> + +<p>His arm went round her. He looked down into her eyes and she saw the +fiery worship in his own. For a moment its intensity almost frightened +her. It was like the red fire of a volcano rushing forth upon her—a +fierce, unshackled force. For a space he held her so, gazing at her; +then suddenly he crushed her to him, he kissed her burningly till she +felt as if caught and consumed by the flame.</p> + +<p>"My God!" he said passionately. "Can I put—that—into words?"</p> + +<p>She clung to him, but she was trembling. There was that about him at the +moment that startled her. She was in the presence of something terrible, +something she could not fathom. There was more than rapture in his +passion. It was poignant with a fierce defiance that challenged all the +world.</p> + +<p>She lay against his breast in silence while the storm that she had so +unwittingly raised spent itself. Then at last as his hold began to +slacken she took courage.</p> + +<p>She laid her cheek against his hand. "Ah, don't love me too much at +first, darling," she said. "Give me the love that lasts!"</p> + +<p>"And you think my love will not last?" he said, his voice low and very +deep.</p> + +<p>She softly kissed the hand she held. "No, I didn't say—or mean—that. I +believe it is the greatest thing that I shall ever possess. But—shall I +tell you a secret? There is something in it that frightens me—even +though I glory in it."</p> + +<p>"My dear!" he said.</p> + +<p>She raised her lips again to his. "Yes, I know. That is foolish. But I +don't know you yet, remember. I have never yet seen you angry with me."</p> + +<p>"You never will," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall." Her eyes were gazing into his, but they saw beyond. +"There will come a day when something will come between us. It may be +only a small thing, but it will not seem small to you. And you will be +angry because I do not see with your eyes. And I think the very +greatness of your love will make it harder for us both. You mustn't +worship me, Everard. I am only human. And you will be so bitterly +disappointed afterwards when you discover my limitations."</p> + +<p>"I will risk that," he said.</p> + +<p>"No. I don't want you to take any risks. If you set up an idol, and it +falls, you may be—I think you are—the kind of man to be ruined by it."</p> + +<p>She spoke very earnestly, but his faint smile told her that her words +had failed to convince.</p> + +<p>"Are you really afraid of all that?" he asked curiously.</p> + +<p>She caught her breath. "Yes, I am afraid. I don't think you know +yourself, your strength, or your weakness. You haven't the least idea +what you would say or do—or even feel—if you thought me unkind or +unjust to you."</p> + +<p>"I should probably sulk," he said.</p> + +<p>She shook her head. "Oh, no! You would explode—sooner or later. And it +would be a very violent explosion. I wonder if you have ever been really +furious with any one you cared about—with Tommy for instance."</p> + +<p>"I have," said Monck. "But I don't fancy you will get him to relate his +experiences. He survived it anyway."</p> + +<p>"You tell me!" she said.</p> + +<p>He hesitated. "It's rather a shame to give the boy away. But there is +nothing very extraordinary in it. When Tommy first came out, he felt the +heat—like lots of others. He was thirsty, and he drank. He doesn't do +it now. I don't mind wagering that he never will again. I stopped him."</p> + +<p>"Everard, how?" Stella was looking at him with the keenest interest.</p> + +<p>"Do you really want to know how?" he still spoke with slight hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do. I suppose you were very angry with him?"</p> + +<p>"I was—very angry. I had reason to be. He fell foul of me one night at +the Club. It doesn't matter how he did it. He wasn't responsible in any +case. But I had to act to keep him out of hot water. I took him back to +my quarters. Dacre was away that night and I had him to myself. I kept +my temper with him at first—till he showed fight and tried to kick me. +Then I let him have it. I gave him a licking—such a licking as he never +got at school. It sobered him quite effectually, poor little beggar." An +odd note of tenderness crept through the grimness of Monck's speech. +"But I didn't stop then. He had to have his lesson and he had it. When I +had done with him, there was no kick left in him. He was as limp as a +wet rag. But he was quite sober. And to the best of my belief he has +never been anything else from that day to this. Of course it was all +highly irregular, but it saved a worse row in the end." Monck's faint +smile appeared. "He realized that. In fact he was game enough to thank +me for it in the morning, and apologized like a gentleman for giving so +much trouble."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad he did that!" Stella said, with shining eyes. "And that +was the beginning of your friendship?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I had always liked him," Monck admitted. "But he didn't like me +for a long time after. That thrashing stuck in his mind. It was a pretty +stiff one certainly. He was always very polite to me, but he avoided me +like the plague. I think he was ashamed. I left him alone till one day +he got ill, and then I went round to see if I could do anything. He was +pretty bad, and I stayed with him. We got friendly afterwards."</p> + +<p>"After you had saved his life," Stella said.</p> + +<p>Monck laughed. "That sort of thing doesn't count in India. If it comes +to that, you saved mine. No, we came to an understanding, and we've +managed to hit it ever since."</p> + +<p>Stella got to her feet. "Were you very brutal to him, Everard?"</p> + +<p>He reached a brown hand to her as she stood. "Of course I was. He +deserved it too. If a man makes a beast of himself he need never look +for mercy from me."</p> + +<p>She looked at him dubiously. "And if a woman makes you angry—" she +said.</p> + +<p>He got to his feet and put his arm about her shoulders. "But I don't +treat women like that," he said, "not even—my wife. I have quite +another sort of treatment for her. It's curious that you should credit +me with such a vindictive temperament. I don't know what I have done to +deserve it."</p> + +<p>She leaned her head against him. "My darling, forgive me! It is just my +horrid, suspicious nature."</p> + +<p>He pressed her to him. "You certainly don't know me very well yet," he +said.</p> + +<p>They went back to the bungalow in the late afternoon, walking hand in +hand as children, supremely content.</p> + +<p>The blue jay laughed at the gate as they entered, and Monck looked up, +"Jeer away, you son of a satyr!" he said. "I was going to shoot you, but +I've changed my mind. We're all friends in this compartment."</p> + +<p>Stella squeezed his hand hard. "Everard, I love you for that!" she said +simply. "Do you think we could make friends with the monkeys too?"</p> + +<p>"And the jackals and the scorpions and the dear little <i>karaits</i>," said +Monck. "No doubt we could if we lived long enough."</p> + +<p>"Don't laugh at me!" she protested. "I am quite in earnest. There are +plenty of things to love in India."</p> + +<p>"There's India herself," said Monck.</p> + +<p>She looked at him with resolution shining in her eyes. "You must teach +me," she said.</p> + +<p>He shook his head. "No, my dear. If you don't feel the lure of her, then +you are not one of her chosen and I can never make you so. She is either +a goddess in her own right or the most treacherous old she-devil who +ever sat in a heathen temple. She can be both. To love her, you must be +prepared to take her either way."</p> + +<p>They went up into the bungalow. Peter the Great glided forward like a +magnificent genie and presented a scrap of paper on a salver to Monck.</p> + +<p>He took it, opened it, frowned over it.</p> + +<p>"The messenger arrived three hours ago, <i>sahib</i>. He could not wait," +murmured Peter.</p> + +<p>Monck's frown deepened. He turned to Stella. "Go and have tea, dear, and +then rest! Don't wait for me! I must go round to the Club and get on the +telephone at once."</p> + +<p>The grimness of his face startled her. "To Kurrumpore?" she asked +quickly. "Is there something wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet," he said curtly. "Don't you worry! I shall be back as soon as +possible."</p> + +<p>"Let me come too!" she said.</p> + +<p>He shook his head. "No. Go and rest!"</p> + +<p>He was gone with the words, striding swiftly down the path. As he passed +out on to the road, he broke into a run. She stood and listened to his +receding footsteps with foreboding in her heart.</p> + +<p>"Tea is ready, my <i>mem-sahib</i>" said Peter softly behind her.</p> + +<p>She thanked him with a smile and went in.</p> + +<p>He followed her and waited upon her with all a woman's solicitude.</p> + +<p>For a while she suffered him in silence, then suddenly, "Peter," she +said, "what was the messenger like?"</p> + +<p>Peter hesitated momentarily. Then, "He was old, <i>mem-sahib</i>," he said, +"old and ragged, not worthy of your august consideration."</p> + +<p>She turned in her chair. "Was he—was he anything like—that—that holy +man—Peter, you know who I mean?" Her face was deathly as she uttered +the question.</p> + +<p>"Let my <i>mem-sahib</i> be comforted!" said Peter soothingly. "It was not +the holy man—the bearer of evil tidings."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The words sank down through her heart like a stone dropped into a +well. "But I think the tidings were evil all the same. Did he say what +it was? But—" as a sudden memory shot across her, "I ought not to ask. +I wish—I wish the captain—<i>sahib</i> would come back."</p> + +<p>"Let my <i>mem-sahib</i> have patience!" said Peter gently. "He will soon +come now."</p> + +<p>The blue jay laughed at the gate gleefully, uproariously, derisively. +Stella shivered.</p> + +<p>"He is coming!" said Peter.</p> + +<p>She started up. Monck was returning. He came up the compound like a man +who has been beaten in a race. His face was grey, his eyes terrible.</p> + +<p>Stella went swiftly to the verandah-steps to meet him. "Everard! What +is it? Oh, what is it?" she said.</p> + +<p>He took her arm, turning her back. "Have you had tea?" he said.</p> + +<p>His voice was low, but absolutely steady. Its deadly quietness made her +tremble.</p> + +<p>"I haven't finished," she said. "I have been waiting for you."</p> + +<p>"You needn't have done that," he said. "I won't have any, Peter," he +turned on the waiting servant, "get me some brandy!"</p> + +<p>He sat down, setting her free. But she remained beside him, and after a +moment laid her hand lightly upon his shoulder, without words.</p> + +<p>He reached up instantly, caught and held it in a grip that almost made +her wince. "Stella," he said, "it's been a very short honeymoon, but I'm +afraid it's over. I've got to get back at once."</p> + +<p>"I am coming with you," she said quickly.</p> + +<p>He looked up at her with eyes that burned with a strange intensity but +he did not speak in answer.</p> + +<p>An awful dread clutched her. She knelt swiftly down beside him. +"Everard, listen! I don't care what has happened or what is likely to +happen. My place is by your side—and nowhere else. I am coming with +you. Nothing on earth shall prevent me."</p> + +<p>Her words were quick and vehement, her whole being pulsated. She +challenged his look with eyes of shining resolution.</p> + +<p>His arms were round her in a moment; he held her fast. "My Stella! My +wife!" he said.</p> + +<p>She clung closely to him. "By your side, I will face anything. You know +it, darling. I am not afraid."</p> + +<p>"I know, I know," he said. "I won't leave you behind. I couldn't now. +But a time will come when we shall have to separate. We've got to face +that."</p> + +<p>"Wait till it comes!" she whispered. "It isn't—yet."</p> + +<p>He kissed her on the lips. "No, not yet, thank heaven. You want to know +what has happened. I will tell you. Ermsted—you know Ermsted—was shot +in the jungle near Khanmulla this afternoon, about half an hour ago."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Everard!" She started back in horror and was struck afresh by the +awful intentness of his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "And if I had been here to receive that message, I could +have prevented it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Everard!" she said again.</p> + +<p>He went on doggedly. "I ought to have been here. My agent knew I was in +the place. I ought to have stayed within reach. These warnings might +arrive at any time. I was a damned lunatic, and Ermsted has paid the +price." He stopped, and his look changed. "Poor girl! It's been a shock +to you," he said, "a beastly awakening for us both."</p> + +<p>Stella was very pale. "I feel," she said slowly, "as if I were pursued +by a remorseless fate."</p> + +<p>"You?" he questioned. "This had nothing to do with you."</p> + +<p>She leaned against him. "Wherever I go, trouble follows. Haven't you +noticed it? It seems as if—as if—whichever way I turn—a flaming sword +is stretched out, barring the way." Her voice suddenly quivered. "I know +why,—oh, yes, I know why. It is because once—like the man without a +wedding-garment, I found my way into a forbidden paradise. They hurled +me out, Everard. I was flung into a desert of ashes. And now—now that I +have dared to approach by another way—the sentence has gone forth that +wherever I pass, something shall die. That dreadful man—told me on the +day that Ralph was taken away from me—that the Holy Ones were angry. +And—my dear—he was right. I shall never be pardoned until I +have—somehow—expiated my sin."</p> + +<p>"Stella! Stella!" He broke in upon her sharply. "You are talking wildly. +Your sin, as you call it, was at the most no more than a bad mistake. +Can't you put it from you?—get above it? Have you no faith? I thought +all women had that."</p> + +<p>She looked at him strangely. "I wasn't brought up to believe in God," +she said. "At least not personally, not intimately. Were you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Her eyes widened a little. "And you still believe in Him—still +believe He really cares—even when things go hopelessly wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said again. "I can't talk about Him. But I know He's there."</p> + +<p>She still regarded him with wonder. "Oh, my dear," she said finally, +"are you behind me, or a very, very long way in front?"</p> + +<p>He smiled faintly, grimly. "Probably a thousand miles behind," he said. +"But I have been given long sight, that's all."</p> + +<p>She rose to her feet with a sigh. "And I," she said very sadly, "am +blind."</p> + +<p>Down by the gate the blue jay laughed again, laughed and flew away.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_III'></a><h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h3>THE BEAST OF PREY</h3> +<br /> + +<p>In a darkened room Netta Ermsted lay, trembling and unnerved. As usual +in cases of adversity, Mrs. Ralston had taken charge of her; but there +was very little that she could do. It was more a matter for her +husband's skill than for hers, and he could only prescribe absolute +quiet. For Netta was utterly broken. Since the fatal moment when she had +returned from a call in her 'rickshaw to find Major Burton awaiting her +with the news that Ermsted had been shot on the jungle-road while riding +home from Khanmulla, she had been as one distraught. They had restrained +her almost forcibly from rushing forth to fling herself upon his dead +body, and now that it was all over, now that the man who had loved her +and whom she had never loved was in his grave, she lay prostrate, +refusing all comfort.</p> + +<p>Tessa, wide-eyed and speculative, was in the care of Mrs. Burton, +alternately quarrelling vigorously with little Cedric Burton whose +intellectual leanings provoked her most ardent contempt, and teasing the +luckless Scooter out of sheer boredom till all the animal's ideas in +life centred in a desperate desire to escape.</p> + +<p>It was Tessa to whom Stella's pitying attention was first drawn on the +day after her return to The Green Bungalow. Tommy, finding her raging in +the road like a little tiger-cat over some small <i>contretemps</i> with Mrs. +Burton, had lifted her on to his shoulders and brought her back with +him.</p> + +<p>"Be good to the poor imp!" he muttered to his sister. "Nobody wants +her."</p> + +<p>Certainly Mrs, Burton did not. She passed her on to Stella with her +two-edged smile, and Tessa and Scooter forthwith cheerfully took up +their abode at The Green Bungalow with whole-hearted satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Stella experienced little difficulty in dealing with the child. She +found herself the object of the most passionate admiration which went +far towards simplifying the problem of managing her. Tessa adored her +and followed her like her shadow whenever she was not similarly +engrossed with her beloved Tommy. Of Monck she stood in considerable +awe. He did not take much notice of her. It seemed to Stella that he had +retired very deeply into his shell of reserve during those days. Even +with herself he was reticent, monosyllabic, obviously absorbed in +matters of which she had no knowledge.</p> + +<p>But for her small worshipper she would have been both lonely and +anxious. For he was often absent, sometimes for hours at a stretch +wholly without warning, giving no explanation upon his return. She +asked no questions. She schooled herself to patience. She tried to be +content with the close holding of his arms when they were together and +the certainty that all the desire of his heart was for her alone. But +she could not wholly, drive away the conviction that at the very gates +of her paradise the sword she dreaded had been turned against her. They +were back in the desert again, and the way to the tree of life was +barred.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was natural that she should turn to Tessa for consolation and +distraction. The child was original in all her ways. Her ideas of death +were wholly devoid of tragedy, and she was too accustomed to her +father's absence to feel any actual sense of loss.</p> + +<p>"Do you think Daddy likes Heaven?" she said to Stella one day. "I hope +Mother will be quick and go there too. It would be better for her than +staying behind with the Rajah. I always call him 'the slithy tove.' He +is so narrow and wriggly. He wanted me to kiss him once, but I wouldn't. +He looked so—so mischievous." Tessa tossed her golden-brown head. +"Besides, I only kiss white men."</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear!" said Tommy, who was cleaning his pipe on the verandah. +"You stick to that, my child!"</p> + +<p>"Mother said I was very silly," said Tessa. "She was quite cross. But +the Rajah only laughed in that nasty, slippy way he has and took her +cigarette away and smoked it himself. I hated him for that," ended Tessa +with a little gleam of the tiger-cat in her blue eyes. "It—it was a +liberty."</p> + +<p>Tommy's guffaw sounded from the verandah. It went into a greeting of +Monck who came up unexpectedly at the moment and sat down on a +wicker-chair to examine a handful of papers. Stella, working within the +room, looked up swiftly at his coming, but if he had so much as glanced +in her direction he was fully engrossed with the matter in hand ere she +had time to observe it. He had been out since early morning and she had +not seen him for several hours.</p> + +<p>Tessa, who possessed at times an almost uncanny shrewdness, left her and +went to stand on one leg in the doorway. "Most people," she observed, +"say 'Hullo!' to their wives when they come in."</p> + +<p>"Very intelligent of 'em," said Tommy. "Do you think the Rajah does?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Tessa seriously. "I went to the palace at Bhulwana +once to see them. But the Rajah wasn't there. They were very kind," she +added dispassionately, "but rather silly. I don't wonder the Rajah likes +white men's wives best."</p> + +<p>"Oh, quite natural," agreed Tommy.</p> + +<p>"He gave Mother a beautiful ring with a diamond in it," went on Tessa, +delighted to have secured his attention and watching furtively for some +sign of interest from Monck also. "It was worth hundreds and hundreds of +pounds. That was the last thing Daddy was cross about. He was cross."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Tommy.</p> + +<p>'"Cos he was jealous, I expect," said Tessa wisely. "I thought he was +going to give her a whipping. And I hid in his dressing-room to see. +Mother was awful frightened. She went down on her knees to him. And he +was just going to do it. I know he was. And then he came into the +dressing-room and found me. And so he whipped me instead." Tessa ended +on a note of resentment.</p> + +<p>"Served you jolly well right," said Tommy.</p> + +<p>"No, it didn't," said Tessa. "He only did it 'cos Mother had made him +angry. It wasn't a child's whipping at all. It was a grown-up's +whipping. And he used a switch. And it hurt—worse than anything ever +hurt before. That's why I didn't mind when he went to Heaven the other +day. I hope I shan't go there for a long time yet. It isn't nice to be +whipped like that. And I wasn't going to say I was sorry either. I knew +that would make him crosser than anything."</p> + +<p>"Poor chap!" said Tommy suddenly.</p> + +<p>Tessa came a step nearer to him. "<i>Ayah</i> says the man who did it will be +hanged if they catch him," she said. "If it is the Rajah, will you +manage so as I can go and see? I should like to."</p> + +<p>"Tessa!" exclaimed Stella.</p> + +<p>Tessa turned flushed cheeks and shining eyes upon her. "I would!" she +declared stoutly. "I would! There's nothing wrong in that. He's a horrid +man. It isn't wrong, is it, Captain Monck? But if he shot my Daddy?" She +went swiftly to Monck with the words and leaned ingratiatingly against +him. "You'd kill a man yourself that did a thing like that, wouldn't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Very likely," said Monck.</p> + +<p>She gazed at him admiringly. "I expect you've killed lots and lots of +men, haven't you?" she said.</p> + +<p>He smiled with a touch of grimness. "Do you think I'm going to tell a +scaramouch like you?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Everard!" Stella rose and came to the window. "Do—please—make her +understand that people don't murder each other just whenever they feel +like it—even in India!"</p> + +<p>He raised his eyes to hers, and an odd sense of shock went through her. +It was as if in some fashion he had deliberately made her aware of that +secret chamber which she might not enter. "I think you would probably be +more convincing on that point than I should," he said.</p> + +<p>She gave a little shudder; she could not restrain it. That look in his +eyes reminded her of something, something dreadful. What was it? Ah yes, +she remembered now. He had had that look on that night of terror when he +had first called her his wife, when he had barred the window behind her +and sworn to slay any man who should come between them.</p> + +<p>She turned aside and went in without another word. India again! India +the savage, the implacable, the ruthless! She felt as a prisoner who +battered fruitlessly against an iron door.</p> + +<p>Tessa's inquisitive eyes followed her. "She's going to cry," she said to +Monck.</p> + +<p>Tommy turned sharply upon his friend with accusation in his glance, but +the next instant he summoned Tessa as if she had been a terrier and +walked off into the compound with the child capering at his side.</p> + +<p>Monck sat for a moment or two looking straight before him; then he +packed together the papers in his hand and stepped through the open +window into the room behind. It was empty.</p> + +<p>He went through it without a pause, and turned along the passage to the +door of his wife's room. It stood half-open. He pushed it wider and +entered.</p> + +<p>She was standing by her dressing-table, but she turned at his coming, +turned and faced him.</p> + +<p>He came straight to her and took her by the shoulders. "What is the +matter?" he said.</p> + +<p>She met his direct look, but there was shrinking in her eyes. "Everard," +she said, "there are times when you make me afraid."</p> + +<p>"Why?" he said.</p> + +<p>She could not put it into words. She made a piteous gesture with her +clasped hands.</p> + +<p>His expression changed, subtly softening. "I can't always wear kid +gloves, my Stella," he said. "When there is rough work to be done, we +have to strip to the waist sometimes to get to it. It's the only way to +get a sane grip on things."</p> + +<p>Her lips were quivering. "But you—you like it!" she said.</p> + +<p>He smiled a little. "I plead guilty to a sporting instinct," he said.</p> + +<p>"You hunt down murderers—and call it—sport!" she said slowly.</p> + +<p>"No, I call it justice." He still spoke gently though his face had +hardened again. "That child has a sense of justice, quite elementary, +but a true one. If I could get hold of the man who killed Ermsted, I +would cheerfully kill him with my own hand—unless I could be sure that +he would get his deserts from the Government who are apt to be somewhat +slack in such matters."</p> + +<p>Stella shivered again. "Do you know, Everard, I can't bear to hear you +talk like that? It is the untamed, savage part of you."</p> + +<p>He drew her to him. "Yes, the soldier part. I know. I know quite well. +But my dear, do me the justice at least to believe that I am on the side +of right! I can't do other than talk generalities to you. You simply +wouldn't understand. But there are some criminals who can only be beaten +with their own weapons, remember that. Nicholson knew that—and applied +it. I follow—or try to follow—in Nicholson's steps."</p> + +<p>She clung to him suddenly and closely. "Oh, don't—don't! This is +another age. We have advanced since then."</p> + +<p>"Have we?" he said sombrely. "And do you think the India of to-day can +be governed by weakness any more successfully than the India of +Nicholson's time? You have no idea what you say when you talk like that. +Ermsted is not the first Englishman to be killed in this State. The +Rajah of Markestan is too wily a beast to go for the large game at the +outset, though—probably—the large game is the only stuff he cares +about. He knows too well that there are eyes that watch perpetually, and +he won't expose himself—if he can help it. The trouble is he doesn't +always know where to look for the eyes that watch."</p> + +<p>A certain exultation sounded in his voice, but the next instant he bent +and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Why do you dwell on these things? They only trouble you. But I think +you might remember that since they exist, someone has to deal with +them."</p> + +<p>"You don't trust Ahmed Khan?" she said. "You think he is treacherous?"</p> + +<p>He hesitated; then: "Ahmed Khan is either a tiger or—merely a jackal," +he said. "I don't know which at present. I am taking his measure."</p> + +<p>She still held him closely. "Everard," her voice came low and +breathless, "you think he was responsible for Captain Ermsted's death. +May he not have been also for—for—"</p> + +<p>He checked her sharply before Ralph Dacre's name could leave her lips. +"No. Put that out of your mind for good! You have no reason to suspect +foul play where he was concerned."</p> + +<p>He spoke with such decision that she looked at him in surprise. "I often +have suspected it," she said.</p> + +<p>"I know. But you have no reason for doing so. I should try to forget it +if I were you. Let the past be past!"</p> + +<p>It was evident that he would not discuss the matter, and, wondering +somewhat, she let it pass. The bare mention of Dacre seemed to be +unendurable to him. But the suspicion which his words had started +remained in her mind, for it was beyond her power to dismiss it. The +conviction that he had met his death by foul means was steadily gaining +ground within her, winding serpent-like ever more closely about her +shrinking heart.</p> + +<p>Monck went his way, whether deeply disappointed or not she knew not. But +she realized that he would not reopen the subject. He had made his +explanation, but—and for this she honoured him—he would not seek to +convince her against her will. It was even possible that he preferred +her to keep her own judgment in the matter.</p> + +<p>They dined at the Mansfields' bungalow that night, a festivity for which +she felt small relish, more especially as she knew that Mrs. Ralston +would not be present. To be received with icy ceremony by Lady Harriet +and sent in to dinner with Major Burton was a state of affairs that must +have dashed the highest spirits. She tried to make the best of it, but +it was impossible to be entirely unaffected by the depressing chill of +the atmosphere. Conversation turned upon Mrs. Ermsted, regarding whom +the report had gone forth that she was very seriously ill. Lady Harriet +sought to probe Stella upon the subject and was plainly offended when +she pleaded ignorance. She also tried to extract Monck's opinion of poor +Captain Ermsted's murder. Had it been committed by a mere <i>budmash</i> for +the sake of robbery, or did he consider that any political significance +was attached to it? Monck drily expressed the opinion that something +might be said for either theory. But when Lady Harriet threw discretion +to the winds and desired to know if it were generally believed in +official circles that the Rajah was implicated, he raised his brows in +stern surprise and replied that so far as his information went the Rajah +was a loyal servant of the Crown.</p> + +<p>Lady Harriet was snubbed, and she felt the effects of it for the rest of +the evening. Walking home with her husband through the starlight later, +Stella laughed a little over the episode; but Monck was not responsive. +He seemed engrossed in thought.</p> + +<p>He went with her to her room, and there bade her good-night, observing +that he had work to do and might be late.</p> + +<p>"It is already late," she said. "Don't be long! I shall only lie awake +till you come."</p> + +<p>He frowned at her. "I shall be very angry if you do."</p> + +<p>"I can't help that," she said. "I can't sleep properly till you come."</p> + +<p>He looked her in the eyes. "You're not nervous? You've got Peter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am not in the least nervous on my own account," she told him.</p> + +<p>"You needn't be on mine," he said.</p> + +<p>She laughed, but her lips were piteous. "Well, don't be long anyway!" +she pleaded. "Don't forget I am waiting for you!"</p> + +<p>"Forget!" he said. For an instant his hold upon her was passionate. He +kissed her fiercely, blindly, even violently; then with a muttered word +of inarticulate apology he let her go.</p> + +<p>She heard him stride away down the passage, and in a few moments Peter +came and very softly closed the door. She knew that he was there on +guard until his master should return.</p> + +<p>She sat down with a beating heart and leaned back with closed eyes. A +heavy sense of foreboding oppressed her. She was very tired, but yet she +knew that sleep was far away. Just as once she had felt a dread that was +physical on behalf of Ralph Dacre, so now she felt weighed down by +suspense and loneliness. Only now it was a thousand times magnified, for +this man was her world. She tried to picture to herself what it would +have meant to her had that shot in the jungle slain him instead of +Captain Ermsted. But the bare thought was beyond endurance. Once she +could have borne it, but not now—not now! Once she could have denied +her love and fared forth alone into the desert. But he had captured her, +and now she was irrevocably his. Her spirit pined almost unconsciously +whenever he was absent from her. Her body knew no rest without him. From +the moment of his leaving her, she was ever secretly on fire for his +return.</p> + +<p>Had they been in England she knew that it would have been otherwise. In +a calm and temperate atmosphere she could have attained a serene, +unruffled happiness. But India, fevered and pitiless, held her in +scorching grip. She dwelt as it were on the edge of a roaring furnace +that consumed some victims every day. Her life was strung up to a pitch +that frightened her. The very intensity of the love that Everard Monck +had practically forced into being within her was almost more than she +could bear. It hurt her like the searing of a flame, and yet in the hurt +there was rapture. For the icy blast of the desert could never reach her +now. Unless—unless—ah, was there not a flaming sword still threatening +her wherever she pitched her camp? Surround herself as she would with +the magic essences of love, did not the vengeance await her—even +now—even now? Could she ever count herself safe so long as she remained +in this land of treachery and terrible vengeance? Could there ever be +any peace so near to the burning fiery furnace?</p> + +<p>Slowly the night wore on. The air blew in cool and pure with a soft +whispering of spring and the brief splendour of the rose-time. The howl +of a prowling jackal came now and then to her ears, making her shiver +with the memory of Monck's words. Away in the jungle the owls were +calling upon notes that sounded like weird cries for help.</p> + +<p>Once or twice she heard a shuffling movement outside the door and knew +that Peter was still on guard. She wondered if he ever slept. She +wondered if Tommy had returned. He often dropped into the Club on his +way back, and sometimes stayed late. Then, realizing how late it was, +she came to the conclusion that she must have dozed in her chair.</p> + +<p>She got up with a sense of being weighted in every limb, and began to +undress. Everard would be vexed if he returned and found her still up. +Not that she expected him to return for a long time. His absence lasted +sometimes till the night was nearly over.</p> + +<p>She never questioned him regarding it, and he never told her anything. +Dacre's revelation on that night so long ago had never left her memory. +He was engaged upon secret affairs. Possibly he was down in the native +quarter, disguised as a native, carrying his life in his hand. He had a +friend in the bazaar, she knew; a man she had never seen, but whose shop +he had once pointed out to her though he would not suffer her—and +indeed she had no desire—to enter. This man—Rustam Karin—was a dealer +in native charms and trinkets. The business was mainly conducted by a +youth of obsequious and insincere demeanour called Hafiz. The latter she +knew and instinctively disliked, but her feeling for the unknown master +was one of more active aversion. In the depths of that dark native stall +she pictured him, a watcher, furtive and avaricious, a man who lent +himself and his shrewd and covetous brain to a Government he probably +despised as alien.</p> + +<p>Tommy had once described the man to her and her conception of him was a +perfectly clear one. He was black-bearded and an opium-smoker, and she +hated to think of Everard as in any sense allied with him. Dark, +treacherous, and terrible, he loomed in her imagination. He represented +India and all her subtleties. He was a serpent underfoot, a knife in the +dark, an evil dream.</p> + +<p>She could not have said why the personality of a man she did not know so +affected her, save that she believed that all Monck's secret expeditions +were conceived in the gloom of that stall she had never entered in the +heart of the native bazaar. The man was in Monck's confidence. Perhaps, +being a woman, that hurt her also. For though she recognized—as in the +case of that native lair down in the bazaar—that it were better never +to set foot in that secret chamber, yet she resented the thought that +any other should have free access to it. She was beginning to regard +that part of Monck's life with a dread that verged upon horror—a +feeling which her very love for the man but served to intensify. She was +as one clinging desperately to a treasure which might at any moment be +wrested from her.</p> + +<p>Stiffly and wearily she undressed. Tommy must surely have returned ages +ago, though probably late, or he would have come to bid her good-night. +Why did not Everard return?</p> + +<p>At the last she extinguished her light and went to the window to gaze +wistfully out across the verandah. That secret whispering—the stirring +of a thousand unseen things—was abroad in the night. The air was soft +and scented with a fragrance intangible but wholly sweet. India, +stretched out beneath the glittering stars, stirred with half-opened +eyes, and smiled. Stella thought she heard the flutter of her robe.</p> + +<p>Then again the mystery of the night was rent by the cry of some beast of +prey, and in a second the magic was gone. The shadows were full of evil. +She drew back with swift, involuntary shrinking; and as she did so, she +heard the dreadful answering cry of the prey that had been seized.</p> + +<p>India again! India the ruthless! India the bloodthirsty! India the +vampire!</p> + +<p>For a few palpitating moments she leaned against the wall feeling +physically sick. And as she leaned, there passed before her inner vision +the memory of that figure which she had seen upon the verandah on that +terrible night when Everard had been stricken with fever. The look in +her husband's eyes that day had brought it back to her, and now like a +flashlight it leapt from point to point of her brain, revealing, +illuminating.</p> + +<p>That figure on the verandah and the unknown man of the bazaar were one. +It was Rustam Karin whom she had seen that night—Rustam Karin, +Everard's trusted friend and ally—the Rajah's tool also though Everard +would never have it so—and (she was certain of it now with that +certainty which is somehow all the greater because without proof) this +was the man who had followed Ralph Dacre to Kashmir and lured him to his +death. This was the beast of prey who when the time was ripe would +destroy Everard Monck also.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_IV'></a><h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h3>THE FLAMING SWORD</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The conviction which came upon Stella on that night of chequered +starlight was one which no amount of sane reasoning could shake. She +made no attempt to reopen the subject with Everard, recognizing fully +the futility of such a course; for she had no shadow of proof to support +it. But it hung upon her like a heavy chain. She took it with her +wherever she went.</p> + +<p>More than once she contemplated taking Tommy into her confidence. But +again that lack of proof deterred her. She was certain that Tommy would +give no credence to her theory. And his faith in Monck—his wariness, +his discretion—was unbounded.</p> + +<p>She did question Peter with regard to Rustam Karin, but she elicited +scant satisfaction from him. Peter went but little to the native bazaar, +and like herself had never seen the man. He appeared so seldom and then +only by night. There was a rumour that he was leprous. This was all that +Peter knew.</p> + +<p>And so it seemed useless to pursue the matter. She could only wait and +watch. Some day the man might emerge from his lair, and she would be +able to identify him beyond all dispute. Peter could help her then. But +till then there was nothing that she could do. She was quite helpless.</p> + +<p>So, with that shrinking still strongly upon her that made all mention of +Ralph Dacre's death so difficult, she buried the matter deep in her own +heart, determined only that she also would watch with a vigilance that +never slackened until the proof for which she waited should be hers.</p> + +<p>The weeks had begun to slip by with incredible swiftness. The tragedy of +Ermsted's death had ceased to be the talk of the station. Tessa had gone +back to her mother who still remained a semi-invalid in the Ralstons' +hospitable care. Netta's plans seemed to be of the vaguest; but Home +leave was due to Major Ralston the following year, and it seemed likely +that she would drift on till then and return in their company.</p> + +<p>Stella did not see very much of her friend in those days. Netta, +exacting and peevish, monopolized much of the latter's time and kept her +effectually at a distance. The days were growing hotter moreover, and +her energies flagged, though all her strength was concentrated upon +concealing the fact from Everard. For already the annual exodus to +Bhulwana was being discussed, and only the possibility that the +battalion might be moved to a healthier spot for the summer had deferred +it for so long.</p> + +<p>Stella clung to this possibility with a hope that was passionate in its +intensity. She had a morbid dread of separation, albeit the danger she +feared seemed to have sunk into obscurity during the weeks that had +intervened. If there yet remained unrest in the State, it was below the +surface. The Rajah came and went in his usual romantic way, played polo +with his British friends, danced and gracefully flattered their wives as +of yore.</p> + +<p>On one occasion only did he ask Stella for a dance, but she excused +herself with a decision there was no mistaking. Something within her +revolted at the bare idea. He went away smiling, but he never asked her +again.</p> + +<p>Definite orders for the move to Udalkhand arrived at length, and +Stella's heart rejoiced. The place was situated on the edge of a river, +a brown and turgid torrent in the rainy weather, but no more than a +torpid, muddy stream before the monsoon. A native town and temple stood +upon its banks, but a sandy road wound up to higher ground on which a +few bungalows stood, overlooking the grim, parched desert below.</p> + +<p>The jungle of Khanmulla was not more than five miles distant, and +Kurrumpore itself barely ten. But yet Stella felt as if a load had been +lifted from her. Surely the danger here would be more remote! And she +would not need to leave her husband now. That thought set her very heart +a-singing.</p> + +<p>Monck said but little upon the subject. He was more non-committal than +ever in those days. Everyone said that Udalkhand was healthier and +cooler than Kurrumpore and he did not contradict the statement. But yet +Stella came to perceive after a time something in his silence which she +found unsatisfactory. She believed he watched her narrowly though he +certainly had no appearance of doing so, and the suspicion made her +nervous.</p> + +<p>There were a few—Lady Harriet among the number—who condemned Udalkhand +from the outset as impossible, and departed for Bhulwana without +attempting to spend even the beginning of the hot season there. Netta +Ermsted also decided against it though Mrs. Ralston declared her +intention of going thither, and she and Tessa departed for that +universal haven The Grand Stand before any one else.</p> + +<p>This freed Mrs. Ralston, but Stella had grown a little apart from her +friend during that period at Kurrumpore, and a measure of reserve hung +between them though outwardly they were unchanged. A great languor had +come upon Stella which seemed to press all the more heavily upon her +because she only suffered herself to indulge it in Everard's absence. +When he was present she was almost feverishly active, but it needed all +her strength of will to achieve this, and she had no energy over for her +friends.</p> + +<p>Even after the move to Udalkhand had been accomplished, she scarcely +felt the relief which she so urgently needed. Though the place was +undoubtedly more airy than Kurrumpore, the air came from the desert, and +sand-storms were not infrequent.</p> + +<p>She made a brave show nevertheless, and with Peter's help turned their +new abode into as dainty a dwelling-place as any could desire. Tommy +also assisted with much readiness though the increasing heat was +anathema to him also. He was more considerate for his sister just then +than he had ever been before. Often in Monck's absence he would spend +much of his time with her, till she grew to depend upon him to an extent +she scarcely realized. He had taken up wood-carving in his leisure hours +and very soon she was fully occupied with executing elaborate designs +for his workmanship. They worked very happily together. Tommy declared +it kept him out of mischief, for violent exercise never suited him in +hot weather.</p> + +<p>And it was hot. Every day seemed to bring the scorching reality of +summer a little nearer. In spite of herself Stella flagged more and +more. Tommy always kept a brave front. He was full of devices for +ameliorating their discomfort. He kept the punkah-coolie perpetually at +his task. He made the water-coolie spray the verandah a dozen times a +day. He set traps for the flies and caught them in their swarms.</p> + +<p>But he could not take the sun out of the sky which day by day shone from +horizon to horizon as a brazen shield burnished to an intolerable +brightness, while the earth—- parched and cracked and barren—fainted +beneath it. The nights had begun to be oppressive also. The wind from +the desert was as the burning breath from a far-off forest-fire which +hourly drew a little nearer. Stella sometimes felt as if a monster-hand +were slowly closing upon her, crushing out her life.</p> + +<p>But still with all her might she strove to hide from Monck the ravages +of the cruel heat, even stooping to the bitter subterfuge of faintly +colouring the deathly whiteness of her cheeks. For the wild-rose bloom +had departed long since, as Netta Ermsted had predicted, though her +beauty remained—the beauty of the pure white rose which is fairer than +any other flower that grows.</p> + +<p>There came a burning day at last, however, when she realized that the +evening drive was almost beyond her powers. Tommy was on duty at the +barracks. Everard had, she believed, gone down to Khanmulla to see +Barnes of the Police. She decided in the absence of both to indulge in a +rest, and sent Peter to countermand the carriage.</p> + +<p>Then a great heaviness came upon her, and she yielded herself to it, +lying inert upon the couch in the drawing-room dully listening to the +creak of the punkah that stirred without cooling the late afternoon air.</p> + +<p>Some time must have passed thus and she must have drifted into a species +of vague dreaming that was not wholly sleep when suddenly there came a +sound at the darkened window; the blind was lifted and Monck stood in +the opening.</p> + +<p>She sprang up with a startled sense of being caught off her guard, but +the next moment a great dizziness came upon her and she reeled back, +groping for support.</p> + +<p>He dropped the blind and caught her. "Why, Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>She clung to him desperately. "I am all right—I am all right! Hold me a +minute! I—I tripped against the matting." Gaspingly she uttered the +words, hanging upon him, for she knew she could not stand alone.</p> + +<p>He put her gently down upon the sofa. "Take it quietly, dear!" he said.</p> + +<p>She leaned back upon the cushions with closed eyes, for her brain was +swimming. "I am all right," she reiterated. "You startled me a little. +I—didn't expect you back so soon."</p> + +<p>"I met Barnes just after I started," he made answer. "He is coming to +dine presently."</p> + +<p>Her heart sank. "Is he?" she said faintly.</p> + +<p>"No." Monck's tone suddenly held an odd note that was half-grim and +half-protective. "On second thoughts, he can go to the Mess with Tommy. +I don't think I want him any more than you do."</p> + +<p>She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Everard, of course he must +dine here if you have asked him! Tell Peter!"</p> + +<p>Her vision was still slightly blurred, but she saw that the set of his +jaw was stubborn. He stooped after a moment and kissed her forehead. +"You lie still!" he said. "And mind—you are not to dress for dinner."</p> + +<p>He turned with that and left her.</p> + +<p>She was not sorry to be alone, for her head was throbbing almost +unbearably, but she would have given much to know what was in his mind.</p> + +<p>She lay there passively till presently she heard Tommy dash in to dress +for mess, and shortly after there came the sound of men's voices in the +compound, and she knew that Monck and Barnes were walking to and fro +together.</p> + +<p>She got up then, summoning her energies, and stole to her own room. +Monck had commanded her not to change her dress, but the haggardness of +her face shocked her into taking refuge in the remedy which she secretly +despised. She did it furtively, hoping that in the darkened drawing-room +he had not noted the ghastly pallor which she thus sought to conceal.</p> + +<p>Before she left her room she heard Tommy and Barnes departing, and when +she entered the dining-room Monck came in alone at the window and joined +her.</p> + +<p>She met him somewhat nervously, for she thought his face was stern. But +when he spoke, his voice held nought but kindness, and she was +reassured. He did not look at her with any very close criticism, nor did +he revert to what had passed an hour before.</p> + +<p>They were served by Peter, swiftly and silently, Stella making a valiant +effort to simulate an appetite which she was far from possessing. The +windows were wide to the night, and from the river bank below there came +the thrumming of some stringed instrument, which had a weird and +strangely poignant throbbing, as if it voiced some hidden distress. +There were a thousand sounds besides, some near, some distant, but it +penetrated them all with the persistence of some small imprisoned +creature working perpetually for freedom.</p> + +<p>It began to wear upon Stella's nerves at last. It was so futile, yet so +pathetic—the same soft minor tinkle, only a few stray notes played over +and over, over and over, till her brain rang with the maddening little +refrain. She was glad when the meal was over, and she could make the +excuse to move to the drawing-room. There was a piano here, a rickety +instrument long since hammered into tunelessness. But she sat down +before it. Anything was better than to sit and listen to that single, +plaintive little voice of India crying in the night.</p> + +<p>She thought and hoped that Monck would smoke his cigarette and suffer +himself to be lulled into somnolence by such melody as she was able to +extract from the crazy old instrument; but he disappointed her.</p> + +<p>He smoked indeed, lounging out in the verandah, while she sought with +every allurement to draw him in and charm him to blissful, sleepy +contentment. But it presently came to her that there was something +dogged in his refusal to be so drawn, and when she realized that she +brought her soft <i>nocturne</i> to a summary close and turned round to him +with just a hint of resentment.</p> + +<p>He was leaning in the doorway, the cigarette gone from his lips. His +face was turned to the night. His attitude seemed to express that +patience which attends upon iron resolution. He looked at her over his +shoulder as she paused.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you sing?" he said.</p> + +<p>A little tremor of indignation went through her. He spoke with the +gentle indulgence of one who humours a child. Only once had she ever +sung to him, and then he had sat in such utter immobility and silence +that she had questioned with herself afterwards if he had cared for it.</p> + +<p>She rose with a wholly unconscious touch of majesty. "I have no voice +to-night," she said.</p> + +<p>"Then come here!" he said.</p> + +<p>His voice was still absolutely gentle but it held an indefinable +something that made her raise her brows.</p> + +<p>She went to him nevertheless, and he put his hand through her arm and +drew her close to his side. The night was heavy with a brooding +heat-haze that blotted out the stars. The little twanging instrument +down by the river was silent.</p> + +<p>For a space Monck did not speak, and gradually the tension went out of +Stella. She relaxed at length and laid her cheek against his shoulder.</p> + +<p>His arm went round her in a moment; he held her against his heart. +"Stella," he said, "do you ever think to yourself nowadays that I am a +very formidable person to live with?"</p> + +<p>"Never," she said.</p> + +<p>His arm tightened about her. "You are not afraid of me any longer?"</p> + +<p>She smiled a little. "What is this leading up to?"</p> + +<p>He bent suddenly, his lips against her forehead. "Dear heart, if I am +wrong—forgive me! But—why are you trying to deceive me?"</p> + +<p>She had never heard such tenderness in his voice before; it thrilled her +through and through, checking her first involuntary dismay. She hid her +face upon his breast, clasping him close, trembling from head to foot.</p> + +<p>He turned, still holding her, and led her to the sofa. They sat down +together.</p> + +<p>"Poor girl!" he said softly. "It hasn't been easy, has it?"</p> + +<p>Then she realized that he knew all that she had so strenuously sought to +hide. The struggle was over and she was beaten. A great wave of emotion +went through her. Before she could check herself, she was shaken with +sobs.</p> + +<p>"No, no!" he said, and laid his hand upon her head. "You mustn't cry. +It's all right, my darling. It's all right. What is there to cry about?"</p> + +<p>She clung faster to him, and her hold was passionate. "Everard," she +whispered, "Everard,—I—can't leave you!"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said "We are up against it now."</p> + +<p>"I can't!" she said again. "I can't."</p> + +<p>His hand was softly stroking her hair. Such tenderness as she had never +dreamed of was in his touch. "Leave off crying!" he said. "God knows I +want to make things easier for you—not harder."</p> + +<p>"I can bear anything," she told him brokenly, "anything in the world—if +only I am with you. I can't leave you. You won't—you can't—force me to +that."</p> + +<p>"Stella! Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>His voice checked her. She knew that she had hurt him. She lifted her +face quickly to his.</p> + +<p>"Oh, darling, forgive me!" she said. "I know you would not."</p> + +<p>He kissed the quivering lips she raised without words, and thereafter +there fell a silence between them while the mystery of the night seemed +to press closer upon them, and the veiled goddess turned in her sleep +and subtly smiled.</p> + +<p>Stella uttered a long, long sigh at last. "You are good to bear with me +like this," she said rather piteously.</p> + +<p>"Better now?" he questioned gently.</p> + +<p>She closed her eyes from the grave scrutiny of his. "I am—quite all +right, dear," she said. "And I am taking great care of myself. +Please—please don't worry about me!"</p> + +<p>His hand sought and found hers. "I have been worrying about you for a +long time," he said.</p> + +<p>She gave a start of surprise. "I never thought you noticed anything."</p> + +<p>"Yes." With a characteristic touch of grimness he answered her. "I +noticed when you first began to colour your cheeks for my benefit. I +knew it was only for mine, or of course I should have been furious."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Everard!" She hid her face against him again with a little shamed +laugh.</p> + +<p>He went on without mercy. "I am not an easy person to deceive, you know. +You really might have saved yourself the trouble. I hoped you would give +in sooner. That too would have saved trouble."</p> + +<p>"But I haven't given in," she said.</p> + +<p>His hand closed upon hers. "You would kill yourself first if I would let +you," he said. "But—do you think I am going to do that?"</p> + +<p>"It would kill me to leave you," she said.</p> + +<p>"And what if it kills you to stay?" He spoke with sudden force. "No, +listen a minute! I have something to tell you. I have been worried about +you—as I said—for some time. To-day I was working in the orderly-room, +and Ralston chanced to come in. He asked me how you were. I said, 'I am +afraid the climate is against her. What do you think of her?' He +replied, 'I'll tell you what I think of you, if you like. I think you're +a damned fool.' That opened my eyes." Monck ended on the old grim note. +"I thanked him for the information, and told him to come over here and +see you on the earliest opportunity. He has promised to come round in +the morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but Everard!" Stella started up in swift protest. "I don't want +him! I won't see him!"</p> + +<p>He kept her hand in his. "I am sorry," he said. "But I am going to +insist on that."</p> + +<p>"You—insist!" She looked at him curiously, a quivering smile about her +lips.</p> + +<p>His eyes met hers uncompromisingly. "If necessary," he said.</p> + +<p>She made a movement to free herself, but he frustrated her, gently but +with indisputable mastery.</p> + +<p>"Stella," he said, "things may be difficult. I know they are. But, my +dear, don't make them impossible! Let us pull together in this as in +everything else!"</p> + +<p>She met his look steadily. "You know what will happen, don't you?" she +said. "He will order me to Bhulwana."</p> + +<p>Monck's hand tightened upon hers. "Better that," he said, under his +breath, "than to lose you altogether!"</p> + +<p>"And if it kills me to leave you?" she said. "What then?"</p> + +<p>He made a gesture that was almost violent, but instantly restrained +himself. "I think you are braver than that," he said.</p> + +<p>Her lips quivered again piteously. "I am not brave at all," she said. +"I left all my courage—all my faith—in the mountains one terrible +morning—when God cursed me for marrying a man I did not love—and +took—the man—- away."</p> + +<p>"My darling!" Monck said. He drew her to him again, holding her +passionately close, kissing the trembling lips till they clung to his in +answer. "Can't you forget all that," he said, "put it right away from +you, think only of what lies before."</p> + +<p>Her arms were round his neck. She poured out her very soul to him in +that close embrace. But she said no word in answer, and her silence was +the silence of despair. It seemed to her that the flaming sword she +dreaded had flashed again across her path, closing the way to +happiness.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_V'></a><h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h3>TESSA</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The blue jay was still laughing on the pine-clad slopes of Bhulwana when +Stella returned thither. It was glorious summer weather. There was life +in the air—such life as never reached the Plains.</p> + +<p>The bungalow up the hill, called "The Nest," which once Ralph Dacre had +taken for his bride, was to be Stella's home for the period of her +sojourn at Bhulwana. It was a pretty little place twined in roses, +standing in a shady compound that Tessa called "the jungle." Tessa +became at once her most constant visitor. She and Scooter were running +wild as usual, but Netta was living in strict retirement. People said +she looked very ill, but she seemed to resent all sympathy. There was an +air of defiance about her which kept most people at a distance.</p> + +<p>Stories were rife concerning her continued intimacy with the Rajah who +was now in residence at his summer palace on the hill. They went for +gallops together in the early morning, and in the evenings they +sometimes flashed along the road in his car. But he was seldom observed +to enter the bungalow she occupied, and even Tessa had no private +information to add to the general gossip. Netta seldom went to race +course or polo-ground, where the Rajah was most frequently to be found.</p> + +<p>Stella, who had never liked Netta Ermsted, took but slight interest in +her affairs. She always welcomed Tessa, however, and presently, since +her leisure was ample and her health considerably improved, she began to +give the child a few lessons which soon became the joy of Tessa's heart. +She found her quick and full of enthusiasm. Her devotion to Stella made +her tractable, and they became fast friends.</p> + +<p>It was in June just before the rains, that Monck came up on a week's +leave. He found Tessa practically established as Stella's companion. Her +mother took no interest in her doings. The <i>ayah</i> was responsible for +her safety, and even if Tessa elected to spend the night with her +friend, Netta raised no objection. It had always been her way to leave +the child to any who cared to look after her, since she frankly +acknowledged that she was quite incapable of managing her herself. If +Mrs. Monck liked to be bothered with her, it was obviously her affair, +not Netta's.</p> + +<p>And so Stella kept the little girl more and more in her own care, since +Mrs. Ralston was still at Udalkhand, and no one else cared in the +smallest degree for her welfare. She would not keep her for good, +though, so far as her mother was concerned, she might easily have done +so. But she did occasionally—as a great treat—have her to sleep with +her, generally when Tessa's looks proclaimed her to be in urgent need of +a long night. For she was almost always late to bed when at home, +refusing to retire before her mother, though there was little of +companionship between them at any time.</p> + +<p>Stella investigated this resolution on one occasion, and finally +extracted from Tessa the admission that she was afraid to go to bed +early lest her mother should go out unexpectedly, in which event the +<i>ayah</i> would certainly retire to the servants' quarters, and she would +be alone in the bungalow. No amount of reasoning on Stella's part could +shake this dread. Tessa's nerves were strung to a high pitch, and it was +evident that she felt very strongly on the subject. So, out of sheer +pity, Stella sometimes kept her at "The Nest," and Tessa's gratitude +knew no bounds. She was growing fast, and ought to have been in England +for the past year at least; but Netta's plans were still vague. She +supposed she would have to go when the Ralstons did, but she saw no +reason for hurry. Lady Harriet remonstrated with her on the subject, but +obtained no satisfaction. Netta was her own mistress now, and meant to +please herself.</p> + +<p>Monck arrived late one evening on the day before that on which he was +expected, and found Tessa and Peter playing with a ball in the +compound. The two were fast friends and Stella often left Tessa in his +charge while she rested.</p> + +<p>She was resting now, lying in her own room with a book, when suddenly +the sound of Tessa's voice raised in excited welcome reached her. She +heard Monck's quiet voice make reply, and started up with every pulse +quivering. She had not seen him for nearly six weeks.</p> + +<p>She met him in the verandah with Tessa hanging on his arm. Since her +great love for Stella had developed, she had adopted Stella's husband +also as her own especial property, though it could scarcely be said that +Monck gave her much encouragement. On this occasion she simply ceased to +exist for him the moment he caught sight of Stella's face. And even +Stella herself forgot the child in the first rapture of greeting.</p> + +<p>But later Tessa asserted herself again with a determination that would +not be ignored. She begged hard to be allowed to remain for the night; +but this Stella refused to permit, though her heart smote her somewhat +when she saw her finally take her departure with many wistful backward +glances.</p> + +<p>Monck was hard-hearted enough to smile. "Let the imp go! She has had +more than her share already," he said. "I'm not going to divide you with +any one under the sun."</p> + +<p>Stella was lying on the sofa. She reached out and held his hand, leaning +her cheek against his sleeve. "Except—" she murmured.</p> + +<p>He bent to her, his lips upon her shining hair. "Ah, I have begun to do +that already," he said, with a touch of sadness. "I wonder if you are as +lonely up here as I am at Udalkhand."</p> + +<p>She kissed his sleeve. "I miss you—unspeakably," she said.</p> + +<p>His fingers closed upon hers. "Stella, can you keep a secret?"</p> + +<p>She looked up swiftly. "Of course—of course. What is it? Have they made +you Governor-General of the province?"</p> + +<p>He smiled grimly. "Not yet. But Sir Reginald Bassett—you know old Sir +Reggie?—came and inspected us the other day, and we had a talk. He is +one of the keenest empire-builders that I ever met." An odd thrill +sounded in Monck's voice. "He asked me if presently—when the vacancy +occurred—I would be his secretary, his political adviser, as he put it. +Stella, it would be a mighty big step up. It would lead—it might +lead—to great things."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my darling!" She was quivering all over. "Would it—would it mean +that we should be together? No," she caught herself up sharply, "that is +sheer selfishness. I shouldn't have asked that first."</p> + +<p>His lips pressed hers. "Don't you know it is the one thing that comes +first of all with me too?" he said. "Yes, it would mean far less of +separation. It would probably mean Simla in the hot weather, and only +short absences for me. It would mean an end of this beastly regimental +life that you hate so badly. What? Did you think I didn't know that? +But it would also mean leaving poor Tommy at the grindstone, which is +hard."</p> + +<p>"Dear Tommy! But he has lots of friends. You don't think he would get up +to mischief?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so. He is more of a man than he was. And I could keep +an eye on him—even from a distance. Still, it won't come yet,—not +probably till the end of the year. You are fairly comfortable here—you +and Peter?"</p> + +<p>She smiled and sighed. "Oh yes, he keeps away the bogies, and Tessa +chases off the blues. So I am well taken care of!"</p> + +<p>"I hope you don't let that child wear you out," Monck said. "She is +rather a handful. Why don't you leave her to her mother?"</p> + +<p>"Because she is utterly unfit to have the care of her." Stella spoke +with very unusual severity. "Since Captain Ermsted's death she seems to +have drifted into a state of hopeless apathy. I can't bear to think of a +susceptible child like Tessa brought up in such an atmosphere."</p> + +<p>"Apathetic, is she? Do you often see her?" Monck spoke casually, as he +rolled a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Very seldom. She goes out very little, and then only with the Rajah. +They say she looks ill, but that is not surprising. She doesn't lead a +wholesome life!"</p> + +<p>"She keeps up her intimacy with His Excellency then?" Monck still spoke +as if his thoughts were elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Stella dismissed the subject with a touch of impatience. She had no +desire to waste any precious moments over idle gossip. "I imagine so, +but I really know very little. I don't encourage Tessa to talk. As you +know, I never could bear the man."</p> + +<p>Monck smiled a little. "I know you are discretion itself," he said. "But +you are not to adopt Tessa, mind, whatever the state of her mother's +morals!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, but I must do what I can for the poor waif," Stella protested. +"There isn't much that I can do when I am away from you,—not much, I +mean, that is worth while."</p> + +<p>"All right," Monck said with finality, "so long as you don't adopt her."</p> + +<p>Stella saw that he did not mean to allow Tessa a very large share of her +attention during his leave. She did not dispute the point, knowing that +he could be as adamant when he had formed a resolution.</p> + +<p>But she did not feel happy about the child. There was to her something +tragic about Tessa, as if the evil fate that had overtaken the father +brooded like a dark cloud over her also. Her mind was not at rest +concerning her.</p> + +<p>In the morning, however, Tessa arrived upon the scene, impudent and +cheerful, and she felt reassured. Her next anxiety became to keep her +from annoying Monck upon whom naturally Tessa's main attention was +centered. Tessa, however, was in an unusually tiresome mood. She +refused to be contented with the society of the ever-patient Peter, +repudiated the bare idea of lesson books, and set herself with fiendish +ingenuity to torment the new-comer into exasperation.</p> + +<p>Stella could have wept over her intractability. She had never before +found her difficult to manage. But Netta's perversity and Netta's +devilry were uppermost in her that day, and when at last Monck curtly +ordered her not to worry herself but to leave the child alone, she gave +up her efforts in despair. Tessa was riding for a fall.</p> + +<p>It came eventually, after two hours' provocation on her part and stern +patience on Monck's. Stella, at work in the drawing-room, heard a sudden +sharp exclamation from the verandah where Monck was seated before a +table littered with Hindu literature, and looked up to see Tessa, with a +monkey-like grin of mischief, smoking the cigarette which she had just +snatched from between Monck's lips. She was dancing on one leg just out +of reach, ready to take instant flight should the occasion require.</p> + +<p>Stella was on the point of starting up to intervene, but Monck stopped +her with a word. He was quieter than she had ever seen him, and that +fact of itself warned her that he was angry at last.</p> + +<p>"Come here!" he said to Tessa.</p> + +<p>Tessa removed the cigarette to poke her tongue out at him, and continued +her war-dance just out of reach. It was Netta to the life.</p> + +<p>Monck glanced at the watch on his wrist. "I give you one minute," he +said, and returned to his work."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you chase me?" gibed Tessa.</p> + +<p>He said nothing further, but to Stella his silence was ominous. She +watched him with anxious eyes.</p> + +<p>Tessa continued to smoke and dance, posturing like a <i>nautch-girl</i> in +front of the wholly unresponsive and unappreciative Monck.</p> + +<p>The minute passed, Stella counting the seconds with a throbbing heart. +Monck did not raise his eyes or stir, but there was to her something +dreadful in his utter stillness. She marvelled at Tessa's temerity.</p> + +<p>Tessa continued to dance and jeer till suddenly, finding that she was +making no headway, a demon of temper entered into her. She turned in a +fury, sprang from the verandah to the compound, snatched up a handful of +small stones and flung them full at the impassive Monck.</p> + +<p>They fell around him in a shower. He looked up at last.</p> + +<p>What ensued was almost too swift for Stella's vision to follow. She saw +him leap the verandah-balustrade, and heard Tessa's shrill scream of +fright. Then he had the offender in his grasp, and Stella saw the deadly +determination of his face as he turned.</p> + +<p>In spite of herself she sprang up, but again his voice checked her. "All +right. This is my job. Bring me the strap off the bag in my room!"</p> + +<p>"Everard!" she cried aghast.</p> + +<p>Tessa was struggling madly for freedom. He mastered her as he would have +mastered a refractory puppy, carrying her up the steps ignominiously +under his arm.</p> + +<p>"Do as I say!" he commanded.</p> + +<p>And against her will Stella turned and obeyed. She fetched the strap, +but she held it back when he stretched a hand for it.</p> + +<p>"Everard, she is only a child. You won't—you won't——"</p> + +<p>"Flay her with it?" he suggested, and she saw his brief, ironic smile. +"Not at present. Hand it over!"</p> + +<p>She gave it reluctantly. Tessa squealed a wild remonstrance. The +merciless grip that held her had sent terror to her heart.</p> + +<p>Monck, still deadly quiet, set her on her feet against one of the wooden +posts that supported the roof of the verandah, passed the strap round +her waist and buckled it firmly behind the post.</p> + +<p>Then he stood up and looked again at the watch on his wrist. "Two +hours!" he said briefly, and went back to his work at the other end of +the verandah.</p> + +<p>Stella went back to the drawing-room, half-relieved and half-dismayed. +It was useless to interfere, she saw; but the punishment, though richly +deserved, was a heavy one, and she wondered how Tessa, the +ever-restless, wrought up to a high pitch of nervous excitement as she +was, would stand it.</p> + +<p>The thickness of the post to which she was fastened made it impossible +for her to free herself. The strap was a very stout one, and the buckle +such as only a man's fingers could loosen. It was an undignified +position, and Tessa valued her dignity as a rule.</p> + +<p>She cast it to the winds on this occasion, however, for she fought like +a wild cat for freedom, and when at length her absolute helplessness was +made quite clear even to her, she went into a paroxysm of fury, hurling +every kind of invective that occurred to her at Monck who with the +grimness of an executioner sat at his table in unbroken silence.</p> + +<p>Having exhausted her vocabulary, both English and Hindustani, Tessa +broke at last into tears and wept stormily for many minutes. Monck sat +through the storm without raising his eyes.</p> + +<p>From the drawing-room Stella watched him. She was no longer afraid of +any unconsidered violence. He was completely master of himself, but she +thought there was a hint of cruelty about him notwithstanding. There was +ruthlessness in his utter immobility.</p> + +<p>The hour for <i>tiffin</i> drew near. Peter came out on to the verandah to +lay the cloth. Monck gathered up books and papers and rose.</p> + +<p>The great Sikh looked at the child shaken with passionate sobbing in the +corner of the verandah and from her to Monck with a touch of ferocity in +his dark eyes. Monck met the look with a frown and turned away without a +word. He passed down the verandah to his own room, and Peter with hands +that shook slightly proceeded with his task.</p> + +<p>Tessa's sobbing died down, and there fell a strained silence. Stella +still sat in the drawing-room, but she was out of sight of the two on +the verandah. She could only hear Peter's soft movements.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she heard a tense whisper. "Peter! Peter! Quick!"</p> + +<p>Like a shadow Peter crossed her line of vision. She heard a murmured, +"Missy <i>babal</i>" and rising, she bent forward and saw him in the act of +severing Tessa's bond with the bread-knife. It was done in a few +hard-breathing seconds. The child was free. Peter turned in +triumph,—and found Monck standing at the other end of the verandah, +looking at him.</p> + +<p>Stella stepped out at the same moment and saw him also. She felt the +blood rush to her heart. Only once had she seen Monck look as he looked +now, and that on an occasion of which even yet she never willingly +suffered herself to think.</p> + +<p>Peter's triumph wilted. "Run, Missy <i>baba</i>!" he said, in a hurried +whisper, and moved himself to meet the wrath of the gods.</p> + +<p>Tessa did not run. Neither did she spring to Stella for protection. She +stood for a second or two in indecision; then with an odd little +strangled cry she darted in front of Peter, and went straight to Monck.</p> + +<p>"It—it wasn't Peter's fault!" she declared breathlessly. "I told him +to!"</p> + +<p>Monck's eyes went over her head to the native beyond her. He spoke—a +few, brief words in the man's own language—and Peter winced as though +he had been struck with a whip, and bent himself in an attitude of the +most profound humility.</p> + +<p>Monck spoke again curtly, and as if at the sudden jerk of a string the +man straightened himself and went away.</p> + +<p>Then Tessa, weeping, threw herself upon Monck. "Do please not be angry +with him! It was all my fault. You—you—you can whip me if you like! +Only you mustn't be cross with Peter! It isn't—it isn't—fair!"</p> + +<p>He stood stiffly for a few seconds, as if he would resist her; and +Stella leaned against the window-frame, feeling physically sick as she +watched him. Then abruptly his eyes came to hers, and she saw his face +change. He put his hand on Tessa's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"If you want forgiveness for yourself—and Peter," he said grimly, "go +back to your corner and stay there!"</p> + +<p>Tessa lifted her tear-stained face, looked at him closely for a moment, +then turned submissively and went back.</p> + +<p>Monck came down the verandah to his wife. He put his arm around her, and +drew her within.</p> + +<p>"Why are you trembling?" he said.</p> + +<p>She leaned her head against him. "Everard, what did you say to Peter?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind!" said Monck.</p> + +<p>She braced herself. "You are not to be angry with him. He—is my +servant. I will reprimand him—if necessary."</p> + +<p>"It isn't," said Monck, with a brief smile. "You can tell him to finish +laying the cloth."</p> + +<p>He kissed her and let her go, leaving her with a strong impression that +she had behaved foolishly. If it had not been for that which she had +seen in his eyes for those few awful seconds, she would have despised +herself for her utter imbecility. But the memory was one which she could +not shake from her. She did not wonder that even Peter, proud Sikh as he +was, had quailed before that look. Would Monck have accepted even +Tessa's appeal if he had not found her watching? She wondered. She +wondered.</p> + +<p>She did not look forward to the meal on the verandah, but Monck realized +this and had it laid in the dining-room instead. At his command Peter +carried a plate out to Tessa, but it came back untouched, Peter +explaining in a very low voice that 'Missy <i>baba</i> was not hungry.' The +man's attitude was abject. He watched Monck furtively from behind +Stella's chair, obeying his every behest with a promptitude that +expressed the most complete submission.</p> + +<p>Monck bestowed no attention upon him. He smiled a little when Stella +expressed concern over Tessa's failure to eat anything. It was evident +that he felt no anxiety on that score himself. "Leave the imp alone!" he +said. "You are not to worry yourself about her any more. You have done +more than enough in that line already."</p> + +<p>There was insistence in his tone—an insistence which he maintained +later when he made her lie down for her afternoon rest, steadily +refusing to let her go near the delinquent until she had had it.</p> + +<p>Greatly against her will she yielded the point, protesting that she +could not sleep nevertheless. But when he had gone she realized that the +happenings of the morning had wearied her more than she knew. She was +very tired, and she fell into a deep sleep which lasted for nearly two +hours.</p> + +<p>Awakening from this, she got up with some compunction at having left the +child so long, and went to her window to look for her. She found the +corner of Tessa's punishment empty. A little further along the verandah +Monck lounged in a deep cane chair, and, curled in his arms asleep with +her head against his neck was Tessa.</p> + +<p>Monck's eyes were fixed straight before him. He was evidently deep in +thought. But the grim lines about his mouth were softened, and even as +Stella looked he stirred a little very cautiously to ease the child's +position. Something in the action sent the tears to her eyes. She went +back into her room, asking herself how she had ever doubted for a moment +the goodness of his heart.</p> + +<p>Somewhere down the hill the blue jay was laughing hilariously, +scoffingly, as one who marked, with cynical amusement the passing show +of life; and a few seconds later the Rajah's car flashed past, carrying +the Rajah and a woman wearing a cloudy veil that streamed far out behind +her.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_VI'></a><h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h3>THE ARRIVAL</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Two months later, on a dripping evening in August, Monck stood alone on +the verandah of his bungalow at Udalkhand with a letter from Stella in +his hand. He had hurried back from duty on purpose to secure it, knowing +that it would be awaiting him. She had become accustomed to the +separation now, though she spoke yearningly of his next leave. Mrs. +Ralston had joined her, and she wrote quite cheerfully. She was very +well, and looking forward—oh, so much—to the winter. There was +certainly no sadness to be detected between the lines, and Monck folded +up the letter and looked across the dripping compound with a smile in +his eyes.</p> + +<p>When the winter came, he would probably have taken up his new +appointment. Sir Reginald Bassett—a man of immense influence and +energy—was actually in Udalkhand at that moment. He was ostensibly +paying a friendly visit at the Colonel's bungalow, but Monck knew well +what it was that had brought him to that steaming corner of Markestan in +the very worst of the rainy season. He had come to make some definite +arrangement with him. Probably before that very night was over, he would +have begun to gather the fruit of his ambition. He had started already +to climb the ladder, and he would raise Stella with him, Stella and that +other being upon whom he sometimes suffered his thoughts to dwell with a +semi-humorous contemplation as—his son. A fantastic fascination hung +about the thought. He could not yet visualize himself as a father. It +was easier far to picture Stella as a mother. But yet, like a magnet +drawing him, the vision seemed to beckon. He walked the desert with a +lighter step, and Tommy swore that he was growing younger.</p> + +<p>There was an enclosure in Stella's letter from Tessa, who called him her +darling Uncle Everard and begged him to come soon and see how good she +was getting. He smiled a little over this also, but with a touch of +wonder. The child's worship seemed extraordinary to him. His conquest of +Tessa had been quite complete, but it was odd that in consequence of it +she should love him as she loved no one else on earth. Yet that she did +so was an indubitable fact. Her devotion exceeded even that of Tommy, +which was saying much. She seemed to regard him as a sacred being, and +her greatest pleasure in life was to do him service.</p> + +<p>He put her letter away also, reflecting that he must manage somehow to +make time to answer it. As he did so, he heard Tommy's voice hail him +from the compound, and in a moment the boy raced into sight, taking the +verandah steps at a hop, skip, and jump.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, old chap! Admiring the view eh? What? Got some letters? Have you +heard from your brother yet?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word for weeks." Monck turned to meet him. "I can't think what +has happened to him."</p> + +<p>"Can't you though? I can!" Tommy seized him impetuously by the shouders; +he was rocking with laughter. "Oh, Everard, old boy, this beats +everything! That brother of yours is coming along the road now. And he's +travelled all the way from Khanmulla in a—in a bullock-cart!"</p> + +<p>"What?" Monck stared in amazement. "Are you mad?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"No—no. It's true! Go and see for yourself, man! They're just getting +here, slow and sure. He must be well stocked with patience. Come on! +They're stopping at the gate now."</p> + +<p>He dragged his brother-in-law to the steps. Monck went, half-suspicious +of a hoax. But he had barely reached the path below when through the +rain there came the sound of wheels and heavy jingling.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" yelled Tommy. "It's too good to miss!"</p> + +<p>But ere they arrived at the gate it was blocked by a massive figure in a +streaming black mackintosh, carrying a huge umbrella. "I say," said a +soft voice, "what a damn' jolly part of the world to live in!"</p> + +<p>"Bernard!" Monck's voice sounded incredulous, yet he passed Tommy at a +bound.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, my boy, hullo!" Cheerily the newcomer made answer. "How do you +open this beastly gate? Oh, I see! Swelled a bit from the rain. I must +see to that for you presently. Hullo, Everard! I chanced to find myself +in this direction so thought I would look up you and your wife. How are +you, my boy?"</p> + +<p>An immense hand came forth and grasped Monck's. A merry red face beamed +at him from under the great umbrella. Twinkling eyes with red lashes +shone with the utmost good-will.</p> + +<p>Monck gripped the hand as if he would never let it go. But "My good man, +you're mad to come here!" were the only words of welcome he found to +utter.</p> + +<p>"Think so?" A humorous chuckle accompanied the words. "Well, take me +indoors and give me a drink! There are a few traps in the cart outside. +Had we better collect 'em first?"</p> + +<p>"I'll see to them," volunteered Tommy, whose sense of humour was still +somewhat out of control. "Take him in out of the rain, Everard! Send the +<i>khit</i> along!"</p> + +<p>He was gone with the words, and Everard, with his brother's hand pulled +through his arm, piloted him up to the bungalow.</p> + +<p>In the shelter of the verandah they faced each other, the one brother +square and powerful, so broad as to make his height appear +insignificant; the other, brown, lean, muscular, a soldier in every +line, his dark, resolute face a strange contrast to the ruddy open +countenance of the man who was the only near relation he possessed in +the world.</p> + +<p>"Well,—boy! I believe you've grown." The elder brother, surveyed the +younger with his shrewd, twinkling eyes. "By Jove, I'm sure you have! I +used not to have to look up to you like this. Is it this devilish +climate that does it? And what on earth do you live on? You look a +positive skeleton."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's India, yes." Everard brushed aside all personal comment as +superfluous. "Come along in and refresh! What particular star have you +fallen from? And why in thunder didn't you say you were coming?"</p> + +<p>The elder man laughed, slapping him on the shoulder with hearty force. +His clean-shaven face was as free from care as a boy's. He looked as if +life had dealt kindly with him.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I know you," he said. "Wouldn't you have written off post-haste—if +you hadn't cabled—and said, 'Wait till the rains are over?' But I had +raised my anchor and I didn't mean to wait. So I dispensed with your +brotherly counsel, and here I am! You won't find me in the way at all. +I'm dashed good at effacing myself."</p> + +<p>"My dear good chap," Everard said, "you're about the only man in the +world who need never think of doing that."</p> + +<p>Bernard's laugh was good to hear. "Who taught you to turn such a pretty +compliment? Where is your wife? I want to see her."</p> + +<p>"You don't suppose I keep her in this filthy place, do you?" Everard was +pouring out a drink as he spoke. "No, no! She has been at Bhulwana in +the Hills for the past three months. Now, St. Bernard, is this as you +like it?"</p> + +<p>The big man took the glass, looking at him with a smile of kindly +criticism. "Well, you won't bore each other at that rate, anyhow," he +remarked. "Here's to you both! I drink to the greatest thing in life!" +He drank deeply and set down the glass. "Look here! You're just off to +mess. Don't let me keep you! All I want is a cold bath. And then—if +you've got a spare shakedown of any sort—going to bed is mere ritual +with me. I can sleep on my head—anywhere."</p> + +<p>"You'll sleep in a decent bed," declared Everard. "But you're coming +along to mess with me first. Oh yes, you are. Of course you are! There's +an hour before us yet though. Hullo, Tommy! Let me introduce you +formally to my brother! St. Bernard,—my brother-in-law Tommy Denvers."</p> + +<p>Tommy came in through the window and shook hands with much heartiness.</p> + +<p>"The <i>khit</i> is seeing to everything. Pleased to meet you, sir! Beastly +wet for you, I'm afraid, but there's worse things than rain in India. +Hope you had a decent voyage."</p> + +<p>Bernard laughed in his easy, good-humoured fashion. "Like the niggers, +I can make myself comfortable most anywheres. We had rather a foul time +after leaving Aden. Ratting in the hold was our main excitement when we +weren't sweating at the pumps. Oh no, I didn't come over in one of your +majestic liners. I have a sailor's soul."</p> + +<p>A flicker of admiration shot through the merriment in Tommy's eyes. +"Wish I had," he observed. "But the very thought of the sea turns mine +upside down. If you're keen on ratting, there's plenty of sport of that +kind to be had here. The brutes hold gymkhanas on the verandah every, +night. I sit up with a gun sometimes when Everard is out of the way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's a peaceful person to live with," remarked Everard. "Have +something to eat, St. Bernard!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, thanks! My appetite will keep. A cold bath is my most pressing +need. Can I have that?"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" said Tommy. "You 're coming to mess with us of course? Old +Reggie Bassett is honouring us with his presence to-night. It will be a +historic occasion, eh, Everard?"</p> + +<p>He smiled upon the elder brother with obvious pleasure at the prospect. +Bernard Monck always met with a welcome wherever he went, and Tommy was +prepared to like any one belonging to Everard. It was good too to see +Everard with that eager light in his eyes. During the whole of their +acquaintance he had never seen him look so young.</p> + +<p>Bernard held a somewhat different opinion, however, and as he found +himself alone again with his brother he took him by the shoulders, and +held him for a closer survey.</p> + +<p>"What has India been doing to you, dear fellow?" he said. "You look +about as ancient as the Sphinx. Been working like a dray-horse all this +time?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps." Everard's smile held something of restraint. "We can't all of +us stand still, St. Bernard. Perpetual youth is given only to the +favoured few."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The older man's eyes narrowed a little. For a moment there existed +a curious, wholly indefinite, resembance between them. "And you are +happy?" he asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>Everard's eyes held a certain hardness as he replied, "Provisionally, +yes. I haven't got all I want yet—if that's what you mean. But I am on +the way to getting it."</p> + +<p>Bernard Monck looked at him a moment longer, and let him go. "Are you +sure you're wanting the right thing?" he said.</p> + +<p>It was not a question that demanded an answer, and Everard made none. He +turned aside with a scarcely perceptible lift of the shoulders.</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me yet how you come to be here," he said. "Have you +given up the Charthurst chaplaincy?"</p> + +<p>"It gave me up." Bernard spoke quietly, but there was deep regret in his +voice. "A new governor came—a man of curiously rigid ideas. Anyway, I +was not parson enough for him. We couldn't assimilate. I tried my +hardest, but we couldn't get into touch anywhere. I preached the law of +Divine liberty to the captives. And he—good man! preferred to keep them +safely locked in the dungeon. I was forced to quit the position. I had +no choice."</p> + +<p>"What a fool!" observed Everard tersely.</p> + +<p>Bernard's ready smile re-appeared. "Thanks, old chap!" he said. "That's +just the point of view I wanted you to take. Now I have other schemes on +hand. I'll tell you later what they are. I think I'd better have that +cold bath next if you're really going to take me along to mess with you. +By Jove, how it does rain! Does it ever leave off in these parts?"</p> + +<p>"Not very often this time of the year. I'm not going to let you stay +here for long." Everard spoke with his customary curt decision. "It's no +place for fellows like you. You must go to Bhulwana and join my wife."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks!" Bernard made a grotesque gesture of submission. "What +sort of woman is your wife, my son? Do you think she will like me?"</p> + +<p>Everard turned and smote him on the shoulder. "Of course she will! She +will adore you. All women do."</p> + +<p>"Oh, not quite!" protested Bernard modestly. "I'm not tall enough to +please everyone of the feminine gender. But you think your wife will +overlook that?"</p> + +<p>"I know," said Everard, with conviction.</p> + +<p>His brother laughed with cheery self-satisfaction. "In that case, of +course I shall adore her," he said.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_VII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h3>FALSE PRETENCES</h3> +<br /> + +<p>They were a merry party at mess that night. General Sir Reginald Bassett +was a man of the bluff soldierly order who knew how to command respect +from his inferiors while at the same time he set them at their ease. +There was no pomp and circumstance about him, yet in the whole of the +Indian Empire there was not an officer more highly honoured and few who +possessed such wide influence as "old Sir Reggie," as irreverent +subalterns fondly called him.</p> + +<p>The new arrival, Bernard Monck, diffused a genial atmosphere quite +unconsciously wherever he went, and he and the old Indian soldier +gravitated towards each other almost instinctively. Colonel Mansfield +declared later that they made it impossible for him to maintain order, +so spontaneous and so infectious was the gaiety that ran round the +board. Even Major Ralston's leaden sense of humour was stirred. As Tommy +had declared, it promised to be a historic occasion.</p> + +<p>When the time for toasts arrived and, after the usual routine, the +Colonel proposed the health of their honoured guest of the evening, Sir +Reginald interposed with a courteous request that that of their other +guest might be coupled with his, and the dual toast was drunk with +acclamations.</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing more of you during your stay +in India," the General remarked to his fellow-guest when he had returned +thanks and quiet was restored. "You have come for the winter, I +presume."</p> + +<p>Bernard laughed. "Well, no, sir, though I shall hope to see it through. +I am not globe-trotting, and times and seasons don't affect me much. My +only reason for coming out at all was to see my brother here. You see, +we haven't met for a good many years."</p> + +<p>The statement was quite casually made, but Major Burton, who was seated +next to him, made a sharp movement as if startled. He was a man who +prided himself upon his astuteness in discovering discrepancies in even +the most truthful stories.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you meet last year when he went Home?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Last year! No. He wasn't Home last year." Bernard looked full at his +questioner, understanding neither his tone nor look.</p> + +<p>A sudden silence had fallen near them; it spread like a widening ring +upon disturbed waters.</p> + +<p>Major Burton spoke, in his voice, a queer, scoffing inflection. "He was +absent on Home leave anyway. We all understood—were given to +understand—that you had sent him an urgent summons."</p> + +<p>"I?" For an instant Bernard Monck stared in genuine bewilderment. Then +abruptly he turned to his brother who was listening inscrutably on the +other side of the table. "Some mistake here, Everard," he said. "You +haven't been Home for seven years or more have you?"</p> + +<p>There was dead silence in the room as he put the question—a silence, so +full of expectancy as to be almost painful. Across the table the eyes of +the two brothers met and held.</p> + +<p>Then, "I have not," said Everard Monck with quiet finality.</p> + +<p>There was no note of challenge in his voice, neither was there any +dismay. But the effect of his words upon every man present was as if he +had flung a bomb into their midst. The silence endured tensely for a +couple of seconds, then there came a hard breath and a general movement +as if by common consent the company desired to put an end to a +situation, that had become unendurable.</p> + +<p>Bertie Oakes dug Tommy in the ribs, but Tommy was as white as death and +did not even feel it. Something had happened, something that made him +feel giddy and very sick. That significant silence was to him nothing +short of tragedy. He had seen his hero topple at a touch from the high +pinnacle on which he had placed him, and he felt as if the very ground +under his feet had become a quicksand.</p> + +<p>As in a maze of shifting impressions he heard Sir Reginald valiantly +covering the sudden breach, talking inconsequently in a language which +Tommy could not even recognize as his own. And the Colonel was seconding +his efforts, while Major Burton sat frowning at the end of his cigar as +if he were trying to focus his sight upon something infinitesimal and +elusive. No one looked at Monck, in fact everyone seemed studiously to +avoid doing so. Even his brother seemed lost in meditation with his eyes +fixed immovably upon a lamp that hung from the ceiling and swayed +ponderously in the draught.</p> + +<p>Then at last there came a definite move, and Bertie Oakes poked him +again. "Are you moonstruck?" he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy got up with the rest, still feeling sick and oddly unsure of +himself. He pushed his brother-subaltern aside as if he had been an +inanimate object, and somehow, groping, found his way to the door and +out to the entrance for a breath of air.</p> + +<p>It was raining heavily and the odour of a thousand intangible things +hung in the atmosphere. For a space he leaned in the doorway +undisturbed; then, heralded by the smell of a rank cigar, Ralston +lounged up and joined him.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for a safe corner to catch fever in?" he inquired +phlegmatically, after a pause.</p> + +<p>Tommy made a restless movement, but spoke no word.</p> + +<p>Ralston smoked for a space in silence. From behind them there came the +rattle of billiard-balls and careless clatter of voices. Before them was +a pall-like darkness and the endless patter of rain.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ralston spoke. "Make no mistake!" he said. "There's a reason +for everything."</p> + +<p>The words sounded irrelevant; they even had a sententious ring. Yet +Tommy turned towards him with an impulsive gesture of gratitude.</p> + +<p>"Of course!" he said.</p> + +<p>Ralston relapsed into a ruminating silence. A full minute elapsed before +he spoke again. Then: "You don't like taking advice I know," he said, in +his stolid, somewhat gruff fashion. "But if you're wise, you'll swallow +a stiff dose of quinine before you turn in. Good-night!"</p> + +<p>He swung round on his heel and walked away. Tommy knew that he had gone +for his nightly game of chess with Major Burton and would not exchange +so much as another half-dozen words with any one during the rest of the +evening.</p> + +<p>He himself remained for a while where he was, recovering his balance; +then at length donned his mackintosh, and tramped forth into the night. +Ralston was right. Doubtless there was a reason. He would stake his life +on Everard's honour whatever the odds.</p> + +<p>In a quiet corner of the ante-room sat Everard Monck, deeply immersed in +a paper. Near him a group of bridge-players played an almost silent +game. Sir Reginald and his brother had followed the youngsters to the +billiard-room, the Colonel had accompanied them, but after a decent +interval he left the guests to themselves and returned to the ante-room.</p> + +<p>He passed the bridge-players by and came to Monck. The latter glanced up +at his approach.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for me, sir?"</p> + +<p>"If you can spare me a moment, I shall be glad," the Colonel said +formally.</p> + +<p>Monck rose instantly. His dark face had a granite-like look as he +followed his superior officer from the room. The bridge-players watched +him with furtive attention, and resumed their game in silence.</p> + +<p>The Colonel led the way back to the mess-room, now deserted. "I shall +not keep you long," he said, as Monck shut the door and moved forward. +"But I must ask of you an explanation of the fact which came to light +this evening." He paused a moment, but Monck spoke no word, and he +continued with growing coldness. "Rather more than a year ago you +refused a Government mission, for which your services were urgently +required, on the plea of pressing business at Home. You had Home +leave—at a time when we were under-officered—to carry this business +through. Now, Captain Monck, will you be good enough to tell me how and +where you spent that leave? Whatever you say I shall treat as +confidential."</p> + +<p>He still spoke formally, but the usual rather pompous kindliness of his +face had given place to a look of acute anxiety.</p> + +<p>Monck stood at the table, gazing straight before him. "You have a +perfect right to ask, sir," he said, after a moment. "But I am not in a +position to answer."</p> + +<p>"In other words, you refuse to answer?" The Colonel's voice had a rasp +in it, but that also held more of anxiety than anger.</p> + +<p>Monck turned and directly faced him. "I am compelled to refuse," he +said.</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence. Colonel Mansfield was looking at him as if he +would read him through and through. But no stone mask could have been +more impenetrable than Monck's face as he stood stiffly waiting.</p> + +<p>When the Colonel spoke again it was wholly without emotion. His tones +fell cold and measured. "You obtained that leave upon false pretences? +You had no urgent business?"</p> + +<p>Monck answered him with machine-like accuracy. "Yes, sir, I deceived +you. But my business was urgent nevertheless. That is my only excuse."</p> + +<p>"Was it in connection with some Secret Service requirement?" The +Colonel's tone was strictly judicial now; he had banished all feeling +from face and manner.</p> + +<p>And again, like a machine, Monck made his curt reply. "No, sir."</p> + +<p>"There was nothing official about it?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"I am to conclude then—" again the rasp was in the Colonel's voice, but +it sounded harsher now—"that the business upon which you absented +yourself was strictly private and personal?"</p> + +<p>"It was, sir."</p> + +<p>The commanding officer's brows contracted heavily. "Am I also to +conclude that it was something of a dishonourable nature?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Monck made a scarcely perceptible movement. It was as if the point had +somehow pierced his armour. But he covered it instantly. "Your +deductions are of your own making, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"I see." The Colonel's tone was openly harsh. "You are ashamed to tell +me the truth. Well, Captain Monck, I cannot compel you to do so. But it +would have been better for your own sake if you had taken up a less +reticent attitude. Of course I realize that there are certain shameful +occasions regarding which any man must keep silence, but I had not +thought you capable of having a secret of that description to guard. I +think it very doubtful if General Bassett will now require your services +upon his staff."</p> + +<p>He paused. Monck's hands were clenched and rigid, but he spoke no word, +and gave no other sign of emotion.</p> + +<p>"You have nothing to say to me?" the Colonel asked, and for a moment the +official air was gone. He spoke as one man to another and almost with +entreaty.</p> + +<p>But, "Nothing, sir," said Monck firmly, and the moment passed.</p> + +<p>The Colonel turned aside. "Very well," he said briefly.</p> + +<p>Monck swung round and opened the door for him, standing as stiffly as a +soldier on parade.</p> + +<p>He went out without a backward glance.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_3_CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h3>THE WRATH OF THE GODS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was nearly an hour later that Everard Monck and his brother left the +mess together and walked back through the dripping darkness to the +bungalow on the hill overlooking the river. The rush of the swollen +stream became audible as they drew near. The sound of it was +inexpressibly wild and desolate.</p> + +<p>"It's an interesting country," remarked Bernard, breaking a silence. "I +don't wonder she has got hold of you, my son. What does your wife think +of it? Is she too caught in the toils?"</p> + +<p>Not by word or look had he made the smallest reference to the episode at +the mess-table. It was as if he alone of those present had wholly missed +its significance.</p> + +<p>Everard answered him quietly, without much emphasis. "I believe my wife +hates it from beginning to end. Perhaps it is not surprising. She has +been through a good deal since she came out. And I am afraid there is a +good deal before her still."</p> + +<p>Bernard's big hand closed upon his arm. "Poor old chap!" lie said. "You +Indian fellows don't have any such time of it, or your women folk +either. How long is she a fixture at Bhulwana?"</p> + +<p>"The baby is expected in two months' time." Everard spoke without +emotion, his voice sounded almost cold. "After that, I don't know what +will happen. Nothing is settled. Tell me your plans now! No, wait! Let's +get in out of this damned rain first!"</p> + +<p>They entered the bungalow and sat down for another smoke in the +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>Down by the river a native instrument thrummed monotonously, like the +whirring of a giant mosquito in the darkness. Everard turned with a +slight gesture of impatience and closed the window.</p> + +<p>He established his brother in a long chair with a drink at his elbow, +and sat down himself without any pretence at taking his ease.</p> + +<p>"You don't look particularly comfortable," Bernard observed.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind me!" he made curt response. "I've got a touch of fever +to-night. It's nothing. I shall be all right in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Sure?" Bernard's eyes suddenly ceased to be quizzical; they looked at +him straight and hard.</p> + +<p>Everard met the look, faintly smiling. "I don't lie about—unimportant +things," he remarked cynically. "Light up, man, and fire away!"</p> + +<p>He struck a match for his brother's pipe and kindled his own cigarette +thereat.</p> + +<p>There fell a brief silence. Bernard did not look wholly satisfied. But +after a few seconds he seemed to dismiss the matter and began to talk of +himself.</p> + +<p>"You want to know my plans, old chap. Well, as far as I know 'em myself, +you are quite welcome. With your permission, I propose, for the present, +to stay where I am."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't if I were you." Everard spoke with brief decision. "You'd +be far better off at Bhulwana till the end of the rains."</p> + +<p>Bernard puffed forth a great cloud of smoke and stared at the ceiling. +"That is as may be, dear fellow," he said, after a moment. "But I +think—if you'll put up with me—I'll stay here for the present all the +same."</p> + +<p>He spoke in that peculiarly gentle voice of his that yet held +considerable resolution. Everard made no attempt to combat the decision. +Perhaps he realized the uselessness of such a proceeding.</p> + +<p>"Stay by all means!" he said, "but what's the idea?"</p> + +<p>Bernard took his pipe from his mouth. "I have a big fight before me, +Everard boy," he said, "a fight against the sort of prejudice that +kicked me out of the Charthurst job. It's got to be fought with the +pen—since I am no street corner ranter. I have the solid outlines of +the campaign in my head, and I have come out here to get right away +from things and work it out."</p> + +<p>"Going to reform creation?" suggested Everard, with his grim smile.</p> + +<p>Bernard shook his head, smiling in answer as though the cynicism had not +reached him. "No, that's not my job. I am only a man under +authority—like yourself. I don't see the result at all. I only see the +work, and with God's help, that will be exactly what He intended it +should be when He gave it to me to do."</p> + +<p>"Lucky man!" said Everard briefly.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I didn't think myself lucky when I had to give up the Charthurst +chaplaincy." Bernard spoke through a haze of smoke. "I'm afraid I kicked +a bit at first—which was a short-sighted thing to do, I admit. But I +had got to look on it as my life-work, and I loved it. It held such +opportunities." He broke off with a sharp sigh. "I shall be at it again +if I go on. Can't you give me something pleasanter to think about? +Haven't you got a photograph of your wife to show me?"</p> + +<p>Everard got up. "Yes, I have. But it doesn't do her justice." He took a +letter-case from his pocket and opened it. A moment he stood bent over +the portrait he withdrew from it, then turned and handed it to his +brother.</p> + +<p>Bernard studied it in silence. It was an unmounted amateur photograph of +Stella standing on the creeper-grown verandah of the Green Bungalow. She +was smiling, but her eyes were faintly sad, as though shadowed by the +memory of some past pain.</p> + +<p>For many seconds Bernard gazed upon the pictured face. Finally he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Your wife must be a very beautiful woman."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Everard quietly.</p> + +<p>He spoke gravely. His brother's eyes travelled upwards swiftly. "That +was not what you married her for, eh?"</p> + +<p>Everard stooped and took the portrait from him. "Well, no—not +entirely," he said.</p> + +<p>Bernard smiled a little. "You haven't told me much about her, you know. +How long have you been acquainted?"</p> + +<p>"Nearly two years. I think I mentioned in my letter that she was the +widow of a comrade?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember. But you were rather vague about it. What happened to +him? Didn't he meet with a violent death?"</p> + +<p>There was a pause. Everard was still standing with his eyes fixed upon +the photograph. His face was stern.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" questioned Bernard. "Didn't he fall over a precipice?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," abruptly the younger man made answer. "It happened in Kashmir +when they were on their honeymoon."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Poor girl! She must have suffered. What was his name? Was he a pal +of yours?"</p> + +<p>"More or less." Everard's voice rang hard. "His name was Dacre."</p> + +<p>"Oh, to be sure. The man I wrote to you about just before poor Madelina +Belleville died in prison. Her husband's name was Dacre. He was in the +Army too, and she thought he was in India. But it's not a very uncommon +name." Bernard spoke thoughtfully. "You said he was no relation."</p> + +<p>"I said to the best of my belief he was not." Everard turned suddenly +and sat down. "People are not keen, you know, on owning to shady +relations. He was no exception to the rule. But if the woman died, it's +of no great consequence now to any one. When did she die?"</p> + +<p>Bernard took a long pull at his pipe. His brows were slightly drawn. +"She died suddenly, poor soul. Did I never tell you? It must have been +immediately after I wrote that letter to you. It was. I remember now. It +was the very day after.... She died on the twenty-first of March—the +first day of spring. Poor girl! She had so longed for the spring. Her +time would have been up in May."</p> + +<p>Something in the silence that followed his words made him turn his head +to look at his brother. Everard was sitting perfectly rigid in his chair +staring at the ground between his feet as if he saw a serpent writhing +there. But before another word could be spoken, he got up abruptly, with +a gesture as of shaking off the loathsome thing, and went to the window. +He flung it wide, and stood in the opening, breathing hard as a man +half-suffocated.</p> + +<p>"Anything wrong, old chap?" questioned Bernard.</p> + +<p>He answered him without turning. "No; it's only my infernal head. I +think I'll turn in directly. It's a fiendish night."</p> + +<p>The rain was falling in torrents, and a long roll of thunder sounded +from afar. The clatter of the great drops on the roof of the verandah +filled the room, making all further conversation impossible. It was like +a tattoo of devils.</p> + +<p>"A damn' pleasant country this!" murmured the man in the chair.</p> + +<p>The man at the window said no word. He was gasping a little, his face to +the howling night.</p> + +<p>For a space Bernard lay and watched him. Then at last, somewhat +ponderously he arose.</p> + +<p>Everard could not have heard his approach, but he was aware of it before +he reached him. He turned swiftly round, pulling the window closed +behind him.</p> + +<p>They stood facing each other, and there was something tense in the +atmosphere, something that was oddly suggestive of mental conflict. The +devils' tattoo on the roof had sunk to a mere undersong, a fitting +accompaniment as it were to the electricity in the room.</p> + +<p>Bernard spoke at length, slowly, deliberately, but not unkindly. "Why +should you take the trouble to—fence with me?" he said. "Is it worth +it, do you think?"</p> + +<p>Everard's face was set and grey like a stone mask. He did not speak for +a moment; then curtly, noncommittally, "What do you mean?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I mean," very steadily Bernard made reply, "that the scoundrel Dacre, +who married Madelina Belleville and then deserted her, left her to go to +the dogs, and your brother-officer who was killed in the mountains on +his honeymoon, were one and the same man. And you knew it."</p> + +<p>"Well?" The words seemed to come from closed lips. There was something +terrible in the utter quietness of its utterance.</p> + +<p>Bernard searched his face as a man might search the walls of an +apparently impregnable fortress for some vulnerable spot. "Ah, I see," +he said, after a moment. "You must have believed Madelina to be still +alive when Dacre married. What was the date of his marriage?"</p> + +<p>"The twenty-fifth of March." Again the grim lips spoke without seeming +to move.</p> + +<p>A gleam of relief crossed his brother's face. "In that case no one is +any the worse. I'm sorry you've carried that bugbear about with you for +so long. What an infernal hound the fellow was!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Everard.</p> + +<p>He moved to the table and poured himself out a drink.</p> + +<p>His brother still watched him. "One might almost say his death was +providential," he observed. "Of course—your wife—never knew of this?"</p> + +<p>"No." Everard lifted the glass to his lips with a perfectly steady hand +and drank. "She never will know," he said, as he set it down.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. You can trust me never to tell her." Bernard moved to +his side, and laid a kindly hand on his shoulder. "You know you can +trust me, old fellow?"</p> + +<p>Everard did not look at him. "Yes, I know," he said.</p> + +<p>His brother's hand pressed upon him a little. "Since they are both +gone," he said, "there is nothing more to be said on the subject. But, +oh, man, stick to the truth, whatever else you let go of! You never lied +to me before."</p> + +<p>His tone was very earnest. It held urgent entreaty. Everard turned and +met his eyes. His dark face was wholly emotionless. "I am sorry, St. +Bernard," he said.</p> + +<p>Bernard's kindly smile wrinkled his eyes. He grasped and held the +younger man's hand. "All right, boy. I'm going to forget it," he said. +"Now what about turning in?"</p> + +<p>They parted for the night immediately after, the one to sleep as +serenely as a child almost as soon as he lay down, the other to pace to +and fro, to and fro, for hours, grappling—and grappling in vain—with +the sternest adversary he had ever had to encounter.</p> + +<p>For upon Everard Monck that night the wrath of the gods had descended, +and against it, even his grim fortitude was powerless to make a stand. +He was beaten before he could begin to defend himself, beaten and flung +aside as contemptible. Only one thing remained to be fought for, and +that one thing he swore to guard with the last ounce of his strength, +even at the cost of life itself.</p> + +<p>All through that night of bitter turmoil he came back again and again to +that, the only solid foothold left him in the shifting desert-sand. So +long as his heart should beat he would defend that one precious +possession that yet remained,—the honour of the woman who loved him and +whom he loved as only the few know how to love.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='PART_IV'></a><h2>PART IV</h2> + +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_I'></a><h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h3>DEVILS' DICE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"It's a pity," said Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>"It's a damnable pity, sir," Colonel Mansfield spoke with blunt +emphasis. "I have trusted the fellow almost as I would have trusted +myself. And he has let me down."</p> + +<p>The two were old friends. The tie of India bound them both. Though their +ways lay apart and they met but seldom, the same spirit was in them and +they were as comrades. They sat together in the Colonel's office that +looked over the streaming parade-ground. A gleam of morning sunshine had +pierced the clouds, and the smoke of the Plains went up like a furnace.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be too sure of that," said Sir Reginald, after a thoughtful +moment. "Things are not always what they seem. One is apt to repent of a +hasty judgment."</p> + +<p>"I know." The Colonel spoke with his eyes upon the rising cloud of steam +outside. "But this fellow has always had my confidence, and I can't get +over what he himself admits to have been a piece of double-dealing. I +suppose it was a sudden temptation, but he had always been so straight +with me; at least I had always imagined him so. He has rendered some +invaluable services too."</p> + +<p>"That is partly why I say, don't be too hasty," said Sir Reginald. "We +can't afford—India can't afford—to scrap a single really useful man."</p> + +<p>"Neither can she afford to make use of rotters," rejoined the Colonel.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald smiled a little. "I am not so sure of that, Mansfield. Even +the rotters have their uses. But I am quite convinced in my own mind +that this man is very far from being one. I feel inclined to go slow for +a time and give him a chance to retrieve himself. Perhaps it may sound +soft to you, but I have never floored a man at his first slip. And this +man has a clean record behind him. Let it stand him in good stead now!"</p> + +<p>"It will take me some time to forget it," the Colonel said. "I can +forgive almost anything except deception. And that I loathe."</p> + +<p>"It isn't pleasant to be cheated, certainly," Sir Reginald agreed. "When +did this happen? Was he married at the time?"</p> + +<p>"No." The Colonel meditated for a few seconds "He only married last +spring. This was considerably more than a year ago. It must have been +the spring of the preceding year. Yes, by Jove, it was! It was just at +the time of poor Dacre's marriage. Dacre, you know, married young +Denvers' sister—the girl who is now Monck's wife. Dacre was killed on +his honeymoon only a fortnight after the wedding. You remember that, +Burton?" He turned abruptly to the Major who had entered while he was +speaking.</p> + +<p>Burton came to a stand at the table. His eyes were set very close +together, and they glittered meanly as he made reply. "I remember it +very well indeed. His death coincided with this mysterious leave of +Monck's, and also with the unexpected absence of our man Rustam Karin +just at a moment when Barnes particularly needed him."</p> + +<p>"Who is Rustam Karin?" asked Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>"A police agent. A clever man. I may say, an invaluable man." Colonel +Mansfield was looking hard at the Major's ferret-like face as he made +reply. "No one likes the fellow. He is suspected of being a leper. But +he is clever. He is undoubtedly clever. I remember his absence. It was +at the time of that mission to Khanmulla, the mission I wanted Monck to +take in hand."</p> + +<p>"Exactly." Major Burton rapped out the word with a sound like the +cracking of a nut. "We—or rather Barnes—tried to pump Hafiz about it, +but he was a mass of ignorance and lies. I believe the old brute turned +up again before Monck's return, but he wasn't visible till afterwards. +He and Monck have always been thick as thieves—thick as thieves." He +paused, looking at Sir Reginald. "A very fishy transaction, sir," he +observed.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald's eyes met his. "Are you," he said calmly, "trying to +establish any connection between the death of Dacre and the absence from +Kurrumpore of this man Rustam Karin?"</p> + +<p>"Not only Rustam Karin, sir," responded the Major sharply.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Quite so. How did Dacre die?" Sir Reginald still spoke quietly, +judicially. There was nothing encouraging in his aspect.</p> + +<p>Burton hesitated momentarily, as if some inner warning prompted him to +go warily.</p> + +<p>"That was what no one knew for certain, sir. He disappeared one night. +The story went that he fell over a precipice. Some old native beggar +told the tale. No one knows who the man was."</p> + +<p>"But you have your eye upon Rustam Karin?" suggested Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>Burton hesitated again. "One doesn't trust these fellows, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"True!" Sir Reginald's voice sounded very dry. "Perhaps it is a mistake +to trust any one too far. This is all the evidence you can muster?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir." Burton looked suddenly embarrassed. "Of course it is not +evidence, strictly speaking," he said. "But when mysteries coincide, one +is apt to link them together. And the death of Captain Dacre always +seemed to me highly mysterious."</p> + +<p>"The death of Captain Ermsted was no less so," put in the Colonel +abruptly. "Have you any theories on that subject also?"</p> + +<p>Burton smiled, showing his teeth. "I always have theories," he said.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald made a slight movement of impatience. "I think this is +beside the point," he said. "Captain Ermsted's murderer will probably be +traced one day."</p> + +<p>"Probably, sir," agreed Major Burton, "since I hear unofficially that +Captain Monck has the matter in hand. Ah!"</p> + +<p>He broke off short as, with a brief knock at the door, Monck himself +made an abrupt appearance.</p> + +<p>He came forward as if he saw no one in the room but the Colonel. His +face wore a curiously stony look, but his eyes burned with a fierce +intensity. He spoke without apology or preliminary of any sort.</p> + +<p>"I have just had a message, sir, from Bhulwana," he said. "I wish to +apply for immediate leave."</p> + +<p>The Colonel looked at him in surprise. "A message, Captain Monck?"</p> + +<p>"From my wife," Monck said, and drew a hard breath between his teeth. +His hands were clenched hard at his sides. "I've got to go!" he said. +"I've got to go!"</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence. Then: "May I see the message?" said the +Colonel.</p> + +<p>Monck's eyelids flickered sharply, as if he had been struck across the +face. He thrust out his right hand and flung a crumpled paper upon the +table. "There, sir!" he said harshly.</p> + +<p>There was violence in the action, but it did not hold insolence. Sir +Reginald leaning forward, was watching him intently. As the Colonel, +with a word of excuse to himself, took up and opened the paper, he rose +quietly and went up to Monck. Thin, wiry, grizzled, he stopped beside +him.</p> + +<p>Major Burton retired behind the Colonel, realizing himself as +unnecessary but too curious to withdraw altogether.</p> + +<p>In the pause that followed, a tense silence reigned. Monck was swaying +as he stood. His eyes had the strained and awful look of a man with his +soul in torment. After that one hard breath, he had not breathed at all.</p> + +<p>The Colonel looked up. "Go, certainly!" he said, and there was a touch +of the old kindliness in his voice that he tried to restrain. "And as +soon as possible! I hope you will find a more reassuring state of +affairs when you get there."</p> + +<p>He held out the telegram. Monck made a movement to take it, but as he +did so the tension in which he gripped himself suddenly gave way. He +blundered forward, his hands upon the table.</p> + +<p>"She will die," he said, and there was utter despair in his tone. "She +is probably dead already."</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald took him by the arm. His face held nought but kindliness, +which he made no attempt to hide. "Sit down a minute!" he said. "Here's +a chair! Just a minute. Sit down and get your wind! What is this +message? May I read it?"</p> + +<p>He murmured something to Major Burton who turned sharply and went out. +Monck sank heavily into the chair and leaned upon the table, his head in +his hands. He was shaking all over, as if seized with an ague.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald read the message, standing beside him, a hand upon his +shoulder. "Stella desperately ill. Come. Ralston," were the words it +contained.</p> + +<p>He laid the paper upon the table, and looked across at the Colonel. The +latter nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly.</p> + +<p>Monck spoke without moving. "She is dead," he said. "My God! She is +dead!" And then, under his breath, "After all,—counting me out—it's +best—it's best. I couldn't ask for anything better at this devils' +game. Someone's got to die."</p> + +<p>He checked himself abruptly, and again a terrible shivering seized him.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald bent over him. "Pull yourself together, man! You'll need +all your strength. Please God, she'll be better when you get there!"</p> + +<p>Monck raised himself with a slow, blind movement. "Did you ever dice +with the devil?" he said. "Stake your honour—stake all you'd got—to +save a woman from hell? And then lose—my God—lose +all—even—even—the woman?" Again he checked himself. "I'm talking like +a damned fool. Stop me, someone! I've come through hell-fire and it's +scorched away my senses. I never thought I should blab like this."</p> + +<p>"It's all right," Sir Reginald said, and in his voice was steady +reassurance. "You're with friends. Get a hold on yourself! Don't say any +more!"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Monck drew a deep breath and seemed to come to himself. He lifted +a face of appalling whiteness and looked at Sir Reginald. "You're very +good, sir," he said. "I was knocked out for the moment. I'm all right +now."</p> + +<p>He made as if he would rise, but Sir Reginald checked him. "Wait a +moment longer! Major Burton will be back directly."</p> + +<p>"Major Burton?" questioned Monck.</p> + +<p>"I sent him for some brandy to steady your nerves," Sir Reginald said.</p> + +<p>"You're very good," Monck said again. He leaned his head on his hand and +sat silent.</p> + +<p>Major Burton returned with Tommy hovering anxiously behind him. The boy +hesitated a little upon entering, but the Colonel called him in.</p> + +<p>"You had better see the message too," he said. "Your sister is ill. +Captain Monck is going to her."</p> + +<p>Tommy read the message with one eye upon Monck, who drank the brandy +Burton brought and in a moment stood up.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have made such a fool of myself, sir," he said to Sir +Reginald, with a faint, grim smile. "I shall not forget your kindness, +though I hope you will forget my idiocy."</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald looked at him closely for a second. His grizzled face was +stern. Yet he held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Captain Monck!" was all he said.</p> + +<p>Monck stiffened. The smile passed from his face, leaving it inscrutable, +granite-like in its composure. It was as the donning of a mask.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, sir!" he said briefly, as he shook hands.</p> + +<p>Tommy moved to his side impulsively. He did not utter a word, but as +they went out his hand was pushed through Monck's arm in the old +confidential fashion, the old eager affection was shining in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"He has one staunch friend, anyhow," Sir Reginald muttered to the +Colonel.</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Colonel answered gravely. "He has done a good deal for young +Denvers. It's the boy's turn to make good now. There isn't much left him +besides."</p> + +<p>"Poor devil!" said Sir Reginald.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_II'></a><h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h3>OUT OF THE DARKNESS</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"You said Everard was coming. Why doesn't he come? It's very dark—it's +very dark! Can he have missed the way?"</p> + +<p>Feebly, haltingly, the words seemed to wander through the room, breaking +a great silence as it were with immense effort. Mrs. Ralston bent over +the bed and whispered hushingly that it was all right, all right, +Everard would be there soon.</p> + +<p>"But why does he take so long?" murmured Stella. "It's getting darker +every minute. And it's so steep. I keep slipping—slipping. I know he +would hold me up." And then after a moment, "Oh, Mary, am I dying? I +believe I am. But—he—wouldn't let me die."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's hand closed comfortingly upon hers. "You're quite safe, +dearest," she said. "Don't be afraid!"</p> + +<p>"But it's so dreadfully dark," Stella said restlessly. "I shouldn't mind +if I could see the way. But I can't—I can't."</p> + +<p>"Be patient, darling!" said Mrs. Ralston very tenderly. "It will be +lighter presently."</p> + +<p>It was growing very late. She herself was listening for every sound, +hoping against hope to hear the firm quiet step of the man who alone +could still her charge's growing distress.</p> + +<p>"It would be so dreadful to miss him," moaned Stella. "I have waited so +long. Mary, why don't they light a lamp?"</p> + +<p>A shaded lamp was burning on the table by the bed. Mrs. Ralston turned +and lifted the shade. But Stella shook her head with a weary discontent.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't help. It's in the desert that I mean—so that he shan't +miss me when he comes."</p> + +<p>"He cannot miss you, darling," Mrs. Ralston assured her; but in her own +heart she doubted. For the doctor had told her that he did not think she +would live through the night.</p> + +<p>Again she strained her ears to listen. She had certainly heard a sound +outside the door; but it might be only Peter who, she knew, crouched +there, alert for any service.</p> + +<p>It was Peter; but it was not Peter only, for even as she listened, the +handle of the door turned softly and someone entered. She looked up +eagerly and saw the doctor.</p> + +<p>He was a thin, grey man for whom she entertained privately a certain +feeling of contempt. She was so sure her own husband would have somehow +managed the case better. He came to the bedside, and looked at Stella, +looked closely; then turned to her friend watching beside her.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if it would disturb her to see her husband for a moment," he +said.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston suppressed a start with difficulty. "Is he here?" she +whispered.</p> + +<p>"Just arrived," he murmured back, and turned again to look at Stella who +lay motionless with closed eyes, scarcely seeming to breathe.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's whisper smote the silence, and it was the doctor's turn +to start. "Send him in at once!" she said.</p> + +<p>So insistent was her command that he stood up as if he had been prodded +into action. Mrs. Ralston was on her feet. She waved an urgent hand.</p> + +<p>"Go and get him!" she ordered almost fiercely. "It's the only chance +left. Go and fetch him!"</p> + +<p>He looked at her doubtfully for a second, then, impelled by an authority +that overrode every scruple, he turned in silence and tiptoed from the +room.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston's eyes followed him with scorn. How was it some doctors +managed—notwithstanding all their experience—to be such hopeless +idiots?</p> + +<p>The soft opening of the door again a few seconds later banished her +irritation. She turned with shining welcome in her look, and met Monck +with outstretched hands.</p> + +<p>"You're in time," she said.</p> + +<p>He gripped her hands hard, but he scarcely looked at her. In a moment he +was bending over the bed.</p> + +<p>"Stella girl! Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Everard!" The weak voice thrilled like a loosened harp-string, and the +man's dark face flashed into sudden passionate tenderness.</p> + +<p>He went down upon his knees beside the bed and gathered her to his +breast. She clung to him feebly, her lips turned to his.</p> + +<p>"My darling—oh, my darling—have you come at last?" she whispered. +"Hold me—hold me!—Don't let me die!"</p> + +<p>He held her closer and closer to his heart, so that its fierce throbbing +beat against her own. "You shan't die," he said, "you can't die—with me +here."</p> + +<p>She laughed a little, sobbingly. "You saved Tommy—twice over. I knew +you would save me—if you came in time. Oh, darling, how I have wanted +you! It's been—so dark and terrible."</p> + +<p>"But you held on!" Monck's voice was very low; it came with a manifest +effort. He was holding her to his breast as if he could never let her +go.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I held on. I knew—I knew—how—how it would hurt you—to find me +gone." Her trembling hands moved fondly about his head and finally +clasped his neck. "It's all right now," she said, with a sigh of deep +content.</p> + +<p>Monck's lips pressed hers again and again, and Mrs. Ralston went away to +the window to hide her tears. "Please, God, don't separate them now!" +she whispered.</p> + +<p>It was many minutes later that Stella spoke again, softly, into Monck's +ear. "Everard—darling husband—the baby—our baby—don't you—wouldn't +you like to see it?"</p> + +<p>"The baby!" He spoke as if startled. Somehow he had concluded from the +first that the baby would be dead, and the rapture of finding her still +living had driven the thought of everything else from his mind.</p> + +<p>"Don't move!" whispered Stella, clasping him closer. "Ask them to bring +it!"</p> + +<p>He spoke over his shoulder to Mrs. Ralston, his voice oddly cold, almost +reluctant. "Would you be good enough to bring the baby in?"</p> + +<p>She turned at once, smiling upon him shakily. But his dark face remained +wholly inscrutable, wholly unresponsive. There was something about him +that smote her with a curious chill, but she told herself that he was +worn out with hard travel and anxiety as she went from the room to +comply with his curt request.</p> + +<p>Lying against his shoulder, Stella whispered a few halting sentences. +"It—happened so suddenly. The Rajah drives so fiercely—like a man +possessed. And the car skidded on the hill. Netta Ermsted was in it, and +she screamed, and I—I was terrified because Tessa—Tessa—brave +mite—sprang in front of me. I don't know what she thought she could do. +I think partly she was angry, and lost her head. And she meant—to +help—to protect me—somehow. After that, I fainted—and when I came +round, they had brought me back here. That was ever so long ago." She +shuddered convulsively. "I've been through a lot since then."</p> + +<p>Monck's teeth closed upon his lip. He had not suspected an accident.</p> + +<p>Tremulously Stella went on. "It—was so much too soon. I +was—dreadfully—afraid for the poor wee baby. But the doctor said—the +doctor said—it was all right—only small. And oh, Everard—" her voice +thrilled again with a quivering joy—"it is a boy. I so wanted—a +son—for you."</p> + +<p>"God bless you!" he said almost inarticulately, and kissed her white +face again burningly, even with violence. She smiled at his intensity, +though it made her gasp. "I know—I know—you will be great," she said. +"And—your son—must carry on your greatness. He shall learn to +love—the Empire—as you do. We will teach him together—you and I."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Monck said, and drew the hard breath of a man struggling in deep +waters.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston returned softly with a white bundle in her arms, and +Stella's hold relaxed. Her heavy lids brightened eagerly.</p> + +<p>"My dear," Mrs. Ralston said, "the doctor has commanded me to turn your +husband out immediately. He must just peep at the darling baby and go."</p> + +<p>"Tell him to go himself—to blazes!" said Monck forcibly, and then +reached up, still curiously grim to Mrs. Ralston's observing eyes, and, +without rising from his knees, took his child into his arms.</p> + +<p>He laid it against the mother's breast, and tenderly uncovered the tiny, +sleeping face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Everard!" she said.</p> + +<p>And Mrs. Ralston turned away with a little sob. She did not believe any +longer that Stella would die. The sweet, thrilling happiness of her +voice seemed somehow to drive out the very thought of death. She had +never in her life seen any one so supremely happy. But yet—though she +was reassured—there was something else in the atmosphere that disturbed +her. She could not have said wherefore, but she was sorry for +Monck—deeply, poignantly sorry. She was certain, with that inner +conviction that needs no outer evidence, that it was more than weariness +and the strain of anxiety that had drawn those deep lines about his eyes +and mouth. He looked to her like a man who had been smitten down in the +pride of his strength, and who knew his case to be hopeless.</p> + +<p>As for Monck, he went through his ordeal unflinching, suffering as few +men are called upon to suffer and hiding it away without a quiver. All +through the hours of his journeying, he had been prepared to face—he +had actually expected—- the worst. All through those hours he had +battled to reach her indeed, straining every faculty, resisting with +almost superhuman strength every obstacle that arose to bar his +progress. But he had not thought to find her, and throughout the +long-drawn-out effort he had carried in his locked heart the knowledge +that if when he came at last to her bedside he found her—this woman +whom he loved with all the force of his silent soul—white and cold in +death, it would be the best fate that he could wish her, the best thing +that could possibly happen, so far as mortal sight could judge, for +either.</p> + +<p>But so it had not been. At the very Gate of Death she had waited for his +coming, and now he knew in his heart that she would return. The love +between them was drawing her, and the man's heart in him battled +fiercely to rejoice even while wrung with the anguish of that secret +knowledge.</p> + +<p>He hardly knew how he went through those moments which to her were such +pure ecstasy. The blood was beating wildly in his brain, and he thought +of that devils' tattoo on the roof at Udalkhand when first that dreadful +knowledge had sprung upon him like an evil thing out of the night. But +he held himself in an iron grip; he forced his mind to clearness. Even +to himself he would not seem to be aware of the agony that tore him.</p> + +<p>They whispered together for a while over the baby's head, but he never +remembered afterwards what passed or how long he knelt there. Only at +last there came a silence that drifted on and on and he knew that +Stella was asleep.</p> + +<p>Later Mrs. Ralston stooped over him and took the baby away, and he laid +his head down upon the pillow by Stella's and wished with all his soul +that the Gate before which her feet had halted would open to them both.</p> + +<p>Someone came up behind them, and stood for a few seconds looking down +upon them. He was aware of a presence, but he knelt on without +stirring—as one kneeling entranced in a sacred place. Then two hands he +knew grasped him firmly by the shoulders, raising him; he looked up +half-dazed into his brother's face.</p> + +<p>"Come along, old chap!" Bernard whispered. "You mustn't faint in here."</p> + +<p>The words roused him. The old sardonic smile showed for a moment about +his lips. He faint! But he had not slept for two nights. That would +account for that curious top-heavy feeling that possessed him. He +suffered Bernard to help him up,—good old Bernard who had watched over +him like a mother refusing flatly to remain behind, waiting upon him +hand and foot at every turn.</p> + +<p>"You come into the next room!" he whispered. "You shall be called +immediately if she wakes and wants you. But you'll crumple up if you +don't rest."</p> + +<p>There was truth in the words. Everard realized it as he went from the +room, leaning blindly upon the stout, supporting arm. His weariness +hung upon him like an overwhelming weight.</p> + +<p>He submitted himself almost mechanically to his brother's ordering, +feeling as if he moved in a dream. As in a dream also he saw Peter at +the door move, noiseless as a shadow, to assist him on the other side. +And he tried to laugh off his weakness, but the laugh stuck in his +throat.</p> + +<p>Then he found himself in a chair drinking a stiff mixture of brandy and +water, again at Bernard's behest, while Bernard stood over him, watching +with the utmost kindness in his blue eyes.</p> + +<p>The spirit steadied him. He came to himself, sat up slowly, and motioned +Peter from the room. He was his own master again. He turned to his +brother with a smile.</p> + +<p>"You're a friend in need, St. Bernard. That dose has done me good. Open +the window, old fellow, will you? Let's have some air!"</p> + +<p>Bernard flung the window wide, and the warm wet air blew in laden with +the fragrance of the teeming earth. Everard turned his face to it, +drawing in great breaths. The dawn was breaking.</p> + +<p>"She is better?" Bernard questioned, after a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I believe she has turned the corner." Everard spoke without +turning. His eyes were fixed.</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" said Bernard gently.</p> + +<p>Everard's right hand made a curious movement. It was as if it closed +upon a weapon. "You can do that part," he said, and he spoke with +constraint. "But you'd do it in any case. It's a way you've got. See the +light breaking over there? It's like a sword—turning all ways." He rose +with an obvious effort and passed his hand across his eyes. "What of +you, man?" he said. "Have they been looking after you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind me!" Bernard rejoined. "Have something to eat and turn +in! Yes, of course I'll join you with pleasure." He clapped an +affectionate hand upon his brother's shoulder. "It's a boy, I'm told. +Old fellow, I congratulate you—may he be a blessing to you all your +lives! I'll drink his health if it isn't too early."</p> + +<p>Everard broke into a brief, discordant laugh. "You'd better go to +church, St. Bernard," he said, "and pray for us!"</p> + +<p>He swung away abruptly with the words and crossed the room. The +crystal-clear rays of the new day smote full upon him as he moved, and +Bernard saw for the first time that his hair was streaked with grey.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_III'></a><h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h3>PRINCESS BLUEBELL</h3> +<br /> + +<p>To Bernard, sprawling at his ease with a pipe on the verandah some hours +later, the appearance of a small girl with bare brown legs and a very +abbreviated white muslin frock, hugging an unwilling mongoose to her +breast, came as a surprise; for she entered as one who belonged to the +establishment.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, please?" she demanded imperiously, halting before him +while she disentangled the unfortunate Scooter's rebellious legs from +her hair.</p> + +<p>Bernard sat up and removed his pipe. Meeting eyes of the darkest, +intensest blue that he had ever seen, he gave her appropriate greeting,</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Princess Bluebell! I am a humble, homeless beggar, at +present living upon the charity of my brother, Captain Monck."</p> + +<p>She came a step nearer. "Why do you call me that? You are not Captain +Monck's brother really, are you?"</p> + +<p>He spread out his hands with a deprecating gesture. "I never contradict +royal ladies, Princess, but I have always been taught to believe so."</p> + +<p>"Why do you call me Princess?" she asked, halting between suspicion and +gratification.</p> + +<p>"Because it is quite evident that you are one. There is a—bossiness +about you that proclaims the fact aloud." Bernard smiled upon her—the +smile of open goodfellowship. "Beggars always know princesses when they +see them," he said.</p> + +<p>She scrutinized him severely for a moment or two, then suddenly melted +into a gleaming, responsive smile that illuminated her little pale face +like a shaft of sunlight. She came close to him, and very graciously +proffered Scooter for a caress. "You needn't be afraid of him. He +doesn't bite," she said.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he is a bewitched prince, is he?" asked Bernard, as he +stroked the furry little animal.</p> + +<p>The great blue eyes were still fixed upon him. "No," said Tessa, after a +thoughtful moment or two. "He's only a mongoose. But I think you are a +bewitched prince. You're so big. And they always pretend to be beggars +too," she added.</p> + +<p>"And the princesses always fall in love with them before they find out," +said Bernard, looking quizzical.</p> + +<p>Tessa frowned a little. "I don't think falling in love is a very nice +game," she said. "I've seen a lot of it."</p> + +<p>"Have you indeed?" Bernard's eyes screwed up for a moment, but were +hastily restored to an expression of becoming gravity. "I don't know +much about it myself," he said. "You see, I'm an old bachelor."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you—ever—been in love?" asked Tessa incredulously.</p> + +<p>He held out his hand to her. "Yes, I'm in love at the present +moment—quite the worst sort too—love at first sight."</p> + +<p>"You are rather old, aren't you?" said Tessa dispassionately, but she +laid her hand in his notwithstanding.</p> + +<p>"Quite old enough to be kissed," he assured her, drawing her gently to +him. "Shall I tell you a secret? I'm rather fond of kissing little +girls."</p> + +<p>Tessa went into the circle of his arm with complete confidence. "I don't +mind kissing white men," she said, and held up her red lips. "But I +wouldn't kiss an Indian—not even Peter, and he's a darling."</p> + +<p>"A very wise rule, Princess," said Bernard. "And I feel duly honoured."</p> + +<p>"How is my darling Aunt Stella this morning?" demanded Tessa suddenly. +"You made me forget. <i>Ayah</i> said she would be all right, but <i>Ayah</i> says +just anything. Is she all right?"</p> + +<p>"She is better," Bernard said. "But wait a minute!" He caught her arm as +she made an impetuous movement to leave him. "I believe she's asleep +just now. You don't want to wake her?"</p> + +<p>Tessa turned upon him swiftly—wide horror in her eyes. "Is that your +way of telling me she is dead?" she said in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"No, no, child!" Bernard's reply came with instant reassurance. "But she +has been—she still is—ill. She was upset, you know. Someone in a car +startled her."</p> + +<p>"I know I was there." Tessa came close to him again, speaking in a tense +undertone; her eyes gleamed almost black. "It was the Rajah that +frightened her so—the Rajah—and my mother. I'm never going to ask God +to bless her again. I—hate her! And him too!"</p> + +<p>There was such concentrated vindictiveness in her words that even +Bernard, who had looked upon many bitter things, was momentarily +startled.</p> + +<p>"I think God would be rather sorry to hear you say that," he remarked, +after a moment. "He likes little girls to pray for their mothers."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why," said Tessa rebelliously, "not if He hasn't given them +good ones. Mine isn't good. She's very, very bad."</p> + +<p>"Then there's all the more reason to pray for her," said Bernard. "It's +the least you can do. But I don't think you ought to say that of your +mother, you know, even if you think it. It isn't loyal."</p> + +<p>"What's loyal?" said Tessa.</p> + +<p>"Loyalty is being true to any one—not telling tales about them. It's +about the only thing I learnt at school worth knowing." Bernard smiled +at her in his large way. "Never tell tales of anyone, Princess!" he +said. "It isn't cricket. Now look here! I've an awfully interesting +piece of news for you. Come quite close, and I'll whisper. Do you +know—last night—when Aunt Stella was lying ill, something happened. An +angel came to see her."</p> + +<p>"An angel!" Tessa's eyes grew round with wonder, and bluer than the +bluest bluebell. "What was he like?" she whispered breathlessly. "Did +you see him?"</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't. I think it was a she," Bernard whispered back. "And what +do you think she brought? But you'll never guess."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what?" gasped Tessa, trembling.</p> + +<p>Bernard's arm slipped round her, and Scooter with a sudden violent +effort freed himself, and was gone.</p> + +<p>"Never mind! I can get him again," said Tessa. "Or Peter will. Tell +me—quick!"</p> + +<p>"She brought—" Bernard was speaking softly into her ear—-"a little +boy-baby. Think of that! A present straight from God!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, how lovely!" Tessa gazed at him with shining eyes. "Is it here now? +May I see it? Is the angel still here?"</p> + +<p>"No, the angel has gone. But the baby is left. It is Stella's very own, +and she is to take care of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope she'll let me help her!" murmured Tessa in awe-struck +accents. "Does Uncle Everard know yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He and I got here in the night two or three hours after the baby +arrived. He was very tired, poor chap. He is resting."</p> + +<p>"And the baby?" breathed Tessa.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Ralston is taking care of the baby. I expect it's asleep," said +Bernard. "So we'll keep very quiet."</p> + +<p>"But she'll let me see it, won't she?" said Tessa anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No doubt she will, Princess. But I shouldn't disturb them yet. It's +early you know."</p> + +<p>"Mightn't I just go in and kiss Uncle Everard?" pleaded Tessa. "I love +him so very much. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."</p> + +<p>"Let him rest a bit longer!" advised Bernard. "He is worn out. Sit down +here, on the arm of my chair, and tell me about yourself! Where have you +come from?"</p> + +<p>Tessa jerked her head sideways. "Down there. We live at The Grand Stand. +We've been there a long time now, nearly ever since Daddy went away. +He's in Heaven. A <i>budmash</i> shot him in the jungle. Mother made a great +fuss about it at the time, but she doesn't care now she can go motoring +with the Rajah. He is a nasty beast," said Tessa with emphasis. "I +always did hate him. And he frightened my darling Aunt Stella at the +gate yesterday. I—could have—killed him for it."</p> + +<p>"What did he do?" asked Bernard.</p> + +<p>"I don't know quite; but the car twisted round on the hill, and Aunt +Stella thought it was going to upset. I tried to take care of her, but +we were both nearly run over. He's a horrid man!" Tessa declared. "He +caught hold of me the other day because I got between him and Mother +when they were sitting smoking together. And I bit him." Vindictive +satisfaction sounded in Tessa's voice. "I bit him hard. He soon let go +again."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't he angry?" asked Bernard.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, very angry. So was Mother. She told him he might whip me if he +liked. Fancy being whipped by a native!" High scorn thrilled in the +words. "But he didn't. He laughed in his slithery way and showed his +teeth like a jackal and said—and said—I was too pretty to be whipped." +Tessa ground her teeth upon the memory. It was evidently even-more +humiliating than the suggested punishment. "And then he kissed me—he +kissed me—" she shuddered at the nauseating recollection—"and let me +go."</p> + +<p>Bernard was listening attentively. His eyes were less kindly than usual. +They had a steely look. "I should keep out of his way, if I were you," +he said.</p> + +<p>"I will—I do!" declared Tessa. "But I do hate the way he goes on with +Mother. He'd never have dared if Daddy had been here."</p> + +<p>"He is evidently a bounder," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>They sat for some time on the verandah, growing pleasantly intimate, +till presently Peter came out with an early breakfast for Bernard. He +invited Tessa to join him, which she consented to do with alacrity.</p> + +<p>"We must find Scooter afterwards," she said, as she proudly poured out +his coffee. "And then perhaps, if I keep good, Aunt Mary will let me see +the baby."</p> + +<p>"Wonder if you will manage to keep good till then," observed a voice +behind them.</p> + +<p>She turned with a squeak of delight and sprang to meet Everard.</p> + +<p>He was looking haggard in the morning light, but he smiled upon her in a +way she had never seen before, and he stooped and kissed her with a +tenderness that amazed her.</p> + +<p>"Stella tells me you were very brave yesterday," he said.</p> + +<p>"Was I? When?" Tessa opened her blue eyes to their widest extent. "Oh, I +was only—angry," she said then. "Darling Aunt Stella was frightened."</p> + +<p>He patted her shoulder. "You meant to take care of her, so I'm grateful +all the same," he said.</p> + +<p>Tessa clung to his arm. "I'd like to come and take care of her always," +she said, rather wistfully. "I can easily be spared, Uncle Everard. And +I'm really not nearly so naughty as I used to be."</p> + +<p>He smiled at the words, but did not respond. "Where's Scooter?" he said.</p> + +<p>They spent some time hunting for him, but it was left to Peter finally +to unearth him, for in the middle of the search Mrs. Ralston came softly +out upon the verandah with the baby in her arms, and at once all Tessa's +thoughts were centred upon the new arrival. She had never before seen +anything so tiny, so red, or so utterly beautiful!</p> + +<p>Bernard left his breakfast to join the circle of admirers, and when the +doctor arrived a few minutes later he was in triumphant possession of +the small bundle that held them all spellbound. He knew how to handle a +baby, and was extremely proud of the accomplishment.</p> + +<p>It was not till two days later, however, that he was admitted to see the +mother. She had turned the corner, they said, but she was terribly weak. +Yet, as soon as she heard of the presence of her brother-in-law, she +insisted upon seeing him.</p> + +<p>Everard brought him in to her, but for the first time in her life she +dismissed him when the introduction was effected.</p> + +<p>"We shall get on better alone," she said, with a smile. "You come +back—afterwards."</p> + +<p>So Everard withdrew, and Bernard sat down by her side, his big hand +holding hers.</p> + +<p>"That is nice," she said, her pale face turned to him. "I have been +wanting to know you ever since Everard first told me of you."</p> + +<p>He bent with a little smile and kissed the slender fingers he held. +"Then the desire has been mutual," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you." Stella's eyes were fixed upon his face. "I was afraid," +she said, with slight hesitation, "that you might think—when you saw +Everard—that marriage hadn't altogether agreed with him."</p> + +<p>Bernard's kindly blue eyes met hers with absolute directness. "No, I +shouldn't have thought that," he said. "But I see a change in him of +course. He is growing old much too fast. What is it? Overwork?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know." She still spoke with hesitation. "I think it is a good +deal—anxiety."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Bernard's hand closed very strongly upon hers. "He is not the only +person that suffers from that complaint, I think."</p> + +<p>She smiled rather wanly. "I ought not to worry. It's wrong, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"It's unnecessary," he said. "And it's a handicap to progress. But it's +difficult not to when things go wrong, I admit. We need to keep a very +tight hold on faith. And even then—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, even then—" Stella said, her lips quivering a little—"when the +one beloved is in danger, who can be untroubled?"</p> + +<p>"We are all in the same keeping," said Bernard gently. "I think that's +worth remembering. If we can trust ourselves to God, we ought to be able +to trust even the one beloved to His care."</p> + +<p>Stella's eyes were full of tears. "I am afraid I don't know Him well +enough to trust Him like that," she said.</p> + +<p>Bernard leant towards her. "My dear," he said, "it is only by faith +that you can ever come to knowledge. You have to trust without +definitely knowing. Knowledge—that inner certainty—comes afterwards, +always afterwards. You can't get it for yourself. You can only pray for +it, and prepare the ground."</p> + +<p>Her fingers pressed his feebly. "I wonder," she said, "if you have ever +known what it was to walk in darkness."</p> + +<p>Bernard smiled. "Yes, I have floundered pretty deep in my time," he +said. "There's only one thing for it, you know; just to keep on till the +light comes. You'll find, when the lamp shines across the desert at +last, that you're not so far out of the track after all—if you're only +keeping on. That's the main thing to remember."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Stella sighed. "I believe you could help me a lot."</p> + +<p>"Delighted to try," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>But she shook her head. "No, not now, not yet. I want you—to take care +of Everard for me."</p> + +<p>"Can't he take care of himself?" questioned Bernard. "I thought I had +taught him to be fairly independent."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't that," she said. "It is—it is—India."</p> + +<p>He leaned nearer to her, the smile gone from his eyes. "I thought so," +he said. "You needn't be afraid to speak out to me. I am discretion +itself, especially where he is concerned. What has India been doing to +him?"</p> + +<p>With a faint gesture she motioned him nearer still. Her face was very +pale, but resolution was shining in her eyes. "Don't let us be +disturbed!" she whispered. "And I—I will tell you—all I know."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_IV'></a><h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h3>THE SERPENT IN THE DESERT</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The battalion was ordered back to Kurrumpore for the winter months, +ostensibly to go into a camp of exercise, though whispers of some deeper +motive for the move were occasionally heard. Markestan, though outwardly +calm and well-behaved, was not regarded with any great confidence by the +Government, so it was said, though, officially, no one had the smallest +suspicion of danger.</p> + +<p>It was with mixed feelings that Stella returned at length to The Green +Bungalow, nearly three months after her baby's birth. During that time +she had seen a good deal of her brother-in-law, who, nothing daunted by +the discomforts of the journey, went to and fro several times between +Bhulwana and the Plains. They had become close friends, and Stella had +grown to regard his presence as a safeguard and protection against the +nameless evils that surrounded Everard, though she could not have said +wherefore.</p> + +<p>He it was who, with Peter's help, prepared the bungalow for her coming. +It had been standing empty all through the hot weather and the rains. +The compound was a mass of overgrown verdure, and the bungalow itself +was in some places thick with fungus.</p> + +<p>When Stella came to it, however, all the most noticeable traces of +neglect had been removed. The place was scrubbed clean. The ragged roses +had been trained along the verandah-trellis, and fresh Indian matting +had been laid down everywhere.</p> + +<p>The garden was still a wilderness, but Bernard declared that he would +have it in order before many weeks had passed. It was curious how, with +his very limited knowledge of natives and their ways, he managed to +extract the most willing labour from them. Peter the Great smiled with +gratified pride whenever he gave him an order, and all the other +servants seemed to entertain a similar veneration for the big, blue-eyed +<i>sahib</i> who was never heard to speak in anger or impatience, and yet +whose word was one which somehow no one found it possible to disregard.</p> + +<p>Tommy had become fond of him also. He was wont to say that Bernard was +the most likable fellow he had ever met. An indefinable barrier had +grown up between him and his brother-in-law, which, desperately though +he had striven against it, had made the old easy intercourse impossible. +Bernard was in a fashion the link between them. Strangely they were +always more intimate in his presence than when alone, less conscious of +unknown ground, of reserves that could not be broached.</p> + +<p>Strive as he might, Tommy could not forget that evening at the mess—the +historic occasion, as he had lightly named it—when like an evil magic +at work he had witnessed the smirching of his hero's honour. He had +sought to bury the matter deep, to thrust it out of all remembrance, but +the evil wrought was too subtle and too potent. It reared itself against +him and would not be trampled down.</p> + +<p>Had any of his brother-officers dared to mention the affair to him, he +would have been furious, would strenuously have defended that which +apparently his friend did not deem it worth his while to defend. But no +one ever spoke of it. It dwelt among them, a shameful thing, ignored yet +ever present.</p> + +<p>Everard came and went as before, only more reticent, more grim, more +unapproachable than he had ever been in the old days. His utter +indifference to the cold courtesy accorded him was beyond all scorn. He +simply did not see when men avoided him. He was supremely unaware of the +coldness that made Tommy writhe in impotent rebellion. He had never +mixed very freely with his fellows. Upon Tommy alone had he bestowed his +actual friendship, and to Tommy alone did he now display any definite +change of front. His demeanour towards the boy was curiously gentle. He +never treated him confidentially or spoke of intimate things. That +invincible barrier which Tommy strove so hard to ignore, he seemed to +take for granted. But he was invariably kind in all his dealings with +him, as if he realized that Tommy had lost the one possession he prized +above all others and were sorry for him.</p> + +<p>Whatever Tommy's mood, and his moods varied considerably, he was never +other than patient with him, bearing with him as he would never have +borne in the byegone happier days of their good comradeship. He never +rebuked him, never offered him advice, never attempted in any fashion to +test the influence that yet remained to him. And his very forbearance +hurt Tommy more poignantly than any open rupture or even tacit avoidance +could have hurt him. There were times when he would have sacrificed all +he had, even down to his own honour, to have forced an understanding +with Monck, to have compelled him to yield up his secret. But whenever +he braced himself to ask for an explanation, he found himself held back. +There was a boundary he could not pass, a force relentless and +irresistible, that checked him at the very outset. He lacked the +strength to batter down the iron will that opposed him behind that +unaccustomed gentleness. He could only bow miserably to the unspoken +word of command that kept him at a distance.</p> + +<p>He was too loyal ever to discuss the matter with Bernard, though he +often wondered how the latter regarded his brother's attitude. At least +there was no strain in their relationship though he was fairly convinced +that Everard had not taken Bernard into his confidence. This fact held a +subtle solace for him, for it meant that Bernard, who was as open as the +day, was content to be in the dark, and satisfied that it held nothing +of an evil nature. This unquestioning faith on Bernard's part was +Tommy's one ray of light. He knew instinctively that Bernard was not a +man to compromise with evil. He carried his banner that all might see. +He was not ashamed to confess his Master before all men, and Tommy +mutely admired him for it.</p> + +<p>He marked with pleasure the intimacy that existed between this man and +his sister. Like Stella, though in a different sense, he had grown +imperceptibly to look upon him as a safeguard. He was a sure antidote to +nervous forebodings. The advent of the baby also gave him keen delight. +Tommy was a lover of all things youthful. He declared he had never felt +so much at home in India before.</p> + +<p>Peter also was almost as much in the baby's company as was its <i>ayah</i>. +The administration of the bottle was Peter's proudest privilege, and he +would walk soft-footed to and fro for any length of time carrying the +infant in his arms. Stella was always content when the baby was in his +charge. Her confidence in Peter's devotion was unbounded. The child was +not very strong and needed great care. The care Peter lavished upon it +was as tender as her own. There was something of a feud between him and +the <i>ayah</i>, but no trace of this was ever apparent in her presence. As +for the baby, he seemed to love Peter better than any one else, and was +generally at his best when in his arms.</p> + +<p>The Green Bungalow became a favourite meeting-place with the ladies of +the station, somewhat, to Stella's dismay. Lady Harriet swept in at all +hours to hold inspections of the infant's progress and give advice, and +everyone who had ever had a baby seemed to have some fresh warning or +word of instruction to bestow.</p> + +<p>They were all very kind to her. She received many invitations to tea, +and smiled over her sudden popularity. But—it dawned upon her when, she +had been about three weeks in the station—no one but the Ralstons +seemed to think of asking her and her husband to dine. She thought but +little of the omission at first. Evening entertainments held but slight +attraction for her, but as time went on and Christmas festivities drew +near, she could not avoid noticing that practically every invitation she +received was worded in so strictly personal a fashion that there could +be no doubt that Everard was not included in it. Bernard was often asked +separately, but he generally refused on the score of the evening being +his best working time.</p> + +<p>Also, after a while, she could not fail to notice that Tommy was no +longer at his ease in Everard's presence. The old careless <i>camaraderie</i> +between them was gone, and she missed it at first vaguely, later with +an uneasiness that she could not stifle. There was something in Tommy's +attitude towards his friend that hurt her. She knew by instinct that the +boy was not happy. She wondered at first if there could be some quarrel +between them, but decided in face of Everard's unvarying kindness to +Tommy that this could not be.</p> + +<p>Another thing struck her as time went on. Everard always checked all +talk of his prospects. He was so repressive on the subject that she +could not possibly pursue it, and she came at last to conclude that his +hope of preferment had vanished like a mirage in the desert.</p> + +<p>He was very good to her, but his absences continued in the old +unaccountable way, and her dread of Rustam Karin, which Bernard's +presence had in a measure allayed, revived again till at times it was +almost more than she could bear.</p> + +<p>She did not talk of it any further to Bernard. She had told him all her +fears, and she knew he was on guard, knew instinctively that she could +count upon him though he never reverted to the matter. Somehow she could +not bring herself to speak to him of the strange avoidance of her +husband that was being practised by the rest of the station either. She +endured it dumbly, holding herself more and more aloof in consequence of +it as the days went by. Ever since the days of her own ostracism she had +placed a very light price upon social popularity. The love of such women +as Mary Ralston—and the love of little Tessa—were of infinitely +greater value in her eyes.</p> + +<p>Tessa and her mother were once more guests in the Ralstons' bungalow. +Netta had desired to stay at the new hotel which—as also at +Udalkland—native enterprise had erected near the Club; but Mrs. Ralston +had vetoed this plan with much firmness, and after a little petulant +argument Netta had given in. She did not greatly care for staying with +the Ralstons. Mary was a dear good soul of course, but inclined to be +interfering, and now that the zest of life was returning to Netta, her +desire for her own way was beginning to reassert itself. However, the +Ralstons' bungalow also was in close proximity to the Club, and in +consideration of this she consented to take up her abode there. Her days +of seclusion were over. She had emerged from them with a fevered craving +for excitement of any description mingled with that odd defiance that +had characterized her almost ever since her husband's death. She had +never kept any very great control upon her tongue, but now it was +positively venomous. She seemed to bear a grudge against all the world.</p> + +<p>Tessa, with her beloved Scooter, went her own way as of yore, and spent +most of her time at The Green Bungalow where there was always someone to +welcome her. She arrived there one day in a state of great indignation, +Scooter as usual clinging to her hair and trying his utmost to escape.</p> + +<p>Like a whirlwind she burst upon Stella, who was sitting with her baby +in the French window of her room.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Stella," she cried breathlessly, "Mother says she's sure you and +Uncle Everard won't go to the officers' picnic at Khanmulla this year. +It isn't true, is it, Aunt Stella? You will go, and you'll take me with +you, won't you?"</p> + +<p>The officers' picnic at Khanmulla! The words called up a flood of memory +in Stella's heart. She looked at Tessa, the smile of welcome still upon +her face; but she did not see her. She was standing once more in the +moonlight, listening to the tread of a man's feet on the path below her, +waiting—waiting with a throbbing heart—for the sound of a man's quiet +voice.</p> + +<p>Tessa came nearer to her, looking at her with an odd species of +speculation. "Aunt Stella," she said, "that wasn't—all—Mother said. +She made me very, very angry. Shall I tell you—would you like to +know—why?"</p> + +<p>Stella's eyes ceased to gaze into distance. She looked at the child. +Some vague misgiving stirred within her. It was the instinct of +self-defence that moved her to say, "I don't want to listen to any silly +gossip, Tessa darling."</p> + +<p>"It isn't silly!" declared Tessa. "It's much worse than that. And I'm +going to tell you, cos I think I'd better. She said that everybody says +that Uncle Everard won't go to the picnic on Christmas Eve cos he's +ashamed to look people in the face. I said it wasn't true." Very +stoutly Tessa brought out the assertion; then, a moment later, with a +queer sidelong glance into Stella's face, "It isn't true, dear, is it?"</p> + +<p>Ashamed! Everard ashamed! Stella's hands clasped each other +unconsciously about the sleeping baby on her lap. Strangely her own +voice came to her while she was not even aware of uttering the words. +"Why should he be ashamed?"</p> + +<p>Tessa's eyes were dark with mystery. She pressed against Stella with a +small protective gesture. "Darling, she said horrid things, but they +aren't true any of them. If Uncle Everard had been there, she wouldn't +have dared. I told her so."</p> + +<p>With an effort Stella unclasped her hands. She put her arm around the +little girl. "Tell me what they are saying, Tessa," she said. "I think +with you that I had better know."</p> + +<p>Tessa suffered Scooter to escape in order to hug Stella close. "They are +saying things about when he went on leave just after you married Captain +Dacre, how he said he wanted to go to England and didn't go, and +how—how—" Tessa checked herself abruptly. "It came out at mess one +night," she ended.</p> + +<p>A faint smile of relief shone, in Stella's eyes. "But I knew that, +Tessa," she said. "He told me himself. Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"You knew?" Tessa's eyes shone with sudden triumph. "Oh, then do tell +them what he was doing and stop their horrid talking! It was Mrs. +Burton began it. I always did hate her."</p> + +<p>"I can't tell them what he was doing," Stella said, feeling her heart +sink again.</p> + +<p>"You can't? Oh!" Keen disappointment sounded in Tessa's voice. "But +p'raps he would," she added reflectively, "if he knew what beasts they +all are. Shall I ask him to, Aunt Stella?"</p> + +<p>"Tell me first what they are saying!" Stella said, bracing herself to +face the inevitable.</p> + +<p>Tessa looked at her dubiously for a moment. Somehow she would have found +it easier to tell this thing to Monck himself than to Stella. And yet +she had a feeling that it must be told, that Stella ought to know. She +clung a little closer to her.</p> + +<p>"I always did hate Major Burton," she said sweepingly. "I know he +started it in the first place. He said—and now she says—that—that +it's very funny that the leave Uncle Everard had when he pretended to go +to England should have come just at the time that Captain Dacre was +killed in the mountains, and that a horrid old man Uncle Everard knows +called Rustam Karin who lives in the bazaar was away at the same time. +And they just wonder if p'raps he—the old man—had anything to do with +Captain Dacre dying like he did, and if Uncle Everard +knows—something—about it. That's how they put it, Aunt Stella. Mother +only told me to tease me, but that's what they say."</p> + +<p>She stopped, pressing Stella's hand very tightly to her little quivering +bosom, and there followed a pause, a deep silence that seemed to have in +it something of an almost suffocating quality.</p> + +<p>Tessa moved at last because it became unbearable, moved and looked down +into Stella's face as if half afraid. She could not have said what she +expected to see there, but she was undoubtedly relieved when the +beautiful face, white as death though it was, smiled back at her without +a tremor.</p> + +<p>Stella kissed her tenderly and let her go. "Thank you for telling me, +darling," she said gently. "It is just as well that I should know what +people say, even though it is nothing but idle gossip—idle gossip." She +repeated the words with emphasis. "Run and find Scooter, sweetheart!" +she said. "And put all this silly nonsense out of your dear little head +for good! I must take baby to <i>ayah</i> now. By and by we will read a +fairy-tale together and enjoy ourselves."</p> + +<p>Tessa ran away comforted, yet also vaguely uneasy. Her tenderness +notwithstanding, there was something not quite normal about Stella's +dismissal of her. This kind friend of hers had never sent her away quite +so summarily before. It was almost as if she were half afraid that Tessa +might see—or guess—too much.</p> + +<p>As for Stella, she carried her baby to the <i>ayah</i>, and then shut herself +into her own room where she remained for a long time face to face with +these new doubts.</p> + +<p>He had loved her before her marriage; he had called their union Kismet. +He wielded a strange, almost an uncanny power among natives. And there +was Rustam Karin whom long ago she had secretly credited with Ralph +Dacre's death—the serpent in the garden—the serpent in the desert +also—whose evil coils, it seemed to her, were daily tightening round +her heart.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_V'></a><h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h3>THE WOMAN'S WAY</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was three days later that Tommy came striding in from the polo-ground +in great excitement with the news that Captain Ermsted's murderer had +been arrested.</p> + +<p>"All honour to Everard!" he said, flinging himself into a chair by +Stella's side. "The fellow was caught at Khanmulla. Barnes arrested him, +but he gives the credit of the catch to Everard. The fellow will swing, +of course. It will be a sensational trial, for rumour has it that the +Rajah was pushing behind. He, of course, is smooth as oil. I saw him at +the Club just now, hovering round Mrs. Ermsted as usual, and she +encouraging him. That girl is positively infatuated. Shouldn't wonder if +there's a rude awakening before her. I beg your pardon, sir. You spoke?" +He turned abruptly to Bernard who was seated near.</p> + +<p>"I was only wondering what Everard's share had been in tracking this +charming person down," observed the elder Monck, who was smiling a +little at Tommy's evident excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, everyone knows that Everard is a regular sleuth-hound," said +Tommy. "He is more native than the natives when there is anything of +this kind in the wind. He is a born detective, and he and that old chap +in the bazaar are such a strong combination that they are practically +infallible and invincible."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Rustam Karin?" Stella spoke very quietly, not lifting her +eyes from her work.</p> + +<p>Tommy turned to her. "That's the chap. The old beggar fellow. At least +they say he is. He never shows. Hafiz does all the show part. The old +boy is the brain that works the wires. Everard has immense faith in +him."</p> + +<p>"I know," Stella said.</p> + +<p>Her voice sounded strangled, and Bernard looked across at her; but she +continued to work without looking up.</p> + +<p>Tommy lingered for a while, expatiating upon Everard's astuteness, and +finally went away to dress for mess still in a state of considerable +excitement.</p> + +<p>Stella and Bernard sat in silence after his departure. There seemed to +be nothing to say. But when, after a time, he got up to go, she very +suddenly raised her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Bernard!"</p> + +<p>"My dear!" he said very kindly.</p> + +<p>She put out a hand to him, almost as if feeling her way in a dark place. +"I want to ask you," she said, speaking hurriedly, "whether you +know—whether you have ever heard—the things that are being said +about—about Everard and this man—Rustam Karin."</p> + +<p>She spoke with immense effort. It was evident that she was greatly +agitated.</p> + +<p>Bernard stopped beside her, holding her hand firmly in his. "Tell me +what they are!" he said gently.</p> + +<p>She made a hopeless gesture. "Then you do know! Everyone knows. +Naturally I am the last. You knew I connected that dreadful man long ago +with—with Ralph's death. I had good reason for doing so after—after I +had actually seen him on the verandah here that awful night. But—but +now it seems—because he and Everard have always been in +partnership—because they were both absent at the time of Ralph's death, +no one knew where—people are talking and saying—and saying—" She +broke off with a sharp, agonized sound. "I can't tell you what they are +saying!" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"It is false!" said Bernard stoutly. "It's a foul lie of the devil's own +concocting! How long have you known of this? Who was vile enough to tell +you?"</p> + +<p>"You knew?" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"I never heard the thing put into words but I had my own suspicions of +what was going about," he admitted. "But I never believed it. Nothing on +this earth would induce me to believe it. You don't believe it, either, +child. You know him better than that."</p> + +<p>She hid her face from him with a smothered sob. "I thought I did—once."</p> + +<p>"You did," he asserted staunchly. "You do! Don't tell me otherwise, for +I shan't believe you if you do! What kind friend told you? I want to +know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was only little Tessa. You mustn't blame her. She was full of +indignation, poor child. Her mother taunted her with it. You know—or +perhaps you don't know—what Netta Ermsted is."</p> + +<p>Bernard's face was very grim as he made reply. "I think I can guess. But +you are not going to be poisoned by her venom. Why don't you tell +Everard, have it out with him? Say you don't believe it, but it hurts +you to hear a damnable slander like this and not be able to refute it! +You are not afraid of him, Stella? Surely you are not afraid of him!"</p> + +<p>But Stella only hid her face a little lower, and spoke no word.</p> + +<p>He laid his hand upon her as she sat. "What does that mean?" he said. +"Isn't your love equal to the strain?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head dumbly. She could not meet his look.</p> + +<p>"What?" he said. "Is my love greater than yours then? I would trust his +honour even to the gallows, if need be. Can't you say as much?"</p> + +<p>She answered him with her head bowed, her words barely audible. "It +isn't a question of love. I—should always love him—whatever he did."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The flicker of a smile crossed Bernard's face. "That is the +woman's way. There's a good deal to be said for it, I daresay."</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes." Quiveringly she made answer. "But—if this thing were +true—my love would have to be sacrificed, even—even though it would +mean tearing out my very heart. I couldn't go on—with him. I +couldn't—possibly."</p> + +<p>Her words trembled into silence, and the light died out of Bernard's +eyes. "I see," he said slowly. "But, my dear, I can't understand how +you—loving him as you do—can allow for a moment, even in your most +secret heart, that such a thing as this could be true. That is where you +begin to go wrong. That is what does the harm."</p> + +<p>She looked up at last, and the despair in her eyes went straight to his +heart. "I have always felt there was—something," she said. "I can't +tell you exactly how. But it has always been there. I tried hard not to +love him—not to marry him. But it was no use. He mastered me with his +love. But I always knew—I always knew—that there was something hidden +which I might not see. I have caught sight of it a dozen times, but I +have never really seen it." She suppressed a quick shudder. "I have been +afraid of it, and—I have always looked the other way."</p> + +<p>"A mistake," Bernard said. "You should always face your bogies. They +have a trick of swelling out of all proportion to their actual size if +you don't."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know. I know." Stella pressed his hand and withdrew her own. +"You are very good," she said. "I couldn't have said this to any one but +you. I can't speak to Everard. It isn't entirely my own weakness. He +holds me off. He makes me feel that it would be a mistake to speak."</p> + +<p>"Will you let me?" Bernard suggested, taking out his pipe and frowning +over it.</p> + +<p>She shook her head instantly. "No!—no! I am sure he wouldn't answer +you, and—and it would hurt him to know that I had turned to any one +else, even to you. It would only make things more difficult to bear." +She stopped short with a nervous gesture. "He is coming now," she said.</p> + +<p>There was a sound of horse's hoofs at the gate, and in a moment Everard +Monck came into view, riding his tall Waler which was smothered with +dust and foam.</p> + +<p>He waved to his wife as he rode up the broad path. His dark face was +alight with a grim triumph. A <i>saice</i> ran forward to take his animal, +and he slid to the ground and stamped his feet as if stiff.</p> + +<p>Then without haste he mounted the steps and came to them.</p> + +<p>"I am not fit to come near you," he said, as he drew near. "I have been +right across the desert to Udalkhand, and had to do some hard riding to +get back in time." He pulled off his glove and just touched Stella's +cheek in passing. "Hullo, Bernard! About time for a drink, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>He looked momentarily surprised when Stella swiftly turned her head and +kissed the hand that had so lightly caressed her. He stopped beside her +and laid it on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you won't approve of me when I tell you what I have been +doing," he said.</p> + +<p>She looked up at him. "I know. Tommy came in and told us. You—seem to +have done something rather great. I suppose we ought to congratulate +you."</p> + +<p>He smiled a little. "It is always satisfactory when a murderer gets his +deserts," he said, "though I am afraid the man who does the job is not +in all cases the prime malefactor."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Stella said. She folded up her work with hands that were not quite +steady; her face was very pale.</p> + +<p>Everard stood looking down at the burnished coils of her hair. "Are you +going to the dance at the Club to-night?" he asked, after a moment.</p> + +<p>She shook her head instantly. "No."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>She leaned back in her chair, and looked up at him. "As you know, I +never was particularly fond of the station society."</p> + +<p>He frowned a little. "It's better than nothing. You are too given to +shutting yourself up. Bernard thinks so too."</p> + +<p>Stella glanced towards her brother-in-law with a slight lift of the +eyebrows. "I don't think he does. But in any case, we are engaged +to-night. It is Tessa's birthday, and she and Scooter are coming to +dine."</p> + +<p>"Coming to dine! What on earth for?" Everard looked his astonishment.</p> + +<p>"My doing," said Bernard. "It's a surprise-party. Stella very kindly +fell in with the plan, but it originated with me. You see, Princess +Bluebell is ten years old to-day, and quite grown up. Mrs. Ralston had a +children's party for her this afternoon which I was privileged to +attend. I must say Tessa made a charming hostess, but she confided to me +at parting that the desire of her life was to play Cinderella and go out +to dinner in a 'rickshaw all by herself. So I undertook then and there +that a 'rickshaw should be waiting for her at the gate at eight o'clock, +and she should have a stodgy grown-up entertainment to follow. She was +delighted with the idea, poor little soul. The Ralstons are going to the +Club dance, and of course Mrs. Ermsted also, but Tommy is giving up the +first half to come and amuse Cinderella. Mrs. Ralston thinks the child +will be ill with so much excitement, but a tenth birthday is something +of an occasion, as I pointed out. And she certainly behaved wonderfully +well this afternoon, though she was about the only child who did. I +nearly throttled the Burton youngster for kicking the <i>ayah</i>, little +brute. He seemed to think it was a very ordinary thing to do." Bernard +stopped himself with a laugh. "You'll be bored with all this, and I must +go and make ready. There are to be Chinese lanterns to light the way and +a strip of red cloth on the steps. Peter is helping as usual, Peter the +invaluable. We shan't keep it up very late. Will you join us? Or are you +also bound for the Club?"</p> + +<p>"I will join you with pleasure," Everard said. "I haven't seen the imp +for some days. There has been too much on hand. How is the boy, Stella? +Shall we go and say good-night to him?"</p> + +<p>Stella had risen. She put her hand through his arm. "Bernard and Tommy +are to do all the entertaining, and you and I can amuse each other for +once. We don't often have such a chance."</p> + +<p>She smiled as she spoke, but her lips were quivering. Bernard sauntered +away, and as he went, Everard stooped and kissed her upturned face.</p> + +<p>He did not speak, and she clung to him for a moment passionately close. +Wherefore she could not have said, but there was in her embrace +something to restrain her tears. She forced them back with her utmost +resolution as they went together to see their child.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_VI'></a><h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h3>THE SURPRISE PARTY</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Punctually at eight o'clock Tessa arrived, slightly awed but supremely +happy, seated in a 'rickshaw, escorted by Bernard, and hugging the +beloved Scooter to her eager little breast.</p> + +<p>Her eyes were shining with mysterious expectation. As her cavalier +handed her from her chariot up the red-carpeted steps she moved as one +who treads enchanted ground. The little creature in her arms wore an air +of deep suspicion. His pointed head turned to and fro with ferret-like +movements. His sharp red eyes darted hither and thither almost +apprehensively. He was like a toy on wires.</p> + +<p>"He is going—p'raps—to turn into a fairy prince soon," explained +Tessa. "I'm not sure that he quite likes the idea though. He would +rather kill a dragon. P'raps he'll do both."</p> + +<p>"P'raps," agreed Bernard.</p> + +<p>He led the little girl along the vernadah under the bobbing lanterns. +Tessa looked about her critically. "There aren't any other children, are +there?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Not one," said Bernard, "unless you count me. We are going to dine +together, you and I, quite alone—if you can put up with me. And after +that we will hold a reception for grown-ups only."</p> + +<p>"I shall like that," said Tessa graciously. "Ah, here is Peter! Peter, +will you please bring a box for Scooter while I have my dinner? He wants +to go snake-hunting," she added to Bernard. "And if he does that, I +shan't have him again for the rest of the evening."</p> + +<p>"You don't get snakes this time of year, do you?" asked Bernard.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, sometimes. I saw one the other day when I was out with Major +Ralston. He tried to kill it with his stick, but it got away. And +Scooter wasn't there. They like to hide under bits of carpet like this," +said Tessa in an instructive tone, pointing to the strip that had been +laid in her honour. "Are you afraid of snakes, Uncle St. Bernard?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bernard with simplicity. "Aren't you?"</p> + +<p>Tessa looked slightly surprised at the admission. "I don't know. I +expect I am. Peter isn't. Peter's very brave."</p> + +<p>"He has been more or less brought up with them," said Bernard. +"Scorpions too. He smiled the other day when I fled from a scorpion in +the garden. And I believe he has a positively fatherly feeling for +rats."</p> + +<p>Tessa shivered a little. "Scooter killed a rat the other day, and it +squealed dreadfully. I don't think he ought to do things like that, but +of course he doesn't know any better."</p> + +<p>"He looks as if he knows a lot," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I wish he would learn to talk. He's awful clever. Do you think we +could ever teach him?" asked Tessa.</p> + +<p>Bernard shook his head. "No. It would take a magician to do that. We are +not clever enough, either of us. Peter now—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, is Peter a magician?" said Tessa, with shining eyes. "Peter, dear +Peter," turning to him ecstatically as he appeared with a box in which +to imprison her darling, "do you think you could possibly teach my +little Scooter to talk?"</p> + +<p>Peter smiled all over his bronze countenance. "Missy <i>sahib</i>, only the +Holy Ones can do that," he said.</p> + +<p>Tessa's face fell. "That's as bad as telling you to pray for anything, +isn't it?" she said to Bernard. "And my prayers never come true. Do +yours?"</p> + +<p>"They always get answered," said Bernard, "some time or other."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do they?" Tessa regarded him with interest. "Does God come and talk +to you then?" she said.</p> + +<p>He smiled a little. "He speaks to all who wait to hear, my princess," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Only to grown-ups," said Tessa, looking incredulous.</p> + +<p>Bernard put his arm round her. "No," he said. "It's the children who +come first with Him. He may not give them just what they ask for, but +it's generally something better."</p> + +<p>Tessa stared at him, her eyes round and dark. "S'pose," she said +suddenly, "a big snake was to come out of that corner, and I was to say, +'Don't let it bite me, Lord!' Do you think it would?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Bernard very decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Tessa. "Well, I wish one would then, for I'd love to see if +it would or not."</p> + +<p>Bernard pulled her to him and kissed her. "We won't talk any more about +snakes or you'll be dreaming of them," he said. "Come along and dine +with me! Rather sport having it all to ourselves, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Where's Aunt Stella and Uncle Everard?" asked Tessa.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're preparing for the reception. Let me take your Highness's +cloak! This is the banqueting-room."</p> + +<p>He threw the cloak over a chair in the verandah, and led her into the +drawing-room, where a small table lighted by candles with crimson shades +awaited them.</p> + +<p>"How pretty!" cried Tessa, clapping her hands.</p> + +<p>Peter in snowy attire, benign and magnificent, attended to their wants, +and the feast proceeded, vastly enjoyed by both. Tessa had never been so +<i>fêted</i> in all her small life before.</p> + +<p>When, at the end of the repast, to an accompaniment of nuts and +sweetmeats, Bernard poured her a tiny ruby-coloured liqueur glass of +wine, her delight knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>"I've never enjoyed myself so much before," she declared. "What a ducky +little glass! Now I'm going to drink your health!"</p> + +<p>"No. I drink yours first." Bernard arose, holding his glass high. "I +drink to the Princess Bluebell. May she grow fairer every day! And may +her cup of blessing be always full!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Tessa. "And now, Uncle St. Bernard, I'm going to drink +to you. May you always have lots to laugh at! And may your prayers +always come true! That rhymes, doesn't it?" she added complacently. "Do +I drink all my wine now, or only a sip?"</p> + +<p>"Depends," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>"How does it depend?"</p> + +<p>"It depends on how much you love me," he explained. "If there's any one +else you love better, you save a little for him."</p> + +<p>She looked straight at him with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. +"I'm afraid I love Uncle Everard best," she said.</p> + +<p>Bernard smiled upon her with reassuring kindliness. "Quite right, my +child. So you ought. There's Tommy too and Aunt Stella. I am sure you +want to drink to them."</p> + +<p>Tessa slipped round the table to his side, clasping her glass tightly. +As she came within the circle of his arm she whispered, "Yes, I love +them ever such a lot. But I love you best of all, except Uncle Everard, +and he doesn't want me when he's got Aunt Stella. I s'pose you never +wanted a little girl for your very own did you?"</p> + +<p>He looked down at her, his blue eyes full of tenderness. "I've often +wanted you, Tessa," he said.</p> + +<p>"Have you?" she beamed upon him, rubbing her flushed cheek against his +shoulder. "I'm sure you can have me if you like," she said.</p> + +<p>He pressed her to him. "I don't think your mother would agree to that, +you know."</p> + +<p>Tessa's red lips pouted disgust. "Oh, she wouldn't care! She never cares +what I do. She likes it much best when I'm not there."</p> + +<p>Bernard's brows were slightly drawn. His arm held the little slim body +very closely to him.</p> + +<p>"You and I would be so happy," insinuated Tessa, as he did not speak. +"I'd do as you told me always. And I'd never, never be rude to you."</p> + +<p>He bent and kissed her. "I know that, my darling."</p> + +<p>"And when you got old, dear Uncle St. Bernard,—really old, I mean—I'd +take such care of you," she proceeded. "I'd be—more—than a daughter to +you."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said. "I should like that, my princess of the bluebell eyes."</p> + +<p>"You would?" she looked at him eagerly. "Then don't you think you might +tell Mother you'll have me? I know she wouldn't mind."</p> + +<p>He smiled at her impetuosity. "We must be patient, my princess," he +said. "These things can't be done offhand, if at all."</p> + +<p>She slid her arm round his neck and hugged him. "But there is the +weeniest, teeniest chance, isn't there? 'Cos you do think you'd like to +have me if I was good, and I'd—love—to belong to you. Is there just +the wee-est little chance, Uncle St. Bernard? Would it be any good +praying for it?"</p> + +<p>He took her little hand into his warm kind grasp, for she was quivering +all over with excitement.</p> + +<p>"Yes, pray, little one!" he said. "You may not get exactly what you +want. But there will be an answer if you keep on. Be sure of that!"</p> + +<p>Tessa nodded comprehension. "All right. I will. And you will too, won't +you? It'll be fun both praying for the same thing, won't it? Oh, my +wine! I nearly spilt it."</p> + +<p>"Better drink it and make it safe!" he said with a twinkle. "I'm going +to drink mine, and then we'll go on to the verandah and wait for +something to happen."</p> + +<p>"Is something going to happen?" asked Tessa, with a shiver of delighted +anticipation.</p> + +<p>He laughed. "Perhaps,—if we live long enough."</p> + +<p>Tessa drank her wine almost casually. "Come on!" she said. "Let's go!"</p> + +<p>But ere they reached the French window that led on to the verandah, a +sudden loud report followed by a succession of minor ones coming from +the compound told them that the happenings had already begun. Tessa +gave one great jump, and then literally danced with delight.</p> + +<p>"Fireworks!" she cried. "Fireworks! That's Tommy! I know it is. Do let's +go and look!" They went, and hung over the verandah-rail to watch a +masked figure attired in an old pyjama suit of vivid green and white +whirling a magnificent wheel of fire that scattered glowing sparks in +all directions.</p> + +<p>Tessa was wild with excitement. "How lovely!" she cried. "Oh, how +lovely! Dear Uncle St. Bernard, mayn't I go down and help him?"</p> + +<p>But Bernard decreed that she should remain upon the verandah, and, +strangely, Tessa submitted without protest. She held his hand tightly, +as if to prevent herself making any inadvertent dash for freedom, but +she leapt to and fro like a dog on the leash, squeaking her ecstasy at +every fresh display achieved by the bizarre masked figure below them.</p> + +<p>Bernard watched her with compassionate sympathy in his kindly eyes. +Little Tessa had won a very warm place in his heart. He marvelled at her +mother's attitude of callous indifference.</p> + +<p>Certainly Tessa had never enjoyed herself more thoroughly than on that +evening of her tenth birthday. Time flew by on the wings of delight. +Tommy's exhibition was appreciated with almost delirious enthusiasm on +the verandah, and a little crowd of natives at the gate pushed and +nudged each other with an admiration quite as heartfelt though +carefully suppressed.</p> + +<p>The display had been going on for some time when Stella came out alone +and joined the two on the verandah. To Tessa's eager inquiry for Uncle +Everard she made answer that he had been called out on business, and to +Bernard she added that Hafiz had sent him a message by one of the +servants, and she supposed he had gone to Rustam Karin's stall in the +bazaar. She looked pale and dispirited, but she joined in Tessa's +delighted appreciation of the entertainment which now was drawing to a +close.</p> + +<p>It was getting late, and as with a shower of coloured stars the magician +in the compound accomplished a grand <i>finale</i>, Bernard put his arm +around the narrow shoulders and said, with a kindly squeeze, "I am going +to see my princess home again now. She mustn't lose all her +beauty-sleep."</p> + +<p>She lifted her face to kiss him. "It has been—lovely," she said. "I do +wish I needn't go back to-night. Do you think Aunt Mary would mind if I +stayed with you?"</p> + +<p>He smiled at her whimsically. "Perhaps not, princess; but I am going to +take you back to her all the same. Say good-night to Aunt Stella! She +looks as if a good dose of bed would do her good."</p> + +<p>Tommy, with his mask in his hand, came running up the verandah-steps, +and Tessa sprang to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tommy—darling, I have enjoyed myself so!"</p> + +<p>He kissed her lightly. "That's all right, scaramouch. So have I. I must +get out of this toggery now double-quick. I suppose you are off in your +'rickshaw? I'll walk with you. It'll be on the way to the Club."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how lovely! You on one side and Uncle St. Bernard on the other!" +cried Tessa.</p> + +<p>"The princess will travel in state," observed Bernard. "Ah! Here comes +Peter with Scooter! Have your cloak on before you take him out!"</p> + +<p>The cloak had fallen from the chair. Peter set down Scooter in his +prison, and picked it up. By the light of the bobbing, coloured lanterns +he placed it about her shoulders.</p> + +<p>Tessa suddenly turned and sat down. "My shoe is undone," she said, +extending her foot with a royal air. "Where is the prince?"</p> + +<p>The words were hardly out of her mouth before another sound escaped her +which she hastily caught back as though instinct had stifled it in her +throat. "Look!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>Peter was nearest to her. He had bent to release Scooter, but like a +streak of light he straightened himself. He saw—before any one else had +time to realize—- the hideous thing that writhed in momentary +entanglement in the folds of Tessa's cloak, and then suddenly reared +itself upon her lap as she sat frozen stiff with horror.</p> + +<p>He stooped over the child, his hands outspread, waiting for the moment +to swoop. "Missy <i>sahib</i>, not move—not move!" he said softly above her. +"My missy <i>sahib</i> not going to be hurt. Peter taking care of Missy +<i>sahib</i>."</p> + +<p>And, with glassy eyes fixed and white lips rigid, Tessa's strained +whisper came in answer. "O Lord, don't let it bite me!"</p> + +<p>Tommy would have flung himself forward then, but Bernard caught and held +him. He had seen the look in the Indian's eyes, and he knew beyond all +doubting that Tessa was safe, if any human power could make her so.</p> + +<p>Stella knew it also. In that moment Peter loomed gigantic to her. His +gleaming eyes and strangely smiling face held her spellbound with a +fascination greater even than that wicked, vibrating thing that coiled, +black and evil, on the white of Tessa's frock could command. She knew +that if none intervened, Peter would accomplish Tessa's deliverance.</p> + +<p>But there was one factor which they had all forgotten. In those tense +seconds Scooter the mongoose by some means invisible became aware of the +presence of the enemy. The lid of his box had already been loosened by +Peter. With a frantic effort he forced it up and leapt free.</p> + +<p>In that moment Peter, realizing that another instant's delay might be +fatal, pounced forward with a single swift swoop and seized the +serpent-in his naked hands.</p> + +<p>Tessa uttered the shriek which a few seconds before sheer horror had +arrested, and fell back senseless in her chair.</p> + +<p>Peter, grim and awful in the uncertain light, fought the thing he had +gripped, while a small, red-eyed monster clawed its way up him, fiercely +clambering to reach the horrible, writhing creature in the man's hold.</p> + +<p>It was all over in a few hard-breathing seconds, over before either of +the men in front of Peter or a shadowy figure behind him that had come +up at Tessa's cry could give any help.</p> + +<p>With a low laugh that was more terrible than any uttered curse, Peter +flung the coiling horror over the verandah-rail into the bushes of the +compound. Something else went with it, closely locked. They heard the +thud of the fall, and there followed an awful, voiceless struggling in +the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Peter!" a voice said.</p> + +<p>Peter was leaning against a post of the verandah. "Missy <i>sahib</i> is +quite safe," he said, but his voice sounded odd, curiously lifeless.</p> + +<p>The shadow that had approached behind him swept forward into the light. +The lanterns shone upon a strange figure, bent, black-bearded, clothed +in a long, dingy garment that seemed to envelop it from head to foot.</p> + +<p>Peter gave a violent start and spoke a few rapid words in his own +language.</p> + +<p>The other made answer even more swiftly, and in a second there was the +flash of a knife in the fitful glare. Bernard and Tommy both started +forward, but Peter only thrust out one arm with a grunt. It was a +gesture of submission, and it told its own tale.</p> + +<p>"The poor devil's bitten!" gasped Tommy.</p> + +<p>Bernard turned to Tessa and lifted the little limp body in his arms.</p> + +<p>He thought that Stella would follow him as he bore the child into the +room behind, but she did not.</p> + +<p>The place was in semi-darkness, for they had turned down the lamps to +see the fireworks. He laid her upon a sofa and turned them up again.</p> + +<p>The light upon her face showed it pinched and deathly. Her breathing +seemed to be suspended. He left her and went swiftly to the dining-room +in search of brandy.</p> + +<p>Returning with it, he knelt beside her, forcing a little between the +rigid white lips. His own mouth was grimly compressed. The sight of his +little playfellow lying like that cut him to the soul. She was +uninjured, he knew, but he asked himself if the awful fright had killed +her. He had never seen so death-like a swoon before.</p> + +<p>He had no further thought for what was passing on the verandah outside. +Tommy had said that Peter was bitten, but there were three people to +look after him, whereas Tessa—poor brave mite—had only himself. He +chafed her icy cheeks and hands with a desperate sense of impotence.</p> + +<p>He was rewarded after what seemed to him an endless period of suspense. +A tinge of colour came into the white lips, and the closed eyelids +quivered and slowly opened. The bluebell eyes gazed questioningly into +his.</p> + +<p>"Where—where is Scooter?" whispered Tessa.</p> + +<p>"Not far away, dear," he made answer soothingly. "We will go and find +him presently. Drink another little drain of this first!"</p> + +<p>She obeyed him almost mechanically. The shadow of a great horror still +lingered in her eyes. He gathered her closely to him.</p> + +<p>"Try and get a little sleep, darling! I'm here. I'll take care of you."</p> + +<p>She snuggled against him. "Am I going to stay all night!" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, little one, perhaps!" He pressed her closer still. "Quite +comfy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very comfy; ever—so—comfy," murmured Tessa, closing her eyes +again. "Dear—dear Uncle St. Bernard!"</p> + +<p>She sank down in his hold, too spent to trouble herself any further, and +in a very few seconds her quiet breathing told him that she was fast +asleep.</p> + +<p>He sat very still, holding her. The awful peril through which she had +come had made her tenfold more precious in his eyes. He could not have +loved her more tenderly if she had been indeed his own. He fell to +dreaming with his cheek against her hair.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_VII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h3>RUSTAM KARIN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>How long a time passed he never knew. It could not in actual fact have +been more than a few minutes when a sudden sound from the verandah put +an end to his reverie.</p> + +<p>He laid the child back upon the sofa and got up. She was sleeping off +the shock; it would be a pity to wake her. He moved noiselessly to the +window.</p> + +<p>As he did so, a voice he scarcely recognized—a woman's voice—spoke, +tensely, hoarsely, close to him.</p> + +<p>"Tommy, stop that man! Don't let him go! He is a murderer,—do you hear? +He is the man who murdered my husband!"</p> + +<p>Bernard stepped over the sill and closed the window after him. The +lanterns were still swaying in the night-breeze. By their light he took +in the group upon the verandah. Peter was sitting bent forward in the +chair from which he had lifted Tessa. His snowy garments were deeply +stained with blood. Beside him in a crouched and apelike attitude, +apparently on the point of departure, was the shadowy native who had +saved his life. Tommy, still fantastic and clown-like in his green and +white pyjama-suit, was holding a glass for Peter to drink. And upright +before them all, with accusing arm outstretched, her eyes shining like +stars out of the shadows, stood Stella.</p> + +<p>She turned to Bernard as he came forward. "Don't let him escape!" she +said, her voice deep with an insistence he had never heard in it before. +"He escaped last time. And there may not be another chance."</p> + +<p>Tommy looked round sharply. "Leave the man alone!" he said. "You don't +know what you're talking about, Stella. This affair has upset you. It's +only old Rustam Karin."</p> + +<p>"I know. I know. I have known for a long time that it was Rustam Karin +who killed Ralph." Stella's voice vibrated on a strange note. "He may be +Everard's chosen friend," she said. "But a day will come when he will +turn upon him too. Bernard," she spoke with sudden appeal, "you know +everything. I have told you of this man. Surely you will help me! I have +made no mistake. Peter will corroborate what I say. Ask Peter!"</p> + +<p>At sound of his name Peter lifted a ghastly face and tried to rise, but +Tommy swiftly prevented him.</p> + +<p>"Sit still, Peter, will you? You're much too shaky to walk. Finish this +stuff first anyhow!"</p> + +<p>Peter sank back, but there was entreaty in his gleaming eyes. They had +bandaged his injured arm across his breast, but with his free hand he +made a humble gesture of submission to his mistress.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib</i>," he said, his voice low and urgent, "he is a good man—a +holy man. Suffer him to go his way!"</p> + +<p>The man in question had withdrawn into the shadows. He was in fact +beating an unobtrusive retreat towards the corner of the bungalow, and +would probably have effected his escape but for Bernard, who, moved by +the anguished entreaty in Stella's eyes, suddenly strode forward and +gripped him by his tattered garment.</p> + +<p>"No harm in making inquiries anyway!" he said. "Don't you be in such a +hurry, my friend. It won't do you any harm to come back and give an +account of yourself—that is, if you are harmless."</p> + +<p>He pulled the retreating native unceremoniously back into the light. The +man made some resistance, but there was a mastery about Bernard that +would not be denied. Hobbling, misshapen, muttering in his beard, he +returned.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib!</i>" Again Peter's voice spoke, and there was a break in it as +though he pleaded with Fate itself and knew it to be in vain. "He is a +good man, but he is leprous. <i>Mem-sahib,</i> do not look upon him! Suffer +him to go!"</p> + +<p>Possibly the words might have had effect, for Stella's rigidity had +turned to a violent shivering and it was evident that her strength was +beginning to fail. But in that moment Bernard broke into an exclamation +of most unwonted anger, and ruthlessly seized the ragged wisp of black +beard that hung down over his victim's hollow chest.</p> + +<p>"This is too bad!" he burst forth hotly. "By heaven it's too bad! Man, +stop this tomfool mummery, and explain yourself!"</p> + +<p>The beard came away in his indignant hand. The owner thereof +straightened himself up with a contemptuous gesture till he reached the +height of a tall man. The enveloping <i>chuddah</i> slipped back from his +head.</p> + +<p>"I am not the fool," he said briefly.</p> + +<p>Stella's cry rang through the verandah, and it was Peter who, utterly +forgetful of his own adversity, leapt up like a faithful hound to +protect her in her hour of need.</p> + +<p>The glass in Tommy's hand fell with a crash. Tommy himself staggered +back as if he had been struck a blow between the eyes.</p> + +<p>And across the few feet that divided them as if it had been a yawning +gulf, Everard Monck faced the woman who had denounced him.</p> + +<p>He did not utter a word. His eyes met hers unflinching. They were wholly +without anger, emotionless, inscrutable. But there was something +terrible behind his patience. It was as if he had bared his breast for +her to strike.</p> + +<p>And Stella—Stella looked upon him with a frozen, incredulous horror, +just as Tessa had looked upon the snake upon her lap only a little +while before.</p> + +<p>In the dreadful silence that hung like a poisonous vapour upon them, +there came a small rustling close to them, and a wicked little head with +red, peering eyes showed through the balustrade of the verandah.</p> + +<p>In a moment Scooter with an inexpressibly evil air of satisfaction +slipped through and scuttled in a zigzag course over the matting in +search of fresh prey.</p> + +<p>It was then that Stella spoke, her voice no more than a throbbing +whisper. "Rustam Karin!" she said.</p> + +<p>Very grimly across the gulf, Everard made answer. "Rustam Karin was +removed to a leper settlement before you set foot in India."</p> + +<p>"By—Jupiter!" ejaculated Tommy.</p> + +<p>No one else spoke till slowly, with the gesture of an old and stricken +woman, Stella turned away. "I must think," she said, in the same curious +vibrating whisper, as though she held converse with herself. "I +must—think."</p> + +<p>No one attempted to detain her. It was as though an invisible barrier +cut her off from all but Peter. He followed her closely, forgetful of +his wound, forgetful of everything but her pressing need. With dumb +devotion he went after her, and they vanished beyond the flicker of the +bobbing lanterns.</p> + +<p>Of the three men left, none moved or spoke for several difficult +seconds. Finally Bernard, with an abrupt gesture that seemed to express +exasperation, turned sharply on his heel and without a word re-entered +the room in which he had left Tessa asleep, and fastened the window +behind him. He left the tangle of beard on the matting, and Scooter +stopped and nosed it sensitively till Everard stooped and picked it up.</p> + +<p>"That show being over," he remarked drily, "perhaps I may be allowed to +attend to business without further interference."</p> + +<p>Tommy gave a great start and crunched some splinters of the shattered +glass under his heel. He looked at Everard with an odd, challenging +light in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"If you ask me," he said bluntly, "I should say your business here is +more urgent than your business in the bazaar."</p> + +<p>Everard raised his brows interrogatively, and as if he had asked a +question Tommy made sternly resolute response.</p> + +<p>"I've got to have a talk with you. Shall I come into your room?"</p> + +<p>Just for a second the elder man paused; then: "Are you sure that is the +wisest thing you can do?" he said.</p> + +<p>"It's what I'm going to do," said Tommy firmly.</p> + +<p>"All right." Everard stooped again, picked up the inquiring Scooter, and +dropped him into the box in which he had spent the evening.</p> + +<p>Then without more words, he turned along the verandah and led the way to +his own room.</p> + +<p>Tommy came close behind. He was trembling a little but his agitation +only seemed to make him more determined.</p> + +<p>He paused a moment as he entered the room behind Everard to shut the +window; then valiantly tackled the hardest task that had ever come his +way.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" he said. "You must see that this thing can't be left where +it is."</p> + +<p>Everard threw off the garment that encumbered him and gravely faced his +young brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do see that," he said. "I seem to have exhausted my credit all +round. It's decent of you, Tommy, to have been as forbearing as you +have. Now what is it you want to know?"</p> + +<p>Tommy confronted him uncompromisingly. "I want to know the truth, that's +all," he said. "Can't you stop this dust-throwing business and be +straight with me?"</p> + +<p>His tone was stubborn, his attitude almost hostile. Yet beneath it all +there ran a vein of something that was very like entreaty. And Everard, +steadily watching him, smiled—the faint grim smile of the fighter who +sees a gap in his enemy's defences.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," he said. "I don't want to be brutal, but—you see, +Tommy—it's not your business."</p> + +<p>Tommy flinched a little, but he stood his ground. "I think you're +forgetting," he said, "that Stella is my sister. It's up to me to +protect her."</p> + +<p>"From me?" Everard's words came swift and sharp as a sword-thrust.</p> + +<p>Tommy turned suddenly white, but he straightened himself with a gesture +that was not without dignity. "If necessary—yes," he said.</p> + +<p>An abrupt silence followed his words. They stood facing each other, and +the stillness between them was such that they could hear Scooter beyond +the closed window scratching against his prison-walls for freedom.</p> + +<p>It seemed endless to Tommy. He came through it unfaltering, but he felt +physically sick, as if he had been struck in the back.</p> + +<p>When Everard spoke at last, his hands clenched involuntarily. He half +expected violence. But there was no hint of anger about the elder man. +He had himself under iron control. His face was flint-like in its +composure, his mouth implacably grim.</p> + +<p>"Thanks for the warning!" he said briefly. "It's just as well to know +how we stand. Is that all you wanted to say?"</p> + +<p>The dismissal was as definite as if he had actually seized and thrown +him out of the room. And yet there was not even suppressed wrath in his +speech. It was indifferent, remote as a voice from the desert-distance. +His eyes looked upon Tommy without interest or any sort of warmth, as +though he had been a total stranger.</p> + +<p>In that moment Tommy saw that sacred thing, their friendship, shattered +and lying in the dust. It was not he who had flung it there, yet his +soul cried out in bitter self-reproach. This was the man who had been +closer to him than a brother, the man who had saved him from disaster +physically and morally, watching over him with a grim tenderness that +nothing had ever changed.</p> + +<p>And now it was all done with. There was nothing left but to turn and go.</p> + +<p>But could he? He stood irresolute, biting his lips, held there by a +force that seemed outside himself. And it was Everard who made the first +move, turning from him as if he had ceased to count and pulling out a +note-book that he always carried to make some entry.</p> + +<p>Tommy stood yet a moment longer as if, had it been possible, he would +have broken through the barrier between them even then. But Everard did +not so much as glance in his direction, and the moment passed.</p> + +<p>In utter silence he turned and went out as he had entered. There was +nothing more to be said.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h3>PETER</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Tessa went back to the Ralstons' bungalow that night borne in Bernard's +arms. She knew very little about it, for she scarcely awoke, only dimly +realizing that her friend was at hand. Tommy went with them, carrying +Scooter. He said he must show himself at the Club, though Bernard +suspected this to be merely an excuse for escaping for a time from The +Green Bungalow. For it was evident that Tommy had had a shock.</p> + +<p>He himself was merely angry at what appeared to him a wanton trick, too +angry to trust himself in his brother's company just then. He regarded +it as no part of his business to attempt to intervene between Everard +and his wife, but his sympathies were all with the latter. That she in +some fashion misconstrued the whole affair he could not doubt, but he +was by no means sure that Everard had not deliberately schemed for some +species of misunderstanding. He had, to serve his own ends, personated a +man who was apparently known to be disreputable, and if he now received +the credit for that man's misdeeds he had himself alone to thank. +Obviously a mistake had been made, but it seemed to him that Everard had +intended it to be made, had even worked to bring it about. What his +object had been Bernard could not bring to conjecture. But his +instinctive, inborn hatred of all underhand dealings made him resent his +brother's behaviour with all the force at his command. He was too angry +to attempt to unravel the mystery, and he did not broach the subject to +Tommy who evidently desired to avoid it.</p> + +<p>The whole business was beyond his comprehension and, he was convinced, +beyond Stella's also. He did not think Everard would find it a very easy +task to restore her confidence. Perhaps he would not attempt to do so. +Perhaps he was too engrossed with the service of his goddess to care +that he and his wife should drift asunder. And yet—the memory of the +morning on which he had first seen those streaks of grey in his +brother's hair came upon him, and an unwilling sensation of pity +softened his severity. Perhaps he had been drawn in in spite of himself. +Perhaps the poor beggar was a victim rather than a worshipper. Most +certainly—whatever his faults—he cared deeply.</p> + +<p>Would he be able to make Stella realize that? Bernard wondered, and +shook his head in doubt.</p> + +<p>The thought of Stella turning away with that look of frozen horror on +her face pursued him through the night. Poor girl! She had looked as +though the end of all things had come for her. Could he have helped her? +Ought he to have left her so? He quickened his pace almost insensibly. +No, he would not interfere of his own free will. But if she needed his +support, if she counted upon him, he would not be found wanting. It +might even be given to him eventually to help them both.</p> + +<p>He had not seen her again. She had gone to her room with Peter in +attendance, Peter who owed his life to the knife in Everard's girdle. He +had had a strong feeling that Peter was the only friend she needed just +then, and certainly Tessa had been his first responsibility. But the +feeling that possibly she might need him was growing upon him. He wished +he had satisfied himself before starting that this was not the case. But +he comforted himself with the thought of Peter. He was sure that Peter +would take care of her.</p> + +<p>Yes, Peter would care for his beloved <i>mem-sahib</i>, whatever his physical +disabilities. He would never fail in the execution of that his sacred +duty while the power to do so was his. If all others failed her, yet +would Peter remain faithful. Even then with his dog-like devotion was he +crouched upon her threshold, his dark face wrapped in his garment, yet +alert for every sound and mournfully aware that his mistress was not +resting. Of his own wound he thought not at all. He had been very near +the gate of death, and the only man in the world for whom he entertained +the smallest feeling of fear had snatched him back. To his promptitude +alone did Peter owe his life. He had cut out that deadly bite with a +swiftness and a precision that had removed all danger of snake-poison, +and in so doing he had exposed the secret which he had guarded so long +and so carefully. The first moment of contact had betrayed him to Peter, +but Peter was very loyal. Had he been the only one to recognize him, the +secret would have been safe. He had done his best to guard it, but Fate +had been against them. And the <i>mem-sahib</i>—the <i>mem-sahib</i> had turned +and gone away as one heart-broken.</p> + +<p>Peter yearned to comfort her, but the whole situation was beyond him. He +could only mount guard in silence. Perhaps—presently—the great <i>sahib</i> +himself would come, and make all things right again. The night was +advancing. Surely he would come soon.</p> + +<p>Barely had he begun to hope for this when the door he guarded was opened +slightly from within. His <i>mem-sahib</i>, strangely white and still, looked +forth.</p> + +<p>"Peter!" she said gently.</p> + +<p>He was up in a moment, bending before her, his black eyes glowing in the +dim light.</p> + +<p>She laid her slender hand upon his shoulder. She had ever treated him +with the graciousness of a queen. "How is your wound?" she asked him in +her soft, low voice. "Has it been properly bathed and dressed?"</p> + +<p>He straightened himself, looking into her beautiful pale face with the +loving reverence that he always accorded her. "All is well, my +<i>mem-sahib</i>," he said. "Will you not be graciously pleased to rest?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head, smiling faintly—a smile that somehow tore his +heart. She opened her door and motioned him to enter. "I think I had +better see for myself," she said. "Poor Peter! How you must have +suffered, and how splendidly brave you are! Come in and let me see what +I can do!"</p> + +<p>He hung back protesting; but she would take no refusal, gently but +firmly overruling all his scruples.</p> + +<p>"Why was the doctor not sent for?" she said. "I ought to have thought of +it myself."</p> + +<p>She insisted upon washing and bandaging his wound anew. It was a deep +one. Necessity had been stern, and Everard had not spared. It had bled +freely, and there was no sign of any poisonous swelling. With tender +hands Stella treated it, Peter standing dumbly submissive the while.</p> + +<p>When she had finished, she arranged the injured arm in a sling, and +looked him in the eyes.</p> + +<p>"Peter, where is the captain <i>sahib</i>?"</p> + +<p>"He went to his room, my <i>mem-sahib</i>," said Peter. "Bernard <i>sahib</i> +carried the little missy <i>sahib</i> back, and Denvers <i>sahib</i> went with +him. I did not see the captain <i>sahib</i> again."</p> + +<p>He spoke wistfully, as one who longed to help but recognized his +limitations.</p> + +<p>Stella received his news in silence, her face still and white as the +face of a marble statue. She felt no resentment against Peter. He had +acted almost under compulsion. But she could not discuss the matter +with him.</p> + +<p>At length: "You may go, Peter," she said. "Please let no one come to my +door to-night! I wish to be undisturbed."</p> + +<p>Peter salaamed low and withdrew. The order was a very definite one, and +she knew she could rely upon him to carry it out. As the door closed +softly upon him, she turned towards her window. It opened upon the +verandah. She moved across the room to shut it; but ere she reached it, +Everard Monck came noiselessly through on slippered feet and bolted it +behind him.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_IX'></a><h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<h3>THE CONSUMING FIRE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>As he turned towards her, there came upon Stella, swift as a stab +through the heart, the memory of that terrible night more than a year +before when he had drawn her into his room and fastened the window +behind her—against whom? His wild words rushed upon her. She had deemed +them to be directed against the unknown intruder on the verandah. She +knew now that the madness that had loosed his tongue had moved him to +utter his fierce threat against a man who was dead—against the man whom +he had—She stopped the thought as she would have checked the word +half-spoken. She turned shivering away. The man on the verandah, that +vision of the night-watches, she saw it all now—she saw it all. And he +had loved her before her marriage. And he had known—and he had +known—that, given opportunity, he could win her for his own.</p> + +<p>Like a throbbing undersong—the fiendish accompaniment to the devils' +chorus—the gossip of the station as detailed by Tessa ran with glib +mockery through her brain. Ah, they only suspected. But she knew—she +knew! The door of that secret chamber had opened wide to her at last, +and perforce she had entered in.</p> + +<p>He had moved forward, but he had not spoken. At least she fancied not, +but all her senses were in an uproar. And above it all she seemed to +hear that dreadful little thrumming instrument down by the river at +Udalkhand—the tinkling, mystic call of the vampire goddess,—India the +insatiable who had made him what he was.</p> + +<p>He came to her, and every fibre of her being was aware of him and +thrilled at his coming. Never had she loved him as she loved him then, +but her love was a fiery torment that burned and consumed her soul. She +seemed to feel it blistering, shrivelling, in the cruel heat.</p> + +<p>Almost before she knew it, she had broken her silence, speaking as it +were in spite of herself, scarcely knowing in her anguish what she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know. I know what you are going to say. You are going to tell me +that I belong to you. And of course it is true,—I do. But if I stay +with you, I shall be—a murderess. Nothing will alter that."</p> + +<p>"Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>His voice was stern, so stern that she flinched. He laid his hand upon +her, and she shrank as she would have shrunk from a hot iron searing her +flesh. She had a wild thought that she would bear the brand of it for +ever.</p> + +<p>"Stella," he said again, and in both tone and action there was +compulsion. "I have come to tell you that you are making a mistake. I am +innocent of this thing you suspect me of."</p> + +<p>She stood unresisting in his hold, but she was shaking all over. The +floor seemed to be rising and falling under her feet. She knew that her +lips moved several times before she could make them speak.</p> + +<p>"But I don't suspect," she said. "The others suspect. I—know."</p> + +<p>He received her words in silence. She saw his face as through a shifting +vapour, very pale, very determined, with eyes of terrible intensity +dominating her own.</p> + +<p>Half mechanically she repeated herself. It was as if that devilish +thrumming in her brain compelled her. "The others suspect. I—know."</p> + +<p>"I see," he said at last. "And nothing I can say will make any +difference?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" she made answer, and scarcely knew that she spoke, so cold and +numb had she become. "How could it—now?"</p> + +<p>He looked at her, and suddenly he saw that to which his own suffering +had momentarily blinded him. He saw her utter weakness. With a swif +passionate movement he caught her to him. For a second or two he held +her so, strained against his heart, then almost fiercely he turned her +face up to his own and kissed the stiff white lips.</p> + +<p>"Be it so then!" he said, and in his voice was a deep note as though he +challenged all the powers of evil. "You are mine—and mine you will +remain."</p> + +<p>She did not resist him though the touch of his lips was terrible to her. +Only as they left her own, she turned her face aside. Very strangely +that savage lapse of his had given her strength.</p> + +<p>"Physically—perhaps—but only for a little while," she said gaspingly. +"And in spirit, never—never again!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he said, his arms tightening about her.</p> + +<p>She kept her face averted. "I mean—that some forms of torture are worse +than death. If it comes to that—if you compel me—I shall choose +death."</p> + +<p>"Stella!" He let her go so suddenly that she nearly fell. The utterance +of her name was as a cry wrung from him by sheer agony. He turned from +her with his hands over his face. "My God!" he said, and again almost +inarticulately, "My—God!"</p> + +<p>The low utterance pierced her, yet she stood motionless, her hands +gripped hard together. He had forced the words from her, and they were +past recall. Nor would she have recalled them, had she been able, for it +seemed to her that her love had become an evil thing, and her whole +being shrank from it in a species of horrified abhorrence, even though +she could not cast it out.</p> + +<p>He had turned towards the window, and she watched him, her heart beating +in slow, hard strokes with a sound like a distant drum. Would he go? +Would he remain? She almost prayed aloud that he would go.</p> + +<p>But he did not. Very suddenly he turned and strode back to her. There +was purpose in every line of him, but there was no longer any violence.</p> + +<p>He halted before her. "Stella," he said, and his voice was perfectly +steady and controlled, "do you think you are being altogether fair to +me?"</p> + +<p>She wrung her clasped hands. She could not answer him.</p> + +<p>He took them into his own very quietly. "Just look me in the face for a +minute!" he said.</p> + +<p>She yearned to disobey, but she could not. Dumbly she raised her eyes to +his.</p> + +<p>He waited a moment, very still and composed. Then he spoke. "Stella, I +swear to you—and I call God to witness—that I did not kill Ralph +Dacre."</p> + +<p>A dreadful shiver went through her at the bald brief words. She felt, as +Tommy had felt a little earlier, physically sick. The beating of her +heart was getting slower and slower. She wondered if presently it would +stop.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe me?" he said, still holding her eyes with his, still +clasping her icy hands firmly between his own.</p> + +<p>She forced herself to speak before that horrible sense of nausea +overcame her. "Perhaps—David—said the same thing—about Uriah the +Hittite."</p> + +<p>His face changed a little, but it was a change she could not have +defined. His eyes remained inscrutably fixed upon hers. They seemed to +enchain her quivering soul.</p> + +<p>"No," he said quietly. "Nor did I employ any one else to do it."</p> + +<p>"But you were there!" The words seemed suddenly to burst from her +without her own volition.</p> + +<p>He drew back sharply, as if he had been struck. But he kept his eyes +upon hers. "I can't explain anything," he said. "I am not here to +explain. I only came to see if your love was great enough to make you +believe in me—in spite of all there seems to be against me. Is it, +Stella? Is it?"</p> + +<p>His words seemed to go through her, tearing a way to her heart; the +agony was more than she could bear. She uttered an anguished cry, and +wrenched herself from him. "It isn't a question of love!" she said. "You +know it isn't a question of love! I never wanted to love you. I never +wholly trusted you. But you forced my love—though you couldn't compel +my trust. And now that I know—now that I know—" her voice broke as if +the torture were too great for her; she flung out her hands with a +gesture of driving him from her—"oh, it is hell on earth—hell on +earth!"</p> + +<p>He drew back for a second before her, his face deathly white. And then +suddenly an awful light leapt in his eyes. He gripped her outflung +hands. The fire had kindled to a flame and the torture was too much for +him also.</p> + +<p>"Then you shall love me—even in hell!" he said, through his clenched +teeth, and locked her in the iron circle of his arms.</p> + +<p>She did not resist him. She was very near the end of her strength. Only, +as he held her, her eyes met his, mutely imploring him....</p> + +<p>It reached him even in his madness, that unspoken appeal. It checked him +in the mid-furnace of his passion. His hold relaxed as if at a word of +command. He put her into a chair and turned himself from her.</p> + +<p>The next moment he was fumbling desperately at the window fastening. The +night met him on the threshold. He heard her weeping, piteously, +hopelessly, as he went away.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_4_CHAPTER_X'></a><h3>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h3>THE DESERT PLACE</h3> +<br /> + +<p>A single light shone across the verandah when Bernard Monck returned +late in the night. It drew his steps though it did not come from any of +the sitting-rooms. With the light tread often characteristic of heavy +men, he approached it, realizing only at the last moment that it came +from the window of his brother's room.</p> + +<p>Then for a second he hesitated. He was angry with Everard, more angry +than he could remember that he had ever been before. He questioned with +himself as to the wisdom of seeing him again that night. He doubted if +he could be ordinarily civil to him at present, and a quarrel would help +no one.</p> + +<p>Still why was the fellow burning a light at that hour? An unacknowledged +uneasiness took possession of him and drove him forward. People seemed +to do all manner of extravagant things in this fantastic country that +they would never have dreamed of doing in homely old England. There must +be something electric in the atmosphere that penetrated the veins. Even +he had been aware of it now and then, a strange and potent influence +that drove a man to passionate deeds.</p> + +<p>He reached the window without sound just as Stella had reached it on +that night of rain long ago. With no consciousness of spying, driven by +an urgent impulse he could not stop to question, he looked in.</p> + +<p>The window was ajar, as if it had been pushed to negligently by someone +entering, and in a flash Bernard had it wide. He went in as though he +had been propelled.</p> + +<p>A man—Everard—was standing half-dressed in the middle of the room. He +was facing the window, and the light shone with ghastly distinctness +upon his face. But he did not look up. He was gazing fixedly into a +glass of water he held in his hand, apparently watching some minute +substance melting there.</p> + +<p>It was not the thing he held, but the look upon his face, that sent +Bernard forward with a spring. "Man!" he burst forth. "What are you +doing?"</p> + +<p>Everard gave utterance to a fierce oath that was more like the cry of a +savage animal than the articulate speech of a man. He stepped back +sharply, and put the glass to his lips. But no drop that it contained +did he swallow, for in the same instant Bernard flung it violently +aside. The glass spun across the room, and they grappled together for +the mastery. For a few seconds the battle was hot; then very suddenly +the elder man threw up his hands.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said, between short gasps for breath. "You can hammer +me—if you want someone to hammer. Perhaps—it'll do you good."</p> + +<p>He was free on the instant. Everard flung round and turned his back. He +did not speak, but crossed the room and picked up the glass which lay +unbroken on the floor.</p> + +<p>Bernard followed him, still gasping for breath, "Give that to me!" he +said.</p> + +<p>His soft voice was oddly stern. Everard looked at him. His hand, shaking +a little, was extended. After a very definite pause, he placed the glass +within it. There was a little white sediment left with a drain of water +at the bottom. With his blue eyes full upon his brother's face, Bernard +lifted it to his own lips.</p> + +<p>But the next instant it was dashed away, and the glass shivered to atoms +against the wall. "You—fool!" Everard said.</p> + +<p>A faint, faint smile that very strangely proclaimed a resemblance +between them which was very seldom perceptible crossed Bernard's face. +"I—thought so," he said. "Now look here, boy! Let's stop being +melodramatic for a bit! Take a dose of quinine instead! It seems to be +the panacea for all evils in this curious country."</p> + +<p>His voice was perfectly kind, even persusaive, but it carried a hint of +authority as well, and Everard gave him a keen look as if aware of it.</p> + +<p>He was very pale but absolutely steady as he made reply. "I don't think +quinine will meet the case on this occasion."</p> + +<p>"You prefer another kind of medicine," Bernard suggested. And then with +sudden feeling he held out his hand. "Everard, old chap, never do that +while you've a single friend left in the world! Do you want to break my +heart? I only ask to stand by you. I'll stand by you to the very gates +of hell. Don't you know that?"</p> + +<p>His voice trembled slightly. Everard turned and gripped the proffered +hand hard in his own.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I—might have known," he said. "But it's a bit rash of you +all the same."</p> + +<p>His own voice quivered though he forced a smile. He would have turned +away, but Bernard restrained him.</p> + +<p>"I don't care a tinker's damn what you've done," he said forcibly. +"Remember that! We're brothers, and I'll stick to you. If there's +anything in life that I can do to help, I'll do it. If there isn't, +well, I won't worry you, but you know you can count on me just the same. +You'll never stand alone while I live."</p> + +<p>It was generously spoken. The words came straight from his soul. He put +his hand on his brother's shoulder as he uttered them. His eyes were as +tender as the eyes of a woman.</p> + +<p>And suddenly, without warning, Everard's strength failed him. It was +like the snapping of a stretched wire. "Oh, man!" he said, and covered +his face.</p> + +<p>Bernard's arm was round him in a moment, a staunch, upholding arm. +"Everard—dear old chap—can't you tell me what it is?" he said. "God +knows I'll die sooner than let you down."</p> + +<p>Everard did not answer. His breathing was hard, spasmodic, intensely +painful to hear. He had the look of a man stricken in his pride.</p> + +<p>For a space Bernard stood dumbly supporting him. Then at length very +quietly he moved and guided him to a chair.</p> + +<p>"Take your time!" he said gently. "Sit down!"</p> + +<p>Mutely Everard submitted. The agony of that night had stripped his +manhood of its reserve. He sat crouched, his head bowed upon his +clenched hands.</p> + +<p>"Wait while I fetch you a drink!" Bernard said.</p> + +<p>He was gone barely two minutes. Returning, he fastened the window and +drew the curtain across. Then he bent again over the huddled figure in +the chair.</p> + +<p>"Take a mouthful of this, old fellow! It'll pull you together."</p> + +<p>Everard groped outwards with a quivering hand. "Give me strength—to +shoot myself," he muttered.</p> + +<p>The words were only just audible, but Bernard caught them. "No,—give +you strength to play the game," he said, and held the glass he had +brought to his brother's lips.</p> + +<p>Everard drank with closed eyes and sat forward again motionless. His +face was bloodless. "I'm sorry, St. Bernard," he said, after a moment. +"Forgive me for manhandling you—and all the rest, if you can!" He drew +a long, hard breath. "Thanks for everything! Good-night!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm not leaving you," said Bernard, gently. "Not like this."</p> + +<p>"Like what?" Everard opened his eyes with an abrupt effort. "Oh, I'm all +right. Don't you bother about me!" he said.</p> + +<p>Their eyes met. For a second longer Bernard stood over him. Then he went +down upon his knees by his side. "I swear I won't leave you," he said, +"until you've told me this trouble of yours."</p> + +<p>Everard shook his head instantly, but his hand went out and closed upon +the arm that had upheld him. He was beginning to recover his habitual +self-command. "It's no good, old chap. I can't," he said. And added +almost involuntarily, "That's—the hell of it!"</p> + +<p>"But you can," Bernard said. He still looked him straight in the eyes. +"You can and you will. Call it a confession—I've heard a good many in +my time—and tell me everything!"</p> + +<p>"Confess to you!" A hint of surprise showed in Everard's heavy eyes. +"You'd better not tempt me to do that," he said. "You might be sorry +afterwards."</p> + +<p>"I will risk it," Bernard said.</p> + +<p>"Risk being made an accessory to—what you may regard as a crime?" +Everard said. "Forgive me—you're a parson, I know,—but are you sure +you can play the part?"</p> + +<p>Bernard smiled a little at the question. "Yes, I can," he said. "A +confession is sacred—whatever it is. And I swear to you—by God in +Heaven—to treat it as such."</p> + +<p>Everard was looking at him fixedly, but something of the strain went out +of his look at the words. A gleam of relief crossed his face.</p> + +<p>"All right. I will—confess to you," he said. "But I warn you +beforehand, you'll be horribly shocked. And—you won't feel like +absolving me afterwards."</p> + +<p>"That's not my job, dear fellow," Bernard answered gently. "Go ahead! +You're sure of my sympathy anyway."</p> + +<p>"Am I? You're a good chap, St. Bernard. Look here, don't kneel there! +It's not suitable for a father confessor," Everard's faint smile showed +for a moment.</p> + +<p>Bernard's hand closed upon his. "Go ahead!" he said again, "I'm all +right."</p> + +<p>Everard made an abrupt gesture that had in it something of surrender. +"It's soon told," he said, "though I don't know why I should burden you +with it. That fellow Ralph Dacre—I didn't murder him. I wish to Heaven +I had. So far as I know—he is alive."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Bernard said</p> + +<p>Jerkily, with obvious effort, Everard continued. "I'm a murderous brute +no doubt. But if I had the chance to kill him now, I'd take it. You see +what it means, don't you? It means that Stella—that Stella—" He broke +off with a convulsive movement, and dropped back into a tortured +silence.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I see what it means," Bernard said.</p> + +<p>After an interval Everard forced out a few more words. "About a +fortnight after their marriage I got your letter telling me he had a +wife living. I went straight after them in native disguise, and made him +clear out. That's the whole story."</p> + +<p>"I see," Bernard said again.</p> + +<p>Again there fell a silence between them. Everard sat bowed, his head on +his hand. The awful pallor was passing, but the stricken look remained.</p> + +<p>Bernard spoke at last. "You have no idea what became of him?"</p> + +<p>"Not the faintest. He went. That was all that concerned me." Grimly, +without lifting his head, he made answer. "You know the rest—or you can +guess. Then you came, and told me that the woman—Dacre's wife—died +before his marriage to Stella. I've been in hell ever since."</p> + +<p>"I wish to Heaven I'd stopped away!" Bernard exclaimed with sudden +vehemence.</p> + +<p>Everard shifted his position slightly to glance at him. "Don't wish +that!" he said. "After all, it would probably have come out somehow."</p> + +<p>"And—Stella?" Bernard spoke with hesitation, as if uncertain of his +ground. "What does she think? How much does she know?"</p> + +<p>"She thinks like the rest. She thinks I murdered the hound. And I'd +rather she thought that," there was dogged suffering in Everard's +voice, "than suspected the truth."</p> + +<p>"You think—" Bernard still spoke with slight hesitation—"that will +hurt her less?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." There was stubborn conviction in the reply. Everard slowly +straightened himself and faced his brother squarely. "There is—the +child," he said.</p> + +<p>Bernard shook his head slightly. "You're wrong, old fellow. You're +making a mistake. You are choosing the hardest course for her as well as +yourself."</p> + +<p>Everard's jaw hardened. "I shall find a way out for myself," he said. +"She shall be left in peace."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" Bernard said. Then as he made no reply, he took him +firmly by the shoulders. "No—no! You won't. You won't," he said. +"That's not you, my boy—not when you've sanely thought it out."</p> + +<p>Everard suffered his hold; but his face remained set in grim lines. +"There is no other way," he said. "Honestly, I see no other way."</p> + +<p>"There is another way." Very steadily, with the utmost confidence, +Bernard made the assertion. "There always is. God sees to that. You'll +find it presently."</p> + +<p>Everard smiled very wearily at the words. "I've given up expecting any +light from that quarter," he said. "It seems to me that He hasn't much +use for the wanderers once they get off the beaten track."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear chap!" Bernard's hands pressed upon him suddenly. "Do you +really believe He has no care for that which is lost? Have you blundered +along all this time and never yet seen the lamp in the desert? You will +see it—like every other wanderer—sooner or later, if you only have the +pluck to keep on."</p> + +<p>"You seem mighty sure of that." Everard looked at him with a species of +dull curiosity. "Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I am sure." Bernard spoke vigorously. "And so are you in your +heart. You know very well that if you only push on you won't be left to +die in the wilderness. Have you never thought to yourself after a +particularly dark spell that there has always been a speck of light +somewhere—never total darkness for any length of time? That's the lamp +in the desert, old chap. And—whether you realize it or not—God put it +there."</p> + +<p>He ceased to speak, and rose quietly to his feet; then, as Everard +stretched a hand to him, gave him a steady pull upwards. They stood face +to face.</p> + +<p>"And that," Bernard added, after a few moments, "is all I've got to say. +You turn in now and get a rest! If you want me, well, you know where to +find me—just any time."</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" Everard said. His hand held his brother's hard. "But—before +you go—there's one thing I want to say—no, two." A shadowy smile +touched his grim lips and vanished. His eyes were still and wholly +remote, sheltering his soul.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead!" said Bernard gently.</p> + +<p>Everard paused for a second. "You have asked no promise of me," he said +then; "but—I'll make you one. And I want one from you in return."</p> + +<p>Again he paused, as if he had some difficulty in finding words.</p> + +<p>"You can rely on me," Bernard said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, old fellow." For an instant his eyes smiled also. "I know it. It's +by that fact alone that you've gained your point. And so I'll hang on +somehow for the present—find another way—anyhow hang on, just because +you are what you are—and because—" his voice sank a little—"you +care."</p> + +<p>"Don't you know I love you before any one else in the world?" Bernard +said, giving him a mighty grip.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Everard looked him straight in the face, "I do. And it means more +to me than perhaps you think. In fact—it's everything to me just now. +That's why I want you to promise me—whatever happens—whatever I decide +to do—that you will stay within reach of—that you will take care +of—my—my—of Stella." He ended abruptly, with a quick gesture that +held entreaty.</p> + +<p>And Bernard's reply came instantly, almost before he had ceased to +speak. "Before God, old chap, I will."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," Everard said again. He stood for a few moments as if debating +something further, but in the end he freed himself and turned away. "She +will be all right, with you," he said. "You're—safe anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Quite safe," said Bernard steadily.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='PART_V'></a><h2>PART V</h2> + +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_I'></a><h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h3>GREATER THAN DEATH</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"If you ask me," said Bertie Oakes, propping himself up in an elegant +attitude against a pillar of the Club verandah, "it's my belief that +there's going to be—a bust-up."</p> + +<p>"Nobody did ask you," observed Tommy rudely.</p> + +<p>He generally was rude nowadays, and had been haled before a subalterns' +court-martial only the previous evening for that very reason. The +sentence passed had been of a somewhat drastic nature, and certainly had +not improved his temper or his manners. To be stripped, bound +scientifically, and "dipped" in the Club swimming-bath till, as Oakes +put it, all the venom had been drenched out of him, was an experience +for which only one utterly reckless would qualify twice.</p> + +<p>Tommy had come through it with a dumb endurance which had somewhat +spoilt the occasion for his tormentors, had gone back to The Green +Bungalow as soon as his punishment was over, and for the first time had +drunk heavily in the privacy of his room.</p> + +<p>He sat now in a huddled position on the Club verandah, "looking like a +sick chimpanzee" as Oakes assured him, "ready to bite—if he dared—at a +moment's notice."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston was seated near. She had a motherly eye upon Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Now what exactly do you mean by a 'bust-up,' Mr. Oakes?" she asked with +her gentle smile.</p> + +<p>Oakes blew a cloud of smoke upwards. He liked airing his opinions, +especially when there were several ladies within earshot.</p> + +<p>"What do I mean?" he said, with a pomposity carefully moulded upon the +Colonel's mode of delivery on a guest-night. "I mean, my dear Mrs. +Ralston, that which would have to be suppressed—a rising among the +native element of the State."</p> + +<p>"Ape!" growled Tommy under his breath.</p> + +<p>Oakes caught the growl, and made a downward motion with his thumb which +only Tommy understood.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burton's soft, false laugh filled the pause that followed his +pronouncement. "Surely no one could openly object to the conviction of a +native murderer!" she said. "I hear that the evidence is quite +conclusive. Captain Monck has spared no pains in that direction."</p> + +<p>"Captain Monck," observed Lady Harriet, elevating her long nose, "seems +to be exceptionally well qualified for that kind of service."</p> + +<p>"Set a thief to catch a thief, what?" suggested Oakes lightly. "Yes, he +seems to be quite good at it. Just as well in a way, perhaps. Someone +has got to do the dirty work, though it would be preferable for all of +us if he were a policeman by profession."</p> + +<p>It was too carelessly spoken to sound actively malevolent. But Tommy, +with his arms gripped round his knees, raised eyes of bloodshot fury to +the speaker's face.</p> + +<p>"If any one could take a first class certificate for dirty work, it +would be you," he said, speaking very distinctly between clenched teeth.</p> + +<p>A sudden silence fell upon the assembly. Oakes looked down at Tommy, and +Tommy glared up at Oakes.</p> + +<p>Then abruptly Major Ralston, who had been standing in the background +with a tall drink in his hand, slouched forward and let himself down +ponderously on the edge of the verandah by Tommy's side.</p> + +<p>"Go away, Bertie!" he said. "We've listened to your wind instrument long +enough. Tommy, you shut up, or I'll give you the beastliest physic I +know! What were we talking about? Mary, give us a lead!"</p> + +<p>He appealed to his wife, who glanced towards Lady Harriet with a hint of +embarrassment.</p> + +<p>Major Ralston at once addressed himself to her. He was never embarrassed +by any one, and never went out of his way to be pleasant without good +reason.</p> + +<p>"This murder trial is going to be sensational," he said, "I've just got +back from giving evidence as to the cause of death and I have it on good +authority that a certain august personage in Markestan is shaking in his +shoes as to the result of the business."</p> + +<p>"I have heard that too," said Lady Harriet.</p> + +<p>It was a curious fact that though she was always ready, and would even +go out of her way, to snub the surgeon's wife, she had never once been +other than gracious to the surgeon.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose he will be actively implicated. He's too wily for +that," went on Major Ralston. "But there's not much doubt according to +Barnes, that he was in the know—very much so, I should imagine." He +glanced about him. "Mrs. Ermsted isn't here, is she?"</p> + +<p>"No dear. I left her resting," his wife said. "This affair is very +trying for her—naturally." He assented somewhat grimly. "I wonder she +stayed for it. Now Tessa on the other hand yearns for the murderer's +head in a charger. That child is getting too Eastern in her ideas. It +will be a good thing to get her Home."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burton intervened with a simper. "Yes, she really is a naughty +little thing, and I cannot say I shall be sorry when she is gone. My +small son is at such a very receptive age."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's old enough to go to school and be licked into shape," said +Major Ralston brutally. "He flings stones at my car every time I pass. I +shall stop and give him a licking myself some day when I have time."</p> + +<p>"Really, Major Ralston, I hope you will not do anything so cruel," +protested Mrs. Burton. "We never correct him in that way ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Pity you don't," said Major Ralston. "An unlicked cub is an insult to +creation. Give him to me for a little while! I'll undertake to improve +him both morally and physically to such an extent that you won't know +him."</p> + +<p>Here Tommy uttered a brief, wholly involuntary guffaw.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you?" said Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Nothing." His gloom dropped upon him again like a mantle. "Have you +been at Khanmulla all day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; a confounded waste of time it's been too." Ralston took a deep +drink and set down his glass.</p> + +<p>"You always think it's a waste of time if you can't be doctoring +somebody," muttered Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Don't be offensive!" said Ralston. "I know what's the matter with you, +my son, but I should keep it to myself if I were you. As a matter of +fact I did give medical advice to somebody this afternoon—which of +course he won't take."</p> + +<p>Tommy's face was suddenly scarlet. It was solely the maternal protective +instinct that induced Mrs. Ralston to bend forward and speak.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Captain Monck, Gerald?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Major Ralston cast a comprehensive glance around the little group +assembled near him, finishing his survey upon Tommy's burning +countenance. "Yes—Monck," he said. "He's staying with Barnes at +Khanmulla to see this affair through. If I were Mrs. Monck I should be +pretty anxious about him. He says it's insomnia."</p> + +<p>"Is he ill?" It was Tommy who spoke, his voice quick and low, all the +sullen embarrassment gone from his demeanour.</p> + +<p>The doctor's eyes dwelt upon him for a moment longer before he answered. +"I never saw such a change in any man in such a short time. He'll have a +bad break-down if he doesn't watch out."</p> + +<p>"He works too hard," said Mrs. Ralston sympathetically.</p> + +<p>Her husband nodded. "If it weren't for that sickly baby of hers, I +should advise his wife to go straight to him and look after him. But +perhaps when this trial is over he will be able to take a rest. I shall +order the whole family to Bhulwana if I get the chance." He got up with +the words, and faced the company with a certain dogged aggressiveness +that compelled attention. "It's hard," he said, "to see a fine chap like +that knocked out. He's about the best man we've got, and we can't afford +to lose him."</p> + +<p>He waited for someone to take up the challenge, but no one showed any +inclination to do so. Only after a moment Tommy also sprang up as if +there was something in the situation that chafed him beyond endurance.</p> + +<p>Ralston looked at him again, critically, not over-favourably. "Where are +you off to in such a hurry?" he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy hunched his shoulders, all defiance in a second. "Going for a +ride," he growled. "Any objection?"</p> + +<p>Ralston turned away. "None whatever, my young porcupine. Have mercy on +your nag, that's all—and don't break your own neck!"</p> + +<p>Tommy strode wrathfully away to the sound of Mrs. Burton's tittering +laugh. With the exception of Mrs. Ralston, who really did not count, he +hated every one of the party that he left behind on the Club verandah, +and he did not attempt to disguise the fact.</p> + +<p>But when an hour later he rolled off his horse in the compound of the +policeman's bungalow at Khanmulla, his mood had undergone a complete +change. There was nothing defiant or even assertive about him as he +applied for admittance. He looked beaten, tried beyond his strength.</p> + +<p>It was growing rapidly dark as he followed Barnes's <i>khansama</i> into the +long bare room which he used as his private office. The man brought him +a lamp and told him that the <i>sahibs</i> would be back soon. They had gone +down to the Court House again, but they might return at any time.</p> + +<p>He also brought him whisky and soda which Tommy did not touch, spending +the interval of waiting that ensued in fevered tramping to and fro.</p> + +<p>He had not seen Monck alone since the evening of Tessa's birthday-party +nearly three weeks before. On the score of business connected with the +approaching trial, Monck had come to Khanmulla immediately afterwards, +and no one at Kurrumpore had had more than an occasional glimpse of him +since. But he meant to see him alone now, and he had given very explicit +instructions to that effect to the servant, accompanied by a substantial +species of persuasion that could not fail to achieve its object.</p> + +<p>When the sound of voices told him at last of the return of the two men, +he drew back out of sight of the window while the obsequious <i>khansama</i> +went forth upon his errand. Then a moment or two later he heard them +separate, and one alone came in his direction. Everard entered with the +gait of a tired man.</p> + +<p>The lamp dazzled him for a second, and Tommy saw him first. He smothered +an involuntary exclamation and stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"Tommy!" said Monck, as if incredulous.</p> + +<p>Tommy stood in front of him, his hands at his sides. "Yes, it's me. I +had to come over—just to have a look at you. Ralston said—said—oh, +damn it, it doesn't matter what he said. Only I had to—just come and +see for myself. You see, I—I—" he faltered badly, but recovered +himself under the straight gaze of Everard's eyes—"I can't get the +thought of you out of my mind. I've been a damn' cur. You won't want to +speak to me of course, but when Ralston started jawing about you this +afternoon, I found—I found—" he choked suddenly—"I couldn't stand it +any longer," he said in a strangled whisper.</p> + +<p>Monck was looking full at him by the merciless glare of the lamp on the +table, which revealed himself very fully also. All the grim lines in his +face seemed to be accentuated. He looked years older. The hair above his +temples gleamed silver where it caught the light.</p> + +<p>He did not speak at once. Only as Tommy made a blind movement as if to +go, he put forth a hand and took him by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Tommy," he said, "what have you been doing?"</p> + +<p>Out of deep hollows his eyes looked forth, indomitable, relentless as +they had ever been, searching the boy's downcast face.</p> + +<p>Tommy quivered a little under their piercing scrutiny, but he made no +attempt to avoid it.</p> + +<p>"Look at me!" Monck commanded.</p> + +<p>He raised his eyes for a moment, and in spite of himself Monck was +softened by the utter misery they held.</p> + +<p>"You always were an ass," he commented. "But I thought you had more +strength of mind than this."</p> + +<p>Tommy made an impotent gesture. "I'm a beast—I'm a skunk!" he declared, +with tremulous vehemence. "I'm not fit to speak to you!"</p> + +<p>The shadow of a smile crossed Monck's face. "And you've come all this +way to tell me so?" he said. "You've no business here either. You ought +to be at the Mess."</p> + +<p>"Damn the Mess!" said Tommy fiercely. "They'll tell me I ratted +to-morrow. I don't care. Let 'em say what they like! It's you that +matters. Man, how infernally ill you look!"</p> + +<p>Monck checked the personal allusion. "I'm not ill. But what have you +been up to? Are you in a row?"</p> + +<p>Tommy essayed a laugh. "No, nothing serious. The blithering idiots +ducked me yesterday for being disrespectful, that's all. I don't care. +It's you I care about, Everard, old chap!"</p> + +<p>His voice held sudden pleading, but his face was turned away. He had +meant to say more, but could not. He stood biting his lips desperately +in a mute struggle for self-control.</p> + +<p>Everard waited a few seconds, giving him time; then abruptly he moved, +slapped a hand on Tommy's shoulder and gave him a shake.</p> + +<p>"Tommy, don't be so beastly cheap! I'm ashamed of you. What's the +matter?"</p> + +<p>Tommy yielded impulsively to the bracing grip, but he kept his face +averted. "That's just it," he blurted out. "I feel cheap. Fact is, I +came—I came to ask you to—forgive me. But now I'm here,—I'm damned if +I have the cheek."</p> + +<p>"What do you want my forgiveness for? I thought I was the transgressor." +Everard's voice was a curious blend of humour and sadness.</p> + +<p>Tommy turned to him with a sudden boyish gesture so spontaneous as to +override all barriers. "Oh, I know all that. But it doesn't count. See? +I don't know how I ever had the infernal presumption to think it did, or +to ask you—you, of all men—to explain your actions. I don't want any +explanation. I believe in you without, simply because I can't help it. I +know—without any proof,—that you're sound. And—and—I beg your pardon +for being such a cur as to doubt you. There! That's what I came to say. +Now it's your turn."</p> + +<p>The tears were in his eyes, but he made no further attempt to hide them. +All that was great in his nature had come to the surface, and there was +no room left for self-consciousness.</p> + +<p>Monck realized it, and it affected him deeply, depriving him of the +power to respond. He had not expected this from Tommy, had not believed +him capable of it. But there was no doubting the boy's sincerity. +Through those tears which Tommy had forgotten to hide, he saw the old +loving trust shine out at him, the old whole-hearted admiration and +honour offered again without reservation and without stint.</p> + +<p>He opened his lips to speak, but something rose in his throat, +preventing him. He held out his hand in silence, and in that wordless +grip the love which is greater than death made itself felt between +them—a bond imperishable which no earthly circumstance could ever again +violate—the Power Omnipotent which conquers all things.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_II'></a><h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h3>THE LAMP</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The orange light of the morning was breaking over the jungle when two +horsemen rode out upon the Kurrumpore road and halted between the rice +fields.</p> + +<p>"I say, come on a bit further!" Tommy urged. "There's plenty of time."</p> + +<p>But the other shook his head. "No, I can't. I promised Barnes to be back +early. Good-bye, Tommy my lad! Keep your end up!"</p> + +<p>"I will," Tommy promised, and thrust out a hand. "And you'll hang on, +won't you? Promise!"</p> + +<p>"All right; for the present. My love to Bernard." Everard spoke with his +usual brevity, but his handclasp was remembered by Tommy for a very long +time after.</p> + +<p>"And to Stella?" he said, pushing his horse a little nearer till it +muzzled against its fellow.</p> + +<p>Everard's eyes, grave and dark, looked out to the low horizon. "I think +not," he said. "She has—no further use for it."</p> + +<p>"She will have," said Tommy quickly.</p> + +<p>But Everard passed the matter by in silence. "You must be getting on," +he said, and relaxed his grip. "Good-bye, old chap! You've done me good, +if that is any consolation to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, man!" said Tommy, and coloured like a girl. "Not—not really!"</p> + +<p>Everard uttered his curt laugh, and switched Tommy's mount across the +withers. "Be off with you, you—cuckoo!" he said.</p> + +<p>And Tommy grinned and went.</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour later he was sounding an impatient tatto upon his sister's +door.</p> + +<p>She came herself to admit him, but the look upon her face checked the +greeting on his lips.</p> + +<p>"What on earth's the matter?" he said instead.</p> + +<p>She was shivering as if with cold, though the risen sun had filled the +world with spring-like warmth. It occurred to him as he entered, that +she was looking pinched and ill, and he put a comforting arm around her.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Stella girl? Tell me!"</p> + +<p>She relaxed against him with a sob. "I've been—horribly anxious about +you," she said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that all?" said Tommy. "What a waste of time! I was only over at +Khanmulla. I spent the night at Barnes's bungalow because they wouldn't +trust me in the jungle after dark."</p> + +<p>"They?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"Barnes and Everard," Tommy said, and faced her squarely. "I went to see +Everard."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" She caught her breath. "Major Ralston has been here. He told +me—he told me—" her voice failed; she laid her head down upon Tommy's +shoulder.</p> + +<p>He tightened his arm about her. "It's a shame of Ralston to frighten +you. He isn't ill." Then a sudden thought striking him, "What was he +doing here so early? Isn't the kid up to the mark?"</p> + +<p>She shivered against him again. "He had a strange attack in the night, +and Major Ralston said—said—oh, Tommy," she suddenly clung to him, "I +am going to lose him. He—isn't—like other children."</p> + +<p>"Ralston said that?" demanded Tommy.</p> + +<p>"He didn't tell me. He told Bernard. I practically forced Bernard to +tell me, but I think he thought I ought to know. He said—he said—it +isn't to be desired that my baby should live."</p> + +<p>"What?" said Tommy in dismay. "Oh, my darling girl, I am sorry! What's +wrong with the poor little chap?"</p> + +<p>With her face hidden against him she made whispered answer. "You know +he—came too soon. They thought at first he was all right, but +now—symptoms have begun to show themselves. We thought he was just +delicate, but it isn't only that. Last night—in the night—" she +shuddered suddenly and violently and paused to control herself—"I +can't talk about it. It was terrible. Major Ralston says he doesn't +suffer, but it looks like suffering. And, oh, Tommy,—he is all I have +left."</p> + +<p>Tommy held her comfortingly close. "I say, wouldn't you like Everard to +come to you?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh no! Oh no!" Her refusal was instant. "I can't see him. Tommy, why +suggest such a thing? You know I can't."</p> + +<p>"I know he's a good man," Tommy said steadily. "Just listen a minute, +old girl! I know things look black enough against him, so black that +it's probable he'll have to send in his papers. But I tell you he's all +right. I didn't think so at first. I thought the same as you do. But +somehow that suspicion has got worn out. It was pretty beastly while it +lasted, but I came to my senses at last. And I've been to tell him so. +He was jolly decent about it, though he didn't tell me a thing. I didn't +want him to. Besides, he always is decent. How could he be otherwise? +And now we're just as we were—friends."</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the satisfaction in Tommy's voice. He even spoke +with pride, and hearing it, Stella withdrew herself slowly and wearily +from his arms.</p> + +<p>"It's rather different for you, Tommy," she said. "A man's standards are +different, I know. There may be what you call extenuating +circumstances—though I can't quite imagine it. I'm too tired to argue +about it, Tommy dear, and you mustn't be vexed with me. I can't go into +it with you, but I feel as if it is I—I myself—who have committed an +awful sin. And it has got to be expiated, perhaps that is why my baby +is to be taken from me. Bernard says it is not so. But then—Bernard is +a man too." There was a sound of heartbreak in her voice as she ended. +She put up her hands with a gesture as of trying to put away some +monstrous thing that threatened to crush her—a gesture that went +straight to Tommy's warm heart.</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor old girl!" he said impulsively, and took the hands into his +own. "I say, ought I to be in here? Aren't you supposed to be resting?"</p> + +<p>She smiled at him wanly. "I believe I am. Major Ralston left a soothing +draught, but I wouldn't take it, in case—" she broke off. "Peter is on +guard as well as <i>Ayah</i>, and he has promised to call me if—if—" Again +she stopped. "I don't think <i>Ayah</i> is much good," she resumed. "She was +nearly frightened out of her senses last night. She seems to think there +is something—supernatural about it. But Peter—Peter is a tower of +strength. I trust him implicitly."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's a good chap," said Tommy. "I'm glad you've got him anyway. I +wish I could be more of a help to you."</p> + +<p>She leaned forward and kissed him. "You are very dear to me, Tommy. I +don't know what I should do without you and Bernard."</p> + +<p>"Where is the worthy padre?" asked Tommy.</p> + +<p>"He may be working in his room. He is certainly not far away. He never +is nowadays."</p> + +<p>"I'll go and find him," said Tommy. "But look here, dear! Have that +draught of Ralston's and lie down! Just to please me!"</p> + +<p>She began to refuse, but Tommy could be very persuasive when he chose, +and he chose on this occasion. Finally, with reluctance she yielded, +since, as he pointed out, she needed all the strength she could muster.</p> + +<p>He tucked her up with motherly care, feeling that he had accomplished +something worth doing, and then, seeing that exhaustion would do the +rest, he left her and went softly forth in search of Bernard.</p> + +<p>The latter, however, was not in the bungalow, and since it was growing +late Tommy had a hurried bath and dressed for parade. He was bolting a +hasty <i>tiffin</i> in the dining-room when a quiet step on the verandah +warned him of Bernard's approach, and in a moment or two the big man +entered, a pipe in his mouth and a book under his arm.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Tommy!" he said with his genial smile. "So you haven't been +murdered this time. I congratulate you."</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" said Tommy.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate myself also," said Bernard, patting his shoulder by way +of greeting. "If it weren't against my principles, I should have been +very worried about you, my lad. For I couldn't get away to look for +you."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," said Tommy. "And I was safe enough. I've been over to +Khanmulla. Everard made me spend the night, and we rode back this +morning."</p> + +<p>"Everard! He isn't here?" Bernard looked round sharply.</p> + +<p>"No," said Tommy bluntly. "But he ought to be. He went back again. He is +wanted for that trial business. I say, things are pretty rotten here, +aren't they? Is the little kid past hope?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid so." Bernard spoke very gravely. His kindly face was more +sombre than Tommy had ever seen it.</p> + +<p>"But can nothing be done?" the boy urged. "It'll break Stella's heart to +lose him."</p> + +<p>Bernard shook his head. "Nothing whatever I am afraid. Major Ralston has +suspected trouble for some time, it seems. We might of course get a +specialist's opinion at Calcutta, but the baby is utterly unfit for a +journey of any kind, and it is doubtful if any doctor would come all +this way—especially with things as they are."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" said Tommy.</p> + +<p>Bernard looked at him. "The place is a hotbed of discontent—if not +anarchy. Surely you know that!"</p> + +<p>Tommy shrugged his shoulders. "That's nothing new. It's what we're here +for."</p> + +<p>"Yes. And matters are getting worse. I hear that the result of this +trial will probably mean the Rajah's enforced abdication. And if that +happens there is practically bound to be a rising."</p> + +<p>Tommy laughed. "That's been the situation as long as I've been out. +We're giving him enough rope, and I hope he'll hang, though I'm afraid +he won't. The rising will probably be a sort of Chinese cracker +affair—a fizz, a few bangs, and a splutter-out. No honour and glory for +any one!"</p> + +<p>"I hope you are right," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>"And I hope I'm wrong," said Tommy lightly. "I like a run for my money."</p> + +<p>"You forget the women," said Bernard abruptly.</p> + +<p>Tommy opened his eyes. "No, I don't. They'll be all right. They'll have +to clear out to Bhulwana a little earlier than usual. They'll be safe +enough there. You can go and look after 'em, sir. They'll like that."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Tommy." Bernard smiled in spite of himself. "It's kind of +you to put it so tactfully. Now tell me what you think of Everard. Is he +really ill?"</p> + +<p>"No; worried to death, that's all. He's talking of sending in his +papers. Did you know?"</p> + +<p>"I suspected he would," Bernard spoke thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"He mustn't do it!" said Tommy with vehemence. "He's worth all the rest +of the Mess put together. You mustn't let him."</p> + +<p>Bernard lifted his brows. "I let him!" he said. "Do you think he is +going to do what I tell him?"</p> + +<p>"I know you have influence—considerable influence—with him," Tommy +said. "You ought to use it, sir. You really ought. It's up to you and no +one else."</p> + +<p>He spoke insistently. Bernard looked at him attentively.</p> + +<p>"You've changed your tune somewhat, haven't you, Tommy?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Tommy bluntly. "I have. I've been a damn' fool if you want +to know—the biggest, damnedest fool on the face of creation. And I've +been and told him so."</p> + +<p>"For no particular reason?" Bernard's blue eyes grew keener in their +regard. He looked at Tommy with more interest than he had ever before +bestowed upon him.</p> + +<p>Tommy's face was red, but he replied without embarrassment. "Certainly. +I've come to my senses, that's all. I've come to realize—what I really +knew all along—that he's a white man, white all through, however black +he chooses to be painted. And I'm ashamed that I ever doubted him."</p> + +<p>"He hasn't told you anything?" questioned Bernard, still closely +surveying the flushed countenance.</p> + +<p>"No!" said Tommy, and his voice rang on a note of indignant pride. "Why +the devil should he tell me anything? I'm his friend. Thank the gods, I +can trust him without."</p> + +<p>Bernard held out his hand suddenly. The interest had turned to something +warmer. He looked at the boy with genuine admiration. "I take off my hat +to you, Tommy," he said. "Everard is a deuced lucky man."</p> + +<p>"What?" said Tommy, and turned deep crimson. "Oh, rot, sir! That's rot!" +He gripped the extended hand with warmth notwithstanding. "It's all the +other way round. I can't tell you what he's been to me. Why, I—I'd die +for him, if I had the chance."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Bernard said with simplicity. "I'm sure you would, boy. And it's +just that I like about you. You're just the sort of friend he needs—the +sort of friend God sends along to hold up the lamp when the night is +dark. There! You want to be off. I won't keep you. But you're a white +man yourself, Tommy, and I shan't forget it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, rats—rats—rats!" said Tommy rudely, and escaped through the +window at headlong speed.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_III'></a><h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h3>TESSA'S MOTHER</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"It really isn't my fault," said Netta fretfully. "I don't see why you +should lecture me about it, Mary. I can't help being attractive."</p> + +<p>"My dear," said Mrs. Ralston patiently, "that was not my point. I am +only urging you to show a little discretion. You do not want to be an +object of scandal, I am sure. The finger of suspicion has been pointed +at the Rajah a good many times lately, and I do think that for Tessa's +sake, if not for your own, you ought to put a check upon your intimacy +with him.</p> + +<p>"Bother Tessa!" said Netta. "I don't see that I owe her anything."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston sighed a little, but she persevered. "The child is at an +age when she needs the most careful training. Surely you want her to +respect you!"</p> + +<p>Netta laughed. "I really don't care a straw what she does. Tessa doesn't +interest me. I wanted a boy, you know. I never had any use for girls. +Besides, she gets on my nerves at every turn. We shall never be kindred +spirits."</p> + +<p>"Poor little Tessa!" said Mrs. Ralston gently. "She has such a loving +heart."</p> + +<p>"She doesn't love me," said Tessa's mother without regret. "I suppose +you'll say that's my fault too. Everything always is, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I think—in fact I am sure—that love begets love," said Mrs. Ralston. +"Perhaps when you and she get to England together, you will become more +to each other."</p> + +<p>"Out of sheer <i>ennui</i>?" suggested Netta. "Oh, don't let's talk of +England—I hate the thought of it. I'm sure I was created for the East. +Hence the sympathy that exists between the Rajah and myself. You know, +Mary, you really are absurdly prejudiced against him. Richard was the +same. He never had any cause to be jealous. They simply didn't come into +the same category."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston looked at her with wonder in her eyes. "You seem to +forget," she said, "that Richard's murderer is being tried, and that +this man is very strongly suspected of being an abettor if not the +actual instigator of the crime."</p> + +<p>Netta flicked the ash from her cigarette with a gesture of impatience. +"I only wish you would let me forget these unpleasant things," she said. +"Why don't you go and preach a sermon to the beautiful Stella Monck on +the same text? Ralph Dacre's death was quite as much of a mystery. And +the kindly gossips are every bit as busy with Captain Monck's reputation +as with His Excellency's. But I suppose her devotion to that wretched +little imbecile baby of hers renders her immune!"</p> + +<p>She spoke with intentional malice, but she scarcely expected to strike +home. Mary was not, in her estimation, over-endowed with brains, and she +never seemed to mind a barbed thrust or two. But on this occasion Mrs. +Ralston upset her calculations.</p> + +<p>She arose in genuine wrath. "Netta!" she said. "I think you are the most +heartless, callous woman I have ever met!"</p> + +<p>And with that she went straight from the room, shutting the door firmly +behind her.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" commented Netta. "Mary in a tantrum! What an exciting +spectacle!"</p> + +<p>She stretched her slim body like a cat as she lay with the warm sunshine +pouring over her, and presently she laughed.</p> + +<p>"How funny! How very funny! Netta, my dear, they'll be calling you +wicked next."</p> + +<p>She pursed her lips over the adjective as if she rather enjoyed it, then +stretched herself again luxuriously, with sensuous enjoyment. She had +riden with the Rajah in the early morning, and was pleasantly tired.</p> + +<p>The sudden approach of Tessa, scampering along the verandah in the wake +of Scooter, sent a quick frown to her face, which deepened swiftly as +Scooter, dodging nimbly, ran into the room and went to earth behind a +bamboo screen.</p> + +<p>Tessa sprang in after him, but pulled up sharply at sight of her +mother. The frown upon Netta's face was instantly reflected upon her +own. She stood expectant of rebuke.</p> + +<p>"What a noisy child you are!" said Netta. "Are you never quiet, I +wonder? And why did you let that horrid little beast come in here? You +know I detest him."</p> + +<p>"He isn't horrid!" said Tessa, instantly on the defensive. "And I +couldn't help him coming in. I didn't know you were here, but it isn't +your bungalow anyway, and Aunt Mary doesn't mind him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, go away!" said Netta with irritation. "You get more insufferable +every day. Take the little brute with you and shut him up—or drown +him!"</p> + +<p>Tessa came forward with an insolent shrug. There was more than a spice +of defiance in her bearing.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose I can catch him," she said. "But I'll try."</p> + +<p>The chase of the elusive Scooter that followed would have been an affair +of pure pleasure to the child, had it not been for the presence of her +mother and the growing exasperation with which she regarded it. It was +all sheer fun to Scooter who wormed in and out of the furniture with +mirth in his gleaming eyes, and darted past the window a dozen times +without availing himself of that means of escape.</p> + +<p>Netta's small stock of patience was very speedily exhausted. She sat up +on the sofa and sternly commanded Tessa to desist.</p> + +<p>"Go and tell the <i>khit</i> to catch him!" she said.</p> + +<p>Tessa, however, by this time had also warmed to the game. She paid no +more attention to her mother's order than she would have paid to the +buzzing of a mosquito. And when Scooter dived under the sofa on which +Netta had been reclining, she burrowed after him with a squeal of +merriment.</p> + +<p>It was too much for Netta whose feelings had been decidedly ruffled +before Tessa's entrance. As Scooter shot out on the other side of her, +running his queer zigzag course, she snatched the first thing that came +to hand, which chanced to be a heavy bronze weight from the +writing-table at her elbow, and hurled it at him with all her strength.</p> + +<p>Scooter collapsed on the floor like a broken mechanical toy. Tessa +uttered a wild scream and flung herself upon him.</p> + +<p>Netta gasped hysterically, horrified but still angry. "It serves him +right—serves you both right! Now go away!" she said.</p> + +<p>Tessa turned on her knees on the floor. Scooter was feebly kicking in +her arms. The missile had struck him on the head and one eye was +terribly injured. She gathered him up to her little narrow chest, and he +ceased to kick and became quite still.</p> + +<p>Over his lifeless body she looked at her mother with eyes of burning +furious hatred. "You've killed him!" she said, her voice sunk very low. +"And I hope—oh, I do hope—some day—someone—will kill you!"</p> + +<p>There was that about her at the moment that actually frightened Netta, +and it was with undoubted relief that she saw the door open and Major +Ralston's loose-knit lounging figure block the entrance.</p> + +<p>"What's all this noise about?" he began, and stopped short.</p> + +<p>Behind him stood another figure, broad, powerful, not overtall. At sight +of it, Tessa uttered a hard sob and scrambled to her feet. She still +clasped poor Scooter's dead body to her breast, and his blood was on her +face and on the white frock she wore.</p> + +<p>"Uncle St. Bernard! Look! Look!" she said. "She's killed my Scooter!"</p> + +<p>Netta also arose at this juncture. "Oh, do take that horrible thing +away!" she said. "If it's dead, so much the better. It was no more than +a weasel after all. I hate such pets."</p> + +<p>Major Ralston found himself abruptly though not roughly pushed aside. +Bernard Monck swooped down with the action of a practised footballer and +took the furry thing out of Tessa's hold. His eyes were very bright and +intensely alert, but he did not seem aware of Tessa's mother.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, darling!" he said to the child. "P'raps I can help."</p> + +<p>He trod upon the carved bronze that had slain Scooter as he turned, and +he left the mark of his heel upon it—the deep impress of an angry +giant.</p> + +<p>The door closed with decision upon himself and the child, and Major +Ralston was left alone with Netta.</p> + +<p>She looked at him with a flushed face ready to defy remonstance, but he +stooped without speaking and picked up the thing that Bernard had tried +to grind to powder, surveyed it with a lifted brow and set it back in +its place.</p> + +<p>Netta promptly collapsed upon the sofa. "Oh, it is too bad!" she sobbed. +"It really is too bad! Now I suppose you too—are going to be brutal."</p> + +<p>Major Ralston cleared his throat. There was certainly no sympathy in his +aspect, but his manner was wholly lacking in brutality. He was never +brutal to women, and Netta Ermsted was his guest as well as his patient.</p> + +<p>After a moment he sat down beside her, and there was nothing in the +action to mark it as heroic, or to betray the fact that he yearned to +stamp out of the room after Bernard and leave her severely to her +hysterics.</p> + +<p>"No good in being upset now," he remarked. "The thing's done, and crying +won't undo it."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to undo it!" declared Netta. "I always did detest the +horrible ferrety thing. Tessa couldn't have taken it Home with her +either, so it's just as well it's gone." She dried her eyes with a +vindictive gesture, and reached for the cigarettes. Hysterics were +impossible in this man's presence. He was like a shower of cold water.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't if I were you," remarked Major Ralston with the air of a +man performing a laborious duty. "You smoke too many of 'em."</p> + +<p>Netta ignored the admonition. "They soothe my nerves," she said. "May I +have a light?"</p> + +<p>He searched his pockets, and apparently drew a blank.</p> + +<p>Netta frowned in swift irritation. "How stupid! I thought all men +carried matches."</p> + +<p>Major Ralston accepted the reproof in silence. He was like a large dog, +gravely presenting his shoulder to the nips of a toy terrier.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Netta aggressively.</p> + +<p>He looked at her with composure. "Talking about going Home," he said, +"at the risk of appearing inhospitable, I think it is my duty to advise +you very strongly to go as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" She looked back with instant hostility. "And why?"</p> + +<p>He did not immediately reply. Whether with reason or not, he had the +reputation for being slow-witted, in spite of the fact that he was a +brilliant chess-player.</p> + +<p>She laughed—a short, unpleasant laugh. She was never quite at her ease +with him, notwithstanding his slowness. "Why the devil should I, Major +Ralston?"</p> + +<p>He shrugged his shoulders with massive deliberation. "Because," he said +slowly, "there's going to be the devil's own row if this man is hanged +for your husband's murder. We have been warned to that effect."</p> + +<p>She shrugged her shoulders also with infinite daintiness, "Oh, a native +rumpus! That doesn't impress me in the least. I shan't go for that."</p> + +<p>Major Ralston's eyes wandered round the room as if in search of +inspiration. "Mary is going," he observed.</p> + +<p>Netta laughed again, lightly, flippantly. "Good old Mary! Where is she +going to?"</p> + +<p>His eyes came down upon her suddenly like the flash of a knife. "She has +consented to go to Bhulwana with the rest," he said. "But I beg you will +not accompany her there. As Captain Ermsted's widow and—" he spoke as +one hewing his way—"the chosen friend of the Rajah, your position in +the State is one of considerable difficulty—possibly even of danger. +And I do not propose to allow my wife to take unnecessary risks. For +that reason I must ask you to go before matters come to a head. You have +stayed too long already."</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" said Netta, opening her eyes wide. "But if Mary's +sacred person is to be safely stowed at Bhulwana, what is to prevent my +remaining here if I so choose?"</p> + +<p>"Because I don't choose to let you, Mrs. Ermsted," said Major Ralston +steadily.</p> + +<p>She gazed at him. "You—don't—choose! You!"</p> + +<p>His eyes did battle with hers. Since that slighting allusion to his +wife, he had no consideration left for Netta. "That is so," he said, in +his heavy fashion. "I have already pointed out that you would be +well-advised on your own account to go—not to mention the child's +safety."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the child!" There was keenness about the exclamation which almost +amounted to actual dislike. "I'm tired to death of having Tessa's +welfare and Tessa's morals rammed down my throat. Why should I make a +fetish of the child? What is good enough for me is surely good enough +for her."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I don't agree with you," said Major Ralston.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't," she rejoined. "You and Mary are quite antediluvian in +your idea. But that doesn't influence me. I am glad to say I am more up +to date. If I can't stay here, I shall go to Udalkhand. There's a hotel +there as well as here."</p> + +<p>"Of sorts," said Major Ralston. "Also Udalkhand is nearer to the seat of +disturbance."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't care." Netta spoke recklessly. "I'm not going to be +dictated to. What a mighty scare you're all in! What can you think will +happen even if a few natives do get out of hand?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty of things might happen," he rejoined, getting up. "But that by +the way. If you won't listen to reason I am wasting my time. But—" he +spoke with abrupt emphasis—"you will not take Tessa to Udalkhand."</p> + +<p>Netta's eyes gleamed. "I shall take her to Kamtchatka if I choose," she +said.</p> + +<p>For the first time a smile crossed Major Ralston's face. He turned to +the door. "And if she chooses," he said, with malicious satisfaction.</p> + +<p>The door closed upon him, and Netta was left alone.</p> + +<p>She remained motionless for a few moments showing her teeth a little in +an answering smile; then with a swift, lissom movement, that would have +made Tommy compare her to a lizard, she rose.</p> + +<p>With a white, determined face she bent over the writing-table and +scribbled a hasty note. Her hand shook, but she controlled it +resolutely.</p> + +<p>Words flicked rapidly into being under her pen: "I shall be behind the +tamarisks to-night."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_IV'></a><h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h3>THE BROAD ROAD</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Bernard Monck never forgot the day of Scooter's death. It was as +indelibly fixed in his memory as in that of Tessa.</p> + +<p>The child's wild agony of grief was of so utterly abandoned a nature as +to be almost Oriental in its violence. The passionate force of her +resentment against her mother also was not easy to cope with though he +quelled it eventually. But when that was over, when she had wept herself +exhausted in his arms at last, there followed a period of numbness that +made him seriously uneasy.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ralston had gone out before the tragedy had occurred, but Major +Ralston presently came to his relief. He stooped over Tessa with a few +kindly words, but when he saw the child's face his own changed somewhat.</p> + +<p>"This won't do," he said to Bernard, holding the slender wrist. "We must +get her to bed. Where's her <i>ayah</i>?"</p> + +<p>Tessa's little hand hung limply in his hold. She seemed to be +half-asleep. Yet when Bernard moved to lift her, she roused herself to +cling around his neck.</p> + +<p>"Please keep me with you, dear Uncle St. Bernard! Oh, please don't go +away!"</p> + +<p>"I won't, sweetheart," he promised her.</p> + +<p>The <i>ayah</i> was nowhere to be found, but it was doubtful if her presence +would have made much difference, since Tessa would not stir from her +friend's sheltering arms, and wept again weakly even at the doctor's +touch.</p> + +<p>So it was Bernard who carried her to her room, and eventually put her to +bed under Major Ralston's directions. The latter's face was very grave +over the whole proceeding and he presently fetched something in a +medicine-glass and gave it to Bernard to administer.</p> + +<p>Tessa tried to refuse it, but her opposition broke down before Bernard's +very gentle insistence. She would do anything, she told him piteously, +if only—if only—he would stay with her.</p> + +<p>So Bernard stayed, sending a message to The Green Bungalow to explain +his absence, which found Mrs. Ralston as well as Stella and brought the +former back in haste.</p> + +<p>Tessa was in a deep sleep by the time she arrived, but, hearing that +Stella did not need him, Bernard still maintained his watch, only +permitting Mrs. Ralston to relieve him while he partook of luncheon with +her husband.</p> + +<p>Netta did not appear for the meal to the unspoken satisfaction of them +both. They ate almost in silence, Major Ralston being sunk in a species +of moody abstraction which Bernard did not disturb until the meal was +over.</p> + +<p>Then at length, ere he rose to go, he deliberately broke into his host's +gloomy reflections. "Will you tell me," he said courteously, "exactly +what it is that you fear with regard to the child?"</p> + +<p>Major Ralston continued to be abstracted for fully thirty seconds after +the quiet question; then, as Bernard did not repeat it but merely +waited, he replied to it.</p> + +<p>"There are plenty of things to be feared for a child like that. It's a +criminal shame to have kept her out here so long. What I actually +believe to be the matter at the present moment, is heart trouble."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I thought so." Bernard looked across at him with grave +comprehension. "She had a bad shock the other day."</p> + +<p>"Yes; a shock to the whole system. She lives on wires in any case. I am +going to examine her presently, but I am pretty sure I am right. What +she really wants—" Major Ralston stopped himself abruptly, so abruptly +that a twinkle of humour shone momentarily in Bernard's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Don't jam on the brakes on my account!" he protested gently. "I am with +you all the way. What does she really want?"</p> + +<p>Major Ralston uttered a gruff laugh. It was practically impossible not +to confide in Bernard Monck. "She wants to get right away from that +vicious little termagant of a mother of hers. There's no love between +them and never will be, so what's the use of pretending? She wants to +get into a wholesome bracing, outdoor atmosphere with someone who knows +how to love her. She'll probably go straight to the bad if she +doesn't—that is, if she lives long enough."</p> + +<p>The humour had died in Bernard's eyes. They shone with a very different +light as he said, "I have thought the same thing myself." He paused a +moment, then slowly, "Do you think her mother would be persuaded to hand +her over to me?" he said.</p> + +<p>Ralston's brows went up. "To you! For good and all do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." In his steady unhurried fashion Bernard made answer. "I have been +thinking of it for some time. As a matter of fact, it was to consult you +about it that I came here to-day. I want it more than ever now."</p> + +<p>Ralston was staring openly. "You'd have your hands full," he remarked.</p> + +<p>Bernard smiled. "I daresay. But, you see, we're chums. To use your own +expression I know how to love her. I could make her happy—possibly good +as well."</p> + +<p>Ralston never paid compliments, but after a considerable pause he said, +"It would be the best thing that ever happened to the imp. So far as her +mother's permission goes, I should say she is cheap enough to be had +almost without asking. You won't need to use much persuasion in that +direction."</p> + +<p>"An infernal shame!" said Bernard, the hot light again in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Ralston agreed with him. "All the same, Tessa can be a positive little +demon when she likes. I've seen it, so I know. She has got a good deal +of her mother's temperament only with a generous allowance of heart +thrown in."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Bernard said. "And it's the heart that counts. You can do +practically anything with a child like that."</p> + +<p>Ralston got up. "Well, I'm going to have another look at her, and then +I'm due at The Green Bungalow. I can't say what is going to happen +there. You ought to clear out, all of you; but a journey would probably +be fatal to Mrs. Monck's infant just now. I can't advise it."</p> + +<p>"Wherever Stella goes, I go," said Bernard firmly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's understood." Ralston gave him a keen look. "You're in +charge, aren't you? But those who can go, must go, that's certain. That +scoundrel will be convicted in a day or two. And then—look out for +squalls!"</p> + +<p>Bernard's smile was scarcely the smile of the man of peace. "Oh yes, I +shall look out," he said mildly. "And—incidentally—Tommy is teaching +me how to shoot."</p> + +<p>They returned to Tessa who was still sleeping, and Mrs. Ralston gave up +her place beside her to Bernard, who settled down with a paper to spend +the afternoon. Major Ralston departed for The Green Bungalow, and the +silence of midday fell upon the place.</p> + +<p>It was still early in the year, but the warmth was as that of a soft +summer day in England. The lazy drone of bees hung on the air, and +somewhere among the tamarisks a small, persistent bird, called and +called perpetually, receiving no reply.</p> + +<p>"A fine example of perseverance," Bernard murmured to himself.</p> + +<p>He had plenty of things to think about—to worry about also, had it been +his disposition to worry; but the utter peace that surrounded him made +him drowsy. He nodded uncomfortably for a space, then finally—since he +seldom did things by halves—laid aside his paper, leaned back in his +chair, and serenely slept.</p> + +<p>Twice during the afternoon Mrs. Ralston tiptoed along the verandah, +peeped in upon them, and retired again smiling. On the second occasion +she met her husband on the same errand and he drew her aside, his hand +through her arm.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Mary! I've talked to that little spitfire without much +result. She talks in a random fashion of going to Udalkhand. What her +actual intentions are I don't know. Possibly she doesn't know herself. +But one thing is certain. She is not going to be attached to your train +any longer, and I have told her so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Gerald!" She looked at him in dismay. "How—inhospitable of you!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it?" His hand was holding her arm firmly. "You see, I +chance to value your safety more than my reputation for kindness to +outsiders. You are going to Bhulwana at the end of this week. Come! You +promised."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know I did." She looked at him with distress in her eyes. "I've +wished I hadn't ever since. There is my poor Stella in bad trouble for +one thing. She says she will have to change her <i>ayah</i>. And there is—"</p> + +<p>"She has got Peter—and her brother-in-law. She doesn't want you too," +said her husband.</p> + +<p>"And now there is little Tessa," proceeded Mrs. Ralston, growing more +and more worried as she proceeded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is Tessa," he agreed. "You can offer to take her to Bhulwana +with you if you like. But not her mother as well. That is understood. It +won't break her heart to part with her, I fancy. As for you, my dear," +he gave her a whimsical look, "the sooner you are gone the better I +shall be pleased. Lady Harriet and the Burton contingent left to-day."</p> + +<p>"I hate going!" declared Mrs. Ralston almost tearfully. "I shouldn't +have promised if I could have foreseen all that was going to happen."</p> + +<p>He squeezed her arm. "All the same—you promised. So don't be silly!"</p> + +<p>She turned suddenly and clung to him.</p> + +<p>"Gerald! I want to stay with you. Let me stay! I can't bear the thought +of you alone and in danger."</p> + +<p>He stared for a moment in astonishment. Demonstrations of affection were +almost unknown between them. Then, with a shamefaced gesture, he bent +and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"What a silly old woman!" he said.</p> + +<p>That ended the discussion and she knew that her plea had been refused. +But the fashion of its refusal brought the warm colour to her faded +face, and she was even near to laughing in the midst of her woe. How +dear of Gerald to put it like that! She did not feel that she had ever +fully realized his love for her until that moment.</p> + +<p>Seeing that her presence in her own bungalow was not needed just then, +she betook herself once more to Stella, and again the afternoon silence +fell like a spell of enchantment. That there could be any element of +unrest anywhere within that charmed region seemed a thing impossible. +The peace of Eden brooded everywhere.</p> + +<p>The evening was drawing on ere Bernard slowly emerged from his serene +slumber and looked at the child beside him. Some invisible influence—or +perhaps some bond of sympathy between them—had awakened her at the same +moment, for her eyes were fixed upon him. They shone intensely, +mysteriously blue in the subdued light, wistful, searching eyes, wholly +unlike the eyes of a child.</p> + +<p>Her hand came out to his. "Have you been here all the time, dear?" she +said.</p> + +<p>She seemed to be still half-wrapped in the veil of sleep. He leaned to +her, holding the little hand up against his cheek.</p> + +<p>"Almost, my princess," he said.</p> + +<p>She nestled to him snuggling her fair head into his shoulder. "I've been +dreaming," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Have you, my darling?" He gathered her close with a compassionate +tenderness for the frailty of the little throbbing body he held.</p> + +<p>Tessa's arms crept round his neck. "I dreamt," she said, "that you and +I, Uncle St. Bernard, were walking in a great big city, and there was a +church with a golden spire. There were a lot of steps up to it—and +Scooter—" a sob rose in her throat and was swiftly suppressed—"was +sunning himself on the top. And I tried to run up the steps and catch +him, but there were always more and more and more steps, and I couldn't +get any nearer. And I cried at last, I was so tired and disappointed. +And then—" the bony arms tightened—"you came up behind me, and took my +hand and said, 'Why don't you kneel down and pray? It's much the +quickest way.' And so I did," said Tessa simply. "And all of a sudden +the steps were gone, and you and I went in together. I tried to pick up +Scooter, but he ran away, and I didn't mind 'cos I knew he was safe. I +was so happy, so very happy. I didn't want to wake again." A doleful +note crept into Tessa's voice; she swallowed another sob.</p> + +<p>Bernard lifted her bodily from the bed to his arms. "Don't fret, little +sweetheart! I'm here," he said.</p> + +<p>She lifted her face to his, very wet and piteous. "Uncle St. Bernard, +I've been praying and praying—ever such a lot since my birthday-party. +You said I might, didn't you? But God hasn't taken any notice."</p> + +<p>He held her close. "What have you been praying for, my darling?" he +said.</p> + +<p>"I do—so—want to be your little girl," answered Tessa with a break in +her voice. "I never really prayed for anything before—only the things +Aunt Mary made me say—and they weren't what I wanted. But I do want +this. And I believe I'd get quite good if I was your little girl. I told +God so, but I don't think He cared."</p> + +<p>"Yes. He did care, darling." Very softly Bernard reassured her. "Don't +you think that ever! He is going to answer that prayer of yours—pretty +soon now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is He?" said Tessa, brightening. "How do you know? Is He going to +say Yes?"</p> + +<p>"I think so." Bernard's voice and touch were alike motherly. "But you +must be patient a little longer, my princess of the bluebell. It isn't +good for us to have things straight off when we want them."</p> + +<p>"You do want me?" insinuated Tessa, squeezing his neck very hard.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I want you very much," he said.</p> + +<p>"I love you," said Tessa with passionate warmth, "better—yes, better +now than even Uncle Everard. And I didn't think I ever could do that."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, little one!" he said.</p> + +<p>Later, when Major Ralston had seen her again, they had another +conference. The doctor's suspicions were fully justified. Tessa would +need the utmost care.</p> + +<p>"She shall have it," Bernard said. "But—I can't leave Stella now. I +shall see my way clearer presently."</p> + +<p>"Quite so," Ralston agreed. "My wife shall look after the child at +Bhulwana. It will keep her quiet." He gave Bernard a shrewd look. +"Perhaps you—and Mrs. Monck also—will be on your way Home before the +hot weather," he said. "In that case she could go with you."</p> + +<p>Bernard was silent. It was impossible to look forward. One thing was +certain. He could not desert Stella.</p> + +<p>Ralston passed on. Being reticent himself he respected a man who could +keep his own counsel.</p> + +<p>"What about Mrs. Ermsted?" he said. "When will you see her?"</p> + +<p>"To-night," said Bernard, setting his jaw.</p> + +<p>Ralston smiled briefly. That look recalled his brother. "No time like +the present," he said.</p> + +<p>But the time for consultation with Netta Ermsted upon the future of her +child was already past. When Bernard, very firm and purposeful, walked +down again after dinner that night, Ralston met him with a wry +expression and put a crumpled note into his hand.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Ermsted has apparently divined your benevolent intentions," he +said.</p> + +<p>Bernard read in silence, with meeting brows.</p> + +<blockquote>DEAR MARY:<br /> + +<p>This is to wish you and all kind friends good-bye. So that there may be +no misunderstanding on the part of our charitable gossips, pray tell +them at once that I have finally chosen the broad road as it really +suits me best. As for Tessa—I bequeath her and her little morals to the +first busybody who cares to apply for them. Perhaps the worthy Father +Monck would like to acquire virtue in this fashion. I find the task only +breeds vice in me. Many thanks for your laborious and, I fear, wholly +futile attempts to keep me in the much too narrow way.</p> + +Yours,<br /> +<br /> +NETTA.<br /></blockquote> + +<p>Bernard looked up from the note with such fiery eyes that Ralston who +was on the verge of a scathing remark himself had to stop out of sheer +curiosity to see what he would say.</p> + +<p>"A damnably cruel and heartless woman!" said Bernard with deliberation.</p> + +<p>Ralston's smile expressed what for him was warm approval. "She's nothing +but an animal," he said.</p> + +<p>Bernard took him up short. "You wrong the animals," he said. "The very +least of them love their young."</p> + +<p>Ralston shrugged his shoulders. "All the better for Tessa anyhow."</p> + +<p>Bernard's eyes softened very suddenly. He crumpled the note into a ball +and tossed it from him. "Yes," he said quietly. "God helping me, it +shall be all the better for her."</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_V'></a><h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h3>THE DARK NIGHT</h3> +<br /> + +<p>An owl hooted across the compound, and a paraquet disturbed by the +outcry uttered a shrill, indignant protest. An immense moon hung +suspended as it were in mid-heaven, making all things intense with its +radiance. It was the hour before the dawn.</p> + +<p>Stella stood at her window, gazing forth and numbly marvelling at the +splendour. As of old, it struck her like a weird fantasy—this Indian +enchantment—poignant, passionate, holding more of anguish than of +ecstasy, yet deeply magnetic, deeply alluring, as a magic potion which, +once tasted, must enchain the senses for ever.</p> + +<p>The extravagance of that world of dreadful black and dazzling silver, +the stillness that was yet indescribably electric, the unreality that +was allegorically real, she felt it all as a vague accompaniment to the +heartache that never left her—the scornful mockery of the goddess she +had refused to worship.</p> + +<p>There were even times when the very atmosphere seemed to her charged +with hostility—a terrible overwhelming antagonism that closed about +her in a narrowing ring which serpent-wise constricted her ever more and +more, from which she could never hope to escape. For—still the old idea +haunted her—she was a trespasser upon forbidden ground. Once she had +been cast forth. But she had dared to return, braving the flaming sword. +And now—and now—it barred her in, cutting off her escape.</p> + +<p>For she was as much a prisoner as if iron walls surrounded her. Sentence +had gone forth against her. She would not be cast forth again until she +had paid the uttermost farthing, endured the ultimate torture. Then +only—childless and desolate and broken—would she be turned adrift in +the desert, to return no more for ever.</p> + +<p>The ghastly glamour of the night attracted and repelled her like the +swing of a mighty pendulum. She was trying to pray—that much had +Bernard taught her—but her prayer only ran blind and futile through her +brain. The hour should have been sacred, but it was marred and +desecrated by the stark glare of that nightmare moon. She was worn out +with long and anxious watching, and she had almost ceased to look for +comfort, so heavy were the clouds that menaced her.</p> + +<p>The thought of Everard was ever with her, strive as she might to drive +it out. At such moments as these she yearned for him with a sick and +desperate longing—his strength, his tenderness, his understanding. He, +and he alone, would have known how to comfort her now with her baby +dying before her eyes. He would have held her up through her darkest +hours. His arm would have borne her forward however terrible the path.</p> + +<p>She had Bernard and she had Tommy, each keen and ready in her service. +She sometimes thought that but for Bernard she would have been +overwhelmed long since. But he could not fill the void within her. He +could not even touch the aching longing that gnawed so perpetually at +her heart. That was a pain she would have to endure in silence all the +rest of her life. She did not think she would ever see Everard again. +Though only a few miles lay between them at present he might have been +already a world away. She was sure he would not come back to her unless +she summoned him. The manner of his going, though he had taken no leave +of her, had been somehow final. And she could not call him back even if +she would. He had deceived her cruelly, of set intention, and she could +never trust him again. The memory of Ralph Dacre tainted all her +thoughts of him. He had sworn he had not killed him. Perhaps +not—perhaps not! Yet was the conviction ever with her that he had sent +him to his death, had intended him to die.</p> + +<p>She had given up reasoning the matter. It was beyond her. She was too +hopelessly plunged in darkness. Tommy with all his staunchness could not +lift that overwhelming cloud. And Bernard? She did not know what Bernard +thought save that he had once reminded her that a man should be +regarded as innocent unless he could be proved guilty.</p> + +<p>It was common talk now that Everard's Indian career was ended. It was +only the trial at Khanmulla that had delayed the sending in of his +papers. He was as much a broken man, however hotly Tommy contested the +point, as if he had been condemned by a court-martial. Surely, had he +been truly innocent he would have demanded a court-martial and +vindicated himself. But he had suffered his honour to go down in +silence. What more damning evidence could be supplied than this?</p> + +<p>The dumb sympathy of Peter's eyes kept the torturing thought constantly +before her. She felt sure that Peter believed him guilty of Dacre's +murder though it was more than possible that in his heart he condoned +the offence. Perhaps he even admired him for it, she reflected +shudderingly. But his devotion to her, as always, was uppermost. His +dog-like fidelity surrounded her with unfailing service. The <i>ayah</i> had +gone, and he had slipped into her place as naturally as if he had always +occupied it. Even now, while Stella stood at her window gazing forth +into the garish moonlight, was he softly padding to and fro in the room +adjoining hers, hushing the poor little wailing infant to sleep. She +could trust him implicitly, she knew, even in moments of crisis. He +would gladly work himself to death in her service. But with Mrs. +Ralston gone to Bhulwana, she knew she must have further help. The +strain was incessant, and Major Ralston insisted that she must have a +woman with her.</p> + +<p>All the ladies of the station, save herself, had gone. She knew vaguely +that some sort of disturbance was expected at Khanmulla, and that it +might spread to Kurrumpore. But her baby was too ill for travel; she had +practically forced this truth from Major Ralston, and so she had no +choice but to remain. She knew very well at the heart of her that it +would not be for long.</p> + +<p>No thought of personal danger troubled her. Sinister though the night +might seem to her stretched nerves, yet no sense of individual peril +penetrated the weary bewilderment of her brain. She was tired out in +mind and body, and had yielded to Peter's persuasion to take a rest. But +the weird cry of the night-bird had drawn her to the window and the +glittering splendour of the night had held her there. She turned from it +at last with a long, long sigh, and lay down just as she was. She always +held herself ready for a call at any time. Those strange seizures came +so suddenly and were becoming increasingly violent. It was many days +since she had permitted herself to sleep soundly.</p> + +<p>She lay for awhile wide-eyed, almost painfully conscious, listening to +Peter's muffled movements in the other room. The baby had ceased to cry, +but he was still prowling to and fro, tireless and patient, with an +endurance that was almost superhuman.</p> + +<p>She had done the same thing a little earlier till her limbs had given +way beneath her. In the daytime Bernard helped her, but she and Peter +shared the nights.</p> + +<p>Her senses became at last a little blurred. The night seemed to have +spread over half a lifetime—a practically endless vista of suffering. +The soft footfall in the other room made her think of the Sentry at the +Gate, that Sentry with the flaming sword who never slept. It beat with a +pitiless thudding upon her brain....</p> + +<p>Later, it grew intermittent, fitful, as if at each turn the Sentry +paused. It always went on again, or so she thought. And she was sure she +was not deeply sleeping, or that haunting cry of an owl had not +penetrated her consciousness so frequently.</p> + +<p>Once, oddly, there came to her—perhaps it was a dream—a sound as of +voices whispering together. She turned in her sleep and tried to listen, +but her senses were fogged, benumbed. She could not at the moment drag +herself free from the stupor of weariness that held her. But she was +sure of Peter, quite sure that he would call her if any emergency arose. +And there was no one with whom he could be whispering. So she was sure +it must be a dream. Imperceptibly she sank still deeper into slumber and +forgot....</p> + +<p>It was several hours later that Tommy, returned from early parade, flung +himself impetuously down at the table opposite Bernard with a brief, +"Now for it!"</p> + +<p>Bernard was reading a letter, and Tommy's eyes fastened upon it as his +were lifted.</p> + +<p>"What's that? A letter from Everard?" he asked unceremoniously.</p> + +<p>"Yes. He has written to tell me definitely that he has sent in his +resignation—and it has been accepted." Bernard's reply was wholly +courteous, the boy's bluntness notwithstanding. He had a respect for +Tommy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, damn!" said Tommy with fervor. "What is he going to do now?"</p> + +<p>"He doesn't tell me that." Bernard folded the letter and put it in his +pocket. "What's your news?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Tommy marked the action with somewhat jealous eyes. He had been aware of +Everard's intention for some time. It had been more or less inevitable. +But he wished he had written to him also. There were several things he +would have liked to know.</p> + +<p>He looked at Bernard rather blankly, ignoring his question. "What the +devil is he going to do?" he said. "Dropout?"</p> + +<p>Bernard's candid eyes met his. "Honestly I don't know," he said. +"Perhaps he is just waiting for orders."</p> + +<p>"Will he come back here?" questioned Tommy.</p> + +<p>Bernard shook his head. "No. I'm pretty sure he won't. Now tell me your +news!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's nothing!" said Tommy impatiently. "Nothing, I mean, compared +to his clearing out. The trial is over and the man is condemned. He is +to be executed next week. It'll mean a shine of some sort—nothing very +great, I am afraid."</p> + +<p>"That all?" said Bernard, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"No, not quite all. There was some secret information given which it is +supposed was rather damaging to the Rajah, for he has taken to his +heels. No one knows where he is, or at least no one admits he does. You +know these Oriental chaps. They can cover the scent of a rotten herring. +He'll probably never turn up again. The place is too hot to hold him. He +can finish his rotting in another corner of the Empire; and I wish Netta +Ermsted joy of her bargain!" ended Tommy with vindictive triumph.</p> + +<p>"My good fellow!" protested Bernard.</p> + +<p>Tommy uttered a reckless laugh. "You know it as well as I do. She was +done for from the moment he taught her the opium habit. There's no +escape from that, and the devil knew it. I say, what a mercy it will be +when you can get Tessa away to England."</p> + +<p>"And Stella too," said Bernard, turning to the subject with relief.</p> + +<p>"You won't do that," said Tommy quickly.</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?" Bernard's look had something of a piercing +quality.</p> + +<p>But Tommy eluded all search. "I do know. I can't tell you how. But I'm +certain—dead certain—that Stella won't go back to England with you +this spring."</p> + +<p>"You're something of a prophet, Tommy," remarked Bernard, after an +attentive pause.</p> + +<p>"It's not my only accomplishment," rejoined Tommy modestly. "I'm several +things besides that. I've got some brains too—just a few. Funny, isn't +it? Ah, here is Stella! Come and break your fast, old girl! What's the +latest?"</p> + +<p>He went to meet her and drew her to the table. She smiled in her wan, +rather abstracted way at Bernard whom she had seen before.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't get up!" she said. "I only came for a glimpse of you both. I +had <i>tiffin</i> in my room. Peter saw to that. Baby is very weak this +morning, and I thought perhaps, Tommy dear, when, you go back you would +see Major Ralston for me and ask him to come up soon." She sat down with +an involuntary gesture of weariness.</p> + +<p>"Have you slept at all?" Bernard asked her gently.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, thank you. I had three hours of undisturbed rest. Peter was +splendid."</p> + +<p>"You must have another <i>ayah,</i>" Bernard said. "It isn't fit for you to +go on in this way."</p> + +<p>"No." She spoke with the docility of exhaustion. "Peter is seeing to it. +He always sees to everything. He knows a woman in the bazaar who would +do—an elderly woman—I think he said she is the grandmother of Hafiz +who sells trinkets. You know Hafiz, I expect? I don't like him, but he +is supposed to be respectable, and Peter is prepared to vouch for the +woman's respectability. Only she has been terribly disfigured by an +accident, burnt I think he said, and she wears a veil. I told him that +didn't matter. Baby is too ill to notice, and he evidently wants me to +have her. He says she has been used to English children, and is a good +nurse. That is what matters chiefly, so I have told him to engage her."</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to hear it," Bernard said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think it will be a relief. Those screaming fits are so +terrible." Stella checked a sharp shudder. "Peter would not recommend +her if he did not personally know her to be trustworthy," she added +quietly.</p> + +<p>"No. Peter's safe enough," said Tommy. He was bolting his meal with +great expedition. "Is the kiddie worse, Stella?"</p> + +<p>She looked at him with that in her tired eyes that went straight to his +heart. "He is a little worse every day," she said.</p> + +<p>Tommy swore into his cup and asked no further.</p> + +<p>A few moments later he got up, gave her a brief kiss, and departed.</p> + +<p>Stella sat on with her chin in her hand, every line of her expressing +the weariness of the hopeless watcher. She looked crushed, as if a +burden she could hardly support had been laid upon her.</p> + +<p>Bernard looked at her once or twice without speaking. Finally he too +rose, went round to her, knelt beside her, put his arm about her.</p> + +<p>Her face quivered a little. "I've got—to keep strong," she said, in the +tone of one who had often said the same thing in solitude.</p> + +<p>"I know," he said. "And so you will. There's special strength given for +such times as these. It won't fail you now."</p> + +<p>She put her hand into his. "Thank you," she said. And then, with an +effort, "Do you know, Bernard, I tried—I really tried—to pray in the +night before I lay down. But—there was something so wicked about it—I +simply couldn't."</p> + +<p>"One can't always," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, have you found that too?" she asked.</p> + +<p>He smiled at the question. "Of course I have. So has everybody. We're +only children, Stella. God knows that. He doesn't expect of us more than +we can manage. Prayer is only one of the means we have of reaching Him. +It can't be used always. There are some people who haven't time for +prayer even, and yet they may be very near to God. In times of stress +like yours one is often much nearer than one realizes. You will find +that out quite suddenly one of these days, find that through all your +desert journeying, He has been guiding you, protecting you, surrounding +you with the most loving care. And—because the night was dark—you +never knew it."</p> + +<p>"The night is certainly very dark," Stella said with a tremulous smile. +"If it weren't for you I don't think I could ever get through."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" he said. "If it weren't me it would be someone +else—or possibly a closer vision of Himself. There is always +something—something to which later you will look back and say, 'That +was His lamp in the desert, showing the way.' Don't fret if you can't +pray! I can pray for you. You just keep on being brave and patient! He +understands."</p> + +<p>Stella's fingers pressed upon his. "You are good to me, Bernard," she +said. "I shall think of what you say—the next time I am alone in the +night."</p> + +<p>His arm held her sustainingly. "And if you're very desolate, child, come +and call me!" he said. "I'm always at hand, always glad to serve you."</p> + +<p>She smiled—a difficult smile. "I shall need you more—afterwards," she +said under her breath. And then, as if words had suddenly become +impossible to her, she leaned against him and kissed him.</p> + +<p>He gathered her up close, as if she had been a weary child. "God bless +you, my dear!" he said.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_VI'></a><h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h3>THE FIRST GLIMMER</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was from the Colonel himself that Stella heard of Everard's +retirement.</p> + +<p>He walked back from the Mess that night with Tommy and asked to see her +for a few minutes alone. He was always kinder to her in his wife's +absence.</p> + +<p>She was busy installing the new <i>ayah</i> whom Peter with the air of a +magician who has but to wave his wand had presented to her half an hour +before. The woman was old and bent and closely veiled—so closely that +Stella strongly suspected her disfigurement to be of a very ghastly +nature, but her low voice and capable manner inspired her with +instinctive confidence. She realized with relief from the very outset +that her faithful Peter had not made a mistake. She was sure that the +new-comer had nursed sickly English children before. She went to the +Colonel, leaving the strange woman in charge of her baby and Peter +hovering reassuringly in the background.</p> + +<p>His first greeting of her had a touch of diffidence, but when he saw +the weary suffering of her eyes this was swallowed up in pity. He took +her hands and held them.</p> + +<p>"My poor girl!" he said.</p> + +<p>She smiled at him. Pity from an outsider did not penetrate to the depths +of her. "Thank you for coming," she said.</p> + +<p>He coughed and cleared his throat. "I hope it isn't an intrusion," he +said.</p> + +<p>"But of course not!" she made answer. "How could it be? Won't you sit +down?"</p> + +<p>He led her to a chair; but he did not sit down himself. He stood before +her with something of the air of a man making a confession.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Monck," he said, "I think I ought to tell you that it was by my +advice that your husband resigned his commission."</p> + +<p>Her brows drew together a little as if at a momentary dart of pain. "Has +he resigned it?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Didn't he tell you?" He frowned. "Haven't you seen him? Don't you +know where he is?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head. "I can only think of my baby just now," she said.</p> + +<p>He swung round abruptly upon his heel and paced the room. "Oh yes, of +course. I know that. Ralston told me. I am very sorry for you, Mrs. +Monck,—very, very sorry."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said.</p> + +<p>He continued to tramp to and fro. "You haven't much to thank me for. I +had to think of the Regiment; but I considered the step very carefully +before I took it. He had rendered invaluable service—especially over +this Khanmulla trial. He would have been decorated for it if—" he +pulled up with a jerk—"if things had been different. I know Sir +Reginald Bassett thought very highly of him, was prepared to give him an +appointment on his personal staff. And no doubt eventually he would have +climbed to the top of the tree. But—this affair has destroyed him." He +paused a moment, but he did not look at her. "He has had every chance," +he said then. "I kept an open mind. I wouldn't condemn him unheard +until—well until he refused flatly to speak on his own behalf. I went +over to Khanmulla and talked to him—talked half the night. I couldn't +move him. And if a man won't take the trouble to defend his own honour, +it isn't worth—that!" He snapped his fingers with a bitter gesture; +then abruptly wheeled and came back to her. "I didn't come here to +distress you," he said, looking down at her again. "I know your cup is +full already. And it's a thankless task to persuade any woman that her +husband is unworthy of her, besides being an impertinence. But what I +must say to you is this. There is nothing left to wait for, and it would +be sheer madness to stay on any longer. The Rajah has been deeply +incriminated and is in hiding. The Government will of course take over +the direction of affairs, but there is certain—absolutely certain—to +be a disturbance when Ermsted's murderer is executed. I hope an adequate +force will soon be at our disposal to cope with it, but it has not yet +been provided. Therefore I cannot possibly permit you to stay here any +longer. As Monck's wife, it is more than likely that you might be made +an object of vengeance. I can't risk it. You and the child must go. I +will send an escort in the morning."</p> + +<p>He stopped at last, partly for lack of breath, partly because from her +unmoved expression he fancied that she was not taking in his warning +words. She sat looking straight before her as one rapt in reverie. It +was almost as though she had forgotten him, suffered some more absorbing +matter to crowd him out of her thoughts.</p> + +<p>"You do follow me?" he questioned at length as she did not speak.</p> + +<p>She lifted her eyes to him again though he felt it was with a great +effort. "Oh, yes," she said. "I quite understand you, Colonel Mansfield. +And—I am quite grateful to you. But I am not staying here for my +husband's sake at all. I—do not suppose we shall ever see each other +any more. All that is over."</p> + +<p>He started. "What! You have given him up?" he said, uttering the words +almost involuntarily, so quiet was she in her despair.</p> + +<p>She bent her head. "Yes, I have given him up. I do not know where he +is—or anything about him. I am staying here now—I must stay here +now—for my baby's sake. He is too ill to bear a journey."</p> + +<p>She lifted her face again with the words, and in its pale resolution he +saw that he would spend himself upon further argument in vain. Moreover, +he was for the moment too staggered by the low-spoken information to +concentrate his attention upon persuasion. Her utter quietness silenced +him.</p> + +<p>He stood for a moment or two looking down at her, then abruptly bent and +took her hand. "You're a very brave woman," he said, a quick touch of +feeling in his voice. "You've had a fiendish time of it out here from +start to finish. It'll be a good thing for you when you can get out of +it and go Home. You're young; you'll start again."</p> + +<p>It was clumsy consolation, but his hand-grip was fatherly. She smiled +again at him, and got up.</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much, Colonel. You have always been kind. Please don't +bother about me any more. I am really not a bit afraid. I have too much +to think about. And really I don't think I am important enough to be in +any real danger. You will excuse me now, won't you? I have just got a +new <i>ayah</i>, and they always need superintending. Perhaps you will join +my brother-in-law. I know he will be delighted."</p> + +<p>She extricated herself with a gentle aloofness more difficult to combat +than any open opposition, and he went away to express himself more +strongly to Bernard Monck from whom he was sure at least of receiving +sympathy if not support.</p> + +<p>Stella returned to her baby with a stunned feeling of having been +struck, and yet without consciousness of pain. Perhaps she had suffered +so much that her faculties were getting numbed. She knew that the +Colonel was surprised that his news concerning Everard had affected her +so little. She was in a fashion surprised herself. Was she then so +absorbed that she had no room for him in her thoughts? And yet only the +previous night how she had yearned for him!</p> + +<p>It was the end of everything for him—the end of his ambition, of his +career, of all his cherished hopes. He was a broken man and he would +drop out as other men had dropped out. His love for her had been his +ruin. And yet her brain seemed incapable of grasping the meaning of the +catastrophe. The bearing of her burden occupied the whole of her +strength.</p> + +<p>The rest of the Colonel's news scarcely touched her at all, save that +the thought flashed upon her once that if the danger were indeed so +great Everard would certainly come to her. That sent a strange glow +through her that died as swiftly as it was born. She did not really +believe in the danger, and Everard was probably far away already.</p> + +<p>She went back to her baby and the <i>ayah</i>, Hanani, over whom Peter was +mounting guard with a queer mixture of patronage and respect. For though +he had procured the woman and obviously thought highly of her, he +seemed to think that none but himself could be regarded as fully +qualified to have the care of his <i>mem-sahib's</i> fondly cherished <i>baba</i>.</p> + +<p>Stella heard him giving some low-toned directions as she entered, and +she wondered if the new <i>ayah</i> would resent his lordly attitude. But the +veiled head bent over the child expressed nothing but complete docility. +She answered Peter in few words, but with the utmost meekness.</p> + +<p>Her quietness was a great relief to Stella. There was a self-reliance +about it that gave her confidence. And presently, tenderly urged by +Peter, she went to the adjoining room to rest, on the understanding that +she should be called immediately if occasion arose. And that was the +first night of many that she passed in undisturbed repose.</p> + +<p>In the early morning, entering, she found Peter in sole possession and +very triumphant. They had divided the night, he said, and Hanani had +gone to rest in her turn. All had gone well. He had slept on the +threshold and knew. And now his <i>mem-sahib</i> would sleep through every +night and have no fear.</p> + +<p>She smiled at his solicitude though it touched her almost to tears, and +gathered in silence to her breast the little frail body that every day +now seemed to feel lighter and smaller. It would not be for very +long—their planning and contriving. Very soon now she would be +free—quite free—to sleep as long as she would. But her tired heart +warmed to Peter and to that silent <i>ayah</i> whom he had enlisted in her +service. Through the dark night of her grief the love of her friends +shone with a radiance that penetrated even the deepest shadows. Was this +the lamp in the desert of which Bernard had spoken so confidently—the +Lamp that God had lighted to guide her halting feet? Was it by this that +she would come at last into the Presence of God Himself, and realize +that the wanderers in the wilderness are ever His especial care?</p> + +<p>Certainly, as Peter had intimated, she knew her baby to be safe in their +joint charge. As the days slipped by, it seemed to her that Peter had +imbued the <i>ayah</i> with something of his own devotion, for, though it was +proffered almost silently, she was aware of it at every turn. At any +other time her sympathy for the woman would have fired her interest and +led her to attempt to draw her confidence. But the slender thread of +life they guarded, though it bound them with a tie that was almost +friendship, seemed so to fill their minds that they never spoke of +anything else. Stella knew that Hanani loved her and considered her in +every way, but she gave Peter most of the credit for it, Peter and the +little dying baby she rocked so constantly against her heart. She knew +that many an <i>ayah</i> would lay down her life for her charge. Peter had +chosen well.</p> + +<p>Later—when this time of waiting and watching was over, when she was +left childless and alone—she would try to find out something of the +woman's history, help her if she could, reward her certainly. It was +evident that she was growing old. She had the stoop and the deliberation +of age. Probably, she would not have obtained an <i>ayah's</i> post under any +other circumstances. But, notwithstanding these drawbacks, she had a +wonderful endurance, and she was never startled or at a loss. Stella +often told herself that she would not have exchanged her for another +woman—even a white woman—out of the whole of India had the chance +offered. Hanani, grave, silent, capable, met every need.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_VII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h3>THE FIRST VICTIM</h3> +<br /> + +<p>An ominous calm prevailed at Khanmulla during the week that followed the +conviction of Ermsted's murderer and the disappearance of the Rajah. All +Markestan seemed to be waiting with bated breath. But, save for the +departure of the women from Kurrumpore, no sign was given by the +Government of any expectation of a disturbance. The law was to take its +course, and no official note had been made of the absence of the Rajah. +He had always been sudden in his movements.</p> + +<p>Everything went as usual at Kurrumpore, and no one's nerves seemed to +feel any strain. Even Tommy betrayed no hint of irritation. A new +manliness had come upon Tommy of late. He was keeping himself in hand +with a steadiness which even Bertie Oakes could not ruffle and which +Major Ralston openly approved. He had always known that Tommy had the +stuff for great things in him.</p> + +<p>A species of bickering friendship had sprung up between them, founded +upon their tacit belief in the honour of a man who had failed. They +seldom mentioned his name, but the bond of sympathy remained, oddly +tenacious and unassailable. Tommy strongly suspected, moreover, that +Ralston knew Everard's whereabouts, and of this even Bernard was +ignorant at that time. Ralston never boasted his knowledge, but the +conviction had somehow taken hold of Tommy, and for this reason also he +sought the surgeon's company as he had certainly never sought it before.</p> + +<p>Ralston on his part was kind to the boy partly because he liked him and +admired his staunchness, and partly because his wife's unwilling +departure had left him lonely. He and Major Burton for some reason were +not so friendly as of yore, and they no longer spent their evenings in +strict seclusion with the chess-board. He took to walking back from the +Mess with Tommy, and encouraged the latter to drop in at his bungalow +for a smoke whenever he felt inclined. It was but a short distance from +The Green Bungalow, and, as he was wont to remark, it was one degree +more cheerful for which consideration Tommy was profoundly grateful. +Notwithstanding Bernard's kind and wholesome presence, there were times +when the atmosphere of The Green Bungalow was almost more than he could +bear. He was powerless to help, and the long drawn-out misery weighed +upon him unendurably. He infinitely preferred smoking a silent pipe in +Ralston's company or messing about with him in his little surgery as he +was sometimes permitted to do.</p> + +<p>On the evening before the day fixed for the execution at Khanmulla, they +were engaged in this fashion when the <i>khitmutgar</i> entered with the news +that a <i>sahib</i> desired to speak to him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, bother!" said Ralston crossly. "Who is it? Don't you know?"</p> + +<p>The man hesitated, and it occurred to Tommy instantly that there was a +hint of mystery in his manner. The <i>sahib</i> had ridden through the jungle +from Khanmulla, he said. He gave no name.</p> + +<p>"Confounded fool!" said Ralston. "No one but a born lunatic would do a +thing like that. Go and see what he wants like a good chap, Tommy! I'm +busy."</p> + +<p>Tommy rose with alacrity. His curiosity was aroused. "Perhaps it's +Monck," he said.</p> + +<p>"More likely Barnes," said Ralston. "Only I shouldn't have thought he'd +be such a fool. Keep your eyes skinned!" he added, as Tommy went to the +door. "Don't get shot or stuck by anybody! If I'm really wanted, I'll +come."</p> + +<p>Tommy grinned at the caution and departed. He had ceased to anticipate +any serious trouble in the State, and nothing really exciting ever came +his way.</p> + +<p>He went through the bungalow to the dining-room still half expecting to +find his brother-in-law awaiting him. But the moment he entered, he had +a shock. A man in a rough tweed coat was sitting at the table in an odd, +hunched attitude, almost as if he had fallen into the chair that +supported him.</p> + +<p>He turned his head a little at Tommy's entrance, but not so that the +light revealed his face. "Hullo!" he said. "That you, Ralston? I've got +a bullet in my left shoulder. Do you mind getting it out?"</p> + +<p>Tommy stopped dead. He felt as if his heart stopped also. He +knew—surely he knew—that voice! But it was not that of Everard or +Barnes, or of any one he had ever expected to meet again on earth.</p> + +<p>"What—what—" he gasped feebly, and went backwards against the +door-post. "Am I drunk?" he questioned with himself.</p> + +<p>The man in the chair turned more fully. "Why, it's Tommy!" he said.</p> + +<p>The light smote full upon him now throwing up every detail of a +countenance which, though handsome, had begun to show unmistakable signs +of coarse and intemperate habits. He laughed as he met the boy's shocked +eyes, but the laugh caught in his throat and turned to a strangled oath. +Then he began to cough.</p> + +<p>"Oh—my God!" said Tommy.</p> + +<p>He turned then, horror urging him, and tore back to Ralston, as one +pursued by devils. He burst in upon him headlong.</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, come! That fellow—it's—it's——"</p> + +<p>"Who?" said Ralston sharply.</p> + +<p>"I don't know!" panted back Tommy. "I'm mad, I think. But come—for +goodness' sake—before he bleeds to death!"</p> + +<p>Ralston came with a velocity which exceeded even Tommy's wild rush. +Tommy marvelled at it later. He had not thought the phlegmatic and +slow-moving Ralston had it in him. He himself was left well behind, and +when he re-entered the dining-room Ralston was already bending over the +huddled figure that sprawled across the table.</p> + +<p>"Come and lend a hand!" he ordered. "We must get him on the floor. Poor +devil! He's got it pretty straight."</p> + +<p>He had not seen the stricken man's face. He was too concerned with the +wound to worry about any minor details for the moment.</p> + +<p>Tommy helped him to the best of his ability, but he was trembling so +much that in a second Ralston swooped scathingly upon his weakness.</p> + +<p>"Steady man! Pull yourself together! What on earth's the matter? Never +seen a little blood before? If you faint, I'll—I'll kick you! There!"</p> + +<p>Tommy pulled himself together forthwith. He had never before submitted +to being bullied by Ralston; but he submitted then, for speech was +beyond him. They lowered the big frame between them, and at Ralston's +command he supported it while the doctor made a swift examination of the +injury.</p> + +<p>Then, while this was in progress, the wounded man recovered his senses +and forced a few husky words. "Hullo,—Ralston! Have they done me in?"</p> + +<p>Ralston's eyes went to his face for the first time, shot a momentary +glance at Tommy, and returned to the matter in hand.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk!" he said.</p> + +<p>A few seconds later he got to his feet. "Keep him just as he is! I must +go and fetch something. Don't let him speak!"</p> + +<p>He was gone with the words, and Tommy, still feeling bewildered and +rather sick, knelt in silence and waited for his return.</p> + +<p>But almost immediately the husky voice spoke again. "Tommy—that you?"</p> + +<p>Tommy felt himself begin to tremble again and put forth all his strength +to keep himself in hand. "Don't talk!" he said gruffly.</p> + +<p>"I've—got to talk." The words came, forced by angry obstinacy. "It's +no—damnation—good. I'm done for—beaten on the straight. And that hell +hound Monck—"</p> + +<p>"Damn you! Be quiet!" said Tommy in a furious undertone.</p> + +<p>"I won't be quiet. I'll have—my turn—such as it is. Where's Stella? +Fetch Stella! I've a right to that anyway. She is—my lawful wife!"</p> + +<p>"I can't fetch her," said Tommy.</p> + +<p>"All right then. You can tell her—from me—that she's been duped—as I +was. She's mine—not his. He came—with that cock-and-bull story +about—the other woman. But she was dead—I've found out since. She was +dead—and he knew it. He faked up the tale—to suit himself. He wanted +her—the damn skunk—wanted her—and cheated—cheated—to get her."</p> + +<p>He stopped, checked by a terrible gurgle in the throat. Tommy, white +with passion, broke fiercely into his gasping silence.</p> + +<p>"It's a damned lie! Monck is a white man! He never did—a thing like +that!"</p> + +<p>And then he too stopped in sheer horror at the devilish hatred that +gleamed in the rolling, bloodshot eyes.</p> + +<p>A few dreadful seconds passed. Then Ralph Dacre gathered his ebbing life +in one last great effort of speech. "She is my wife. I hold the proof. +If it hadn't been for this—I'd have taken her from him—to-night. He +ruined me—and he robbed me. But I—I'll ruin him now. It's my turn. He +is not—her husband, and she—she'll scorn him after this—if I know +her. Consoled herself precious soon. Yes, women are like that. But they +don't forgive so easily. And she—is not—the forgiving sort—anyway. +She'll never forgive him for tricking her—the hound! She'll never +forget that the child—her child—is a bastard. And—the Regiment—won't +forget either. He's down—and out."</p> + +<p>He ceased to speak. Tommy's hands were clenched. If the man had been on +his feet, he would have struck him on the mouth. As it was, he could +only kneel in impotence and listen to the amazing utterance that fell +from the gasping lips.</p> + +<p>He felt stunned into passivity. His anger had strangely sunk away, +though he regarded the man he supported with such an intensity of +loathing that he marvelled at himself for continuing to endure the +contact. The astounding revelation had struck him like a blow between +the eyes. He felt numb, almost incapable of thought.</p> + +<p>He heard Ralston returning and wondered what he could have been doing in +that interminable interval. Then, reluctant but horribly fascinated, his +look went back to the upturned, dreadful face. The malignancy had gone +out of it. The eyes rolled no longer, but gazed with a great fixity at +something that seemed to be infinitely far away. As Tommy looked, a +terrible rattling breath went through the heavy, inert form. It seemed +to rend body and soul asunder. There followed a brief palpitating +shudder, and the head on his arm sank sideways. A great stillness +fell....</p> + +<p>Ralston knelt and freed him from his burden. "Get up!" he said.</p> + +<p>Tommy obeyed though he felt more like collapsing. He leaned upon the +table and stared while Ralston laid the big frame flat and straight upon +the floor.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?" he asked in a whisper, as Ralston stood up.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ralston.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't my fault, was it?" said Tommy uneasily. "I couldn't stop him +talking."</p> + +<p>"He'd have died anyhow," said Ralston. "It's a wonder he ever got here +if he was shot in the jungle as he must have been. That +means—probably—that the brutes have started their games to-night. Odd +if he should be the first victim!"</p> + +<p>Tommy shuddered uncontrollably.</p> + +<p>Ralston gripped his arm. "Don't be a fool now! Death is nothing +extraordinary, after all. It's an experience we've all got to go through +some time or other. It doesn't scare me. It won't you when you're a bit +older. As for this fellow, it's about the best thing that could happen +for everyone concerned. Just rememer that! Providence works pretty near +the surface at times, and this is one of 'em. You won't believe me, I +daresay, but I never really felt that Ralph Dacre was dead—until this +moment."</p> + +<p>He led Tommy from the room with the words. It was not his custom to +express himself so freely, but he wanted to get that horror-stricken +look out of the boy's eyes. He talked to give him time.</p> + +<p>"And now look here!" he said. "You've got to keep your head—for you'll +want it. I'll give you something to steady you, and after that you'll be +on your own. You must cut back to The Green Bungalow and find Bernard +Monck and tell him just what has happened—no one else mind, until +you've seen him. He's discreet enough. I'm going round to the Colonel. +For if what I think has happened, those devils are ahead of us by +twenty-four hours, and we're not ready for 'em. They've probably cut the +wires too. When you've done that, you report down at the barracks! Your +sister will probably have to be taken there for safety. And there may be +some tough work before morning."</p> + +<p>These last words of his had a magical effect upon Tommy. His eyes +suddenly shone. Ralston had accomplished his purpose. Nevertheless, he +took him back to the surgery and made him swallow some <i>sal volatile</i> in +spite of protest.</p> + +<p>"And now you won't be a fool, will you?" he said at parting. "I should +be sorry if you got shot to no purpose. Monck would be sorry too."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where he is?" questioned Tommy point-blank.</p> + +<p>"Yes." Blunt and uncompromising came Ralston's reply. "But I'm not going +to tell you, so don't you worry yourself! You stick to business, Tommy, +and for heaven's sake don't go round and make a mush of it!"</p> + +<p>"Stick to business yourself!" said Tommy rudely, suddenly awaking to the +fact that he was being dictated to; then pulled up, faintly grinning. +"Sorry: I didn't mean that. You're a brick. Consider it unsaid! +Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>He held out his hand to Ralston who took it and thumped him on the back +by way of acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>"You're growing up," he remarked with approval, as Tommy went his way.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h3>THE FIERY VORTEX</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"There is nothing more to be done," said Peter with mournful eyes upon +the baby in the <i>ayah's</i> arms. "Will not my <i>mem-sahib</i> take her rest?"</p> + +<p>Stella's eyes also rested upon the tiny wizen face. She knew that Peter +spoke truly. There was nothing more to be done. She might send yet again +for Major Ralston. But of what avail? He had told her that he could do +no more. The little life was slipping swiftly, swiftly, out of her +reach. Very soon only the desert emptiness would be left.</p> + +<p>"The <i>mem-sahib</i> may trust her <i>baba</i> to Hanani," murmured the <i>ayah</i> +behind the enveloping veil. "Hanani loves the <i>baba</i> too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," Stella said.</p> + +<p>Yet she hung over the <i>ayah's</i> shoulder, for to-night of all nights she +somehow felt that she could not tear herself away.</p> + +<p>There had been a change during the day—a change so gradual as to be +almost imperceptible save to her yearning eyes. She was certain that the +baby was weaker. He had cried less, had, she believed, suffered less; +and now he lay quite passive in the <i>ayah's</i> arms. Only by the feeble, +fluttering breath that came and went so fitfully could she have told +that the tiny spark yet lingered in the poor little wasted frame.</p> + +<p>Major Ralston had told her earlier in the evening that he might go on in +this state for days, but she did not think it probable. She was sure +that every hour now brought an infinitesimal difference. She felt that +the end was drawing near.</p> + +<p>And so a great reluctance to go possessed her, even though she would be +within call all night. She had a hungry longing to stay and watch the +little unconscious face which would soon be gone from her sight. She +wanted to hold each minute of the few hours left.</p> + +<p>Very softly Peter came to her side. "My <i>mem-sahib</i> will rest?" he said +wistfully.</p> + +<p>She looked at him. His faithful eyes besought her like the eyes of a +dog. Their dumb adoration somehow made her want to cry.</p> + +<p>"If I could only stay to-night, Peter!" she said.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib</i>," he urged very pleadingly, "the <i>baba</i> sleeps now. It may +be he will want you to-morrow. And if my <i>mem-sahib</i> has not slept she +will be too weary then."</p> + +<p>Again she knew that he spoke the truth. There had been times of late +when she had been made aware of the fact that her strength was nearing +its limit. She knew it would be sheer madness to neglect the warning +lest, as Peter suggested, her baby's need of her outlasted her +endurance. She must husband all the strength she had.</p> + +<p>With a sigh she bent and touched the tiny forehead with her lips. +Hanani's hand, long and bony, gently stroked her arm as she did so.</p> + +<p>"Old Hanani knows, <i>mem-sahib</i>," she whispered under her breath.</p> + +<p>The tears she had barely checked a moment before sprang to Stella's +eyes. She held the dark hand in silence and was subtly comforted +thereby.</p> + +<p>Passing through the door that Peter held open for her, she gave him her +hand also. He bent very low over it, just as he had bent on that first +wedding-day of hers so long—so long—ago, and touched it with his +forehead. The memory flashed back upon her oddly. She heard again Ralph +Dacre's voice speaking in her ear. "You, Stella,—you are as ageless as +the stars!" The pride and the passion of his tones stabbed through her +with a curious poignancy. Strange that the thought of him should come to +her with such vividness to-night! She passed on to her room, as one +moving in a painful trance.</p> + +<p>For a space she lingered there, hardly knowing what she did; then she +remembered that she had not bidden Bernard good-night, and mechanically +her steps turned in his direction.</p> + +<p>He was generally smoking and working on the verandah at that hour. She +made her way to the dining-room as being the nearest approach.</p> + +<p>But half-way across the room the sound of Tommy's voice, sharp and +agitated, came to her: Involuntarily she paused. He was with Bernard on +the verandah.</p> + +<p>"The devils shot him in the jungle, but he came on, got as far as +Ralston's bungalow, and collapsed there. He was dead in a few +minutes—before anything could be done."</p> + +<p>The words pierced through her trance, like a naked sword flashing with +incredible swiftness, cutting asunder every bond, every fibre, that held +her soul confined. She sprang for the open window with a great and +terrible cry.</p> + +<p>"Who is dead? Who? Who?"</p> + +<p>The red glare of the lamp met her, dazzled her, seemed to enter her +brain and cruelly to burn her; but she did not heed it. She stood with +arms flung wide in frantic supplication.</p> + +<p>"Everard!" she cried. "Oh God! My God! Not—Everard!"</p> + +<p>Her wild words pierced the night, and all the voices of India seemed to +answer her in a mad discordant jangle of unintelligible sound. An owl +hooted, a jackal yelped, and a chorus of savage, yelling laughter broke +hideously across the clamour, swallowing it as a greater wave swallows a +lesser, overwhelming all that has gone before.</p> + +<p>The red glare of the lamp vanished from Stella's brain, leaving an awful +blankness, a sense as of something burnt out, a taste of ashes in the +mouth. But yet the darkness was full of horrors; unseen monsters leaped +past her as in a surging torrent, devils' hands clawed at her, devils' +mouths cried unspeakable things.</p> + +<p>She stood as it were on the edge of the vortex, untouched, unafraid, +beyond it all since that awful devouring flame had flared and gone out. +She even wondered if it had killed her, so terribly aloof was she, so +totally distinct from the pandemonium that raged around her. It had the +vividness and the curious lack of all physical feeling of a nightmare. +And yet through all her numbness she knew that she was waiting for +someone—someone who was dead like herself.</p> + +<p>She had not seen either Bernard or Tommy in that blinding moment on the +verandah. Doubtless they were fighting in that raging blackness in front +of her. She fancied once that she heard her brother's voice laughing as +she had sometimes heard him laugh on the polo-ground when he had +executed a difficult stroke. Immediately before her, a Titanic struggle +was going on. She could not see it, for the light in the room behind had +been extinguished also, but the dreadful sound of it made her think for +a fleeting second of a great bull-stag being pulled down by a score of +leaping, wide-jawed hounds.</p> + +<p>And then very suddenly she herself was caught—caught from behind, +dragged backwards off her feet. She cried out in a wild horror, but in a +second she was silenced. Some thick material that had a heavy native +scent about it—such a scent as she remembered vaguely to hang about +Hanani the <i>ayah</i>—was thrust over her face and head muffling all +outcry. Muscular arms gripped her with a fierce and ruthless mastery, +and as they lifted and bore her away the nightmare was blotted from her +brain as if it had never been. She sank into oblivion....</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_IX'></a><h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<h3>THE DESERT OF ASHES</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Was it night? Was it morning? She could not tell. She opened her eyes to +a weird and incomprehensible twilight, to the gurgling sound of water, +the booming croak of a frog.</p> + +<p>At first she thought that she was dreaming, that presently these vague +impressions would fade from her consciousness, and she would awake to +normal things, to the sunlight beating across the verandah, to the +cheery call of Everard's <i>saice</i> in the compound, and the tramp of +impatient hoofs. And Everard himself would rise up from her side, and +stoop and kiss her before he went.</p> + +<p>She began to wait for his kiss, first in genuine expectation, later with +a semi-conscious tricking of the imagination. Never once had he left her +without that kiss.</p> + +<p>But she waited in vain, and as she waited the current of her thoughts +grew gradually clearer. She began to remember the happenings of the +night. It dawned upon her slowly and terribly that Everard was dead.</p> + +<p>When that memory came to her, her brain seemed to stand still. There +was no passing on from that. Everard had been shot in the jungle—just +as she had always known he would be. He had ridden on in spite of it. +She pictured his grim endurance with shrinking vividness. He had ridden +on to Major Ralston's bungalow and had collapsed there,—collapsed and +died before they could help him. Clearly before her inner vision rose +the scene,—Everard sinking down, broken and inert, all the indomitable +strength of him shattered at last, the steady courage quenched.</p> + +<p>Yet what was it he had once said to her? It rushed across her now—words +he had uttered long ago on the night he had taken her to the ruined +temple at Khanmulla. "My love is not the kind that burns and goes out." +She remembered the exact words, the quiver in the voice that had uttered +them. Then, that being so, he was loving her still. Across the +desert—her bitter desert of ashes—the lamp was shining even now. Love +like his was immortal. Love such as that could never die.</p> + +<p>That comforted her for a space, but soon the sense of desolation +returned. She remembered their cruel estrangement. She remembered their +child. And that last thought, entering like an electric force, gave her +strength. Surely it was morning, and he would be needing her! Had not +Peter said he would want her in the morning?</p> + +<p>With a sharp effort she raised herself; she must go to him.</p> + +<p>The next moment a sharp breath of amazement escaped her. Where was she? +The strange twilight stretched up above her into infinite shadow. Before +her was a broken archway through which vaguely she saw the heavy foliage +of trees. Behind her she yet heard the splash and gurgle of water, the +croaking of frogs. And near at hand some tiny creature scratched and +scuffled among loose stones.</p> + +<p>She sat staring about her, doubting the evidence of her senses, +marvelling if it could all be a dream. For she recognized the place. It +was the ruined temple of Khanmulla in which she sat. There were the +crumbling steps on which she had stood with Everard on the night that he +had mercilessly claimed her love, had taken her in his arms and said +that it was Kismet.</p> + +<p>It was then that like a dagger-thrust the realization of his loss went +through her. It was then that she first tasted the hopeless anguish of +loneliness that awaited her, saw the long, long desert track stretching +out before her, leading she knew not whither. She bowed her head upon +her arms and sat crushed, unconscious of all beside....</p> + +<p>It must have been some time later that there fell a soft step beside +her; a veiled figure, bent and slow of movement, stooped over her.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib</i>!" a low voice said.</p> + +<p>She looked up, startled and wondering. "Hanani!" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is Hanani." The woman's husky whisper came reassuringly in +answer. "Have no fear, <i>mem-sahib!</i> You are safe here."</p> + +<p>"What—happened?" questioned Stella, still half-doubting the evidence of +her senses. "Where—where is my baby?"</p> + +<p>Hanani knelt down by her side. "<i>Mem-sahib</i>," she said very gently, "the +<i>baba</i> sleeps—in the keeping of God."</p> + +<p>It was tenderly spoken, so tenderly that—it came to her afterwards—she +received the news with no sense of shock. She even felt as if she must +have somehow known it before. In the utter greyness of her desert—she +had walked alone.</p> + +<p>"He is dead?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Not dead, <i>mem-sahib</i>," corrected the <i>ayah</i> gently. She paused a +moment, then in the same hushed voice that was scarcely more than a +whisper: "He—passed, <i>mem-sahib</i>, in these arms, so easily, so gently, +I knew not when the last breath came. You had been gone but a little +space. I sent Peter to call you, but your room was empty. He returned, +and I went to seek you myself. I reached you only as the storm broke."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" A sharp shudder caught Stella. "What—happened?" she asked again.</p> + +<p>"It was but a band of <i>budmashes, mem-sahib</i>." A note of contempt +sounded in the quiet rejoinder. "I think they were looking for Monck +<i>sahib</i>—for the captain <i>sahib</i>. But they found him not."</p> + +<p>"No," Stella said. "No. They had killed him already—in the jungle. At +least, they had shot him. He died—afterwards." She spoke dully; she +felt as if her heart had grown old within her, too old to feel +poignantly any more. "Go on!" she said, after a moment. "What happened +then? Did they kill Bernard <i>sahib</i> and Denvers <i>sahib</i>, too?"</p> + +<p>"Neither, my <i>mem-sahib.</i>" Hanani's reply was prompt and confident. +"Bernard <i>sahib</i> was struck on the head and senseless when we dragged +him in. Denvers <i>sahib</i> was not touched. It was he who put out the lamp +and saved their lives. Afterwards, I know not how, he raised a great +outcry so that they thought they were surrounded and fled. Truly, +Denvers <i>sahib</i> is great. After that, he went for help. And I, +<i>mem-sahib</i>, fearing they might return to visit their vengeance upon +you—being the wife of the captain <i>sahib</i> whom they could not find—I +wrapped a <i>saree</i> about your head and carried you away." Humble pride in +the achievement sounded in Hanani's voice. "I knew that here you would +be safe," she ended. "All evil-doers fear this place. It is said to be +the abode of unquiet spirits."</p> + +<p>Again Stella gazed around the place. Her eyes had become accustomed to +the green-hued twilight. The crumbling, damp-stained walls stretched +away into darkness behind her, but the place held no terrors for her. +She was too tired to be afraid. She only wondered, though without much +interest, how Hanani had managed to accomplish the journey.</p> + +<p>"Where is Peter?" she asked at last.</p> + +<p>"Peter remained with Bernard <i>sahib</i>," Hanani answered. "He will tell +them where to seek for you."</p> + +<p>Again Stella gazed about the place. It struck her as strange that Peter +should have relinquished his guardianship of her, even in favour of +Hanani. But the thought did not hold her for long. Evidently he had +known that he could trust the woman as he trusted himself and her +strength must be almost superhuman. She was glad that he had stayed +behind with Bernard.</p> + +<p>She leaned her chin upon her hands and sat silent for a space. But +gradually, as she reviewed the situation, curiosity began to struggle +through her lethargy. She looked at Hanani crouched humbly beside her, +looked at her again and again, and at last her wonder found vent in +speech.</p> + +<p>"Hanani," she said, "I don't quite understand everything. How did you +get me here?"</p> + +<p>Hanani's veiled head was bent. She turned it towards her slowly, almost +reluctantly it seemed to Stella.</p> + +<p>"I carried you, <i>mem-sahib</i>," she said.</p> + +<p>"You—carried—me!" Stella repeated the word incredulously. "But it is a +long way—a very long way—from Kurrumpore."</p> + +<p>Hanani was silent for a moment or two, as though irresolute. Then: "I +brought you by a way unknown to you, <i>mem-sahib</i>," she said. "Hafiz—you +know Hafiz?—he helped me."</p> + +<p>"Hafiz!" Stella frowned a little. Yes, by sight she knew him well. +Hafiz the crafty, was her private name for him.</p> + +<p>"How did he help you?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Again Hanani seemed to hesitate as one reluctant to give away a secret. +"From the shop of Hafiz—that is the shop of Rustam Karin in the +bazaar," she said at length, and Stella quivered at the name, "there is +a passage that leads under the ground into the jungle. To those who +know, the way is easy. It was thus, <i>mem-sahib</i>, that I brought you +hither."</p> + +<p>"But how did you get me to the bazaar?" questioned Stella, still hardly +believing.</p> + +<p>"It was very dark, <i>mem-sahib</i>; and the <i>budmashes</i> were scattered. They +would not touch an old woman such as Hanani. And you, my <i>mem-sahib</i>, +were wrapped in a <i>saree</i>. With old Hanani you were safe."</p> + +<p>"Ah, why should you take all that trouble to save my life?" Stella said, +a little quiver of passion in her voice. "Do you think life is so +precious to me—now?"</p> + +<p>Hanani made a protesting gesture with one arm. "Lo, it is yet night, +<i>mem-sahib</i>," she said. "But is it not written in the sacred Book that +with the dawn comes joy?"</p> + +<p>"There can never be any joy for me again," Stella said.</p> + +<p>Hanani leaned slowly forward. "Then will my <i>mem-sahib</i> have missed the +meaning of life," she said. "Listen then—listen to old Hanani—who +knows! It is true that the <i>baba</i> cannot return to the <i>mem-sahib</i>, but +would she call him back to pain? Have I not read in her eyes night after +night the silent prayer that he might go in peace? Now that the God of +gods has answered that prayer—now that the <i>baba</i> is in peace—would my +<i>mem-sahib</i> have it otherwise? Would she call that loved one back? Would +she not rather thank the God of spirits for His great mercy—and so go +her way rejoicing?"</p> + +<p>Again the utterance was too full of tenderness to give her pain. It sank +deep into Stella's heart, stilling for a space the anguish. She looked +at the strange, draped figure beside her that spoke those husky words of +comfort with a dawning sense of reverence. She had a curious feeling as +of one being guided through a holy place.</p> + +<p>"You—comfort me, Hanani," she said after a moment. "I don't think I am +really grieving for the <i>baba</i> yet. That will come after. I know +that—as you say—he is at peace, and I would not call him back. +But—Hanani—that is not all. It is not even the half or the beginning +of my trouble. The loss of my <i>baba</i> I can bear—I could bear—bravely. +But the loss of—of—" Words failed her unexpectedly. She bowed her head +again upon her arms and wept the bitter tears of despair.</p> + +<p>Hanani the <i>ayah</i> sat very still by her side, her brown, bony hands +tightly gripped about her knees, her veiled head bent slightly forward +as though she watched for someone in the dimness of the broken archway.</p> + +<p>At last very, very slowly she spoke.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mem-sahib</i>, even in the desert the sun rises. There is always comfort +for those who go forward—even though they mourn."</p> + +<p>"Not for me," sobbed Stella. "Not for those—who part—in +bitterness—and never—meet again!"</p> + +<p>"Never, <i>mem-sahib?</i>" Hanani yet gazed straight before her. Suddenly she +made a movement as if to rise, but checked herself as one reminded by +exertion of physical infirmity. "The <i>mem-sahib</i> weeps for her lord," +she said. "How shall Hanani comfort her? Yet never is a cruel word. May +it not be that he will—even now—return?"</p> + +<p>"He is dead," whispered Stella.</p> + +<p>"Not so, <i>mem-sahib</i>." Very gently Hanani corrected her. "The captain +<i>sahib</i> lives."</p> + +<p>"He—lives?" Stella started upright with the words. In the gloom her +eyes shone with a sudden feverish light; but it very swiftly died. "Ah, +don't torture me, Hanani!" she said. "You mean well, but—it doesn't +help."</p> + +<p>"Hanani speaks the truth," protested the old <i>ayah</i>, and behind the +enveloping veil came an answering gleam as if she smiled. "My lord the +captain <i>sahib</i> spoke with Hafiz this very night. Hafiz will tell the +<i>mem-sahib</i>."</p> + +<p>But Stella shook her head in hopeless unbelief. "I don't trust Hafiz," +she said wearily.</p> + +<p>"Yet Hafiz would not lie to old Hanani," insisted the <i>ayah</i> in that +soft, insinuating whisper of hers.</p> + +<p>Stella reached out a trembling hand and laid it upon her shoulder. +"Listen, Hanani!" she said. "I have never seen your face, yet I know you +for a friend."</p> + +<p>"Ask not to see it, <i>mem-sahib</i>," swiftly interposed the <i>ayah</i>, "lest +you turn with loathing from one who loves you!"</p> + +<p>Stella smiled, a quivering, piteous smile. "I should never do that, +Hanani," she said. "But I do not need to see it. I know you love me. But +do not—out of your love for me—tell me a lie! It is false comfort. It +cannot help me."</p> + +<p>"But I have not lied, <i>mem-sahib</i>." There was earnest assurance in +Hanani's voice—such assurance as could not be disregarded. "I have told +you the truth. The captain <i>sahib</i> is not dead. It was a false report."</p> + +<p>"Hanani! Are you—sure?" Stella's hand gripped the <i>ayah</i>'s shoulder +with convulsive, strength. "Then who—who—was the <i>sahib</i> they shot in +the jungle—the <i>sahib</i> who died at the bungalow of Ralston <i>sahib</i>? +Did—Hafiz—tell you that?"</p> + +<p>"That—" said Hanani, and paused as if considering how best to present +the information,—"that was another <i>sahib</i>."</p> + +<p>"Another <i>sahib?</i>" Stella was trembling violently. Her hold upon Hanani +was the clutch of desperation, "Who—what was his name?"</p> + +<p>She felt in the momentary pause that followed that the eyes behind the +veil were looking at her strangely, speculatively. Then very softly +Hanani answered her.</p> + +<p>"His name, <i>mem-sahib</i>, was Dacre."</p> + +<p>"Dacre!" Stella repeated the name blankly. It seemed to hold too great a +meaning for her to grasp.</p> + +<p>"So Hafiz told Hanani," said the <i>ayah</i>.</p> + +<p>"But—Dacre!" Stella hung upon the name as if it held her by a +fascination from which she could not shake free. "Is that—all you +know?" she said at last.</p> + +<p>"Not all, my <i>mem-sahib</i>," answered Hanani, in the soothing tone of one +who instructs a child. "Hafiz knew the <i>sahib</i> in the days before Hanani +came to Kurrumpore. Hafiz told a strange story of the <i>sahib</i>. He had +married and had taken his wife to the mountains beyond Srinagar. And +there an evil fate had overtaken him, and she—the <i>mem-sahib</i>—had +returned alone."</p> + +<p>Hanani paused dramatically.</p> + +<p>"Go on!" gasped Stella almost inarticulately.</p> + +<p>Hanani took up her tale again in a mysterious whisper that crept in +eerie echoes about the ruined place in which they sat. "<i>Mem-sahib</i>, +Hafiz said that there was doubtless a reason for which he feigned death. +He said that Dacre <i>sahib</i> was a bad man, and my lord the captain +<i>sahib</i> knew it. Wherefore he followed him to the mountains and +commanded him to be gone, and thus—he went."</p> + +<p>"But who—told—Hafiz?" questioned Stella, still struggling against +unbelief.</p> + +<p>"How should Hanani know?" murmured the <i>ayah</i> deprecatingly "Hafiz lives +in the bazaar. He hears many things—some true—some false. But that +Dacre <i>sahib</i> returned last night and that he now is dead is true, +<i>mem-sahib</i>. And that my lord the captain <i>sahib</i> lives is also true. +Hanani swears it by her grey hairs."</p> + +<p>"Then where—where is the captain <i>sahib</i>?" whispered Stella.</p> + +<p>The <i>ayah</i> shook her head. "It is not given to Hanani to know all +things," she protested. "But—she can find out. Does the <i>mem-sahib</i> +desire her to find out?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Stella breathed.</p> + +<p>The fantastic tale was running like a mad tarantella through her brain. +Her thoughts were in a whirl. But she clung to the thought of Everard as +a shipwrecked mariner clings to a rock. He yet lived; he had not passed +out of her reach. It might be he was even then at Khanmulla a few short +miles away. All her doubt of him, all evil suspicions, vanished in a +great and overwhelming longing for his presence. It suddenly came to her +that she had wronged him, and before that unquestionable conviction the +story of Ralph Dacre's return was dwarfed to utter insignificance. What +was Ralph Dacre to her? She had travelled far—oh, very far—through +the desert since the days of that strange dream in the Himalayas. Living +or dead, surely he had no claim upon her now!</p> + +<p>Impulsively she stooped towards Hanani. "Take me to him!" she said. +"Take me to him! I am sure you know where he is."</p> + +<p>Hanani drew back slightly. "<i>Mem-sahib</i>, it will take time to find him," +she remonstrated. "Hanani is not a young woman. Moreover—" she stopped +suddenly, and turned her head.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" said Stella.</p> + +<p>"I heard a sound, <i>mem-sahib</i>." Hanani rose slowly to her feet. It +seemed to Stella that she was more bent, more deliberate of movement, +than usual. Doubtless the wild adventure of the night had told upon her. +She watched her with a tinge of compunction as she made her somewhat +difficult way towards the archway at the top of the broken marble steps. +A flying-fox flapped eerily past her as she went, dipping over the bent, +veiled head with as little fear as if she were a recognized inhabitant +of that wild place.</p> + +<p>A sharp sense of unreality stabbed Stella. She felt as one coming out of +an all-absorbing dream. Obeying an instinctive impulse, she rose up +quickly to follow. But even as she did so, two things happened.</p> + +<p>Hanani passed like a shadow from her sight, and a voice she +knew—Tommy's voice, somewhat high-pitched and anxious—called her +name.</p> + +<p>Swiftly she moved to meet him. "I am here, Tommy! I am here!"</p> + +<p>And then she tottered, feeling her strength begin to fail.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tommy!" she gasped. "Help me!"</p> + +<p>He sprang up the steps and caught her in his arms. "You hang on to me!" +he said. "I've got you."</p> + +<p>She leaned upon him quivering, with closed eyes. "I am afraid I must," +she said weakly. "Forgive me for being so stupid!"</p> + +<p>"All right, darling. All right," he said. "You're not hurt?"</p> + +<p>"No, oh no! Only giddy—stupid!" She fought desperately for +self-command. "I shall be all right in a minute."</p> + +<p>She heard the voices of men below her, but she could not open her eyes +to look. Tommy supported her strongly, and in a few seconds she was +aware of someone on her other side, of a steady capable hand grasping +her wrist.</p> + +<p>"Drink this!" said Ralston's voice. "It'll help you."</p> + +<p>He was holding something to her lips, and she drank mechanically.</p> + +<p>"That's better," he said. "You've had a rough time, I'm afraid, but it's +over now. Think you can walk, or shall we carry you?"</p> + +<p>The matter-of-fact tones seemed to calm the chaos of her brain. She +looked up at him with a faint, brave smile.</p> + +<p>"I will walk,—of course. There is nothing the matter with me. What has +happened at Kurrumpore? Is all well?"</p> + +<p>He met her eyes. "Yes," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>Her look flinched momentarily from his, but the next instant she met it +squarely. "I know about—my baby," she said.</p> + +<p>He bent his head. "You could not wish it otherwise," he said, gently.</p> + +<p>She answered him with firmness, "No."</p> + +<p>The few words helped to restore her self-possession. With her hand upon +Tommy's arm she descended the steps into the green gloom of the jungle. +The morning sun was smiting through the leaves. It gleamed in her eyes +like the flashing of a sword. But—though the simile held her mind for a +space—she felt no shrinking. She had a curious conviction that the path +lay open before her at last. The Angel with the Flaming Sword no longer +barred the way.</p> + +<p>A party of Indian soldiers awaited her. She did not see how many. +Perhaps she was too tired to take any very vivid interest in her +surroundings. A native litter stood a few yards from the foot of the +steps. Tommy guided her to it, Major Ralston walking on her other side.</p> + +<p>She turned to the latter as they reached it. "Where is Hanani?" she +said.</p> + +<p>He raised his brows for a moment. "She has probably gone back to her +people," he answered.</p> + +<p>"She was here with me, only a minute ago," Stella said.</p> + +<p>He glanced round. "She knows her way no doubt. We had better not wait +now. If you want her, I will find her for you later."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Stella said. But she still paused, looking from Ralston to +Tommy and back again, as one uncertain.</p> + +<p>"What is it, darling?" said Tommy gently.</p> + +<p>She put her hand to her head with a weary gesture of bewilderment. "I am +very stupid," she said. "I can't think properly. You are sure everything +is all right?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, dear," he said. "Don't try to think now. You are done up. +You must rest."</p> + +<p>Her face quivered suddenly like the face of a tired child. "I +want—Everard," she said piteously. "Won't you—can't you—bring him to +me? There is something—I want—to say to him."</p> + +<p>There was an instant's pause. She felt Tommy's arm tighten protectingly +around her, but he did not speak.</p> + +<p>It was Major Ralston who answered her. "Certainly he shall come to you. +I will see that he does."</p> + +<p>The confidence of his reply comforted her. She trusted Major Ralston +instinctively. She entered the litter and sank down among the cushions +with a sigh.</p> + +<p>As they bore her away along the narrow, winding path which once she had +trodden with Everard Monck so long, long ago, on the night of her +surrender to the mastery of his love, utter exhaustion overcame her and +the sleep, which for so long she had denied herself, came upon her like +an overwhelming flood, sweeping her once more into the deeps of +oblivion. She went without a backward thought.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_X'></a><h3>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h3>THE ANGEL</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was many hours before she awoke and in all those hours she never +dreamed. She only slept and slept and slept in total unconsciousness, +wrapt about in the silence of her desert.</p> + +<p>She awoke at length quite fully, quite suddenly, to a sense of appalling +loneliness, to a desolation unutterable. She opened her eyes wide upon a +darkness that could be felt, and almost cried aloud with the terror of +it. For a few palpitating moments it seemed to her that the most +dreadful thing that could possibly happen to her had come upon her +unawares.</p> + +<p>And then, even as she started up in a wild horror, a voice spoke to her, +a hand touched her, and her fear was stayed.</p> + +<p>"Stella!" the voice said, and steady fingers came up out of the darkness +and closed upon her arm.</p> + +<p>Her heart gave one great leap within her, and was still. She did not +speak in answer, for she could not. She could only sit in the darkness +and wait. If it were a dream, it would pass—ah, so swiftly! If it were +reality, surely, surely he would speak again!</p> + +<p>He spoke—softly through the silence. "I don't want to startle you. Are +you startled? I've put out the lamp. You are not afraid?"</p> + +<p>Her voice came back to her; her heart jerked on, beating strangely, +spasmodically, like a maimed thing. "Am I awake?" she said. "Is +it—really—you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "Can you listen to me a moment? You won't be afraid?"</p> + +<p>She quivered at the repeated question. "Everard—no!"</p> + +<p>He was silent then, as if he did not know how to continue. And she, +finding her strength, leaned to him in the darkness, feeling for him, +still hardly believing that it was not a dream.</p> + +<p>He took her wandering hand and held it imprisoned. The firmness of his +grasp reassured her, but it came to her that his hands were cold; and +she wondered.</p> + +<p>"I have something to say to you," he said.</p> + +<p>She sat quite still in his hold, but it frightened her. "Where are you?" +she whispered.</p> + +<p>"I am just—kneeling by your side," he said. "Don't tremble—or be +afraid! There is nothing to frighten you. Stella," his voice came almost +in a whisper. "Hanani—the <i>ayah</i>—told you something in the ruined +temple at Khanmulla. Can you remember what it was?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said. "Do you mean about—Ralph Dacre?"</p> + +<p>"I do mean that," he said. "I don't know if you actually believed it. +It may have sounded—fantastic. But—it was true."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said again. And then she knew why he had turned out the lamp. +It was that he might not see her face when he told her—or she his.</p> + +<p>He went on; his hold upon her had tightened, but she knew that he was +unconscious of it. It was as if he clung to her in anguish—though she +heard no sign of suffering in his low voice. "I have done the utmost to +keep the truth from you—but Fate has been against me all through. I +sent him away from you in the first place because I heard—too +late—that he had a wife in England. I married you because—" he paused +momentarily—"ah well, that doesn't come into the story," he said. "I +married you, believing you free. Then came Bernard, and told me that the +wife—Dacre's wife—had died just before his marriage to you. That also +came—too late."</p> + +<p>He stopped again, and she knew that his head was bowed upon his arms +though she could not free her hand to touch it.</p> + +<p>"You know the rest," he said, and his voice came to her oddly broken and +unfamiliar. "I kept it from you. I couldn't bear the thought of your +facing—that,—especially after—after the birth of—the child. Even +when you found out I had tricked you in that native rig-out, I couldn't +endure the thought of your knowing. I nearly killed myself that night. +It seemed the only way. But Bernard stopped me. I told him the truth. +He said I was wrong not to tell you. But—somehow—I couldn't."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wish—I wish you had," she breathed.</p> + +<p>"Do you? Well,—I couldn't. It's hard enough to tell you now. You were +so wonderful, so beautiful, and they had flung mud at you from the +beginning. I thought I had made you safe, dear, instead of—dragging you +down."</p> + +<p>"Everard!" Her voice was quick and passionate. She made a sudden effort +and freed one hand; but he caught it again sharply.</p> + +<p>"No, you mustn't, Stella! I haven't finished. Wait!"</p> + +<p>His voice compelled her; she submitted hardly knowing that she did so.</p> + +<p>"It is over now," he said. "The fellow is dead. But, Stella,—he had +found out—what I had found out. And he was on his way to you. He meant +to—claim you."</p> + +<p>She shuddered—a hard, convulsive shudder—as if some loathsome thing +had touched her. "But—I would never have gone back," she said.</p> + +<p>"No," he answered grimly, "you wouldn't. I was here, and I should have +shot him. They saved me that trouble."</p> + +<p>"You were—here!" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes,—much nearer to you than you imagined." Almost curtly he answered. +"Did you think I would leave you at the mercy of those devils? You!" He +stopped himself sharply. "No I was here to protect you—and I would +have done it—though I should have shot myself afterwards. Even Bernard +would have seen the force of that. But it didn't come to pass that way. +It wasn't intended that it should. Well, it is over. There are not many +who know—only Bernard, Tommy, and Ralston. They are going—if +possible—to keep it dark, to suppress his name. I told them they must." +His voice rang suddenly harsh, but softened again immediately. "That's +all, dear—or nearly all. I hope it hasn't shocked you unutterably. I +think the secret is safe anyhow, so you won't have—that—to face. I'm +going now. I'll send—Peter—to light the lamp and bring you something +to eat. And you'll undress, won't you, and go to bed? It's late."</p> + +<p>He made as if he would rise, but her hands turned swiftly in his, turned +and held him fast.</p> + +<p>"Everard—Everard, why should you go?" she whispered tensely into the +darkness that hid his face.</p> + +<p>He yielded in a measure to her hold, but he would not suffer himself to +be drawn nearer.</p> + +<p>"Why?" she said again insistently.</p> + +<p>He hesitated. "I think," he said slowly "that you will find an answer to +that question—possibly more than one—when you have had time to think +it over."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" she breathed.</p> + +<p>"Must I put it into words?" he said.</p> + +<p>She heard the pain in his voice, but for the first time she passed it +by unheeded. "Yes, tell me!" she said. "I must know."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a little, as if mustering his forces. Then, his hands +tight upon hers, he spoke. "In the first place, you are Dacre's widow, +and not—my wife."</p> + +<p>She quivered in his hold. "And then?" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"And then," he said, "our baby is dead, so you are free from +all—obligations."</p> + +<p>Her hands clenched hard upon his. "Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"No." With sudden passion he answered her. "There are two more reasons +why I should go. One is—that I have made your life a hell on earth. You +have said it, and I know it to be true. Ah, you had better let me +go—and go quickly. For your own sake—you had better!"</p> + +<p>But she ignored the warning, holding him almost fiercely. "And the last +reason?" she said.</p> + +<p>He was silent for a few seconds, and in his silence there was something +of an electric quality, something that pierced and scorched yet +strangely drew her. "Someone else can tell you that," he said at length. +"It isn't that I am a broken man. I know that wouldn't affect you one +way or another. It is that I have done a thing that you would hate—yet +that I would do again to-morrow if the need arose. You can ask Ralston +what it is! Say I told you to! He knows."</p> + +<p>"But I ask you," she said, and still her hands gripped his. "Everard, +why don't you tell me? Are you—afraid to tell me?"</p> + +<p>"No," he said.</p> + +<p>"Then answer me!" she said, her breathing sharp and uneven. "Tell me the +truth! Make me understand you—once and for all!"</p> + +<p>"You have always understood me," he said.</p> + +<p>"No—no!" she protested.</p> + +<p>"Well, nearly always," he amended. "As long as you have known my +love—you have known me. My love for you is myself—the immortal part. +The rest—doesn't count."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said, and suddenly the very soul of her rose up and spoke. +"Then you needn't tell me any more, dear love—dear love. I don't need +to hear it. It doesn't matter. It can't make any difference. Nothing +ever can again, for, as you say, nothing else counts. Go if you +must,—but if you do—I shall follow you—I shall follow you—to the +world's end."</p> + +<p>"Stella!" he said.</p> + +<p>"I mean it," she told him, and her voice throbbed with a fiery force +that was deeper than passion, stronger than aught human. "You are mine +and I am yours. God knows, dear,—God knows that is all that matters +now. I didn't understand before. I do now, I think—suffering has taught +me—many things. Perhaps it is—His Angel."</p> + +<p>"The Angel with the Flaming Sword," he said, under his breath.</p> + +<p>"But the Sword is turned away," she said. "The way is open."</p> + +<p>He got to his feet abruptly. "Wait!" he said. "Before you say +that—wait!"</p> + +<p>He freed himself from her hold gently but very decidedly. She knew that +for a second he stood close above her with arms outflung before he +turned away. Then there came the rasp of a match, a sudden flare in the +darkness. She looked to see his face—and uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>It was Hanani, the veiled <i>ayah</i>, who stooped to kindle the lamp....</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_XI'></a><h3>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<h3>THE DAWN</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"This country is like an infernal machine," said Bernard. "You never +know when it's going to explode. There's only one reliable thing in it, +and that's Peter."</p> + +<p>He turned his bandaged head in the latter's direction, and received a +tender, indulgent smile in answer. Peter loved the big blue-eyed <i>sahib</i> +with the same love which he had for the children of the <i>sahib-log</i>.</p> + +<p>"Whatever happens," Bernard continued, "there's always Peter. He keeps +the whole show going, and is never absent when wanted. In fact, I begin +to think that India wouldn't be India without him."</p> + +<p>"A very handsome compliment," said Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>"It is, isn't it?" smiled Bernard. "I have a vast respect for him—a +quite unbounded respect. He is the greatest greaser of wheels I have +ever met. Help yourself, sir, won't you? I am sorry I can't join you, +but Major Ralston insists that I must walk circumspectly, being on his +sick list. I really don't know why my skull was not cracked. He +declares it ought to have been and even seems inclined to be rather +disgusted with me because it wasn't."</p> + +<p>"You had a very lucky escape," said Sir Reginald. "Allow me to +congratulate you!"</p> + +<p>"And a very enjoyable scrap," said Bernard, with kindling eyes. "Thanks! +I wouldn't have missed it for the world,—the damn' dirty blackguards!"</p> + +<p>"Was Mrs. Monck much upset?" asked Sir Reginald. "I have never yet had +the pleasure of meeting her."</p> + +<p>"She was more upset on my brother's account than her own," Bernard said, +giving his visitor a shrewd look. "She thought he had come to harm."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Sir Reginald, and held his glass up to the light. "And that +was not so?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Bernard, and closed his lips.</p> + +<p>There was a distinct pause before Sir Reginald's eyes left his glass and +came down to him. They held a faint whimsical smile.</p> + +<p>"We owe your brother a good deal," he said.</p> + +<p>"Do we?" said Bernard.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald's smile became more pronounced. "I have been told that it +is entirely owing to him—his forethought, secrecy, and intimate +knowledge obtained at considerable personal risk—that this business was +not of a far more serious nature. I was of course in constant +communication with Colonel Mansfield. We knew exactly where the danger +lay, and we were prepared for all emergencies."</p> + +<p>"Except the one which actually rose," suggested Bernard.</p> + +<p>"That?" said Sir Reginald. "That was a mere flash in the pan. But we +were prepared even for that. My men were all in Markestan by daybreak, +thanks to the promptitude of young Denvers."</p> + +<p>"If all our throats had been slit the previous night, that wouldn't have +helped us much," Bernard pointed out.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald broke into a laugh. "Well, dash it, man! We did our best. +And anyway they weren't, so you haven't much cause for complaint."</p> + +<p>"You see, I was one of the casualties," explained Bernard. "That +accounts for my being a bit critical. So you expected something worse +than this?"</p> + +<p>"I did." Sir Reginald spoke soberly again. "If we hadn't been prepared, +the whole of Markestan would have been ablaze by now from end to end."</p> + +<p>"Instead of which, you have only permitted us a fizz, a few bangs, and a +splutter-out, as Tommy describes it," remarked Bernard. "And you haven't +even caught the Rajah."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't out to catch him," said Sir Reginald. "But I will tell you who +I am out to catch, though I am afraid I am applying in the wrong +quarter."</p> + +<p>Bernard's eyes gleamed with a hint of malicious amusement. "I thought +my health was not primarily responsible for the honour of your visit, +sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"No," said Sir Reginald, with simplicity. "I really came because I want +to take you into my confidence, and to ask for your confidence in +return."</p> + +<p>"I thought so," said Bernard, and slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid +it's no go. I am sealed."</p> + +<p>"Ah! And that even though I give you my word it would be to your +brother's interest to break the seal?" questioned Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>Bernard's eyes suddenly drooped under their red brows. "And betray my +trust?" he said lazily.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>He finished his drink with a speed that suggested embarrassment, but the +next moment he smiled. "You had me there, padre. I withdraw the +suggestion. I should not have made it if I could see the man himself. +But he has disappeared, and even Barnes, who knows everything, can't +tell us where to look for him."</p> + +<p>"Neither can I," said Bernard. "I am not in his confidence to that +extent."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you ask his wife?" a low voice said.</p> + +<p>Both men started. Sir Reginald sprang to his feet. "Mrs. Monck!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Stella said. She stood a moment framed in the French window, +looking at him. Then she stepped forward with outstretched hand. The +morning sunshine caught her as she moved. She was very pale and her eyes +were deeply shadowed, but she was exceedingly beautiful.</p> + +<p>"I heard your voices," she said, looking at Sir Reginald, while her hand +lay in his. "I didn't mean to listen at first. But I was tempted, +because you were talking of—my husband, and—" she smiled at him +faintly, "I fell."</p> + +<p>"I think you were justified," Sir Reginald said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she answered gently. She turned from him to Bernard, and +bending kissed him. "Are you better? Peter told me it wasn't serious. I +would have come to you sooner, but I was asleep for a very long time, +and afterwards—Everard wanted me."</p> + +<p>"Everard!" he said sharply. "Is he here?"</p> + +<p>"Sit down!" murmured Sir Reginald, drawing forward his chair.</p> + +<p>But Stella remained standing, her hand upon Bernard's shoulder. "Thank +you. But I haven't come to stay. Only to tell you—just to tell you—all +the things that Bernard couldn't, without betraying his trust."</p> + +<p>"My dear, dear child!" Bernard broke in quickly, but Sir Reginald +intervened in the same moment.</p> + +<p>"No, no! Pardon me! Let her speak! She wishes to do so, and I—wish to +listen."</p> + +<p>Stella's hand pressed a little upon Bernard's shoulder, as though she +supported herself thereby.</p> + +<p>"It is right that you should know, Sir Reginald," she said. "It is only +for my sake that it has been kept from you. But I—have travelled the +desert too long to mind an extra stone or two by the way. First, with +regard to the suspicion which drove him out of the Army. You +thought—everyone thought—that he had killed Ralph Dacre up in the +mountains. Even I thought so." Her voice trembled a little. "And I had +less excuse than any one else, for he swore to me that he was +innocent—though he would not—could not—tell me the truth of the +matter. The truth was simply this. Ralph Dacre was not dead."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Sir Reginald said softly.</p> + +<p>Bernard reached up and strongly grasped the hand that rested upon him. +But he spoke no word.</p> + +<p>Stella went on with greater steadiness, her eyes resolutely meeting the +shrewd old eyes that watched her. "He—Everard—came between us because +only a fortnight after our marriage he received the news that Ralph had +a wife living in England. Perhaps I ought to tell you—though this in no +way influenced him—that my marriage to Ralph was a mistake. I married +him because I was unhappy, not because I loved him. I sinned, and I have +been punished."</p> + +<p>"Poor girl!" said Sir Reginald very gently.</p> + +<p>Her eyelids quivered, but she would not suffer them to fall. "Everard +sent him away from me, made him vanish completely, and then came himself +to me—he was in native disguise—and told me he was dead. I suppose it +was wrong of him. If so, he too has been punished. But he wanted to save +my pride. I had plenty of pride in those days. It is all gone now. At +least, all I have left is for him—that his honour may be vindicated. I +am afraid I am telling the story very badly. Forgive me for taking so +long!"</p> + +<p>"There is no hurry," Sir Reginald answered in the same gentle voice. +"And you are telling it very well."</p> + +<p>She smiled again—her faint, sad smile. "You are very kind. It makes it +much easier. You know how clever he is in native disguise. I never +recognized him. I came back, as I thought, a widow. And then—it was +nearly a year after—I married Everard, because I loved him. It was just +before Captain Ermsted's murder. We had to come back here in a hurry +because of it. Then when the summer came we had to separate. I went to +Bhulwana for the birth of my baby. And while I was there, he heard that +Ralph Dacre's wife had died in England only a few days before his +marriage to me. That meant of course that I was not Everard's legal +wife, that the baby was illegitimate. But—I was very ill at the +time—he kept it from me."</p> + +<p>"Of course he did," said Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>"Of course he did," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she assented. "He couldn't help himself then. But he ought to +have told me afterwards—when—when I began to have that horrible +suspicion that everyone else had, that he had murdered Ralph Dacre."</p> + +<p>"A difficult point," said Sir Reginald.</p> + +<p>"I told him he was making a mistake," said Bernard.</p> + +<p>Stella glanced down at him. "It was a mistake," she said. "But he made +it out of love for me, because he thought—he thought—that my pride was +dearer to me than my love. I don't wonder he thought so. I gave him +every reason. For I wouldn't listen to him, wouldn't believe him. I sent +him away." Her breath caught suddenly, and she put a quick hand to her +throat. "That is what hurts me most," she said after a moment,—"just to +remember that,—to remember what I made him suffer—how I failed +him—when Tommy, even Tommy, believed in him—went after him to tell him +so."</p> + +<p>"But we all make mistakes," said Sir Reginald gently, "or we shouldn't +be human."</p> + +<p>She controlled herself with an effort. "Yes. He said that, and told me +to forget it. I don't know if I can, but I shall try. I shall try to +make up to him for it for as long as I live. And I thank God—for giving +me the chance."</p> + +<p>Her deep voice quivered, and Bernard's hand tightened upon hers. "Yes," +he said, looking at Sir Reginald. "Ralph Dacre is dead. He was the +unknown man who was shot in the jungle two nights ago."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said Sir Reginald sharply.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Stella said. "He too had found out—about the death of his first +wife. And he was on his way to me. But—" she suddenly covered her +eyes—"I couldn't have borne it. I would have killed myself first."</p> + +<p>Bernard reached up and thrust his arm about her, without speaking.</p> + +<p>She leaned against him for a few seconds as if the story had taxed her +strength too far. Then Sir Reginald came to her and with a fatherly +gesture drew her hand away from her face.</p> + +<p>"My dear," he said very kindly, "thank you a thousand times for telling +me this. I know it's been infernally hard. I admire you for it more than +I can say. It hasn't been too much for you I hope?"</p> + +<p>She smiled at him through tears. "No—no! You are both—so kind."</p> + +<p>He stooped with a very courtly gesture and carried her hand to his lips. +"Everard Monck is a very lucky man," he said, "but I think he is almost +worthy of his luck. And now—I want you to tell me one thing more. Where +can I find him?"</p> + +<p>Her hand trembled a little in his. "I—am not sure he would wish me to +tell you that."</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald's grey moustache twitched whimsically. "If his desire for +privacy is so great, it shall be respected. Will you take him a message +from me?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," she said.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald patted her hand and released it. "Then please tell him," +he said, "that the Indian Empire cannot afford to lose the services of +so valuable a servant as he has proved himself to be, and if he will +accept a secretaryship with me I think there is small doubt that it will +eventually lead to much greater things."</p> + +<p>Stella gave a great start. "Oh, do you mean that?" she said.</p> + +<p>Sir Reginald smiled openly. "I really do, Mrs. Monck, and I shall think +myself very fortunate to secure him. You will use your influence, I +hope, to induce him to accept?"</p> + +<p>"But of course," she said.</p> + +<p>"Poor Stella!" said Bernard. "And she hates India!"</p> + +<p>She turned upon him almost in anger. "How dare you pity me? I love +anywhere that I can be with him."</p> + +<p>"So like a woman!" commented Bernard. "Or is it something in the air? +I'll never bring Tessa out here when she's grown up, or she'll marry and +be stuck here for the rest of her life."</p> + +<p>"You can do as you like with Tessa," said Stella, and turned again to +Sir Reginald. "Is that all you want of me now?"</p> + +<p>"One thing more," he answered gently. "I hope I may say it without +giving offence."</p> + +<p>With a gesture all-unconsciously regal she gave him both her hands. "You +may say—anything," she said impulsively.</p> + +<p>He bent again courteously. "Mrs. Monck, will you invite me to witness +the ratification of the bond already existing between my friend Everard +Monck, and the lady who is honouring him by becoming his lawful wife?"</p> + +<p>She flushed deeply but not painfully. "I will," she said. "Bernard, you +will see to that, I know."</p> + +<p>"Yes; leave it to me, dear!" said Bernard.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said; and to Sir Reginald: "Good-bye! I am going to my +husband now."</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Mrs. Monck!" he said. "And many thanks for your graciousness +to a stranger."</p> + +<p>"Oh no!" she answered quickly. "You are a friend—of us both."</p> + +<p>"I am proud to be called so," he said.</p> + +<p>As she passed back into the bungalow her heart fluttered within her like +the wings of a bird mounting upwards in the dawning. The sun had risen +upon the desert.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='P_5_CHAPTER_XII'></a><h3>CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<h3>THE BLUE JAY</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Tommy says his name is Sprinter; but Uncle St. Bernard calls him +Whisky. I wonder which is the prettiest," said Tessa.</p> + +<p>"I should call him Whisky out of compliment to Uncle St. Bernard," said +Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"He certainly does whisk," said Tessa. "But then—Tommy gave him to me." +She spoke with tender eyes upon a young mongoose that gambolled at her +feet. "Isn't he a love?" she said. "But he isn't nearly so pretty as +darling Scooter," she added loyally. "Is he, Aunt Mary?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, dear," said Mrs. Ralston with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I wish Uncle St. Bernard and Tommy would come," said Tessa restlessly.</p> + +<p>"I hope you are going to be very good," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," said Tessa rather wearily. "But I wish I hadn't begun quite so +soon. Do you think Uncle St. Bernard will spoil me, Aunt Mary?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not, dear," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>Tessa sighed a little. "I wonder if I shall be sick on the voyage Home. +I don't want to be sick, Aunt Mary."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think about it if I were you, dear," said Mrs. Ralston +sensibly.</p> + +<p>"But I want to think about it," said Tessa earnestly. "I want to think +about every minute of it. I shall enjoy it so. Dear Uncle St. Bernard +said in his letter the other day that we should be like the little pigs +setting out to seek their fortunes. He says he is going to send me to +school—only a day school though. Aunt Mary, shall I like going to +school?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you will, dear. What sensible little girl doesn't?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I'm going away from you," said Tessa suddenly. "But you'll +have Uncle Jerry, won't you? Just the same as Aunt Stella will have +darling Uncle Everard. I think I'm sorriest of all for poor Tommy."</p> + +<p>"I daresay he will get over it," said Mrs. Ralston. "We will hope so +anyway."</p> + +<p>"He has promised to write to me," said Tessa rather wistfully. "Do you +think he will forget to, Aunt Mary?"</p> + +<p>"I'll see he doesn't," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you." Tessa embraced her tenderly. "And I'll write to you +very, very often. P'raps I'll write in French some day. Would you like +that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very much," said Mrs. Ralston.</p> + +<p>"Then I will," promised Tessa. "And oh, here they are at last! Take care +of Whisky for me while I go and meet them!"</p> + +<p>She was gone with the words—a little, flying figure with arms +outspread, rushing to meet her friends.</p> + +<p>"That child gets wilder and more harum-scarum every day," observed Lady +Harriet, who was passing The Grand Stand in her carriage at the moment. +"She will certainly go the same way as her mother if that very +easy-going parson has the managing of her."</p> + +<p>The easy-going parson, however, had no such misgivings. He caught the +child up in his arms with a whoop of welcome.</p> + +<p>"Well run, my Princess Bluebell! Hullo, Tommy! Who are you saluting so +deferentially?"</p> + +<p>"Only that vicious old white cat, Lady Harriet," said Tommy. "Hullo, +Tessa! Your legs get six inches longer every time I look at 'em. Put her +down, St. Bernard! She's going to race me to The Grand Stand."</p> + +<p>"But I want to go and see Uncle Everard and Aunt Stella at The Nest," +protested Tessa, hanging back from the contest. "Besides Aunt Mary says +I'm not to get hot."</p> + +<p>"You can't go there anyway," said Tommy inexorably. "The Nest is closed +to the public for to-night. They are going to have a very sacred and +particular evening all to themselves. That's why they wouldn't come in +here with us."</p> + +<p>"Are they love-making?" asked Tessa, with serious eyes. "Do you know, I +heard a blue jay laughing up there this morning. Was that what he +meant?"</p> + +<p>"Something of that silly nature," said Tommy. "And he's going to be a +public character is Uncle Everard, so he is wise to make the most of his +privacy now. Ah, Bhulwana," he stretched his arms to the pine-trees, +"how I have yearned for thee!"</p> + +<p>"And me too," said Tessa jealously.</p> + +<p>He looked at her. "You, you scaramouch? Of course not! Whoever yearned +for a thing like you? A long-legged, snub-nosed creature without any +front teeth worth mentioning!"</p> + +<p>"I have! You're horrid!" cried Tessa, stamping an indignant foot. "Isn't +he horrid, Uncle St. Bernard? If it weren't for that darling mongoose, I +should hate him!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it's wrong to hate people, you know." Bernard passed a +pacifying arm about her quivering form. "You just treat him to the +contempt he deserves, and give all your attention to your doting old +uncle who has honestly been longing for you from the moment you left +him!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, darling!" She turned to him swiftly. "I'll never go away from you +again. I can say that now, can't I?"</p> + +<p>Her red lips were lifted. He stooped and kissed them. "It's the one +thing I love to hear you say, my princess," he said.</p> + +<p>The sun set in a glory of red and purple that night, spreading the +royal colours far across the calm sky.</p> + +<p>It faded very quickly. The night swooped down, swift and soundless, and +in the verandah of the bungalow known as The Nest a red lamp glowed with +a steady beam across the darkness.</p> + +<p>Two figures stood for a space under the acacia by the gate, lingering in +the evening quiet. Now and then there was the flutter of wings above +them, and the white flowers fell and scattered like bridal blossoms all +around.</p> + +<p>"We must go in," said Stella. "Peter will be disappointed if we keep the +dinner waiting."</p> + +<p>"Ah! We mustn't hurt his august feelings," conceded Everard. "We owe him +a mighty lot, my Stella. I wish we could make some return."</p> + +<p>"His greatest reward is to let him serve us," she answered. "His love is +the kind that needs to serve."</p> + +<p>"Which is the highest kind of love," said Everard holding her to him. +"Do you know—Hanani discovered that for me."</p> + +<p>She pressed close to his side. "Everard darling, why did you keep that +secret so long?"</p> + +<p>"My dear!" he said, and was silent.</p> + +<p>"Well, won't you tell me?" she urged. "I think you might."</p> + +<p>He hesitated a moment longer; then, "Don't let it hurt you, dear!" he +said. "But—actually—I wasn't sure that you cared—until I was with you +in the temple and saw you—weeping for me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Everard!" she said.</p> + +<p>He folded her in his arms. "My darling, I thought I had killed your +love; and even though I found then that I was wrong, I wasn't sure that +you would ever forgive me for playing that last trick upon you."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she whispered. "And if I—hadn't—forgiven—you?"</p> + +<p>"I should have gone away," he said.</p> + +<p>"You would have left me?" She pressed closer.</p> + +<p>"I should have come back to you sometimes, sweetheart, in some other +guise. I couldn't have kept away for ever. But I would never have +intruded upon you," he said.</p> + +<p>"Everard! Everard!" She hid her face against him. "You make me feel so +ashamed—so utterly—unworthy."</p> + +<p>"Don't darling! Don't," he whispered. "Let us be happy—to-night!"</p> + +<p>"And I wanted you so! I missed you so!" she said brokenly.</p> + +<p>He turned her face up to his own. "I missed myself a bit, too," he said. +"I couldn't have played the Hanani game if Peter hadn't put me up to it. +Darling, are those actually tears? Because I won't have them. You are +going to look forward, not back."</p> + +<p>She clung to him closely, passionately. "Yes—yes. I will look forward. +But, oh, Everard, promise me—promise me—you will never deceive me +again!"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I could, any more," he said.</p> + +<p>"But promise!" she urged.</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear one. I promise. There! Is that enough?" He kissed +her quivering face, holding her clasped to his heart. "I will never +trick you again as long as I live. But I had to be near you, and it was +the only way. Now—am I quite forgiven?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you are," she told him tremulously. "It wasn't a matter for +forgiveness. Besides—anyhow—you were justified. And,—Everard,—" her +breathing quickened a little; she just caught back a sob—"I love to +think—now—that your arms held our baby—when he died."</p> + +<p>"My darling! My own girl!" he said, and stopped abruptly, for his voice +was trembling too.</p> + +<p>The next moment very tenderly he kissed her again.</p> + +<p>"Please God he won't be the only one!" he said softly.</p> + +<p>"Amen!" she whispered back.</p> + +<p>In the acacia boughs above them the blue jay suddenly uttered a rippling +laugh of sheer joy and flew away.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='THE_END'></a><h2>THE END </h2> + + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='GREATHEART'></a><h2>GREATHEART</h2> + +<h3>By Ethel M. Dell</h3> +<br /> + +<p>There were two of them—as unlike as two men could be. Sir Eustace, big, +domineering, haughty, used to sweeping all before him with the power of +his personality.</p> + +<p>The other was Stumpy, small, insignificant, quiet, with a little limp.</p> + +<p>They clashed over the greatest question that may come to men—the love +of a girl.</p> + +<p>She took Sir Eustace just because she could not help herself—and was +swept ahead on the tide of his passion.</p> + +<p>And then, when she needed help most—on the day before the +wedding—Stumpy saved her—and the quiet flame of his eyes was more than +the brute power of his brother.</p> + +<p>How did it all come out? Did she choose wisely? Is Greatheart more to be +desired than great riches? The answer is the most vivid and charming +story that Ethel M. Dell has written in a long time.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<center>G. P. Putnam's Sons</center> + +<center>New York London</center> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>The Hundredth Chance</h2> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h3>Ethel M. Dell</h3> + +<p>Author of "The Way of an Eagle," "The Knave of Diamonds," "The Rocks of +Valpré," "The Keeper of the Door," "Bars of Iron," etc.</p> + +<center><i>12°. Color Frontispiece by Edna Crompton</i></center> +<br /> + +<p>The hero is a man of masterful force, of hard and rough exterior, who +can remake a human being with the assurance of success with which he +breaks a horse. Toward the heroine he is all love, patience, solicitude, +but she sees in him only the brute and the master. To break down her +hostility, and defeat unscrupulous craft which draws her relentlessly to +the verge of disaster, the hero can rely only on the weight of his +personality and innate tenderness. It is the Hundredth Chance; on it he +stakes all.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<center>G. P. Putnam's Sons</center> + +<center>New York London</center> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>Blue Aloes</h2> + +<h3>By Cynthia Stockley</h3> + +<center>Author of "Poppy," "The Claw," "Wild Honey," etc.</center> + +<p>No writer can so unfailingly summons and materialize the spirit of the +weird, mysterious South Africa as can Cynthia Stockley. She is a favored +medium through whom the great Dark Continent its tales unfolds.</p> + +<p>A strange story is this, of a Karoo farm,—a hedge of Blue Aloes, a +cactus of fantastic beauty, which shelters a myriad of creeping +things,—a whisper and a summons in the dead of the night,—an odor of +death and the old.</p> + +<p>There are three other stories in the book, stories throbbing with the +sudden, intense passion and the mystic atmosphere of the Veldt.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<center>G. P. Putnam's Sons</center> + +<center>New York London</center> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>The Beloved Sinner</h2> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h3>Rachel Swete Macnamara</h3> + +<p>Author of the "Fringe of the Desert," "The Torch of Life," and "Drifting +Waters"</p> + +<p>One of the very prettiest of springtime romances—a tale of exuberant +young spirits intoxicated with the springtime of living, of love gone +adventuring on the rough road—a story, humorous with the gay impudences +of a young Eve who is half-afraid and altogether delighted with her +fairy-prince.</p> + +<p>G.P. Putnam's Sons</p> + +<p>New York London</p> + +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAMP IN THE DESERT***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 13763-h.txt or 13763-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/7/6/13763">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/7/6/13763</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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