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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Doctor of Pimlico, by William Le Queux
+
+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 www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Doctor of Pimlico
+       Being the Disclosure of a Great Crime
+
+Author: William Le Queux
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2007 [EBook #22654]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOCTOR OF PIMLICO ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Lybarger and the booksmiths at
+http://www.eBookForge.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i"></a>[<a href="./images/i.png">i</a>]</span></p>
+<h1>THE DOCTOR OF PIMLICO</h1>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii"></a>[<a href="./images/ii.png">ii</a>]</span></p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/ill-01.jpg"><img src="./images/ill-01_th.jpg" alt="&quot;Enid Drew Back In Terror&quot;" title="&quot;Enid Drew Back In Terror&quot;" /></a></p>
+<p class="figcenter">"Enid Drew Back In Terror"</p>
+<p class="figcenter">(<i>The Doctor of Pimlico</i>)</p>
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii"></a>[<a href="./images/iii.png">iii</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2>THE DOCTOR OF PIMLICO</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>Being the Disclosure of a Great Crime</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM LE QUEUX</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/ill-02.jpg"><img src="./images/ill-02_th.jpg" alt="$2" title="$2" /></a></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>A. L. BURT COMPANY</h2>
+<h3>Publishers&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;New York</h3>
+
+<h4>Published by arrangement with The Macaulay Company</h4>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv"></a>[<a href="./images/iv.png">iv</a>]</span></p>
+
+<h5><span class="smcap">copyright</span>, 1920,<br />
+<span class="smcap">By</span> THE MACAULAY COMPANY</h5>
+
+<h5><i>Printed in the U. S. A.</i></h5>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v"></a>[<a href="./images/v.png">v</a>]</span></p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<div class='centered'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='right'>&nbsp;</td><td align='right'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In which Certain Suspicions are Excited</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Coming of a Stranger</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Introduces Doctor Weirmarsh</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Reveals Temptation</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In which Enid Orlebar is Puzzled</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Beneath the Elastic Band</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Concerning the Velvet Hand</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Paul Le Pontois</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Little Old Frenchwoman</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">If Anyone Knew</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Concerns the Past</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Reveals a Curious Problem</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Mysterious Mr. Maltwood</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">What Confession would Mean</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Three Gentlemen from Paris</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Orders of His Excellency</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Walter Gives Warning</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Accusers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In which a Truth is Hidden</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_199">199</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In which a Truth is Told</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Widened Breach</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Concerning the Bellairs Affair</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Silence of the Man Barker</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">What the Dead Man Left</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">At the Caf&eacute; de Paris</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Which is "Private and Confidential"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Result of Investigation</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Secret of the Lonely House</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_285">285</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Contains Some Startling Statements</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Reveals a Woman's Love</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In which Sir Hugh Tells his Story</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.</a></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_321">321</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>[<a href="./images/9.png">9</a>]</span></p>
+
+<h2>THE DOCTOR OF PIMLICO</h2>
+
+<h3><i>Being the Disclosure of a Great Crime</i></h3>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h4>IN WHICH CERTAIN SUSPICIONS ARE EXCITED</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A grey</span>, sunless morning on the Firth of Tay.</p>
+
+<p>Across a wide, sandy waste stretching away
+to the misty sea at Budden, four men were walking.
+Two wore uniform&mdash;one an alert, grey-haired
+general, sharp and brusque in manner,
+with many war ribbons across his tunic; the
+other a tall, thin-faced staff captain, who wore
+the tartan of the Gordon Highlanders. With
+them were two civilians, both in rough shooting-jackets
+and breeches, one about forty-five, the
+other a few years his junior.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see them, Fellowes?" asked the
+general of the long-legged captain, scanning the
+distant horizon with those sharp grey eyes which
+had carried him safely through many campaigns.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," replied the captain, who was
+carrying the other's mackintosh. "I fancy they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>[<a href="./images/10.png">10</a>]</span>
+must be farther over to the left, behind those
+low mounds yonder."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't brought their battery into position
+yet, I suppose," snapped the old officer, as he
+swung along with the two civilians beside him.</p>
+
+<p>Fred Tredennick, the taller of the two civilians,
+walked with a gait decidedly military, for,
+indeed, he was a retired major, and as the general
+had made a tour of inspection of the camp
+prior to walking towards where the mountain
+battery was man&#339;uvring, he had been chatting
+with him upon technical matters.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you'd like to see this mountain
+battery, Fetherston," exclaimed the general,
+addressing the other civilian. "We have lots of
+them on the Indian frontier, of course, and there
+were many of ours in Italy and Serbia."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm delighted to come with you on this
+tour of inspection, General. As you know, I'm
+keenly interested in military affairs&mdash;and especially
+in the reorganisation of the Army after
+the war," replied Walter Fetherston, a dark,
+well-set-up man of forty, with a round, merry
+face and a pair of eyes which, behind their gold
+pince-nez, showed a good-humoured twinkle.</p>
+
+<p>Of the four men, General Sir Hugh Elcombe
+and Walter Fetherston were, perhaps, equally
+distinguished. The former, as all the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>[<a href="./images/11.png">11</a>]</span>
+knows, had had a brilliant career in Afghanistan,
+in Egypt, Burmah, Tirah, the Transvaal,
+and in France, and now held an appointment as
+inspector of artillery.</p>
+
+<p>The latter was a man of entirely different
+stamp. As he spoke he gesticulated slightly, and
+no second glance was needed to realise that he
+was a thorough-going cosmopolitan.</p>
+
+<p>By many years of life on the Continent he
+had acquired a half-foreign appearance. Indeed,
+a keen observer would probably have noticed
+that his clothes had been cut by a foreign tailor,
+and that his boots, long, narrow and rather
+square-toed, bore the stamp of the Italian boot-maker.
+When he made any humorous remark
+he had the habit of slightly closing the left eye
+in order to emphasise it, while he usually walked
+with his left hand behind his back, and was
+hardly ever seen without a cigarette. Those
+cigarettes were one of his idiosyncrasies. They
+were delicious, of a brand unobtainable by the
+public, and made from tobacco grown in one of
+the Balkan States. With them he had, both before
+the war and after, been constantly supplied
+by a certain European sovereign whose personal
+friend he was. They bore the royal crown and
+cipher, but even to his most intimate acquaintance
+Walter Fetherston had never betrayed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>[<a href="./images/12.png">12</a>]</span>
+the reason why he was the recipient of so many
+favours from the monarch in question.</p>
+
+<p>Easy-going to a degree, full of open-hearted
+<i>bonhomie</i>, possessing an unruffled temper, and
+apparently without a single care in all the world,
+he seldom, if ever, spoke of himself. He never
+mentioned either his own doings or his friends'.
+He was essentially a mysterious man&mdash;a man of
+moods and of strong prejudices.</p>
+
+<p>More than one person who had met him casually
+had hinted that his substantial income was
+derived from sources that would not bear investigation&mdash;that
+he was mixed up with certain
+financial adventurers. Others declared that he
+was possessed of a considerable fortune that had
+been left him by an uncle who had been a dealer
+in precious stones in Hatton Garden. The
+truth was, however, that Walter Fetherston was
+a writer of popular novels, and from their sale
+alone he derived a handsome income.</p>
+
+<p>The mystery stories of Walter Fetherston
+were world-famous. Wherever the English
+language was spoken this shrewd-eyed, smiling
+man's books were read, while translations of
+them appeared as <i>feuilletons</i> in various languages
+in the principal Continental journals.
+One could scarcely take up an English newspaper
+without seeing mention of his name, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>[<a href="./images/13.png">13</a>]</span>
+he was one of the most popular authors of the
+day.</p>
+
+<p>It is a generally accepted axiom that a public
+man cannot afford to be modest in these go-ahead
+days of "boom." Yet Fetherston was one of
+the most retiring of men. English society had
+tried in vain to allure him&mdash;he courted no personal
+popularity. Beyond his quiet-spoken
+literary agent, who arranged his affairs and took
+financial responsibility from his shoulders, his
+publishers, and perhaps half a dozen intimate
+friends, he was scarcely recognised in his true
+character. Indeed, his whereabouts were seldom
+known save to his agent and his only brother,
+so elusive was he and so careful to establish a
+second self.</p>
+
+<p>He had never married. It was whispered
+that he had once had a serious affair of the heart
+abroad. But that was a matter of long ago.</p>
+
+<p>Shoals of invitations arrived at his London
+clubs each season, but they usually reached him
+in some out-of-the-world corner of Europe, and
+he would read them with a smile and cast them
+to the winds.</p>
+
+<p>He took the keenest delight in evading the
+world that pressed him. His curious hatred of
+his own popularity was to everyone a mystery.
+His intimate friends, of whom Fred Tredennick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>[<a href="./images/14.png">14</a>]</span>
+was one, had whispered that, in order to efface
+his identity, he was known in certain circles
+abroad by the name of Maltwood. This was
+quite true. In London he was a member of
+White's and the Devonshire as Fetherston.
+There was a reason why on the Continent and
+elsewhere he should pass as Mr. Maltwood, but
+his friends could never discover it, so carefully
+did he conceal it.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston was a writer of breathless
+mystery&mdash;but he was the essence of mystery himself.
+Once the reader took up a book of his
+he never laid it down until he had read the final
+chapter. You, my reader, have more than once
+found yourself beneath his strange spell. And
+what was the secret of his success? He had been
+asked by numberless interviewers, and to them
+all he had made the same stereotyped reply:
+"I live the mysteries I write."</p>
+
+<p>He seemed annoyed by his own success.
+Other writers suffered from that complaint
+known as "swelled head," but Walter Fetherston
+never. He lived mostly abroad in order to
+avoid the penalty which all the famous must pay,
+travelling constantly and known mostly by his
+assumed name of Maltwood.</p>
+
+<p>And behind all this some mystery lay. He
+was essentially a man of secrets.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>[<a href="./images/15.png">15</a>]</span>
+Some people declared that he had married
+ten years ago, and gave a circumstantial account
+of how he had wedded the daughter of a noble
+Spanish house, but that a month later she had
+been accidentally drowned in the Bay of Fontarabia,
+and that the tragedy had ever preyed
+upon his mind. But upon his feminine entanglements
+he was ever silent. He was a merry fellow,
+full of bright humour, and excellent company.
+But to the world he wore a mask that
+was impenetrable.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment he was shooting with his
+old friend Tredennick, who lived close to St.
+Fillans, on the picturesque Loch Earn, when the
+general, hearing of his presence in the neighbourhood,
+had sent him an invitation to accompany
+him on his inspection.</p>
+
+<p>Walter had accepted for one reason only.
+In the invitation the general had remarked that
+he and his stepdaughter Enid were staying at
+the Panmure Hotel at Monifieth&mdash;so well known
+to golfers&mdash;and that after the inspection he
+hoped they would lunch together.</p>
+
+<p>Now, Walter had met Enid Orlebar six
+months before at Biarritz, where she had been
+nursing at the Croix Rouge Hospital in the
+H&ocirc;tel du Palais, and the memory of that meeting
+had lingered with him. He had long desired<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>[<a href="./images/16.png">16</a>]</span>
+to see her again, for her pale beauty had somehow
+attracted him&mdash;attracted him in a manner
+that no woman's face had ever attracted him
+before.</p>
+
+<p>Hitherto he had held cynical notions concerning
+love and matrimony, but ever since he had
+met Enid Orlebar in that winter hotel beside
+the sea, and had afterwards discovered her to
+be stepdaughter of Sir Hugh Elcombe, he had
+found himself reflecting upon his own loneliness.</p>
+
+<p>At luncheon he was to come face to face
+with her again. It was of this he was thinking
+more than of the merits of mountain batteries or
+the difficulties of limbering or unlimbering.</p>
+
+<p>"See! there they are!" exclaimed the general,
+suddenly pointing with his gloved hand.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston strained his eyes towards the
+horizon, but declared that he could detect
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"They're lying behind that rising ground to
+the left of the magazine yonder," declared the
+general, whose keen vision had so often served
+him in good stead. Then, turning on his heel
+and scanning the grey horizon seaward, he
+added: "They're going to fire out on to the Gaa
+between those two lighthouses on Buddon Ness.
+By Jove!" he laughed, "the men in them will
+get a bit of a shock."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[<a href="./images/17.png">17</a>]</span>
+"I shouldn't care much to be there, sir," remarked
+Tredennick.</p>
+
+<p>"No," laughed the general. "But really
+there's no danger&mdash;except that we're just in the
+line of their fire."</p>
+
+<p>So they struck off to the left and approached
+the position by a circuitous route, being greeted
+by the colonel and other officers, to whom the
+visit of Sir Hugh Elcombe had been a considerable
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>The serviceable-looking guns were already
+mounted and in position, the range had been
+found; the reserves, the ponies and the pipers
+were lying concealed in a depression close at
+hand when they arrived.</p>
+
+<p>The general, after a swift glance around,
+stood with legs apart and arms folded to watch,
+while Fetherston and Tredennick, with field-glasses,
+had halted a little distance away.</p>
+
+<p>A sharp word of command was given, when
+next instant the first gun boomed forth, and
+a shell went screaming through the air towards
+the low range of sand-hills in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>The general grunted. He was a man of few
+words, but a typical British officer of the type
+which has made the Empire and won the war
+against the Huns. He glanced at the watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>[<a href="./images/18.png">18</a>]</span>
+upon his wrist, adjusted his monocle, and said
+something in an undertone to the captain.</p>
+
+<p>The firing proceeded, while Fetherston, his
+ears dulled by the constant roar, watched the
+bursting shells with interest.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what the lighthouse men think of
+it now?" he laughed, turning to his friend. "A
+misdirected shot would send them quickly to
+kingdom come!"</p>
+
+<p>Time after time the range was increased, until,
+at last, the shells were dropped just at the
+spot intended. As each left the gun it shrieked
+overhead, while the flash could be seen long before
+the report reached the ear.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll see in a few moments how quickly
+they can get away," the general said, as he approached
+Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>Then the order was given to cease fire.
+Words of command sounded, and were repeated
+in the rear, where ponies and men lay hidden.
+The guns were run back under cover, and with
+lightning rapidity dismounted, taken to pieces,
+and loaded upon the backs of the ponies, together
+with the leather ammunition cases&mdash;which looked
+like men's suit cases&mdash;and other impedimenta.</p>
+
+<p>The order was given to march, and, headed
+by the pipers, who commenced their inspiring
+skirl to the beat of the drums, they moved away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>[<a href="./images/19.png">19</a>]</span>
+over the rough, broken ground, the general
+standing astraddle and watching it all through
+his monocle with critical eye, and keeping up a
+fire of sarcastic comment directed at the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"Why!" he cried sharply in his low, strident
+voice, "what's that bay there? Too weak for
+the work&mdash;no good. You want better stuff than
+that. An axle yonder not packed properly! . . .
+And look at that black pony&mdash;came out of
+a governess-cart, I should think! . . . Hey, you
+man there, you don't want to hang on that
+pack! Men get lazy and want the pony to help
+them along. And you&mdash;&mdash;" he cried, as a pony,
+heavily laden with part of a gun, came down
+an almost perpendicular incline. "Let that animal
+find his way down alone. Do you hear?"</p>
+
+<p>Then, after much man&#339;uvring, he caused
+them to take up another position, unlimber their
+guns, and fire.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been accomplished he called
+the officers together and, his monocle in his eye,
+severely criticised their performance, declaring
+that they had exposed themselves so fully to the
+enemy that ere they had had time to fire they
+would have been shelled out of their position.</p>
+
+<p>The spare ammunition was exposed all over
+the place, some of the reserves were not under
+cover, and the battery commander so exposed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>[<a href="./images/20.png">20</a>]</span>
+himself that he'd have been a dead man before
+the first shot. "You must do better than this&mdash;much
+better. That's all."</p>
+
+<p>Then the four walked across to the Panmure
+Hotel at Monifieth.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston held his breath. His lips
+were pressed tightly together, his brows contracted.
+He was again to meet Enid Orlebar.</p>
+
+<p>He shot a covert glance at the general walking
+at his side. In his eyes showed an unusual
+expression, half of suspicion, half of curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Next instant, however, it had vanished, and
+he laughed loudly at a story Tredennick was
+telling.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>[<a href="./images/21.png">21</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h4>THE COMING OF A STRANGER</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Enid</span> was standing on the steps of the hotel when
+the men arrived.</p>
+
+<p>For a second Walter glanced into her splendid
+eyes, and then bowed over her hand in his
+foreign way, a murmured expression of pleasure
+escaping his lips.</p>
+
+<p>About twenty-two, tall and slim, she presented
+a complete and typical picture of the outdoor
+girl, dressed as she was in a grey jumper
+trimmed with purple, a short golfing skirt, her
+tweed hat to match trimmed with the feathers
+of a cock pheasant.</p>
+
+<p>Essentially a sportswoman, she could handle
+gun or rod, ride to hounds, or drive a motor-car
+with equal skill, and as stepdaughter of Sir
+Hugh she had had experience on the Indian
+frontier and in Egypt.</p>
+
+<p>Her father had been British Minister at the
+Hague, and afterwards at Stockholm, but after
+his death her mother had married Sir Hugh, and
+had become Lady Elcombe. Nowadays, how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>[<a href="./images/22.png">22</a>]</span>ever,
+the latter was somewhat of an invalid, and
+seldom left their London house in Hill Street.
+Therefore, Enid was usually chaperoned by Mrs.
+Caldwell, wife of the well-known K.C., and with
+her she generally spent her winters on the
+Continent.</p>
+
+<p>Blanche, Sir Hugh's daughter by his first
+wife, had married Paul Le Pontois, who had
+been a captain in the 114th Regiment of Artillery
+of the French Army during the war, and
+lived with her husband in France. She seldom
+came to England, though at frequent intervals
+her father went over to visit her.</p>
+
+<p>When Walter Fetherston took his seat beside
+Enid Orlebar at the luncheon table a flood
+of strange recollections crowded upon his mind&mdash;those
+walks along the Miramar, that excursion
+to Pampeluna, and those curious facts which she
+had unwittingly revealed to him in the course of
+their confidential chats. He remembered their
+leave-taking, and how, as he had sat in the
+<i>rapide</i> for Paris, he had made a solemn vow
+never again to set eyes upon her.</p>
+
+<p>There was a reason why he should not&mdash;a
+strong but mysterious reason.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he had come there of his own will to
+meet her again&mdash;drawn there irresistibly by some
+unseen influence which she possessed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>[<a href="./images/23.png">23</a>]</span>
+Was it her beauty that had attracted him?
+Yes&mdash;he was compelled to admit that it was.
+As a rule he avoided the society of women. To
+his intimates he had laid down the maxim:
+"Don't marry; keep a dog if you want a faithful
+companion." And yet he was once again
+at the side of this fair-faced woman.</p>
+
+<p>None around the table were aware of their
+previous meeting, and all were too busy chattering
+to notice the covert glances which he shot at
+her. He was noting her great beauty, sitting
+there entranced by it&mdash;he, the man of double
+personality, who, under an assumed name, lived
+that gay life of the Continent, known in society
+in twenty different cities, and yet in England
+practically unknown in his real self.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Enid Orlebar was beautiful. Surely
+there could be few fairer women than she in
+this our land of fair women!</p>
+
+<p>Turning upon him, she smiled gaily as she
+asked whether he had been interested in seeing
+a mountain battery at work.</p>
+
+<p>Her fresh face, betraying, as it did, her love
+of a free, open-air life, was one of those strangely
+mysterious countenances met only once in a lifetime.
+It seemed to be the quintessence of pain
+and passion, conflict and agony, desire and despair.
+She was not one of those befrilled,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>[<a href="./images/24.png">24</a>]</span>
+fashion-plate dolls that one meets at the after-war
+crushes and dances, but was austerely simple
+in dress, with a face which betrayed a spiritual
+nobility, the very incarnation of modern womanhood,
+alive with modern self-knowledge, modern
+weariness and modern sadness.</p>
+
+<p>Her beautiful hair, worn plain and smooth,
+was black as night&mdash;wonderful hair. But still
+more wonderful were those great, dark, velvety
+eyes, deep and unfathomable. In them the
+tragedy of life was tumultuously visible, yet they
+were serene, self-possessed, even steady in their
+quiet simplicity. To describe her features is
+not an easy task. They were clear-cut, with a
+purity of the lines of the nose and brow seldom
+seen in a woman's face, dark, well-arched eyebrows,
+a pretty mouth which had just escaped
+extreme sensuousness. Cheeks soft and delicately
+moulded, a chin pointed, a skin remarkable
+for its fineness and its clear pallor, the
+whole aspect of her face being that of sweetness
+combined with nobility and majesty. In it there
+was no dominant expression, for it seemed to be
+a mask waiting to be stirred into life.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston had known Sir Hugh slightly for
+several years, but as Enid had been so much
+abroad with Mrs. Caldwell, he had never met
+her until that accidental encounter in Biarritz.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>[<a href="./images/25.png">25</a>]</span>
+"We've been up here six weeks," she was telling
+Fetherston. "Father always gets a lot of
+golf up here, you know, and I'm rather fond
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear I'm too much of a foreigner nowadays
+to appreciate the game," Walter laughed.
+"Last season some Italians in Rome formed a
+club&mdash;the usual set of ultra-smart young counts
+and marquises&mdash;but when they found that it entailed
+the indignity of walking several miles
+they declared it to be a game only fit for the
+populace, and at once disbanded the association."</p>
+
+<p>The men were discussing the work of the
+battery, for four of the officers had been invited,
+and the point raised was the range of mountain
+guns.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston glanced at the general
+through his pince-nez with a curious expression,
+but he did not join in the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Enid's eyes met his, and the pair exchanged
+curiously significant glances.</p>
+
+<p>He bent to pick up his serviette, and in doing
+so he whispered to her: "I must see you
+outside for a moment before I go. Go out, and
+I'll join you."</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, when the meal had concluded, the
+girl went forth into the secluded garden at the
+rear of the hotel, where in a few moments the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>[<a href="./images/26.png">26</a>]</span>
+man joined her at a spot where they could not
+be overlooked.</p>
+
+<p>She turned towards him, separate, remote,
+incongruous, her dark eyes showing an angry
+flash in them.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you come here?" she demanded
+with indignation. The whole aspect of her face
+was tragic.</p>
+
+<p>"To see you again," was his brief reply.
+"Before we parted at Biarritz you lied to me,"
+he added in a hard tone.</p>
+
+<p>She held her breath, staring straight into
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't understand you!" she stammered.
+"You are here to torment&mdash;to persecute
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you a question, Enid, but in response
+you told me a deliberate lie. Think&mdash;recall
+that circumstance, and tell me the truth,"
+he said very quietly.</p>
+
+<p>She was silent for a moment. Then, with
+her mouth drawn to hardness, she replied: "Yes,
+it is true&mdash;I lied to you, just as you have lied
+to me. Remember what you told me that moonlit
+night when we walked by the sea towards the
+Grotto of Love. I was a fool to have believed
+in you&mdash;to have trusted you as I did! You left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>[<a href="./images/27.png">27</a>]</span>
+me, and, though I wrote time after time to your
+club, you refused to send me a single line."</p>
+
+<p>"Because&mdash;because, Enid, I dared not," replied
+her companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" she demanded quickly. "You
+told me that you loved me, yet&mdash;yet your own
+actions have shown that you lied to me!"</p>
+
+<p>"No," he protested in a low, earnest, hoarse
+voice; "I told you the truth, Enid, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But what?" she interrupted in quickly
+earnestness.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he replied after a brief pause, "the
+fact is that I am compelled to wear a mask, even
+to you, the woman I love. I cannot tell you the
+truth&mdash;I cannot, dearest, for your own sake."</p>
+
+<p>"And you expect me to believe this lame
+story&mdash;eh?" she laughed. She was pale and
+fragile, yet she seemed to expand and to dilate
+with force and energy.</p>
+
+<p>"Enid," he answered in a low voice, with
+honesty in his eyes, "I would rather sacrifice my
+great love for you than betray the trust I hold
+most sacred. So great is my love for you, rather
+would I never look upon your dear face again
+than reveal to you the tragic truth and bring
+upon you unhappiness and despair."</p>
+
+<p>"Walter," she replied in a trembling voice,
+looking straight into his countenance with those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>[<a href="./images/28.png">28</a>]</span>
+wonderful dark eyes wherein her soul brimmed
+over with weary emotion and fatigued passion,
+"I repeat all that I told you on that calm night
+beside the sea. I love you; I think of you day
+by day, hour by hour. But you have lied to me,
+and therefore I hate myself for having so foolishly
+placed my trust in you."</p>
+
+<p>He had resolved to preserve his great secret&mdash;a
+secret that none should know.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," he sighed, shrugging his
+shoulders. "These recriminations are really all
+useless. Ah, if you only knew the truth, Enid!
+If I only dared to reveal to you the hideous facts.
+But I refuse&mdash;they are too tragic, too terrible.
+Better that we should part now, and that you
+should remain in ignorance&mdash;better by far, for
+you. You believe that I am deceiving you. Well,
+I'm frank and admit that I am; but it is with a
+distinct purpose&mdash;for your own sake."</p>
+
+<p>He held forth his hand, and slowly she took
+it. In silence he bowed over it, his lips compressed;
+then, turning upon his heel, he went
+down the gravelled walk back to the hotel, which,
+some ten minutes later, he left with Fred Tredennick,
+catching the train back to Dundee and
+on to Perth.</p>
+
+<p>He was in no way a man to wear his heart
+upon his sleeve, therefore he chatted gaily with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>[<a href="./images/29.png">29</a>]</span>
+his friend and listened to Fred's extravagant admiration
+of Enid's beauty. He congratulated
+himself that his old friend was in ignorance of
+the truth.</p>
+
+<p>A curious incident occurred at the hotel that
+same evening, however, which, had Walter been
+aware of it, would probably have caused him
+considerable uneasiness and alarm. Just before
+seven o'clock a tall, rather thin, middle-aged,
+narrow-eyed man, dressed in dark grey tweeds,
+entered the hall of the hotel and inquired for
+Henry, the head waiter. He was well dressed
+and bore an almost professional air.</p>
+
+<p>The white-headed old man quickly appeared,
+when the stranger, whose moustache was carefully
+trimmed and who wore a ruby ring upon
+his white hand, made an anxious inquiry whether
+Fetherston, whom he minutely described, had
+been there that day. At first the head waiter
+hesitated and was uncommunicative, but, the
+stranger having uttered a few low words,
+Henry's manner instantly changed. He started,
+looked in wonder into the stranger's face, and,
+taking him into the smoking-room&mdash;at that moment
+unoccupied&mdash;he allowed himself to be
+closely questioned regarding the general and his
+stepdaughter, as well as the man who had that
+day been their guest. The stranger was a man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>[<a href="./images/30.png">30</a>]</span>
+of quick actions, and his inquiries were sharp
+and to the point.</p>
+
+<p>"You say that Mr. Fetherston met the young
+lady outside after luncheon, and they had an
+argument in secret, eh?" asked the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>Henry replied in the affirmative, declaring
+that he unfortunately could not overhear the
+subject under discussion. But he believed the
+pair had quarrelled.</p>
+
+<p>"And where has Mr. Fetherston gone?"
+asked his keen-eyed questioner.</p>
+
+<p>"He is, I believe, the guest of Major Tredennick,
+who lives on the other side of Perthshire
+at Invermay on Loch Earn."</p>
+
+<p>"And the young lady goes back to Hill
+Street with her stepfather, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"On Wednesday."</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" was the stranger's reply. Then,
+thanking the head waiter for the information in
+a sharp, businesslike voice, and handing him five
+shillings, he took train back from Monifieth to
+Dundee, and went direct to the chief post-office.</p>
+
+<p>From there he dispatched a carefully constructed
+cipher telegram to an address in the
+Boulevard Anspach, in Brussels, afterwards
+lighting an excellent cigar and strolling along
+the busy street with an air of supreme self-satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>[<a href="./images/31.png">31</a>]</span>
+"If this man, Fetherston, has discovered the
+truth, as I fear he has done," the hard-faced man
+muttered to himself, "then by his action to-day
+he has sealed his own doom!&mdash;and Enid Orlebar
+herself will silence him!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>[<a href="./images/32.png">32</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h4>INTRODUCES DOCTOR WEIRMARSH</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Three</span> days had elapsed.</p>
+
+<p>In the dingy back room of a dull, drab house
+in the Vauxhall Bridge Road, close to Victoria
+Station in London, the narrow-eyed man who
+had so closely questioned old Henry at the Panmure
+Hotel, sat at an old mahogany writing-table
+reading a long letter written upon thin
+foreign notepaper.</p>
+
+<p>The incandescent gas-lamp shed a cold glare
+across the room. On one side of the smoke-grimed
+apartment was a shabby leather couch, on
+the other side a long nest of drawers, while beside
+the fireplace was an expanding gas-bracket
+placed in such a position that it could be used
+to examine anyone seated in the big arm-chair.
+Pervading the dingy apartment was a faint smell
+of carbolic, for it was a consulting-room, and
+the man so intent upon the letter was Dr. Weirmarsh,
+the hard-working practitioner so well
+known among the lower classes in Pimlico.</p>
+
+<p>Those who pass along the Vauxhall Bridge
+Road know well that house with its curtains yel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>[<a href="./images/33.png">33</a>]</span>low
+with smoke&mdash;the one which stands back behind
+a small strip of smoke-begrimed garden.
+Over the gate is a red lamp, and upon the railings
+a brass plate with the name: "Mr. Weirmarsh,
+Surgeon."</p>
+
+<p>About three years previously he had bought
+the practice from old Dr. Bland, but he lived
+alone, a silent and unsociable man, with a deaf
+old housekeeper, although he had achieved a considerable
+reputation among his patients in the
+neighbouring by-streets. But his practice was
+not wholly confined to the poorer classes, for he
+was often consulted by well-dressed members of
+the foreign colony&mdash;on account, probably, of his
+linguistic attainments. A foreigner with an imperfect
+knowledge of English naturally prefers
+a doctor to whom he can speak in his own tongue.
+Therefore, as Weirmarsh spoke French, Italian
+and Spanish with equal fluency, it was not surprising
+that he had formed quite a large practice
+among foreign residents.</p>
+
+<p>His appearance, however, was the reverse
+of prepossessing, and his movements were often
+most erratic. About his aquiline face was a
+shrewd and distrustful expression, while his
+keen, dark eyes, too narrowly set, were curiously
+shifty and searching. When absent, as he often
+was, a young fellow named Shipley acted as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>[<a href="./images/34.png">34</a>]</span>
+locum tenens, but so eccentric was he that even
+Shipley knew nothing of the engagements which
+took him from home so frequently.</p>
+
+<p>George Weirmarsh was a man of few friends
+and fewer words. He lived for himself alone,
+devoting himself assiduously to his practice, and
+doing much painstaking writing at the table
+whereat he now sat, or else, when absent, travelling
+swiftly with aims that were ever mysterious.</p>
+
+<p>He had had a dozen or so patients that evening,
+but the last had gone, and he had settled
+himself to read the letter which had arrived when
+his little waiting-room had been full of people.</p>
+
+<p>As he read he made scribbled notes on a piece
+of paper upon his blotting-pad, his thin, white
+hand, delicate as a woman's, bearing that splendid
+ruby ring, his one possession in which he
+took a pride.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" he remarked to himself in a hard
+tone of sarcasm, "what fools the shrewdest of
+men are sometimes over a woman! So at last
+he's fallen&mdash;like the others&mdash;and the secret will
+be mine. Most excellent! After all, every man
+has one weak point in his armour, and I was not
+mistaken."</p>
+
+<p>Then he paused, and, leaning his chin upon
+his hand, looked straight before him, deep in
+reflection.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>[<a href="./images/35.png">35</a>]</span>
+"I have few fears&mdash;very few," he remarked
+to himself, "but the greatest is of Walter
+Fetherston. What does he know?&mdash;that's the
+chief question. If he has discovered the truth&mdash;if
+he knows my real name and who I am&mdash;then
+the game's up, and my best course is to leave
+England. And yet there is another way," he
+went on, speaking slowly to himself&mdash;"to close
+his lips. Dead men tell no tales."</p>
+
+<p>He sat for a long time, his narrow-set eyes
+staring into space, contemplating a crime. As
+a medical man, he knew a dozen ingenious ways
+by which Walter Fetherston might be sent to
+his grave in circumstances that would appear
+perfectly natural. His gaze at last wandered
+to the book-case opposite, and became centred
+upon a thick, brown-covered, dirty volume by
+a writer named Taylor. That book contained
+much that might be of interest to him in the
+near future.</p>
+
+<p>Of a sudden the handle of the door turned,
+and Mrs. Kelsey, the old housekeeper, in rusty
+black, admitted Enid Orlebar without the ceremony
+of asking permission to enter.</p>
+
+<p>The girl was dressed in a pearl grey and pink
+sports coat, with a large black hat, and carried
+a silver chain handbag. Around her throat was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>[<a href="./images/36.png">36</a>]</span>
+a white feather boa, while her features were half
+concealed by the veil she wore.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, my dear young lady," cried Weirmarsh,
+rising quickly and greeting her, while next moment
+he turned to his table and hastily concealed
+the foreign letter and notes, "I had quite forgotten
+that you were to consult me. Pray forgive
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing to forgive," the beautiful
+girl replied in a low, colourless voice, when the
+housekeeper had disappeared, and she had seated
+herself in the big leather arm-chair in which so
+many patients daily sat. "You ordered me to
+come here to you, and I have come."</p>
+
+<p>"Against your will, eh?" he asked slowly,
+with a strange look in his keen eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am perfectly well now. I do not see why
+my stepfather should betray such anxiety on my
+account."</p>
+
+<p>"The general is greatly concerned about
+you," Weirmarsh said, seated cross-legged at his
+writing-chair, toying with his pen and looking
+into the girl's handsome face.</p>
+
+<p>"He wished me to see you. That is why I
+wrote to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," she said, wavering beneath his sharp
+glance, "I am here. What do you wish?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to have a little private talk with you,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>[<a href="./images/37.png">37</a>]</span>
+Miss Enid," he replied thoughtfully, stroking
+his small greyish moustache, "a talk concerning
+your own welfare."</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not ill," she cried. "I don't see
+why you should desire me to come to you to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"I have my own reasons, my dear young
+lady," was the man's firm response, his eyes
+fixed immovably upon hers. "And I think you
+know me well enough to be aware that when Dr.
+Weirmarsh sets his mind upon a thing he is not
+easily turned aside."</p>
+
+<p>A slight, almost imperceptible, shudder ran
+through her. But Weirmarsh detected it, and
+knew that this girl of extraordinary and mysterious
+charm was as wax in his hands. In the
+presence of the man who had cast such a strange
+spell about her she was utterly helpless. There
+was no suggestion of hypnotism&mdash;she herself
+scouted the idea&mdash;yet ever since Sir Hugh had
+taken her to consult this man of medicine at a
+small suburban villa, five years ago, he had entered
+her life never again to leave it.</p>
+
+<p>She realised herself irresistibly in his power
+whenever she felt his presence near her. At his
+bidding she came and went, and against her better
+nature she acted as he commanded.</p>
+
+<p>He had cured her of an attack of nerves five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>[<a href="./images/38.png">38</a>]</span>
+years ago, but she had ever since been beneath
+his hated thraldom. His very eyes fascinated
+her with their sinister expression, yet to her
+he could do no wrong.</p>
+
+<p>A thousand times she had endeavoured to
+break free from that strong but unseen influence,
+but she always became weak and easily led as
+soon as she fell beneath the extraordinary power
+which the obscure doctor possessed. Time after
+time he called her to his side, as on this occasion,
+on pretence of prescribing for her, and yet with
+an ulterior motive. Enid Orlebar was a useful
+tool in the hands of this man who was so unscrupulous.</p>
+
+<p>She sighed, passing her gloved hand wearily
+across her hot brow. Strange how curiously his
+presence always affected her!</p>
+
+<p>She had read in books of the mysteries of
+hypnotic suggestion, but she was far too practical
+to believe in that. This was not hypnotism, she
+often declared within herself, but some remarkable
+and unknown power possessed by this man
+who, beneath the guise of the hard-working surgeon,
+was engaged in schemes of remarkable
+ingenuity and wondrous magnitude.</p>
+
+<p>He held her in the palm of his hand. He
+held her for life&mdash;or for death.</p>
+
+<p>To her stepfather she had, times without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>[<a href="./images/39.png">39</a>]</span>
+number, expressed fear and horror of the sharp-eyed
+doctor, but Sir Hugh had only laughed at
+her fears and dismissed them as ridiculous. Dr.
+Weirmarsh was the general's friend.</p>
+
+<p>Enid knew that there was some close association
+between the pair, but of its nature she was
+in complete ignorance. Often the doctor came
+to Hill Street and sat for long periods with the
+general in that small, cosy room which was his
+den. That they were business interviews there
+was no doubt, but the nature of the business
+was ever a mystery.</p>
+
+<p>"I see by your face that, though there is a
+great improvement in you, you are, nevertheless,
+far from well," the man said, his eyes still
+fixed upon her pale countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Weirmarsh," she protested, "this constant
+declaration that I am ill is awful. I tell
+you I am quite as well as you are yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! there, I'm afraid, you are mistaken,
+my dear young lady," he replied. "You may
+feel well, but you are not in quite such good
+health as you imagine. The general is greatly
+concerned about you, and for that reason I
+wished to see you to-night," he added with a smile
+as, bending towards her, he asked her to remove
+her glove.</p>
+
+<p>He took her wrist, holding his stop-watch in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>[<a href="./images/40.png">40</a>]</span>
+his other hand. "Hum!" he grunted, "just as
+I expected. You're a trifle low&mdash;a little run
+down. You want a change."</p>
+
+<p>"But we only returned from Scotland yesterday!"
+she cried.</p>
+
+<p>"The North does not suit such an exotic
+plant as yourself," he said. "Go South&mdash;the
+Riviera, Spain, Italy, or Egypt."</p>
+
+<p>"I go with Mrs. Caldwell at the end of
+November."</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said decisively, "you must go now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" she asked, opening her eyes in
+astonishment at his dictatorial manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Because&mdash;&mdash;" and he hesitated, still gazing
+upon her with those strangely sinister eyes of his.
+"Well, Miss Enid, because a complete change
+will be beneficial to you in more ways than one,"
+he replied with an air of mystery.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand you," she declared.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably not," he laughed, with that cynical
+air which so irritated her. She hated herself
+for coming to that detestable house of grim
+silence; yet his word to her was a command which
+she felt impelled by some strange force to fulfil
+with child-like obedience. "But I assure you I
+am advising you for your own benefit, my dear
+young lady."</p>
+
+<p>"In what way?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>[<a href="./images/41.png">41</a>]</span>
+"Shall I speak plainly?" asked the man in
+whose power she was. "Will you forgive me if
+I so far intrude myself upon your private affairs
+as to give you a few words of advice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Dr. Weirmarsh, but I cannot
+see that my private affairs are any concern of
+yours," she replied with some hauteur. How
+often had she endeavoured in vain to break those
+invisible shackles?</p>
+
+<p>"I am a very sincere friend of your stepfather,
+and I hope a sincere friend of yours also,"
+he said with perfect coolness. "It is because
+of this I presume to advise you&mdash;but, of
+course&mdash;&mdash;" And he hesitated, without concluding
+his sentence. His eyes were again fixed upon
+her as though gauging accurately the extent of
+his influence upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"And what do you advise, pray?" she asked,
+"It seems that you have called me to you to-night
+in order to intrude upon my private affairs,"
+she added, with her eyes flashing resentment.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;yes, Miss Enid," he answered, his
+manner changing slightly. "The fact is, I wish
+to warn you against what must inevitably bring
+disaster both upon yourself and your family."</p>
+
+<p>"Disaster?" she echoed. "I don't follow
+you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>[<a href="./images/42.png">42</a>]</span>
+"Then let me speak a little more plainly,"
+he replied, his strange, close-set eyes staring into
+hers until she quivered beneath his cold, hard
+gaze. "You have recently become acquainted
+with Walter Fetherston. You met him at Biarritz
+six months ago, and on Monday last he
+lunched with you up at Monifieth. After
+luncheon you met him in the garden of the hotel,
+and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know all this?" she gasped,
+startled, yet fascinated by his gaze.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear young lady," he laughed, "it is
+my business to know certain things&mdash;that is one
+of them."</p>
+
+<p>She held her breath for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"And pray how does that concern you?
+What interest have you in my acquaintances?"</p>
+
+<p>"A very keen one," was the prompt reply.
+"That man is dangerous to you&mdash;and to your
+family. The reason why I have asked you here
+to-night is to tell you that you must never meet
+him again. If you value your life, and that of
+your mother and her husband, avoid him as you
+would some venomous reptile. He is your most
+deadly enemy."</p>
+
+<p>The girl was silent for a moment. Her great,
+dark eyes were fixed upon the threadbare car<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>[<a href="./images/43.png">43</a>]</span>pet.
+What he told her was disconcerting, yet,
+knowing instinctively, as she did, how passionately
+Walter loved her, she could not bring herself
+to believe that he was really her enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Dr. Weirmarsh," she replied, raising
+her eyes again to his, "you are quite mistaken.
+I know Walter Fetherston better than you.
+Your allegation is false. You have told me this
+because&mdash;because you have some motive in parting
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said frankly, "I have&mdash;<i>a strong
+motive</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"You do not conceal it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," he answered. "Were I a younger
+man you might, perhaps, accuse me of scheming
+to wriggle myself into your good graces, Miss
+Enid. But I am getting old, and, moreover, I'm
+a confirmed bachelor, therefore you cannot, I
+think, accuse me of such ulterior motives. No,
+I only point out this peril for your family's
+sake&mdash;and your own."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mr. Fetherston such an evil genius,
+then?" she asked. "The world knows him as a
+writer of strictly moral, if exciting, books."</p>
+
+<p>"The books are one thing&mdash;the man himself
+another. Some men reflect their own souls in
+their works, others write but canting hypocrisy.
+It is so with Walter Fetherston&mdash;the man who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>[<a href="./images/44.png">44</a>]</span>
+has a dual personality and whose private life will
+not bear the light of publicity."</p>
+
+<p>"You wish to prejudice me against him,
+eh?" she said in a hard tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I merely wish to advise you for your good,
+my dear young lady," he said. "It is not for
+me, your medical man, to presume to dictate to
+you, I know. But the general is my dear friend,
+therefore I feel it my duty to reveal to you the
+bitter truth."</p>
+
+<p>Thoughts of Walter Fetherston, the man
+in whose eyes had shone the light of true honesty
+when he spoke, arose within her. She was well
+aware of all the curious gossip concerning the
+popular writer, whose eccentricities were so frequently
+hinted at in the gossipy newspapers,
+but she was convinced that she knew the real
+Fetherston behind the mask he so constantly
+wore.</p>
+
+<p>This man before her was deceiving her. He
+had some sinister motive in thus endeavouring to
+plant seeds of suspicion within her mind. It was
+plain that he was endeavouring in some way to
+secure his own ends. Those ends, however, were
+a complete and inexplicable mystery.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot see that my friendship for Mr.
+Fetherston can have any interest for you," she
+replied. "Let us talk of something else."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>[<a href="./images/45.png">45</a>]</span>
+"But it has," he persisted. "You must never
+meet that man again&mdash;you hear! never&mdash;otherwise
+you will discover to your cost that my serious
+warning has a foundation only too solid;
+that he is your bitterest enemy posing as your
+most affectionate friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you, Dr. Weirmarsh!" she
+cried resentfully, springing to her feet. "I'll
+never believe you!"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear young lady," the man exclaimed,
+"you are really quite unnerved to-night. The
+general was quite right. I will mix you a draught
+like the one you had before&mdash;perfectly innocuous&mdash;something
+to soothe those unstrung nerves of
+yours." And beneath his breath, as his cruel
+eyes twinkled, he added: "Something to bring
+reason to those warped and excited senses&mdash;something
+to sow within you suspicion and hatred
+of Walter Fetherston."</p>
+
+<p>Then aloud he added, as he sprang to his
+feet: "Excuse me for a moment while I go and
+dispense it. I'll be back in a few seconds."</p>
+
+<p>He left the room when, quick as lightning,
+Enid stretched forth her hand to the drawer of
+the writing-table into which she had seen the
+doctor toss the foreign letter he had been reading
+when she entered.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>[<a href="./images/46.png">46</a>]</span>
+She drew it out, and scanned eagerly a dozen
+or so of the closely-written lines in Spanish.</p>
+
+<p>Then she replaced it with trembling fingers,
+and, closing the drawer, sat staring straight before
+her&mdash;dumbfounded, rigid.</p>
+
+<p>What was the mystery?</p>
+
+<p>By the knowledge she had obtained she became
+forearmed&mdash;even defiant. In the light of
+that astounding discovery, she now read the mysterious
+Dr. Weirmarsh as she would an open
+book. She held her breath, and an expression
+of hatred escaped her lips.</p>
+
+<p>When, a moment later, he brought her a
+pale-yellow draught in a graduated glass, she
+took it from his hand, and, drawing herself up in
+defiance, flung its contents behind her into the
+fireplace. She believed that at last she had conquered
+that strangely evil influence which, emanating
+from this obscure practitioner, had fallen
+upon her.</p>
+
+<p>But the man only shrugged his shoulders and,
+turning from her, laughed unconcernedly. He
+knew that he held her in bonds stronger than
+steel, that his will was hers&mdash;for good or for
+evil.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>[<a href="./images/47.png">47</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h4>REVEALS TEMPTATION</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">I tell</span> you it can't be done&mdash;the risk is far too
+great!" declared Sir Hugh Elcombe, standing
+with his back to the fireplace in his cosy little
+den in Hill Street at noon next day.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be done," answered Dr. Weirmarsh,
+who sat in the deep green leather arm-chair, with
+the tips of his fingers placed together.</p>
+
+<p>The general glanced suspiciously at the door
+to reassure himself that it was closed.</p>
+
+<p>"You ask too much," he said. Then, in a
+decisive voice, while his fingers toyed nervously
+with his monocle, he added, "I have resolved
+to end it once and for all."</p>
+
+<p>The doctor looked at him with a strange expression
+in those cold, keen eyes of his and smiled,
+"I fear, Sir Hugh, that if you attempt to carry
+out such a decision you will find insuperable
+difficulties," he said quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"I desire no good advice from you, Weirmarsh,"
+the old general snapped. "I fully realise
+my position. You have cornered me&mdash;cut off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>[<a href="./images/48.png">48</a>]</span>
+my retreat&mdash;so I have placed my back against
+the wall."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! And how will such an attitude
+benefit you, pray?"</p>
+
+<p>"Understand, I am in no mood to be taunted
+by you!" the old man cried, with an angry
+flash in his eyes. "You very cleverly enticed
+me into the net, and now you are closing it
+about me."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Sir Hugh," replied the doctor,
+"ours was a mere business transaction, surely.
+Carry your thoughts back to six years ago.
+After your brilliant military career you returned
+from India and found yourself, as so many of
+your profession find themselves, in very straitened
+circumstances. You were bound to keep up
+appearances, and, in order to do so, got into
+the hands of Eli Moser, the moneylender. You
+married Lady Orlebar, and had entered London
+society when, of a sudden, the scoundrelly usurer
+began to put the screw upon you. At that moment
+you&mdash;luckily, I think, for yourself&mdash;met
+me, and&mdash;well, I was your salvation, for I
+pointed out to you an easy way by which to pay
+your creditors and rearrange your affairs upon
+a sound financial basis. Indeed, I did it for you.
+I saved you from the moneylender. Did I
+not?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>[<a href="./images/49.png">49</a>]</span>
+He spoke in a calm, even tone, without once
+removing his eyes from the man who stood upon
+the hearthrug with bent head and folded arms.</p>
+
+<p>"I know, Weirmarsh. It's true that you
+saved me from bankruptcy&mdash;but think what
+penalty I have paid by accepting your terms,"
+he answered in a low, broken voice. "The devil
+tempted me, and I fell into your damnable net."</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think it necessary for you to put
+it that way," replied the doctor without the least
+sign of annoyance. "I showed you how you
+could secure quite a comfortable income, and you
+readily enough adopted my suggestion."</p>
+
+<p>"Readily!" echoed the fine-looking old soldier.
+"Ah! you don't know what my decision
+cost me&mdash;it has cost me my very life."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, man," laughed the doctor scornfully.
+"You got out of the hands of the Jews,
+and ever since that day you haven't had five
+minutes' worry over your finances. I promised
+you I would provide you with an ample income,
+and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And you've done so, Weirmarsh," cried
+the old general; "an income far greater than I
+expected. Yet what do I deserve?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear General," said the doctor quite
+calmly, "you're not yourself to-day; suffering
+from a slight attack of remorse, eh? It's a bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>[<a href="./images/50.png">50</a>]</span>
+complaint; I've had it, and I know. But it's
+like the measles&mdash;you're very nearly certain to
+contract it once in a lifetime."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you no pity for me?" snarled Sir
+Hugh, glaring at the narrow-eyed man seated
+before him. "Don't you realise that by this
+last demand of yours you've driven me into a
+corner?"</p>
+
+<p>Weirmarsh's brows contracted slightly, and
+he shot an evil glance at the man before him&mdash;the
+man who was his victim. "But you must do
+it. You still want money&mdash;and lots of it, don't
+you?" he said in a low, decisive voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I refuse, I tell you!" cried Sir Hugh
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush! Someone may overhear," the doctor
+said. "Is Enid at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"I saw her last night, as you wished. She
+is not well. Her nerves are still in an extremely
+weak state," Weirmarsh said, in order to change
+the topic of conversation. "I think you should
+send her abroad out of the way&mdash;to the South
+somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"So she told me. I shall try and get Mrs.
+Caldwell to take her to Sicily&mdash;if you consider
+the air would be beneficial."</p>
+
+<p>"Excellent&mdash;Palermo or Taormina&mdash;send<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>[<a href="./images/51.png">51</a>]</span>
+the girl there as soon as ever you can. She seems
+unstrung, and may get worse; a change will
+certainly do her good," replied the man whose
+craft and cunning were unequalled. "I know,"
+he added reflectively, "that Enid dislikes me&mdash;why,
+I can never make out."</p>
+
+<p>"Instinct, I suppose, Weirmarsh," was the
+old man's reply. "She suspects that you hold
+me in your power, as you undoubtedly do."</p>
+
+<p>"Now that is really a most silly idea of
+yours, Sir Hugh. Do get rid of it. Such a
+thought pains me to a great degree," declared
+the crafty-eyed man. "For these past years I
+have provided you with a good income, enabling
+you to keep up your position in the world, instead
+of&mdash;well, perhaps shivering on the Embankment
+at night and partaking of the hospitality
+of the charitably disposed. Yet you upbraid
+me as though I had treated you shabbily!"
+He spoke with an irritating air of superiority,
+for he knew that this man who occupied such a
+high position, who was an intimate friend and
+confidant of the Minister of War, and universally
+respected throughout the country, was but a
+tool in his unscrupulous hands.</p>
+
+<p>"You ask me too much," exclaimed the grey-moustached
+officer in a hard, low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"The request does not emanate from me,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>[<a href="./images/52.png">52</a>]</span>
+was the doctor's reply; "I am but the mouthpiece."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the mouthpiece&mdash;but the eyes and ears
+also, Weirmarsh," replied Sir Hugh. "You
+bought me, body and soul, for a wage of five
+thousand pounds a year&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The salary of one of His Majesty's Ministers,"
+interrupted the doctor. "It has been paid
+you with regularity, together with certain extras.
+When you have wished for a loan of five hundred
+or so, I have never refused it."</p>
+
+<p>"I quite admit that; but you've always received
+a <i>quid pro quo</i>," the general snapped.
+"Look at the thousands upon thousands I put
+through for you!"</p>
+
+<p>"The whole transaction has from the beginning
+been a matter of business; and, as far as I
+am concerned, I have fulfilled my part of the
+contract."</p>
+
+<p>The man standing upon the hearthrug sighed.
+"I suppose," he said, "that I really have no right
+to complain. I clutched at the straw you held
+out to me, and saved myself at a cost greater
+than the world can ever know. I hate myself
+for it. If I had then known what I know now
+concerning you and your friends, I would rather
+have blown out my brains than have listened to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>[<a href="./images/53.png">53</a>]</span>
+your accursed words of temptation. The whole
+plot is damnable!"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear fellow, I am not Mephistopheles,"
+laughed the narrow-eyed doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"You are worse," declared the general boldly.
+"You bought me body and soul, but by
+Heaven!" he cried, "you have not bought my
+family, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Weirmarsh moved uneasily in his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you refuse to do this service which
+I requested of you, yesterday, eh?" he asked
+very slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"I do."</p>
+
+<p>A silence fell between the two men, broken
+only by the low ticking of the little Sheraton
+clock upon the mantelshelf.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you fully reflected upon what this
+refusal of yours may cost you, General?" asked
+the doctor in a slow, hard voice, his eyes fixed
+upon the other's countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"It will cost me just as much as you decide
+it shall," was the response of the unhappy man,
+who found himself enmeshed by the crafty
+practitioner.</p>
+
+<p>"You speak as though I were the principal,
+whereas I am but the agent," Weirmarsh
+protested.</p>
+
+<p>"Principal or agent, my decision, Doctor, is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>[<a href="./images/54.png">54</a>]</span>
+irrevocable&mdash;I refuse to serve your accursed ends
+further."</p>
+
+<p>"Really," laughed the other, still entirely
+unruffled, "your attitude to-day is quite amusing.
+You've got an attack of liver, and you should
+allow me to prescribe for you."</p>
+
+<p>The general made a quick gesture of impatience,
+but did not reply.</p>
+
+<p>It was upon the tip of Weirmarsh's tongue
+to refer to Walter Fetherston, but next instant
+he had reflected. If Sir Hugh really intended
+to abandon himself to remorse and make a fool
+of himself, why should he stretch forth a hand
+to save him?</p>
+
+<p>That ugly revelations&mdash;very ugly ones&mdash;might
+result was quite within the range of possibility,
+therefore Weirmarsh, whose craft and cunning
+were amazing, intended to cover his own retreat
+behind the back of the very man whom he
+had denounced to Enid Orlebar.</p>
+
+<p>He sat in silence, his finger-tips again joined,
+gazing upon the man who had swallowed that
+very alluring bait he had once placed before him.</p>
+
+<p>He realised by Sir Hugh's manner that he
+regretted his recent action and was now overcome
+by remorse. Remorse meant exposure, and
+exposure meant prosecution&mdash;a great public<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>[<a href="./images/55.png">55</a>]</span>
+prosecution, which, at all hazards, must not be
+allowed.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat there he was actually calmly wondering
+whether this fine old officer with such a
+brilliant record would die in silence by his own
+hand and carry his secret to the grave, or whether
+he would leave behind some awkward written
+statement which would incriminate himself and
+those for whom he acted.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Sir Hugh turned and, looking the
+doctor squarely in the face as though divining
+his inmost thoughts, said in a hoarse voice tremulous
+with emotion: "Ah, you need not trouble
+yourself further, Weirmarsh. I have a big dinner-party
+to-night, but by midnight I shall have
+paid the penalty which you have imposed upon
+me&mdash;I shall have ceased to live. I will die rather
+then serve you further!"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, my dear sir," replied the doctor,
+rising from his chair abruptly. "Of course,
+every man's life is his own property&mdash;you can
+take it if you think fit&mdash;but I assure you that such
+an event would not concern me in the least. I
+have already taken the precaution to appear with
+clean hands&mdash;should occasion require."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>[<a href="./images/56.png">56</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h4>IN WHICH ENID ORLEBAR IS PUZZLED</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">That</span> night, around the general's dinner-table in
+Hill Street, a dozen or so well-known men and
+women were assembled.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh Elcombe's dinners were always
+smart gatherings. The table was set with
+Georgian silver and decorated daintily with
+flowers, while several of the women wore splendid
+jewels. At the head sat Lady Elcombe, a quiet,
+rather fragile, calm-faced woman in black, whose
+countenance bore traces of long suffering, but
+whose smile was very sweet.</p>
+
+<p>Among the guests was Walter Fetherston,
+whom the general had at last induced to visit
+him, and he had taken in Enid, who looked superb
+in a cream d&eacute;collet&eacute; gown, and who wore
+round her throat a necklet of turquoise matrices,
+admirably suited to her half-barbaric beauty.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston had only accepted the general's
+invitation at her urgent desire, for she had written
+to White's telling him that it was imperative
+they should meet&mdash;she wished to consult<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>[<a href="./images/57.png">57</a>]</span>
+him; she begged of him to forget the interview
+at Monifieth and return to her.</p>
+
+<p>So, against his will, he had gone there, though
+the house and all it contained was hateful to
+him. With that terrible secret locked within his
+heart&mdash;that secret which gripped his very vitals
+and froze his blood&mdash;he looked upon the scene
+about him with horror and disgust. Indeed, it
+was only by dint of self-control that he could be
+civil to his host.</p>
+
+<p>His fellow-guests were of divers types: a
+couple of peers and their womenkind, a popular
+actor-manager, two diplomats, and several military
+men of more or less note&mdash;two of them,
+like the host, occupying high positions at the
+War Office.</p>
+
+<p>Such gatherings were of frequent occurrence
+at Hill Street. It was popularly supposed that
+Sir Hugh, by marrying His Majesty's Minister's
+widow, had married money, and was thus able
+to sustain the position he did. Other military
+men in his position found it difficult to make
+both ends meet, and many envied old Hugh Elcombe
+and his wealthy wife. They were unaware
+that Lady Orlebar, after the settlement of her
+husband's estate, had found herself with practically
+nothing, and that her marriage to Sir
+Hugh had been more to secure a home than any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>[<a href="./images/58.png">58</a>]</span>thing
+else. Both had, alas! been equally deceived.
+The general, believing her to be rich, had
+been sadly disillusioned; while she, on her part,
+was equally filled with alarm when he revealed to
+her his penurious position.</p>
+
+<p>The world, of course, knew nothing of this.
+Sir Hugh, ever since his re-marriage, had given
+good dinners and had been entertained in return,
+therefore everybody believed that he derived his
+unusually large income from his wife.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat at table he laughed and chatted
+merrily with his guests, for on such occasions he
+was always good company. Different, indeed,
+was his attitude from when, at noon, he had stood
+with Weirmarsh in his own den and pronounced
+his own fate.</p>
+
+<p>The man who held him in that strange thraldom
+was seated at the table. He had been invited
+three days ago, and had come there, perhaps,
+to taunt him with his presence in those the
+last few hours of his life.</p>
+
+<p>Only once the two men exchanged glances,
+for Weirmarsh was devoting all his attention to
+young Lady Stockbridge. But when Sir Hugh
+encountered the doctor's gaze he saw in his eyes
+open defiance and triumph.</p>
+
+<p>In ignorance of the keen interest which the
+doctor across the table felt in him, Walter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>[<a href="./images/59.png">59</a>]</span>
+Fetherston sat chatting and laughing with Enid.
+Once the doctor, to whom he had been introduced
+only half an hour before, addressed a remark
+to him to which he replied, at the same time reflecting
+within himself that Weirmarsh was quite
+a pleasant acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>He was unaware of that mysterious visit of
+inquiry to Monifieth, of that remarkable cipher
+telegram afterwards dispatched to Brussels, or
+even of the extraordinary influence that man in
+the well-worn evening suit possessed over both his
+host and the handsome girl beside him.</p>
+
+<p>When the ladies had left the table the doctor
+set himself out over the cigarettes to become
+more friendly with the writer of fiction. Then
+afterwards he rose, and encountering his host,
+who had also risen and crossed the room,
+whispered in a voice of command: "You have
+reconsidered your decision! You will commit
+no foolish and cowardly act? I see it in your
+face. I shall call to-morrow at noon, and we will
+discuss the matter further."</p>
+
+<p>The general did not reply for a few seconds.
+But Weirmarsh had already realised that reflection
+had brought his victim to a calmer state of
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not listen to you," the old man
+growled.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>[<a href="./images/60.png">60</a>]</span>
+"But I shall speak whether you listen or not.
+Remember, I am not a man to be fooled by talk.
+I shall be here at noon and lay before you a
+scheme perhaps a little more practicable than the
+last one." And with that he reached for some
+matches, turned upon his heel, and rejoined the
+man against whom he had warned Enid&mdash;the
+only man in the world whom he feared.</p>
+
+<p>Before they rose Weirmarsh had ingratiated
+himself with his enemy. So clever was he that
+Fetherston, in ignorance as to whom his fellow-guest
+really was, save that he was a member of
+the medical profession, was actually congratulating
+himself that he had now met a man after his
+own heart.</p>
+
+<p>At last they repaired to the pretty old-rose-and-gold
+drawing-room upstairs, an apartment
+in which great taste was displayed in decoration,
+and there several of the ladies sang or recited.
+One of them, a vivacious young Frenchwoman,
+was induced to give Barrois's romance, "J'ai vu
+fleurir notre dernier lilas!"</p>
+
+<p>When she had concluded Enid, with whom
+Walter was seated, rose and passed into the small
+conservatory, which was prettily illuminated with
+fairy lights. As soon as they were alone she
+turned to him in eager distress, saying: "Walter,
+do, I beg of you, beware of that man!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>[<a href="./images/61.png">61</a>]</span>
+"Of what man?" he asked in quick surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Of Doctor Weirmarsh."</p>
+
+<p>"Why? I don't know him. I never met him
+until to-night. Who is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"My stepfather's friend, but my enemy&mdash;and
+yours," she cried quickly, placing her hand
+upon her heart as though to quell its throbbing.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he well known?" inquired the novelist.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;only in Pimlico. He lives in Vauxhall
+Bridge Road, and his practice lies within
+a radius of half a mile of Victoria Station."</p>
+
+<p>"And why is he my enemy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that I cannot tell."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is he your stepfather's friend?" asked
+Fetherston. "They certainly seem to be on very
+good terms."</p>
+
+<p>"Doctor Weirmarsh's cunning and ingenuity
+are unequalled," she declared. "Over me, as
+over Sir Hugh, he has cast a kind of spell&mdash;a&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Her companion laughed. "My dear Enid,"
+he said, "spells are fictions of the past; nobody
+believes in them nowadays. He may possess
+some influence over you, but surely you are sufficiently
+strong-minded to resist his power, whatever
+it may be?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied, "I am not. For that
+reason I fear for myself&mdash;and for Sir Hugh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>[<a href="./images/62.png">62</a>]</span>
+That man compelled Sir Hugh to take me to
+him for a consultation, and as soon as I was in
+his presence I knew that his will was mine&mdash;that
+I was powerless."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand you," said Fetherston,
+much interested in this latest psychic problem.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I understand myself," she answered
+in bewilderment. "To me this man's
+power, fascination&mdash;whatever you may term it&mdash;is
+a complete mystery."</p>
+
+<p>"I will investigate it," said Fetherston
+promptly. "What is his address?"</p>
+
+<p>She told him, and he scribbled it upon his
+shirt-cuff. Then, looking into her beautiful countenance,
+he asked: "Have you no idea of the
+nature of this man's influence over Sir Hugh?"</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever. It is plain, however, that
+he is master over my stepfather's actions. My
+mother has often remarked to me upon it," was
+her response. "He comes here constantly, and
+remains for hours closeted with Sir Hugh in his
+study. So great is his influence that he orders
+our servants to do his bidding."</p>
+
+<p>"And he compelled Sir Hugh to take you
+to his consulting room, eh? Under what pretext?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was suffering from extreme nervousness,
+and he prescribed for me with beneficial effect,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>[<a href="./images/63.png">63</a>]</span>
+she said. "But ever since I have felt myself
+beneath his influence in a manner which I am
+utterly unable to describe. I do not believe in
+hypnotic suggestion, or it might be put down to
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"But what is your theory?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have none, except&mdash;well, except that this
+man, essentially a man of evil, possesses some
+occult influence which other men do not possess."</p>
+
+<p>"Yours is not a weak nature, Enid," he declared.
+"You are not the sort of girl to fall beneath
+the influence of another."</p>
+
+<p>"I think not," she laughed in reply. "And
+yet the truth is a hard and bitter one."</p>
+
+<p>"Remain firm and determined to be mistress
+of your own actions," he urged, "and in the
+meantime I will cultivate the doctor's acquaintance
+and endeavour to investigate the cause of
+this remarkable influence of his."</p>
+
+<p>Why did Doctor Weirmarsh possess such
+power over Sir Hugh? he wondered. Could it
+be that this man was actually in possession of
+the truth? Was he aware of that same terrible
+and hideous secret of which he himself was aware&mdash;a
+secret which, if exposed, would convulse the
+whole country, so shameful and scandalous
+was it!</p>
+
+<p>He saw how pale and agitated Enid was.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>[<a href="./images/64.png">64</a>]</span>
+She had in her frantic anxiety sought his aid.
+Only a few days ago they had parted; yet now,
+in the moment of her fear and apprehension, she
+had recalled him to her side to seek his advice
+and protection.</p>
+
+<p>She had not told him of that mysterious
+warning Weirmarsh had given her concerning
+him, or of his accurate knowledge of their acquaintanceship.
+She had purposely refrained
+from telling him this lest her words should unduly
+prejudice him. She had warned Walter that
+the doctor was his enemy&mdash;this, surely, was
+sufficient!</p>
+
+<p>"Try and discover, if you can, the reason of
+the doctor's power over my father, and why he
+is for ever directing his actions," urged the girl.
+"For myself I care little; it is for Sir Hugh's
+sake that I am trying to break the bonds, if
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>"You have no suspicion of the reason?" he
+repeated, looking seriously into her face. "You
+do not think that he holds some secret of your
+stepfather's? Undue influence can frequently
+be traced to such a source."</p>
+
+<p>She shook her head in the negative, a blank
+look in her great, dark eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied, "it is all a mystery&mdash;one
+which I beg of you, Walter, to solve, and"&mdash;she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>[<a href="./images/65.png">65</a>]</span>
+faltered in a strange voice&mdash;"and to save me!"</p>
+
+<p>He pressed her hand and gave her his
+promise. Then for a second she raised her full
+red lips to his, and together they passed back into
+the drawing-room, where their re-entry in company
+did not escape the sharp eyes of the lonely
+doctor of Pimlico.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>[<a href="./images/66.png">66</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h4>BENEATH THE ELASTIC BAND</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Walter Fetherston</span> strolled back that night to
+the dingy chambers he rented in Holles Street,
+off Oxford Street, as a <i>pied-&agrave;-terre</i> when in London.
+He was full of apprehension, full of curiosity,
+as to who this Doctor Weirmarsh could be.</p>
+
+<p>He entered his darkling, shabby old third-floor
+room and threw himself into the arm-chair
+before the fire to think. It was a room without
+beauty, merely walls, repapered once every
+twenty years, and furniture of the mid-Victorian
+era. The mantelshelf in the bedroom still bore
+stains from the medicine bottles which consoled
+the final hours of the last tenant, a man about
+whom a curious story was told.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that he found a West End anchorage
+there, not when he had retired, but when he
+was in the very prime of life. He never told
+anyone that he was single; at the same time he
+never told anyone he was married. He just came
+and rented those three rooms, and there his man
+brought him his tea at ten o'clock every morning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>[<a href="./images/67.png">67</a>]</span>
+for thirty years. Then he dressed himself and
+went round to the Devonshire, in St. James's
+Street, and there remained till closing time, at
+two o'clock, every morning for thirty years.
+When his club closed in the dog-days for repairs
+he went to the club which received him.
+He never went out of town. He never slept a
+night away. He never had a visitor. He never
+received a letter, and, so far as his man was
+aware, never wrote one.</p>
+
+<p>One morning he did not go through his usual
+programme. The doctor was called, but during
+the next fortnight he died.</p>
+
+<p>Within twelve hours, however, his widow and
+a family of grown-up children arrived, pleasant,
+cheerful, inquisitive people, who took away with
+them everything portable, greatly to the chagrin
+of the devoted old manservant who had been the
+tenant's single home-tie for thirty years.</p>
+
+<p>It was these selfsame, dull, monotonous chambers
+which Walter occupied. The old manservant
+was the selfsame man who had so devotedly
+served the previous tenant. They suited
+Walter's purpose, for he was seldom in London,
+so old Hayden had the place to himself for many
+months every year. Of all the inhabitants of
+London chambers those are the most lonely who
+never wander away from London. But Walter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>[<a href="./images/68.png">68</a>]</span>
+was ever wandering, therefore he never noticed
+the shabbiness of the carpet, the dinginess of
+the furniture, or the dispiriting gloom of everything.</p>
+
+<p>Like the previous tenant, Walter had no
+visitors and was mostly out all day. At evening
+he would write at the dusty old bureau in which
+the late tenant had kept locked his family treasures,
+or sit in the deep, old horsehair-covered
+chair with his feet upon the fender, as he did that
+night after returning from Hill Street.</p>
+
+<p>The only innovation in those grimy rooms
+was a good-sized fireproof safe which stood in the
+corner hidden by a side-table, and from this Walter
+had taken a bundle of papers and carried
+them with him to his chair.</p>
+
+<p>One by one he carefully went through them,
+until at last he found the document of which he
+was in search.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he exclaimed to himself after he had
+scanned it, "so I was not mistaken after all!
+The mystery is deeper than I thought. By Jove!
+that fellow, Joseph Blot, alias Weirmarsh, alias
+Detmold, Ponting and half a dozen other names,
+no doubt, is playing a deep game&mdash;a dangerous
+customer evidently!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, again returning to the safe, he took
+out a large packet of miscellaneous photographs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>[<a href="./images/69.png">69</a>]</span>
+of various persons secured by an elastic band.
+These he went rapidly through until he held one
+in his hand, an unmounted <i>carte-de-visite</i>, which
+he examined closely beneath the green-shaded
+reading-lamp.</p>
+
+<p>It was a portrait of Doctor Weirmarsh, evidently
+taken a few years before, as he then wore
+a short pointed beard, whereas he was now shaven
+except for a moustache.</p>
+
+<p>"No mistake about those features," he remarked
+to himself with evident satisfaction as,
+turning the photographic print, he took note of
+certain cabalistic numbers written in the corner,
+scribbling them in pencil upon his blotting-pad.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I recollected those curious eyes
+and that unusual breadth of forehead," he went
+on, speaking to himself, and again examining the
+pictured face through his gold pince-nez. "It's
+a long time since I looked at this photograph&mdash;fully
+five years. What would the amiable doctor
+think if he knew that I held the key which
+will unlock his past?"</p>
+
+<p>He laughed lightly to himself, and, selecting
+a cigarette from the silver box, lit it.</p>
+
+<p>Then he sat back in his big arm-chair, his
+eyes fixed upon the fire, contemplating what he
+realised to be a most exciting and complicated
+problem.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>[<a href="./images/70.png">70</a>]</span>
+"This means that I must soon be upon the
+move again," he murmured to himself. "Enid
+has sought my assistance&mdash;she has asked me to
+save her, and I will exert my utmost endeavour
+to do so. But I see it will be difficult, very difficult.
+She is, no doubt, utterly unaware of the
+real identity of this brisk, hard-working doctor.
+And perhaps, after all," he added slowly, "it is
+best so&mdash;best that she remain in ignorance of this
+hideous, ghastly truth!"</p>
+
+<p>At that same moment, while Walter Fetherston
+was preoccupied by these curious apprehensions,
+the original of that old <i>carte-de-visite</i> was
+seated in the lounge of the Savoy Hotel, smoking
+a cigar with a tall, broad-shouldered, red-bearded
+man who was evidently a foreigner.</p>
+
+<p>He had left Hill Street five minutes after
+Fetherston, and driven down to the Savoy, where
+he had a rendezvous for supper with his friend.
+That he was an habitu&eacute; there was patent from
+the fact that upon entering the restaurant, Alphonse,
+the <i>ma&icirc;tre d'h&ocirc;tel</i>, with his plan of the
+tables pinned upon the board, greeted him with,
+"Ah! good evening, Docteur. Table vingt-six,
+Docteur Weirmarsh."</p>
+
+<p>The scene was the same as it is every evening
+at the Savoy; the music, the smart dresses of the
+women, the flowers, the shaded lights, the chatter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>[<a href="./images/71.png">71</a>]</span>
+and the irresponsible laughter of the London
+world amusing itself after the stress of war.</p>
+
+<p>You know it&mdash;why, therefore, should I describe
+it? Providing you possess an evening suit
+or a low-necked dress, you can always rub
+shoulders with the <i>monde</i> and the <i>demi-monde</i> of
+London at a cost of a few shillings a head.</p>
+
+<p>The two men had supped and were chatting
+in French over their coffee and "triplesec."
+Gustav, Weirmarsh called his friend, and from
+his remarks it was apparent that he was a stranger
+to London. He was dressed with elegance.
+Upon the corner of his white lawn handkerchief
+a count's coronet was embroidered, and upon his
+cigar-case also was a coronet and a cipher. In
+his dress-shirt he wore a fine diamond, while upon
+the little finger of his left hand glittered a similar
+stone of great lustre.</p>
+
+<p>The lights were half extinguished, and a
+porter's voice cried, "Time's up, ladies and gentlemen!"
+Those who were not habitu&eacute;s rose
+and commenced to file out, but the men and
+women who came to the restaurant each night
+sat undisturbed till the lights went up again
+and another ten minutes elapsed before the final
+request to leave was made.</p>
+
+<p>The pair, seated away in a corner, had been
+chatting in an undertone when they were com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>[<a href="./images/72.png">72</a>]</span>pelled
+to rise. Thereupon the doctor insisted
+that his friend, whose name was Gustav Heureux,
+should accompany him home. So twenty minutes
+later they alighted from a taxi-cab in the Vauxhall
+Bridge Road, and entered the shabby little
+room wherein Weirmarsh schemed and
+plotted.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor produced from a cupboard some
+cognac and soda and a couple of glasses, and
+when they had lit cigars they sat down to resume
+their chat.</p>
+
+<p>Alone there, the doctor spoke in English.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," he explained, "it is a matter of
+the greatest importance&mdash;if we make this coup
+we can easily make a hundred thousand pounds
+within a fortnight. The general at first refused
+and became a trifle&mdash;well, just a trifle resentful,
+even vindictive; but by showing a bold front I've
+brought him round. To-morrow I shall clinch
+the matter. That is my intention."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be a brilliant snap, if you can actually
+accomplish it," was the red-bearded man's enthusiastic
+reply. He now spoke in English, but
+with a strong American accent. "I made an
+attempt two years ago, but failed, and narrowly
+escaped imprisonment."</p>
+
+<p>"A dozen attempts have already been made,
+but all in vain," replied the doctor, drawing hard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>[<a href="./images/73.png">73</a>]</span>
+at his cigar. "Therefore, I'm all the more keen
+to secure success."</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly have been very successful
+over here, Doctor," observed the foreigner, whose
+English had been acquired in America. "We
+have heard of you in New York, where you are
+upheld to us as a model. Jensen once told me
+that your methods were so ingenious as to be
+unassailable."</p>
+
+<p>"Merely because I am well supplied with
+funds," answered the other with modesty.
+"Here, in England, as elsewhere, any man or
+woman can be bought&mdash;if you pay their price.
+There is only one section of the wonderful British
+public who cannot be purchased&mdash;the men and
+women who are in love with each other. Whenever
+I come up against Cupid, experience has
+taught me to retire deferentially, and wait until
+the love-fever has abated. It often turns to jealousy
+or hatred, and then the victims fall as
+easily as off a log. A jealous woman will betray
+any secret, even though it may hurry her lover
+to his grave. To me, my dear Gustav, this
+fevered world of London is all very amusing."</p>
+
+<p>"And your profession as doctor must serve
+as a most excellent mask. Who would suspect
+you&mdash;a lonely bachelor in such quarters as
+these?" exclaimed his visitor.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>[<a href="./images/74.png">74</a>]</span>
+"No one does suspect me," laughed the doctor
+with assurance. "Safety lies in pursuing my increasing
+practice, and devoting all my spare time
+to&mdash;well, to my real profession." He flicked the
+ash off his cigar as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend, Elcombe, will have to be very
+careful. The peril is considerable in that
+quarter."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that full well. But if he failed it
+would be he who would suffer&mdash;not I. As usual,
+I do not appear in the affair at all."</p>
+
+<p>"That is just where you are so intensely
+clever and ingenious," declared Heureux. "In
+New York they speak of you as a perfect marvel
+of foresight and clever evasion."</p>
+
+<p>"It is simply a matter of exercising one's
+wits," Weirmarsh laughed lightly. "I always
+complete my plans with great care before embarking
+upon them, and I make provision for
+every contretemps possible. It is the only way,
+if one desires success."</p>
+
+<p>"And you have had success," remarked his
+companion. "Marked success in everything you
+have attempted. In New York we have not been
+nearly so fortunate. Those three articles in the
+<i>New York Sun</i> put the public on their guard, so
+that we dare not attempt any really bold move
+for fear of detection."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>[<a href="./images/75.png">75</a>]</span>
+"You have worked a little too openly, I
+think," was Weirmarsh's reply. "But now that
+you have been sent to assist me, you will probably
+see that my methods differ somewhat from
+those of John Willoughby. Remember, he has
+just the same amount of money placed at his disposal
+as I have."</p>
+
+<p>"And he is not nearly so successful," Heureux
+replied. "Perhaps it is because Americans
+are not so easily befooled as the English."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet America is, <i>par excellence</i>, the
+country of bluff, of quackery in patent medicines,
+and of the booming of unworthy persons," the
+doctor laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"It is fortunate, Doctor, that the public are
+in ignorance of the real nature of our work, isn't
+it, eh? Otherwise, you and I might experience
+rather rough handling if this house were
+mobbed."</p>
+
+<p>Weirmarsh smiled grimly. "My dear Gustav,"
+he laughed, "the British public, though of
+late they've browsed upon the hysterics of the
+popular Press, are already asleep again. It is
+not for us to arouse them. We profit by their
+heavy slumber, and this will be a rude awakening&mdash;a
+shock, depend upon it."</p>
+
+<p>"We were speaking of Sir Hugh Elcombe,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>[<a href="./images/76.png">76</a>]</span>
+remarked the other. "He has been of use to
+us, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of considerable use, but his usefulness is
+all but ended," replied the doctor. "He will go
+to France before long, if he does not act as I
+direct."</p>
+
+<p>"Into a veritable hornet's nest!" exclaimed
+the red-bearded man. He recognised a strange
+expression upon the doctor's face, and added,
+"Ah, I see. This move is intentional, eh? He
+has served our purpose, and you now deem it
+wise that&mdash;er&mdash;disaster should befall him across
+the Channel, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor smiled in the affirmative.</p>
+
+<p>"And the girl you spoke of, Enid Orlebar?"</p>
+
+<p>"The girl will share the same fate as her stepfather,"
+was Weirmarsh's hard response. "We
+cannot risk betrayal."</p>
+
+<p>"Then she knows something?"</p>
+
+<p>"She may or she may not. In any case, however,
+she constitutes a danger, a grave danger,
+that must, at all costs, be removed." And looking
+into the other's face, he added, "You understand
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly."</p>
+
+<p>Just before two o'clock Gustav Heureux left
+the frowsy house in Vauxhall Bridge Road and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>[<a href="./images/77.png">77</a>]</span>
+walked through the silent street into Victoria
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>He was unaware, however, that on the opposite
+side of the road an ill-dressed man had for a
+full hour been lurking in a doorway, or that when
+he came down the doctor's steps, the mysterious
+midnight watcher strolled noiselessly after him.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>[<a href="./images/78.png">78</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h4>CONCERNING THE VELVET HAND</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the rising ground half-way between Wimborne
+and Poole, in Dorsetshire, up a narrow by-road
+which leads to the beautiful woods, lies the
+tiny hamlet of Idsworth, a secluded little place
+of about forty inhabitants, extremely rural and
+extremely picturesque.</p>
+
+<p>Standing alone half-way up the hill, and surrounded
+by trees, was an old-world thatched cottage,
+half-timbered, with high, red-brick chimneys,
+quaint gables and tiny dormer windows&mdash;a
+delightful old Elizabethan house with a comfortable,
+homely look. Behind it a well-kept
+flower garden, with a tree-fringed meadow beyond,
+while the well-rolled gravelled walks, the
+rustic fencing, and the pretty curtains at the casements
+betrayed the fact that the rustic homestead
+was not the residence of a villager.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact it belonged to a Mr. John
+Maltwood, a bachelor, whom Idsworth believed
+to be in business in London, and who came there
+at intervals for fresh air and rest. His visits<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>[<a href="./images/79.png">79</a>]</span>
+were not very frequent. Sometimes he would be
+absent for many months, and at others he would
+remain there for weeks at a time, with a cheery
+word always for the labourers on their way home
+from work, and always with his hand in his pocket
+in the cause of charity.</p>
+
+<p>John Maltwood, the quiet, youngish-looking
+man in the gold pince-nez, was popular everywhere
+over the country-side. He did not court
+the society of the local parsons and their wives,
+nor did he return any of the calls made upon
+him. His excuse was that he was at Idsworth
+for rest, and not for social duties. This very independence
+of his endeared him to the villagers,
+who always spoke of him as "one of the right
+sort."</p>
+
+<p>At noon on the day following the dinner at
+Hill Street, Walter Fetherston&mdash;known at Idsworth
+as Mr. Maltwood&mdash;alighted from the station
+fly, and was met at the cottage gate by the
+smiling, pleasant-faced woman in a clean apron
+who acted as caretaker.</p>
+
+<p>He divested himself of his overcoat in the
+tiny entrance-hall, passed into a small room, with
+the great open hearth, where in days long ago the
+bacon was smoked, and along a passage into the
+long, old-world dining-room, with its low ceiling
+with great dark beams, its solemn-ticking, brass<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>[<a href="./images/80.png">80</a>]</span>-faced
+grandfather clock, and its profusion of old
+blue china.</p>
+
+<p>There he gave some orders to Mrs. Deacon,
+obtained a cigarette, and passed back along the
+passage to a small, cosy, panelled room at the
+end of the house&mdash;the room wherein he wrote
+those mystery stories which held the world enthralled.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pretty, restful place, with a moss-green
+carpet, green-covered chairs, several cases
+filled to overflowing with books, and a great
+writing-table set in the window. On the mantelshelf
+were many autographed portraits of Continental
+celebrities, while on the walls were one
+or two little gems of antique art which he had
+picked up on his erratic wanderings. Over the
+writing-table was a barometer and a storm-glass,
+while to the left a cosy corner extended round
+to the fireplace.</p>
+
+<p>He lit his cigarette, then walking across to a
+small square oaken door let into the wall beside
+the fireplace, he opened it with a key. This had
+been an oven before the transformation of three
+cottages into a week-end residence, and on opening
+it there was displayed the dark-green door of
+a safe. This he quickly opened with another key,
+and after slight search took out a small ledger
+covered with dark-red leather.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>[<a href="./images/81.png">81</a>]</span>
+Then glancing at some numerals upon a piece
+of paper he took from his vest pocket, he turned
+them up in the index, and with another volume
+open upon his blotting-pad, he settled himself to
+read the record written there in a small, round
+hand. The numbers were those upon the back of
+the old <i>carte-de-visite</i> which had interested him so
+keenly, and the statement he was reading was,
+from the expression upon his countenance, an
+amazing one.</p>
+
+<p>From time to time he scribbled memoranda
+upon the scrap of paper, now and then pausing
+as though to recall the past. Then, when he had
+finished, he laughed softly to himself, and, closing
+the book, replaced it in the safe and shut the
+oaken door. By the inspection of that secret
+entry he had learnt much regarding that man who
+posed as a doctor in Pimlico.</p>
+
+<p>He sat back in his writing-chair and puffed
+thoughtfully at his cigarette. Then he turned his
+attention to a pile of letters addressed to him as
+"Mr. Maltwood," and made some scribbled replies
+until Mrs. Deacon entered to announce that
+his luncheon was ready.</p>
+
+<p>When he went back to the quaint, old-fashioned
+dining-room and seated himself, he said:
+"I'm going back by the five-eighteen, and I dare
+say I shan't return for quite a month or perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>[<a href="./images/82.png">82</a>]</span>
+six weeks. Here's a cheque for ten pounds to
+pay these little bills." And he commenced his
+solitary meal.</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't been here much this summer,
+sir," remarked the good woman. "In Idsworth
+they think you've quite deserted us&mdash;Mr. Barnes
+was only saying so last week. They're all so glad
+to see you down here, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"That's very good of them, Mrs. Deacon,"
+he laughed. "I, too, only wish I could spend
+more time here. I love the country, and I'm
+never so happy as when wandering in Idsworth
+woods."</p>
+
+<p>And then he asked her to tell him the village
+gossip while she waited at his table.</p>
+
+<p>After luncheon he put on a rough suit and,
+taking his stout holly stick, went for a ramble
+through the great woods he loved so well, where
+the trees were tinted by autumn and the pheasants
+were strong upon the wing.</p>
+
+<p>He found Findlay, one of the keepers, and
+walked with him for an hour as far as the Roman
+camp, where alone he sat down upon a felled
+tree and, with his gaze fixed across the distant
+hills towards the sea, pondered deeply. He loved
+his modest country cottage, and he loved those
+quiet, homely Dorsetshire folk around him. Yet
+such a wanderer was he that only a few months<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>[<a href="./images/83.png">83</a>]</span>
+each year&mdash;the months he wrote those wonderful
+romances of his&mdash;could he spend in that old-fashioned
+cottage which he had rendered the very
+acme of cosiness and comfort.</p>
+
+<p>At half-past four the rickety station fly called
+for him, and later he left by the express which
+took him to Waterloo and his club in time for
+dinner.</p>
+
+<p>And so once again he changed his identity
+from John Maltwood, busy man of business, to
+Walter Fetherston, novelist and traveller.</p>
+
+<p>The seriousness of what was in progress was
+now plain to him. He had long been filled with
+strong suspicions, and these suspicions had been
+confirmed both by Enid's statements and his own
+observations; therefore he was already alert and
+watchful.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock he went to his gloomy chambers
+for an hour, and then strolled forth to the
+Vauxhall Bridge Road, and remained vigilant
+outside the doctor's house until nearly two.</p>
+
+<p>He noted those who came and went&mdash;two men
+who called before midnight, and were evidently
+foreigners. They came separately, remained
+about half an hour, and then Weirmarsh himself
+let them out, shaking hands with them effusively.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a taxicab drove up, and from it
+Sir Hugh, in black overcoat and opera hat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>[<a href="./images/84.png">84</a>]</span>
+stepped out and was at once admitted, the taxi
+driving off. Walter, as he paced up and down
+the pavement outside, would have given much
+to know what was transpiring within.</p>
+
+<p>Had he been able to glance inside that shabby
+little back room he would have witnessed a
+strange scene&mdash;Sir Hugh, the gallant old soldier,
+crushed and humiliated by the man who practised
+medicine, and who called himself Weirmarsh.</p>
+
+<p>"I had only just come in from the theatre
+when you telephoned me," Sir Hugh said sharply
+on entering. "I am sorry I could make no appointment
+to-day, but I was at the War Office
+all the morning, lunched at the Carlton, and was
+afterwards quite full up."</p>
+
+<p>"There was no immediate hurry, Sir Hugh,"
+responded the doctor with a pleasant smile. "I
+quite understand that your many social engagements
+prevented you from seeing me. I should
+have been round at noon, only I was called out
+to an urgent case. Therefore no apology is
+needed&mdash;by either of us." Then, after a pause,
+he looked sharply at the man seated before him
+and asked: "I presume you have reconsidered
+your decision, General, and will carry out my
+request?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I have not decided to do that," was the
+old fellow's firm answer. "It's too dangerous an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>[<a href="./images/85.png">85</a>]</span>
+exploit&mdash;far too dangerous. Besides, it means
+ruin."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear sir," remarked the doctor, "you
+are viewing the matter in quite a wrong light.
+There will be no suspicion providing you exercise
+due caution."</p>
+
+<p>"And what would be the use of that, pray,
+when my secret will not be mine alone? It is
+already known to half a dozen other persons&mdash;your
+friends&mdash;any of whom might give me away."</p>
+
+<p>"It will not be known until afterwards&mdash;when
+you are safe. Therefore, there will be absolutely
+no risk," the doctor assured him.</p>
+
+<p>The other, however, was no fool, and was still
+unconvinced. He knew well that to carry out
+the request made by Weirmarsh involved considerable
+risk.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor spoke quietly, but very firmly.
+In his demands he was always inexorable. He
+had already hinted at the disaster which might
+fall upon Sir Hugh if he refused to obey. Weirmarsh
+was, the general knew from bitter experience,
+not a man to be trifled with.</p>
+
+<p>Completely and irrevocably he was in this
+man's hands. During the past twenty-four hours
+the grave old fellow, who had faced death a hundred
+times, had passed through a crisis of agony
+and despair. He hated himself, and would even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>[<a href="./images/86.png">86</a>]</span>
+have welcomed death, would have courted it at
+his own hands, had not these jeers of the doctor's
+rung in his ears. And, after all, he had decided
+that suicide was only a coward's death. The man
+who takes his own life to avoid exposure is always
+despised by his friends.</p>
+
+<p>So he had lived, and had come down there in
+response to the doctor's request over the telephone,
+resolved to face the music, if for the last
+time.</p>
+
+<p>He sat in the shabby old arm-chair and firmly
+refused to carry out the doctor's suggestion. But
+Weirmarsh, with his innate cunning, presented to
+him a picture of exposure and degradation which
+held him horrified.</p>
+
+<p>"I should have thought, Sir Hugh, that in
+face of what must inevitably result you would
+not risk exposure," he said. "Of course, it lies
+with you entirely," he added with an unconcerned
+air.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thinking of my family," the old officer
+said slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of the disgrace if the truth were known,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; of the suspicion, nay, ruin and imprisonment,
+that would fall upon another person,"
+replied Sir Hugh.</p>
+
+<p>"No suspicion can be aroused if you are care<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>[<a href="./images/87.png">87</a>]</span>ful,
+I repeat," exclaimed Weirmarsh impatiently.
+"Not a breath of suspicion has ever fallen upon
+you up to the present, has it? No, because you
+have exercised foresight and have followed to
+the letter the plans I made. I ask you, when you
+have followed my advice have you ever gone
+wrong&mdash;have you ever taken one false step?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never&mdash;since the first," replied the old
+soldier in a hard, bitter tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I urge you to continue to follow the
+advice I give you, namely, to agree to the terms."</p>
+
+<p>"And who will be aware of the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only myself," was Weirmarsh's reply.
+"And I think that you may trust a secret with
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>The old man made no reply, and the crafty
+doctor wondered whether by silence he very reluctantly
+gave his consent.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>[<a href="./images/88.png">88</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h4>PAUL LE PONTOIS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is in the far north-west of France a broad,
+white highway which runs from Ch&acirc;lons, crosses
+the green Meuse valley, mounts the steep, high,
+tree-fringed lands of the C&ocirc;tes Lorraines, and
+goes almost straight as an arrow across what
+was, before the war, the German frontier at
+Mars-la-Tour into quaint old Metz, that town
+with ancient streets, musical chimes, and sad
+monument to Frenchmen who fell in the disastrous
+never-to-be-forgotten war of '70.</p>
+
+<p>This road has ever been one of the most
+strongly guarded highways in the world, for,
+between the Moselle, at Metz, and the Meuse, the
+country is a flat plain smiling under cultivation,
+with vines and cornfields everywhere, and comfortable
+little homesteads of the peasantry. This
+was once the great battlefield whereon Gravelotte
+was fought long ago, and where the Prussians
+swept back the French like chaff before the wind,
+and where France, later on, defeated the Crown
+Prince's army. The peasants, in ploughing,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>[<a href="./images/89.png">89</a>]</span>
+daily turn up a rusty bayonet, a rotting gun-stock,
+a skull, a thigh-bone, or some other hideous
+relic of those black days; while the old men in
+their blouses sit of nights smoking and telling
+thrilling stories of the ferocity of that helmeted
+enemy from yonder across the winding Moselle.
+In recent days it has been again devastated by
+the great world war, as its gaunt ruins mutely
+tell.</p>
+
+<p>That road, with its long line of poplars, after
+crossing the ante-war French border, runs
+straight for twenty kilom&egrave;tres towards the abrupt
+range of high hills which form the natural
+frontier of France, and then, at Haudiomont, enters
+a narrow pass, over twelve kilom&egrave;tres long,
+before it reaches the broad valley of the Meuse.
+This pass was, before 1914, one of the four principal
+gateways into France from Germany. The
+others are all within a short distance, fifteen kilom&egrave;tres
+or so&mdash;at Commercy, which is an important
+sous-prefecture, at Apremont, and at Eix.
+All have ever been strongly guarded, but that at
+Haudiomont was most impregnable of them all.</p>
+
+<p>Before 1914 great forts in which were
+mounted the most modern and the most destructive
+artillery ever devised by man, commanded
+the whole country far beyond the Moselle into
+Germany. Every hill-top bristled with them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>[<a href="./images/90.png">90</a>]</span>
+smaller batteries were in every coign of vantage,
+while those narrow mountain passes could also be
+closed at any moment by being blown up when
+the signal was given against the Hun invaders.</p>
+
+<p>On the German side were many fortresses, but
+none was so strong as these, for the efforts of the
+French Ministry of War had, ever since the fall
+of Napoleon III., been directed towards rendering
+the C&ocirc;tes Lorraines impassable.</p>
+
+<p>As one stands upon the road outside the tiny
+hamlet of Harville&mdash;a quaint but half-destroyed
+little place consisting of one long street of ruined
+whitewashed houses&mdash;and looks towards the hills
+eastward, low concrete walls can be seen, half
+hidden, but speaking mutely of the withering
+storm of shell that had, in 1914, burst from them
+and swept the land.</p>
+
+<p>Much can be seen of that chain of damaged
+fortresses, and the details of most of them are now
+known. Of those great ugly fortifications at
+Moulainville&mdash;the Belrupt Fort, which overlooks
+the Meuse; the Daumaumont, commanding the
+road from Conflans to Azannes; the Paroches,
+which stands directly over the highway from the
+Moselle at Moussin&mdash;we have heard valiant
+stories, how the brave French defended them
+against the armies of the Crown Prince.</p>
+
+<p>It was not upon these, however, that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>[<a href="./images/91.png">91</a>]</span>
+French Army relied when, in August, 1914, the
+clash of war resounded along that pleasant fertile
+valley, where the sun seems ever to shine and
+the crops never fail. Hidden away from the
+sight of passers-by upon the roads, protected
+from sight by lines of sentries night and day, and
+unapproachable, save by those immediately connected
+with them, were the secret defences, huge
+forts with long-range ordnance, which rose, fired,
+and disappeared again, offering no mark for the
+enemy. Constructed in strictest secrecy, there
+were a dozen of such fortresses, the true details
+of which the Huns vainly endeavoured to learn
+while they were war-plotting. Many a spy of the
+Kaiser had tried to pry there and had been arrested
+and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p>Those defences, placed at intervals along the
+chain of hills right from Apremont away to
+Bezonvaux, had been the greatest secret which
+France possessed.</p>
+
+<p>Within three kilom&egrave;tres of the mouth of the
+pass at Haudiomont, at a short distance from the
+road and at the edge of a wood, stood the ancient
+Ch&acirc;teau de L&eacute;rouville, a small picturesque place
+of the days of Louis XIV., with pretty lawns
+and old-world gardens&mdash;a ch&acirc;teau only in the
+sense of being a country house and the residence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>[<a href="./images/92.png">92</a>]</span>
+of Paul Le Pontois, once a captain in the French
+Army, but now retired.</p>
+
+<p>Shut off from the road by a high old wall,
+with great iron gates, it was approached by a
+wide carriage-drive through a well-kept flower-garden
+to a long <i>terrasse</i> which ran the whole
+length of the house, and whereon, in summer, it
+was the habit of the family to take their meals.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this veranda, one morning about ten
+days after the dinner party at Hill Street, Sir
+Hugh, in a suit of light grey tweed, was standing
+chatting with his son-in-law, a tall, brown-bearded,
+soldierly-looking man.</p>
+
+<p>The autumn sun shone brightly over the rich
+vinelands, beyond which stretched what was once
+the German Empire.</p>
+
+<p>Madame Le Pontois, a slim, dark-eyed, good-looking
+woman of thirty, was still at table in the
+<i>salle-&agrave;-manger</i>, finishing her breakfast in the
+English style with little Ninette, a pretty blue-eyed
+child of nine, whose hair was tied on the
+top with wide white ribbon, and who spoke English
+quite well.</p>
+
+<p>Her husband and her father had gone out
+upon the <i>terrasse</i> to have their cigarettes prior to
+their walk up the steep hillside to the fortress.</p>
+
+<p>Life in that rural district possessed few
+amusements outside the military circle, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>[<a href="./images/93.png">93</a>]</span>
+Paul Le Pontois was a civilian and lived upon
+the product of the wine-lands of his estate.
+There were tennis parties, "fif' o'clocks," croquet
+and bridge-playing in the various military houses
+around, but beyond that&mdash;nothing. They were
+too far from a big town ever to go there for recreation.
+Metz they seldom went to, and with Paris
+far off, Madame Le Pontois was quite content,
+just as she had been when Paul had been stationed
+in stifling Constantine, away in the interior
+of Algeria.</p>
+
+<p>But she never complained. Devoted to her
+husband and to her laughing, bright-eyed child,
+she loved the open-air life of the country, and
+with such a commodious and picturesque house,
+one of the best in the district, she thoroughly
+enjoyed every hour of her life. Paul possessed
+a private income of fifty thousand francs, or
+nearly two thousand pounds a year, therefore
+he was better off than the average run of post-war
+men.</p>
+
+<p>He was a handsome, distinguished-looking
+man. As he lolled against the railing of the
+<i>terrasse</i>, gay with ivy-leaf geraniums, lazily
+smoking his cigarette and laughing lightly with
+his father-in-law, he presented a typical picture
+of the debonair Frenchman of the boulevards&mdash;elegance
+combined with soldierly smartness.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>[<a href="./images/94.png">94</a>]</span>
+He had seen service in Tonquin, in Algeria,
+on the French Congo and in the Argonne, and
+now his old company garrisoned Haudiomont,
+one of those forts of enormous strength, which
+commanded the gate of France, and had never
+been taken by the Crown Prince's army.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he was laughing, speaking in good
+English, "you in England, my dear beaup&egrave;re,
+do not yet realise the dangers of the future.
+Happily for you, perhaps, because you have the
+barrier of the sea. Your writers used to speak
+of your 'tight little island.' But I do not see
+much of that in London journals now. Airships
+and aeroplanes have altered all that."</p>
+
+<p>"But you in France are always on the
+alert?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. We have our new guns&mdash;terrible
+weapons they are&mdash;at St. Mihiel and at Mouilly,
+and also in other forts in what was once German
+territory," was Paul's reply. "The Huns&mdash;who,
+after peace, are preparing for another war, have
+a Krupp gun for the same purpose, but at its
+trial a few weeks ago at Pferzheim it was an utter
+failure. A certain lieutenant was present at
+the trial, disguised as a German peasant. He
+saw it all, returned here, and made an exhaustive
+report to Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"You do not believe in this peace, and in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>[<a href="./images/95.png">95</a>]</span>
+sincerity of the enemy, eh?" asked Sir Hugh,
+with his hands thrust deep into his trousers
+pockets.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not," was Paul's prompt reply.
+"I am no longer in the army, but it seems to me
+that to repair the damage done by the Kaiser's
+freak performances in the international arena,
+quite a number of national committees must be
+constituted under the auspices of the German
+Government. There are the Anglo-German, the
+Austro-German, the American-German and the
+Canadian-German committees, all to be formed
+in their respective countries for the promotion of
+friendship and better relations. But I tell you,
+Sir Hugh, that we in France know well that the
+imposing names at the head of these committees
+are but too often on the secret pay-rolls of the
+Wilhelmstrasse, and the honesty and sincerity of
+the finely-worded manifestations of Hun friendship
+and goodwill appearing above their signatures
+are generally nothing but mere blinds intended
+to hoodwink statesmen and public opinion.
+Germany has, just as she had before the war,
+her paid friends everywhere," he added, looking
+the general full in the face. "In all classes of
+society are to be found the secret agents of the
+Fatherland&mdash;men who are base traitors to their
+own monarch and to their own land."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>[<a href="./images/96.png">96</a>]</span>
+"Let us go in. They are waiting for us. We
+are not interested in espionage, either of us, are
+we?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," laughed Paul. "When I was in the
+army we heard a lot of this, but all that is of the
+past&mdash;thanks to Heaven. There are other crimes
+in the world just as bad, alas! as that of treachery
+to one's country."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>[<a href="./images/97.png">97</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h4>THE LITTLE OLD FRENCHWOMAN</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Although</span> Sir Hugh had on frequent occasions
+been the guest of his son-in-law at the pretty
+Ch&acirc;teau de L&eacute;rouville, he had never expressed a
+wish, until the previous evening, to enter the
+Fortress of Haudiomont.</p>
+
+<p>As a military man he knew well how zealously
+the secrets of all fortresses are guarded.</p>
+
+<p>When, on the previous evening, Le Pontois
+had declared that it would be an easy matter for
+him to be granted a view of that great stronghold
+hidden away among the hill-tops, he had remarked:
+"Of course, my dear Paul, I would not
+for a moment dream of putting you into any awkward
+position. Remember, I am an alien here,
+and a soldier also! I haven't any desire to see
+the place."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there is no question of that so far as you
+are concerned, Sir Hugh," Paul had declared
+with a light laugh. "The Commandant, who,
+of course, knows you, asked me a month ago to
+bring you up next time you visited us. He
+wished to make your acquaintance. In view of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>[<a href="./images/98.png">98</a>]</span>
+the recent war our people are nowadays no longer
+afraid of England, you know!"</p>
+
+<p>So the visit had been arranged, and Sir Hugh
+was to take his <i>d&eacute;jeuner</i> up at the fort.</p>
+
+<p>That day Blanche, with Enid, who had accompanied
+her stepfather, drove the runabout
+car up the valley to the little station at Dieue-sur-Meuse,
+and took train thence to Commercy,
+where Blanche wished to do some shopping.</p>
+
+<p>So, when the two men had left to ascend the
+steep hillside, where the great fortress lay concealed,
+Blanche, who had by long residence in
+France become almost a Frenchwoman, kissed
+little Ninette <i>au revoir</i>, mounted into the car, and,
+taking the wheel, drove Enid and Jean, the servant,
+who, as a soldier, had served Paul during
+the war, away along the winding valley.</p>
+
+<p>As they went along they passed a battalion
+of the 113th Regiment of the Line, heavy with
+their knapsacks, their red trousers dusty, returning
+from the long morning march, and singing
+as they went that very old regimental ditty which
+every soldier of France knows so well:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"<i>La Noire est fille du cannon</i><br /></span>
+<span class="ihalf"><i>Qui se fout du qu'en dira-t-on.</i><br /></span>
+<span class="ihalf"><i>Nous nous foutons de ses vertus,</i><br /></span>
+<span class="ihalf"><i>Puisqu'elle a les t&eacute;tons pointus.</i><br /></span>
+<span class="i2"><i>Voil&agrave; pourquoi nous la chantons:</i><br /></span>
+<span class="i2"><i>Vive la Noire et ses t&eacute;tons!</i>"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>[<a href="./images/99.png">99</a>]</span>
+And as they passed the ladies the officer saluted.
+They were, Blanche explained, on their
+way back to the great camp at Jarny.</p>
+
+<p>Bugles were sounding among the hills, while
+ever and anon came the low boom of distant artillery
+at practice away in the direction of Vigneulles-les-Hattonchatel,
+the headquarters of the
+sub-division of that military region.</p>
+
+<p>It was Enid's first visit, and the activity about
+her surprised her. Besides, the officers were extremely
+good-looking.</p>
+
+<p>Presently they approached a battery of artillery
+on the march, with their rumbling guns and
+grey ammunition wagons, raising a cloud of dust
+as they advanced.</p>
+
+<p>Blanche pulled the car up at the side of the
+road to allow them to pass, and as she did so a
+tall, smartly-groomed major rode up to her, and,
+saluting, exclaimed in French, "Bon jour,
+Madame! I intended to call upon you this morning.
+My wife has heard that you have the general,
+your father, visiting you, and we wanted
+to know if you would all come and take dinner
+with us to-morrow night?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure we'd be most delighted," replied
+Paul's wife, at the same time introducing Enid
+to Major Delagrange.</p>
+
+<p>"My father has gone up to the fort with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>[<a href="./images/100.png">100</a>]</span>
+my husband," Blanche added, bending over from
+the car.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, then I shall meet them at noon," replied
+the smart officer, backing his bay horse.
+"And you ladies are going out for a run, eh?
+Beautiful morning! We've been out man&#339;uvring
+since six!"</p>
+
+<p>Blanche explained that they were on a shopping
+expedition to Commercy, and then, saluting,
+Delagrange set spurs into his horse and galloped
+away after the retreating battery.</p>
+
+<p>"That man's wife is one of my best friends.
+She speaks English very well, and is quite a good
+sort. Delagrange and Paul were in Tonquin together
+and are great friends."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are never very dull here, with
+so much always going on?" Enid remarked.
+"Why anyone would believe that a war was actually
+in progress!"</p>
+
+<p>"This post of Eastern France never sleeps,
+my dear," was Madame's reply. "While you in
+England remain secure in your island, we here
+never know when trouble may again arise.
+Therefore, we are always preparing&mdash;and at the
+same time always prepared."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be most exciting," declared the girl,
+"to live in such uncertainty. Is the danger so
+very real, then?" she asked. "Father generally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>[<a href="./images/101.png">101</a>]</span>
+pooh-poohs the notion of there being any further
+trouble with Germany."</p>
+
+<p>"I know," was Blanche's answer. "He has
+been sceptical hitherto. He is always suspicious
+of the Boche!"</p>
+
+<p>They had driven up to the little wayside station,
+and, giving the car over to Jean with instructions
+to meet the five-forty train, they entered
+a first-class compartment.</p>
+
+<p>Between Dieue and Commercy the railway
+follows the course of the Meuse the whole way,
+winding up a narrow, fertile valley, the hills of
+which on the right, which once were swept by the
+enemy's shells and completely devastated, were
+all strongly fortified with great guns commanding
+the plain that lies between the Meuse and the
+Moselle.</p>
+
+<p>They were passing through one of the most
+interesting districts in all France&mdash;that quiet, fertile
+valley where stood peaceful, prosperous
+homesteads, and where the sheep were once more
+calmly grazing&mdash;the valley which for four years
+was so strongly contested, and where every village
+had been more or less destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>At the headquarters of the Sixth Army Corps
+of France much was known, much that was still
+alarming. It was that knowledge which urged
+on those ever active military preparations, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>[<a href="./images/102.png">102</a>]</span>
+placing that district of France that had been ravaged
+by the Hun in the Great War in a state of
+complete fortification as a second line of defence
+should trouble again arise.</p>
+
+<p>Thoughts such as these arose in Enid's mind
+as she sat in silence looking forth upon the panorama
+of green hills and winding stream as they
+slowly approached the quaint town of Commercy.</p>
+
+<p>Arrived there, the pair lunched at the old-fashioned
+H&ocirc;tel de Paris, under the shadow of
+the great ch&acirc;teau, once the residence of the Dukes
+de Lorraine, and much damaged in the war, but
+nowadays a hive of activity as an infantry barracks.
+And afterwards they went forth to do
+their shopping in the busy little Rue de la R&eacute;publique,
+not forgetting to buy a box of "madeleines."
+As shortbread is the specialty of Edinburgh,
+as butterscotch is that of Doncaster,
+"maids-of-honour" that of Richmond, and
+strawberry jam that of Bar-le-Duc, so are
+"madeleines" the special cakes of Commercy.</p>
+
+<p>The town was full of officers and soldiers. In
+every caf&eacute; officers were smoking cigarettes and
+gossiping after their <i>d&eacute;jeuner</i>; while ever and
+anon bugles sounded, and there was the clang and
+clatter of military movement.</p>
+
+<p>As the two ladies approached the big bronze
+statue of Dom Calmet, the historian, they passed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>[<a href="./images/103.png">103</a>]</span>
+a small caf&eacute;. Suddenly a man idling within over
+a newspaper sprang to his feet in surprise, and
+next second drew back as if in fear of observation.</p>
+
+<p>It was Walter Fetherston. He had come up
+from Nancy that morning, and had since occupied
+the time in strolling about seeing the sights
+of the little place.</p>
+
+<p>His surprise at seeing Enid was very great.
+He knew that she was staying in the vicinity, but
+had never expected to see her so quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The lady who accompanied her he guessed to
+be her stepsister; indeed, he had seen a photograph
+of her at Hill Street. Had Enid been
+alone, he would have rushed forth to greet her;
+but he had no desire at the moment that his presence
+should be known to Madame Le Pontois.
+He was there to watch, and to meet Enid&mdash;but
+alone.</p>
+
+<p>So after a few moments he cautiously went
+forth from the caf&eacute;, and followed the two ladies
+at a respectful distance, until he saw them complete
+their purchases and afterwards enter the
+station to return home.</p>
+
+<p>On his return to the hotel he made many inquiries
+of monsieur the proprietor concerning the
+distance to Haudiomont, and learned a good
+deal about the military works there which was of
+the greatest interest. The hotel-keeper, a stout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>[<a href="./images/104.png">104</a>]</span>
+Alsatian, was a talkative person, and told Walter
+nearly all he wished to know.</p>
+
+<p>Since leaving Charing Cross five days before
+he had been ever active. On his arrival in Paris
+he had gone to the apartment of Colonel Maynard,
+the British military attach&eacute;, and spent the
+evening with him. Then, at one o'clock next
+morning, he had hurriedly taken his bag and left
+for Dijon, where at noon he had been met in the
+Caf&eacute; de la Rotonde by a little wizen-faced old
+Frenchwoman in seedy black, who had travelled
+for two days and nights in order to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>Together they had walked out on that unfrequented
+road beyond the Place Darcy, chatting
+confidentially as they went, the old lady
+speaking emphatically and with many gesticulations
+as they walked.</p>
+
+<p>Truth to tell, this insignificant-looking person
+was a woman of many secrets. She was a
+"friend" of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; G&eacute;n&eacute;rale in Paris. She
+lived, and lived well, in a pretty apartment in
+Paris upon the handsome salary which she received
+regularly each quarter. But she was seldom
+at home. Like Walter, her days were spent
+travelling hither and thither across Europe.</p>
+
+<p>It would surprise the public if it were aware
+of the truth&mdash;the truth of how, in every country
+in Europe, there are secret female agents of po<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>[<a href="./images/105.png">105</a>]</span>lice
+who (for a monetary consideration, of
+course) keep watch in great centres where the
+presence of a man would be suspected.</p>
+
+<p>This secret police service is distinctly apart
+from the detective service. The female police
+agent in all countries works independently, at the
+orders of the Director of Criminal Investigation,
+and is known to him and his immediate staff.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever information that wrinkled-faced
+old Frenchwoman in shabby black had imparted
+to Fetherston it was of an entirely confidential
+character. It, however, caused him to leave her
+about three o'clock, hurry to the Gare Porte-Neuve,
+and, after hastily swallowing a liqueur of
+brandy in the buffet, depart for Langres.</p>
+
+<p>Thence he had travelled to Nancy, where he
+had taken up quarters at the Grand Hotel in the
+Place Stanislas, and had there remained for two
+days in order to rest.</p>
+
+<p>He would not have idled those autumn days
+away so lazily, even though he so urgently required
+rest after that rapid travelling, had he but
+known that the person who occupied the next
+room to his&mdash;that middle-aged commercial traveller&mdash;an
+entirely inoffensive person who possessed
+a red beard, and who had given the name of Jules
+Dequanter, and his nationality as Belgian, native
+of Li&egrave;ge&mdash;was none other than Gustav Heureux,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>[<a href="./images/106.png">106</a>]</span>
+the man who had been recalled from New York
+by the evasive doctor of Pimlico.</p>
+
+<p>And further, Fetherston, notwithstanding his
+acuteness in observation, was in blissful ignorance,
+as he strolled back from the station at Commercy,
+up the old-world street, that a short distance
+behind him, carefully watching all his movements,
+was the man Joseph Blot himself&mdash;the
+man known in dingy Pimlico as Dr. Weirmarsh.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>[<a href="./images/107.png">107</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h4>IF ANYONE KNEW</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sir Hugh Elcombe</span> spent a most interesting
+and instructive day within the Fortress of Haudiomont.
+He really did not want to go. The
+visit bored him. The world was at peace, and
+there was no incentive to espionage as there had
+been in pre-war days.</p>
+
+<p>General Henri Molon, the commandant,
+greeted him cordially and himself showed him
+over a portion of the post-war defences which
+were kept such a strict secret from everyone. The
+general did not, however, show his distinguished
+guest everything. Such things as the new anti-aircraft
+gun, the exact disposition of the huge
+mines placed in the valley between there and
+Rozellier, so that at a given signal both road
+and railway tracks could be destroyed, he did not
+point out. There were other matters to which the
+smart, grey-haired, old French general deemed it
+unwise to refer, even though his visitor might be
+a high official of a friendly Power.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh noticed all this and smiled inwardly.
+He wandered about the bomb-proof case<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>[<a href="./images/108.png">108</a>]</span>-mates
+hewn out of the solid rock, caring nothing
+for the number and calibre of the guns, their
+armoured protection, or the chart-like diagrams
+upon the walls, ranges and the like.</p>
+
+<p>"What a glorious evening!" Paul was saying
+as, at sunset, they set their faces towards the
+valley beyond which lay shattered Germany.
+That peaceful land, the theatre of the recent war,
+lay bathed in the soft rose of the autumn afterglow,
+while the bright clearness of the sky, pale-green
+and gold, foretold a frost.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, splendid!" responded his father-in-law
+mechanically; but he was thinking of something
+far more serious than the beauties of the western
+sky. He was thinking of the grip in which he
+was held by the doctor of Pimlico. At any moment,
+if he cared to collapse, he could make ten
+thousand pounds in a single day. The career of
+many a man has been blasted for ever by the utterance
+of cruel untruths or the repetition of
+vague suspicions. Was his son-in-law, Le Pontois,
+in jeopardy? He could not think that he
+was. How could the truth come out? Sir Hugh
+asked himself. It never had before&mdash;though his
+friend had made a million sterling, and there was
+no reason whatever why it should come out now.
+He had tested Weirmarsh thoroughly, and knew
+him to be a man to be trusted.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>[<a href="./images/109.png">109</a>]</span>
+As he strolled on at his son-in-law's side, chatting
+to him, he was full of anxiety as to the future.
+He had left England, it was true. He had
+defied the doctor. But the latter had been inexorable.
+If he continued in his defiance, then
+ruin must inevitably come to him.</p>
+
+<p>Blanche and Enid had already returned, and
+at dusk all four sat down to dinner together with
+little Ninette, for whom "Aunt Enid" had
+brought a new doll which had given the child the
+greatest delight.</p>
+
+<p>The meal ended, the bridge-table was set in
+the pretty salon adjoining, and several games
+were played until Sir Hugh, pleading fatigue,
+at last ascended to his room.</p>
+
+<p>Within, he locked the door and cast himself
+into a chair before the big log fire to think.</p>
+
+<p>That day had indeed been a strenuous one&mdash;strenuous
+for any man. So occupied had been
+his brain that he scarcely recollected any conversations
+with those smart debonair officers to
+whom Paul had introduced him.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat there he closed his eyes, and before
+him arose visions of interviews in dingy offices
+in London, one of them behind Soho Square.</p>
+
+<p>For a full hour he sat there immovable as a
+statue, reflecting, ever recalling the details of
+those events.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>[<a href="./images/110.png">110</a>]</span>
+Suddenly he sprang to his feet with clenched
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>"My God!" he cried, his teeth set and countenance
+pale. "My God! If anybody ever
+knew the truth!"</p>
+
+<p>He crossed to the window, drew aside the
+blind, and looked out upon the moonlit plains.</p>
+
+<p>Below, his daughter was still playing the
+piano and singing an old English ballad.</p>
+
+<p>"She's happy, ah! my dear Blanche!" the
+old man murmured between his teeth. "But if
+suspicion falls upon me? Ah! if it does; then it
+means ruin to them both&mdash;ruin because of a dastardly
+action of mine!"</p>
+
+<p>He returned unsteadily to his chair, and sat
+staring straight into the embers, his hands to
+his hot, fevered brow. More than once he sighed&mdash;sighed
+heavily, as a man when fettered and
+compelled to act against his better nature.</p>
+
+<p>Again he heard his daughter's voice below,
+now singing a gay little French chanson, a song
+of the caf&eacute; chantant and of the Paris boulevards.</p>
+
+<p>In a flash there recurred to him every incident
+of those dramatic interviews with the Mephistophelean
+doctor. He would at that moment
+have given his very soul to be free of that calm,
+clever, insinuating man who, while providing him
+with a handsome, even unlimited income, yet at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>[<a href="./images/111.png">111</a>]</span>
+the same time held him irrevocably in the hollow
+of his hand.</p>
+
+<p>He, a brilliant British soldier with a magnificent
+record, honoured by his sovereign, was,
+after all, but a tool of that obscure doctor, the
+man who had come into his life to rescue him
+from bankruptcy and disgrace.</p>
+
+<p>When he reflected he bit his lip in despair.
+Yet there was no way out&mdash;<i>none</i>! Weirmarsh
+had really been most generous. The cosy house
+in Hill Street, the smart little entertainments
+which his wife gave, the bit of shooting he rented
+up in the Highlands, were all paid for with the
+money which the doctor handed him in Treasury
+notes with such regularity.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, Weirmarsh was generous, but he was
+nevertheless exacting, terribly exacting. His will
+was the will of others.</p>
+
+<p>The blazing logs had died down to a red mass,
+the voice of Blanche had ceased. He had heard
+footsteps an hour ago in the corridor outside, and
+knew that the family had retired. There was
+not a sound. All were asleep, save the sentries
+high upon that hidden fortress. Again the old
+general sighed wearily. His grey face now wore
+an expression of resignation. He had thought
+it all out, and saw that to resist and refuse would
+only spell ruin for both himself and his family.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>[<a href="./images/112.png">112</a>]</span>
+He had but himself to blame after all. He had
+taken one false step, and he had been held inexorably
+to his contract.</p>
+
+<p>So he yawned wearily, rose, stretched himself,
+and then, pacing the room twice, at last
+turned up the lamp and placed it upon the small
+writing-table at the foot of the bed. Afterwards
+he took from his suit-case a quire of ruled foolscap
+paper and a fountain pen, and, seating himself,
+sat for some time with his head in his hands
+deep in thought. Suddenly the clock in the big
+hall below chimed two upon its peal of silvery
+bells. This aroused him, and, taking up his pen,
+he began to write.</p>
+
+<p>Ever and anon as he wrote he sat back and reflected.</p>
+
+<p>Hour after hour he sat there, bent to the table,
+his pen rapidly travelling over the paper.
+He wrote down many figures and was making
+calculations.</p>
+
+<p>At half-past four he put down his pen. The
+sum was not complete, but it was one which he
+knew would end his career and bring him into the
+dock of a criminal court, and Weirmarsh and
+others would stand beside him.</p>
+
+<p>All this he had done in entire ignorance of
+one startling fact&mdash;namely, that outside his window
+for the past hour a dark figure had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>[<a href="./images/113.png">113</a>]</span>
+standing in an insecure position upon the lead
+guttering of the wing of the ch&acirc;teau which ran
+out at right angles, leaning forward and peering
+in between the blind and the window-frame,
+watching with interest all that had been in progress.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>[<a href="./images/114.png">114</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h4>CONCERNS THE PAST</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">One</span> evening, a few days after Sir Hugh had
+paid another visit to Haudiomont, he was smoking
+with Paul prior to retiring to bed when the
+conversation drifted upon money matters&mdash;some
+investment he had made in England in his wife's
+name.</p>
+
+<p>Paul had allowed his father-in-law to handle
+some of his money in England, for Sir Hugh
+was very friendly with a man named Hewett in
+the City, who had on several occasions put him
+on good things.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, just before Sir Hugh had left London
+he had had a wire from Paul to sell some
+shares at a big profit, and he had brought over
+the proceeds in Treasury notes, quite a respectable
+sum. There had been a matter of concealing
+certain payments, Sir Hugh explained, and that
+was why he had brought over the money instead
+of a cheque.</p>
+
+<p>As they were chatting Sir Hugh, referring to
+the transaction, said:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>[<a href="./images/115.png">115</a>]</span>
+"Hewett suggested that I should have it in
+notes&mdash;four five-hundred Bank of England ones
+and the rest in Treasury notes."</p>
+
+<p>"I sent them to the Cr&eacute;dit Lyonnais a few
+days ago," replied his son-in-law. "Really, Sir
+Hugh, you did a most excellent bit of business
+with Hewett. I hope you profited yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a little bit," laughed the old general.
+"Can't complain, you know. I'm glad you've
+sent the notes to the bank. It was a big sum to
+keep in the house here."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I see only to-day they've credited me
+with them," was his reply. "I hope you can induce
+Hewett to do a bit more for us. Those aeroplane
+shares are still going up, I see by the London
+papers."</p>
+
+<p>"And they'll continue to do so, my dear
+Paul," was the reply. "But those Bolivian four
+per cents. of yours I'd sell if I were you. They'll
+never be higher."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't think so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hewett warned me. He told me to tell you.
+Of course, you're richer than I am, and can
+afford to keep them. Only I warn you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," replied the younger man,
+"when you get back, sell them, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>And Sir Hugh promised that he would give
+instructions to that effect.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>[<a href="./images/116.png">116</a>]</span>
+"Really, my dear beau-p&egrave;re," Paul said,
+"you've been an awfully good friend to me.
+Since I left the army I've made quite a big sum
+out of my speculations in London."</p>
+
+<p>"And mostly paid with English notes, eh?"
+laughed the elder man.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Just let me see." And, taking a piece
+of paper, he sat down at the writing-table and
+made some quick calculations of various sums.
+Upon one side he placed the money he had invested,
+and on the other the profits, at last striking
+a balance at the end. Then he told the general
+the figure.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite good," declared Sir Hugh. "I'm only
+too glad, my dear Paul, to be of any assistance
+to you. I fear you are vegetating here. But as
+long as your wife doesn't mind it, what matters?"</p>
+
+<p>"Blanche loves this country&mdash;which is fortunate,
+seeing that I have this big place to attend
+to." And as he said this he rose, screwed up the
+sheet of thin note-paper, and tossed it into the
+waste-paper basket.</p>
+
+<p>The pair separated presently, and Sir Hugh
+went to his room. He was eager and anxious to
+get away and return to London, but there was
+a difficulty. Enid, who had lately taken up amateur
+theatricals, had accepted an invitation to
+play in a comedy to be given at General Molon's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>[<a href="./images/117.png">117</a>]</span>
+house in a week's time in aid of the Croix Rouge.
+Therefore he was compelled to remain on her account.</p>
+
+<p>On the following afternoon Blanche drove
+him in her car through the beautiful Bois de Hermeville,
+glorious in its autumn gold, down to the
+quaint old village of Warcq, to take "fif o'clock"
+at the ch&acirc;teau with the Countess de Pierrepont,
+Paul's widowed aunt.</p>
+
+<p>Enid had pleaded a headache, but as soon as
+the car had driven away she roused herself, and,
+ascending to her room, put on strong country
+boots and a leather-hemmed golf skirt, and, taking
+a stick, set forth down the high road lined with
+poplars in the direction of Mars-<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'le'">la</ins>-Tour.</p>
+
+<p>About a mile from L&eacute;rouville she came to the
+cross-roads, the one to the south leading over the
+hills to Vigneulles, while the one to the north
+joined the highway to Longuyon. For a moment
+she paused, then turning into the latter road,
+which at that point was little more than a byway,
+hurried on until she came to the fringe of a wood,
+where, upon her approach, a man in dark grey
+tweeds came forth to meet her with swinging
+gait.</p>
+
+<p>It was Walter Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>He strode quickly in her direction, and when
+they met he held her small hand in his and for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>[<a href="./images/118.png">118</a>]</span>
+a moment gazed into her dark eyes without uttering
+a word.</p>
+
+<p>"At last!" he cried. "I was afraid that you
+had not received my message&mdash;that it might have
+been intercepted."</p>
+
+<p>"I got it early this morning," was her reply,
+her cheeks flushing with pleasure; "but I was
+unable to get away before my father and Blanche
+went out. They pressed me to go with them, so
+I had to plead a headache."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad we've met," Fetherston said.
+"I have been here in the vicinity for days, yet
+I feared to come near you lest your father should
+recognise me."</p>
+
+<p>"But why are you here?" she inquired, strolling
+slowly at his side. "I thought you were in
+London."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm seldom in London," he responded.
+"Nowadays I am constantly on the move."</p>
+
+<p>"Travelling in search of fresh material for
+your books, I suppose? I read in a paper the
+other day that you never describe a place in your
+stories without first visiting it. If so, you must
+travel a great deal," the girl remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," he answered briefly. "And very
+often I travel quickly."</p>
+
+<p>"But why are you here?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>[<a href="./images/119.png">119</a>]</span>
+"For several reasons&mdash;the chief being to see
+you, Enid."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the girl did not reply. This
+man's movements so often mystified her. He
+seemed ubiquitous. In one single fortnight he
+had sent her letters from Paris, Stockholm, Hamburg,
+Vienna and Constanza. His huge circle of
+friends was unequalled. In almost every city
+on the Continent he knew somebody, and he was
+a perfect encyclop&aelig;dia of travel. His strange
+reticence, however, always increased the mystery
+surrounding him. Those vague whispers concerning
+him had reached her ears, and she often
+wondered whether half she heard concerning him
+was true.</p>
+
+<p>If a man prefers not to speak of himself or of
+his doings, his enemies will soon invent some tale
+of their own. And thus it was in Walter's case.
+Men had uttered foul calumnies concerning him
+merely because they believed him to be eccentric
+and unsociable.</p>
+
+<p>But Enid Orlebar, though she somehow
+held him in suspicion, nevertheless liked him. In
+certain moods he possessed that dash and devil-may-care
+air which pleases most women, providing
+the man is a cosmopolitan.</p>
+
+<p>He was ever courteous, ever solicitous for her
+welfare.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>[<a href="./images/120.png">120</a>]</span>
+She had known he loved her ever since they
+had first met. Indeed, has he not told her so?</p>
+
+<p>As they walked together down that grass-grown
+byway through the wood, where the brown
+leaves were floating down with every gust, she
+glanced into his pale, dark, serious face and wondered.
+In her nostrils was the autumn perfume
+of the woods, and as they strode forward in silence
+a rabbit scuttled from their path.</p>
+
+<p>"You are, no doubt, surprised that I am
+here," he commenced at last. "But it is in your
+interests, Enid."</p>
+
+<p>"In my interests?" she echoed. "Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Regarding the secret relations between your
+stepfather and Doctor Weirmarsh," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"That same question we've discussed before,"
+she said. "The doctor is attending to his practice
+in Pimlico; he does not concern us here."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that he does," was Fetherston's quiet
+response. "That man holds your stepfather's
+future in his hand."</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;how can he?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the same force by which he holds that
+indescribable influence over you."</p>
+
+<p>"You believe, then, that he possesses some
+occult power?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all. His power is the power which
+every evil man possesses. And as far as my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>[<a href="./images/121.png">121</a>]</span>
+observation goes, I can detect that Sir Hugh has
+fallen into some trap which has been cunningly
+prepared for him."</p>
+
+<p>Enid gasped and her countenance blanched.</p>
+
+<p>"You believe, then, that those consultations
+I have had with the doctor are at his own instigation?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly. Sir Hugh hates Weirmarsh,
+but, fearing exposure, he must obey the
+fellow's will."</p>
+
+<p>"But cannot you discover the truth?" asked
+the girl eagerly. "Cannot we free my stepfather?
+He's such a dear old fellow, and is always
+so good and kind to my mother and myself."</p>
+
+<p>"That is exactly my object in asking you to
+meet me here, Enid," said the novelist, his countenance
+still thoughtful and serious.</p>
+
+<p>"How can I assist?" she asked quickly.
+"Only explain, and I will act upon any suggestion
+you may make."</p>
+
+<p>"You can assist by giving me answers to certain
+questions," was his slow reply. The inquiry
+was delicate and difficult to pursue without
+arousing the girl's suspicions as to the exact situation
+and the hideous scandal in progress.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you wish to know?" she asked in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>[<a href="./images/122.png">122</a>]</span>
+some surprise, for she saw by his countenance
+that he was deeply in earnest.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he said, with some little hesitation,
+glancing at her pale, handsome face as he walked
+by her side, "I fear you may think me too inquisitive&mdash;that
+the questions I'm going to ask
+are out of sheer curiosity."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not if by replying I can assist my
+stepfather to escape from that man's thraldom."</p>
+
+<p>He was silent for a moment; then he said
+slowly: "I think Sir Hugh was in command of
+a big training camp in Norfolk early in the war,
+was he not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I went with him, and we stayed for
+about three months at the King's Head at
+Beccles."</p>
+
+<p>"And during the time you were at the King's
+Head, did the doctor ever visit Sir Hugh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; the doctor stayed several times at the
+Royal at Lowestoft. We both motored over on
+several occasions and dined with him. Doctor
+Weirmarsh was not well, so he had gone to the
+east coast for a change."</p>
+
+<p>"And he also came over to Beccles to see your
+stepfather?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; twice, or perhaps three times. One
+evening after dinner, I remember, they left the
+hotel and went for a long walk together. I rec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>[<a href="./images/123.png">123</a>]</span>ollect
+it well, for I had been out all day and had
+a bad headache. Therefore, the doctor went
+along to the chemist's on his way out and ordered
+me a draught."</p>
+
+<p>"You took it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I went to sleep almost immediately,
+and did not wake up till very late next
+morning," she replied.</p>
+
+<p>"You recollect, too, a certain man named
+Bellairs?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes!" she sighed. "How very sad it
+was! Poor Captain Bellairs was a great favourite
+of the general, and served on his staff."</p>
+
+<p>"He was with him in the Boer War, was he
+not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But how do you know all this?" asked
+the girl, looking curiously at her questioner and
+turning slightly paler.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he replied evasively, "I&mdash;I've been
+told so, and wished to know whether it was a fact.
+You and he were friends, eh?" he asked after a
+pause.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the girl did not reply. A flood
+of sad memories swept through her mind at the
+mention of Harry Bellairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied, "we were great friends.
+He took me to concerts and matin&eacute;es in town
+sometimes. Sir Hugh always said he was a man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>[<a href="./images/124.png">124</a>]</span>
+bound to make his mark. He had earned his
+D.S.O. with French at Mons and was twice mentioned
+in dispatches."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Enid," he said, still speaking very
+slowly, his dark eyes fixed upon hers, "you would
+probably have consented to become Mrs. Bellairs
+had he lived to ask you? Tell me the truth."</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes were cast down; he saw in them the
+light of unshed tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me for referring to such a painful
+subject," he hastened to say, "but it is imperative."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought that you were&mdash;were unaware of
+the sad affair," she faltered.</p>
+
+<p>"So I was until quite recently," he replied.
+"I know how deeply it must pain you to speak
+of it, but will you please explain to me the actual
+facts? I know that you are better acquainted
+with them than anyone else."</p>
+
+<p>"The facts of poor Harry's death," she repeated
+hoarsely, as though speaking to herself.
+"Why recall them? Oh! why recall them?"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>[<a href="./images/125.png">125</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h4>REVEALS A CURIOUS PROBLEM</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> countenance of Enid Orlebar had changed;
+her cheeks were deathly white, and her face was
+sufficient index to a mind overwhelmed with grief
+and regret.</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you to explain, because I fear that
+my information may be faulty. Captain Bellairs
+died&mdash;<i>died suddenly</i>, did he not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. It was a great blow to my stepfather,"
+the girl said; "and&mdash;and by his unfortunate
+death I lost one of my best friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me exactly how it occurred. I believe
+the tragic event happened on September the second,
+did it not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied. "Mother and I had been
+staying at the White Hart at Salisbury while Sir
+Hugh had been inspecting some troops. Captain
+Bellairs had been with us, as usual, but had been
+sent up to London by my stepfather. That same
+day I returned to London alone on my way to a
+visit up in Yorkshire, and arrived at Hill Street
+about seven o'clock. At a quarter to ten at night
+I received an urgent note from Captain Bellairs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>[<a href="./images/126.png">126</a>]</span>
+brought by a messenger, and written in a shaky
+hand, asking me to call at once at his chambers
+in Half Moon Street. He explained that he had
+been taken suddenly ill, and that he wished to
+see me upon a most important and private matter.
+He asked me to go to him, as it was most
+urgent. Mother and I had been to his chambers
+to tea several times before; therefore, realising
+the urgency of his message, I found a taxi and
+went at once to him."</p>
+
+<p>She broke off short, and with difficulty swallowed
+the lump which arose in her throat.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked Fetherston in a low, sympathetic
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>"When I arrived," she said, "I&mdash;I found
+him lying dead! He had expired just as I ascended
+the stairs."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you learned nothing, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," she said in a low voice. "I have
+ever since wondered what could have been the
+private matter upon which he so particularly desired
+to see me. He felt death creeping upon
+him, or&mdash;or else he knew himself to be a doomed
+man&mdash;or he would never have penned me that
+note."</p>
+
+<p>"The letter in question was not mentioned at
+the inquest?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. My stepfather urged me to regard the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>[<a href="./images/127.png">127</a>]</span>
+affair as a strict secret. He feared a scandal because
+I had gone to Harry's rooms."</p>
+
+<p>"You have no idea, then, what was the nature
+of the communication which the captain
+wished to make to you?" asked the novelist.</p>
+
+<p>"Not the slightest," replied the girl, yet with
+some hesitation. "It is all a mystery&mdash;a mystery
+which has ever haunted me&mdash;a mystery which
+haunts me now!"</p>
+
+<p>They had halted, and were standing together
+beneath a great oak, already partially bare of
+leaves. He looked into her beautiful face, sweet
+and full of purity as a child's. Then, in a low,
+intense voice, he said: "Cannot you be quite
+frank with me, Enid&mdash;cannot you give me more
+minute details of the sad affair? Captain Bellairs
+was in his usual health that day when he left
+you at Salisbury, was he not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes. I drove him to the station in our
+car."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any idea why your stepfather sent
+him up to London?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly, except that at breakfast he
+said to my mother that he must send Bellairs up
+to London. That was all."</p>
+
+<p>"And at his rooms, whom did you find?"</p>
+
+<p>"Barker, his man," she replied. "The story
+he told me was a curious one, namely, that his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>[<a href="./images/128.png">128</a>]</span>
+master had arrived from Salisbury at two o'clock,
+and at half-past two had sent him out upon a
+message down to Richmond. On his return, a
+little after five, he found his master absent, but
+the place smelt strongly of perfume, which
+seemed to point to the fact that the captain had
+had a lady visitor."</p>
+
+<p>"He had no actual proof of that?" exclaimed
+Fetherston, interrupting.</p>
+
+<p>"I think not. He surmised it from the fact
+that his master disliked scent, even in his toilet
+soap. Again, upon the table in the hall Barker's
+quick eye noticed a small white feather; this he
+showed me, and it was evidently from a feather
+boa. In the fire-grate a letter had been burnt.
+These two facts had aroused the man-servant's
+curiosity."</p>
+
+<p>"What time did the captain return?"</p>
+
+<p>"Almost immediately. He changed into his
+dinner jacket, and went forth again, saying that
+he intended to dine at the Naval and Military
+Club, and return to his rooms in time to change
+and catch the eleven-fifteen train from Waterloo
+for Salisbury that same night. He even told
+Barker which suit of clothes to prepare. It seems,
+however, that he came in about a quarter-past
+nine, and sent Barker on a message to Waterloo
+Station. On the man's return he found his mas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>[<a href="./images/129.png">129</a>]</span>ter
+fainting in his arm-chair. He called Barker
+to get him a glass of water&mdash;his throat seemed
+on fire, he said. Then, obtaining pen and paper,
+he wrote that hurried message to me. Barker
+stated that three minutes after addressing the envelope
+he fell into a state of coma, the only word
+he uttered being my name." And she pressed
+her lips together.</p>
+
+<p>"It is evident, then, that he earnestly desired
+to speak to you&mdash;to tell you something," her companion
+remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she went on quickly. "I found him
+lying back in his big arm-chair, quite dead. Barker
+had feared to leave his side, and summoned
+the doctor and messenger-boy by telephone.
+When I entered, however, the doctor had not arrived."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a thousand pities that you were too
+late. He wished to make some important statement
+to you, without a doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"I rushed to him at once, but, alas! was just
+too late."</p>
+
+<p>"He carried that secret, whatever it was, with
+him to the grave," Fetherston said reflectively.
+"I wonder what it could have been?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" sighed the girl, her face yet paler.
+"I wonder&mdash;I constantly wonder."</p>
+
+<p>"The doctors who made the post-mortem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>[<a href="./images/130.png">130</a>]</span>
+could not account for the death, I believe. I
+have read the account of the inquest."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! then you know what transpired there,"
+the girl said quickly. "I was in court, but was
+not called as a witness. There was no reason
+why I should be asked to make any statement, for
+Barker, in his evidence, made no mention of the
+letter which the dead man had sent me. I sat
+and heard the doctors&mdash;both of whom expressed
+themselves puzzled. The coroner put it to them
+whether they suspected foul play, but the reply
+they gave was a distinctly negative one."</p>
+
+<p>"The poor fellow's death was a mystery," her
+companion said. "I noticed that an open verdict
+was returned."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. The most searching inquiry was made,
+although the true facts regarding it were never
+made public. Sir Hugh explained one day at
+the breakfast-table that in addition to the two
+doctors who made the examination of the body,
+Professors Dale and Boyd, the analysts of the
+Home Office, also made extensive experiments,
+but could detect no symptom of poisoning."</p>
+
+<p>"Where he had dined that night has never
+been discovered, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never. He certainly did not dine at the
+club."</p>
+
+<p>"He may have dined with his lady visitor,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>[<a href="./images/131.png">131</a>]</span>
+Fetherston remarked, his eyes fixed upon her.</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated for a moment, as though unwilling
+to admit that Bellairs should have entertained
+the unknown lady in secret.</p>
+
+<p>"He may have done so, of course," she said
+with some reluctance.</p>
+
+<p>"Was there any other fact beside the feather
+which would lead one to suppose that a lady had
+visited him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only the perfume. Barker declared that it
+was a sweet scent, such as he had never smelt
+before. The whole place 'reeked with it,' as he
+put it."</p>
+
+<p>"No one saw the lady call at his chambers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody came forward with any statement,"
+replied the girl. "I myself made every inquiry
+possible, but, as you know, a woman is much
+handicapped in such a matter. Barker, who was
+devoted to his master, spared no effort, but he
+has discovered nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"For aught we know to the contrary, Captain
+Bellairs' death may have been due to perfectly
+natural causes," Fetherston remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"It may have been, but the fact of his mysterious
+lady visitor, and that he dined at some
+unknown place on that evening, aroused my suspicions.
+Yet there was no evidence whatever
+either of poison or of foul play."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>[<a href="./images/132.png">132</a>]</span>
+Fetherston raised his eyes and shot a covert
+glance at her&mdash;a glance of distinct suspicion. His
+keen, calm gaze was upon her, noting the unusual
+expression upon her countenance, and how
+her gloved fingers had clenched themselves
+slightly as she had spoken. Was she telling him
+all that she knew concerning the extraordinary
+affair? That was the question which had arisen
+at that moment within his mind.</p>
+
+<p>He had perused carefully the cold, formal reports
+which had appeared in the newspapers concerning
+the "sudden death" of Captain Henry
+Bellairs, and had read suspicion between the lines,
+as only one versed in mysteries of crime could
+read. Were not such mysteries the basis of his
+profession? He had been first attracted by it as
+a possible plot for a novel, but, on investigation,
+had discovered, to his surprise, that Bellairs had
+been Sir Hugh's trusted secretary and the friend
+of Enid Orlebar.</p>
+
+<p>The poor fellow had died in a manner both
+sudden and mysterious, as a good many persons
+die annually. To the outside world there was no
+suspicion whatever of foul play.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, being in possession of certain secret
+knowledge, Fetherston had formed a theory&mdash;one
+that was amazing and startling&mdash;a theory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>[<a href="./images/133.png">133</a>]</span>
+which he had, after long deliberation, made up
+his mind to investigate and prove.</p>
+
+<p>This girl had loved Harry Bellairs before he
+had met her, and because of it the poor fellow
+had fallen beneath the hand of a secret assassin.</p>
+
+<p>She stood there in ignorance that he had already
+seen and closely questioned Barker in London,
+and that the man had made an admission,
+an amazing statement&mdash;namely, that the subtle
+Eastern perfume upon Enid Orlebar, when she
+arrived so hurriedly and excitedly at Half Moon
+Street, was the same which had greeted his nostrils
+when he entered his master's chambers on
+his return from that errand upon which he had
+been sent.</p>
+
+<p>Enid Orlebar had been in the captain's rooms
+during his absence!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>[<a href="./images/134.png">134</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE MYSTERIOUS MR. MALTWOOD</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> Enid Orlebar's story contained several discrepancies.</p>
+
+<p>She had declared that she arrived at Hill
+Street about seven o'clock on that fateful second
+of September. That might be true, but might
+she not have arrived after her secret visit to Half
+Moon Street?</p>
+
+<p>In suppressing the fact that she had been
+there at all she had acted with considerable foresight.
+Naturally, her parents were not desirous
+of the fact being stated publicly that she had
+gone alone to a bachelor's rooms, and they had,
+therefore, assisted her to preserve the secret&mdash;known
+only to Barker and to the doctor. Yet her
+evidence had been regarded as immaterial, hence
+she had not been called as witness.</p>
+
+<p>Only Barker had suspected. That unusual
+perfume about her had puzzled him. Yet how
+could he make any direct charge against the general's
+stepdaughter, who had always been most
+generous to him in the matter of tips? Besides,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>[<a href="./images/135.png">135</a>]</span>
+did not the captain write a note to her with his
+last dying effort?</p>
+
+<p>What proof was there that the pair had not
+dined together? Fetherston had already made
+diligent inquiries at Hill Street, and had discovered
+from the butler that Miss Enid, on her arrival
+home from Salisbury, had changed her
+gown and gone out in a taxi at a quarter to eight.
+She had dined out&mdash;but where was unknown.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite true that she had come in before
+ten o'clock, and soon afterwards had received a
+note by boy-messenger.</p>
+
+<p>In view of these facts it appeared quite certain
+to Fetherston that Enid and Harry Bellairs
+had taken dinner <i>t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te</i> at some quiet restaurant.
+She was a merry, high-spirited girl to
+whom such an adventure would certainly appeal.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner they had parted, and he had
+driven to his rooms. Then, feeling his strength
+failing, he had hastily summoned her to his side.</p>
+
+<p>Why?</p>
+
+<p>If he had suspected her of being the author
+of any foul play he most certainly would not have
+begged her to come to him in his last moments.
+No. The enigma grew more and more inscrutable.</p>
+
+<p>And yet there was a motive for poor Bellairs'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>[<a href="./images/136.png">136</a>]</span>
+tragic end&mdash;one which, in the light of his own
+knowledge, seemed only too apparent.</p>
+
+<p>He strolled on beside the fair-faced girl,
+deep in wonder. Recollections of that devil-may-care
+cavalry officer who had been such a
+good friend clouded her brow, and as she walked
+her eyes were cast upon the ground in silent reflection.</p>
+
+<p>She was wondering whether Walter Fetherston
+had guessed the truth, that she had loved
+that man who had met with such an untimely end.</p>
+
+<p>Her companion, on his part, was equally puzzled.
+That story of Barker's finding a white
+feather was a curious one. It was true that the
+man had found a white feather&mdash;but he had also
+learnt that when Enid Orlebar had arrived at
+Hill Street she had been wearing a white feather
+boa!</p>
+
+<p>"It is not curious, after all," he said reflectively,
+"that the police should have dismissed the
+affair as a death from natural causes. At the inquest
+no suspicion whatever was aroused. I wonder
+why Barker, in his evidence, made no mention
+of that perfume&mdash;or of the discovery of the
+feather?"</p>
+
+<p>And as he uttered those words he fixed his
+grave eyes upon her, watching her countenance
+intently.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>[<a href="./images/137.png">137</a>]</span>
+"Well," she replied, after a moment's hesitation,
+"if he had it would have proved nothing,
+would it? If the captain had received a lady visitor
+in secret that afternoon it might have had
+no connection with the circumstances of his death
+six hours later."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet it might," Fetherston remarked.
+"What more natural than that the lady who visited
+him clandestinely&mdash;for Barker had, no doubt,
+been sent out of the way on purpose that he
+should not see her&mdash;should have dined with him
+later?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl moved uneasily, tapping the ground
+with her stick.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you suspect some woman of having
+had a hand in his death?" she exclaimed in a
+changed voice, her eyes again cast upon the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know sufficient of the details to
+entertain any distinct suspicion," he replied. "I
+regard the affair as a mystery, and in mysteries
+I am always interested."</p>
+
+<p>"You intend to bring the facts into a book,"
+she remarked. "Ah! I see."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps&mdash;if I obtain a solution of the enigma&mdash;for
+enigma it certainly is."</p>
+
+<p>"You agree with me, then, that poor Harry
+was the victim of foul play?" she asked in a low,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>[<a href="./images/138.png">138</a>]</span>
+intense voice, eagerly watching his face the while.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he answered very slowly, "and, further,
+that the woman who visited him that afternoon
+was an accessory. Harry Bellairs was <i>murdered</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>Her cheeks blanched and she went pale to the
+lips. He saw the sudden change in her, and realised
+what a supreme effort she was making to
+betray no undue alarm. But the effect of his
+cold, calm words had been almost electrical. He
+watched her countenance slowly flushing, but pretended
+not to notice her confusion. And so he
+walked on at her side, full of wonderment.</p>
+
+<p>How much did she know? Why, indeed, had
+Harry Bellairs fallen the victim of a secret assassin?</p>
+
+<p>No trained officer of the Criminal Investigation
+Department was more ingenious in making
+secret inquiries, more clever in his subterfuges
+or in disguising his real objects, than Walter
+Fetherston. Possessed of ample means, and
+member of that secret club called "Our Society,"
+which meets at intervals and is the club of criminologists,
+and pursuing the detection of crime
+as a pastime, he had on many occasions placed
+Scotland Yard and the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; in Paris in possession
+of information which had amazed them
+and which had earned for him the high esteem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>[<a href="./images/139.png">139</a>]</span>
+of those in office as Ministers of the Interior in
+Paris, Rome and in London.</p>
+
+<p>The case of Captain Henry Bellairs he had
+taken up merely because he recognised in it some
+unusual circumstances, and without sparing effort
+he had investigated it rapidly and secretly
+from every standpoint. He had satisfied himself.
+Certain knowledge that he had was not
+possessed by any officer at Scotland Yard, and
+only by reason of that secret knowledge had he
+been able to arrive at the definite conclusion that
+there had been a strong motive for the captain's
+death, and that if he had been secretly poisoned&mdash;which
+seemed to be the case, in spite of the
+analysts' evidence&mdash;then he had been poisoned by
+the velvet hand of a woman.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston was ever regretting his
+inability to put any of the confidential information
+he acquired into his books.</p>
+
+<p>"If I could only write half the truth of what
+I know, people would declare it to be fiction,"
+he had often assured intimate friends. And those
+friends had pondered and wondered to what he
+referred.</p>
+
+<p>He wrote of crime, weaving those wonderful
+romances which held breathless his readers in
+every corner of the globe, and describing criminals
+and life's undercurrents with such fidelity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>[<a href="./images/140.png">140</a>]</span>
+that even criminals themselves had expressed
+wonder as to how and whence he obtained his accurate
+information.</p>
+
+<p>But the public were in ignorance that, in his
+character of Mr. Maltwood, he pursued a strange
+profession, one which was fraught with more romance
+and excitement than any other calling a
+man could adopt. In comparison with his life
+that of a detective was really a tame one; while
+such success had he obtained that in a certain important
+official circle in London he was held in
+highest esteem and frequently called into consultation.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston, the quiet, reticent novelist,
+was entirely different from the gay, devil-may-care
+Maltwood, the accomplished linguist,
+thorough-going cosmopolitan and constant traveller,
+the easy-going man of means known in society
+in every European capital.</p>
+
+<p>Because of this his few friends who were
+aware of his dual personality were puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>At the girl's side he strode on along the road
+which still led through the wood, the road over
+which every evening rumbled the old post-diligence
+on its way through the quaint old town of
+Etain to the railway at Spincourt. On that very
+road a battalion of Uhlans had been annihilated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>[<a href="./images/141.png">141</a>]</span>
+almost to a man at the outbreak of the Great
+War.</p>
+
+<p>Every m&egrave;tre they trod was historic ground&mdash;ground
+which had been contested against the legions
+of the Crown Prince's army.</p>
+
+<p>For some time neither spoke. At last Walter
+asked: "Your stepfather has been up to the
+fortress with Monsieur Le Pontois, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, once or twice," was her reply, eager
+to change the subject. "Of course, to a soldier,
+fortifications and suchlike things are always of
+interest."</p>
+
+<p>"I saw them walking up to the fortress together
+the other day," he remarked with a casual
+air.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" she asked quickly. "Have you
+been here before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Once," he laughed. "I came over from
+Commercy and spent the day in your vicinity in
+the hope that I might perhaps meet you alone
+accidentally."</p>
+
+<p>He did not tell her that he had watched her
+shopping with Madame Le Pontois, or that he
+had spent several days at a small <i>auberge</i> at the
+tiny village of Marcheville-en-Woevre, only two
+miles distant.</p>
+
+<p>"I had no idea of that," she replied, her face
+flushing slightly.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>[<a href="./images/142.png">142</a>]</span>
+"When do you return to London?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know. Certainly not before next
+Thursday, as we have amateur theatricals at General
+Molon's. I am playing the part of Miss
+Smith, the English governess, in Darbour's comedy,
+<i>Le Pyr&eacute;e</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"And then you return to London, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know. Yesterday I had a letter
+from Mrs. Caldwell saying that she contemplated
+going to Italy this winter; therefore, perhaps
+mother will let me go. I wrote to her this morning.
+The proposal is to spend part of the time
+in Italy, and then cross from Naples to Egypt.
+I love Egypt. We were there some winters ago,
+at the Winter Palace at Luxor."</p>
+
+<p>"Your father and mother will remain at
+home, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mother hates travelling nowadays. She
+says she had quite sufficient of living abroad in
+my father's lifetime. We were practically exiled
+for years, you know. I was born in Lima, and I
+never saw England till I was eleven. The Diplomatic
+Service takes one so out of touch with
+home."</p>
+
+<p>"But Sir Hugh will go abroad this winter,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not heard him speak of it. I believe
+he's too busy at the War Office just now. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>[<a href="./images/143.png">143</a>]</span>
+have some more 'reforms' in progress, I hear,"
+and she smiled.</p>
+
+<p>He was looking straight into the girl's handsome
+face, his heart torn between love and suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>Those days at Biarritz recurred to him; how
+he would watch for her and go and meet her
+down towards Grande Plage, till, by degrees, it
+had become to both the most natural thing in the
+world. On those rare evenings when they did
+not meet the girl was conscious of a little feeling
+of disappointment which she was too shy to own,
+even to her own heart.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston owned it freely enough.
+In that bright springtime the day was incomplete
+unless he saw her; and he knew that, even
+now, every hour was making her grow dearer to
+him. From that chance meeting at the hotel their
+friendship had grown, and had ripened into something
+warmer, dearer&mdash;a secret held closely in
+each heart, but none the less sweet for that.</p>
+
+<p>After leaving Biarritz the man had torn himself
+from her&mdash;why, he hardly knew. Only he
+felt upon him some fatal fascination, strong and
+irresistible. It was the first time in his life that
+he had been what is vulgarly known as "over
+head and ears in love."</p>
+
+<p>He returned to England, and then, a month<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>[<a href="./images/144.png">144</a>]</span>
+later, his investigation of Henry Bellairs' death,
+for the purpose of obtaining a plot for a new
+novel he contemplated, revealed to him a staggering
+and astounding truth.</p>
+
+<p>Even then, in face of that secret knowledge
+he had gained, he had been powerless, and he had
+gone up to Monifieth deliberately again to meet
+her&mdash;to be drawn again beneath the spell of
+those wonderful eyes.</p>
+
+<p>There was love in the man's heart. But sometimes
+it embittered him. It did at that moment,
+as they strolled still onward over that carpet of
+moss and fallen leaves. He had loved her, as he
+believed her to be a woman with heart and soul
+too pure to harbour an evil thought. But her
+story of the death of poor Bellairs, the man who
+had loved her, had convinced him that his suspicions
+were, alas! only too well grounded.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>[<a href="./images/145.png">145</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h4>WHAT CONFESSION WOULD MEAN</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A silence</span> had fallen between the pair. Again
+Walter Fetherston glanced at her.</p>
+
+<p>She was an outdoor girl to the tips of her
+fingers. At shooting parties she went out with
+the guns, not merely contenting herself, as did
+the other girls, to motor down with the luncheon
+for the men. She never got dishevelled or untidy,
+and her trim tweed skirt and serviceable
+boots never made her look unwomanly. She was
+her dainty self out in the country with the men,
+just as in the pretty drawing-room at Hill Street,
+while her merry laugh evoked more smiles and
+witticisms than the more studied attempts at wit
+of the others.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment she had noticed the change
+in the man she had so gradually grown to love,
+and her heart was beating in wild tumult.</p>
+
+<p>He, on his part, was hating himself for so
+foolishly allowing her to steal into his heart.
+She had lied to him there, just as she had lied to
+him at Biarritz. And yet he had been a fool, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>[<a href="./images/146.png">146</a>]</span>
+had allowed himself to be drawn back to her side.</p>
+
+<p>Why? he asked himself. Why? There was
+a reason, a strong reason. He loved her, and
+the reason he was at that moment at her side was
+to save her, to rescue her from a fate which he
+knew must sooner or later befall her.</p>
+
+<p>She made some remark, but he only replied
+mechanically. His countenance had, she saw,
+changed and become paler. His lips were pressed
+together, and, taking a cigar from his case, he
+asked her permission to smoke, and viciously bit
+off its end. Something had annoyed him. Was
+it possible that he held any suspicion of the
+ghastly truth?</p>
+
+<p>The real fact, however, was that he was calmly
+and deliberately contemplating tearing her
+from his heart for ever as an object of suspicion
+and worthless. He, who had never yet fallen beneath
+a woman's thraldom, resolved not to enter
+blindly the net she had spread for him. His
+thoughts were hard and bitter&mdash;the thoughts of
+a man who had loved passionately, but whose idol
+had suddenly been shattered.</p>
+
+<p>Again she spoke, remarking that it was time
+she turned back, for already they were at the
+opposite end of the wood, with a beautiful panorama
+of valley and winding river spread before
+them. But he only answered a trifle abruptly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>[<a href="./images/147.png">147</a>]</span>
+and, acting upon her suggestion, turned and retraced
+his steps in silence.</p>
+
+<p>At last, as though suddenly rousing himself,
+he turned to her, and said in an apologetic tone:
+"I fear, Enid, I've treated you rather&mdash;well,
+rather uncouthly. I apologise. I was thinking
+of something else&mdash;a somewhat serious matter."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you were," she laughed, affecting
+to treat the matter lightly. "You scarcely replied
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, won't you?" he asked, smiling
+again in his old way.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," she said. "But&mdash;but is the
+matter very serious? Does it concern yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Enid, it does," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>And still she walked on, her eyes cast down,
+much puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>Two woodmen passed on their way home from
+work, and raised their caps politely, while Walter
+acknowledged their salutation in French.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall probably leave here to-morrow," her
+companion said as they walked back to the high
+road. "I am not yet certain until I receive my
+letters to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"You are now going back to your village inn,
+I suppose," she laughed cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said. "My host is an interesting
+old countryman, and has told me quite a lot about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>[<a href="./images/148.png">148</a>]</span>
+the war. He was wounded when the Germans
+shelled Verdun. He has told me that he knows
+Paul Le Pontois, for his son Jean is his servant."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Mr. Fetherston, you are really ubiquitous,"
+cried the girl in confusion. "Why have
+you been watching us like this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Merely because I wished to see you, as I've
+already explained," was his reply. "I wanted
+to ask you those questions which I have put to
+you this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"About poor Harry?" she remarked in a
+hoarse, low voice. "But you begged me to reply
+to you in my own interests&mdash;why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I wished to know the real truth."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've told you the truth," she said with
+just the slightest tinge of defiance in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment he did not speak. He had
+halted; his grave eyes were fixed upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you told me the whole truth&mdash;all that
+you know, Enid?" he asked very quietly a moment
+later.</p>
+
+<p>"What more should I know?" she protested
+after a second's hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>"How can I tell?" he asked quickly. "I
+only ask you to place me in possession of all the
+facts within your knowledge."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you ask me this?" she cried. "Is it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>[<a href="./images/149.png">149</a>]</span>
+out of mere idle curiosity? Or is it because&mdash;because,
+knowing that Harry loved me, you wish to
+cause me pain by recalling those tragic circumstances?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither," was his quiet answer in a low,
+sympathetic voice. "I am your friend, Enid.
+And if you will allow me, I will assist you."</p>
+
+<p>She held her breath. He spoke as though
+he were aware of the truth&mdash;that she had not told
+him everything&mdash;that she was still concealing certain
+important and material facts.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I know you are my friend," she faltered.
+"I have felt that all along, ever since our first
+meeting. But&mdash;but forgive me, I beg of you.
+The very remembrance of that night of the second
+of September is, to me, horrible&mdash;horrible."</p>
+
+<p>To him those very words of hers increased his
+suspicion. Was it any wonder that she was horrified
+when she recalled that gruesome episode of
+the death of a brave and honest man? Her personal
+fascination had overwhelmed Harry Bellairs,
+just as it had overwhelmed himself. The
+devil sends some women into the hearts of upright
+men to rend and destroy them.</p>
+
+<p>Upon her cheeks had spread a deadly pallor,
+while in the centre of each showed a scarlet spot.
+Her heart was torn by a thousand emotions, for
+the image of that man whom she had seen lying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>[<a href="./images/150.png">150</a>]</span>
+cold and dead in his room had arisen before her
+vision, blotting out everything. The hideous remembrance
+of that fateful night took possession
+of her soul.</p>
+
+<p>In silence they walked on for a considerable
+time. Now and then a rabbit scuttled from their
+path into the undergrowth or the alarm-cry of
+a bird broke the evening stillness, until at last
+they came forth into the wide highway, their faces
+set towards the autumn sunset.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the man spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you heard of the doctor since you left
+London?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She held her breath&mdash;only for a single second.
+But her hesitation was sufficient to show him that
+she intended to conceal the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"No," was her reply. "He has not written
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>Again he was silent. There was a reason&mdash;a
+strong reason&mdash;why Weirmarsh should not write
+to her, he knew. But he had, by his question,
+afforded her an opportunity of telling him the
+truth&mdash;the truth that the mysterious George
+Weirmarsh was there, in that vicinity. That
+Enid was aware of that fact was certain to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish," she said at last, "I wish you would
+call at the ch&acirc;teau and allow me to introduce you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>[<a href="./images/151.png">151</a>]</span>
+to Paul and his wife. They would be charmed
+to make your acquaintance."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," he replied a trifle coldly; "I'd
+rather not know them&mdash;in the present circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how strange you are!" the girl exclaimed,
+looking up into his face, so dark and
+serious. "I don't see why you should entertain
+such an aversion to being introduced to Paul.
+He's quite a dear fellow."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it is a foolish reluctance on my
+part," he laughed uneasily. "But, somehow, I
+feel that to remain away from the ch&acirc;teau is best.
+Remember, your stepfather and your mother are
+in ignorance of&mdash;well, of the fact that we regard
+each other as&mdash;as more than close friends. For
+the present it is surely best that I should not visit
+your relations. Relations are often very prompt
+to divine the real position of affairs. Parents
+may be blind," he laughed, "but brothers-in-law
+never."</p>
+
+<p>"You are always so dreadfully philosophical!"
+the girl cried, glad that at last that painful
+topic of conversation had been changed. "Paul
+Le Pontois wouldn't eat you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose any Frenchman is given to
+cannibalistic diet," he answered, smiling. "But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>[<a href="./images/152.png">152</a>]</span>
+the fact is, I have my reasons for not being introduced
+to the Le Pontois family just now."</p>
+
+<p>The girl looked at him sharply, surprised at
+the tone of his response. She tried to divine its
+meaning. But his countenance still bore that
+sphinx-like expression which so often caused his
+friends to entertain vague suspicions.</p>
+
+<p>Few men could read character better than
+Walter Fetherston. To him the minds of most
+men and women he met were as an open book.
+To a marvellous degree had he cultivated his
+power of reading the inner working of the mind
+by the expression in the eyes and on the faces of
+even those hard-headed diplomats and men of
+business whom, in his second character of Mr.
+Maltwood, he so frequently met. Few men or
+women could tell him a deliberate lie without its
+instant detection. Most shrewd men possess that
+power to a greater or less degree&mdash;a power that
+can be developed by painstaking application and
+practice.</p>
+
+<p>Enid asked her companion when they were to
+meet again.</p>
+
+<p>"At least let me see you before you go from
+here," she said. "I know what a rapid traveller
+you always are."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he sighed. "I'm often compelled to
+make quick journeys from one part of the Conti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>[<a href="./images/153.png">153</a>]</span>nent
+to the other. I am a constant traveller&mdash;too
+constant, perhaps, for I've nowadays grown
+very world-weary and restless."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," she exclaimed, "if you will not
+come to the ch&acirc;teau, where shall we meet?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will write to you," he replied. "At this
+moment my movements are most uncertain&mdash;they
+depend almost entirely upon the movements of
+others. At any moment I may be called away.
+But a letter to Holles Street will always find me,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>He seemed unusually serious and strangely
+preoccupied, she thought. She noticed, too, that
+he had flung away his half-consumed cigar in impatience,
+and that he had rubbed his chin with
+his left hand, a habit of his when puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>At the crossroads where the leafless poplars
+ran in straight lines towards the village of Fresnes,
+a big red motor-car passed them at a tearing
+pace, and in it Enid recognised General
+Molon.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston, although an ardent motorist himself,
+cursed the driver under his breath for bespattering
+them with mud. Then, with a word
+of apology to his charming companion, he held
+her gloved hand for a moment in his.</p>
+
+<p>Their parting was not prolonged. The man's
+lips were thin and hard, for his resolve was firm.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>[<a href="./images/154.png">154</a>]</span>
+This girl whom he had grown to love&mdash;who
+was the very sunshine of his strange, adventurous
+life&mdash;was, he had at last realised, unworthy.
+If he was to live, if the future was to have hope
+and joy for him, he must tear her out of his life.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore he bade her adieu, refusing to give
+her any tryst for the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all so uncertain," he repeated. "You
+will write to me in London if you do not hear
+from me, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>She nodded, but scarce a word, save a murmured
+farewell, escaped her dry lips.</p>
+
+<p>He was changed, sadly changed, she knew.
+She turned from him with overflowing heart, stifling
+her tears, but with a veritable volcano of
+emotion within her young breast.</p>
+
+<p>He had changed&mdash;changed entirely and utterly
+in that brief hour and a half they had
+walked together. What had she said? What
+had she done? she asked herself.</p>
+
+<p>Forward she went blindly with the blood-red
+light of the glorious sunset full in her hard-set
+face, the great fortress-crowned hills looming up
+before her, a barrier between herself and the beyond!
+They looked grey, dark, mysterious as
+her own future.</p>
+
+<p>She glanced back, but he had turned upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>[<a href="./images/155.png">155</a>]</span>
+his heel, and she now saw his retreating figure
+swinging along the straight, broad highway.</p>
+
+<p>Why had he treated her thus? Was it possible,
+she reflected, that he had actually become
+aware of the ghastly truth? Had he divined it?</p>
+
+<p>"If he has," she cried aloud in an agony of
+soul, "then no wonder&mdash;no wonder, indeed, that
+he has cast me from his life as a criminal&mdash;as
+a woman to be avoided as the plague&mdash;that he has
+said good-bye to me for ever!"</p>
+
+<p>Her lips trembled, and the corners of her
+pretty mouth hardened.</p>
+
+<p>She turned again to watch the man's disappearing
+figure.</p>
+
+<p>"I would go back," she cried in despair,
+"back to him, and beg his forgiveness upon my
+knees. I love him&mdash;love him better than my life!
+Yet to crave forgiveness would be to confess&mdash;to
+tell all I know&mdash;the whole awful truth! And I
+can't do that&mdash;no, never! God help me! I&mdash;I&mdash;I&mdash;can't
+do that!"</p>
+
+<p>And bursting into a flood of hot tears, she
+stood rigid, her small hands clenched, still watching
+him until he disappeared from her sight
+around the bend of the road.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she murmured in a low, hoarse voice,
+still speaking to herself, "confession would mean
+death. Rather than admit the truth I would take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>[<a href="./images/156.png">156</a>]</span>
+my own life. I would kill myself, yes, face death
+freely and willingly, rather than he&mdash;the man I
+love so well&mdash;should learn Sir Hugh's disgraceful
+secret."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>[<a href="./images/157.png">157</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h4>THREE GENTLEMEN FROM PARIS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Gaston Darbour's</span> comedy, <i>Le Pyr&eacute;e</i>, had been
+played to a large audience assembled in one of
+the bigger rooms of the long whitewashed artillery
+barracks outside Ronvaux, where General
+Molon had his official residence.</p>
+
+<p>The humorous piece had been applauded to
+the echo&mdash;the audience consisting for the most
+part of military officers in uniform and their
+wives and daughters, with a sprinkling of the
+better-class civilians from the various ch&acirc;teaux
+in the neighbourhood, together with two or three
+aristocratic parties from Longuyon, Spincourt,
+and other places.</p>
+
+<p>The honours of the evening had fallen to the
+young English girl who had played the amusing
+part of the demure governess, Miss Smith&mdash;pronounced
+by the others "Mees Smeeth." Enid
+was passionately fond of dramatic art, and belonged
+to an amateur club in London. Among
+those present were the author of the piece himself,
+a dark young man with smooth hair parted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>[<a href="./images/158.png">158</a>]</span>
+in the centre and wearing an exaggerated black
+cravat.</p>
+
+<p>When the curtain fell the audience rose to
+chatter and comment, and were a long time before
+they dispersed. Paul Le Pontois waited for
+Enid, Sir Hugh accompanying Blanche and little
+Ninette home in the hired brougham. As the
+party had a long distance to go, some twelve kilom&egrave;tres,
+General Molon had lent Le Pontois his
+motor-car, which now stood awaiting him with
+glaring headlights in the barrack-square.</p>
+
+<p>As the hall emptied Paul glanced around him
+while awaiting Enid. On the walls the French
+tricolour was everywhere displayed, the revered
+<i>drapeau</i> under which he had so gallantly and
+nobly served against the Huns.</p>
+
+<p>He presented a spruce appearance in his
+smart, well-cut evening coat, with the red button
+of the Legion d'Honneur in his lapel, and to the
+ladies who wished him "bon soir" as they filed
+out he drew his heels together and bowed gallantly.</p>
+
+<p>Outside, the night was cloudy and overcast.
+In the long rows of the barrack windows lights
+shone, and somewhere sounded a bugle, while in
+the shadows could be heard the measured tramp
+of sentries, the clank of spurs, or the click of
+rifles as they saluted their officers passing out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>[<a href="./images/159.png">159</a>]</span>
+The whole atmosphere was a military one, for,
+indeed, the little town of Ronvaux is, even in
+these peace days, scarcely more than a huge camp.</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes Le Pontois stood chatting
+to a group of men at the door. They had invited
+him to come across to their quarters, but he had
+explained that he was awaiting mademoiselle. So
+they raised their eyebrows, smiled mischievously,
+and bade him "bon soir."</p>
+
+<p>Soldiers were already stacking up the chairs
+ready for the clearance of the gymnasium for the
+morrow. Others were coming to water and sweep
+out the place. Therefore Le Pontois remained
+outside in the square, waiting in patience.</p>
+
+<p>He was reflecting. That evening, as he had
+sat with his wife watching the play, he had been
+seized by a curious feeling for which he entirely
+failed to account. Behind him there had sat a
+man and a woman, French without a doubt, but
+entire strangers. They must, of course, have
+known one or other of the officers in order to obtain
+an admission ticket. Nevertheless, they had
+spoken to no one, and on the fall of the curtain
+had entered a brougham in waiting and driven
+off.</p>
+
+<p>Paul had made no comment. By a sudden
+chance he had, during the entr'acte, risen and
+gazed around, when the face of the stranger had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>[<a href="./images/160.png">160</a>]</span>
+caught his eyes&mdash;a face which he felt was curiously
+familiar, yet he could not place it. The
+middle-aged man was dressed with quiet elegance,
+clean-shaven and keen-faced, apparently a prosperous
+civilian, while the lady with him was of
+about the same age and apparently his wife. She
+was dressed in a high-necked dress of black lace,
+and wore in her corsage a large circular ornament
+of diamonds and emeralds.</p>
+
+<p>Twice had Le Pontois taken furtive glances
+at the stranger whose lined brow was so extraordinarily
+familiar. It was the face of a deep
+thinker, a man who had, perhaps, passed through
+much trouble. Was it possible, he wondered, that
+he had seen that striking face in some photograph,
+or perhaps in some illustrated paper? He
+had racked his brain through the whole performance,
+but could not decide in what circumstances
+they had previously met.</p>
+
+<p>From time to time the stranger had joined
+with the audience in their hearty laughter, or applauded
+as vociferously as the others, his companion
+being equally amused at the quaint sayings
+of the demure "Mees Smeeth."</p>
+
+<p>And even as he stood in the shadows near the
+general's car awaiting Enid he was still wondering
+who the pair might be.</p>
+
+<p>At the fall of the curtain he had made several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>[<a href="./images/161.png">161</a>]</span>
+inquiries of the officers, but nobody could give
+him any information. They were complete strangers&mdash;that
+was all. Even a search among the
+cards of invitation had revealed nothing.</p>
+
+<p>So Paul Le Pontois remained mystified.</p>
+
+<p>Enid came at last, flushed with success and
+apologetic because she had kept him waiting.
+But he only congratulated her, and assisted her
+into the car. It was a big open one, therefore
+she wore a thick motor coat and veil as protection
+against the chill autumn night.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the soldier-chauffeur mounted
+to his seat, and slowly they moved across the
+great square and out by the gates, where the sentries
+saluted. Then, turning to the right, they
+were quickly tearing along the highway in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they overtook several closed carriages
+of the home-going visitors, and, ascending the
+hill, turned from the main road down into a by-road
+leading through a wooded valley, which was
+a short cut to the ch&acirc;teau.</p>
+
+<p>Part of their way led through the great For&ecirc;t
+d'Amblonville, and though Enid's gay chatter
+was mostly of the play, the defects in the acting
+and the several amusing <i>contretemps</i> which had
+occurred behind the scenes, her companion's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>[<a href="./images/162.png">162</a>]</span>
+thoughts were constantly of that stranger whose
+brow was so deeply lined with care.</p>
+
+<p>They expected to overtake Sir Hugh in the
+brougham, but so long had Enid been changing
+her gown that they saw nothing of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Just, however, as they were within a hundred
+yards or so of the gates which gave entrance to
+the ch&acirc;teau, and were slowing down in order to
+swing into the drive, a man emerged from the
+darkness, calling upon the driver to stop, and,
+placing himself before the car, held up his hands.</p>
+
+<p>Next instant the figure of a second individual
+appeared. Enid uttered a cry of alarm, but the
+second man, who wore a hard felt hat and dark
+overcoat, reassured her by saying in French:</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not distress yourself, mademoiselle.
+There is no cause for alarm. My friend and I
+merely wish to speak for a moment with Monsieur
+Le Pontois before he enters his house. For
+that reason we have presumed to stop your car."</p>
+
+<p>"But who are you?" demanded Le Pontois
+angrily. "Who are you that you should hold us
+up like this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, m'sieur, it would be better if you
+descended and escorted mademoiselle as far as
+your gates. We wish to speak to you for a moment
+upon a little matter which is both urgent
+and private."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>[<a href="./images/163.png">163</a>]</span>
+"Well, cannot you speak here, now, and let
+us proceed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not before mademoiselle," replied the man.
+"It is a confidential matter."</p>
+
+<p>Paul, much puzzled at the curious demeanour
+of the strangers, reluctantly handed Enid out,
+and walked with her as far as his own gate, telling
+her to assure Blanche that he would return
+in a few moments, when he had heard what the
+men wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," she laughed. "I'll say nothing.
+You can tell her all when you come in."</p>
+
+<p>The girl passed through the gates and up the
+gravelled drive to the house, when Le Pontois,
+turning upon his heel to return to the car, was
+met by the two men, who, he found, had walked
+closely behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"You are Paul Le Pontois?" inquired the
+elder of the pair brusquely.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course! Why do you ask that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is necessary," was his businesslike
+reply. Then he added: "I regret, m'sieur,
+that you must consider yourself under arrest by
+order of his Excellency the Minister of Justice."</p>
+
+<p>"Arrest!" gasped the unhappy man. "Are
+you mad, messieurs?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the man who had spoken.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>[<a href="./images/164.png">164</a>]</span>
+"We have merely our duty to perform, and have
+travelled from Paris to execute it."</p>
+
+<p>"With what offence am I charged?" Le <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Pontais'">Pontois</ins>
+demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Of that we have no knowledge. As agents
+of secret police, we are sent here to convey you
+for interrogation."</p>
+
+<p>The man under arrest stood dumbfounded.</p>
+
+<p>"But at least you will allow me to say farewell
+to my wife and child&mdash;to make excuse to
+them for my absence?" he urged.</p>
+
+<p>"I regret that is quite impossible, m'sieur.
+Our orders are to make the arrest and to afford
+you no opportunity to communicate with anyone."</p>
+
+<p>"But this is cruel, inhuman! His Excellency
+never meant that, I am quite sure&mdash;especially
+when I am innocent of any crime, as far as I am
+aware."</p>
+
+<p>"We can only obey our orders, m'sieur," replied
+the man in the dark overcoat.</p>
+
+<p>"Then may I not write a line to my wife, just
+one word of excuse?" he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>The two police agents consulted.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the elder of the pair, who
+was the one in authority, "if you wish to scribble
+a note, here are paper and pencil." And he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>[<a href="./images/165.png">165</a>]</span>
+tore a leaf from his notebook and handed it to
+the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>By the light of the head-lamps of the car Paul
+scribbled a few hurried words to Blanche: "I
+am detained on important business," he wrote.
+"I will return to-morrow. My love to you both.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Paul</span>."</p>
+
+<p>The detective read it, folded it carefully, and
+handed it to his assistant, telling him to go up
+to the ch&acirc;teau and deliver it at the servants' entrance.</p>
+
+<p>When he had gone the detective, turning
+to the chauffeur, said: "I shall require you to
+take us to Verdun."</p>
+
+<p>"This is not my car, m'sieur," replied Paul.
+"It belongs to General Molon."</p>
+
+<p>"That does not matter. I will telephone to
+him an explanation as soon as we arrive in Verdun.
+We may as well enter the car as stand
+here."</p>
+
+<p>Paul Le Pontois was about to protest, but
+what could he say? The Minister in Paris had
+apparently committed some grave error in thus
+ordering his arrest. No doubt there would be
+confusion, apologies and laughter. So, with a
+light heart at the knowledge that he had committed
+no offence, he got into the car, and allowed
+the polite police agent to seat himself beside him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>[<a href="./images/166.png">166</a>]</span>
+The only chagrin he felt was that the chauffeur
+had overheard all the conversation. And to
+him he said: "Remember, Gallet, of this affair
+you know nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand perfectly, m'sieur," was the
+wondering soldier's reply.</p>
+
+<p>Then they sat in silence in the darkness until
+the hurrying police agent returned, after which
+the car sped straight past the ch&acirc;teau on the high
+road which led through the deep valley on to the
+fortress town of Verdun.</p>
+
+<p>As they passed the ch&acirc;teau Paul Le Pontois
+caught a glimpse of its lighted windows and sat
+wondering what Blanche would imagine. He
+pictured the pleasant supper party and the surprise
+that would be expressed at his absence.</p>
+
+<p>How amusing! What incongruity! He was
+under arrest!</p>
+
+<p>The car rushed on beneath the precipitous
+hill crowned by the great fortress of Haudiomont,
+through the narrow gorge&mdash;the road to
+Paris.</p>
+
+<p>All three men, seated abreast, were silent
+until, at last, the elder of the two police agents
+bent and glanced at the clock on the dashboard,
+visible by the tiny glow-lamp.</p>
+
+<p>"Half past twelve," he remarked. "The
+express leaves Verdun at two twenty-eight."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>[<a href="./images/167.png">167</a>]</span>
+"For where?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"For Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"Paris!" he cried. "Are you taking me to
+Paris?"</p>
+
+<p>"Those are our orders," was the detective's
+quiet response.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>[<a href="./images/168.png">168</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h4>THE ORDERS OF HIS EXCELLENCY</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Again</span> Paul sat back without a word. Well, he
+would hear the extraordinary charge against
+him, whatever it might be. And, without speaking,
+they travelled on and on, until they at last
+entered the Porte St. Paul at Verdun, passed
+up the Avenue de la Gare, skirting the Palais
+de Justice into the station yard.</p>
+
+<p>As Paul descended they were met by a third
+stranger who strolled forward&mdash;a man in a
+heavy travelling coat and a soft Homburg hat.</p>
+
+<p>It was the man who had sat behind him
+earlier in the evening&mdash;the man with the deep
+lines upon his care-worn brow, who had laughed
+so heartily&mdash;and who a moment later introduced
+himself as Jules Pierrepont, special commissaire
+of the Paris S&ucirc;ret&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>"We have met before?" remarked Paul
+abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Monsieur Le Pontois," replied the
+man with a grim smile. "On several occasions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>[<a href="./images/169.png">169</a>]</span>
+lately. It has been my duty to keep observation
+upon your movements&mdash;acting upon orders
+from Monsieur the Prefect of Police."</p>
+
+<p>And together they entered the dark, deserted
+station to await the night express for Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Paul turned back, saying to the
+chauffeur in a low, hard voice: "Gallet, to-morrow
+go and tell madame my wife that I am
+unexpectedly called to the capital. Tell her&mdash;tell
+her that I will write to her. But, at all
+hazards, do not let her know the truth that I am
+under arrest," he added hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p>"That is understood, monsieur," replied the
+man, saluting. "Neither madame nor anyone
+else shall know why you have left for Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"I rely upon you," were Paul's parting
+words, and, turning upon his heel, he accompanied
+the three men who were in waiting.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later he sat in a second-class
+compartment of the Paris <i>rapide</i> with the three
+keen-eyed men who had so swiftly effected his
+arrest.</p>
+
+<p>It was apparent to him now that the reason
+he had recognised Pierrepont was because that
+man had maintained vigilant, yet unobtrusive,
+observation upon him during several of the preceding
+days, keeping near him in all sorts of
+ingenious guises and making inquiries concern<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>[<a href="./images/170.png">170</a>]</span>ing
+him&mdash;inquiries instituted for some unexplained
+cause by the Paris police.</p>
+
+<p>Bitterly he smiled to himself as he gazed
+upon the faces of his three companions, hard
+and deep-shadowed beneath the uncertain light.
+Presently he made some inquiry of Jules Pierrepont,
+who had now assumed commandership of
+the party, as to the reason of his arrest.</p>
+
+<p>"I regret, Monsieur Le Pontois," replied
+the quiet, affable man, "his Excellency does
+not give us reasons. We obey orders&mdash;that is
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely there is still, even after the war,
+justice in France!" cried Paul in dismay.
+"There must be some good reason. One cannot
+be thus arrested as a criminal without some
+charge against him&mdash;in my case a false one!"</p>
+
+<p>All three men had heard prisoners declare
+their innocence many times before, therefore
+they merely nodded assent&mdash;it was their usual
+habit.</p>
+
+<p>"There is, of course, some charge," remarked
+Pierrepont. "But no doubt monsieur
+has a perfect answer to it."</p>
+
+<p>"When I know what it is," replied Paul between
+his teeth, "then I shall meet it bravely,
+and demand compensation for this outrageous
+arrest!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>[<a href="./images/171.png">171</a>]</span>
+He held his breath, for, with a sinking heart,
+he realised for the first time the very fact of a
+serious allegation being made against him by
+some enemy. If mud is thrown some of it always
+sticks. What had all his enthusiasm in
+life profited him? Nothing. He bit his lip when
+he reflected.</p>
+
+<p>"You have some idea of what is alleged
+against me, messieurs," the unhappy man exclaimed
+presently, as the roaring train emerged
+from a long tunnel. "I see it in your faces.
+Indeed, you would not have taken the precaution,
+which you did at the moment of my arrest,
+of searching me to find firearms. You suspected
+that I might make an attempt to take my life."</p>
+
+<p>"Merely our habit," replied Pierrepont with
+a slight smile.</p>
+
+<p>"The charge is a grave one&mdash;will you not
+admit that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Probably it is&mdash;or we should not all three
+have been sent to bring you to Paris," remarked
+one of the trio.</p>
+
+<p>"You have had access to my <i>dossier</i>&mdash;I feel
+sure you have, monsieur," Paul said, addressing
+Pierrepont.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you are in error. Monsieur le Ministre
+does not afford me that privilege. I am but the
+servant of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, and no one regrets more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>[<a href="./images/172.png">172</a>]</span>
+than myself the painful duty I have been compelled
+to perform to-night. I assure you, Monsieur
+Le Pontois, that I entertain much regret
+that I have been compelled to drag you away
+from your home and family thus, to Paris."</p>
+
+<p>"No apology is needed, mon ami," Paul exclaimed
+quickly, well aware that the detective
+was merely obeying instructions. "I understand
+your position perfectly." Then, glancing
+round at his companions, he added: "You may
+sleep in peace, messieurs. I give you my word
+of honour that I will not attempt to escape.
+Why, indeed, should I? I have committed no
+wrong!"</p>
+
+<p>One of the men had pulled out a well-worn
+notebook and was with difficulty writing down
+the prisoner's words&mdash;to be put in evidence
+against him. Le Pontois realised that; therefore
+his mouth closed with a snap, and, leaning back
+in the centre of the carriage, he closed his eyes,
+not to sleep, but to think.</p>
+
+<p>Before leaving Verdun he had seen Pierrepont
+enter the telegraph bureau&mdash;to dispatch a
+message to the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, without a doubt. They
+already knew in Paris that he was under arrest,
+but at his home they were, happily, still in ignorance.
+Poor Blanche was asleep, no doubt, by
+that time, he thought, calm in the belief that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>[<a href="./images/173.png">173</a>]</span>
+had been delayed and would be home in the early
+hours.</p>
+
+<p>The fact that he was actually under arrest he
+regarded with more humour than seriousness,
+feeling that in the morning explanations would
+be made and the blunder rectified.</p>
+
+<p>No more honourable or upright man was
+there in France than Paul Le Pontois, and this
+order from the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; had held him utterly
+speechless and astounded. So he sat there hour
+after hour as the <i>rapide</i> roared westward, until
+it halted at the great echoing station of Ch&acirc;lons,
+where all four entered the buffet and hastily
+swallowed their caf&eacute;-au-lait.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards they resumed their seats, and
+the train, with its two long, dusty <i>wagons-lit</i>,
+moved onward again, with Paris for its goal.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoner said little. He sat calmly reflecting,
+wondering and wondering what possible
+charge could be made against him. He had
+enemies, as every man had, he knew, but he was
+not aware of anyone who could make an allegation
+of a character sufficiently grave to warrant
+his arrest.</p>
+
+<p>Why had it been forbidden that he should
+wish Blanche farewell? There was some reason
+for that! He inquired of Pierrepont, who had
+treated him with such consideration and even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>[<a href="./images/174.png">174</a>]</span>
+respect, but the agent of secret police only replied
+that in making an arrest of that character
+they made it a rule never to allow a prisoner
+to communicate with his family.</p>
+
+<p>"There are several reasons for it," he explained.
+"One is that very often the prisoner
+will make a statement to his wife which he will
+afterwards greatly regret. Again, prisoners
+have been known to whisper to their wives secret
+instructions, to order the destruction of papers
+before we can make a domiciliary visit, or&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But you surely will not make a domiciliary
+visit to my house?" cried Paul, interrupting.</p>
+
+<p>The men exchanged glances.</p>
+
+<p>"At present we cannot tell," Pierrepont replied.
+"It depends upon what instructions we
+receive."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you usually make searches?" asked the
+prisoner, with visions of his own home being
+desecrated and ransacked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we generally do," the commissaire of
+police admitted. "As I have explained, it is for
+that reason we do not allow a prisoner's wife to
+know that he is under arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"But such an action is abominable!" cried
+Le Pontois angrily. "That my house should
+be turned upside down and searched as though
+I were a common thief, a forger, or a coiner is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>[<a href="./images/175.png">175</a>]</span>
+beyond toleration. I shall demand full inquiry.
+My friend Carlier shall put an interpellation in
+the Chamber!"</p>
+
+<p>"Monsieur le Ministre acts upon his own
+discretion," the detective replied coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"And by so doing sometimes ruins the prospects
+and the lives of some of our best men,"
+blurted forth the angry prisoner. It was upon
+the tip of his tongue to say much more in condemnation,
+but the sight of the man with the
+notebook caused him to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>Every word he uttered now would, he knew,
+be turned against him. He was under arrest&mdash;for
+some crime that he had not committed.</p>
+
+<p>The other passengers by that night express,
+who included a party of English tourists, little
+dreamed as they passed up and down the corridor
+that the smart, good-looking man who wore
+the button of the Legion d'Honneur, and who
+sat there with the three quiet, respectable-looking
+men, was being conveyed to the capital under
+escort&mdash;a man who, by the law of France,
+was already condemned, was guilty until he
+could prove his own innocence!</p>
+
+<p>In the cold grey of dawn they descended at
+last at the great bare Gare de l'Est in Paris.
+Paul felt tired, cramped and unshaven, but of
+necessity entered a taxi called by one of his com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>[<a href="./images/176.png">176</a>]</span>panions,
+and, accompanied by Pierrepont and
+the elder of his assistants, was driven along
+through the cheerless, deserted streets to the
+S&ucirc;ret&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>As he entered the side door of the ponderous
+building the police officer on duty saluted his
+escort.</p>
+
+<p>His progress across France had been swift
+and secret.</p>
+
+<p>What, he wondered, did the future hold in
+store for him?</p>
+
+<p>His lip curled into a smile when they ushered
+him into a bare room on the first floor. Two
+police officers were placed outside the door, while
+two stood within.</p>
+
+<p>Then, turning to the window, which looked
+out upon the bare trees of the Place below, he
+laughed aloud and made some humorous remark
+which caused the men to smile.</p>
+
+<p>But, alas! he knew not the truth. Little did
+he dream of the amazing allegation that was to
+be made against him!&mdash;little did he dream how
+completely the enemies of his father-in-law, the
+general, had triumphed!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>[<a href="./images/177.png">177</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h4>WALTER GIVES WARNING</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> morning dawned bright and sunny&mdash;a perfect
+autumn morning&mdash;at the pretty Ch&acirc;teau of
+L&eacute;rouville.</p>
+
+<p>The message which Blanche had received
+after returning had not caused her much consternation.
+She supposed that Paul had been
+suddenly called away on business. So she had
+eaten her supper with her father and Enid and
+retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p>When, however, they sat at breakfast&mdash;served
+in the English style&mdash;Sir Hugh opened a
+letter which lay upon his plate, and at once announced
+his intention of returning to London.</p>
+
+<p>"I have to see Hughes, my solicitor, over
+Aunt Mary's affairs," he explained suddenly to
+Blanche. "That executorship is always an infernal
+nuisance."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you can remain a day or two
+longer, Dad?" exclaimed Madame Le Pontois.
+"The weather is delightful just now, and I hear
+it is too dreadful for words in England."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>[<a href="./images/178.png">178</a>]</span>
+"I, too, have to be back to prepare for going
+away with Mrs. Caldwell," Enid remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"But surely these solicitors will wait?
+There is no great urgency&mdash;there can't be! The
+old lady died ten years ago," Blanche exclaimed
+as she poured out coffee.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, I'm extremely sorry," said her
+father quietly, "but I must go&mdash;it is imperative."</p>
+
+<p>"Not to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to go to-day," he sighed. "Indeed,
+I really must&mdash;by the <i>rapide</i> I usually
+take. Perhaps I shall alter my route this time,
+and go from Conflans to Metz, and home by
+<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Li&eacute;ge'">Li&egrave;ge</ins> and Brussels. It is about as quick, and
+one gets a <i>wagon-lit</i> from Metz. I looked up
+the train the other day, and find it leaves Conflans
+at a little after six."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you will remain and say au revoir
+to Paul? He'll be so disappointed!" she cried
+in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, you will make excuses for us. I
+must really go, and so must Enid. She had a
+letter from Mrs. Caldwell urging her to get
+back, as she wants to start abroad for the winter.
+The bad weather in England is affecting her, it
+seems."</p>
+
+<p>And so, with much regret expressed by little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>[<a href="./images/179.png">179</a>]</span>
+Ninette and her mother, Sir Hugh Elcombe and
+his stepdaughter went to their rooms to see
+about their packing.</p>
+
+<p>Both were puzzled. The sudden appearance
+of those strange men out of the darkness had
+frightened Enid, but she had said nothing. Perhaps
+it was upon some private matter that Paul
+had been summoned. Therefore she had preserved
+silence, believing with Blanche that at
+any moment he might return.</p>
+
+<p>Back in his room, Sir Hugh closed the door,
+and, standing in the sunshine by the window,
+gazed across the wide valley towards the blue
+mists beyond, deep in reflection.</p>
+
+<p>"This curious absence of Paul's forebodes
+evil," he murmured to himself.</p>
+
+<p>He had slept little that night, being filled
+with strange apprehensions. Though he had
+closely questioned Enid, she would not say what
+had actually happened. Her explanation was
+merely that Paul had been called away by a man
+who had met him outside.</p>
+
+<p>The old man sighed, biting his lip. He
+cursed himself for his dastardly work, even
+though he had been compelled by Weirmarsh
+to execute it on pain of exposure and consequent
+ruin.</p>
+
+<p>Against his will, against his better nature, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>[<a href="./images/180.png">180</a>]</span>
+had been forced to meet the mysterious doctor
+of Pimlico in secret on that quiet, wooded by-road
+between Marcheville and Saint-Hilaire,
+four kilom&egrave;tres from the ch&acirc;teau, and there discuss
+with him the suggested affair of which they
+had spoken in London.</p>
+
+<p>The two men had met at sundown.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to fear exposure!" laughed the
+man who provided Sir Hugh with his comfortable
+income. "Don't be foolish&mdash;there is no
+danger. Return to England with Enid as soon
+as you possibly can without arousing suspicion,
+and I will call and see you at Hill Street. I
+want to have a very serious chat with you."</p>
+
+<p>Elcombe's grey, weather-worn face grew
+hard and determined.</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you here, Weirmarsh?" he demanded.
+"I have helped you and your infernal
+friends in the past, but please do not count upon
+my assistance in the future. Remember that
+from to-day our friendship is entirely at an end."</p>
+
+<p>"As you wish, of course, my dear Sir
+Hugh," replied the other, with a nonchalant air.
+"But if I were you I would not be in too great
+a hurry to make such a declaration. You may
+require a friend in the near future&mdash;a friend
+like myself."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>[<a href="./images/181.png">181</a>]</span>
+"Never, I hope&mdash;never!" snapped the old
+general.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," replied the doctor, who, with
+a shrug of his shoulders, wished his friend a cold
+adieu and, turning, strode away.</p>
+
+<p>As Sir Hugh stood alone by the window that
+morning he recalled every incident of that hateful
+interview, every word that had fallen from
+the lips of the man who seemed to be as ingenious
+and resourceful as Satan himself.</p>
+
+<p>His anxiety regarding Paul's sudden absence
+had caused him to invent an excuse for his
+own hurried departure. He was not prepared
+to remain there and witness his dear daughter's
+grief and humiliation, so he deemed it wiser to
+get away in safety to England, for he no longer
+trusted Weirmarsh. Suppose the doctor revealed
+the actual truth by means of some anonymous
+communication?</p>
+
+<p>As he stood staring blankly across the valley
+he heard the hum of an approaching motor-car,
+and saw that it was General Molon's, being
+driven by Gallet, the soldier chauffeur.</p>
+
+<p>There was no passenger, but the car entered
+the iron gates and pulled up before the door.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later Blanche ran up the
+stairs and, bursting into her father's room, cried:
+"Paul has been called suddenly to Paris, Dad!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>[<a href="./images/182.png">182</a>]</span>
+He told Gallet to come this morning and tell me.
+How strange that he did not come in to get even
+a valise!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear," said her father. "Gallet is
+downstairs, isn't he? I'll speak to him. The
+mystery of Paul's absence increases!"</p>
+
+<p>"It does. I&mdash;I can't get rid of a curious
+feeling of apprehension that something has happened.
+What was there to prevent him from
+coming in to wish me good-bye when he was
+actually at the gate?"</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh went below and questioned the
+chauffeur.</p>
+
+<p>The story told by the man Gallet was that
+Le Pontois had been met by two gentlemen and
+given a message that he was required urgently
+in Paris, and they had driven at once over to
+Verdun, where they had just caught the train.</p>
+
+<p>"Did Monsieur Le Pontois leave any other
+message for madame?" asked Sir Hugh in
+French.</p>
+
+<p>"No, m'sieur."</p>
+
+<p>The general endeavoured by dint of persuasion
+to learn something more, but the man
+was true to his promise, and would make no
+further statement. Indeed, earlier that morning
+he had been closely questioned by the commandant,
+but had been equally reticent. Le<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>[<a href="./images/183.png">183</a>]</span>
+Pontois was a favourite in the neighbourhood,
+and no man would dare to lift his voice against
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh returned to his room and commenced
+packing his suit-cases, more than ever
+convinced that suspicion had been aroused.
+Jean came to offer to assist, but he declared that
+he liked to pack himself, and this occupied him
+the greater part of the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Enid was also busy with her dresses, assisted
+by Blanche's Proven&ccedil;al maid, Louise. About
+eleven o'clock, however, Jean tapped at her door
+and said: "A peasant from Allamont, across
+the valley, has brought a letter, mademoiselle.
+He says an English gentleman gave it to him
+to deliver to you personally. He is downstairs."</p>
+
+<p>In surprise the girl hurriedly descended to
+the servants' entrance, where she found a sturdy,
+old, grey-bearded peasant, bearing a long, stout
+stick. He raised his frayed cap politely and
+asked whether she were Mademoiselle Orlebar.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when she had replied in the affirmative,
+he drew from the breast of his blouse a
+crumpled letter, saying: "The Englishman who
+has been staying at the Lion d'Or at Allamont
+gave this to me at dawn to-day. I was to give
+it only into mademoiselle's hands. There is no
+reply."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>[<a href="./images/184.png">184</a>]</span>
+Enid tore open the letter eagerly and found
+the following words, written hurriedly in pencil
+in Walter Fetherston's well-known scrawling
+hand&mdash;for a novelist's handwriting is never of
+the best:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"Make excuse and induce your father to
+leave Conflans-Jarny at once for Metz, travelling
+by Belgium for London. Accompany him.
+A serious <i>contretemps</i> has occurred which will
+affect you both if you do not leave immediately
+on receipt of this. Heed this, I beg of you.
+And remember, I am still your friend.</p>
+
+<p class="figright">"<span class="smcap">Walter.</span>"</p></div>
+
+<p>For a moment she stood puzzled. "Did the
+Englishman say there was no reply?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mademoiselle. He left the Lion d'Or
+just before eight, and drove into Conflans with
+his luggage. The innkeeper told me that he is
+returning suddenly to England. He received
+several telegrams in the night, it appears."</p>
+
+<p>"You know him, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, mademoiselle. He came there to
+fish in the Longeau, and I have been with him
+on several occasions."</p>
+
+<p>Enid took a piece of "cent sous" from her
+purse and gave it to the old man, then she returned
+to her room and, sending Louise below<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>[<a href="./images/185.png">185</a>]</span>
+for something, burned Walter's letter in the
+grate.</p>
+
+<p>Afterwards she went to her stepfather and
+suggested that perhaps they might leave Conflans
+earlier than he had resolved.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear there is a train at three-five. If we
+went by that," she said, "we could cross from
+Ostend instead of by Antwerp, and thus be in
+London a day earlier."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you so anxious to get away from here,
+Enid?" he asked, looking straight into her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes. Mother, in her letter yesterday,
+urged me to come home, as she does not wish
+me to travel out alone to join Mrs. Caldwell.
+She's afraid she will leave London without me if
+I don't get home at once. Besides, I've got a
+lot of shopping to do before I can start. Do let
+us get away by the earlier train. It will be so
+much better," she urged.</p>
+
+<p>As Sir Hugh never denied Enid anything,
+he acquiesced. Packing was speedily concluded,
+and, much to the regret of Blanche, the pair left
+in a fly for which they had telephoned to Conflans-Jarny.</p>
+
+<p>The train by which they travelled ran
+through the beautiful valley of Manvaux, past
+the great forts of Plappeville and St. Quentin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>[<a href="./images/186.png">186</a>]</span>
+and across the Moselle to Metz, and so into German
+territory.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever might happen, Sir Hugh reflected,
+at least he was now safe from arrest.
+While Enid, on her part, sat back in the corner
+of the first-class compartment gazing out of the
+window, still mystified by that strange warning
+from the man who only a few days previously
+had so curiously turned and abandoned her.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>[<a href="./images/187.png">187</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE ACCUSERS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the same hour when Enid and Sir Hugh
+were passing Amanvilliers, once the scene of
+terrible atrocities by the Huns, Paul Le Pontois,
+between two agents of police, was ushered
+into the private cabinet where, at the great writing-table
+near the window, sat a short man with
+bristling hair and snow-white moustache, Monsieur
+Henri B&eacute;zard, chief of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;
+G&eacute;n&eacute;rale.</p>
+
+<p>A keen-faced, black-eyed man of dapper
+appearance, wearing the coveted button of the
+L&eacute;gion d'Honneur in his black frock-coat, he
+looked up sharply at the man brought into his
+presence, wished him a curt "bon jour," and
+motioned him to a seat at the opposite side of the
+big table, in such a position that the grey light
+from the long window fell directly upon his
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p>With him, standing about the big, handsome
+room with its green-baize doors and huge oil
+paintings on the walls, were four elderly men,
+strangers to Paul.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>[<a href="./images/188.png">188</a>]</span>
+The severe atmosphere of that sombre apartment,
+wherein sat the chief of the police of the
+Republic, was depressing. Those present
+moved noiselessly over the thick Turkey carpet,
+while the double windows excluded every sound
+from the busy boulevard below.</p>
+
+<p>"Your name," exclaimed the great B&eacute;zard
+sharply, at last raising his eyes from a file of
+papers before him&mdash;"your name is Paul Robert
+Le Pontois, son of Paul Le Pontois, rentier of
+Severac, Department of Aveyron. During the
+war you were captain in the 114th Regiment of
+Artillery, and you now reside with your wife
+and daughter at the Ch&acirc;teau of L&eacute;rouville. Are
+those details correct?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly, m'sieur," replied the man seated
+with the two police agents standing behind him.
+He wore his black evening trousers and a brown
+tweed jacket which one of the detectives had
+lent him.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been placed under arrest by order
+of the Ministry," replied B&eacute;zard, speaking
+in his quick, impetuous way.</p>
+
+<p>"I am aware of that, m'sieur," was Paul's
+reply, "but I am in ignorance of the charge
+against me."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," exclaimed B&eacute;zard very gravely,
+again referring to the formidable <i>dossier</i> before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>[<a href="./images/189.png">189</a>]</span>
+him, "the charge brought against you is most
+serious. It is astounding and disgraceful. Listen,
+and I will read it. Afterwards we will hear
+what explanation you have to offer. We are
+assembled for that purpose."</p>
+
+<p>The four other men had taken chairs near
+by, while Pierrepont was standing at some distance
+away, with his back to the wood fire.</p>
+
+<p>For a second B&eacute;zard paused, then, rubbing
+his gold pince-nez and adjusting them, he read
+in a cold, hard voice the following:</p>
+
+<p>"The charge alleged against you, Paul Robert
+Le Pontois, is that upon four separate occasions
+you have placed in circulation forged Bank
+of England and Treasury notes of England to
+the extent of nearly a million francs."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a lie!" cried Paul, jumping to his feet,
+his face aflame. "Before God, I swear it is
+a lie!"</p>
+
+<p>"Calm yourself and listen," commanded the
+great chief of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; G&eacute;n&eacute;rale sharply.
+"Be seated."</p>
+
+<p>The prisoner sank back into his chair again.
+His head was reeling. Who could possibly have
+made such unfounded charges against him? He
+could scarcely believe his ears.</p>
+
+<p>Then the hard-faced, white-headed old director,
+who held supreme command of the police<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>[<a href="./images/190.png">190</a>]</span>
+of the Republic, glanced at him shrewdly, and,
+continuing, said: "It is alleged that you, Paul
+Le Pontois, on the fourteenth day of January,
+and again on the sixteenth of May, met in Commercy
+a certain Englishman, and handed to him
+a bundle of English notes since proved to be
+forgeries."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not acquainted with any English
+forger," protested Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not interrupt, m'sieur!" snapped the
+director. "You will, later on, be afforded full
+opportunity to make any statement or explanation
+you may wish. First listen to these grave
+charges against you." After a further pause,
+he added: "The third occasion, it is alleged, was
+on April the eighth last, when it seems you drove
+at early morning over to Thillot-sous-les-C&ocirc;tes
+and there met a stranger who was afterwards
+identified as an American who is wanted for
+banknote forgeries."</p>
+
+<p>"And the fourth?" asked Paul hoarsely.
+This string of allegations utterly staggered him.</p>
+
+<p>"The fourth occasion was quite recently,"
+B&eacute;zard said, still speaking in that same cold
+tone. "On that occasion you made certain calculations
+to ascertain how much were your
+profits by dealing with these forgers whom Scotland
+Yard are so anxious to arrest. You wrote<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>[<a href="./images/191.png">191</a>]</span>
+all the sums down, knowing your expenditure
+and profits. The latter were very considerable."</p>
+
+<p>"And by whom is it alleged that I am a
+dealer in base money, pray?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not necessary for us to disclose the
+name of our informant," was the stiff rejoinder.</p>
+
+<p>"But surely I am not to be thus denounced
+by an anonymous enemy?" he cried. "This is
+not the justice which every Frenchman claims
+as his birthright!"</p>
+
+<p>"You have demanded to know the charges
+laid against you, and I have detailed them,"
+replied the chief of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, regarding the
+prisoner closely through his gold pince-nez.</p>
+
+<p>"They are false&mdash;every word of them,"
+promptly returned Le Pontois. "I have no acquaintance
+with any banknote forger. If I had,
+he would quickly find himself under arrest."</p>
+
+<p>The four men seated in his vicinity smiled
+grimly. They had expected the prisoner to declare
+his innocence.</p>
+
+<p>"I may tell you that the information here"&mdash;and
+B&eacute;zard tapped the <i>dossier</i> before him&mdash;"is
+from a source in which we have the most
+complete and implicit confidence. For the past
+few months there have been suspicions that
+forged English notes have been put into circulation
+in France. Therefore I ordered a vigilant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>[<a href="./images/192.png">192</a>]</span>
+watch to be maintained. Monsieur Pierrepont,
+here, has been in command of a squadron of confidential
+agents."</p>
+
+<p>"And they have watched me, and, I suppose,
+have manufactured evidence against me!
+It is only what may be expected of men paid
+to spy upon us. If I am a forger or a friend of
+forgers, as you allege me to be, then I am unworthy
+to have served in the uniform of France.
+But I tell you that the allegations you have just
+read are lies&mdash;lies, every word of them." And
+Le Pontois' pale cheeks flushed crimson with
+anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Le Pontois," remarked a tall, thin, elderly
+commissaire who was present, "it is for you to
+prove your innocence. The information laid before
+us is derived from those who have daily
+watched your movements and reported them.
+If you can prove to us that it is false, then your
+innocence may be established."</p>
+
+<p>"But I <i>am</i> innocent!" he protested, "therefore
+I have no fear what charges may be laid
+against me. They cannot be substantiated.
+The whole string of allegations is utterly
+ridiculous!"</p>
+
+<p>"Eh bien! Then let us commence with the
+first," exclaimed B&eacute;zard, again referring to the
+file of secret reports before him. "On Wednes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>[<a href="./images/193.png">193</a>]</span>day,
+the fourteenth day of January, you went to
+Commercy, where, at the Caf&eacute; de la Cloche, you
+met a certain Belgian who passed under the
+name of Laloux."</p>
+
+<p>"I recollect!" cried Le Pontois quickly. "I
+sold him a horse. He was a dealer."</p>
+
+<p>"A dealer in forged notes," remarked one
+of the officials, with a faint smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Was he a forger, then?" asked Le Pontois
+in entire surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He has entered France several times
+in the guise of a horsedealer," Pierrepont interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>"But I only bought a horse of him," declared
+the prisoner vehemently.</p>
+
+<p>"And you paid for it in English notes,
+apologising that you had no other money. He
+took them, for he passed them in Belgium into
+an English bank in Brussels. They were
+forged!"</p>
+
+<p>"Again, on the sixteenth of May, you met
+the man Laloux at the same place," said B&eacute;zard.</p>
+
+<p>"He had a mare to sell&mdash;I tried to buy it
+for my wife to drive, but he wanted too much."</p>
+
+<p>"You remained the night at the H&ocirc;tel de
+Paris, and saw him again at nine o'clock next
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"True. I hoped to strike a bargain with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>[<a href="./images/194.png">194</a>]</span>
+him in the morning, but we could not come to
+terms."</p>
+
+<p>"Regarding the forged English notes you
+were prepared to sell, eh?" snapped B&eacute;zard,
+with a look of disbelief.</p>
+
+<p>"I had nothing to sell!" protested Le Pontois,
+drawing himself up. "Those who have
+spied upon me have told untruths."</p>
+
+<p>"But the individual, Laloux, was watched.
+One of our agents followed him to Brussels,
+where he went next day to the English bank in
+the Montagne de la Cour."</p>
+
+<p>"Not with forged notes from me. My dealings
+with him were in every way honest business
+transactions."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that you received money from
+him, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not deny that. I sold him a horse on
+the first occasion. He paid me seven hundred
+francs for it, and I afterwards purchased one
+from him."</p>
+
+<p>"So you do not deny that you received
+money from that man?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I? I sold him a horse, and he
+paid me for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said B&eacute;zard, with some hesitation.
+"Let us pass to the eighth of April. At
+six o'clock that morning you drove to Thillot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>[<a href="./images/195.png">195</a>]</span>-sous-les-C&ocirc;tes,
+where you met a stranger at the
+entrance to the village, and walked with him,
+and held a long and earnest conversation."</p>
+
+<p>Paul was silent for a moment. The incident
+recalled was one that he would fain have forgotten,
+one the truth of which he intended at
+all hazards to conceal.</p>
+
+<p>"I admit that I went to Thillot in secret,"
+he answered in a changed voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Then you do not deny that you were
+attracted by the promises of substantial payment
+for certain forged English notes which you
+could furnish, eh?" grunted B&eacute;zard in satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"I admit going to Thillot, but I deny your
+allegation," cried Paul in quick protest.</p>
+
+<p>"Then perhaps you will tell us the reason
+you took that early drive?" asked a commissaire,
+with a short, hard laugh of disbelief.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoner hesitated. It was a purely
+personal matter, one which concerned himself
+alone.</p>
+
+<p>"I regret, messieurs," was his slow reply,
+"I regret that I am unable&mdash;indeed, I am not
+permitted to answer that question."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray why?" inquired B&eacute;zard.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;because it concerns a woman's hon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>[<a href="./images/196.png">196</a>]</span>our,"
+was the low, hoarse reply, "the honour
+of the wife of a certain officer."</p>
+
+<p>At those words of his the men interrogating
+him laughed in derision, declaring it to be a very
+elegant excuse.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no excuse!" he cried fiercely, again
+rising from his chair. "When I have obtained
+permission to speak, messieurs, I will tell you
+the truth. Until then I shall remain silent."</p>
+
+<p>"Eh, bien!" snapped B&eacute;zard. "And so
+we will pass to the next and final charge&mdash;that
+you prepared a statement in order to satisfy
+yourself regarding the profits of your dealings
+in these spurious notes."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no knowledge of such a thing!"
+Paul replied instantly.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet for several weeks past a mysterious
+friend of yours has been seen in the neighbourhood
+of your ch&acirc;teau. He has been staying
+in Commercy and in Longuyon. I gave orders
+for his arrest, but, with his usual cleverness, he
+escaped from Commercy."</p>
+
+<p>"I prepared no statement."</p>
+
+<p>"H'm!" grunted B&eacute;zard, looking straight
+into his flushed face. "You are quite certain
+of that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I swear I did not."</p>
+
+<p>"Then perhaps you will deny that this is in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>[<a href="./images/197.png">197</a>]</span>
+your hand?" the director asked slowly, with a
+grin, as he fixed his eyes upon Paul and handed
+him a sheet of his own note-paper bearing the
+address of the ch&acirc;teau embossed in green.</p>
+
+<p>Paul took it in his trembling fingers, and as
+he did so his countenance fell.</p>
+
+<p>It was the rough account of his investments
+and profits he remembered making for his
+father-in-law. He had cast it unheeded into the
+waste-paper basket, whence it had, no doubt,
+been recovered by those who had spied upon him
+and placed with the reports as evidence against
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"You admit making that calculation?"
+asked B&eacute;zard severely. "Those figures are, I believe,
+in your handwriting?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but I have had nothing to do with
+any forgers of banknotes," declared the unhappy
+man, reseating himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Then you admit making the calculation?
+That in itself is sufficient for the present.
+However, cannot you give us some explanation
+of that secret visit of yours to Thillot? Remember,
+you have to prove your innocence!"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I cannot&mdash;not, at least, at present,"
+faltered the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"You refuse?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, m'sieur, I flatly refuse," was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>[<a href="./images/198.png">198</a>]</span>
+hoarse reply. "As I have told you, that visit
+concerned the honour of a woman."</p>
+
+<p>The men again exchanged glances of disbelief,
+while the victim of those dastardly allegations
+sat breathless, amazed at the astounding
+manner in which his most innocent actions had
+been misconstrued into incriminating evidence.</p>
+
+<p>He was under arrest as one who had placed
+forged English banknotes in circulation in
+France!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>[<a href="./images/199.png">199</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h4>IN WHICH A TRUTH IS HIDDEN</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Walter Fetherston entered the tasteful
+drawing-room at Hill Street four days later he
+found Enid alone, seated by the fire.</p>
+
+<p>The dull London light of the autumn afternoon
+was scarcely sufficient for him to distinguish
+every object in the apartment, but as he
+advanced she rose and stood silhouetted against
+the firelight, a slight, graceful figure, with hand
+outstretched.</p>
+
+<p>"Both mother and Sir Hugh are out&mdash;gone
+to a matin&eacute;e at the Garrick," she exclaimed.
+"I'm so glad you've come in," and she placed
+a chair for him.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard that you are leaving for
+Egypt to-morrow," he said, "and I wished to
+have a chat with you."</p>
+
+<p>"We go to Italy first, and to Egypt after
+Christmas," she replied. "Mother has promised
+to join us in Luxor at the end of January."</p>
+
+<p>"If I were you, Enid," he replied gravely,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>[<a href="./images/200.png">200</a>]</span>
+bending towards her, "I would make some excuse
+and remain in England."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" she asked, her eyes opening widely.
+"I don't understand!"</p>
+
+<p>"I regret that I am unable to speak more
+plainly," he said. "I warned you to leave
+France, and I was glad that you and Sir Hugh
+heeded my warning. Otherwise&mdash;well, perhaps
+an unpleasant incident would have resulted."</p>
+
+<p>"You always speak in enigmas nowadays,"
+said the girl, again standing near the fireplace,
+dainty in her dark skirt and cream silk jumper.
+"Why did you send me that extraordinary
+note?"</p>
+
+<p>"In your own interests," was his vague reply.
+"I became aware that your further presence
+in the house of Monsieur Le Pontois was&mdash;well&mdash;undesirable&mdash;that's
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"I really think you entertain some antagonism
+against Paul," she declared, "yet he's such
+a good fellow."</p>
+
+<p>The novelist's eyes sparkled through his
+pince-nez as he replied: "He's very good-looking,
+I admit, and, no doubt, a perfect cavalier."</p>
+
+<p>"You suspect me of flirtations with him, of
+course," she pouted. "Well, you're not the first
+man who has chaffed me about that."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," he laughed. "I'm in no way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>[<a href="./images/201.png">201</a>]</span>
+jealous, I assure you. I merely told you that
+your departure from the ch&acirc;teau would be for
+the best."</p>
+
+<p>He did not tell her that within an hour of
+their leaving French territory an official telegram
+had been received from Paris by the local
+commissaire of police with orders to detain them
+both, nor that just before dark an insignificant-looking
+man in black had called at the ch&acirc;teau
+and been informed by Jean that the English
+general and his stepdaughter had already departed.</p>
+
+<p>The whole of that night the wires between
+the sous-prefecture at Briey and Paris had been
+at work, and many curious official messages had
+been exchanged. Truly, the pair had had a
+providential escape.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh was, of course, in entire ignorance
+of the dastardly action taken by the Pimlico
+doctor.</p>
+
+<p>Without duly counting the cost, he had declared
+at his last interview with Weirmarsh that
+their criminal partnership was now at an end.
+And the doctor had taken him at his word.</p>
+
+<p>Had not the doctor in London told his assistant,
+Heureux, that Sir Hugh's sphere of
+usefulness was at an end, and that, in all probability,
+a <i>contretemps</i> would occur&mdash;one which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>[<a href="./images/202.png">202</a>]</span>
+would in future save to "the syndicate" the sum
+of five thousand pounds per annum?</p>
+
+<p>Truth to tell, B&eacute;zard, director of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;,
+had telegraphed orders for the arrest of Sir Hugh
+and his daughter. But, thanks to the shrewdness
+of Fetherston, who had lingered in the
+vicinity to afford them protection if necessary,
+they had succeeded in escaping only a single
+hour before the message reached its destination.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of them knew of this, and the novelist
+intended that they should remain in ignorance&mdash;just
+as they were still in ignorance of
+the reason of Paul's visit to Paris and of his detention
+there.</p>
+
+<p>If they were aware of the reason of his warning,
+then they would most certainly question him
+as to the manner in which he was able to gain
+knowledge of the betrayal by Weirmarsh. He
+had no desire to be questioned upon such matters.
+The motives of his action&mdash;always swift,
+full of shrewd foresight, and often in disregard
+of his own personal safety&mdash;were known alone
+to himself and to Scotland Yard.</p>
+
+<p>If the truth were told, he had not been alone
+in Eastern France. At the little old-world
+Croix-Blanche at Briey a stout, middle-aged,
+ruddy-faced English tourist had had his headquarters;
+while, again, at the unpretending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>[<a href="./images/203.png">203</a>]</span>
+Cloche d'Or in the Place St. Paul at Verdun
+another Englishman, a young, active, clean-shaven
+man, had been moving about the country
+in constant communication with "Mr. Maltwood."
+Wherever the doctor from Pimlico and
+his assistant, Heureux, had gone, there also went
+one or other of those two sharp-eyed but unobtrusive
+Englishmen. Every action of the doctor
+had been noted, and information of it conveyed
+to the quiet-mannered man in pince-nez.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Walter, you are quite as mysterious
+as your books," Enid was declaring, with a
+laugh. "I do wish you would satisfy my curiosity
+and tell me why you urged me to leave
+France so suddenly."</p>
+
+<p>"I had reasons&mdash;strong reasons which you
+may, perhaps, some day know," was his response.
+"I am only glad that you thought fit
+to take the advice I offered. This afternoon I
+have called to give you further advice&mdash;namely,
+to remain in England, at least for the present."</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't. My friend Jane Caldwell has
+been waiting a whole fortnight for me, suffering
+from asthma in these abominable fogs."</p>
+
+<p>"You can make some excuse. I assure you
+that to remain in London will be for the best,"
+he said, while she switched on the shaded electric
+lights, which shed a soft glow over the handsome<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>[<a href="./images/204.png">204</a>]</span>
+room&mdash;that apartment, the costly furniture of
+which had been purchased out of the money secretly
+supplied by Weirmarsh.</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't see why I should remain," she
+protested, facing him again. He noted how
+strikingly handsome she was, her dimpled cheeks
+delicately moulded and her pretty chin slightly
+protruding, which gave a delightful piquancy to
+her features.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could explain further. I can't at
+present!"</p>
+
+<p>"You are, as I have already said, so amazingly
+mysterious&mdash;so full of secrets always!"</p>
+
+<p>The man sighed, his brows knit slightly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said, "I am full of secrets&mdash;strange,
+astounding secrets they are&mdash;secrets
+which some time, if divulged, would mean terrible
+complications, ruin to those who are believed
+to be honest and upright."</p>
+
+<p>The girl stood for a few seconds in silence.</p>
+
+<p>She had heard strange rumours regarding
+the man seated there before her. Some had
+hinted that he, on more than one occasion, acting
+in an unofficial capacity, had arranged important
+treaties between Great Britain and a
+foreign Power, leaving to ambassadors the arrangements
+of detail and the final ratification.
+There were whispers abroad that he was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>[<a href="./images/205.png">205</a>]</span>
+trusted and tried agent of the British Government,
+but in exactly what capacity was unknown.
+His name frequently appeared among the invited
+guests of Cabinet Ministers, and he received
+cards for many official functions, but the
+actual manner in which he rendered assistance
+to the Government was always kept a most profound
+secret.</p>
+
+<p>More than once Sir Hugh had mentioned
+the matter over the dining-table, expressing
+wonder as to Fetherston's real position.</p>
+
+<p>"You know him well, Enid," he had exclaimed
+once, laughing over to her. "What is
+your opinion?"</p>
+
+<p>"I really haven't any," she declared. "His
+movements are certainly rapid, and often most
+mysterious."</p>
+
+<p>"He's a most excellent fellow," declared the
+old general. "Cartwright told me so the other
+day in the club. Cartwright was ambassador
+in Petrograd before the war."</p>
+
+<p>Enid remembered this as she stood there, her
+hands behind her back.</p>
+
+<p>"Before I left I heard that Paul had been
+called unexpectedly to Paris," he said a few moments
+later. "Has he returned?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet, I believe. I had a letter from
+Blanche this morning. When it was written,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>[<a href="./images/206.png">206</a>]</span>
+two days ago, he was still absent." Then she
+added: "There is some mystery regarding his
+visit to the capital. Blanche left for Paris yesterday,
+I believe, for she had telegraphed to him,
+but received no reply."</p>
+
+<p>"She has gone to Paris!" he echoed. "Why
+did she go? It was silly!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;because she is puzzled, I think. It
+was very strange that Paul, even though at the
+very gate, did not leave those two men and wish
+her adieu."</p>
+
+<p>"Two men&mdash;what two men?" he asked in
+affected ignorance.</p>
+
+<p>"The two men who stopped the car and demanded
+to speak with him," she said; and, continuing,
+described to him that remarkable midnight
+incident close to the ch&acirc;teau.</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt he went to Paris upon some important
+business," Fetherston said, reassuring
+her. "It was, I think, foolish of his wife to follow.
+At least, that's my opinion."</p>
+
+<p>He knew that when madame arrived in Paris
+the ghastly truth must, sooner or later, be revealed.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>[<a href="./images/207.png">207</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h4>IN WHICH A TRUTH IS TOLD</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Fetherston sat there, still chatting with his
+well-beloved, he felt a hatred of himself for being
+thus compelled to deceive her&mdash;to withhold
+from her the hideous truth of Paul's arrest.</p>
+
+<p>After all, silence was best. If Walter spoke
+to the girl before him, then he must of necessity
+reveal his own connection with the affair. He
+knew she had been puzzled by his presence in
+France, but his explanation, he hoped, had been
+sufficient. He had assured her that the <i>only</i> motive
+of his journey had been to be near her,
+which was, indeed, no untruth.</p>
+
+<p>He saw that Enid was not altogether at her
+ease in his presence. Perhaps it was because of
+those questions and his plain outspokenness
+when last they met, on that forest road, where
+they had discussed the strange death of Harry
+Bellairs.</p>
+
+<p>On that evening, full of suspicion and apprehension,
+he had decided to tear himself away
+from her. But, alas! he had found himself
+powerless to do so. Pity and sympathy filled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>[<a href="./images/208.png">208</a>]</span>
+his heart; therefore, how could he turn from
+her and abandon her at this moment of her peril?
+It was on the next day that he had discerned
+Weirmarsh's sinister intentions. Therefore, he
+had risen to watch and to combat them.</p>
+
+<p>Some of his suspicions had been confirmed,
+nevertheless his chief object had not yet been
+attained&mdash;the elucidation of the mystery surrounding
+the remarkable death of Bellairs.</p>
+
+<p>He was about to refer again to that tragic
+incident when Enid said suddenly: "Doctor
+Weirmarsh called and saw Sir Hugh this morning.
+You told me to tell you when next he
+called."</p>
+
+<p>"Weirmarsh!" exclaimed the novelist in
+surprise. "I was not aware that he was in
+London!"</p>
+
+<p>"He's been abroad&mdash;in Copenhagen, I
+think. He has a brother living there."</p>
+
+<p>"He had a private talk with your stepfather,
+of course?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, as usual, they were in the study for
+quite a long time&mdash;nearly two hours. And,"
+added the girl, "I believe that at last they quarrelled.
+If they have, I'm awfully glad, for I
+hate that man!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did you overhear them?" asked Fetherston
+anxiously, apprehensive lest an open quar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>[<a href="./images/209.png">209</a>]</span>rel
+had actually taken place. He knew well that
+Josef Blot, alias Weirmarsh, was not a man to
+be trifled with. If Sir Hugh had served his purpose,
+as he no doubt had, then he would be betrayed
+to the police without compunction, just
+as others had been.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston grew much perturbed at
+the knowledge of this quarrel between the pair.
+His sole aim was to protect Sir Hugh, yet how
+to act he knew not.</p>
+
+<p>"You did not actually hear any of the words
+spoken, I suppose?" he inquired of Enid.</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly, except that I heard my stepfather
+denounce the doctor as an infernal cur
+and blackguard."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and what did Weirmarsh reply?"</p>
+
+<p>"He threatened Sir Hugh, saying, 'You
+shall suffer for those words&mdash;you, who owe
+everything to me!' I wonder," added the girl,
+"what he meant by that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who knows!" exclaimed Walter. "Some
+secret exists between them. You told me that
+you suspected it long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"And I do," she said, lowering her voice.
+"That man holds Sir Hugh in the hollow of his
+hand&mdash;of that I'm sure. I have noticed after
+each of the doctor's visits how pale and thoughtful
+he always is."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>[<a href="./images/210.png">210</a>]</span>
+"Have you tried to learn the reason of it
+all?" inquired the novelist quietly, his gaze fixed
+upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," she replied, with slight hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston contemplated in silence
+the fine cat's-eye and diamond ring upon his
+finger&mdash;a ring sent him long ago by an anonymous
+admirer of his books, which he had ever
+since worn as a mascot.</p>
+
+<p>At one moment he held this girl in distinct
+suspicion; at the next, however, he realised her
+peril, and resolved to stand by her as her champion.</p>
+
+<p>Did he really and honestly love her? He
+put that question to himself a thousand times.
+And for the thousandth time was he compelled
+to answer in the affirmative.</p>
+
+<p>"By which route do you intend travelling to
+Italy to-morrow?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"By Paris and Modane. We go first for a
+week to Nervi, on the coast beyond Genoa," was
+her reply.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston paused. If she put foot in
+France she would, he knew, be at once placed
+under arrest as an accomplice of Paul Le Pontois.
+When Weirmarsh took revenge he always
+did his work well. No doubt the French police
+were already at Calais awaiting her arrival.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>[<a href="./images/211.png">211</a>]</span>
+"I would change the route," he suggested.
+"Go by Ostend, Strasburg and Milan."</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Caldwell has already taken our
+tickets," she said. "Besides, it is a terribly long
+way round by that route."</p>
+
+<p>"I know," he murmured. "But it will be
+best. I have a reason&mdash;a strong reason, Enid,
+for urging you to go by Ostend."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not in my power to do so. Jane always
+makes our travelling arrangements. Besides,
+we have sleeping berths secured on the
+night <i>rapide</i> from the Gare de Lyon to Turin."</p>
+
+<p>"I will see Mrs. Caldwell, and get her tickets
+changed," he said. "Do you understand, Enid?
+There are reasons&mdash;very strong reasons&mdash;why
+you should not travel across France!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't," declared the girl. "You are
+mysterious again. Why don't you be open with
+me and give me your reasons for this suggestion?"</p>
+
+<p>"I would most willingly&mdash;if I could," he answered.
+"Unfortunately, I cannot."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think Mrs. Caldwell will travel by
+the roundabout route which you suggest merely
+because you have a whim that we should not
+cross France," she remarked, looking straight
+at him.</p>
+
+<p>"If you enter France a disaster will happen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>[<a href="./images/212.png">212</a>]</span>&mdash;depend
+upon it," he said, speaking very
+slowly, his eyes fixed upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you a prophet?" the girl asked.
+"Can you prophesy dreadful things to happen
+to us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do in this case," he said firmly. "Therefore,
+take my advice and do not court disaster."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you be more explicit?" she asked,
+much puzzled by his strange words.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he answered, shaking his head, "I
+cannot. I only forewarn you of what must happen.
+Therefore, I beg of you to take my advice
+and travel by the alternative route&mdash;if you really
+must go to Italy."</p>
+
+<p>She turned towards the fire and, fixing her
+gaze upon the flames, remained for a few moments
+in thought, one neat foot upon the marble
+kerb.</p>
+
+<p>"You really alarm me with all these serious
+utterances," she said at last, with a faint, nervous
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>He rose and stood by her side.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Enid," he said, "can't you see
+that I am in dead earnest? Have I not already
+declared that I am your friend, to assist you
+against that man Weirmarsh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied, "you have."</p>
+
+<p>"Then will you not heed my warning?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>[<a href="./images/213.png">213</a>]</span>
+There is distinct danger in your visit to France&mdash;a
+danger of which you have no suspicion, but
+real and serious nevertheless. Don't think about
+spying; it is not that, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"How can I avoid it?"</p>
+
+<p>"By pretending to be unwell," he suggested
+quickly. "You cannot leave with Mrs. Caldwell.
+Let her go, and you can join her a few
+days later, travelling by Ostend. The thing is
+quite simple."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you must not hesitate," he declared.
+"There are no buts. It is the only way."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but tell me what terrible thing is to
+happen to me if I enter France?" she asked,
+with an uneasy laugh.</p>
+
+<p>The man hesitated. To speak the truth
+would be to explain all. Therefore he only
+shook his head and said, "Please do not ask me
+to explain a matter of which I am not permitted
+to speak. If you believe me, Enid," he said in
+a low, pleading voice, "do heed my warning, I
+beg of you!"</p>
+
+<p>As he uttered these words the handle of the
+door turned, and Lady Elcombe, warmly clad in
+furs, came forward to greet the novelist.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so glad that I returned before you left,
+Mr. Fetherston," she exclaimed. "We've been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>[<a href="./images/214.png">214</a>]</span>
+to a most dreary play; and I'm simply dying
+for some tea. Enid, ring the bell, dear, will
+you?" Then continuing, she added in warm
+enthusiasm: "Really, Mr. Fetherston, you are
+quite a stranger! We hoped to see more of you,
+but my husband and daughter have been away
+in France&mdash;as perhaps you know."</p>
+
+<p>"So Enid has been telling me," replied Walter.
+"They've been in a most interesting district."</p>
+
+<p>"Enid is leaving us again to-morrow morning,"
+remarked her mother. "They are going
+to Nervi. You know it, of course, for I've heard
+you called the living Baedeker, Mr. Fetherston,"
+she laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, "I know it&mdash;a rather dull
+little place, with one or two villas. I prefer
+Santa Margherita, a little farther along the coast&mdash;or
+Rapallo. But," he added, "your daughter
+tells me she's not well. I hope she will not be
+compelled to postpone her departure."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," said Lady Elcombe decisively.
+"She must go to-morrow if she goes
+at all. I will not allow her to travel by herself."</p>
+
+<p>The girl and the man exchanged meaning
+glances, and just then Sir Hugh himself entered,
+greeting his visitor cheerily.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>[<a href="./images/215.png">215</a>]</span>
+The butler brought in the tea-tray, and as
+they sat together the two men chatted.</p>
+
+<p>In pretence that he had not been abroad,
+Walter was making inquiry regarding the district
+around Haudiomont, which he declared
+must be full of interest, and asking the general's
+opinion of the French new fortresses in anticipation
+of the new war against Germany.</p>
+
+<p>"Since I have been away," said the general,
+"I have been forced to arrive at the conclusion
+that another danger may arrive in the very near
+future. Germany will try and attack France
+again&mdash;without a doubt. The French are
+labouring under a dangerous delusion if they
+suppose that Germany would be satisfied with
+her obscurity."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that really your opinion, Sir Hugh?"
+asked Fetherston, somewhat surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," was the general's reply.
+"There will be another war in the near future.
+My opinions have changed of late, my dear
+Fetherston," Sir Hugh assured him, as he sipped
+his tea, "and more especially since I went to
+visit my daughter. I have recently had opportunities
+of seeing and learning a good deal."</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston reflected. Those words, coming
+from Sir Hugh, were certainly strange ones.</p>
+
+<p>Walter was handing Enid the cake when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>[<a href="./images/216.png">216</a>]</span>
+butler entered, bearing a telegram upon a silver
+salver, which he handed to Sir Hugh.</p>
+
+<p>Tearing it open, he glanced at the message
+eagerly, and a second later, with blanched face,
+stood rigid, statuesque, as though turned into
+stone.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what's the matter?" asked his wife.
+"Whom is it from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only from Blanche," he answered in a low,
+strained voice. "She is in Paris&mdash;and is leaving
+to-night for London."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Paul coming?" inquired Enid eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he answered, with a strenuous effort
+to remain calm. "He&mdash;he cannot leave Paris."</p>
+
+<p>The butler, being told there was no answer,
+bowed and withdrew, but a few seconds later the
+door reopened, and he announced:</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Weirmarsh, Sir Hugh!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>[<a href="./images/217.png">217</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h4>THE WIDENED BREACH</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Sir Hugh entered his cosy study he
+found the doctor seated at his ease in the big
+chair by the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought that, being in the vicinity, I
+would call and see if you've recovered from your&mdash;well,
+your silly fit of irritability," he said, with
+a grim smile on his grey face as he looked
+towards the general.</p>
+
+<p>"I have just received bad news&mdash;news which
+I have all along dreaded," replied the unhappy
+man, the telegram still in his hand. "Paul Le
+Pontois has been arrested on some mysterious
+charge&mdash;false, without a doubt!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Weirmarsh; "it is most unfortunate.
+I heard it an hour ago, and the real
+reason of my visit was to tell you of the <i>contretemps</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Someone must have made a false charge
+against him," cried the general excitedly. "The
+poor fellow is innocent&mdash;entirely innocent! I
+only have a brief telegram from his wife. She
+is in despair, and leaves for London to-night."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>[<a href="./images/218.png">218</a>]</span>
+"My dear Sir Hugh, France is in a very
+hysterical mood just now. Of course, there
+must be some mistake. Some private enemy of
+his has made the charge without a doubt&mdash;someone
+jealous of his position, perhaps. Allegations
+are easily made, though not so easily substantiated."</p>
+
+<p>"Except by manufactured evidence and
+forged documents," snapped Sir Hugh. "If
+Paul is the victim of some political party and
+is to be made a scapegoat, then Heaven help
+him, poor fellow. They will never allow him to
+prove his innocence, unless&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Unless what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Unless I come forward," he said very
+slowly, staring straight before him. "Unless
+I come forward and tell the truth of my dealings
+with you. The charges against Paul are
+false. I know it now. What have you to say?"
+he added in a low, hard voice.</p>
+
+<p>"A great deal of good that would do!"
+laughed Weirmarsh, selecting a cigarette from
+his gold case and lighting it, regarding his host
+with those narrow-set, sinister eyes of his. "It
+would only implicate Le Pontois further. They
+would say, and with truth, that you knew of the
+whole conspiracy and had profited by it."</p>
+
+<p>"I should tell them what I know concerning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>[<a href="./images/219.png">219</a>]</span>
+you. Indeed, I wrote out a full statement while
+I was staying with Paul. And I have it ready
+to hand for the authorities."</p>
+
+<p>"You can do so, of course, if you choose,"
+was the careless reply. "It really doesn't matter
+to me what statement you make. You have
+always preserved silence up to the present, therefore
+I should believe that in this case silence was
+still golden."</p>
+
+<p>"And you suggest that I stand calmly by
+and see Le Pontois sentenced to a long term of
+imprisonment for a crime which he has not committed,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suggest anything, my dear Sir
+Hugh," was the man's reply; "I leave it all to
+your good judgment."</p>
+
+<p>Since they had met in secret Weirmarsh had
+made a flying visit to Brussels, where he had
+conferred with two friends of his. Upon their
+suggestion he was now acting.</p>
+
+<p>If Paul Le Pontois were secretly denounced
+and afterwards found innocent, then it would
+only mystify the French police; the policy pursued
+towards the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, as well as towards Sir
+Hugh, was a clever move on Weirmarsh's part.</p>
+
+<p>"What am I to say to my poor girl when
+she arrives here in tears to-morrow?" demanded
+the fine old British officer hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>[<a href="./images/220.png">220</a>]</span>
+"You know that best yourself," was Weirmarsh's
+brusque reply.</p>
+
+<p>"To you I owe all my recent troubles," the
+elder man declared. "Because&mdash;because," he
+added bitterly, "you bought me up body and
+soul."</p>
+
+<p>"A mere business arrangement, wasn't it,
+Sir Hugh?" remarked his visitor. "Of course,
+I'm very sorry if any great trouble has fallen
+upon you on my account. I hope, for instance,
+you do not suspect me of conspiring to denounce
+your son-in-law," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know," was the other's reply;
+"yet I feel that, in view of this <i>contretemps</i>, I
+must in future break off all connection with
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"And lose the annual grant which you find
+so extremely useful?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be compelled to do without it. And,
+at least, I shall have peace of mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," remarked the other meaningly.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh realised that this man intended
+still to hold him in the hollow of his hand. From
+that one false step he had taken years ago he had
+never been able to draw back.</p>
+
+<p>Hour by hour, and day by day, had his conscience
+pricked him. Those chats with the doc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>[<a href="./images/221.png">221</a>]</span>tor
+in that grimy little consulting-room in Pimlico
+remained ever in his memory.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor was the representative of those
+who held him in their power&mdash;persons who were
+being continually hunted by the police, yet who
+always evaded them&mdash;criminals all! To insult
+him would be to insult those who had paid him so
+well for his confidential services.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, filled with contempt for himself, he
+asked whether he did not deserve to be degraded
+publicly, and drummed out of the army.</p>
+
+<p>Were it not for Lady Elcombe and Enid he
+would long ago have gone to East Africa and
+effaced himself. But he could not bring himself
+to desert them.</p>
+
+<p>He had satisfied himself that not a soul in
+England suspected the truth, for, by the Press,
+he had long ago been declared to be a patriotic
+Briton, because in his stirring public speeches,
+when he had put up for Parliament after the
+armistice, there was always a genuine "John
+Bull" ring.</p>
+
+<p>The truth was that he remained unsuspected
+by all&mdash;save by one man who had scented the
+truth. That man was Walter Fetherston!</p>
+
+<p>Walter alone knew the ghastly circumstances,
+and it was he who had been working to
+save the old soldier from himself. He did so for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>[<a href="./images/222.png">222</a>]</span>
+two reasons&mdash;first, because he was fond of the
+bluff, fearless old fellow, and, secondly, because
+he had been attracted by Enid, and intended to
+rescue her from the evil thraldom of Weirmarsh.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you returned here to taunt and
+irritate me again?" snapped Sir Hugh after a
+pause.</p>
+
+<p>"I came to tell you news which, apparently,
+you have already received."</p>
+
+<p>"You could well have kept it. You knew
+that I should be informed in due course."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;but I&mdash;well, I thought you might
+grow apprehensive perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>"In what direction?"</p>
+
+<p>"That your connection with the little affair
+might be discovered by the French police.
+B&eacute;zard, the new chief of the S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, is a pretty
+shrewd person, remember!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, surely, that is not possible, is it?"
+gasped the elder man in quick alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"No; you can reassure yourself on that
+point. Le Pontois knows nothing, therefore he
+can make no statement&mdash;unless, of course, your
+own actions were suspicious."</p>
+
+<p>"They were not&mdash;I am convinced of that."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you have no need to fear. Your son-in-law
+will certainly not endeavour to implicate
+you. And if he did, he would not be believed,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>[<a href="./images/223.png">223</a>]</span>
+declared the doctor, although he well knew that
+B&eacute;zard was in possession of full knowledge of
+the whole truth, and that, only by the timely
+warning he had so mysteriously received, had
+this man before him and his stepdaughter escaped
+arrest.</p>
+
+<p>His dastardly plot to secure their ruin and
+imprisonment had failed. How the girl had obtained
+wind of it utterly mystified him. It was
+really in order to discover the reason of their
+sudden flight that he had made those two visits.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Weirmarsh," exclaimed Sir
+Hugh with sudden resolution, "I wish you to
+understand that from to-day, once and for all,
+I desire to have no further dealings with you.
+It was, as you have said, a purely business transaction.
+Well, I have done the dirty, disgraceful
+work for which you have paid me, and now my
+task is at an end."</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think it is, my dear Sir Hugh,"
+replied the doctor calmly. "As I have said before,
+I am only the mouthpiece&mdash;I am not the
+employer. But I believe that certain further
+assistance is required&mdash;information which you
+promised long ago, but failed to procure."</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?"</p>
+
+<p>"You recollect that you promised to obtain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>[<a href="./images/224.png">224</a>]</span>
+something&mdash;a little tittle-tattle&mdash;concerning a
+lady."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," snapped the old officer, "oh, Lady
+Wansford. Let us talk of something else!"</p>
+
+<p>Weirmarsh, who had been narrowly watching
+the countenance of his victim, saw that he
+had mentioned a disagreeable subject. He
+noted how pale were the general's cheeks, and
+how his thin hands twitched with suppressed
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite ready to talk of other matters,"
+he answered, "though I deem it but right to refer
+to my instructions."</p>
+
+<p>"And what are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"To request you to supply the promised information."</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't&mdash;<i>I really can't</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"You made a promise, remember. And
+upon that promise I made you a loan of five hundred
+pounds."</p>
+
+<p>"I know!" cried the unhappy man, who had
+sunk so deeply into the mire that extrication
+seemed impossible. "I know! But it is a
+promise that I can't fulfil. I won't be your tool
+any longer. Gad! I won't. Don't you hear
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"You must!" declared Weirmarsh, bending
+forward and looking straight into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>[<a href="./images/225.png">225</a>]</span>
+"I will not!" shouted Sir Hugh, his eyes
+flashing with quick anger. "Anything but
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"My efforts in that direction had tragic results
+on the last occasion."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" laughed Weirmarsh. "I see you
+are superstitious&mdash;or something. I did not expect
+that of you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not superstitious, Weirmarsh. I only
+refuse to do what you want. If I gave it to you,
+it would mean&mdash;no I won't&mdash;I tell you I
+won't!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bah! You are growing sentimental!"</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;I am growing wise. My eyes are at
+last opened to the dastardly methods of you and
+your infernal friends. Hear me, once and for
+all; I refuse to assist you further; and, moreover,
+I defy you!"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor was silent for a moment, contemplating
+the ruby on his finger. Then, rising
+slowly from his chair, he said: "Ah! you do not
+fully realise what your refusal may cost you."</p>
+
+<p>"Cost what it may, Weirmarsh, I ask you
+to leave my house at once," said the general,
+scarlet with anger and beside himself with remorse.
+"And I shall give orders that you are
+not again to be admitted here."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>[<a href="./images/226.png">226</a>]</span>
+"Very good!" laughed the other, with a sinister
+grin. "You will very soon be seeking me
+in my surgery."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall see," replied Sir Hugh, with a
+shrug of his shoulders, as the other strode out
+of his room.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>[<a href="./images/227.png">227</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h4>CONCERNING THE BELLAIRS AFFAIR</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">What</span> Walter Fetherston had feared had happened.
+The two men had quarrelled! Throughout
+the whole of that evening he watched the
+doctor's movements.</p>
+
+<p>In any other country but our dear old hood-winked
+England, Fetherston, in the ordinary
+course, would have been the recipient of high
+honours from the Sovereign. But he was a
+writer, and not a financier. He could not afford
+to subscribe to the party funds, a course
+suggested by the flat-footed old Lady G&mdash;&mdash;,
+who was the tout of Government Whips.</p>
+
+<p>Walter preferred to preserve his independence.
+He had seen and known much during the
+war, and, disgusted, he preferred to adopt the
+Canadian Government's decree and remain
+without "honours."</p>
+
+<p>His pet phrase was: "The extent of a
+Party's dishonours is known by the honours it
+bestows. Scraps of ribbon, 'X.Y.Z.' or O.B.E.
+behind one's name can neither make the gentleman
+nor create the lady."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>[<a href="./images/228.png">228</a>]</span>
+His secret connection with Scotland Yard,
+which was purely patriotic and conducted as a
+student of underground crime, had taught him
+many strange things, and he had learnt many
+remarkable secrets. Some of them were, indeed,
+his secrets before they became secrets of the
+Cabinet.</p>
+
+<p>Many of those secrets he kept to himself,
+one being the remarkable truth that General Sir
+Hugh Elcombe was implicated in a very strange
+jumble of affairs&mdash;a matter that was indeed
+incredible.</p>
+
+<p>To the tall, well-groomed, military-looking
+man with whom he stood at eleven o'clock on the
+following morning&mdash;in a private room at New
+Scotland Yard&mdash;he had never confided that discovery
+of his. To have done so would have been
+to betray a man who had a brilliant record as a
+soldier, and who still held high position at the
+War Office.</p>
+
+<p>By such denunciation he knew he might earn
+from "the eyes of the Government" very high
+commendation, in addition to what he had already
+earned, yet he had resolved, if possible,
+to save the old officer, who was really more
+sinned against than sinning.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to keep pretty close at the heels
+of your friend, the doctor of Vauxhall Bridge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>[<a href="./images/229.png">229</a>]</span>
+Road!" laughed Trendall, the director of the
+department, as they stood together in the big,
+airy, official-looking room, the two long windows
+of which looked out over Westminster Bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"You've been in France, Montgomery says.
+What was your friend doing there?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's been there against his will&mdash;very
+much against his will!"</p>
+
+<p>"And you've found out something&mdash;eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Fetherston. "One or two
+things."</p>
+
+<p>"Something interesting, of course," remarked
+the shrewd, active, dark-haired man of
+fifty, under whose control was one of the most
+important departments of Scotland Yard.
+"But tell me, in what direction is this versatile
+doctor of yours working just at the present?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know," was the novelist's reply, as
+in a navy serge suit he leaned near the window
+which overlooked the Thames. "I believe some
+deep scheme is afoot, but at present I cannot
+see very far. For that reason I am remaining
+watchful."</p>
+
+<p>"He does not suspect you, of course? If
+he does, I'd give you Harris, or Charlesworth,
+or another of the men&mdash;in fact, whoever you like&mdash;to
+assist you."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I may require someone before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>[<a href="./images/230.png">230</a>]</span>
+long. If so, I will write or wire to the usual private
+box at the General Post Office, and shall
+then be glad if you will send a man to meet me."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. It was you, Fetherston, who
+first discovered the existence of this interesting
+doctor, who had already lived in Vauxhall
+Bridge Road for eighteen months without arousing
+suspicion. You have, indeed, a fine nose
+for mysteries."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the telephone, standing
+upon the big writing-table, rang loudly, and the
+man of secrets crossed to it and listened.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Heywood&mdash;at Victoria Station. He's
+asking for you," he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>Walter went to the instrument, and through
+it heard the words: "The boat train has just
+gone, sir. Mrs. Caldwell waited for the young
+lady until the train went off, but she did not
+arrive. She seemed annoyed and disappointed.
+Dr. Weirmarsh has been on the platform, evidently
+watching also."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, Heywood," replied Fetherston
+sharply; "that was all I wanted to know. Good
+day."</p>
+
+<p>He replaced the receiver, and, walking back
+to his friend against the window, explained: "A
+simple little inquiry I was making regarding a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>[<a href="./images/231.png">231</a>]</span>
+departure by the boat train for Paris&mdash;that was
+all."</p>
+
+<p>But he reflected that if Weirmarsh had been
+watching it must have been to warn the French
+police over at Calais of the coming of Enid. No
+action was too dastardly for that unscrupulous
+scoundrel.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, for the present at least, the girl remained
+safe. The chief peril was that in which
+Sir Hugh was placed, now that he had openly
+defied the doctor.</p>
+
+<p>On the previous evening he had been in the
+drawing-room at Hill Street when Sir Hugh
+had returned from interviewing the caller. By
+his countenance and manner he at once realised
+that the breach had been widened.</p>
+
+<p>The one thought by which he was obsessed
+was how he should save Sir Hugh from disgrace.
+His connection with the Criminal Investigation
+Department placed at his disposal a marvellous
+network of sources of information, amazing as
+they were unsuspected. He was secretly glad
+that at last the old fellow had resolved to face
+bankruptcy rather than go farther in that
+strange career of crime, yet, at the same time,
+there was serious danger&mdash;for Weirmarsh was a
+man so unscrupulous and so vindictive that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>[<a href="./images/232.png">232</a>]</span>
+penalty of his defiance must assuredly be a severe
+one.</p>
+
+<p>The very presence of the doctor on the platform
+of the South Eastern station at Victoria
+that morning showed that he did not intend to
+allow the grass to grow beneath his feet.</p>
+
+<p>The novelist was still standing near the long
+window, looking aimlessly down upon the Embankment,
+with its hurrying foot-passengers and
+whirling taxis.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem unusually thoughtful, Fetherston,"
+remarked Trendall with some curiosity,
+as he seated himself at the table and resumed
+the opening of his letters which his friend's visit
+had interrupted. "What's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"The fact is, I'm very much puzzled."</p>
+
+<p>"About what? You're generally very successful
+in obtaining solutions where other men
+have failed."</p>
+
+<p>"To the problem which is greatly exercising
+my mind just now I can obtain no solution," he
+said in a low, intense voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? Can I help you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he exclaimed, with some hesitation,
+"I am still trying to discover why Harry Bellairs
+died and who killed him."</p>
+
+<p>"That mystery has long ago been placed
+by us among those which admit of no solution,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>[<a href="./images/233.png">233</a>]</span>
+my dear fellow," declared his friend. "We did
+our best to throw some light upon it, but all to
+no purpose. I set the whole of our machinery
+at work at the time&mdash;days before you suspected
+anything wrong&mdash;but not a trace of the truth
+could we find."</p>
+
+<p>"But what could have been the motive, do
+you imagine? From all accounts he was a most
+popular young officer, without a single enemy
+in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Jealousy," was the dark man's slow reply.
+"My own idea is that a woman killed him."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" cried Walter quickly. "What
+causes you to make such a suggestion?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;listen, and when I've finished you
+can draw your own conclusions."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>[<a href="./images/234.png">234</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Harry Bellairs</span> was an old friend of mine,"
+Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded
+writing-chair and turning towards where the
+novelist was standing. "His curious end was
+a problem which, of course, attracted you as a
+writer of fiction. The world believed his death
+to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure
+of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office
+analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul
+play."</p>
+
+<p>"You believe, then, that he was poisoned?"
+asked Fetherston quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The other shrugged his shoulders, saying:
+"How can that point be cleared up? There
+was no evidence of it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is curious that, though we are both so
+intensely interested in the problem, we have
+never before discussed it," remarked Walter.
+"I am so anxious to hear your views upon one
+or two points. What, for instance, do you think
+of Barker, the dead man's valet?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>[<a href="./images/235.png">235</a>]</span>
+Herbert Trendall hesitated, and for a moment
+twisted his moustache. He was a marvellously
+alert man, an unusually good linguist, and
+a cosmopolitan to his finger-tips. He had been
+a detective-sergeant in the T Division of Metropolitan
+Police for years before his appointment
+as director of that section. He knew more of
+the criminal undercurrents on the Continent
+than any living Englishman, and it was he who
+furnished accurate information to the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; in
+Paris concerning the great Humbert swindle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he said, "if I recollect aright, the
+inquiries regarding him were not altogether
+satisfactory. Previous to his engagement by
+Harry he had, it seems, been valet to a man
+named Mitchell, a horse-trainer of rather shady
+repute."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I really don't know, but I can easily find
+out&mdash;I gave orders that he was not to be lost
+sight of." And, scribbling a hasty memorandum,
+he pressed the electric button upon the arm
+of his chair.</p>
+
+<p>His secretary, a tall, thin, deep-eyed man,
+entered, and to him he gave the note.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let us proceed while they are looking
+up the information," the chief went on.
+"Harry Bellairs, as you know, was on the staff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>[<a href="./images/236.png">236</a>]</span>
+of Sir Hugh Elcombe, that dear, harmless old
+friend of yours who inspects troops and seems to
+do odd jobs for Whitehall. I knew Harry before
+he went to Sandhurst; his people, who lived up
+near Durham, were very civil to me once or
+twice and gave me some excellent pheasant-shooting.
+It seems that on that day in September
+he came up to town from Salisbury&mdash;but you
+know all the facts, of course?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know all the facts as far as they were
+related in the papers," Walter said. He did not
+reveal the results of the close independent inquiries
+he had already made&mdash;results which had
+utterly astounded, and at the same time mystified,
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Trendall, "what the Press
+published was mostly fiction. Even the evidence
+given before the coroner was utterly unreliable.
+It was mainly given in order to mislead the jury
+and prevent public suspicion that there had been
+a sensational tragedy&mdash;I arranged it so."</p>
+
+<p>"And there had been a tragedy, no doubt?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," declared the other, leaning both
+elbows upon the table before him and looking
+straight into the novelist's pale face. "Harry
+came up from Salisbury, the bearer of some
+papers from Sir Hugh. He duly arrived at
+Waterloo, discharged his duty, and went to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>[<a href="./images/237.png">237</a>]</span>
+rooms in Half Moon Street. Now, according
+to Barker's story, his master arrived home early
+in the afternoon, and sent him out on a message
+to Richmond. He returned a little after five,
+when he found his master absent."</p>
+
+<p>"That was the account he gave at the inquest,"
+remarked Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but it was not the truth. On testing
+the man's story I discovered that at three-eighteen
+he was in the Leicester Lounge, in
+Leicester Square, with an ill-dressed old man,
+who was described as being short and wearing a
+rusty, old silk hat. They sat at a table near the
+window drinking ginger-ale, so that the barmaid
+could not overhear, and held a long and confidential
+chat."</p>
+
+<p>"He may afterwards have gone down to
+Richmond," his friend suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"No; he remained there until past four, and
+then went round to the Caf&eacute; Royal, where he
+met another man, a foreigner, of about his own
+age, believed to have been a Swiss, with whom
+he took a cup of coffee. The man was a stranger
+at the caf&eacute;, probably a stranger in London.
+Barker was in the habit of doing a little betting,
+and I believe the men he met were some of his
+betting friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you disbelieve the Richmond story?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>[<a href="./images/238.png">238</a>]</span>
+"Entirely. What seems more than probable
+is that Harry gave his man the afternoon off because
+he wished to entertain somebody clandestinely
+at his rooms&mdash;a woman, perhaps. Yet,
+as far as I've been able to discover, no one in
+Half Moon Street saw any stranger of either
+sex go to his chambers that afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"You said that you believed the motive of
+the crime&mdash;if crime it really was&mdash;was jealousy,"
+remarked Fetherston, thoughtfully rubbing his
+shaven chin.</p>
+
+<p>"And I certainly do. Harry was essentially
+a lady's man. He was tall, and an extremely
+handsome fellow, a thorough-going sportsman,
+an excellent polo player, a perfect dancer, and a
+splendid rider to hounds. Little wonder was it
+that he was about to make a very fine match, for
+only a month before his death he confided to me
+in secret the fact&mdash;a fact known to me alone&mdash;that
+he was engaged to pretty little Lady
+Blanche Herbert, eldest daughter of the Earl
+of Warsborough."</p>
+
+<p>"Engaged to Lady Blanche!" echoed the
+novelist in surprise, for the girl in question was
+the prettiest of that year's d&eacute;butantes as well as
+a great heiress in her own right.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Harry was a lucky dog, poor fellow.
+The engagement, known only to the Warsbor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>[<a href="./images/239.png">239</a>]</span>oughs
+and myself, was to have been kept secret
+for a year. Now, it is my firm opinion, Fetherston,
+that some other woman, one of Harry's
+many female friends, had got wind of it, and
+very cleverly had her revenge."</p>
+
+<p>"Upon what grounds do you suspect that?"
+asked the other eagerly&mdash;for surely the problem
+was becoming more inscrutable than any of
+those in the remarkable romances which he
+penned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my conclusions are drawn from several
+very startling facts&mdash;facts which, of course,
+have never leaked out to the public. But before
+I reveal them to you I'd like to hear what opinion
+you've formed yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm convinced that Harry Bellairs met with
+foul play, and I'm equally certain that the man
+Barker lied in his depositions before the coroner.
+He knows the whole story, and has been paid
+to keep a still tongue."</p>
+
+<p>"There I entirely agree with you," Trendall
+declared quickly; while at that moment the secretary
+returned with a slip of paper attached
+to the query which his chief had written.
+"Ah!" he exclaimed, glancing at the paper, "I
+see that the fellow Barker, who was a chauffeur
+before he entered Harry's service, has set up a
+motor-car business in Southampton."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>[<a href="./images/240.png">240</a>]</span>
+"You believe him to have been an accessory,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a dupe in the hands of a clever
+woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what woman?" asked Walter, holding
+his breath.</p>
+
+<p>"As you know, Harry was secretary to your
+friend Elcombe. Well, I happen to know that
+his pretty stepdaughter, Enid Orlebar, was over
+head and ears in love with him. My daughter
+Ethel and she are friends, and she confided this
+fact to Ethel only a month before the tragedy."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you actually suggest that a&mdash;a certain
+woman murdered him?" gasped Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;there is no actual proof&mdash;only
+strong suspicion!"</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston held his breath. Did the
+suspicions of this man, from whom no secret
+was safe, run in the same direction as his own?</p>
+
+<p>"There was in the evidence given before
+the coroner a suggestion that the captain had
+dined somewhere in secret," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"I know. But we have since cleared up that
+point. He was not given poison while he sat at
+dinner, for we know that he dined at the Bachelors'
+with a man named Friend. They had a
+hurried meal, because Friend had to catch a
+train to the west of England."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>[<a href="./images/241.png">241</a>]</span>
+"And afterwards?"</p>
+
+<p>"He left the club in a taxi at eight. But
+what his movements exactly were we cannot ascertain.
+He returned to his chambers at a quarter
+past nine in order to change his clothes and
+go back to Salisbury, but he was almost immediately
+taken ill. Barker declares that his master
+sent him out on an errand instantly on his return,
+and that when he came in he found him dying."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he not explain what the errand was?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he refused to say."</p>
+
+<p>In that refusal Fetherston saw that the valet,
+whatever might be his fault, was loyal to his
+dead master and to Enid Orlebar. He had not
+told how Bellairs had sent to Hill Street that
+scribbled note, and how the distressed girl had
+torn along to Half Moon Street to arrive too
+late to speak for the last time with the man she
+loved. Was Barker an enemy, or was he a
+friend?</p>
+
+<p>"That refusal arouses distinct suspicion,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Barker has very cleverly concealed some
+important fact," replied the keen-faced man who
+controlled that section of Scotland Yard.
+"Bellairs, feeling deadly ill, and knowing that
+he had fallen a victim to some enemy, sent
+Barker out for somebody in whom to confide.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>[<a href="./images/242.png">242</a>]</span>
+The man claimed that the errand that his master
+sent him upon was one of confidence."</p>
+
+<p>"And to whom do you think he was sent?"</p>
+
+<p>"To a woman," was Trendall's slow and
+serious reply. "To the woman who murdered
+him!"</p>
+
+<p>"But if she had poisoned him, surely he
+would not send for her?" exclaimed Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>"At the moment he was not aware of the
+woman's jealousy, or of the subtle means used
+to cause his untimely end. He was unsuspicious
+of that cruel, deadly hatred lying so deep in
+the woman's breast. Lady Blanche, on hearing
+of the death of her lover, was terribly
+grieved, and is still abroad. She, of course, made
+all sorts of wild allegations, but in none of them
+did we find any basis of fact. Yet, curiously
+enough, her views were exactly the same as my
+own&mdash;that one of poor Harry's lady friends had
+been responsible for his fatal seizure."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, after all the inquiries you instituted,
+you were really unable to point to the
+actual assassin?" asked Fetherston rather more
+calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly unable&mdash;unwilling, rather."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean unwilling? You were
+Bellairs' friend!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I was. He was one of the best and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>[<a href="./images/243.png">243</a>]</span>
+most noble fellows who ever wore the King's
+uniform, and he died by the treacherous hand
+of a jealous woman&mdash;a clever woman who had
+paid Barker to maintain silence."</p>
+
+<p>"But, if the dying man wished to make a
+statement, he surely would not have sent for the
+very person by whose hand he had fallen,"
+Fetherston protested. "Surely that is not a
+logical conclusion!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bellairs was not certain that his sudden
+seizure was not due to something he had eaten
+at the club&mdash;remember he was not certain that
+her hand had administered the fatal drug," replied
+Trendall. A hard, serious expression
+rested upon his face. "He had, no doubt, seen
+her between the moment when he left the Bachelors'
+and his arrival, a little over an hour afterwards,
+at Half Moon Street&mdash;where, or how,
+we know not. Perhaps he drove to her house,
+and there, at her invitation, drank something.
+Yet, however it happened, the result was the
+same; she killed him, even though she was the
+first friend to whom he sent in his distress&mdash;killed
+him because she had somehow learnt of
+his secret engagement to Lady Blanche Herbert."</p>
+
+<p>"Yours is certainly a remarkable theory,"
+admitted Walter Fetherston. "May I ask the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>[<a href="./images/244.png">244</a>]</span>
+name of the woman to whom you refer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she was the woman who loved him so
+passionately," replied Trendall&mdash;"Enid Orlebar."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you really suspect <i>her</i>?" asked Fetherston
+breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Only as far as certain facts are concerned;
+and that since Harry's death she has been unceasingly
+interested in the career of the man
+Barker."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you quite certain of this?" gasped
+Fetherston.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite; it is proved beyond the shadow of
+a doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Enid Orlebar killed him?"</p>
+
+<p>"That if she actually did not kill him with
+her own hand, she at least knew well who did,"
+was the other's cold, hard reply. "She killed
+him for two reasons; first, because by poor
+Harry's death she prevented the exposure of
+some great secret!"</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>Those inquiries, instituted by Scotland
+Yard, had resulted in exactly the same theory
+as his own independent efforts&mdash;that Harry Bellairs
+had been secretly done to death by the
+woman, who, upon her own admission to him,
+had been summoned to the young officer's side.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>[<a href="./images/245.png">245</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h4>WHAT THE DEAD MAN LEFT</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was news to Fetherston that Bellairs had
+dined at his club on that fateful night.</p>
+
+<p>He had believed that Enid had dined with
+him. He had proved beyond all doubt that she
+had been to his rooms that afternoon during
+Barker's absence. That feather from the boa,
+and the perfume, were sufficient evidence of her
+visit.</p>
+
+<p>Yet why had Barker remained in the neighbourhood
+of Piccadilly Circus if sent by his master
+with a message to Richmond? He could not
+doubt a single word that Trendall had told him,
+for the latter's information was beyond question.
+Well he knew with what care and cunning such
+an inquiry would have been made, and how every
+point would have been proved before being reported
+to that ever active man who was head
+of that Department of the Home Office that
+never sleeps.</p>
+
+<p>"What secret do you suggest might have
+been divulged?" he asked at last after a long
+pause.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>[<a href="./images/246.png">246</a>]</span>
+The big room&mdash;the Room of Secrets&mdash;was
+silent, for the double windows prevented the
+noise of the traffic and the "honk" of the taxi
+horns from penetrating there. Only the low
+ticking of the clock broke the quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"I scarcely have any suggestion to offer in
+that direction," was Trendall's slow reply.
+"That feature of the affair still remains a
+mystery."</p>
+
+<p>"But cannot this man Barker be induced
+to make some statement?" he queried.</p>
+
+<p>"He will scarcely betray the woman to whom
+he owes his present prosperity, for he is prosperous
+and has a snug little balance at his bank.
+Besides, even though we took the matter in hand,
+what could we do? There is no evidence against
+him or against the woman. The farcical proceedings
+in the coroner's court had tied their
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>"An open verdict was returned?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, at our suggestion. But Professors
+Dale and Boyd failed to find any traces of
+poison or of foul play."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet there <i>was</i> foul play&mdash;that is absolutely
+certain!" declared the novelist.</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, yes. Poor Bellairs was a
+brilliant and promising officer, a man destined
+to make a distinct mark in the world. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>[<a href="./images/247.png">247</a>]</span>
+a pity, perhaps, that he was such a lady-killer."</p>
+
+<p>"A pity that he fell victim to what was evidently
+a clever plot, and yet&mdash;yet&mdash;I cannot
+bring myself to believe that your surmise can
+be actually correct. He surely would never have
+sent for the very person who was his enemy and
+who had plotted to kill him&mdash;it doesn't seem
+feasible, does it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite as feasible as any of the strange and
+crooked circumstances which one finds every day
+in life's undercurrents," was the quiet rejoinder.
+"Remember, he was very fond of her&mdash;fascinated
+by her remarkable beauty."</p>
+
+<p>"But he was engaged to Lady Blanche?"</p>
+
+<p>"He intended to marry her, probably for
+wealth and position. The woman a man of
+Harry's stamp marries is seldom, if ever, the
+woman he loves," added the chief with a somewhat
+cynical smile, for he was essentially a man
+of the world.</p>
+
+<p>"But what secret could Enid Orlebar desire
+to hide?" exclaimed Fetherston wonderingly.
+"If he loved her, he certainly would never have
+threatened exposure."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear fellow, I've told you briefly my
+own theory&mdash;a theory formed upon all the evidence
+I could collect," replied the tall, dark-eyed
+man, as he thrust his hands deeply into his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>[<a href="./images/248.png">248</a>]</span>
+trousers pockets and looked straight into the
+eyes of his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"If you are so certain that Enid Orlebar is
+implicated in the affair, if not the actual assassin,
+why don't you interrogate her?" asked Walter
+boldly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;well, to tell the truth, our inquiries
+are not yet complete. When they are, we may
+be in a better position&mdash;we probably shall be&mdash;to
+put to her certain pointed questions. But,"
+he added quickly, "perhaps I ought not to say
+this, for I know she is a friend of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"What you tell me is in confidence, as always,
+Trendall," he replied quickly. "I knew
+long ago that Enid was deeply attached to Bellairs.
+But much that you have just told me is
+entirely fresh to me. I must find Barker and
+question him."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I'd do that. Wait until we
+have completed our inquiries," urged the other.
+"If Bellairs was killed in so secret and scientific
+a manner that no trace was left, he was killed
+with a cunning and craftiness which betrays a
+jealous woman rather than a man. Besides,
+there are other facts we have gathered which
+go further to prove that Enid Orlebar is the
+actual culprit."</p>
+
+<p>"What are they? Tell me, Trendall."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>[<a href="./images/249.png">249</a>]</span>
+"No, my dear chap; you are the lady's friend&mdash;it
+is really unfair to ask me," he protested.
+"Where the usual mysteries are concerned, I'm
+always open and above-board with you. But in
+private investigations like this you must allow
+me to retain certain knowledge to myself."</p>
+
+<p>"But I beg of you to tell me everything,"
+demanded the other. "I have taken an intense
+interest in the matter, as you have, even though
+my motive has been of an entirely different
+character."</p>
+
+<p>"You have no suspicion that Bellairs was in
+possession of any great secret&mdash;a secret which it
+was to Miss Orlebar's advantage should be
+kept?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," was the novelist's prompt response.
+"But I can't see the drift of your question,"
+he added.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied the keen, alert man, who,
+again seated in his writing-chair, bent slightly
+towards his visitor, "well, as you've asked me
+to reveal all I know, Fetherston, I will do so,
+even though I feel some reluctance, in face of the
+fact that Miss Orlebar is your friend."</p>
+
+<p>"That makes no difference," declared the
+other firmly. "I am anxious to clear up the
+mystery of Bellairs' death."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I think that you need seek no farther<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>[<a href="./images/250.png">250</a>]</span>
+for the correct solution," replied Trendall
+quietly, looking into the other's pale countenance.
+"Your lady friend killed him&mdash;<i>in order
+to preserve her own secret</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"But what was her secret?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have that yet to establish. It must
+have been a serious one for her to close his lips
+in such a manner."</p>
+
+<p>"But they were good friends," declared
+Fetherston. "He surely had not threatened to
+expose her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think he had. My own belief is
+that she became madly jealous of Lady Blanche,
+and at the same time, fearing the exposure of
+her secret to the woman to whom her lover had
+become engaged, she took the subtle means of
+silencing him. Besides&mdash;&mdash;" And he paused
+without concluding his sentence.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides what?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the first you suspected Sir Hugh's
+stepdaughter, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston hesitated. Then afterwards he
+nodded slowly in the affirmative.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," went on Trendall, "I knew all along
+that you were suspicious. You made a certain
+remarkable discovery, eh, Fetherston?"</p>
+
+<p>The novelist started. At what did his friend
+hint? Was it possible that the inquiries had led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>[<a href="./images/251.png">251</a>]</span>
+to a suspicion of Sir Hugh's criminal conduct?
+The very thought appalled him.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;well, in the course of the inquiries I
+made I found that the lady in question was
+greatly attached to the dead man," replied Fetherston
+rather lamely.</p>
+
+<p>Trendall smiled. "It was to Enid Orlebar
+that Harry sent when he felt his fatal seizure.
+Instead of sending for a doctor, he sent Barker
+to her, and she at once flew to his side, but, alas!
+too late to remedy the harm she had already
+caused. When she arrived he was dead!"</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston was silent. He saw that the inquiries
+made by the Criminal Investigation Department
+had led to exactly the same conclusion
+that he himself had formed.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a most distressing thought&mdash;that
+Enid Orlebar is a murderess!" he declared after
+a moment's pause.</p>
+
+<p>"It is&mdash;I admit. Yet we cannot close our
+eyes to such outstanding facts, my dear chap.
+Depend upon it that there is something behind
+the poor fellow's death of which we have no
+knowledge. In his death your friend Miss Orlebar
+sought safety. The letter he wrote to her
+a week before his assassination is sufficient evidence
+of that."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>[<a href="./images/252.png">252</a>]</span>
+"A letter!" gasped Fetherston. "Is there
+one in existence?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it is in our possession; it reveals the
+existence of the secret."</p>
+
+<p>"But what was its nature?" cried Fetherston
+in dismay. "What terrible secret could
+there possibly be that could only be preserved
+by Bellairs' silence?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just the puzzle we have to solve&mdash;just
+the very point which has mystified us all
+along."</p>
+
+<p>And then he turned to his correspondence
+again, opening his letters one after the other&mdash;letters
+which, addressed to a box at the General
+Post Office in the City, contained secret information
+from various unsuspected quarters at
+home and abroad.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, in order to change the topic of
+conversation, which he knew was painful to Walter
+Fetherston, he mentioned the excellence of
+the opera at Covent Garden on the previous
+night. And afterwards he referred to an article
+in that day's paper which dealt with the idea of
+obtaining exclusive political intelligence through
+spirit-bureaux. Then, speaking of the labour
+unrest, Trendall pronounced his opinion as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"The whole situation would be ludicrous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>[<a href="./images/253.png">253</a>]</span>
+were it not urged so persistently as to be a
+menace not so much in this country, where we
+know too well the temperaments of its sponsors,
+but abroad, where public opinion, imperfectly
+instructed, may imagine it represents a serious
+national feeling. The continuance of it is an
+intolerable negation of civilisation; it is supported
+by no public men of credit; it has been
+disproved again and again. Ridicule may be left
+to give the menace the <i>coup de gr&acirc;ce</i>! And
+this," he laughed, "in face of what you and I
+know, eh? Ah! how long will the British public
+be lulled to sleep by anonymous scribblers?"</p>
+
+<p>"One day they'll have a rude awakening,"
+declared Fetherston, still thinking, however, of
+that letter of the dead man to Enid. "I wonder,"
+he added, "I wonder who inspires these
+denials? We know, of course, that each time
+anything against enemy interests appears in a
+certain section of the Press there arises a ready
+army of letter-writers who rush into print and
+append their names to assurances that the enemy
+is nowadays our best friend. Those 'patriotic
+Englishmen' are, many of them, in high positions.</p>
+
+<p>"When responsible papers wilfully mislead
+the public, what can be expected?" Walter went
+on. "But," he added after a pause, "we did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a>[<a href="./images/254.png">254</a>]</span>
+arrive at any definite conclusion regarding the
+tragic death of Bellairs. What about that letter
+of his?"</p>
+
+<p>Trendall was thoughtful for a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"My conclusion&mdash;the only one that can be
+formed," he answered at last, disregarding his
+friend's question&mdash;"is that Enid Orlebar is the
+guilty person; and before long I hope to be in
+possession of that secret which she strove by her
+crime to suppress&mdash;a secret which I feel convinced
+we shall discover to be one of an amazing
+character."</p>
+
+<p>Walter stood motionless as a statue.</p>
+
+<p>Surely Bellairs had not died by Enid's hand!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>[<a href="./images/255.png">255</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h4>AT THE CAF&Eacute; DE PARIS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was in the early days of January&mdash;damp and
+foggy in England.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston sat idling on the <i>terrasse</i>
+of the Caf&eacute; de Paris in Monte Carlo sipping a
+"mazagran," basking in the afternoon sunshine,
+and listening to the music of the Rumanian
+Orchestra.</p>
+
+<p>Around him everywhere was the gay cosmopolitan
+world of the tables&mdash;that giddy little
+after-the-war financier and profiteer world which
+amuses itself on the C&ocirc;te d'Azur, and in which
+he was such a well-known figure.</p>
+
+<p>So many successive seasons had he passed
+there before 1914 that across at the rooms the
+attendants and croupiers knew him as an habitu&eacute;,
+and he was always granted the <i>carte blanche</i>&mdash;the
+white card of the professional gambler.
+With nearly half the people he met he had a
+nodding acquaintance, for friendships are
+easily formed over the <i>tapis vert</i>&mdash;and as easily
+dropped.</p>
+
+<p>Preferring the fresher air of Nice, he made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>[<a href="./images/256.png">256</a>]</span>
+his headquarters at the H&ocirc;tel Royal on the
+world-famed promenade, and came over to
+"Monte" daily by the <i>rapide</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Much had occurred since that autumn morning
+when he had stood with Herbert Trendall
+in the big room at New Scotland Yard, much
+that had puzzled him, much that had held him
+in fear lest the ghastly truth concerning Sir
+Hugh should be revealed.</p>
+
+<p>His own activity had been, perhaps, unparalleled.
+The strain of such constant travel
+and continual excitement would have broken
+most men; but he possessed an iron constitution,
+and though he spent weeks on end in trains and
+steamboats, it never affected him in the least.
+He could snatch sleep at any time, and he could
+write anywhere.</p>
+
+<p>Whether or not Enid had guessed the reason
+of his urgent appeal to her not to pass
+through France, she had nevertheless managed
+to excuse herself; but a week after Mrs. Caldwell's
+departure she had travelled alone by the
+Harwich-Antwerp route, evidently much to the
+annoyance of the alert doctor of Pimlico.</p>
+
+<p>Walter had impressed upon her the desirability
+of not entering France&mdash;without, however,
+giving any plain reason. He left her to
+guess.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a>[<a href="./images/257.png">257</a>]</span>
+Through secret sources in Paris he had learnt
+how poor Paul Le Pontois was still awaiting
+trial. In order not to excite public opinion, the
+matter was being kept secret by the French
+authorities, and it had been decided that the inquiry
+should be held with closed doors.</p>
+
+<p>A week after his arrest the French police
+received additional evidence against him in the
+form of a cryptic telegram addressed to the Ch&acirc;teau,
+an infamous and easily deciphered message
+which, no doubt, had been sent with the
+distinct purpose of strengthening the amazing
+charge against him. He protested entire ignorance
+of the sender and of the meaning of the
+message, but his accusers would not accept any
+disclaimer. So cleverly, indeed, had the message
+been worded that at the S&ucirc;ret&eacute; it was believed
+to refer to the price he had received for
+certain bundles of spurious notes.</p>
+
+<p>Without a doubt the scandalous telegram
+had been sent at Weirmarsh's instigation by one
+of his friends in order to influence the authorities
+in Paris.</p>
+
+<p>So far as the doctor was concerned he was
+ever active in receiving reports from his cosmopolitan
+friends abroad. But since his quarrel
+with Sir Hugh he had ceased to visit Hill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a>[<a href="./images/258.png">258</a>]</span>
+Street, and had, apparently, dropped the old
+general's acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Hugh was congratulating himself at the
+easy solution of the difficulty, but Walter, seated
+at that little marble-topped table in the winter
+sunshine, knowing Weirmarsh's character,
+remained in daily apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>The exciting life he led in assisting to watch
+those whom Scotland Yard suspected was as
+nothing compared with the constant fear of the
+unmasking of Sir Hugh Elcombe. Doctor
+Weirmarsh was an enemy, and a formidable one.</p>
+
+<p>The mystery concerning the death of Bellairs
+had increased rather than diminished. Each
+step he had taken in the inquiry only plunged
+him deeper and deeper into an inscrutable problem.
+He had devoted weeks to endeavouring to
+solve the mystery, but it remained, alas! inscrutable.</p>
+
+<p>Enid and Mrs. Caldwell had altered their
+plans, and had gone to Sicily instead of to
+Egypt, first visiting Palermo and Syracuse, and
+were at the moment staying at the popular "San
+Domenico" at Taormina, amid that gem of
+Mediterranean scenery. Sir Hugh and his wife,
+much upset by Blanche's sudden arrival in London,
+had not gone abroad that winter, but had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>[<a href="./images/259.png">259</a>]</span>
+remained at Hill Street to comfort Paul's wife
+and child.</p>
+
+<p>As for Walter, he had of late been wandering
+far afield, in Petrograd, Geneva, Rome,
+Florence, M&aacute;laga, and for the past week had
+been at Monte Carlo. He was not there wholly
+for pleasure, for, if the truth be told, there were
+seated at the farther end of the <i>terrasse</i> a smartly
+dressed man and a woman in whom he had
+for the past month been taking a very keen interest.</p>
+
+<p>This pair, of Swiss nationality, he had
+watched in half a dozen Continental cities, gradually
+establishing his suspicions as to their real
+occupation.</p>
+
+<p>They had come to Monte Carlo for neither
+health nor pleasure, but in order to meet a grey-haired
+man in spectacles, whom they received
+twice in private at the M&eacute;tropole, where they
+were staying.</p>
+
+<p>The Englishman had first seen them sitting
+together one evening at one of the marble-topped
+tables at the Caf&eacute; Royal in Regent
+Street, while he had been idly playing a game of
+dominoes at the next table with an American
+friend. The face of the man was to him somehow
+familiar. He felt that he had seen it somewhere,
+but whether in a photograph in his big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>[<a href="./images/260.png">260</a>]</span>
+album down at Idsworth or in the flesh he could
+not decide.</p>
+
+<p>Yet from that moment he had hardly lost
+sight of them. With that astuteness which was
+Fetherston's chief characteristic, he had watched
+vigilantly and patiently, establishing the fact
+that the pair were in England for some sinister
+purpose. His powers were little short of marvellous.
+He really seemed, as Trendall once
+put it, to scent the presence of criminals as pigs
+scent truffles.</p>
+
+<p>They suddenly left the Midland Hotel at St.
+Pancras, where they were staying, and crossed
+the Channel. But the same boat carried Walter
+Fetherston, who took infinite care not to obtrude
+himself upon their attention.</p>
+
+<p>Monte Carlo, being in the principality of
+Monaco, and being peopled by the most cosmopolitan
+crowd in the whole world, is in winter
+the recognised meeting-place of <i>chevaliers d'industrie</i>
+and those who finance and control great
+crimes.</p>
+
+<p>In the big atrium of those stifling rooms
+many an assassin has met his hirer, and in many
+of those fine hotels have bribes been handed over
+to those who will do "dirty work." It is the
+European exchange of criminality, for both
+sexes know it to be a safe place where they may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a>[<a href="./images/261.png">261</a>]</span>
+"accidentally" meet the person controlling
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It is safe to say that in every code used by
+the criminal plotters of every country in Europe
+there is a cryptic word which signifies a meeting
+at Monte Carlo. For that reason was Walter
+Fetherston much given to idling on the sunny
+<i>terrasse</i> of the caf&eacute; at a point where he could
+see every person who ascended or descended
+that flight of red-carpeted stairs which gives entrance
+to the rooms.</p>
+
+<p>The pair whom he was engaged in watching
+had been playing at roulette with five-franc
+pieces, and the woman was now counting her
+gains and laughing gaily with her husband as
+she slowly sipped her tea flavoured with orange-flower
+water. They were in ignorance of the
+presence of that lynx-eyed man in grey flannels
+and straw hat who smoked his cigarette leisurely
+and appeared to be so intensely bored.</p>
+
+<p>No second glance at Fetherston was needed
+to ascertain that he was a most thorough-going
+cosmopolitan. He usually wore his pale-grey
+felt hat at a slight angle, and had the air of the
+easy-going adventurer, debonair and unscrupulous.
+But in his case his appearance was not a
+true index to his character, for in reality he was
+a steady, hard-headed, intelligent man, the very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>[<a href="./images/262.png">262</a>]</span>
+soul of honour, and, above all, a man of intense
+patriotism&mdash;an Englishman to the backbone.
+Still, he cultivated his easy-going cosmopolitanism
+to pose as a careless adventurer.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the pair rose, and, crossing the
+palm-lined place, entered the casino; while Walter,
+finishing his "mazagran," lit a fresh cigarette,
+and took a turn along the front of the casino
+in order to watch the pigeon-shooting.</p>
+
+<p>The winter sun was sinking into the tideless
+sea in all its gold-and-orange glory as he stood
+leaning over the stone balustrade watching the
+splendid marksmanship of one of the crack shots
+of Europe. He waited until the contest had
+ended, then he descended and took the <i>rapide</i>
+back to Nice for dinner.</p>
+
+<p>At nine o'clock he returned to Monte Carlo,
+and again ascended the station lift, as was his
+habit, for a stroll through the rooms and a chat
+and drink with one or other of his many friends.
+He looked everywhere for the Swiss pair in
+whom he was so interested, but in vain. Probably
+they had gone over to Nice to spend the
+evening, he thought. But as the night wore on
+and they did not return by the midnight train&mdash;the
+arrival of which he watched&mdash;he strolled
+back to the M&eacute;tropole and inquired for them at
+the bureau of the hotel.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a>[<a href="./images/263.png">263</a>]</span>
+"M'sieur and Madame Granier left by the
+Mediterranean express for Paris at seven-fifteen
+this evening," replied the clerk, who knew
+Walter very well.</p>
+
+<p>"What address did they leave?" he inquired,
+annoyed at the neat manner in which
+they had escaped his vigilance.</p>
+
+<p>"They left no address, m'sieur. They received
+a telegram just after six o'clock recalling
+them to Paris immediately. Fortunately, there
+was one two-berth compartment vacant on the
+train."</p>
+
+<p>Walter turned away full of chagrin. He
+had been foolish to lose sight of them. His only
+course was to return to Nice, pack his traps,
+and follow to Paris in the ordinary <i>rapide</i> at
+eight o'clock next morning. And this was the
+course he pursued.</p>
+
+<p>But Paris is a big place, and though he
+searched for two whole weeks, going hither and
+thither to all places where the foreign visitors
+mostly congregate, he saw nothing of the interesting
+pair. Therefore, full of disappointment,
+he crossed one afternoon to Folkestone,
+and that night again found himself in his dingy
+chambers in Holles Street.</p>
+
+<p>Next day he called upon Sir Hugh, and
+found him in much better spirits. Lady El<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>[<a href="./images/264.png">264</a>]</span>combe
+told him that Enid had written expressing
+herself delighted with her season in Sicily,
+and saying that both she and Mrs. Caldwell were
+very pleased that they had adopted his suggestion
+of going there instead of to overcrowded
+Cairo.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat with Sir Hugh and his wife in that
+pretty drawing-room he knew so well the old
+general suddenly said: "I suppose, Fetherston,
+you are still taking as keen an interest in
+the latest mysteries of crime&mdash;eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Sir Hugh. As you know, I've written
+a good deal upon the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"I've read a good many of your books and
+articles, of course," exclaimed the old officer.
+"Upon many points I entirely agree with you,"
+he said. "There is a curious case in the papers
+to-day. Have you seen it? A young girl found
+mysteriously shot dead near Hitchin."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I haven't," was Walter's reply. He
+was not at all interested. He was thinking of
+something of far greater interest.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>[<a href="./images/265.png">265</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h4>WHICH IS "PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL"</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">At</span> eleven o'clock next morning Fetherston
+stood in Trendall's room at Scotland Yard reporting
+to him the suspicious movements of
+Monsieur and Madame Granier.</p>
+
+<p>His friend leaned back in his padded chair
+listening while the keen-faced man in pince-nez
+related all the facts, and in doing so showed how
+shrewd and astute he had been.</p>
+
+<p>"Then they are just what we thought," remarked
+the chief.</p>
+
+<p>"Without a doubt. In Monte Carlo they
+received further instructions from somebody.
+They went to Paris, and there I lost them."</p>
+
+<p>Trendall smiled, for he saw how annoyed his
+friend was at their escape.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you certainly clung on to them," he
+said. "When you first told me your suspicions
+I confess I was inclined to disagree with you.
+You merely met them casually in Regent Street.
+What made you suspicious?"</p>
+
+<p>"One very important incident&mdash;Weirmarsh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>[<a href="./images/266.png">266</a>]</span>
+came in with another man, and, in passing, nodded
+to Granier. That set me thinking."</p>
+
+<p>"But you do not know of any actual dealings
+with the doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know of none," replied Walter. "Still,
+I'm very sick that, after all my pains, they
+should have escaped to Paris so suddenly."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind," said Trendall. "If they are
+what we suspect we shall pick them up again
+before long, no doubt. Now look here," he added.
+"Read that! It's just come in. As you
+know, any foreigner who takes a house in certain
+districts nowadays is reported to us by the
+local police."</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston took the big sheet of blue official
+paper which the police official handed to him,
+and found that it was the copy of a confidential
+report made by the Superintendent of Police at
+Maldon, in Essex, and read as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"I, William Warden, Superintendent of
+Police for the Borough of Maldon, desire to report
+to the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police
+the following statement from Sergeant S.
+Deacon, Essex Constabulary, stationed at
+Southminster, which is as below:</p>
+
+<p>"'On Friday, the thirteenth of September
+last, a gentleman, evidently a foreigner, was
+sent by Messrs. Hare and James, estate agents,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>[<a href="./images/267.png">267</a>]</span>
+of Malden, to view the house known as The
+Yews, at Asheldham, in the vicinity of Southminster,
+and agreed to take it for three years
+in order to start a poultry farm. The tenant entered
+into possession a week later, when one vanload
+of furniture arrived from London. Two
+days later three other vanloads arrived late in
+the evening, and were unpacked in the stable-yard
+at dawn. The tenant, whose name is Bailey&mdash;but
+whose letters come addressed "Baily,"
+and are mostly from Belgium&mdash;lived there alone
+for a fortnight, and was afterwards joined by
+a foreign man-servant named Pietro, who is
+believed to be an Italian. Though more than
+three months have elapsed, and I have kept observation
+upon the house&mdash;a large one, standing
+in its own grounds&mdash;I have seen no sign of
+poultry farming, and therefore deem it a matter
+for a report.&mdash;<span class="smcap">Samuel Deacon</span>, Sergeant, Essex
+Constabulary.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Curious!" remarked Walter, when he had
+finished reading it.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Trendall. "There may be
+nothing in it."</p>
+
+<p>"It should be inquired into!" declared Walter.
+"I'll take Summers and go down there to
+have a look round, if you like."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would," said the chief. "I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>[<a href="./images/268.png">268</a>]</span>
+'phone Summers to meet you at Liverpool
+Street Station," he added, turning to the railway
+guide. "There's a train at one forty-five.
+Will that suit you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Tell him to meet me at Liverpool
+Street&mdash;and we'll see who this 'Mr. Baily' really
+is."</p>
+
+<p>When, shortly after half-past one, the novelist
+walked on to the platform at Liverpool
+Street he was approached by a narrow-faced,
+middle-aged man in a blue serge suit who presented
+the appearance of a ship's engineer on
+leave.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat together in a first-class compartment
+Fetherston explained to his friend the report
+made by the police officer at Southminster&mdash;the
+next station to Burnham-on-Crouch&mdash;whereupon
+Summers remarked: "The doctor
+has been down this way once or twice of late. I
+wonder if he goes to pay this Mr. Baily, or Bailey,
+a visit?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," laughed Walter. "We shall
+see."</p>
+
+<p>The railway ended at Southminster, but on
+alighting they had little difficulty in finding the
+small police station, where the local sergeant of
+police awaited them, having been warned by
+telephone.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>[<a href="./images/269.png">269</a>]</span>
+"Well, gentlemen," said the red-faced man,
+spreading his big hands on his knees as they sat
+together in a back room, "Mr. Bailey ain't at
+home just now. He's away a lot. The house
+is a big one&mdash;not too big for the four vanloads
+of furniture wot came down from London."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he made any friends in the district,
+do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not exactly. 'E often goes and 'as a
+drink at the Bridgewick Arms at Burnham, close
+by the coastguard station."</p>
+
+<p>Walter exchanged a meaning glance with
+his assistant.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he receive any visitors?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very few&mdash;he's away such a lot. A woman
+comes down to see him sometimes&mdash;his sister,
+they say she is."</p>
+
+<p>"What kind of a woman?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she's a lady about thirty-five&mdash;beautifully
+dressed always. She generally comes in a
+dark-green motor-car, which she drives herself.
+She was a lady driver during the war."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know her name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bailey. She's a foreigner, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Any other visitors?" asked Fetherston, in
+his quick, impetuous way, as he polished his
+pince-nez.</p>
+
+<p>"One day, very soon after Mr. Bailey took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a>[<a href="./images/270.png">270</a>]</span>
+the house, I was on duty at Southminster Station
+in the forenoon, and a gentleman and lady
+arrived and asked how far it was to The Yews,
+at Asheldham. I directed them the way to walk
+over by Newmoor and across the brook. Then
+I slipped 'ome, got into plain clothes, and went
+along after them by the footpath."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you do that?" asked Summers.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I wanted to find out something
+about this foreigner's visitors. I read at headquarters
+at Maldon the new instructions about
+reporting all foreigners who took houses, and I
+wanted to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"To show that you were on the alert, eh,
+Deacon?" laughed the novelist good-humouredly,
+and he lit a cigarette.</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, sir," replied the big, red-faced
+man. "Well, I took a short cut over to The
+Yews, and got there ten minutes before they did.
+I hid in the hedge on the north side of the house,
+and saw that as soon as they walked up the drive
+Mr. Bailey rushed out to welcome them. The
+lady seemed very nervous, I thought. I know
+she was an English lady, because she spoke to
+me at the station."</p>
+
+<p>"What were they like?" inquired Summers.
+"Describe both of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the man, as far as I can recollect,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a>[<a href="./images/271.png">271</a>]</span>
+was about fifty or so, grey-faced, dark-eyed,
+wearin' a heavy overcoat with astrachan collar
+and cuffs. He had light grey su&egrave;de gloves, and
+carried a gold-mounted malacca cane with a
+curved handle. The woman was quite young&mdash;not
+more'n twenty, I should think&mdash;and very
+good-lookin'. She wore a neat tailor-made dress
+of brown cloth, and a small black velvet hat with
+a big gold buckle. She had a greyish fur around
+her neck, with a muff to match, and carried a
+small, dark green leather bag."</p>
+
+<p>Walter stood staring at the speaker. The
+description was exactly that of Weirmarsh and
+Enid Orlebar. The doctor often wore an astrachan-trimmed
+overcoat, while both dress and
+hat were the same which Enid had worn three
+months ago!</p>
+
+<p>He made a few quick inquiries of the red-faced
+sergeant, but the man's replies only served
+to convince him that Enid had actually been a
+visitor at the mysterious house.</p>
+
+<p>"You did not discover their names?"</p>
+
+<p>"The young lady addressed her companion
+as 'Doctor.' That's all I know," was the officer's
+reply. "For that reason I was rather inclined
+to think that I was on the wrong scent.
+The man was perhaps, after all, only a doctor
+who had come down to see his patient."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a>[<a href="./images/272.png">272</a>]</span>
+"Perhaps so," remarked Walter mechanically.
+"You say Mr. Bailey is not at home to-day,
+so we'll just run over and have a look
+round. You'd better come with us, sergeant."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, sir. But I 'ear as how Mr. Bailey
+is comin' home this evenin'. I met Pietro in
+the Railway Inn at Southminster the night before
+last, and casually asked when his master
+was comin' home, as I wanted to see 'im for a
+subscription for our police concert, and 'e told
+me that the signore&mdash;that's what 'e called him&mdash;was
+comin' home to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! Then, after a look round the place,
+we hope to have the pleasure of seeing this mysterious
+foreigner who comes here to the Dengie
+Marshes to make a living out of fowl-keeping."
+And Walter smiled meaningly at his companion.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later, after the sergeant had
+changed into plain clothes, the trio set out along
+the flat, muddy road for Asheldham.</p>
+
+<p>But as they were walking together, after
+passing Northend, a curious thing happened.</p>
+
+<p>Summers started back suddenly and nudged
+the novelist's arm without a word.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston, looking in the direction indicated,
+halted, utterly staggered by what met his
+gaze.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>[<a href="./images/273.png">273</a>]</span>
+It was inexplicable&mdash;incredible! He looked
+again, scarcely believing his own eyes, for what
+he saw made plain a ghastly truth.</p>
+
+<p>He stood rigid, staring straight before him.</p>
+
+<p>Was it possible that at last he was actually
+within measurable distance of the solution of
+the mystery?</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a>[<a href="./images/274.png">274</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE RESULT OF INVESTIGATION</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the expectant trio had come round the bend
+in the road they saw in front of them, walking
+alone, a young lady in a short tweed suit with
+hat to match.</p>
+
+<p>The gown was of a peculiar shade of grey,
+and by her easy, swinging gait and the graceful
+carriage of her head Walter Fetherston instantly
+recognised that there before him, all unconscious
+of his presence, was the girl he believed
+to be still in Sicily&mdash;Enid Orlebar!</p>
+
+<p>He looked again, to satisfy himself that he
+was not mistaken. Then, drawing back, lest her
+attention should be attracted by their footsteps,
+he motioned to his companions to retreat around
+the bend and thus out of her sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," he said, addressing them, "there is
+some deep mystery here. That lady must not
+know we are here."</p>
+
+<p>"You've recognised her, sir?" asked Summers,
+who had on several previous occasions assisted
+him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a>[<a href="./images/275.png">275</a>]</span>
+"Yes," was the novelist's hard reply. "She
+is here with some mysterious object. You
+mustn't approach The Yews till dark."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Bailey will then be at home, sir," remarked
+the sergeant. "I thought you wished to
+explore the place before he arrived?"</p>
+
+<p>Walter paused. He saw that Enid could
+not be on her way to visit Bailey, if he were not
+at home. So he suggested that Summers, whom
+she did not know, should go forward and watch
+her movements, while he and the sergeant should
+proceed to the house of suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>Arranging to meet later, the officer from
+Scotland Yard lit his pipe and strolled quickly
+forward around the bend to follow the girl in
+grey, while the other two halted to allow them
+to get on ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever seen that lady down here
+before, sergeant?" asked Walter presently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. If I don't make a mistake, it is
+the same lady who asked me the way to The
+Yews soon after Mr. Bailey took the house&mdash;the
+lady who came with the man whom she addressed
+as 'Doctor'!"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you quite certain of this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite certain. She was dressed differently,
+in brown&mdash;with a different hat and a
+veil."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a>[<a href="./images/276.png">276</a>]</span>
+"They came only on that one occasion,
+eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only that once, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"But why, I wonder, is she going to The
+Yews? Pietro, you say, went up to London
+this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, by the nine-five. And the house
+is locked up&mdash;she's evidently unaware of that."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt. She'll go there, and, finding
+nobody at home, turn away disappointed. She
+must not see us."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll take good care of that, sir," laughed
+the local sergeant breezily, as he left his companion's
+side and crossed the road so that he
+could see the bend. "Why!" he exclaimed,
+"she ain't goin' to Asheldham after all! She's
+taken the footpath to the left that leads into
+Steeple! Evidently she knows the road!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then we are free to go straight along to
+The Yews, eh? She's making a call in the vicinity.
+I wonder where she's going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend will ascertain that," said the
+sergeant. "Let's get along to The Yews and
+'ave a peep round."</p>
+
+<p>Therefore the pair, now that Enid was sufficiently
+far ahead along a footpath which led
+under a high, bare hedge, went forth again down
+the high road until, after crossing the brook,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>[<a href="./images/277.png">277</a>]</span>
+they turned to the right into Asheldham village,
+where, half-way between that place and New
+Hall, they turned up a short by-road, a cul-de-sac,
+at the end of which a big, old-fashioned, red-brick
+house of the days of Queen Anne, half hidden
+by a belt of high Scotch firs, came into view.</p>
+
+<p>Shut off from the by-road by a high, time-mellowed
+brick wall, it stood back lonely and
+secluded in about a couple of acres of well wooded
+ground. From a big, rusty iron gate the ill-kept,
+gravelled drive took a broad sweep up
+to the front of the house, a large, roomy one
+with square, inartistic windows and plain front,
+the ugliness of which the ivy strove to hide.</p>
+
+<p>In the grey light of that wintry afternoon
+the place looked inexpressibly dismal and neglected.
+Years ago it had, no doubt, been the
+residence of some well-to-do county family; but
+in these twentieth-century post-war days, having
+been empty for nearly ten years, it had gone
+sadly to rack and ruin.</p>
+
+<p>The lawns had become weedy, the carriage-drive
+was, in places, green with moss, like the
+sills of the windows and the high-pitched, tiled
+roof itself. In the centre of the lawn, before the
+house, stood four great ancient yews, while all
+round were high box hedges, now, alas! neglected,
+untrimmed and full of holes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a>[<a href="./images/278.png">278</a>]</span>
+The curtains were of the commonest kind,
+while the very steps leading to the front door
+were grey with lichen and strewn with wisps of
+straw. The whole aspect was one of neglect,
+of decay, of mystery.</p>
+
+<p>The two men, opening the creaking iron gate,
+advanced boldly to the door, an excuse ready
+in case Pietro opened it.</p>
+
+<p>They knocked loudly, but there was no response.
+Their summons echoed through the big
+hall, causing Walter to remark:</p>
+
+<p>"There can't be much furniture inside,
+judging from the sound."</p>
+
+<p>"Four motor vanloads came here," responded
+the sergeant. "The first was in a plain van."</p>
+
+<p>"You did not discover whence it came?"</p>
+
+<p>"I asked the driver down at the inn at
+Southminster, and he told me that they came
+from the Trinity Furnishing Company, Peckham.
+But, on making inquiries, I found that
+he lied; there is no such company in Peckham."</p>
+
+<p>"You saw the furniture unloaded?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was about here when the first lot came.
+When the other three vans arrived I was away
+on my annual leave," was the sergeant's reply.</p>
+
+<p>Again they knocked, but no one came to the
+door. A terrier approached, but he proved
+friendly, therefore they proceeded to make an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a>[<a href="./images/279.png">279</a>]</span>
+inspection of the empty stabling and disused
+outbuildings.</p>
+
+<p>Three old hen-coops were the only signs of
+poultry-farming they could discover, and these,
+placed in a conspicuous position in the big,
+paved yard, were without feathered occupants.</p>
+
+<p>There were three doors by which the house
+could be entered, and all of them Walter tried
+and found locked. Therefore, noticing in the
+rubbish-heap some stray pieces of paper, he at
+once turned his attention to what he discovered
+were fragments of a torn letter. It was written
+in French, and, apparently, had reference to
+certain securities held by the tenant of The
+Yews.</p>
+
+<p>But as only a small portion of the destroyed
+communication could be found, its purport was
+not very clear, and the name and address of the
+writer could not be ascertained.</p>
+
+<p>Yet it had already been proved without
+doubt that the mysterious tenant of the dismal
+old place&mdash;the man who posed as a poultry-farmer&mdash;had
+had as visitors Dr. Weirmarsh and
+Enid <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Olebar'">Orlebar</ins>!</p>
+
+<p>For a full half-hour, while the red-faced sergeant
+kept watch at the gate, Walter Fetherston
+continued to investigate that rubbish-heap,
+which showed signs of having been burning quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a>[<a href="./images/280.png">280</a>]</span>
+recently, for most of the scraps of paper were
+charred at their edges.</p>
+
+<p>The sodden remains of many letters he withdrew
+and tried to read, but the scraps gave no
+tangible result, and he was just about to relinquish
+his search when his eye caught a scrap
+of bright blue notepaper of a familiar hue. It
+was half burned, and blurred by the rain, but at
+the corner he recognised some embossing in dark
+blue&mdash;familiar embossing it was&mdash;of part of the
+address in Hill Street!</p>
+
+<p>The paper was that used habitually by Enid
+Orlebar, and upon it was a date, two months
+before, and the single word "over" in her familiar
+handwriting.</p>
+
+<p>He took his stout walking-stick, in reality a
+sword-case, and frantically searched for other
+scraps, but could find none. One tiny portion
+only had been preserved from the flames&mdash;paraffin
+having been poured over the heap to
+render it the more inflammable. But that scrap
+in itself was sufficient proof that Enid had written
+to the mysterious tenant of The Yews.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he said at last, approaching the sergeant,
+"do you think the coast is clear enough?"</p>
+
+<p>"For what?"</p>
+
+<p>"To get a glimpse inside. There's a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>[<a href="./images/281.png">281</a>]</span>
+deal more mystery here than we imagine, depend
+upon it!" Walter exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Master and man will return by the same
+train, I expect, unless they come back in a motor-car.
+If they come by train they won't be
+here till well past eight, so we'll have at least
+three hours by ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston glanced around. Twilight
+was fast falling.</p>
+
+<p>"It'll be dark inside, but I've brought my
+electric torch," he said. "There's a kitchen window
+with an ordinary latch."</p>
+
+<p>"That's no use. There are iron bars," declared
+the sergeant. "I examined it the other
+day. The small staircase window at the side is
+the best means of entry." And he took the novelist
+round and showed him a long narrow window
+about five feet from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Walter's one thought was of Enid. Why
+had she written to that mysterious foreigner?
+Why had she visited there? Why, indeed, was
+she back in England surreptitiously, and in that
+neighbourhood?</p>
+
+<p>The short winter's afternoon was nearly at
+an end as they stood contemplating the window
+prior to breaking in&mdash;for Walter Fetherston felt
+justified in breaking the law in order to examine
+the interior of that place.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>[<a href="./images/282.png">282</a>]</span>
+In the dark branches of the trees the wind
+whistled mournfully, and the scudding clouds
+were precursory of rain.</p>
+
+<p>"Great Scott!" exclaimed Walter. "This
+isn't a particularly cheerful abode, is it, sergeant?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, if I lived 'ere I'd have the blues in
+a week," laughed the man. "I can't think 'ow
+Mr. Bailey employs 'is time."</p>
+
+<p>"Poultry-farming," laughed Fetherston, as,
+standing on tiptoe, he examined the window-latch
+by flashing on the electric torch.</p>
+
+<p>"No good!" he declared. "There's a shutter
+covered with new sheet-iron behind."</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't show through the curtain," exclaimed
+Deacon.</p>
+
+<p>"But it's there. Our friend is evidently
+afraid of burglars."</p>
+
+<p>From window to window they passed, but
+the mystery was considerably increased by the
+discovery that at each of those on the ground
+floor were iron-faced shutters, though so placed
+as not to be noticeable behind the windows,
+which were entirely covered with cheap curtain
+muslin.</p>
+
+<p>"That's funny!" exclaimed the sergeant.
+"I've never examined them with a light before."</p>
+
+<p>"They have all been newly strengthened,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>[<a href="./images/283.png">283</a>]</span>
+declared Fetherston. "On the other side I expect
+there are strips of steel placed lattice-wise,
+a favourite device of foreigners. Mr. Bailey,"
+he added, "evidently has no desire that any intruder
+should gain access to his residence."</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we do?" asked Deacon, for it
+was now rapidly growing dark.</p>
+
+<p>A thought had suddenly occurred to Walter
+that perhaps Enid's intention was to make a call
+there, after all.</p>
+
+<p>"Our only way to obtain entrance is, I think,
+by one of the upper windows," replied the man
+whose very life was occupied by the investigation
+of mysteries. "In the laundry I noticed
+a ladder. Let us go and get it."</p>
+
+<p>So the ladder, a rather rotten and insecure
+one, was obtained, and after some difficulty
+placed against the wall. It would not, however,
+reach to the windows, as first intended, therefore
+Walter mounted upon the slippery, moss-grown
+tiles of a wing of the house, and after a
+few moments' exploration discovered a skylight
+which proved to be over the head of the servants'
+staircase.</p>
+
+<p>This he lifted, and, fixing around a chimney-stack
+a strong silk rope he had brought in his
+pocket ready for any emergency, he threw it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a>[<a href="./images/284.png">284</a>]</span>
+down the opening, and quickly lowered himself
+through.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had he done so, and was standing on
+the uncarpeted stairs, when his quick ear caught
+the sound of Deacon's footsteps receding over
+the gravel around to the front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>Then, a second later, he heard a loud challenge
+from the gloom in a man's voice that was
+unfamiliar:</p>
+
+<p>"Who's there?"</p>
+
+<p>There was no reply. Walter listened with
+bated breath.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing there?" cried the new-comer
+in a voice in which was a marked foreign
+accent. "Speak! <i>speak!</i> or I'll shoot!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>[<a href="./images/285.png">285</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE SECRET OF THE LONELY HOUSE</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Walter</span> did not move. He realised that a <i>contretemps</i>
+had occurred. The ladder still leaning
+against the wall outside would reveal his intrusion.
+Yet, at last inside, he intended, at all
+hazards, to explore the place and learn the reason
+why the mysterious stranger had started
+that "poultry farm."</p>
+
+<p>He was practically in the dark, fearing to
+flash on his torch lest he should be discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Was it possible that Bailey or his Italian
+manservant had unexpectedly returned!</p>
+
+<p>Those breathless moments seemed hours.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he heard a second challenge. The
+challenger used a fierce Italian oath, and by it
+he knew that it was Pietro.</p>
+
+<p>In reply, a shot rang out&mdash;evidently from
+the sergeant's pistol, followed by another sharp
+report, and still another. This action showed
+the man Deacon to be a shrewd person, for the
+effect was exactly as he had intended. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>[<a href="./images/286.png">286</a>]</span>
+Italian servant turned on his heel and flew for
+his life down the drive, shouting in his native
+tongue for help and for the police.</p>
+
+<p>"Madonna santa!" he yelled. "Who are
+you here?" he demanded in Italian. "I'll go to
+the police!"</p>
+
+<p>And in terror he rushed off down the road.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, sir," cried the sergeant, after
+the servant had disappeared. "I've given the
+fellow a good fright. Be quick and have a look
+round, sir. You can be out again before he
+raises the alarm!"</p>
+
+<p>In an instant Walter flashed on his torch
+and, dashing down the stairs, crossed the kitchen
+and found himself in the hall. From room to
+room he rushed, but found only two rooms on
+the ground floor furnished&mdash;a sitting-room,
+which had been the original dining-room, while
+in the study was a chair-bed, most probably
+where Pietro slept.</p>
+
+<p>On the table lay a heavy revolver, fully loaded,
+and this Fetherston quickly transferred to
+his jacket pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Next moment he dashed up the old well
+staircase two steps at a time and entered room
+after room. Only one was furnished&mdash;the tenant's
+bedroom. In it he found a number of
+suits of clothes, while on the dressing-table lay a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>[<a href="./images/287.png">287</a>]</span>
+false moustache, evidently for disguise. A small
+writing-table was set in the window, and upon
+it was strewn a quantity of papers.</p>
+
+<p>As he flashed his torch round he was amazed
+to see, arranged upon a neat deal table in a corner,
+some curious-looking machinery which
+looked something like printing-presses. But
+they were a mystery to him.</p>
+
+<p>The discovery was a strange one. What it
+meant he did not then realise. There seemed to
+be quite a quantity of apparatus and machinery.
+It was this which had been conveyed there in
+those furniture vans of the Trinity Furnishing
+Company.</p>
+
+<p>He heard Deacon's voice calling again.
+Therefore, having satisfied himself as to the nature
+of the contents of that neglected old house,
+he ascended the stone steps into the passage
+which led through a faded green-baize door into
+the main hall.</p>
+
+<p>As he entered he heard voices in loud discussion.
+Sergeant Deacon and the servant Pietro
+had met face to face.</p>
+
+<p>The Italian had evidently aroused the villagers
+in Asheldham, for there were sounds of
+many voices of men out on the gravelled drive.</p>
+
+<p>"I came up here a quarter of an hour ago,"
+the Italian cried excitedly in his broken Eng<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>[<a href="./images/288.png">288</a>]</span>lish,
+"and somebody fired at me. They tried to
+kill me!"</p>
+
+<p>"But who?" asked Deacon in pretended ignorance.
+He was uncertain what to do, Mr.
+Fetherston being still within the house and the
+ladder, his only means of escape, still standing
+against a side wall.</p>
+
+<p>"Thieves!" cried the man, his foreign accent
+more pronounced in his excitement. "I
+challenged them, and they fired at me. I am
+glad that you, a police sergeant, are here."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," cried Walter Fetherston, suddenly
+throwing open the front door and standing
+before the knot of alarmed villagers, though
+it was so dark that they could not recognise who
+he was. "Deacon," he added authoritatively,
+"arrest that foreigner."</p>
+
+<p>"Diavolo! Who are you?" demanded the
+Italian angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"You will know in due course," replied
+Fetherston. Then, turning to the crowd, he
+added: "Gentlemen, I came here with Sergeant
+Deacon to search this house. He will tell
+you whether that statement is true or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite," declared the breezy sergeant, who
+already had the Italian by the collar and coat-sleeve.
+"It was I who fired&mdash;to frighten him
+off!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>[<a href="./images/289.png">289</a>]</span>
+At this the crowd laughed. They had no
+liking for foreigners of any sort after the war,
+and were really secretly pleased to see that the
+sergeant had "taken him up."</p>
+
+<p>But what for? they asked themselves. Why
+had the police searched The Yews? Mr. Bailey
+was a quiet, inoffensive man, very free with his
+money to everybody around.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack Beard," cried Deacon to a man in the
+crowd, "just go down to Asheldham and telephone
+to Superintendent Warden at Maldon.
+Ask him to send me over three men at once, will
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Sam," was the prompt reply,
+and the man went off, while the sergeant took
+the resentful Italian into the house to await an
+escort.</p>
+
+<p>Deacon called the assistance of two men and
+invited them in. Then, while they mounted
+guard over the prisoner, Fetherston addressed
+the little knot of amazed men who had been
+alarmed by the Italian's statement.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, gentlemen," he said. "We shall in
+a couple of hours' time expect the return of Mr.
+Bailey, the tenant of this house. There is a
+very serious charge against him. I therefore
+put everyone of you upon your honour to say
+no word of what has occurred here to-night&mdash;not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>[<a href="./images/290.png">290</a>]</span>
+until Mr. Bailey arrives. I should prefer you
+all to remain here and wait; otherwise, if a word
+be dropped at Southminster, he may turn back
+and fly from justice."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the charge, sir?" asked one man,
+a bearded old labourer.</p>
+
+<p>"A very serious one," was Walter's evasive
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>Then, after a pause, they all agreed to wait
+and witness the dramatic arrest of the man who
+was charged with some mysterious offence.
+Speculation was rife as to what it would be, and
+almost every crime in the calendar was cited as
+likely.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Fetherston, returning to the
+barely-furnished sitting-room, interrogated Pietro
+in Italian, but only obtained sullen answers.
+A loaded revolver had been found upon him by
+Deacon, and promptly confiscated.</p>
+
+<p>"I have already searched the place," Walter
+said to the prisoner, "and I know what it contains."</p>
+
+<p>But in response the man who had posed as
+servant, but who, with his "master," was the
+custodian of the place, only grinned and gave
+vent to muttered imprecations in Italian.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston afterwards left the small assembly
+and made examination of some bedrooms he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a>[<a href="./images/291.png">291</a>]</span>
+had not yet inspected. In three of these, the
+locks of which he broke open, he discovered
+quantities of interesting papers, together with
+another mysterious-looking press.</p>
+
+<p>While trying to decide what it all meant he
+suddenly heard a great shouting and commotion
+outside, and ran down to the door to ascertain
+its cause.</p>
+
+<p>As he opened it he saw that in the darkness
+the crowd outside had grown excited.</p>
+
+<p>"'Ere you are, sir," cried one man, ascending
+the steps. "'Ere are two visitors. We
+found 'em comin' up the road, and, seein' us,
+they tried to get away!"</p>
+
+<p>Walter held up a hurricane lantern which
+he had found and lit, when its dim, uncertain
+light fell upon the two prisoners in the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Behind stood Summers, while before him, to
+Fetherston's utter amazement, showed Enid
+Orlebar, pale and terrified, and the grey, sinister
+face of Doctor Weirmarsh.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a>[<a href="./images/292.png">292</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h4>CONTAINS SOME STARTLING STATEMENTS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Enid</span>, recognising Walter, shrank back instantly
+in fear and shame, while Weirmarsh started at
+that unexpected meeting with the man whom he
+knew to be his bitterest and most formidable
+opponent.</p>
+
+<p>The small crowd of excited onlookers, ignorant
+of the true facts, but their curiosity
+aroused by the unusual circumstances, had prevented
+the pair from turning back and making
+a hurried escape.</p>
+
+<p>"Enid!" exclaimed Fetherston, as the girl
+reluctantly crossed the threshold with downcast
+head, "what is the meaning of this? Why are
+you paying a visit to this house at such an
+hour?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Walter," she cried, her small, gloved
+hands clenched with a sudden outburst of emotion,
+"be patient and hear me! I will tell you
+everything&mdash;<i>everything</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"You won't," growled the doctor sharply.
+"If you do, by Gad! it will be the worse for you!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>[<a href="./images/293.png">293</a>]</span>
+So you'd best keep a silent tongue&mdash;otherwise
+you know the consequences. I shall now tell the
+truth&mdash;and you won't like that!"</p>
+
+<p>She drew back in terror of the man who held
+such an extraordinary influence over her. She
+had grasped Fetherston's hand convulsively,
+but at Weirmarsh's threat she had released her
+hold and was standing in the hall, pale, rigid and
+staring.</p>
+
+<p>"Summers," exclaimed Fetherston, turning
+to his companion, "you know this person, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, I should rather think I do," replied
+the man, with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, detain him for the present, and take
+your instructions from London."</p>
+
+<p>"You have no power or right to detain me,"
+declared the grey-faced doctor in quick defiance.
+"You are not a police officer!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but this is a police officer," Fetherston
+replied, indicating Summers, and adding: "Sergeant,
+I give that man into custody."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant advanced and laid his big hand
+upon the doctor's shoulder, telling him to consider
+himself under arrest.</p>
+
+<p>"But this is abominable&mdash;outrageous!"
+Weirmarsh cried, shaking him off. "I've committed
+no offence."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a matter for later consideration,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>[<a href="./images/294.png">294</a>]</span>
+calmly replied the man who had devoted so
+much of his time and money to the investigation
+of mysteries of crime.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the bare bedrooms upstairs Fetherston
+had, in examining one of the well made
+hand-presses set up there, found beside it a number
+of one-pound Treasury notes. In curiosity
+he took one up, and found it to be in an unfinished
+state. It was printed in green, without the
+brown colouring. Yet it was perfect as regards
+the paper and printing&mdash;even to its black serial
+number.</p>
+
+<p>Next second the truth flashed upon him.
+The whole apparatus, presses and everything,
+had been set up there to print the war paper
+currency of Great Britain!</p>
+
+<p>In the room adjoining he had seen bundles
+of slips of similar paper, all neatly packed in
+elastic bands, and waiting the final process of
+colouring and toning. One bundle had only the
+Houses of Parliament printed; the other side
+was blank. He saw in a flash that the placing
+in circulation of such a huge quantity of Treasury
+notes, amounting to hundreds of thousands
+of pounds, must seriously damage the credit of
+the nation.</p>
+
+<p>For a few seconds he held an unfinished note
+in his hand examining it, and deciding that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>[<a href="./images/295.png">295</a>]</span>
+imitation was most perfect. It deceived him
+and would undoubtedly deceive any bank-teller.</p>
+
+<p>In those rooms it was plain that various
+processes had been conducted, from the manipulation
+of the watermark, by a remarkably ingenious
+process, right down to the finished one-pound
+note, so well done that not even an expert
+could detect the forgery. There were many
+French one-hundred-franc notes as well.</p>
+
+<p>The whole situation was truly astounding.
+Again the thought hammered home: such a
+quantity of paper in circulation must affect the
+national finances of Britain. And at the head
+of the band who were printing and circulating
+those spurious notes was the mysterious medical
+man who carried on his practice in Pimlico!</p>
+
+<p>The scene within the sparsely furnished
+house containing those telltale presses was indeed
+a weird one.</p>
+
+<p>Somebody had found a cheap paraffin lamp
+and lit it in the sitting-room, where they were
+all assembled, the front door having been closed.</p>
+
+<p>It was apparent that Pietro was no stranger
+to the doctor and his fair companion, but both
+men were highly resentful that they had been
+so entrapped.</p>
+
+<p>"Doctor Weirmarsh," exclaimed Fetherston
+seriously, as he stood before him, "I have just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>[<a href="./images/296.png">296</a>]</span>
+examined this house and have ascertained what
+it contains."</p>
+
+<p>"You've told him!" cried the man, turning
+fiercely upon Enid. "You have betrayed me!
+Ah! It will be the worse for you&mdash;and for your
+family," he added harshly. "You will see! I
+shall now reveal the truth concerning your stepfather,
+and you and your family will be held up
+to opprobrium throughout the whole length and
+breadth of your land."</p>
+
+<p>Enid did not reply. She was pale as death,
+her face downcast, her lips white as marble. She
+knew, alas! that Weirmarsh, now that he was
+cornered, would not spare her.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause&mdash;a very painful pause.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone next instant listened to a noise
+which sounded outside. As it grew nearer it
+grew more distinct&mdash;the whir of an approaching
+motor-car.</p>
+
+<p>It pulled up suddenly before the door, and
+a moment later the old bell clanged loudly
+through the half-empty house.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston left the room, and going to the
+door, threw it open, when yet another surprise
+awaited him.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the steps stood four men in thick overcoats,
+all of whom Walter instantly recognised.</p>
+
+<p>With Trendall stood Sir Hugh Elcombe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a>[<a href="./images/297.png">297</a>]</span>
+while their companions were two detective-inspectors
+from Scotland Yard.</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!&mdash;Fetherston!" gasped Trendall.
+"I&mdash;I expected to find Weirmarsh here! What
+has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"The doctor is already here," was the other's
+quick reply. "I have found some curious
+things in this place! Secret printing-presses for
+forged notes."</p>
+
+<p>"We already know that," he said. "Sir
+Hugh Elcombe here has, unknown to us, obtained
+certain knowledge, and to-day he came
+to me and gave me a full statement of what has
+been in progress. What he has told me this
+afternoon is among the most valuable and reliable
+information that we ever received."</p>
+
+<p>"I know something of the scoundrels," remarked
+the old general, "because&mdash;well, because,
+as I have confessed to Mr. Trendall, I
+yielded to temptation long ago and assisted
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever you have done, Sir Hugh, you
+have at least revealed to us the whole plot. Only
+by pretending to render assistance to these
+scoundrels could you have gained the intensely
+valuable knowledge which you've imparted to
+me to-day," replied the keen-faced director from
+Scotland Yard.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a>[<a href="./images/298.png">298</a>]</span>
+Fetherston realised instantly that the fine old
+fellow, whom he had always held in such esteem,
+was making every effort to atone for his conduct
+in the past; but surely that was not the
+moment to refer to it&mdash;so he ushered the four
+men into the ill-lit dining-room wherein the others
+were standing, none knowing how next to
+act.</p>
+
+<p>When the doctor and Sir Hugh faced each
+other there was a painful silence for a few seconds.</p>
+
+<p>To Weirmarsh Trendall was known by
+sight, therefore the criminal saw that the game
+was up, and that Sir Hugh had risked his own
+reputation in betraying him.</p>
+
+<p>"You infernal scoundrel!" cried the doctor
+angrily. "You&mdash;to whom I have paid so many
+thousands of pounds&mdash;have given me away! But
+I'll be even with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Say what you like," laughed the old general
+in defiance. "To me it is the same whatever
+you allege. I have already admitted my
+slip from the straight path. I do not deny receiving
+money from your hands, nor do I deny
+that, in a certain measure, I have committed serious
+offences&mdash;because, having taken one step,
+you forced me on to others, always holding over
+me the threat of exposure and ruin. But, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>[<a href="./images/299.png">299</a>]</span>tunately,
+one day, in desperation, I took Enid
+yonder into my confidence. It was she who suggested
+that I might serve the ends of justice,
+and perhaps atone for what I had already done,
+by learning your secrets, and, when the time was
+ripe, revealing all the interesting details to our
+authorities. Enid became your friend and the
+friend of your friends. She risked everything&mdash;her
+honour, her happiness, her future&mdash;by associating
+with you for the one and sole purpose
+of assisting me to learn all the dastardly plot in
+progress."</p>
+
+<p>"It was you who supplied Paul Le Pontois
+with the false notes he passed in France!" declared
+Weirmarsh. "The French police know
+that; and if ever you or your step-daughter put
+foot in France you will be arrested."</p>
+
+<p>"Evidently you are unaware, Doctor, that
+my son-in-law, Paul Le Pontois, was released
+yesterday," laughed Sir Hugh in triumph.
+"Your treachery, which is now known by the
+S&ucirc;ret&eacute;, defeated its own ends."</p>
+
+<p>"Further," remarked Walter Fetherston,
+turning to Enid, "it was this man here"&mdash;and
+he indicated the grey-faced doctor of Pimlico&mdash;"this
+man who denounced you and Sir Hugh to
+the French authorities, and had you not heeded
+my warning you both would then have been ar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a>[<a href="./images/300.png">300</a>]</span>rested.
+He had evidently suspected the object
+of your friendliness with me&mdash;that you both intended
+to reveal the truth&mdash;and he adopted that
+course in order to secure your incarceration in a
+foreign prison, and so close your lips."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you suspected me all along, Walter,"
+replied the girl, standing a little aside and
+suddenly clutching his hand. "But you will
+forgive me now&mdash;forgive me, won't you?" she
+implored, looking up into his dark, determined
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," he replied, "I have already
+forgiven you. I had no idea of the true reason
+of your association with this man."</p>
+
+<p>And he raised her gloved hand and carried
+it gallantly to his eager lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Though more than mere suspicion has rested
+upon you," he went on, "you and your stepfather
+deserve the heartiest thanks of the nation
+for risking everything in order to be in a position
+to reveal this dastardly financial plot. That
+man there"&mdash;and he indicated the doctor&mdash;"deserves
+all he'll get!"</p>
+
+<p>The doctor advanced threateningly, and,
+drawing a big automatic revolver from his pocket,
+would have fired at the man who had spoken
+his mind so freely had not Deacon, quick as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a>[<a href="./images/301.png">301</a>]</span>
+lightning, sprung forward and wrenched the
+weapon so that the bullet went upward.</p>
+
+<p>White with anger and chagrin, the doctor
+stood roundly abusing the man who had investigated
+that lonely house.</p>
+
+<p>But Fetherston laughed, which only irritated
+him the more. He raved like a caged lion, until
+the veins in his brow stood out in great knots;
+but, finding all protests and allegations useless,
+he at last became quiet again, and apparently began
+to review the situation from a purely philosophical
+standpoint, until, some ten minutes
+later, another motor-car dashed up and in it were
+an inspector and four plain-clothes constables,
+who had been sent over from Maldon in response
+to Deacon's message for assistance.</p>
+
+<p>When they entered Pietro became voluble,
+but the narrow-eyed doctor of Pimlico remained
+sullen and silent, biting his lips. He saw that he
+had been entrapped by the very man whom he
+had believed to be as clay in his hands.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was surely exciting as well as impressive.
+The half-furnished, ill-lit dining-room
+was full of excited men, all talking at once.</p>
+
+<p>Unnoticed, Walter drew Enid into the shadow,
+and in a few brief, passionate words reassured
+her of his great affection.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" she cried, bursting into hot tears,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a>[<a href="./images/302.png">302</a>]</span>
+"your words, Walter, have lifted a great load of
+sorrow and apprehension from my mind, for I
+feared that when you knew the truth you would
+never, never forgive."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have forgiven," he whispered, pressing
+her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Then wait until we are alone, and I will
+tell you everything. Ah! you do not know, Walter,
+what I have suffered&mdash;what a terrible strain
+I have sustained in these days of terror!"</p>
+
+<p>But scarcely had she uttered those words
+when the door reopened and a man was ushered
+in by Deacon, who had gone out in response to
+the violent ringing of the bell.</p>
+
+<p>"This is Mr. Bailey, tenant of the house,
+gentlemen," said the sergeant, introducing him
+with mock politeness.</p>
+
+<p>Fetherston glanced up, and to his surprise
+saw standing in the doorway a man he had
+known, and whose movements he had so closely
+followed&mdash;the man who had gone to Monte Carlo
+for instructions, and perhaps payment&mdash;the
+man who had passed as Monsieur Granier!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a>[<a href="./images/303.png">303</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h4>REVEALS A WOMAN'S LOVE</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Great</span> was the consternation caused in the
+neighbourhood of the sleepy old-world village
+of Asheldham when it became known that the
+quiet, mild-mannered tenant of The Yews had
+been arrested by the Maldon police.</p>
+
+<p>Of what transpired within those grim walls
+only the two men called to his assistance by Sergeant
+Deacon knew, and to them both the inspector
+from Maldon, as well as Trendall, expressed
+a fervent hope that they would regard
+the matter as strictly confidential.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, gentlemen," added Trendall, "we
+are not desirous that the public should know of
+our discovery. We wish to avoid creating undue
+alarm, and at the same time to conceal the
+very existence of our system of surveillance
+upon those suspected. Therefore, I trust that
+all of you present will assist my department by
+preserving silence as to what has occurred here
+this evening."</p>
+
+<p>His hearers agreed willingly, and through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a>[<a href="./images/304.png">304</a>]</span>
+the next hour the place was thoroughly searched,
+the bundles of spurious notes&mdash;the finished ones
+representing nearly one hundred thousand
+pounds ready to put into circulation&mdash;being
+seized.</p>
+
+<p>One of the machines they found was for
+printing in the serial numbers in black, a process
+which, with genuine notes, is done by hand.
+Truly, the gang had brought the art of forgery
+to perfection.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Trendall when they had finished,
+"this work of yours, Sir Hugh, certainly
+deserves the highest commendation. You have
+accomplished what we, with all our great organisation,
+utterly failed to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I have to-day tried to atone for my past offences,"
+was the stern old man's hoarse reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have succeeded, Sir Hugh," declared
+Trendall. "Indeed you have!"</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterwards the excitement among
+the crowd waiting outside in the light of the
+head-lamps of the motor-cars was increased by
+the appearance of the doctor, escorted by
+two Maldon police officers in plain clothes.
+They mounted a police car, and were driven
+away down the road, while into a second car the
+tenant of The Yews and his Italian manservant
+were placed under escort, and also driven away.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a>[<a href="./images/305.png">305</a>]</span>
+The station-fly, in which Bailey had driven
+from Southminster, conveyed away Fetherston,
+Trendall, Sir Hugh, and Enid, while Deacon,
+with two men, was left in charge of the house
+of secrets.</p>
+
+<p>It was past one o'clock in the morning when
+Walter Fetherston stood alone with Enid in the
+pretty drawing-room in Hill Street.</p>
+
+<p>They stood together upon the <i>vieux rose</i>
+hearthrug, his hand was upon her shoulder, his
+deep, earnest gaze fixed upon hers. In her
+splendid eyes the love light showed. They had
+both admired each other intensely from their
+first meeting, and had become very good and
+staunch friends. Walter Fetherston had only
+once spoken of the passion that had constantly
+consumed his heart&mdash;when they were by the blue
+sea at Biarritz. He loved her&mdash;loved her with
+the whole strength of his being&mdash;and yet, ah! try
+how he would, he could never put aside the dark
+cloud of suspicion which, as the days went by,
+became more and more impenetrable.</p>
+
+<p>Sweet-faced, frank, and open, she stood, the
+ideal of the English outdoor girl, merry, quick-witted,
+and athletic. And yet, after the stress
+of war, she had sacrificed all that she held most
+dear in order to become the friend of Weirmarsh.
+Why?</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a>[<a href="./images/306.png">306</a>]</span>
+"Enid," he said at last, his tender hand still
+upon her shoulder, "why did you not tell me
+your true position? You were working in the
+same direction, with the same strong motive of
+patriotism, as myself!"</p>
+
+<p>She was silent, very pale, and very serious.</p>
+
+<p>"I feared to tell you, Walter," she faltered.
+"How could I possibly reveal to you the truth
+when I knew you were aware how my stepfather
+had unconsciously betrayed his friends? You
+judged us both as undesirables, therefore any
+attempt at explanation would, I know, only aggravate
+our offence in your eyes. Ah! you do
+not know how intensely I have suffered! How
+bitter it all was! I knew the reason you followed
+us to France&mdash;to watch and confirm your suspicions."</p>
+
+<p>"I admit, Enid, that I suspected you of being
+in the hands of a set of scoundrels," her lover
+said in a low, hoarse voice. "At first I hesitated
+whether to warn you of your peril after Weirmarsh
+had, with such dastardly cunning, betrayed
+you to the French police, but&mdash;well," he
+added as he looked again into her dear eyes long
+and earnestly, "I loved you, Enid," he blurted
+forth. "I told you so! Remember, dear, what
+you said at Biarritz? And I love you&mdash;and because
+of that I resolved to save you!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a>[<a href="./images/307.png">307</a>]</span>
+"Which you did," she said in a strained, mechanical
+tone. "We both have you to thank for
+our escape. Weirmarsh, having first implicated
+Paul, then made allegations against us, in order
+to send us to prison, because he feared lest my
+stepfather might, in a fit of remorse, act indiscreetly
+and make a confession."</p>
+
+<p>"The past will all be forgiven now that Sir
+Hugh has been able to expose and unmask
+Weirmarsh and his band," Walter assured her.
+"A great sensation may possibly result, but it
+will, in any case, show that even though an Englishman
+may be bought, he can still remain honest.
+And," he added, "it will also show them
+that there is at least one brave woman in England
+who sacrificed her love&mdash;for I know well,
+Enid, that you fully reciprocate the great affection
+I feel towards you&mdash;in order to bear her
+noble part in combating a wily and unscrupulous
+gang."</p>
+
+<p>"It was surely my duty," replied the girl
+simply, her eyes downcast in modesty. "Yet
+association with that dastardly blackguard, Dr.
+Weirmarsh, was horrible! How I refrained
+from turning upon him through all those months
+I cannot really tell. I detested him from the
+first moment Sir Hugh invited him to our table;
+and though I went to assist him under guise of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a>[<a href="./images/308.png">308</a>]</span>
+consultations, I acted with one object all along,"
+she declared, her eyes raised to his and flashing,
+"to expose him in his true guise&mdash;that of Josef
+Blot, the head of the most dangerous association
+of forgers, of international thieves and blackmailers
+known to the police for the past half a
+century."</p>
+
+<p>"Which you have surely done! You have
+revealed the whole plot, and confounded those
+who were so cleverly conspiring to effect a sudden
+and most gigantic coup. But&mdash;&mdash;" and he
+paused, still looking into her eyes through his
+pince-nez, and sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"But what?" she asked, in some surprise at
+his sudden change of manner.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one matter, Enid, which"&mdash;and
+he paused&mdash;"well, which is still a mystery to me,
+and I&mdash;I want you to explain it," he said in slow
+deliberation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" she asked, looking at him
+quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"The mystery which you have always refused
+to assist me in unravelling&mdash;the mystery
+of the death of Harry Bellairs," was his quiet
+reply. "You held him in high esteem; you
+loved him," he added in a voice scarce above a
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>She drew back, her countenance suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a>[<a href="./images/309.png">309</a>]</span>
+blanched as she put her hand quickly to her brow
+and reeled slightly as though she had been dealt
+a blow.</p>
+
+<p>Walter watched her in blank wonderment.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a>[<a href="./images/310.png">310</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2>
+
+<h4>IN WHICH SIR HUGH TELLS HIS STORY</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">You</span> know the truth, don't you, dearest?"
+Walter asked at last in that quiet, sympathetic
+tone which he always adopted towards her whom
+he loved so well.</p>
+
+<p>Enid nodded in the affirmative, her face hard
+and drawn.</p>
+
+<p>"He was killed, was he not&mdash;deliberately
+murdered?"</p>
+
+<p>For a few seconds the silence was unbroken
+save for a whir of a taxicab passing outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," was her somewhat reluctant response.</p>
+
+<p>"You went to his rooms that afternoon,"
+Walter asserted point blank.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not deny that. I followed him home&mdash;to&mdash;to
+save him."</p>
+
+<p>There was a break in her voice as she stammered
+out the last words, and tears rushed into
+her dark eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"From what? From death?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, from falling a prey to a great temptation
+set before him."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a>[<a href="./images/311.png">311</a>]</span>
+"By whom?"</p>
+
+<p>"By the doctor, to whom my stepfather had
+introduced him," was the girl's reply. "I discovered
+by mere chance that the doctor, who had
+somewhat got him into his clutches, had approached
+him in order to induce him to allow
+him to take a wax impression of a certain safe
+key belonging to a friend of his named Thurston,
+a diamond broker in Hatton Garden. He
+had offered him a very substantial sum to do
+this&mdash;a sum which would have enabled him to
+clear off all his debts and start afresh. Harry's
+younger brother Bob had got into a mess, and
+in helping him out Harry had sadly entangled
+himself and was practically face to face with
+bankruptcy. I knew this, and I knew what a
+great temptation had been placed before him.
+Fearing lest, in a moment of despair, he might
+accept, I went, by appointment, to his chambers
+as soon as I arrived in London. Barker, his
+man, had been sent out, and we were alone. I
+found him in desperation, yet to my great delight
+he had defied Weirmarsh, saying he refused
+to betray his friend."</p>
+
+<p>"And what did Bellairs tell you further?"</p>
+
+<p>"He expressed suspicion that my stepfather
+was in the doctor's pay," she replied. "I tried
+to convince him to the contrary, but Weir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a>[<a href="./images/312.png">312</a>]</span>marsh's
+suggestion had evidently furnished the
+key to some suspicious document which he had
+one day found on Sir Hugh's writing-table."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well," she went on slowly, "we quarrelled.
+I was indignant that he should suspect my stepfather,
+and he was full of vengeance against Sir
+Hugh's friend the doctor. Presently I left, and&mdash;and
+I never saw him again alive!"</p>
+
+<p>"What happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"What happened is explained by this letter,"
+she replied, crossing to a little buhl bureau
+which she unlocked, taking out a sealed envelope.
+On breaking it open and handing it to him
+she said: "This is the letter he wrote to me with
+his dying hand. I have kept it a secret&mdash;a secret
+even from Sir Hugh."</p>
+
+<p>Walter read the uneven lines eagerly. They
+grew more shaky and more illegible towards the
+end, but they were sufficient to make the truth
+absolutely clear.</p>
+
+<p>"To-night, half an hour ago," (wrote the
+dying man) "I had a visit from your friend,
+Weirmarsh. We were alone, with none to overhear,
+so I told him plainly that I intended to
+expose him. At first he became defiant, but
+presently he grew apprehensive, and on taking
+his leave he made a foul accusation against you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a>[<a href="./images/313.png">313</a>]</span>
+Then, laughing at my refusal to accept his
+bribe, the scoundrel took my hand in farewell.
+He must have had a pin stuck in his glove, for I
+felt a slight scratch across the palm. At the
+moment I was too furious to pay any attention
+to it, but ten minutes after he had gone I began
+to experience a strange faintness. I feel now
+fainter . . . and fainter . . . A strange feeling
+has crept over me . . . I am dying . . .
+poisoned . . . by that king of thieves!</p>
+
+<p>"Come to me quickly . . . at once . . .
+Enid . . . and tell me that what he has said
+against you . . . is not true. It . . . it cannot
+be true. . . . Don't delay. Come quickly. . . .
+Can't write more.&mdash;Harry."</p>
+
+<p>Walter paused for a second after reading
+through that dramatic letter, the last effort of a
+dying man.</p>
+
+<p>"And that scoundrel Weirmarsh killed him
+because he feared exposure," he remarked in a
+low, hard voice. "Why did you not bring this
+forward at the inquest?"</p>
+
+<p>"For several reasons," replied the girl. "I
+feared the doctor's reprisals. Besides, he might
+easily have denied the allegation, or he might
+have used the same means to close my lips if he
+had suspected that I had learnt the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"The dead man's story is no doubt true," de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a>[<a href="./images/314.png">314</a>]</span>clared
+Fetherston. "He used some deadly poison&mdash;one
+of the newly discovered ones which
+leaves no trace&mdash;to kill his victim who, in all
+probability, was not his first. Your stepfather
+does not know, of course, that this letter exists?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I have kept it from everyone. I said
+that the summons I received from him I had destroyed."</p>
+
+<p>"In the circumstances I will ask you, Enid,
+to allow me to retain it," he said. "I want to
+show it to Trendall."</p>
+
+<p>"You may show it to Mr. Trendall, but I
+ask you, for the present, to make no further use
+of it," replied the girl.</p>
+
+<p>He moved a step closer to her and caught her
+disengaged hand in his, the glad light in her eyes
+telling him that his action was one which she
+reciprocated, yet some sense of her unworthiness
+of this great love causing her to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>"I will promise," said the strong, manly fellow
+in a low tone. "I ought to have made allowances,
+but, in the horror of my suspicion, I
+did not, and I'm sorry. I love you, Enid&mdash;I had
+never really loved until I met you, until I held
+your hand in mine!"</p>
+
+<p>Enid's true, overburdened heart was only too
+ready to respond to his fervent appeal. She
+suffered her lover to draw her to himself, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a>[<a href="./images/315.png">315</a>]</span>
+their lips met in a long, passionate caress that
+blotted out all the past. He spoke quick, rapid
+words of ardent affection. To Enid, after all
+the hideous events she had passed through, it
+seemed too happy to be true that so much bliss
+was in store for her, and she remained there,
+with Walter's arm around her, silently content,
+that fervid kiss being the first he had ever imprinted
+upon her full red lips.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they remained in each other's arms,
+their two true hearts beating in unison, their
+kisses mingling, their twin souls united in the
+first moments of their newly-found ecstasy of
+perfect love.</p>
+
+<p>The fight had been a fierce one, but their true
+hearts had won, and, as they whispered each other's
+fond affection, Enid promised to be the
+wife of the honest, fearless man of whose magnificent
+work in the detection of crime the country
+had never dreamed. They read his books
+and were enthralled by them, but little did they
+think that he was one of the never-sleeping
+watch-dogs upon great criminals, or that the
+sweet-faced girl, who was now his affianced wife,
+had risked her life, her love, her honour, in order
+to assist him.</p>
+
+<p>Next afternoon Sir Hugh called upon Walter
+at his dingy chambers in Holles Street, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a>[<a href="./images/316.png">316</a>]</span>
+as they sat together the old general, after a long
+and somewhat painful silence, exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"I know, Fetherston, that you must be mystified
+how, in my position, I should have become
+implicated in the doings of that criminal gang."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am," Walter declared.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, briefly, it occurred in this way," said
+the old officer. "While I was a colonel in India
+just before the war I was very hard pressed for
+money and had committed a fault&mdash;an indiscretion
+for which I might easily have been dismissed <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: added missing word 'from'">from</ins>
+the army. On being recalled to London, after
+war had been declared, I was approached by the
+fellow Weirmarsh who, to my horror, had, by
+some unaccountable means, obtained knowledge
+of my indiscretion! At first he adopted a high
+moral tone, upbraiding me for my fault and
+threatening to inform against me. This I
+begged him not to do. For a fortnight he kept
+me in an agony of despair, when one day he
+called me to him and unfolded to me a scheme
+by which I could make a considerable amount of
+money; indeed, he promised to pay me a yearly
+sum for my assistance."</p>
+
+<p>"You thought him to be a doctor&mdash;and nothing
+else?" Walter said.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. I never dreamed until quite recently
+that he was head of such a formidable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a>[<a href="./images/317.png">317</a>]</span>
+gang, whose operations were upon so extensive
+a scale as to endanger our national credit," replied
+Sir Hugh. "At the time he approached
+me I was in the Pay Department, and many
+thousands of pounds in Treasury notes were
+passing through my safe weekly. His suggestion
+was that I should exchange the notes as they
+came to me from the Treasury for those with
+which he would supply me, and which, on showing
+me a specimen, I failed to distinguish from
+the real. I hesitated; I was hard up. To sustain
+my position after my knighthood money
+was absolutely necessary to me, and for a long
+time I had been unable to make both ends meet.
+The bait he dangled before me was sufficiently
+tempting, and&mdash;and&mdash;well, I fell!" he groaned,
+and then after a pause he went on:</p>
+
+<p>"Whence Weirmarsh obtained the packets
+of notes which I substituted for genuine ones
+was, of course, a mystery, but once having taken
+the false step it was not my business to inquire.
+Not until quite recently did I discover his real
+position as chief of a gang of international
+crooks, who combined forgery with blackmail
+and theft upon a colossal scale. That he intended
+Bellairs should furnish him with an impression
+of the safe key of a diamond dealer in Hatton
+Garden is now plain. Bellairs defied him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a>[<a href="./images/318.png">318</a>]</span>
+and threatened to denounce him to the police.
+Therefore, the poor fellow's lips were quickly
+closed by the scoundrel, who would hesitate at
+nothing in order to preserve his guilty secrets."</p>
+
+<p>"But what caused you to break from him at
+last?" inquired Walter eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Just before the armistice he and his friends
+had conceived a gigantic scheme by which
+Europe and the United States were to be flooded
+with great quantities of spurious paper currency,
+and though it would, when discovered&mdash;as
+it must have been sooner or later&mdash;have injured
+the national credit, would bring huge fortunes
+to him and his friends. He was pressing me to
+send in my papers and go to America, there to
+act as their agent at a huge remuneration. They
+wanted a man of standing who should be above
+suspicion, and he had decided to use me as his
+tool to engineer the gigantic frauds."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, happily, refused?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I resolved, rather than act further,
+to relinquish the handsome payments he made
+to me from time to time. For that reason I got
+transferred from the Pay Department, so that
+I could no longer be of much use to him, a fact
+which annoyed him greatly."</p>
+
+<p>"And he threatened you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He was constantly doing so. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a>[<a href="./images/319.png">319</a>]</span>
+wanted me to go to New York. Enid helped
+me and gave me courage to defy him&mdash;which I
+did. Then he conceived a dastardly revenge by
+anonymously denouncing Le Pontois as a forger,
+and implicating both Enid and myself.
+He contrived that some money I brought from
+England should be exchanged for spurious
+notes, and these Paul unsuspiciously gave into
+the Cr&eacute;dit Lyonnais. Had it not been for your
+timely warning, Fetherston, we should both
+have also been arrested in France without a
+doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the other. "I was watching,
+and realised your peril, though I confess that
+my position was one of extreme difficulty. I, of
+course, did not know the actual truth, and, to
+be frank, I suspected both Enid and yourself of
+being implicated in some very serious crime."</p>
+
+<p>"So we were," he said in a low, hard voice.</p>
+
+<p>"True. But you have both been the means
+of revealing to the Treasury a state of things
+of which they never dreamed, and by turning
+King's evidence and giving the names and addresses
+of members of the gang in Brussels and
+Paris, all of whom are now under arrest, you
+have saved the country from considerable peril.
+Had the plot succeeded, a very serious state of
+things must have resulted, for the whole of our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a>[<a href="./images/320.png">320</a>]</span>
+paper currency would have been suspected. For
+that reason the authorities have, I understand,
+now that they have arrested the gang and seized
+their presses, decided to hush up the whole matter."</p>
+
+<p>"You know this?" asked Sir Hugh, suddenly
+brightening.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Trendall told me so this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Thank Heaven!" he gasped, much
+relieved. "Then I can again face the world a
+free man. God knows how terribly I suffered
+through all those years of the war. I paid for
+my fault very dearly&mdash;I assure you, Fetherston."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a>[<a href="./images/321.png">321</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h2>
+
+<h4>CONCLUSION</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">What</span> remains to be related is quickly told,
+though the public have, until now, been in ignorance
+of the truth.</p>
+
+<p>Out of evil a great good had come. At noon
+on the following day Trendall had an interview
+with Josef Blot, alias Weirmarsh, in his cell at
+Chelmsford, whither he had been conveyed by
+the police. What happened at that interview
+will never be known. It is safe to surmise, however,
+that the tragic letter of Harry Bellairs was
+shown to him&mdash;Enid having withdrawn her request
+that no use should be made of it. An hour
+after the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department
+had left, the prisoner was found lying
+stark dead, suffering from a scratch on the wrist,
+inflicted with a short, hollow needle which he had
+carried concealed behind the lapel of his coat.</p>
+
+<p>Greatly to the discomfiture of the gang, the
+man Granier and his servant Pietro were extradited
+to France for trial, while a quantity of
+jewellery, works of art, money and negotiable
+securities of all sorts were unearthed from a villa
+near Fontainebleau and restored to their owners.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>[<a href="./images/322.png">322</a>]</span>
+A fortnight after Weirmarsh's death, at St.
+George's, Hanover Square, Enid Orlebar became
+the wife of Walter Fetherston, and among
+the guests at the wedding were a number of
+strange men in whose position or profession nobody
+pretended to be interested. Truth to tell,
+they were officials of various grades from Scotland
+Yard, surely the most welcome among the
+wedding guests.</p>
+
+<p>Though Walter and Enid live in idyllic happiness
+in a charming old ivy-grown manor house
+in Sussex, with level lawns and shady rose arbours,
+they still retain that old cottage at Idsworth,
+where a plausible excuse has been given
+to the country folk for "Mr. Maltwood" having
+been compelled to change his name. No pair in
+the whole of England are happier to-day.</p>
+
+<p>No man holds his wife more dear, or has a
+more loving and hopeful companion. Their life
+is one of perfect and abiding peace and of sweet
+content.</p>
+
+<p>Walter Fetherston is not by any means idle,
+for in his quiet country home he still writes those
+marvellous mystery stories which hold the world
+breathlessly enthralled, but he continues to devote
+half his time to combating the ingenuity
+of the greater criminals with all its attendant excitement
+and adventure, which are reflected in
+his popular romances.</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3>
+<p>Corrections which have been made are indicated by dotted lines under
+the corrections.
+Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins class="err"
+title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Doctor of Pimlico, by William Le Queux
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+</body>
+</html>
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 01:53:25 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 01:53:25 -0700
commit	44de4d1b57b74690d84e4c72259f4bfddc7ecdce (patch)
tree	f75962ee9161873200dcf4853a252e52eab52b36 /22654-h