diff options
Diffstat (limited to '40372-8.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 40372-8.txt | 8779 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 8779 deletions
diff --git a/40372-8.txt b/40372-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5f24c2d..0000000 --- a/40372-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8779 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Silver Car, by Wyndham Martyn - -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 Secret of the Silver Car - Further Adventures of Anthony Trent, Master Criminal - -Author: Wyndham Martyn - -Release Date: July 30, 2012 [EBook #40372] -[Last updated: August 23, 2012] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE SILVER CAR *** - - - - -Produced by Annie R. McGuire. This book was produced from -scanned images of public domain material from the Google -Print archive. - - - - - - - - - -THE SECRET OF -THE SILVER CAR - - - - -WYNDHAM MARTYN -IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF -"ANTHONY TRENT, MASTER CRIMINAL" -"ALL THE WORLD TO NOTHING" -"THE MAN OUTSIDE" - - - - -THE SECRET OF -THE SILVER CAR - -FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ANTHONY -TRENT, MASTER CRIMINAL - - -BY -WYNDHAM MARTYN - -AUTHOR OF -THE MAN OUTSIDE; ALL THE WORLD TO NOTHING; -ANTHONY TRENT, MASTER CRIMINAL; ETC. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration] - - * * * * * - -NEW YORK -MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY -1920 - - - - -COPYRIGHT, 1920 -BY MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY - - - - -THEIR FATHER -DEDICATES THESE FURTHER -ADVENTURES OF ANTHONY TRENT TO -PHYLLIS AND CYNTHIA -BUT NOT WITHOUT A GUILTY FEELING THAT THERE -MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING -LACKING -IN THE ETHICAL TRAINING OF THESE -ESTIMABLE CHILDREN -SINCE THEY TAKE SUCH INTEREST IN THE -CAREER -OF A MASTER CRIMINAL - - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER PAGE - I THE PUZZLING PASSENGER 1 - II THE MAN IN THE DARK 14 - III THE BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH 25 - IV A LADY INTERRUPTS 63 - V THE MAN WHO DENIED 80 - VI FRESH FIELDS 101 - VII THE SENTENCE OF BANISHMENT 119 - VIII COUNT MICHÆL TEMESVAR 133 - IX PAULINE 146 - X THE GREATER GAME 174 - XI ANTHONY PLAYS HIS HAND 186 - XII SAINT ANTHONY 214 - XIII DOWN TO THE SEA 236 - XIV THE CABINET MEETING 266 - XV ANTHONY THE TRIUMPHANT 277 - - - - -CHAPTER ONE - -_THE PUZZLING PASSENGER_ - - -"Stop him," the second officer yelled, "he's going to jump overboard!" - -The man who dashed past him and through a group of passengers waving -hands at friends on the deck below, was too quick for those who sought -to stay him. He balanced himself for a moment on the rail and then -jumped ten feet down to the pier. - -The gangplanks had already been withdrawn and the great liner bound for -New York was too mighty a piece of momentum to pause now. Furthermore -her commander was going down the river on a favoring tide and nothing -short of a signal from the port authorities would have made him put back -for a passenger who had chosen such a singular moment for a leap into -the dark. - -An hour or so later in the smoking room the disappearance was discussed -with fervor. A collar manufacturer of Troy, named Colliver, was holding -his group for the reason he had been standing by the rail when the young -man jumped and had even sought to restrain him. - -"He was too quick for me," Colliver declared. "I surely thought he'd -hurt himself jumping ten feet down." - -"What did he do after he jumped?" a man demanded. - -"Picked himself up and looked around as if he expected to see someone. -The last I saw of him was going from group to group of people asking -something I couldn't hear." - -"Very mysterious," another passenger commented. "I don't believe he was -crazy. I believe he jumped off just at the right moment--for him. I -believe we shall find he took some loot with him. The purser is making -an investigation now." - -"I've got a theory," another smoker asserted. "I was just going to ask -him for a light when he began that run down the deck to the rail and -believe me he can sprint. Just as I was about to open my mouth I saw his -face suddenly change. Evidently he had seen or heard something that -frightened him." - -"So he ran away from danger?" Colliver added. "That might be. I tell you -on a big boat like this we are surrounded by crooks, male and female, -and they look on us as their lawful prey. He might have been a gambler -who spotted a victim he was afraid of." - -"Or a murderer," a Harvard theologian replied nervously. "I never feel -really safe on a great liner like this. We all have to take one another -on trust. I have been introduced to you gentlemen as a professor of -pastoral theology. I may be a professional murderer for all you know. -Mr. Colliver here isn't known to me personally and he may be a really -high class bank robber for all I can tell." - -Mr. Colliver took the suggestion sourly. - -"Everybody in Troy knows me," he replied with dignity. - -"Exactly," the theologian answered. "But Troy is not on the ship's -passenger lists to any such extent as to corroborate your statement. -There may be Harvard men on board who know me by name but for all they -know I may be made up to represent Professor Sedgely so as to gain your -confidence and rob you." - -"My collars encircle the necks of more men than those of any other -maker," said Colliver quoting one of his advertisements. "My name is -known everywhere. No man is perfectly dressed without my collars. I -presented a swimming pool to Troy and there isn't a man or woman in the -city but would resent any slur on me." - -"My dear sir," said the professor smiling, "I am not attacking your good -name or your city's fame. I am only saying that if you were crossing -with the idea of making a killing at games of chance I should not -benefit because you assumed the name of one who ornaments the cervical -vertebræ of perfectly dressed men. I only meant that anything can take -place on a ship such as this is and that this man who escaped tonight -may have done so to avoid capture and possible imprisonment or even -death." - -"The purser had a wireless sent to the company's office and no doubt -has a reply by this time," another passenger broke in. - -"He is probably in prison now," Professor Sedgely remarked. - -"You certainly have a cheerful mind," Colliver commented. - -"I read for mental relaxation the lightest forms of fiction," the -professor answered, "and I am prepared for anything. I maintain that -every passenger on a fast ship like this is regarded as a possible -victim by the cleverest criminals in existence. For myself I have -nothing of value, being poorly paid, but our friend there who has so -finely benefitted his home city wears a diamond pin of great value. -Furthermore there is a sapphire set in platinum on his finger which -might well tempt the professional robber." - -"Say," said Colliver a little uneasily, "you're observant all right. -Anything else you saw?" - -"That you have a gold cigar case with initials in emeralds. I have," the -professor said modestly, "trained my powers of observation. I do it to -protect myself." - -He rose from his chair and bowed a courteous goodnight to the immediate -group and then went on deck. - -"I don't trust that man," said the manufacturer. "I never trust any man -on a ship who wears smoked glasses. He wanted to conceal his eyes. I'll -bet he never saw Harvard except on a picture postal. Damn it!" Colliver -cried peevishly, "Why can't a man wear a passable ring and stickpin -without it attracting the attention of other people?" - -The Harvard theologian had sown seeds of suspicion. Colliver, as amiable -a manufacturer of collars as any in Troy, looked over at Myers Irving -who ran an advertising agency in New York and suspected him of being a -confidence man. - -"It's a pretty good looking ring," Irving said heartily. He wished he -had one like it. Now that he knew who Colliver was he thirsted after his -account. His overtures were accepted with marked reserve and a gloom -fell upon the party until the entrance of the genial purser. - -"Who was the mysterious man?" Colliver asked. - -"His name was Anthony Trent," said the purser. - -A man in the uniform of a captain in the United States army who had been -playing solitaire and had taken no part in this talk, looked up with -such sudden interest at the name that the purser turned to him. - -"Do you know Anthony Trent?" he demanded. - -"Yes," said Captain Sutton, "I do." - -"Can you think of any reason why he should jump ashore just as we were -starting for the Hudson River?" - -"He might have been saying goodbye to his best girl and taken no heed of -the warning to go ashore." - -"That won't do," the purser declared. "All his kit is in his stateroom -and he had already seen his table steward and arranged about his seat. -He went off on the impulse of the moment and I'd like to know what that -impulse was." - -"Has anyone missed anything?" Colliver asked. - -"Don't know," the purser said. "Haven't heard of anything so far. I -wirelessed the office and the pier superintendent and they have lost all -trace of him. The last they heard of him was that he was seen offering a -taxicab driver double fare to drive fast." - -"He saw someone on the ship he was afraid of," Colliver said with the -air of one called upon to solve a deep mystery. - -The purser was determined not to let Captain Sutton get back to his -solitaire. - -"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you more about your friend," he said -smiling, "the whole thing is so unusual that the old man wants a -thorough investigation. In confidence, is there anything fishy about -this Anthony Trent?" - -"In confidence, I may tell you," Captain Sutton answered, "but my -confidence will be in the captain's cabin and not here." - -"Do you think we'd say anything to anyone about it?" Colliver demanded. -He feared he was to be robbed of interesting details. - -"I'm a lawyer by profession," Captain Sutton returned, "and I know how -people talk even when they mean to be silent. Anthony Trent is a friend -of mine and I shall constitute myself his counsel. He served under me in -the war, was recommended for a commission, and won the _Croix de -Guerre_. He is an American with enough money to play golf and flyfish -for trout all he wants to. He was in a hospital in the Isle of Wight for -three months after being wounded and I had a letter from him saying he -would come over on this ship. I came by Liverpool just because I wanted -to see him; and when I didn't see him at dinner I thought he had changed -his plans. I can give no reason why he should have left the boat in the -manner he did but as a lawyer I can assure the company that it is his -affair and not theirs." - -The purser was skilled in the ways of human beings. He had not -straightened out difficulties for his company on half a thousand trips -across the Atlantic for nothing. He could see plainly enough that -Captain Sutton knew something about Anthony Trent that he would not tell -the captain or anyone else unless process of law compelled. There had -been a quick look of fear on his face when he realized Trent was the man -of whom the group about him had been speaking. Whether Captain Sutton -knew the reason why his friend had leapt from the ship's rail was -doubtful; but that the act had conjured up sudden fear gave the purser -food for thought. - -"The company certainly does not want to bring suit against a passenger -who has paid for a high priced state room and a number of excellent -meals and refuses to benefit by them. The old man was annoyed that -everyone was talking about it at his table and he wasn't able to get off -his little crop of chestnuts as usual. He'd appreciate it if you would -tell him what you know about Mr. Trent." - -"If I see him it will be as Mr. Trent's lawyer," Sutton retorted. - -The purser looked at him keenly. - -"So you admit," he said genially, "that this mysterious Anthony Trent -needs a defender?" - -"I admit nothing of the sort," Sutton replied quickly. But he felt he -had not conducted the affair with his usual skill. "There's been a lot -of hot air talked about crimes on board ship and I'm not going to have -my friend's name linked with that sort of thing." - -"Of course not," the purser agreed. "I can understand why you come to -the rescue; still there is bound to be some misunderstanding about a man -who leaves all his baggage behind and takes a desperate jump as he did." - -"He saw someone on this ship he was afraid of," Colliver insisted. "It -might have been you for all I know." - -"What do you mean by that?" Sutton demanded and flushed dusky red. - -Colliver was amazed at the sudden heat. The purser was more interested -than ever. He would have been even more amazed if he had known that -Captain Sutton honestly believed that it was because Anthony Trent had -seen him face to face that he had escaped. The letter of which he had -spoken was non-existent. He had lied because of the man whom he had, for -the first time, claimed as his friend. - -Sutton had been the officer; Trent the enlisted man and the discipline -of the service prevented a friendship that would have been possible in -other days and, now war was finished, might again become practicable. -The space of an hour was the time the officer had been with the man and -yet he was determined to fight for his interests. And he suddenly -realized that he had begun his fight by antagonizing a very shrewd -purser. - -"My dear sir," the purser said gently, "I am sure you are taking this -too much to heart. Nobody is accusing your client of anything more -serious than risking a broken leg which, after all, is more his affair -than even his counsel's. Captain Kingscote will ask you a few questions -which you must understand, as a lawyer, a ship's commander ought to ask. -There is such a thing as a log and it has to be written correctly. -Tomorrow morning perhaps? You will be offered an excellent cigar and a -drink that you can't get in all the length and breadth of your native -land." - -"Any time at all," Sutton answered with an effort to be as genial as the -purser. "I only resented the idle chatter that centred around a man who -fought very gallantly." - -"If you mean me by that reference," Colliver said angrily, "I'd like to -say that I have as much right to talk as anyone on board." - -"Certainly," said Myers Irving, "and I can't see why anyone wants to get -excited about it. It was that professor who began it. Mr. Colliver what -do you say to a little smile?" - -Colliver looked at the card Irving handed to him. He did not like -advertising men as a rule but he felt this debonair head of a big agency -was an exception. He had come to the aid of big business. - -"It must be the salt in the air," he confessed, "I don't mind if I do." - -Left to himself Sutton closed his eyes and lived over again those -moments in France when Anthony Trent had been brought before him as -adjutant on extraordinary charges. - -Once or twice he had seen Private Trent and had been vaguely reminded of -a forgotten face. It was only when Anthony Trent had been recommended -for promotion and had declined it that he remembered the name. Trent had -been the Dartmouth football captain in that historic year when Harvard -was humbled. Sutton, a graduate of ten years previously, had shouted -himself hoarse at the great run by which Trent had passed the crimson -score. - -Private Trent had been chosen on very dangerous business and the -adjutant had no chance to speak to him as he had determined to do. -Anthony Trent was one of those who volunteered to clean up machine gun -nests left behind to harass the advancing troops of the Allies. He had -done so well that Captain Sutton was proud of him for the sake of the -old college in Hanover. - -He remembered the shock he had when Lieutenant Devlin, a former -detective in New York and a man to whom he was not drawn, declared that -this same Anthony Trent was the most famous criminal of the day, a -master craftsman who had never been in police toils. - -Sutton laughed at the very suggestion. It was absurd. Devlin's answer to -this made the soldier-lawyer less confident. Devlin said that Dr. Trent -had left his son but a few hundred dollars and a rambling mortgaged home -among New Hampshire hills. Young Trent had come to New York and settled -down to writing detective and criminal stories for the lesser magazines. -Then, suddenly, an Australian relative had died and left him a fortune. -This was a lie, Devlin declared. There was no such relation. It was done -to explain his sudden giving up of writing and living in a far better -style. - -Trent owned, so the detective asserted, a beautiful camp on Kennebago -Lake in Maine, two automobiles and sundry other aids to a comfortable -existence which his writings would never have gained for him. - -Still disbelieving, Captain Sutton was shown the dying depositions of an -English soldier who had been butler to a New York millionaire whose -house had been robbed. Austin, the butler, had seen Trent and assumed -him to be a friend of his employer. He had recognized him when British -and American troops were brigaded side by side and had told only Devlin -a detective who had worked on the case. - -Evidence at last seemed conclusive. Devlin, dying in hospital wished for -the downfall of a man who had beaten him in three big cases. The -adjutant remembered well one case when the Dangerfield ruby worth almost -two hundred thousand dollars was taken. - -Private Trent seemed quite calm. He assured his officer that these -charges were preposterous. "What else could they be?" he had asked. - -"They might be the truth," Sutton had said gravely. - -He remembered the visit to the hospital where Devlin lay dying but eager -to sign the testimony he had woven about his enemy. The ending of the -incident was very curious. It made him like Devlin after all. When -Devlin knew his end was come and the last rites of his church had been -administered he had given up his plans for revenge. He had looked into -the fearless eyes of the master criminal and he had seen there an -unconquerable spirit which he admired. And so, with his last effort he -had torn up the written evidence and declared that Anthony Trent was not -the man; that it was all a mistake. - -Sutton remembered the relief with which he had put his hand on the -shoulder of the younger man and that he had said, "Trent, you were in -luck this time. Don't take a chance again." - -After the signing of peace he had determined to look up the old athlete -and see if he could not offer him such opportunities that he could go -straight. Sutton was a man of immense wealth and had mining properties -in South America which needed supervision. - -And now to find that Trent was aboard the ship and at the last moment -had risked a broken limb in order to escape. It was not likely that a -man who feared detection so much dare rely on the generosity of a man -who knew his secret. There were probably rewards for his capture which, -in the aggregate, offered immense inducement to deliver Anthony Trent -to justice. How was Trent to know that Sutton the adjutant was -financially secure enough to make the sacrifice? Undoubtedly he had seen -Sutton and made the desperate leap. - -Sutton determined to safeguard his interests. The baggage for instance, -that should not be searched. There might be in it evidence as damaging -as that which the brothers of Joseph put into the younger's sack. It -would be far better to see the captain and make a friend of him. Why had -not Trent been a better reader of character and recognized that in -Captain Sutton he had a friend? - -Sutton did not know that long ago Trent had seen that in the rich lawyer -there was one whom he need not fear. Few were more skilled than the -master criminal in the reading of those signs by which men reveal for a -second or so the depths of their natures. - -Anthony Trent had not jumped from the rails of the big ship because he -had seen Sutton. He had no idea his old adjutant was on board. He had -not jumped ashore because of any person on the liner. He took his -reckless leap because among those who waited on the pier he heard the -voice of the one man he feared, the man he had been trying to find since -that day in France when death seemed at last to have claimed him. - - - - -CHAPTER TWO - -_THE MAN IN THE DARK_ - - -One day late in October when the Allies were moving with such speed -against the enemy Private Trent had been struck with a piece of -shrapnel. There was the recognized noise of the flying fragments and -then a sudden flaming pain in his left arm followed by black -unconsciousness. - -He came back very slowly to the realization that he was not seriously -hurt. His wounded arm was bandaged. He was still rather weak and lay -back for some moments before opening his eyes. Then he opened them to -meet only a wall of unrelieved night. "I'm blind!" he thought. - -Groping about him he felt dank earth, the earth he had been accustomed -to in the trenches, slimy, sweating clay. With his undamaged hand he -felt the bandages that were about his head. There was no wound near his -eyes; but that would not be necessary, for he had seen so many cases of -blindness due to the bursting of high explosives. It might be temporary -blindness or it might be permanent. - -There was a great silence about him. Gone were the myriad sounds of war -that had enveloped him before his injury. Perhaps he was deaf, too. "My -God!" he groaned thinking of this new infliction and then grew a little -less miserable when he recognized the sound of his own voice. Well, -blindness was enough! Never again to see the green earth or the morning -sun stealing down the lake where his home was. At a little past thirty -to see only through the eyes of others. No more golf, no more hunting -and fishing trips, and of course no more of those taut-nerved nights -when he, a single human being, pitted his strength and intelligence -against the forces of organized society--and won. There was small -consolation in thinking that now, at all events, Anthony Trent, master -criminal would not be caught. He would go down in police history as the -most mysterious of those criminals who have set the detectives by the -heels. - -A little later he told himself he would rather be caught, sentenced to a -term of life imprisonment if only he might see a tiny ribbon of blue sky -from his cell window, than condemned to this eternal blackness. - -Then the miracle happened. A few yards from him came a scratching sound -and then a sudden flame. And in that moment he could see the profile of -a man bending over a cigarette. He was not blind! - -"Who are you?" Anthony Trent cried not yet able to comprehend this -lifting of what he felt was a sentence imposed. "Where am I?" - -The man who answered spoke with one of those cultivated English voices -which Trent had once believed to be the mark of decadence or -effeminacy, a belief the bloody fields of France had swept from him. - -"Well," said the man slowly, "I really don't see that it matters much -now to anyone what my name may be." - -"The only thing that matters to me," Trent cried with almost hysterical -fervor, "is that I'm not blind as I thought I was." - -The answer of the unknown man was singular; but Trent, who was not far -from hysteria on account of bodily pain and the mental anguish through -which he had been, did not take note of it. - -"I don't think that matters much either," the voice of the man in the -dark commented. - -"Then where are we?" Trent demanded. - -"There again I can't help you much," the unknown answered. "This _was_ a -common or garden dug-out." - -"_Was_," Trent repeated, "What is it now?" - -"A tomb," the stranger told him puffing at his cigarette. "I found you -bleeding to death and I bandaged your arm. I was knocked out myself and -your men and mine had gone on and there was never a Red Cross man or -anyone else in sight so I carried you into this dug-out. All of a sudden -some damned H. E. blocked up the opening. When the dust settled I -explored with my few matches. Our tomb is sealed up--absolutely. I've -often heard of it happening before. It looks as if a house had been -lifted up and planted right on this dug-out." - -"So that's why you said it didn't matter much if I could see or not?" - -"Does it?" the man asked shortly. - -"Have you another match?" Trent asked presently. "I'd like to explore." - -"No good," the other retorted. "I've been all round the damned place and -there isn't a chance, except that the thing may collapse and bury us." - -"Then we are to starve to death without an effort?" - -"We shall asphyxiate, we shan't starve. Don't you notice how heavy the -air is? Presently we shall get drowsy. Already I feel light headed and -inclined to talk." - -"Then talk," Trent said, "Anything is better than sitting here and -waiting. The air is heavy; I notice it now. I suppose I'm going to be -delirious. Talk, damn you, talk. Why not tell me your name? What -difference can it make to you now? Are you afraid? Have you done things -you're ashamed of? Why let that worry you since it only proves you're -human." - -"I'm not ashamed of what I've done," the other drawled, "it's my family -which persists in saying I've disgraced it." - -Anthony Trent was in a strange mood. Ordinarily secretive to a degree -and fearful always of dropping a hint that might draw suspicion to his -ways of life, he found himself laughing in a good humored way that this -English soldier should imagine he must conceal his name for fear of -disgrace. Why the man was a child, a pigmy compared with Anthony Trent. -He had perhaps disobeyed an autocrat father or possibly married a chorus -girl instead of a blue blooded maiden. - -"You've probably done nothing," said Trent. "It may be you were expelled -from school or university and that makes you think you are a desperate -character." - -There was silence for a moment or so. - -"As it happens," the unknown said, "I was expelled from Harrow and -kicked out of Trinity but it isn't for that. I'm known in the army as -Private William Smith of the 78th Battalion, City of London Regiment." - -"I thought you were an officer," Trent said. Private Smith had the kind -of voice which Trent associated with the aristocracy. - -"I'm just a plain private like you," Smith said, "although the lowly -rank is mine for probably far different reasons." - -"I'm not so sure of that," Trent said, a trifle nettled. "I could have -had a commission if I wanted it." - -"I did have one," Smith returned, "but I didn't mean what I said -offensively. I meant only that I dare not accept a commission." - -Anthony Trent waited a moment before he answered. - -"I'm not so sure of that," he said again. - -The reasons for which Trent declined his commission and thereby endured -certain hardships not unconnected with sleeping quarters and noisy -companionship were entirely to his credit. Always with the fear of -exposure before his eyes he did not want to place odium on the status of -the American officer as he would have done had screaming headlines in -the papers spoken of the capture by police authorities of Lieutenant -Anthony Trent the cleverest of modern crooks. But he could not bring -himself to speak of this even in his present unusual mood. - -"It doesn't matter now very much," Smith said laughing a little, "we -shall both be called missing and the prison camps will be searched for -us. In the end my family may revere my memory and yours call you its -chief glory." - -"I haven't a family," Trent said. "I used to be sorry for it. I'm glad -now." He stopped suddenly. "Do you know," he said later, "you were -laughing just now. You're either crazy or else you must have your nerve -with you still." - -"I may be crazy," returned Private Smith, "but I usually make my living -by having my nerve with me as you call it. It has been my downfall. If I -had been a good, moral child, amenable to discipline I might have -commanded a regiment instead of being a 'tommy' and I might be repenting -now. By the way you don't seem as depressed as one might expect. Why?" - -"After a year of this war one doesn't easily lose the habit of laughing -at death." - -"I've had four years of it," Smith said. "I was a ranker when it broke -out and saw the whole show from August 1914. On the whole what is -coming will be a rest. I don't know how they manage these things in -your country but in England when a man has been, well call it unwise, -there is always a chance of feeling a heavy hand on one's shoulder and -hearing a voice saying in one's ear, 'I arrest you in the King's name!' -Very dramatic and impressive and all that sort of thing, but wearing on -the nerves--very." Private Smith laughed gently, "I'm afraid you are -dying in rather bad company." - -"We have something in common perhaps," Trent said. He grinned to himself -in the covering blackness as he said it. "Tell me, did you ever hear of -Anthony Trent?" - -"Never," Private Smith returned quickly. "Sorry! I suppose I ought to -know all about him. What has he done?" - -"He wrote stories of super-crookdom for one thing." - -"That explains it," Smith asserted, "You see those stories rather bore -me. I read them when I was young and innocent but now I know how -extremely fictional they are; written for the greater part, I'm -informed, by blameless women in boarding houses. I like reading the real -thing." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -"Reports of actual crimes as set forth in the newspapers. -Cross-examinations of witnesses and all that, summing up of the judges -and coroners' inquests. Was this Trent person really good?" - -"You shall judge," said the American. "He wrote of crimes and criminals -from what such actual practitioners had told him. He was for a time a -police reporter on a big New York paper and had to hang around Mulberry -Street. After that he tried the magazines but as editors are so remote -as a rule from actual knowledge of the world's play and work, he didn't -make much money at it. Finally his pet editor--a man with some human -attributes--said in effect, 'I can't raise your rates; the publisher -won't stand for it. If I paid decent prices he couldn't buy champagne -and entertain his favorites.' This was in the era before prohibition. -The human editor went on giving advice and wound up by saying, 'Why -don't you do what your super-crook character does and relieve the -dishonest rich of their stolen bonds? Conway Parker gets away with it, -why shouldn't you?'" - -"Of course he was rotting?" Private Smith asked. - -"Yes," the American said, "He didn't really mean it but the thought -germs fell into the right sort of broth. Anthony Trent wasn't naturally -a crook but he hated having to live in a cheap boarding house and eat -badly cooked meals and play on a hard-mouthed, hired, upright piano. -Some ancestor had dowered him with a love of beautiful things, rugs, -pictures, pottery, bronzes, music and a rather secluded life. Also he -had dreams about being a great composer. He was a queer mixture. On the -whole rather unbalanced I suppose. His father died and left him almost -nothing. All he could do was newspaper work at first." - -"You mean he actually followed the editor's advice?" - -"Yes. He had certain natural gifts to aid him. He was a first rate -mimic. It's a sort of gift I suppose. He had gone in for amateur -theatricals at his college and done rather well. He pulled off his first -job successfully but the butler saw him and did not forget. That was the -trouble the butler remembered. It wasn't a big affair. It didn't make -any such stir as for example as when he took the Mount Aubyn Ruby." - -"I read of that," Smith returned eagerly. "He knocked out a millionaire -surrounded with detectives and got away in an airplane." - -"He got away but not in an airplane," replied Anthony Trent. "On the -whole the unknown aviator was rather useful to him but was absolutely -blameless. Then there was the case of the Apthorpe emerald. Did you hear -of that?" - -"Haven't I told you," Smith returned impatiently, "that I read all about -things of that sort? How could I have missed that even though I was in -the trenches when it happened. It was the delight of my hospital life to -read about it in Reynolds Journal. It was said a woman murdered old -Apthorpe for it." - -"She did," Trent admitted, "and she took the emerald but Anthony Trent -got it from her and fooled them all. His last big job before the United -States got into the war was getting the blue-white diamond that was -known as the Nizam's Diamond." - -"A hundred carat stone," Smith said reverently. "By Jove, what a master! -As I never heard of him of course he was never caught. They are all -caught in the end, though. His day will come." - -For a moment the thought that Anthony Trent's life was coming to an end -before many hours had passed took the narrator from his mood of triumph -into a state of depression. To have to give up everything and die in the -darkness. Exit Anthony Trent for all time! And as he thought of his -enemies the police toiling for the rich rewards that they would never -get for apprehending him his black mood passed and Smith heard him -chuckle. - -"They all get caught in the end," Smith repeated, "the best of them. The -doctrine of averages is against them. Your Anthony Trent is one lone man -fighting against so many. He may have the luck with him so far but -there's only one end to it. They got Captain Despard and he was a -top-hole marauder. They got our estimable Charles Peace and they -electrocuted Regan in your own country only last month and he was -clever, God knows. I think I'd back your Trent man against any single -opponent, but the odds are too great. The pack will pull him down and -break him up some day." - -Again Private Smith of the City of London regiment heard the man he had -rescued from danger to present him with death, laugh a curious -triumphant laugh. He had seen so much of war's terror that he supposed -the man was going mad. It would perhaps be a more merciful end. - -"No," said the American. "Anthony Trent will never be discovered. He -will be the one great criminal who will escape to the confusion of the -detectives of New York and London. _I am Anthony Trent._" - - - - -CHAPTER THREE - -_THE BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH_ - - -"You?" cried Private Smith. "Ye Gods! And I haven't even a match left so -I can see you before we go. I die in better company than I know." Trent -could hear that he raised himself slowly and painfully to his feet. Then -he heard the soldier's heels click smartly together. "Ave Cæsar--" he -began. But the immortal speech of those gladiators being about to die -was not finished. - -There broke on Trent's astonished gaze a flash of sunlight that made him -blink painfully. And the terrifying noise of high explosive hurt his -ears and that swift dreadful sucking of the air that followed such -explosions was about him again in its intensity. He had been dug out of -his tomb for what? - -The doctors thought him a very bad case. Of course he was delirious. He -stuck to a ridiculous story that he was imprisoned in a tomb with one -William Smith, a private in the 78th Battalion of the City of London -Regiment and that H. E. had mysteriously disinterred him. H. E. did -perform marvels that were seemingly against known natural laws but -Private Trent was obviously suffering from shell shock. - -When he was better and had been removed to a hospital far from the area -of fighting he still kept to his story. One of the doctors who liked him -explained that the delusion must be banished. He spoke very -convincingly. He explained by latest methods that the unreal becomes -real unless the patient gets a grip on himself. He said that Trent was -likely to go through life trying to find a non-existent friend and -ruining his prospects in the doing of it. "I'll admit," he said at the -end of his harangue, "that you choose your friend's name well." - -"Why do you say that?" Trent asked. - -"Because the muster roll of the 78th shows no fewer than twenty-seven -William Smiths and they're all of 'em dead. That battalion got into the -thick of every scrap that started." - -Trent said no more but made investigations on his own behalf. -Unfortunately there was none to help him. The ambulance that picked him -up was shelled and he had been taken from its bloody interior the only -living soul of the crew and passengers. None lived who could tell him -what became of his companion, the man to whom he had revealed his -identity, the man who possessed his secret to the full. - -When he was discharged from the service and was convalescing in -Bournemouth he satisfied himself that the unknown Smith had died. Again -luck was with Anthony Trent. The one man--with the exception of Sutton -whose lips he was sure were sealed--who could make a clear hundred -thousand dollars reward for his capture was removed from the chance of -doing it even as the knowledge was offered him. The words that he would -have spoken, "Hail Cæsar, I, being about to die, salute thee!" had come -true in that blinding flash that had brought Anthony Trent back to the -world. - -But even with this last narrow escape to sober him Trent was not certain -whether the old excitement would call and send him out to pit himself -against society. He had no grievance against wealthy men as such. What -he had wanted of theirs he had taken. He was now well enough off to -indulge in the life, as a writer, he had wanted. He had taken his part -in the great war as a patriot should and was returning to his native -land decorated by two governments. Again and again as he sat at the -balcony of his room at the Royal Bath Hotel and looked over the bay to -the cliffs of Swanage he asked himself this question--was he through -with the old life or not? He could not answer. But he noticed that when -he boarded the giant Cunarder he looked about him with the old keenness, -the professional scrutiny, the eagerness of other days. - -He tipped the head steward heavily and then consulted the passenger list -and elected to sit next to a Mrs. Colliver wife of a Troy millionaire. -She was a dull lady and one who lived to eat, but he had heard her -boasting to a friend on the boat train that her husband had purchased a -diamond tiara in Bond Street which would eclipse anything Troy had to -offer. Mrs. Colliver dreaded to think of the duty that would have to be -paid especially as during the war less collars were used than in normal -times. - -It was with a feeling of content that Anthony Trent paced the deck as -the liner began her voyage home. Two years was a long time to be away -and he felt that a long lazy month in his Maine camp would be the -nearest thing to the perfect state that he could dream of when he heard, -distinctly, without a chance of being mistaken, the voice of Private -William Smith shouting a goodbye from the pier. - -Trent had a curiously sensitive ear. He had never, for example, failed -to recognize a voice even distorted over telephone wires. William Smith -had one of those distinctive voices of the same timbre and inflection of -those of his caste but with a certain quality, that Trent could not now -stop to analyze, which stamped it as different. - -All Trent's old caution returned to him. It was possible that the man -whom he had supposed dead had come to see the Cunarder off without -knowing Anthony Trent was aboard. But the passenger lists could be -inspected and even now the law might have been set in motion that would -take him handcuffed from the vessel at quarantine to be locked up in a -prison. He was worth a hundred thousand dollars to any informant and he -could not doubt that the so-called Smith had gone wrong because of the -lust for money to pay his extravagances. It was inevitably the reason in -men of the class of Smith and Despard. - -He was obsessed with the determination to find out. He would track the -man he had known as Smith and find out without letting him be any the -wiser. A hundred ideas of disguise flashed across the quick-working -brain. He tried to tell himself that it was likely that the voice might -have proceeded from an utter stranger. But this was false comfort he -knew. It was Smith of the 78th City of London regiment who was on the -pier already growing inch by inch farther away. - -The second officer tried to stop him and a passenger grasped him by the -arm as he climbed the rails but they tried vainly. He dropped as lightly -as he could and picked himself up a little dazed and looked around. He -could see a hundred faces peering down at him from the moving decks -overhead. He could see a crowd of people streaming down the pier to the -city. And among them was the man he sought. - -"One moment, sir," said a policeman restraining him, "what's the meaning -of this?" - -"Just come ashore," Trent smiled. The policeman loomed over him huge, -stolid, ominous. The man looked from Trent in evening dress and without -hat or overcoat, to the shadowy ship now on her thousand league voyage -and he shook his head. It was an irregular procedure, he told himself -and as such open to grave suspicion. But he was courteous. Trent was a -gentleman and no look of fear came to his face when the officer spoke. -The man remained close to Trent when he approached the few groups of -people still on the pier. To every man in the groups the stranger -contrived to ask a question. Of one he asked the time, of another the -best hotel in Liverpool. - -"It may seem very strange," said Trent pleasantly to the perplexed -policeman, "but I did an unaccountable thing. I thought I saw a man who -was in the trenches with me in France during the war and saved my life -and I sprang over the side to find him and now he's gone." - -The policeman waved a white gloved hand to the people who had already -left the landing stage. - -"Your friend may be there, sir," he said. - -"You don't want to detain me, then?" Trent cried. - -"It's dark, sir," said the policeman, "and I could hardly be expected to -remember which way you went." - -At the end of the short pier was a taxicab stand and a space where -private machines might park. Anthony Trent arrived in time to see a huge -limousine driven by a liveried chauffeur with a footman by his side -begin to climb the step grade to the street. As it passed him he could -swear he heard Smith's voice from within, saying, "It's the most rotten -luck that I should be a younger son and not get the chances Geoffrey -does." - -Trent could not see the number plate of the big machine. He could note -only a coat of arms on the door surmounted by a coronet. He had no time -to ask if any of the dock laborers knew the occupants. He sprang into -the sole taxi that occupied the stand and commanded the driver to -overtake the larger car. So eager was the man to earn the double fare -that he was halted by a policeman outside the Atlantic Riverside -Station. The time taken up by explanations permitted the coronetted -limousine to escape. - -In so big a city as Liverpool a car could be lost easily but the -sanguine taxi driver, certain at least of getting his fare, persisted in -driving all over the city and its suburbs until he landed his passenger -tired and disappointed at the Midland Hotel. - -On the whole Anthony Trent had rarely spent such unprofitable hours. He -had paid a premium for his state room on a fast boat and was now -stranded in a strange city without baggage. And of course he was -worried. He had believed himself alone to have been rescued when the -high explosive had taken the roof from his tomb. Now it seemed probable -that the British soldier, Smith, had also made his escape. - -Although it was quite possible Trent was following a stranger whose -voice was like that of Private Smith, he had yet to find that stranger -and make sure of it. Trent was not one to run away from danger. - -As he sat in the easy chair before the window he told himself again and -again that it was probable the voice he identified with the unknown -Smith was like that of a thousand other men of his class. He had acted -stupidly in jumping from a ship's rails and risking his limbs. And how -much more unwisely had he acted in that black silence when he was led to -cast aside his habitual silence and talk freely to a stranger. In effect -he had put himself in the keeping of another man without receiving any -confidence in return. He blamed the wound, the shock and a thousand -physical causes for it but the fact was not to be banished by that. -Smith knew Anthony Trent as a master criminal while Anthony Trent only -knew that Smith has enlisted under another name because he had disgraced -his own. It might easily be that this unknown Smith was like a hundred -other "gentlemen rankers" who could only be accused of idleness and -instability. But Anthony Trent stirred uneasily when he recalled the -eagerness with which Smith spoke of some of those crimes Anthony Trent -had committed. Smith knew about them, admired the man who planned them. -Trent on thinking it over for the hundredth time believed Smith was -indeed a crook and as such dangerous to him. - -Few men believe in intuition, guess work or "hunches" as do those who -work outside the law. Again and again Anthony Trent had found his -"hunches" were correct. Once or twice he had saved himself by implicitly -acting on them in apparent defiance of reason. At the end of many hours -during which he tried to tell himself he was mistaken and this voice -owned by someone else, he gave it up. He knew it was Smith. - -To find out by what name the Smith of the dug-out went by in his own -country must be the first step. The second would be to shadow him, -observe his way of life and go through his papers. So far all he had to -go upon was a quick glance at an automobile of unknown make upon whose -panels a coat of arms was emblazoned surmounted by a crown. Had he -possessed a knowledge of heraldry he could have told at a glance whether -the coronet was that of a baron, viscount, earl, marquis or duke and so -narrowed down the search. And had he observed the coat of arms and motto -he could have made certain, for all armorial bearings are taxable and -registered. - -To try to comb the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire for the occupants -of an unknown car would take time and might lead to police interest in -his activities. - -Before he retired to his bed a courteous agent of the Cunard Company had -called upon him to inquire at what he was dissatisfied that he left the -ship so suddenly. To this agent he told the same story--the true -one--that he had told the policeman. - -The purser was able to inform the group in the smoking room ere it -retired. - -"I don't believe that for a moment," Colliver declared. - -"Why not?" asked the Harvard professor, "don't you know that truth in -the mouth of an habitual liar is often a potent and confounding weapon?" - -"Maybe," Colliver said dryly, "but I'm an honest man and I'd like to -know why you think that man Trent was an habitual liar." - -"I don't know," the professor answered amiably. "I always think in terms -of crime on board ship." - -"There's no need to on this ship," the purser said testily. - -"I hope not," said the professor, "but coming back from the far East -last year on another line I made friends with a man much of the build of -Mr. Colliver here. I did not like him very much. He had only prejudices -and no opinions. A typical successful man of business I presume." - -"Thank you," said Mr. Colliver finding one of his own neck adornments -growing tight. - -"He was murdered," the theologian went on, "because he carried some -diamonds for his wife in a pocket. Some thieves found it out." - -"What thieves?" Colliver demanded. - -"It is one of the undiscovered murders on the high seas," the professor -said placidly. - -"Mighty awkward for you," Colliver said, still angry. - -"Fortunately I had an alibi," said the other, "I was violently ill of -_mal de mer_." - -"Mighty convenient," Colliver commented. - -Later he asked the purser's private opinion of the professor. Myers -Irving joined with Colliver in resenting the professor's attack on -business men. - -"Ordinarily," Colliver said, "I don't like advertising men, but you're -different. They're like vultures after my account as a rule." - -"You'd have to force your account on me," said Myers Irving seriously. -"I'm not an ordinary business or advertising man. Primarily I'm a -business builder. I leave nothing to underlings. I direct everything -personally. I take few accounts. If my clients don't make good on their -end of it I give them up. I make money for my clients. I have no other -ambition. I believe in advertising. It might be that fellow Trent jumped -ashore for some publicity stunt. Supposing he said he did it because he -forgot to order some special dish at the Adelphi or Midland? Such a dish -would get more publicity than you could shake a stick at. But I'm not -here to talk shop." - -Colliver watched the trim advertising man saunter off. - -"A bright boy," commented the Troy magnate, "maybe he'll be surprised -before this trip is over. Maybe he'll have to talk shop." - -Captain Sutton listened to the purser's explanation as though they were -entirely reasonable. But all the time he said to himself, "why need he -have been afraid of me?" - - * * * * * - -Anthony Trent bought himself a suit of clothes in the city and set out -for London on the ten o'clock train. An Army List showed him the names -of the officers of the City of London Regiment. He decided to call upon -the adjutant, a Captain Edgell. It took him little time to find out that -Edgell had resumed his former occupation of stock broker and was living -with his family at Banstead in Surrey. - -Edgell was a golfer of distinction and before the war had been a scratch -man at the club on the Downs. Five years absence had sent his handicap -up a bit but he was engaged in pulling it down when a golfing stranger -from the United States giving the name of Trent who had the club's -privileges for the day asked him if he could introduce him to a member -for a round of golf. It so happened that most of the men waiting to play -were ruddy faced gentlemen with handicaps of from twelve up to -twenty-four. They did not excite Edgell. - -"Glad to," he said heartily. He had been brigaded with Americans and -liked them. "Do you play a strong game?" - -"I have a two handicap at Wykasol," Trent said. - -"Good business," cried Edgell, "we'll play together." - -They played. They became intimate during the game and Edgell learned -with regret that Trent was not one of the many American business men -engaged in their work in London. Trent beat the stockbroker on the -twenty-third hole. - -"If I could only putt like that," said Edgell, "I'd have a chance for -the open championship." - -"I wish I could drive a ball the length you do," Trent said not to be -outdone. - -"Of course you'll have dinner with us," the stockbroker said. "We don't -dress for it any more since the war so you've no excuse. I learned to -make cocktails from some of your fellows in France so you ought to feel -at home." - -"As home used to be," Trent corrected. "I'd love to come if I'm not -putting you out." - -Edgell's home was a half-timbered house standing in an acre of lawn and -flower garden. It was thoroughly comfortable. There seemed to be a -number of children but they did not obtrude. Trent could see them -playing in different parts of the garden, the little ones with their -nurse and the elder playing clock golf on a perfect green in front of -the house. Always the quiet secure atmosphere of a home such as this -brought to Anthony Trent a vision of what he had lost or rather of what -he could never obtain. - -Little six-year old Marjorie Edgell liked Trent on sight and liking him -announced it openly. She told him what a great man her father was and -how he had medals and things. Finally she asked the visitor whether he -would not like to have medals. It was the opportunity for which Trent -had been looking. Ordinarily averse to talking of himself, he wanted to -get on to the subject of the war with the late adjutant of the -seventy-eighth. - -"I have," he told little Marjorie. - -"Daddy," she shrieked in excitement, "Mr. Trent has medals too." - -"So you were in the big thing?" Edgell asked. "Honestly wouldn't you -rather play golf? I can get all the excitement I want on the Stock -Exchange to last me the rest of my life. I enlisted in a city regiment -as a private and I left it as adjutant after four years and I'm all for -the piping ways of peace. My battalion was the 78th and we always had -the luck with us. Whenever we got anywhere something started." - -"The seventy-eighth battalion," Trent commented, "I had a pal in your -battalion, a pal who saved my life. I'm going to look him up next week. -Curious that I should be talking to his adjutant. William Smith was his -name. I wonder if you knew him?" - -"I wonder if you know how many William Smiths and John Smiths are lying -in France and Flanders with little wooden crosses over them?" - -"This one came through all right," Trent said. - -"At least ten William Smiths came through," Edgell asserted. "I think I -remember them all. Which was your man? Describe him." - -Trent lighted his cigarette very deliberately. To be asked to describe a -man he had claimed as a pal and yet had never seen face to face was not -easy. - -"I think you would recognize my William Smith," Trent answered, "if I -told you he was not really William Smith at all but a man who had -assumed that name as a disguise." - -"I understand," Edgell exclaimed, "a slight blond man very erect and -rather supercilious with what the other men called a lah-de-dah voice. I -remember him well. I had him up before me for punishment many times. -Little infractions of discipline which he constantly committed. Used to -rile me by his superior airs. Quite a mysterious person. Saved your life -did he? Well, he had all the pluck a man need have." - -"I want to thank him for it," Trent said, "but I've only known him as -William Smith. The War Office people tell me he was demobilized three -months back and they have no address. If you'll tell me, in confidence, -his real name I can find him out." - -"But my dear chap," said Captain Edgell, "I don't know it. None of us -knew it. My sergeant-major swore he'd been a regular and an officer but -that's mere conjecture. He _was_ a regular now I come to think of it and -sent to us when his own regiment was wiped out in the Autumn of 1914." - -"Who would be able to tell me?" Trent asked eagerly. - -"The colonel knew," Edgell declared, "I sent him up to the old man for -punishment once. The colonel looked at him as if he could not believe -his eyes. 'You are down here as William Smith,' he said." - -"'That is my name, sir,' said Smith." - -"Then the colonel knew him?" Trent asked. - -"Undoubtedly. I was told to leave them alone. I should like to have -asked Colonel Langley but he is one of those men it's hard to approach. -Doesn't mean to be standoffish but gives that impression. One of those -very tall men who seem to be looking through you and taking no interest -whatsoever in the proceeding." - -"I want to find out," Trent said, "could you give me a letter of -introduction?" - -"Glad to," Edgell replied, "but he's like that native song bird of -yours, the clam. He is a silent fighter. The men respected him and went -to their deaths for him but they would have felt it disrespectful to -love him. He lives at a place called Dereham Old Hall in Norfolk. A -great county swell with magnificent shooting. One of those places -royalty stays every year for a week at the partridges. Always thought -it a funny thing he was given the command of a lot of cockneys -considering he was Sandhurst and Tenth Hussars till he married and -chucked the service, but he made good as you fellows say." - -While Captain Edgell was writing the letter Trent had leisure to reflect -that the identity of Private William Smith might remain permanently -veiled in obscurity if Colonel Langley refused to talk. If the colonel -was not to be lured to disclose what Trent needed to know, the American -would be left in a very unpleasant position. Until he knew whether his -"hunch" was right or wrong he could never again sleep in peace with the -name Anthony Trent as his own. He was in danger every minute. Smith -might have tracked him to the liner to have him arrested in America. -That he had left the boat might easily be known. Therefore in order to -win twenty thousand sovereigns English money, or a half million francs -in the coinage of the country where the two had spent weary months, -Smith had only to start the hue and cry in England. The ports would be -watched. In the end they would get him. - -There was no escape over the borders to Mexico or dash to safety over -the Canadian frontier as he had planned to do under similar conditions -of peril in his own country. Here on an island they had got him. He was -weaving evidence that could be used against him by making this display -of interest in Private Smith. Captain Edgell could give testimony that -would not help his case. - -"Here you are," said Edgell genially, "I've taken the liberty of calling -you an old golfing pal. I've done all I could but Colonel Langley is not -easy of approach. I'm not at all hopeful." - -"It isn't really serious," Trent explained after thanking him, "but I'd -like to see him again. He did undoubtedly save my life and carried me -into safety. Quite a physical feat for one of his weight. What do you -suppose he weighs?" - -"About ten stone seven," the other answered. - -That was one hundred and forty-seven pounds. Trent was gradually -building up a portrait of the man he feared. - -"And about five feet seven in height?" he hinted. - -"That's the man," Edgell asserted. "Quite a good looking chap, too, if -you care for the type. Rather too effeminate for me although, God knows, -he is a man." - -It was not easy to see Colonel Langley, D.S.O. Trent knew that county -magnates such as he was did not see everyone who desired an interview. -He stayed at a good hotel in Norwich and enclosed Captain Edgell's -letter in one of his own. - -The answer came back in the third person. It was favorable and -punctiliously polite. Colonel Langley would be happy to see Mr. Anthony -Trent at eleven o'clock on a certain morning. Dereham Old Hall was a -dozen miles from Norwich, city of gardens, city of Norman cathedrals and -many quaintly named parish churches. Trent hired a motor car and drove -through the leafy Norfolk lanes. - -Colonel Langley's residence was the work of Inigo Jones and a perfect -example of the Renaissance style. It stood at least a mile from the high -road. The lodge keeper telephoned to the house and Trent's driver was -permitted to drive through the deer park and pull up before the great -front doors. - -The room in which Anthony Trent waited for the colonel was evidently a -sort of smoking room. Trophies of the chase adorned the walls. It was -evident Langley was a hunter of great game and had shot in all parts of -the globe from Alaska to Africa. - -He was a man of six feet four in height, grizzled and wore a small -clipped military moustache. It was not a hard face, Trent noted, but -that of a man who had always been removed from pursuits or people who -wearied him. There was a sense of power in the face and that inevitable -keenness of eye which a man who commanded a regiment could not fail to -have acquired. - -He bowed his visitor to a seat. He did not offer to shake hands. - -"You have come," he said politely, "from my former adjutant to ask a -question concerning the regiment which he writes he could not tell you. -I can think of nothing to which this would apply. He had every thread of -the business in his hands." - -"Captain Edgell could not tell me the real name of one of his men who -enlisted under the name of William Smith." - -There was no change of expression on the rather cold face of the lord of -broad acres. - -"And what made Captain Edgell assume I could help you, sir?" - -"I don't know all the particulars but he was certain you knew his real -identity." - -"If I do," Colonel Langley returned, "I shall keep that knowledge to -myself. I regret that you have had this trouble for nothing." - -"William Smith," Trent told the other, "saved my life. I want to thank -him for it. Is there anything odd in that? You alone can help me so I -come to you. I want to help William Smith. I have money which I should -not have been able to enjoy but for him." - -"You imagine, then, that William Smith is penniless, is that it?" - -"He told me he was," Trent answered promptly. "I can offer him an -opportunity to make good money in New York." - -He looked at Colonel Langley as he said it. If Smith was indeed of a -great family the idea of being offered money and a job must amuse the -one who knew his real name and estate. Sure enough a flicker of a smile -passed over the landowner's face. - -"I am happy to inform you," he said, "that Mr. Smith is living at home -with his family financially secure enough not to need your aid." - -"That," said Trent deliberately, "is more than you can say." - -"I am not in the habit of hearing my word doubted," the older man said -acidly. - -"I am not doubting it," Trent said suavely, "I mean merely to remind -you that he may need my aid although it may not be monetary aid. You -will remember that there have been passages in Mr. Smith's life which -have not been entirely creditable." - -"Are you claiming to be friend or accomplice?" Langley snapped. - -"Let us say friend and confidant," Trent smiled. "Perhaps he made -certain confessions to me--" - -"To you also?" Langley cried. - -In that moment he had said too much. During that hour when Edgell left -the private alone with his commanding officer the officer had obtained -his confidence and very likely a confession. He saw the soldier throw a -quick glance at one of those old safes which disguised themselves as -necessary articles of furniture. Trent's eyes dwelt on it no longer than -the owner's did, but he saw enough. Colonel Langley had told him plainly -that the confession was locked in the safe which looked like a black oak -sideboard on which decanters and a humidor were arranged. - -"To me also," Trent repeated, "and it is because of it that I knew he -did what he did for the reason he needed more money than a younger son -could expect. Colonel Langley, I only want his real name. I want to help -him. That's why I spoke of offering him money." - -"You will be glad to know," the colonel answered, "that Mr. Smith is at -present in no need of money." - -"You mean," Trent said sharply, "that you will not give me his real name -and address?" - -"I cannot tell you," Colonel Langley answered. "If you like I will write -and say you have called and give him the opportunity to do as he -pleases." - -Trent reflected for a moment. If Smith were not already aware of his -presence in England it would be very unwise to advertise it. He was -beginning to see he had been less than cautious in calling upon Edgell -and Colonel Langley under his own name. - -"I need not trouble you to do that," he said, "if you wish to conceal -his name it is no doubt your privilege and he will do well enough -without my thanks." - - * * * * * - -He made his chauffeur drive home at a temperate speed. The man knew all -about the Langleys and was glad to tell the affable stranger. As they -passed through the gates several carriages laden with men and some -station carts filled with baggage passed into the gravelled drive. - -"Gentlemen come for the shooting," the chauffeur volunteered. "Tomorrow -is September the first when partridge shooting commences. The colonel is -a great shot and the King comes here often and the German Emperor has -shot over those turnips in the old days. This is supposed to be the best -partridge shoot in the kingdom and the birds are fine and strong this -year--not too much rain in the Spring." - -"I suppose there'll be a regular banquet tonight," said Trent. - -"Tomorrow night's the night," said the chauffeur grinning, "tonight -they all go to bed early so as to be up to an early breakfast and have -their shooting eyes. The colonel's terrible man if any of the guns only -wound their birds. They've got to shoot well tomorrow if they want to -come here again. I know because my uncle is one of the keepers." - -The man was surprised at the tip his American passenger handed him when -they reached the Maids' Head Hotel, and charmed with his affability. He -told his fellows that Trent was a real gentleman. He did not know that -his unsolicited confidence had given the American a hint upon which he -would be quick to act. - -As Trent had been driven along the Dereham Road approach to Norwich he -had seen a little cycle shop where gasoline was sold and repairs made. -The war had sent English people of moderate circumstances back to the -bicycle again and only the wealthy could keep cars or buy petrol at -seventy-five cents a gallon. In his drive he had seen several people of -seemingly good position pedalling cheerfully through the lanes. The -chauffeur had touched his hat to one and spoken of him as rector of a -nearby parish. Cycles were to be hired everywhere and the prevailing -rate seemed to be sixpence an hour or three and six for the day. - -After dinner Anthony Trent found his way back to the little shop in the -Dereham Road. "The Wensum Garage" it proudly called itself. Here he said -he wished to hire a bicycle for a day. As dusk fell he was pedalling -along to Dereham Old Hall. Few people were about and those he passed -evinced no curiosity. Avoiding the main road which passed in front of -the lodge and gates by which he had entered, he hid his wheel between -two hay stacks which almost touched. Then he made his way through the -kitchen gardens to the rear of the house. It was now ten o'clock and the -servants' part of the big house seemed deserted. Already the lights in -the upper stories were evidence that some guests were retiring to rest -well before the "glorious first." - -From the shelter of the rose garden he could see a half score of men and -women on the great terrace in front of the splendid house. He could see -that they were all in evening dress. In a mosquitoless country this -habit of walking up and down the long stone terraces was a common -practice after dinner. Trent came so near to the guests that he could -hear them talking. The conversation was mainly about to-morrow's -prospects. He learned there was little disease among the birds, that -they were phenomenally strong on the wing and hadn't been shot over to -any extent since 1914. Some guests deplored the fact that dancing was -taboo on this night of nights but it was the Langley tradition and they -must bend to it. - -"Think of it," he heard a woman say, laughing, "lights out at twelve! -How primitive and delightful." She yawned a little. "I'm looking forward -to it; we all stay up too late." - -"Good night, Duchess," he heard the man say. "Sleep well and pray I may -be in form." - -"Duchess!" In the old days Anthony Trent would have thrilled at the -title for it meant invariably jewels of price and the gathering of the -very rich. But he was waiting outside the masterpiece of Inigo Jones not -for any of those precious glittering stones for which he had sacrificed -all his prospects of fame and honor but for the documents which he -believed were hidden in the iron box, that ridiculous "pete" covered -with black English oak. It was another of the "hunches" which had come -to him. He had never been more excited about any of the many jobs he had -undertaken. - -As he sat among the roses waiting for time to pass he reflected that the -few failures that had been his had not been attended by any danger. He -had lost the pearls that were wont to encircle the throat of a great -opera singer because her maid had chosen an awkward hour to prosecute -her amour with a chauffeur. The diamonds of the Mexican millionaire's -lady were lost to him because the house took fire while he was examining -the combination of the safe. But they would wait. He would yet have them -both. The booty for which he had come tonight was more precious than -anything he had ever tried for. It was probably the key to safety that -he sought. Trent did not doubt that there was a document in the safe -which would enable him to hold something over the head of Private -William Smith. - -He waited until twelve had struck from the stable clock and the terrace -had been deserted a half-hour. To open the doors leading from the -terrace was simple. Anthony Trent always carried with him on business -bent two strips of tool steel with a key-blade at each end. With these -two "T" and "V" patterns he could open the world's locks. A nine inch -jimmy was easy to secrete. This was of the highest quality of steel and -looked to the uninitiated very much like a chisel. But it differed from -a chisel by having at its other end two brass plates set at right angles -to one another. These could be adjusted to what angles were needed by -turning countersunk screw bolts. It was the ideal tool for yale spring -locks. - -He did not need it here. The doors opened at will with the "V" pattern -skeleton key. Great oriental rugs deadened sound and the boards of the -house were old, seasoned and silent. He found his way to the room in -which the colonel had received him with little difficulty. First of all -he opened the window and saw that he could spring clear out of it at a -bound and land in a bed of flowers only three feet below. Then he came -to the antiquated safe. The combinations were ridiculously easy. His -trained ear caught the faint sounds as he turned the lever easily. These -told him exactly the secret of the combination. It was not two minutes -work to open the doors. An inner sheeting of steel confronted him but -was opened by his jimmy. It was not safe to turn on the electric lights. -In so big an establishment with so many outdoor servants there might be -many to remark an unexpected illumination. His little torch showed him -all he wanted to know. - -Colonel Langley had the soldiers' neatness. There were few valuables in -the safe. They would be presumably in his banker's strong boxes. There -were packets of letters tied up and one long envelope. On it was -inscribed, "Not to be Opened. In case of my death this must be destroyed -by my heir, Reginald Langley." On the envelope was the date, July 27, -1918, and the single word, "Ladigny." - -Ladigny was a little village in France forever memorable by the heroic -stand of the City of London regiment when it lost so terribly and -refused to retreat. Trent opened the envelope in such a way that no -trace of the operation was seen. Then for ten minutes he read steadily. -Almost a half hour was expended in copying part of it in a note book. -Then the envelope was resealed and the safe closed. As he had worn -gloves there was no fear of incriminating finger prints. He did not -think anyone would notice that a jimmy had been used. Then he closed the -safe and its outer doors of black oak. - -He permitted himself the luxury of a cigarette. He had done a good -night's work. If Private William Smith had sufficient evidence to place -Anthony Trent behind the bars the master criminal had sufficient certain -knowledge now to shut the mouth of the man he was tracking. Who would -have thought a man reared in such a family would have fallen so low! It -is a human failure to make comparisons whereby others invariably shine -with a very weak light, but Anthony Trent was saying no more than the -truth when he told himself that with Smith's opportunities he would -never have taken to his present calling. - -With Smith's opportunities he would be sitting in a big room like this -and sitting in it without fear of interruption. The strain of the last -few days had not been agreeable and this strain must grow in intensity -as he grew older. It was always in such peaceful surroundings as these -that Trent felt the bitterness of crime even when successful. - -He stopped suddenly short in his musing and crushed the bright tip of -his cigarette into blackness beneath his foot. Someone was fumbling with -the doorhandle, very quietly as though anxious not to disturb him. He -cursed the carelessness that had allowed him to leave it unlocked. He -had not behaved in a professional way at all. Very cautiously he rose to -his feet, meaning to leave by the open window when the door opened. -Trent sank back into the shadow of the big chair. To make a dash for the -window would mean certain detection. To stay motionless might mean he -could escape later. Similar immobility had saved him ere this. - -The intruder closed the door and his sharp ears told him it was locked. -Then a soft-treading form moved slowly through the dim light and closed -the window, shut off his avenue of escape, and pulled across it two -curtains which shut out all light. There were two other high windows in -the room and across each one was pulled the light-excluding curtains. -Then there was a click and the room sprang into brilliance. - -Anthony Trent saw the intruder at the same moment the intruder stared -into his face. - -It was a girl in evening dress, a beautiful girl with chestnut hair and -a delicious profile. She wore an elaborate evening gown of a delicate -blue and carried in her hand a fan made of a single long ostrich plume. -Her hair was elaborately coiffured. She was, in fine, a woman of the -_beau monde_, a fitting guest in such a house as this. But what was she -doing in this room at one o'clock at night when the rest of the -household had long been abed? - -The girl saw a slender but strongly built man of something over thirty -with a pale, clean-shaven face, shrewd almost hard eyes and a masterful -nose. He looked like a rising English barrister certain at some time to -be a judge or at the least a King's Counsel. He was dressed in a well -cut suit of dark blue with a pin stripe. He wore brown shoes and silk -socks. She noted he had long slender hands perfectly kept. - -He rose to his feet and smiled at her a little quizzically. - -"Really," he said, "you almost frightened me. I was sitting in the dark -making plans for the glorious 'first,' which has been here almost an -hour, when I heard you trying to open the door." - -There was no doubt in her mind but that he was one of the guests who had -arrived from London on the late train and had not changed to evening -dress. There was a train due at Thorpe station at half past ten and the -motor trip would take forty minutes more. - -"I had no idea anyone was here," she said truthfully, "or I shouldn't -have come. You see one can't sleep early even if one is sent to bed as -we all were tonight." She glanced at the clock. "I'm not shooting -tomorrow but if you are why don't you turn in? You know Colonel Langley -is a fearful martinet where the shooting is concerned and insists that -every bird is killed cleanly." - -It was plain that she wished to get rid of him. Trent was frankly -puzzled. The girl had shown no fear or nervousness. Ordinarily the -conventions would have had their innings and she would have hesitated at -the possibility of being found alone with a good looking man at such an -hour. She would have excused herself and left him in the belief that he -was a guest she would meet tomorrow at dinner and dance with after it. -But she showed no such intention. He knew enough about women to see that -she had no intention of waiting for the pleasure of a friendly chat. She -had rather a haughty type of face and spoke with that quick imperious -manner which he had observed in British women of rank or social -importance. - -"I have neuralgia," he said amiably, "and I prefer to sit here than go -to bed. Perhaps you left something here? Can I help you to find it?" - -"I came for a book. Colonel Langley was talking about some African -hunting story your Mr. Roosevelt wrote." - -So she knew him for an American. Well, she would find the American not -easily to be gulled. There came to him the memory of another night in -Fifth Avenue when a woman who seemed to be of fashion and position had -so completely fooled him and had been left in possession of a large sum -of currency. - -He moved toward a bookcase in which were a collection of books on -fishing and shooting. - -"'African Game Trails,'" he said, "here it is." - -There was no doubt in his mind that the look she threw at him was not -one of complete amiability. She wanted him to go. He asked himself why. -It would have been easy for her to go and leave him, and the best way -out of the difficulty, unless she had come for one specific purpose. If -she had come for something concealed in the room and needed it badly -enough she would try and wait until he went. Trent was certain she had -no suspicion as to his own mission. In so big a house as Dereham Old -Hall fifty guests could be entertained easily and it was unlikely she -should know even half of them. He had observed that it was not the -fashion in England to introduce indiscriminately as in his own country. -Guests were introduced to their immediate neighbors; but that appalling -custom whereby one unfortunate is expected to memorize the names of all -present at a gulp was not popular. Because she did not know him would -not lead to suspicion. He was in no danger. Even a servant coming in -would see in him only a friend of his employer. - -"Thank you," she said, taking the book with an appearance of interest. -"Do you know I never thought to see Americans at Dereham Old Hall with -the single exception of Reginald's old friend Conington Warren. Colonel -Langley is so conservative but the war has broadened everyone hasn't it -and stupid national prejudices are breaking down." - -"Conington Warren here?" he asked. - -"He lives in England now," she told him, "his physicians warned him that -prohibition would kill him so they simply prescribed a country where he -could still take this cocktail. You know him of course?" - -"A little," he said; she wondered why he smiled so curiously. He -wondered what this beautiful girl would say if she knew it was at -Conington Warren's mansion in Fifth avenue that he had started his -career as a criminal. So that great sportsman, owner of thoroughbreds -and undeniable shot, was in this very house! After all it was not a -strange coincidence. The well known Americans who love horse and hound -with the passion of the true sportsman are to be seen in the great -houses of England more readily than the mushroom financier. - -"What other people are there here you know?" she demanded. - -"I can't tell you till tomorrow," he returned, "I only said a word or -two to the Duchess. She deplored having to go to bed so early and was -disappointed at not being able to dance." - -"She is one of my dearest friends," the girl answered. - -"Which means you see her every fault," he laughed. - -"Isn't your neuralgia better?" she asked after a pause. - -Anthony Trent shook his head. - -"I shan't sleep all night," he said despondently. "Going to bed would -only make it worse." - -She was obviously put out at this statement. - -"Then you'll stop here all night?" - -"At all events until it gets light. It's only two o'clock now. If you -are keen on big game hunting you won't sleep if you begin that book." - -"You'll frighten the servants in the morning," she said later. - -"I'll tip them into confidence," he assured her. - -The girl was growing nervous. There were a hundred symptoms from the -tapping of her little feet on the rug to the fidgeting with the book and -the meaningless play with her fan. She started when a distant dog bayed -the moon and dropped her book. It rolled under a table and Trent picked -it up. But when he handed it back to her there was an air of excitement -about him, an atmosphere of triumph which puzzled her. - -"You look as though you enjoyed hunting for books under tables." - -"I enjoy any hunting when I get a reward for my trouble." - -"And what did you find?" she asked "a little mouse under the chair?" - -"I found a key," he said. - -"Someone must have dropped it," she said idly. - -"Not a door key," he returned, "but the key to a mystery. Being a woman -you are interested in mysteries that have a beautiful society girl as -their heroine of course?" - -"I really must disappoint you," she said rather coldly, "and I don't -quite understand why you are not quick to take the many hints I have -dropped. Can't you see I want to sit here alone and think? Your own room -will be just as comfortably furnished. In a sense this is a sort of -second home to me. Mrs. Langley and I are related and this room is an -old and favorite haunt when I'm depressed. Is it asking very much that -you leave me here alone?" - -"Under ordinary conditions no," he said suavely. - -"These are ordinary conditions," she persisted. - -"I'm not sure," he retorted. "Tell me this if you dare. Why have you the -combination to a safe written on a little piece of mauve paper and -concealed in the book on your lap?" - -She turned very pale and the look she gave him turned his suspicion into -a desire to protect her. The woman of the world air dropped from her and -she looked a frightened pathetic and extraordinarily lovely child. - -"What shall I do?" she cried helplessly. "You are a detective?" - -"Not yet," he said smiling, "although later I intend to be. But I'm not -here even as a great amateur. Consider me merely a notoriously good shot -suffering equally from neuralgia and curiosity. You have the combination -of a safe concealed in this room and you want me to go to bed so that -you may take out wads of bank notes and pay your bridge debts. Is that -right so far?" - -"You are absolutely wrong," she cried with spirit. "I need no money and -have no debts. There are no jewels in the safe." - -"Letters of course," he said easily. - -She did not speak for a moment. He could see she was wondering what she -dare tell him. She could not guess that he knew of the three packages of -letters each tied with green ribbon. It was, he supposed, the old story -of compromising letters. Innocent enough, but letters that would spell -evil tidings to the jealous fiancé. They might have been written to -Colonel Langley. Men of that heroic stamp often appealed to sentimental -school girls and the colonel was undeniably handsome in his cold -superior way. His heart ached for her. She was suffering. What had -seemed so easy was now become a task of the greatest difficulty. - -"Yes," she said deliberately, "letters. Letters I must have." - -"Do you suppose I can stand by and see my host robbed?" - -"If you have any generosity about you you can in this instance. I only -want to destroy one letter because if it should ever be discovered it -will hurt the man I love most in the world." - -Anthony Trent groaned. He had guessed aright. There was some man of her -own class and station who did not love her well enough to overlook some -little silly affectionate note sent to the _beau sabreur_ Langley -perhaps a half dozen years before. It was a rotten thing to keep such -letters. He looked at the girl again and cursed his luck that she was -already engaged. Then he sighed and remembered that even were she free -it could never be his lot to marry unless he confessed all. And he knew -that to a woman of the type he wanted to marry this confession would -mean the end of confidence the beginning of despair. - -"I shall not stop you," he said. - -She looked at him eagerly. - -"And you'll never tell?" - -"Not if they put me through the third degree." - -"But ... oughtn't you to tell?" she asked. - -"Of course," he admitted, "but I won't. I can see you are wondering why. -I'll tell you. I've been in just such a position--and I did what you are -going to do." - -Without another word she went swiftly to the concealed safe and began to -manipulate the lock. For five minutes she tried and then turned to him -miserably. - -"It won't open," she wailed. - -"I'll have a shot at it," he said gaily, and went down on his knees by -her side. He soon found out why it remained immovable. It was an old -combination. She did not understand his moves as he went through the -same procedure which had opened it before. She only saw that the doors -swung back. She did not see him pry the iron sheathing back with the -jimmy. It was miraculously easy. - -Then he crossed the room to his chair and lighted another cigarette. -"Help yourself," he cried and picked up the book which had held the -combination. - -The girl's back was to him and he could not see what she was doing. He -heard the scratch of a match being lighted and saw her stooping over the -stone fireplace. She was burning her past. Then he heard her sigh with -relief. - -"I shall never forget what you have done for me," she said holding out -her hand. - -"It was little enough," he said earnestly. - -"You don't know just how much it was," the girl returned, "or how -grateful I shall always be to you. If I hadn't got that letter! I -shouldn't have got it but for you. And to think that tomorrow we shall -be introduced as one stranger to another. I'm rather glad I don't know -your name or you mine. It will be rather fun won't it, being introduced -and pretending we've never met before. If you are not very careful the -Duchess will suspect we share some dreadful secret." - -"The Duchess is rather that way inclined, isn't she?" he said. - -He held the hand she offered him almost uncomfortably long a time. She -would look for him tomorrow in vain. He supposed she would begin by -asking if there were any other Americans there except Conington Warren. -After a time she would find he was not a guest of the Langleys. She -would come at last to know what he was. And with this knowledge there -would come contempt and a deliberate wiping his image from her mind. -Anthony Trent had no sentimental excuses to offer. He had chosen his own -line of country. - -He looked at her again. It would be the last time. Perhaps there was a -dangerously magnetic quality about his glance for the girl dropped her -eyes. - -"Faustus," he said abruptly, "sold his soul for a future. I think I'd be -willing to barter mine for a past." - -"_Au revoir_," she said softly. - -When she had closed the door he walked across the room to shut the safe. -What secrets of hers, he wondered, had been shut up there so long. He -found himself in a new and strange frame of mind. Why should he be -jealous of what she might have written in the letter that was now ashes? -She had probably thought hero-worship was love. She had a splendid face -he told himself. High courage, loyalty and breeding were mirrored in it. -He wondered what sort of a man it was who had won her. - -He looked at the neatly-tied bundle of letters. It seemed as though they -had hardly been touched. Suddenly he turned to the compartment where the -long letter had lain, the letter from which he had made so many -extracts, the letter it was imperative Colonel Langley should believe to -be intact. - -It was gone. In the hearth there were still some burned pages. He could -recognize the watermark. - -Anthony Trent had amiably assisted an unknown girl to destroy a letter -whose safety meant a great deal to him. If Colonel Langley were to -discover the loss it would be easy enough to put the blame upon the -bicycle-riding American who had pretended to be a friend of Private -William Smith. - -As he thought it over Anthony Trent saw that the girl in blue had not -lied to him, had not sought to entrap him by gaining his sympathy as the -"Countess" had succeeded in doing before another open safe in New York. -He had assumed one thing and she had meant another. - -What was William Smith to this unknown beauty? Trent gritted his teeth. -He was going to find out. At all events he now knew the real name of the -private soldier who had shared the dug-out with him. The next thing was -to find out where he lived. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR - -_A LADY INTERRUPTS_ - - -Anthony Trent told the obliging manager of the Maids' Head Hotel that he -was interested mainly in the study of cathedral churches and since he -had now studied the magnificent Norwich cathedral would push on to Ely. - -He found England an exceedingly easy place to shake off pursuers despite -its small size. There were always junctions where he could change from -one line to another without incurring suspicion. He started for Ely but -was soon lost among the summer crowds which thronged the university city -of Cambridge. The convenient system of merely claiming one's baggage and -ordering a porter to take it to car or taxi rendered the tracking of it -by baggage checks almost impossible. - -While it was true he was not pursued, so far as he knew, he wanted to be -careful. It was not likely Langley would charge him with the theft of -the Ladigny confession but it was quite probable that the Colonel might -suspect the writer of the confession. He might think that Smith had -hired a clever American safe breaker to win for him what was very -necessary for his freedom of action. And Smith, if he did not already -know it, would find the man over whom he held many years in American -prisons almost within his clutches. - -It was necessary that Anthony Trent should see Smith first and make a -bargain with him. It was imperative that he meet the man alone and where -he could place the cards on the table and talk freely. - -In a room of the quaint half-timbered hostelry in Norwich Trent had come -across some useful books of reference. There were, for example, such -guides to knowledge as "Crockford's Clerical Directory"; "Hart's Army -List"; the "Court Directory of London" and "Lodge's Peerage and -Baronetage." The name for which Trent sought diligently was that of -Arthur Spencer Jerningham Grenvil. By these names Private William Smith -had the legal right to be known. By these names he had signed a -confession. - -A. S. J. Grenvil had admitted forging a check for two hundred pounds. -The signature he had skilfully imitated was that of Reginald Langley of -Dereham Old Hall in the county of Norfolk. - -There was a copy of a letter written by Colonel Langley to Grenvil dated -six years before. On the whole it was a letter which impressed Trent -favorably. It was written from rather a lofty altitude by a man to whom -family honor and the motto _noblesse oblige_ meant a whole code of -chivalry. - -"Until you went to Sandhurst you were a credit to your name and the -great family from which you spring," he read. "Suddenly, without any -warning, your habits altered and you became a gambler. Well, many of -your race have gambled, but at least they played fair and paid what they -owed. You did not even do that. It was with great difficulty that your -father was able to get you your commission in my old regiment. We hoped -you would feel that in the presence of so many men of birth and breeding -that you must alter your habits and wear with credit your sovereign's -uniform. And now you are a common forger. Of course the signature you -forged will be honored. But I require this of you: that you will confess -to me your guilt; that you will leave the regiment; that you will do -some honest work and re-establish yourself in my eyes. I will see to it -that work of a not unpleasing kind is found for you in Australia. On my -part I will undertake to keep your secret so long as you keep away from -England. Remember, Arthur, there are other discreditable things I could -bring to your notice if I chose. I am anxious that my kinsman, your -father, should not suffer any more from your escapades. On receipt of -this letter proceed to my lawyers whose address you know. They have -instructions what to do." - -It was plain that the father of the man he had known as William Smith -was of rank. The fact that he was a kinsman of Colonel Langley might be -explained by reference to the fifth book on the shelf at the Maids' -Head--"Debrett's Landed Gentry of Gt. Britain." - -He turned to Langley of Dereham Old Hall. Langley's mother, it seemed, -was the Lady Dorothea Grenvil daughter of the ninth, and sister of the -present Earl of Rosecarrel. Grenvil, therefore, was the family name of -the Earls of Rosecarrel. - -In the peerage all the particulars concerning the Grenvils were laid -bare. The tenth earl, who had been British Ambassador to Turkey, was a -Knight of the Garter, etc., etc., had married Elizabeth only daughter of -Admiral, Lord Arthur Jerningham and had issue: - -First the heir, Viscount St. Just, major in the Royal Horse Guards, -V.C.G.C.B. Second and third, two sons killed in the great war. Fourth, -Arthur Spencer Jerningham Grenvil of whom no particulars were given. -Fifth came the Lady Rhona Elizabeth Onslow married to the Duke of -Ontarlier in the peerage of France and last the Lady Daphne Villiers -Grenvil, unmarried. Trent reckoned out that she would be a girl of -twenty-one. Private Smith would be twenty-six. - -The town house of the Earls of Rosecarrel was in Grosvenor Place and -their country seats were Alderwood Hall in Cambridgeshire and Rosecarrel -Castle in Cornwall. - -Alderwood Hall was six miles from the university city and the house -could be seen on one of the small hills to the west of the town. A guide -book informed Trent that the house was thrown open to visitors on -Thursdays at a small fee which went to the local hospital. There were to -be seen some notable examples of the "Norwich School" works by Crome, -Cotman, Vincent and Stark. - -The butler was distressed by the heat of early September and dismissed -the visitors as soon as possible. But he regarded the American tourist -in a different light for Trent had slipped him a half sovereign. - -"I want to take my time," said Trent, "I like pictures and I want to -examine these more closely." - -"Certainly, sir," said the butler. "Anything I can do to help you I -shall be proud to do." - -Anthony Trent, who had a wide knowledge of paintings of the outdoors and -possessed one of the world's missing masterpieces, none other than _The -Venetian Masque_ of Giorgione which he had taken from a vulgar and -unappreciative millionaire, looked at the fresh, simple landscapes with -joy. - -"Is the family in residence?" he asked when he had finished. - -"The Earl always spends the summer at Rosecarrel," the man answered. "He -keeps his yacht in Fowey Harbour. I'm afraid his lordship is failing. -You see the loss of Master Gervase and Master Bevil was a terrible -shock. We lost seven out of our twelve gardeners here and two of them -that came back won't ever be much good." - -"What about Mr. Arthur Grenvil?" Trent asked idly. "I used to know him." - -"He's back," the butler said. But the look of affection which the old -family servant had shown when he spoke of the two who had fallen was -gone. "I'll say this for Master Arthur, he fought too and got wounded. -There's none that can say aught against his pluck." - -"He is cool enough," Trent said, and thought of the scene in the -dug-out when he and Arthur Grenvil waited for death and did not give way -to terror. "He's down in Cornwall with the Earl, I suppose?" - -"And Lady Daphne," the butler added. "Since the death of the Countess -she looks after everything." - -Trent visualized one of those managing domineering young women who rule -tenants relentlessly but after all exercise benevolent despotism in -bucolic matters. - -"Was he badly hurt?" Trent asked before he left. - -"I hardly knew him," the butler said. "I give you my word I was fair -shocked at the difference; isn't for the likes of me to question the -ways of Providence but why Mr. Arthur was left and the others taken I -don't understand." - -Anthony Trent wondered, too. It would have saved him a great deal of -worry if things had been reversed. On the whole this _mauvais sujet_, of -an ancient family was a consistent trouble maker. - - * * * * * - -A Bradshaw's time table showed Trent that as Lord Rosecarrel's yacht was -at Fowey he would be wise to make a trip to the Delectable Duchy, as a -Fowey author has termed Cornwall, and disguise himself as a tourist and -thus pave the way for a meeting with Private William Smith. - -He purchased a large scale automobile map of Cornwall and when he -reached the quaint seaport had a fair idea of the locality. Rosecarrel -Castle lay some ten miles away on the moorland. The local guidebook -told him all about it. It was the great house of the neighbourhood, a -granite built fastness which had suffered siege many times. The Grenvils -were a Cornish family of distinction and happier in their own West -Countree than on the Cambridge estates. - -Trent had always found the consultation of local newspapers a great help -toward knowledge of a community and he immediately solaced himself with -what Fowey had to offer. A perusal of the advertising columns gave him a -good idea of what he could do to pass his time in a manner that would -seem logical to the countryfolk. Since he was not a painter, and Fowey -had no golf links, his occupation in the absence of a sailing or power -boat was merely that of a sightseer and he felt out of his element in -this innocent guise. - -The local paper showed him that there were several "rough shootings" -that he might rent for the season. These were tracts of farm and -moorland where partridges, hares, woodcock and an occasional pheasant -might be found. One in the parish of St. Breward on the moors -particularly attracted him. The local agent commended him on his wisdom. -He did not know Anthony Trent had selected this desolate tract of -granite strewn moor because Rosecarrel Castle was but a half dozen miles -distant. - -Trent had been less than a week in Cornwall when he was installed in a -farmhouse, the owner of a spaniel of great local repute, and regarded -simply as one of those sportsmen who took the shooting every year and -as such was above suspicion. Mr. Nicholls, the loquacious agent who had -rented him the shooting and had driven him over to view it, talked a -great deal of the great Earl of Rosecarrel. He regretted that since the -death of the Countess few guests stayed within the castle. There had -been brave days a few years back when Lord St. Just the son and heir had -been master of the North Cornwall Foxhounds. - -"But there's only the Honourable Arthur Grenvil there now," said -Nicholls, "and Lady Daphne. Lord St. Just is military attaché at -Washington." - -"Since when?" Trent demanded. - -"Within a few weeks," said the agent. - -That was the reason why the younger brother had been to see him off at -Liverpool. It was quite likely that Private Smith assumed Anthony Trent -to be dead. Or he might have thought him boasting of another's deeds. -But Trent was going to find out if possible. This time he had materials -for a compromise. Suddenly Nicholls pointed out a figure on horseback -fully a half mile distant. - -"Like enough," said the agent, "that's the Honourable Arthur. He rides -about on the moors a lot. All this land as far as you can see belongs to -the Earl." - -Trent could see that the rider was cantering along narrow paths -inaccessible to vehicles. Well, the meeting would wait. Some morning he -would rein in his horse beside that of Private Smith and see recognition -dawn in the eye of the man when the visitor announced himself as -Anthony Trent. Then covetousness would follow and the thought of rich -reward hearten the ex-private. Trent chuckled to himself as he thought -of how the man's face would fall when he outlined his past history and -showed him he was in possession of secrets which, once public, must -bring him into the clutches of the inexorable, passionless law of the -realm. - -"Where can I get a horse?" he asked Nicholls. - -"John Treleaven over to St. Kew has a good hunting horse he wants to -sell. It will be a bargain at sixty pounds Mr. Trent. I'll tell him to -ride it over tomorrow if you like." - -"All right," Trent said, "and I want saddle and bridle and so on." - -So Anthony Trent added Treleaven's stout horse to his possessions and -when he was not shooting, rode over the moorlands purple with Cornish -heather and yellow with gorse. - -Nearly always he rode near the castle of Rosecarrel and was often -annoyed to find his pilgrimage shared by archæologists and other -visitors. Rosecarrel Castle had begun as a fortress; when cannon -rendered masonry useless it had become a castellated mansion and now it -showed the slow changes of the long centuries and was a delightful -residence. The moat was a flower garden and the keeps were now green -with grass and bright with roses. - -Admission was by presentation of a visiting card on a certain day. It -was no part of Trent's purpose to send the name in which might remind -Arthur Grenvil of that memorable talk in the dark. When he disclosed -himself it would be man to man and he was not able yet to satisfy his -curiosity about the great building. - -He was gratified to find that the river Camel running through part of -the shooting he rented was a notable salmon and trout stream. The trout -were small but the sea-run salmon went as high as thirty pounds. In -Kennebago where his Maine camp was the land-locked variety seldom went -to more than seven pounds. Directly he had secured his license, and the -equipment he wired to London for had arrived, he clambered down the -steep hill side to the river. But he fished very little that afternoon -for as he climbed over one of the granite stiles he came face to face -with two other anglers, a man and girl. - -The girl was none other than the mysterious lady in blue for whom he had -opened Colonel Langley's safe. She came forward hand outstretched when -she saw him. - -That she was a little confused he was certain, and perhaps a trifle -fearful that he might make some allusion to the oddity of the -circumstances under which they had first met. The man was almost a -hundred feet from her. He was casting and too interested to look at -anything but the deep pool in which salmon were wont to lie. - -"I was never able to thank you for that, that night at Dereham," she -began, "but my father had one of his attacks and I had to leave the very -next day just before luncheon. I hope you had good sport." - -"Unusually good," he said. It was a great piece of luck that she still -assumed him to be of the house party. But what was she doing here? When -he asked she said, "We live near here." She looked around to see her -companion coming toward her and the stranger. - -"This is my brother," she said, "Arthur Grenvil. Arthur this gentleman -was staying at Dereham Old Hall when I was there. Mr.?" She looked at -him pleadingly, "I'm so stupid about names." - -The stranger seemed to be looking at her when he answered, but his eyes -were upon Arthur Grenvil. - -"Anthony Trent," he said urbanely. - -"How do you do," Grenvil said without betraying any emotion. "Had any -luck?" - -"Not yet," Anthony Trent said still looking hard at him. Things were -happening rather more quickly than he liked. Too many discoveries were -disconcerting. First this girl was of course Lady Daphne Grenvil. And -she had not any other motive in view in abstracting the confession than -of helping her renegade brother. Anthony Trent felt himself absurdly -pleased to know that. He had thought of her constantly and pitied her -because he assumed her to be under the domination of a handsome -heartless scamp like the Honourable Arthur. - -It was Grenvil's attitude which puzzled the American. The name had -apparently aroused no suspicion. It proved the man was more dangerous -than he supposed if he were able to master his emotions with such ease. -As they stood there chatting about flies and the size of the salmon -Anthony Trent had time to study Grenvil's appearance. Assuredly he -differed from the mental picture he had formed of him. - -To begin with there seemed nothing vicious about him. He was a very -handsome man with small regular features, finely formed nose and -engaging blue eyes. Anthony Trent thought of the confession he had seen -and remembered the talk in the dug-out. He called to mind the hints that -the Alderbrook butler had let drop and the lack of enthusiasm the agent -Nicholls had shown in speaking of him. From all accounts Arthur Spencer -Jerningham Grenvil should be a very highly polished scoundrel but -coarsened somewhat from his experiences in the ranks for so many years. - -And here he was with a sister he plainly adored, looking with a sort of -shy good nature at the stranger. - -"It's so jolly to meet another keen fisherman," he said amiably, "I know -the Camel so well that I can show you the best pools if you'd care about -it." - -"That would be very kind of you," Anthony Trent returned. He did not -know what to make of the man he had first known as Private Smith. There -might be a mistake and yet, if there had been, why should Lady Daphne -have risked disgrace in breaking open a safe for his sake. And the -voice, the unmistakable voice, was that of the man to whom he had -confided all his dangerous, deadly secrets. "I haven't fished the river -for almost seven years," the younger man went on. - -"My brother has been in the army for more than five years," the girl -said, "and he hadn't much chance then. He was badly wounded and we are -making him well again." - -"I'm being horribly spoiled, Mr. Trent," Grenvil smiled, "and I rather -like it. Did you get in the big show by any chance?" - -"As long as I could be after my country declared war," Trent said -looking at him hard. "We must exchange experiences." - -"Please don't," the girl begged, "Arthur's nerves can't stand it. The -doctors say he must live outdoors and forget everything." - -"And are you able to forget--everything?" Trent asked him. - -Arthur Grenvil frowned a little. It was as though the memory of -something unpleasing had lingered for a moment. - -"Most things," said the other. - -"Is it wise?" Trent demanded. This refusing even by a look or a smile to -acknowledge that he remembered the memorable talk was disturbing. - -"Perhaps not," Grenvil admitted, "but wisdom and I never got on very -well together." - -The sound of a motor horn broke the silence. - -"The car," said Arthur Grenvil to his sister. "We have to run away -because people are coming over from the barracks to lunch. I hope I -shall meet you again Mr. Trent." He nodded pleasantly. "Come on -Daphne." - -"Goodbye, Mr. Trent," she said brightly. "I hope you'll land a monster -fish." - -Anthony Trent flung himself on the grass at the edge of the pool and -lighted his pipe. Lordly salmon were no temptation to him at the moment. -Private William Smith had beaten him so far. Private Smith had looked as -innocent as a babe. He had been polite and gracious but had refused to -acknowledge any former acquaintance. Again and again in the few minutes -Trent had telegraphed to him plainly, "Well, here I am, the master -criminal you were proud to know, what are you going to do?" And every -time Private Smith had said, "I do not know you. I never saw you -before." It was well enough to postpone the conversation until they were -alone, but Trent resented the utter indifference of the younger man to -his appeal. A man dare only do that who had no fear. That must be the -reason. Grenvil had made only general statements in his half confession, -statements which could not convict him. He felt he held the whip hand -over the master. There would be a different expression on his face when -Trent dropped a hint as to the dangers of forging. - -At the farm house where he was living Trent had little difficulty in -getting side lights on the Grenvil family. He had never heard such -disapprobation showered on a single member of any family as was the case -with the farmer and his wife when they spoke of Arthur Grenvil. - -They said his scandalous life had killed his mother. It was all bad -companionship and drink, Mrs. Bassett the farmer's wife contended. He -was all right till he left school to go into the army. He was cruel to -animals and false to his friends. - -"He doesn't look it," Trent said slowly. - -"The devil gives his own a mask to fool the righteous," Mrs. Bassett -contended. She was a pious soul. "I ought to know. I was a nursemaid at -the castle before I married John Bassett." - -Never in all his career as a breaker of laws and an abstractor of the -valuable property of others had Trent been so apprehensive as he was in -quiet, beautiful Cornwall far from cities. In New York he had schooled -himself to look unconcerned at the police he met on every corner. Here -there seemed to be no police and yet he looked anxiously at every -stranger who passed by the moorland farm. He told himself it was the -effect of his war hardships, his wounds and shell shock. But he knew his -nerves were steady, his muscles strong as ever and his health -magnificent. He was forced to admit that he was on edge because of this -meeting with Arthur Grenvil. - -"This has got to end," he said after breakfast next morning, "I've had -enough uncertainty." - -A few minutes later he was on horseback and on his way to Rosecarrel -Castle. It might not be easy to see Grenvil in his home surrounded by -servants but he would make the attempt. He had no reasonable excuse for -infringing the etiquette of the occasion. He had not been invited to -call and he knew no common friends of the family. It would be a business -call. He would send in his card and say he desired to see Mr. Arthur -Grenvil on a matter of importance. - -He was within two miles of the castle when he saw the man he had come to -see mounted on a chestnut polo pony cantering along and driving a white -polo ball over the stretch of firm turf. - -Grenvil pulled up as he saw the American. - -"Trying to get my eye back," he said smiling. "Corking game, polo, ever -play it, Mr. Trent?" - -"I've had to work too hard," Trent snapped. - -"Much better for you I've no doubt," said Grenvil idly, "If one may ask -it, what sort of work did you do?" - -"You've no idea I suppose?" - -Grenvil looked at him mildly. - -"How can I have any idea?" he asked. - -Anthony Trent from his bigger horse looked down at the man on the polo -pony sourly. There was that bland look of irritating innocence that -would have convinced any judge and jury. But it did not sway him. - -In just such a pleasantly modulated voice, and with no doubt just such -an ingratiating smile Private Smith had feared Anthony Trent was dying -in very bad company. - -"You said you were not able to forget everything. I supposed that my -work might be one of the things you still remembered." - -At length Trent was able to observe that Arthur Grenvil looked less -confident. - -"I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean, Mr. Trent." - -"The name Anthony Trent calls nothing to mind?" - -"Sorry," Grenvil retorted, "I suppose I ought to know all about you." - -"That's what you said before!" Trent exclaimed. - -"Before?" There was no doubt now as to Grenvil's perturbation. - -"Cut that out," Trent commanded angrily. "You did it very well, but I'm -sick and tired of fencing. What are you going to do about it?" - -He was sure now that the other was frightened. That the emotion of fear -did not bring anger in its train amazed Trent. - -"Leave you to realize your mistake," Grenvil said after a pause. Then -with a sharp stroke he sent the willow root ball spinning in the -direction of the castle, and followed it on his swift mount. - -The horse that Trent had bought from John Treleaven the farmer was a -half bred, a good, weight-carrying nag, a fine jumper, but not equal to -the task of overtaking the chestnut thoroughbred. There was nothing to -do but pursue Grenvil into the castle grounds or give up the chase. -Angry because he could not judge in what degree of peril if any, he -stood, Anthony Trent rode back to the farm. - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE - -_THE MAN WHO DENIED_ - - -Thinking things over that night as he walked along the Camel banks and -disturbed the otters at play, Anthony Trent determined to call upon -Arthur Grenvil and force him to acknowledge that he had not forgotten -the conversation, the confidence that was so fully given, in the -dug-out. - -Footmen and a butler barred his ingress. They were polite and filled -with regrets but the facts remained that Mr. Arthur Grenvil by doctor's -orders saw none. The Lady Daphne was engaged. The men-servants could -offer him no hope. He was able to see at close range some advantages of -the many servants the rich were able to employ to hedge them about with -privacy. The Rosecarrel butler was less urbane than his brother at -Alderwood and the opportunity for private conversation was lacking. -Trent saw in this rebuff another move in the subtle game Private Arthur -Smith was playing. - -The next two days were spent in riding over the moors but not a glimpse -of Lady Daphne or her brother did he get. He was certain they were -avoiding him deliberately. The idea possessed Trent that Arthur Grenvil -was not satisfied to obtain merely the rewards that were offered for his -apprehension. If he followed the great thefts of the world he would -know that four of its most famous stones were still missing. And from -Trent's confession he would guess the master criminal still held them. -They were even now in Trent's Maine camp ornamenting a brass Benares -lamp as though they were merely the original pieces of glass that had -occupied the spaces when Trent purchased it. Trent could sell through -discreet sources the loot that was hidden in Kennebago for not less than -half a million dollars. If Arthur Grenvil chose to command him to do so -and share the proceeds what could he do? The hold he had on the other -man was slight. Langley might have extorted the confession more as a -warning than an instrument to use against a relative. In the two other -cases to which Arthur Grenvil had confessed his creditors were those who -had been his friends. He had embezzled the mess funds of his regiment. -It was unlikely that a cavalry regiment which had fought from Dettingen -to Mons would like a story of that sort to get abroad. - -On the morning of the third day after his rebuff at the hands of the -footmen Trent made up his mind. He would see Arthur Grenvil and see him -at once. "If he thinks he can keep me out," said Trent his mouth -tightening to a narrow line, "he holds me too cheap." - - * * * * * - -It happened that Arthur Grenvil knew nothing of the attempt of Anthony -Trent to see him. The doctors had indeed ordered him rest. Lady Daphne -when she heard of Trent's insistence said nothing but wondered why it -was that he should make the attempt. She still thought uneasily of that -night at Dereham when he had discovered her with the combination to her -host's safe. There was such a thing as blackmail and, after all what did -she know of the American except that he had been a guest of the -Langleys. In itself this should have been enough to vouch for his -position in life. - -She found herself more interested in Anthony Trent than in any man she -had ever met. And it was because of this concern that in a letter to -Alicia Langley she asked about him. - -Alicia's letter was astonishing. "I can't imagine, my dear Daphne to -whom you refer. There was no Anthony Trent here on the first. The only -American was Mr. Conington Warren who was wafted to our shores -permanently on the waves of prohibition. I think you knew personally -every other man except the Duke of Valladolida. He is, of course, a -grandee of Spain, short, slight and bald, but a first rate shot, -Reginald says, and plays polo for the Madrid team. Certainly there was -no tall, clean-shaven, good-looking man here whom you don't know quite -well." Alicia Langley invariably added postscripts. This time it -interested the reader more than the letter. "I showed your letter to -Reginald and he was almost excited. He said an Anthony Trent had motored -over from Norwich and wanted to learn particulars of a private in his -regiment. As the private in question was Arthur you may draw your own -inferences if you can. Reginald refused to speak so this Trent man of -yours doesn't know Arthur's _nom de guerre_ from anything he has learned -here. Reginald wants you to tell him where you met the man. Please do as -he seems to think it very serious." - -While Lady Daphne read this communication, not without agitation, her -brother was dressing for dinner. Some people were coming over from -Pencarrow. He occupied two splendid rooms facing west and was looking -over the moorland to the sea when the handle of the room leading to a -large upper hall was opened noiselessly and admitted Anthony Trent. When -Grenvil remembered he had not long to make the change from flannels into -evening dress, he turned about to see the American sitting in a -comfortable chair. - -"Please don't try and ring for the servants," Trent advised smoothly, -"because I am nearest to the bell and I shall not permit it." - -If he expected an outbreak of anger he was disappointed. Instead there -was that puzzled expression which could only arise from innocence of -Trent's identity or the most finished art. - -"Don't think I am a housebreaker," Trent went on equably, "I am not. -This is visitors day if you remember and after paying my shilling I -looked at the state rooms, pictures and autograph letters and fell -asleep. When I woke up I entered this room by mistake." - -"And you want to find your way out?" Grenvil returned. "If you will -ring the bell I will have you shown." - -"Not until I have had the opportunity of talking a little to you. In our -first conversation I was indiscreet. You will admit that, won't you?" - -"Were you?" Grenvil answered vaguely. "I really don't remember Mr. -Trent." - -"Then you deny ever having seen me until we met by the salmon pool a few -days ago?" Trent looked at him like a hawk. - -"I do," Grenvil retorted. - -"Then if you do, why don't you resent my butting in like this? Why don't -you call some men-servants and have me flung out for a damned nuisance? -Say I threatened you, say anything an innocent man could and would say. -Your attitude doesn't fool me in the least. You are playing a deep game -but I can play a deeper." - -Grenvil shrugged his shoulders with a gesture of weariness. "There are -many things I cannot explain," he said. - -"You are going to begin right now," Trent said. He was not in a mood to -be trifled with. He firmly believed that this man was planning to send -him to gaol for a period of years so long that he would come out a -whitehaired broken man. - -He looked round frowning as steps sounded along the corridor and a tap -came on the door. - -"Let me in Arthur," he heard Lady Daphne say, "I've had a most -extraordinary letter from Aunt Alicia. I must see you about it." - -She rattled the locked door impatiently. Her brother walked over to it. -Trent could offer no objection. He was confused and annoyed that at a -moment such as this the girl must interrupt. To Anthony Trent she was as -one above and apart. There was no use in concealing that he himself was -a crook no matter how differently he pursued the profession from the -lesser lights whom he despised. And Arthur Grenvil was as crooked as he -with less excuse for it. - -Lady Daphne stopped short when she saw Trent rise from his chair and -bow. Her greeting was so wholly different from the friendly manner she -had shown ere this, that he was at loss to understand it. He did not -know that Mrs. Langley was the Aunt Alicia. He could only suppose her -brother had hinted that he was not what he seemed. - -"I was not told you were here," she said. - -"I'm glad you've come," Arthur Grenvil said. Trent could see that he -only spoke the truth. From what did he expect his sister to protect him. -"Mr. Trent here has an idea I'm deliberately pretending not to know who -he is." - -"I assure Mr. Trent," she said haughtily, "that at all events I know -what _he_ is." - -Trent looked at her a little quizzically. - -"I wonder if you really do," he commented. - -"I shall be very glad to prove it," she answered, "but I am not anxious -that my brother should have to listen. I hoped you understood that he is -under the doctors' orders and must not be worried. As dinner is almost -ready and I have several things to do will you be kind enough to put -this discussion off until tomorrow morning?" - -"Just as you please," he said. "When and where?" - -"You are staying at the Bassetts I think. Very well I will drive over -there tomorrow at half past ten." - -He flushed. The inference was plain. He was not permitted to meet her -within the castle. The servant who showed him out seemed to feel -differently today. He felt outcast. - - * * * * * - -There was a little apple orchard behind the Bassetts' stone built barns -where each day Anthony Trent used to practise short approaches with a -favorite mashie. He held it as an axiom that if a golfer kept his hand -in with short mashie practise he would never be off his game. He was -industriously trying to approach over a tall spreading tree when he -heard the sound of wheels outside. It was not yet time for his -appointment with Lady Daphne but he could see from the higher ground of -the orchard that it was she. She was driving a dashing pair of chestnuts -to a mail phaeton. By her side sat a man with a powerful unscrupulous -face who was evidently amusing her by his conversation. Trent supposed -he was a guest at the castle, some man who had the right to meet her by -reason of being on the right side of the law. - -Almost jealously Anthony Trent saw him help her to alight. He was a -heavily built man but not an ungraceful one and he was exceedingly well -dressed. Trent judged him to be five and forty and used to dominating -men. He had noticed often that men most ruthless with their fellows have -the most charming ways with women. - -"I shan't be very long," Lady Daphne said laughing, "You will be able to -smoke just two cigarettes, Mr. Castoon." - -Castoon. Of course it was Rudolph Castoon the banker, the English born -member of the great continental firm of bankers and financiers. One of -the brothers was a leader among New York capitalists. It was said that -each Castoon was loyal to the country where it had been arranged he -should be born. - -It was in the sweet smelling sitting room of the Bassetts that Trent -found her. She was standing up and refused to be seated. Her enmity now -was hardly concealed. - -"I find," she began, "that you have deceived me. You claimed to be one -of the guns at Colonel Langley's shoot." - -"I permitted you to assume it," he corrected, "but that is not an -excuse." - -"Colonel Langley is very anxious to know where it was I saw you and -under what circumstances." - -"You will hardly inform him as to that," said Trent smiling. - -"If it becomes necessary I shall," she replied. "At all events I was in -the house of a relative while you were there--" - -"As a thief in the night. Thank you." - -"You were there as a detective." - -She had never seen him lose his calm before. He flushed red and a look -of hatred came over his face. - -"A detective! I? If you knew how I loathed them you would never suspect -me of being that." - -"If not why are you down here hounding my brother?" - -"Hasn't he told you?" - -"He says you persist in pretending to know him." - -"Lady Daphne," Trent said earnestly. "Was your brother a Private William -Smith, a gentleman ranker in the seventy-eighth battalion of the City of -London Regiment?" - -"Yes," she answered. - -"And wasn't this same man under his own name expelled from Harrow School -and Trinity College, Cambridge." - -"Then you are a detective!" she cried. - -"On my honor, no," he exclaimed. "Lady Daphne, your brother saved my -life, and when I wanted to speak about the very terrible and unusual -experience he denied knowing me." - -"You are not telling me everything," she said after a pause, "I am glad -you are not a detective even though you may be not what I thought you, -but is it reasonable you should try to force yourself on a man who quite -evidently wants to be alone with his thoughts just to thank him for -doing something every soldier was glad to do for any other allied -soldier?" - -"There was something else," he admitted. "I may as well tell you what. -We were, as we had every reason to think, dying. We told each other part -of our past lives. Why I don't pretend to understand. Nerves I suppose -and the feeling that nothing mattered in the least. I told him part of -my past which in effect put a club in his hand to use over me. When I -got better I assumed he was killed. I found he wasn't and followed him -here to ask what he was going to do with his knowledge. You wondered -what errand I had at Dereham Old Hall. It was to read through the -confession which you burned. I had read it and replaced it before you -came in." - -"Then you know all about him?" she gasped. - -"I know what was written there," he answered. "I wanted to know so that -I could tell him I, too, had a weapon with which to fight. I am not his -enemy, far from it." - -"You mean you don't want to threaten him or hold your knowledge of what -he did over us?" - -He looked at her gloomily. To think that this was the impression she had -of him hurt. - -"So that's what you think of me," he said slowly. - -"Indeed it isn't," she answered quickly. "I didn't think it in the -beginning and I don't want to do so now, but what was one to think?" - -"It was your brother's behaviour that puzzled me," he said, "and still -puzzles me. Don't you see I only want to be sure that he won't use what -I told him?" - -Lady Daphne looked at him curiously. Here was a man whose manners were -perfect, who seemed to have the same sports and occupation of the kind -of men she knew hinting that he had done things of whose consequence he -was afraid. She supposed there were many temptations into which a man -might fall, lapses of which he might repent and still go in fear of -discovery. - -"I don't wonder you were bewildered," she said presently, "and I -understand far better than you how it was. Mr. Trent you need never be -afraid that the man who was Private Smith will ever say a word to any -living souls of what you said to him." - -"How can I be certain?" he demanded. "You don't know the rewards that a -man might gain for speaking the truth about me." - -"Private William Smith and my brother Arthur are two different people." - -He looked at her in astonishment. Was the weary chase, the long -uncertainty to begin again? There was never a doubt in his mind but that -what she told him was true even if it was hard to be believed. - -"Then where is Private Smith?" he asked. "Where is the man who knows the -real me?" - -"At the castle," she said. - -He made a gesture of despair. - -"It is incomprehensible." - -"I am going to tell you about them--about the two utterly different -men." She said nothing for a full minute. Then she went to the door and -called Mrs. Bassett into the room. "Please tell Mr. Castoon I shall have -to keep him waiting rather longer than I thought." - -"Certainly, my Lady," Mrs. Bassett said. Later she told her husband that -Mr. Castoon looked very black at the news. "He's not the kind to like -being kept waiting," she explained. - -"Princes of the Blood ought to be glad to wait for Lady Daphne," the -tenant farmer cried. - -"You learned somehow that Arthur was expelled from Harrow. It is true. -He managed to get into Trinity but lasted only a term. Then came -Sandhurst and a commission finally and black disgrace. Mr. Rudolph -Castoon who is a friend of my eldest brother took pity on him and made -him one of his secretaries--he's in Parliament you know--but even he -couldn't do anything. Then a little while in Australia and failure -there. The last thing he did was to enlist just before the war broke -out. Colonel Langley was given the command of a London regiment and -found Arthur under the name you knew." - -"But you said he wasn't Private Smith," Trent broke in eagerly. - -"You will see later what I mean. How did you meet him?" - -Trent explained in a few words. But what confessions or boasts he had -been betrayed into making he said nothing about. - -"My brother was expelled from Harrow when he was eighteen. Until he was -seventeen he was one of the sweetest natured boys you could imagine. He -was full of fun and mischief but all his tutors loved him and there -wasn't a particle of vice in him. Suddenly he seemed possessed of -devils. He drank, he gambled--and cheated--he was insolent to his -teachers. It broke my mother's heart. It helped to make my father the -silent broken man he is today. It was the same when he went up to -Trinity and the same when he was at Sandhurst...." There was a long -pause. Trent could see she was struggling against tears. There welled up -in him an almost divine pity. He wanted to soothe her, comfort her and -let her cry on his shoulder. - -It was in this moment that Anthony Trent knew he loved her and would -always love her. Those passing affections of adolescence were pale, wan -emotions compared with this. And it was an hour of grief to him. He -realized that his ways of life had cut him off irremediably from -marriage with such a woman as this. - -"What happened," she said at last, "when you came to after being blown -from that dug-out?" - -"I was badly hurt," he answered, wonderingly, "those high explosives -play the strangest tricks with one." - -"This is what happened to my brother. He was unconscious for a very long -time and his head was fearfully mangled. When he came out of ether he -said very distinctly. 'Oh Bingo, how rottenly clumsy of you.'" - -"Who was Bingo?" Trent asked. - -"At the time nobody knew. Arthur's uniform was torn off in the explosion -and his regiment unknown." - -"He could have told them," Trent asserted. - -She shook her head. - -"You are mistaken. He could not tell them. They thought he was, what's -the word, malingering. They thought he wanted to be sent back and get -out of the fighting. Then he complained of the dreadful noise. By -degrees they found that he did not even know of the war. They thought of -course he was pretending. My father heard of the wound and although he -had disowned him he had him brought to our house in Grosvenor Place. We -had specialists, those new sorts of doctors who don't depend on -medicines. Arthur thought he was still at Harrow eight years or more -ago. Then I remembered a boy who shared a study with him there, a boy -who had stayed here, a son of Sir Willoughby Hosken who has a place near -Penzance. Bingo was somewhere in the Struma valley with his battery and -in answer to a letter said that the only act of clumsiness he could call -to mind was when he accidentally hit Arthur with an Indian club in the -gym at school. - -"One of the doctors went over to Harrow and found Arthur had been hit -like this and was in the infirmary for three days. Mr. Trent, it was -after that accident he altered entirely." - -"I've heard of such cases," Trent said quickly. "Pressure of some sort -on the brain they call it. There was quite an epidemic of such incidents -in America a few years ago. It was supposed to be a cure for bad boys. -Then you think--" - -"I know," she said emphatically. "He is now exactly as he was when he -was a boy, gentle, thoughtful and clean. Our specialists saw the army -surgeons and they supposed that in dressing his dreadful wounds they -removed the portions of depressed bone and so made this extraordinary -cure. They say the war has proved this sort of thing again and again." - -The news which spelled salvation to Anthony Trent seemed too tremendous -to believe. There was no miracle about it. It was a simple fact -demonstrated by surgery and accepted now by the laity. The years in -which Arthur Grenvil had sown wild oats and disrupted friendships and -relationships was wiped from his consciousness. Trent now understood the -half diffident, almost shy manner so inexplicable in a man of the type -William Smith had been. - -"My father thinks," the girl went on, "that as he will have to find out -some of the things he did it will be as well to prepare him for it and -shield him against consequences." - -"Consequences?" he hazarded. - -"I'm afraid," she said gravely, "that it will not be easy. His creditors -for example have learned that my father has forgiven him and they are -coming down on him. Fortunately my father can afford to pay but there is -always the dread of some adventurer turning up and letting us into some -dreadful secrets." - -"Men like me," he asked. - -"You know I didn't mean that," she said. "I think it most wonderful that -you are here, because you will be able to tell him something about the -good part of his life you know. He is always hoping that his memory will -come back but the doctors say it won't." She hesitated a little. "Poor -Arthur is very much depressed at times. Could you try and remember as -much about him as possible?" - -"Surely," said Anthony Trent. "As it happens I met a man out there who -knew him well and said he was a good soldier." - -"I wish my father could know that," she said. "I'm going to ask you to -luncheon tomorrow and to meet a man whose life Arthur saved would cheer -him enormously. We shall be alone." She frowned. "I'd forgotten Mr. -Castoon who is probably furious at being kept waiting. I promised him -I'd be back in two cigarettes time. I was going to drive in to Camelford -but I don't think I will. I feel almost that I want to cry." She held -out her hand impulsively. "Forgive me for what I thought about you and -come to luncheon at one tomorrow." - -"You don't know how I'd like to," he said wistfully, "but you have -forgotten about my past; and I had no such excuse as your brother." - -"You are exaggerating it," she said more brightly. "Anyhow it's all -over." - -Exaggerating! And even were it all over, which he doubted, a blacker -past remained than ever she dreamed of. - -"I don't want Mr. Castoon to see that I've got tears in my eyes. Please -tell him to wait a little longer while I talk to Mrs. Bassett. _Au -revoir._" - -Anthony Trent watched her go and then sighed. And he told himself that -had he met her ten years before he would have had the strength to win a -fortune honestly and not take the lower road. - -He went outside to where Rudolph Castoon was sitting in the phaeton. The -two horses were champing at their bits, a little groom at their heads -trying to soothe their high tempers. He approached the financier with no -personal feeling of any sort. In the beginning he expected to admire the -man as he did all such forceful characters. He often suspected there was -more kinship between him and the ruthless financier type that Castoon -represented than the world comprehended. - -Rudolph Castoon looked at him sourly. - -"Well?" he snapped. - -Anthony Trent looked at him and knew instantly that he would always -share the hate he saw in the capitalist's face. For a moment he was at a -loss to understand the reason. Then he saw that it was jealousy, -furious, dynamic jealousy. Lady Daphne had come to see Mrs. Bassett. -Instead Castoon found she had come to see a younger and better looking -man. Trent did not fall into the error of underrating Castoon. In the -event of a contest of any kind between them he would walk warily. But he -never expected to see the man again and his peremptory way of speaking -angered him. - -"Well?" Castoon demanded again. - -"Thank you," said Trent urbanely, "I find the air of these moorlands of -great benefit to me. Formerly I slept poorly but now I sleep as soon as -my head touches the pillow. And my appetite is better. I eat three eggs -for breakfast every morning. Do you sleep well?" - -"I did not come here to sleep," Castoon frowned. - -"But if you are here for long you must," Trent said pleasantly. - -"I am not in the least interested in your health or how many eggs you -can eat for breakfast." Castoon's manner was frankly rude. "I want to -know where Lady Daphne Grenvil is." - -"She said she had forgotten you," Trent answered, "she also said you -would probably be furious at being kept waiting." - -"I am," Castoon asserted. "Would it be too much to ask the reason?" - -"I expected you to," Trent said affably. The time he took to select a -cigarette from his case and the meticulous manner in which he lighted it -added to the other man's ill temper just as Anthony Trent intended it -should. - -"If you are quite finished, sir," Castoon cried, "I should be glad to -hear." - -"As an American," Trent began airily, "I like the old family servant -tradition. Lady Daphne is talking over her childhood days with Mrs. -Bassett. My mother was from the Southern states and I suppose I inherit -a liking for that sort of thing." - -"Will you come to the point, sir?" Castoon exclaimed. - -"I thought I told you that Lady Daphne was talking over nursery -reminisences with an old servant." - -"She may be doing that now, but what was she doing before? I'll tell -you; she was talking to you. Do you deny it?" - -"My dear man," Trent cried in apparent surprise, "Deny it? I boast about -it! It is the only thing I hope will be printed in my obituary notices." - -"I'm not sure I should be desolated at reading your obituary notices," -Castoon said keeping his temper back. He could say no more for Lady -Daphne came hurrying along the hydrangea-bordered path to the gate. - -"I'm dreadfully sorry, Mr. Castoon," she cried. - -"I can forget everything now that you are here," he returned gallantly, -"even the humour of this young man whose name I don't know." - -"Mr. Anthony Trent of New York," she told him. "You'll meet him at -luncheon tomorrow." - -"That will make it a very pleasant function," the financier said grimly. -He could say no more because the horses reared impatiently and for a -moment there was danger. - -"That off horse nearly came over backward," Castoon said when the team -had settled down a little and the farm was a half mile behind. - -"But it didn't," Lady Daphne said calmly, "so why worry?" - -"It would have been his fault," Castoon said venomously. - -"You don't seem to like him," she said smiling. - -"I hate any man who looks at you as he does." - -"How does he look?" she asked with an air of innocence. - -"He looks at you as if he was in love with you, and I hate any man to do -that." - -"You have no right to resent it Mr. Castoon," she said coldly. "I have -told you a hundred times that you concern yourself far too much with my -affairs." - -"I'm going to marry you," he said doggedly. "I never fail. Look at my -life history and see where I have been beaten. I know you don't care for -me yet. You'll have to later." - -"My father doesn't care for you either." - -Rudolph Castoon sniffed impatiently. - -"His type is dying out. He still remains ignorant that money has -displaced birth." - -"It's the one thing money won't buy, though," she reminded him. - -"Birth can't buy power," the financier said quickly, "and money means -power. Your father has had both. It would have been easier for me to -marry Daphne, daughter of the Earl of Rosecarrel, Viscount St. Just, -Baron Wadebridge, Knight of the Garter, and Ambassador to Turkey, and -all the rest of it, than it will be to marry you now your father has -abandoned his career." - -"That sounds merely silly to me," she exclaimed. - -"Someday I will explain to you how very sensible it is. You will -understand exactly." - -"Do you mean you are so inordinately vain you would rather marry an -ambassador's daughter than the daughter of a man who isn't a power -politically any more?" - -"At least I can say I don't mean that. I am vain, that's true, but I -wish you were one of the daughters of a tenant farmer on these purple -moors instead of being an earl's daughter." He sighed a little. Then the -recollection of Anthony Trent came back. "Who is this man Trent?" he -demanded. - -"A delightful man," she said, "an American who knows how to behave. I -met him at a houseparty somewhere or other. He used to know Arthur." - -Castoon could not keep back a sneer. - -"That vouches for him of course." - -"At least he wouldn't say anything as underbred as that," she cried -angrily, and touched one of her high-mettled chestnuts with a lash. -Castoon hung on to the seat as the pair tried to get away. - -"You'll kill yourself some day driving such horses as these," he said -later. He was not a coward; but unnecessary risk always seemed a -childish thing to create and he believed himself heir to a great -destiny. - - - - -CHAPTER SIX - -_FRESH FIELDS_ - - -If Anthony Trent thought he was to be the guest at a small luncheon -party where he could meet Arthur under friendlier circumstances and talk -to Daphne intimately, he was mistaken. - -Castoon was staying at the castle and a number of people motored over -from Falmouth as well as the owner of a big yacht lying for the time in -the Fowey river. - -Lord Rosecarrel was very amiable. He seemed intensely grateful that -Trent gave up a morning's shooting to attend a luncheon. There was no -trace of suspicion about him. He had been told that Mr. Trent, an -American of means, had been a guest at Dereham Old Hall. His daughter -had not informed him of Alicia Langley's letter. - -But he was most interested to know that his son had saved the visitor's -life. It was the one good act in the black years which had given him so -much sorrow. - -Also Daphne had told him that Arthur liked Trent and would be a good -companion. The physicians who were watching Arthur's case recommended -that he should be kept interested. They desired that the apathy which -threatened to take hold on him should be banished. The Earl was growing -more and more to leave things to the girl. The death of his two sons had -been a terrible blow and he was beginning to find in solitary yachting -and fishing trips a certain refreshing solace. - -From the deference that most of the people paid to Rudolph Castoon it -was evident that he was a man of great influence and promise. - -Trent sat next to a rather pretty dark girl, a Miss Barham, who had come -over from her father's yacht. - -"Everybody seems to hang on his words," he said. "Why?" - -"He's phenomenally rich," she answered, "and he has a career. He'll -probably be Chancellor of the Exchequer in the next cabinet. Finance is -bred in the bone of his sort. Hasn't he a brother in your country?" - -"A great power in Wall Street," Trent told her, "but we suspect a -capitalist; and while Rudolph may get a title and much honor, Alfred in -America couldn't get a job as dog catcher." - -"Of course you've seen he's simply mad about Daphne?" Miss Barham said -later. - -"I've seen his side of it," Trent said frowning a little, "but what -about Lady Daphne?" - -"Power is always attractive," Miss Barham said wisely, "and we English -women love politics. One can never tell. I think the earl would be -furious but Daphne always gets her way and after all Mr. Castoon is a -great catch whichever way you look at it. There's nothing financially -shady about him and if Daphne should ever get bitten with the idea of -making a _salon_, he's the man to marry." - -"What a brutal way to look at it," he said gloomily. - -"Are you young enough to believe in those delightful love matches, Mr. -Trent?" the girl asked. "I did till I was almost fifteen." - -Anthony Trent should have been amused to find himself on the side of the -angels. As a rule life had provoked cynicism in him and here he was -fighting for ideals. - -"I talked like that until I was fifteen," he smiled, "and I meant it." - -Ada Barham turned her dark brilliant eyes on him. She rather envied the -girl who had captured him. She felt it was a lover talking. - -"Of course you are in love," she retorted. "I always meet the really -nice men too late. Dare you confess it?" - -"I admit it," he said a little confused. - -"American girls are very charming," Miss Barham declared. "I stayed at -Newport a month last year. Of course you know Newport?" - -"Fairly well," he admitted. - -Oddly enough the recollection of his Newport triumphs was not as -pleasing as usual. He had made some of his richest hauls in the Rhode -Island city. - -What an amazing thing, he reflected, that he was here as a guests among -people on whom, as a class, he had looked as his lawful prey. Castoon -with his millions was the sort of man he would like to measure his wit -against. When Castoon looked across the table at him with a kind of -innocent stare he decided that it would be a delightful duel. - -He knew English women wore little jewelry during the day so he could not -estimate the value of what they owned at a luncheon, but he was certain -Miss Barham's mother, who was addressed as Lady Harriet, had family -jewels worth the risk of seeking to get. A woman whose husband owned a -two-hundred feet steam yacht was distinctly among those whom in former -days he had been professionally eager to meet. - -Before the luncheon Lady Daphne had explained that her brother would not -be at the table. The family was anxious that he should not be subjected -to the confusion of professing ignorance of some man or event which he -ought to know. By degrees he was getting his bearings and reading -through files of old newspapers the main events of the years that had -been wiped from his mind. - -Anthony Trent was taken to the big room by a footman, the same room he -had entered unannounced. - -"You must have thought me awfully rude," Arthur Grenvil said cordially, -"but my sister had told you the reason. She says I used to know you." -Grenvil looked at him wistfully, "I think she said I had saved your -life." - -"You did," Trent answered promptly. And then, because he was sorry for -the ex-"Tommy" but more because he loved the other's sister, he plunged -into a stirring account of the incident omitting the part of the -exchange of confidences. - -"Apparently," said Grenvil, "it was the only decent thing I did during -those dreadful forgotten years. If you knew the agony of not knowing -what I did and dreading every day to learn something more of my career -you'd pity me. I couldn't meet Castoon. They say I was a sort of -secretary to him for six months and he had to send me away. All I -remember of him is that he was my father's private secretary when I was -a small boy of ten and my father ambassador at Constantinople. I'm -afraid to see any of the people who come here." - -"That will pass," Trent said reassuringly, "you'll get a grip on -yourself as your health improves." - -"That's what Daphne says," Arthur answered, "Isn't she splendid?" - -"Indeed she is," Trent said not daring to put the fervor in his voice -that he felt. There was almost an uncanny feeling in talking with this -new Arthur Grenvil. As a judge of men, and as a man who had met a great -number of criminals and could estimate them accurately, Trent had known -even in the darkness of the dug-out that Private William Smith was bad. - -Despite the absence of coarseness from the speech of the unseen man -Trent had felt that he was evil and dangerous, a man to watch carefully. -And this same man stripped of his mantle of black deeds was now sitting -talking to him with the deferential air of the junior listening with -respect to his superior in years and his superior in knowledge. - -What a _rôle_ for Anthony Trent, master criminal! But he played it as -well as any of the parts he had set himself to enact. He became the -elder brother, the sage counsellor, the arbiter, the physical trainer -and the constant companion. In the beginning he cheerfully set out to -play the part in order to win Daphne's approval. Later he really liked -Arthur. He taught him to drive the high powered Lion car that was seldom -used by the earl's chauffeurs and discovered in him an aptitude for -mechanics which delighted his father. - -"You have done more for my son than I imagined could be done by anyone," -Lord Rosecarrel said gratefully. - -"I owe him no small debt," Anthony Trent retorted, "and it's a very -pleasant way of trying to pay it." - -It was not often that he saw the earl. Occasionally they played a game -of billiards after dinner but the elder man was constantly occupied with -reading when he was not aboard his boat. Since he had come to Cornwall, -Trent had discovered what an important personage Lord Rosecarrel had -been in the political life of his country until his sudden resignation a -year before the war. Every now and then Trent would see regret expressed -in a London paper or weekly review that he would not place his vast -knowledge of the near East at his country's disposal. - -There was still considerable trouble centering about the Balkans; and -since the earl had been minister or ambassador at Belgrade, Bucharest -and Constantinople he knew the country as few could hope to do without -his experience. - -The prime minister himself, snatching a few days of golf at Newquay, -motored over to the castle to lunch and asked his host personally to -come from his retirement. It happened that Trent was lunching at the -castle and heard the earl's decision not to leave private life. There -was an incident in connection with this which made a curious impression -on the American. - -When he had declined to represent his country finally, Lord Rosecarrel -looked over the table at his son who was talking gaily and did not -observe the glance. It was a look almost of hate that the earl flashed -at him. Then it passed and was succeeded by the melancholy which the old -aristocrat's face habitually wore. Trent was certain none had seen but -he and he had never seen an evidence of it before. - -He reflected that Arthur was never wholly at ease in his father's -company. Again and again he had caught a certain shamed look when the -earl was speaking. Of course it was the knowledge of how in the -forgotten years he had disgraced an honored name. That was -understandable. But why should the father who knew all and had forgiven -suddenly throw this look of hate over the table at the unconscious son? - -"Arthur," said Trent one day to Lady Daphne, "looks as if he were still -begging forgiveness. Why?" - -"It must be fancy on your part," she said and changed the subject -instantly. - -He supposed it was some other skeleton, from that full closet, whose -rattling bones had not been buried yet. There was something which still -rankled in the earl's memory. He knew he would never find its origin -from Daphne. - -His intimacy with the Grenvils began to alarm him. It was a fellowship -which must sooner or later come to an end. He was utterly without vanity -when it came to his relationship with Lady Daphne; but his love for her -gave him such an insight and sympathy with her that he could not but be -conscious that of late a softer mood had come to her when they were -alone together. - -He knew that she looked for his presence where before she had been -indifferent. Sometimes when they touched hands at parting there was the -faint, lingering hold which said more than looks or spoken words. It -distressed him to hear that she had defended him valiantly when the wife -of a nearby landowner had referred to him as an American adventurer and -fortune hunter. Daphne had sprung to his rescue in a flash. Half the -country gossiped about it. It was very loyal of her, he felt, but also -very unwise. - -The earl had heard of it and was displeased. But he trusted his daughter -and Trent was working amazing changes with Arthur. It was only when the -prime minister spoke of the American that Lord Rosecarrel knew he must -not ignore the thing any longer. - -"And who is the good looking lad upon whose words your daughter hangs?" - -"A delightful fellow," the earl said, "I don't know what Arthur would -have done without him. He is reconstructing the poor boy." - -And indeed the earl was fond of the stranger. But his daughter must -marry into her own station in life. His other girl's home was in France -and he wanted Daphne to remain in England. It occurred to him as very -strange that he had made so few inquiries into Trent's antecedents. He -supposed it was the man's personal charm and the fact that he was -himself not in good health that had allowed him to be careless. One day -at a dinner that came in the week after the prime minister's visit, a -dinner to which Trent alone was bidden, he said: - -"We shall miss you very much when you have to go, Mr. Trent, but I -suppose your affairs in America call you imperatively." - -Anthony Trent made no answer for the moment. It was as though sentence -of death had been passed upon him. He could only admit that this was the -logical if long-delayed end to the pleasantest days of his life. He had -brought it on himself by his own weakness. For all his strength he was -in some ways deplorably weak. He had been weak to leave the ways of -honest men. Primarily he had none of those grudges against organized -society which drive some men to crime. He had fallen because he was -tired of narrow ways of life and a toil which offered few high rewards. - -And, more than all, he had been weak in that he had encouraged an -intimacy with a family of this type. The Lady Daphne was not for him. He -called to mind a phrase that Miss Barham had said about Castoon at this -very table. She had said there was nothing financially shady about him -which might prevent marriage between him and Daphne. No matter how much -Anthony Trent sought to deceive himself about his way of crime and -comfort himself with the reflection he never despoiled the poor or -worthy but inevitably set himself against the rich and undeserving, he -knew he stood condemned in the eyes of decent men and women. He was -aware that Daphne and Arthur were listening for his answer. Daphne's -face was white. - -"I shall miss you all, sir," he said, "more than I can say." - -"You are not really going?" Arthur cried. - -"I must," he said. "My affairs at home need looking after and I have -lingered on here forgetting everything." - -Lady Daphne said nothing. He did not dare to look at her. He knew she -was thinking that but for her father's mention of his leaving she might -not have known until he chose to tell; and he had told another first. - -Because he was grateful that Trent had been quick to take the hint the -Earl of Rosecarrel was particularly gracious to his guest and proposed -a game of billiards. - -It was while the old nobleman was making a break that Daphne dropped -into a chair at Trent's side. - -"Are you really going?" she asked. - -"I ought never to have stayed so long," he answered. - -"Do you want to go?" - -"You know I don't," he said passionately. - -"And is your business so important?" - -"Wait," he said rising to his feet when his opponent had finished a -break of fifty-three. "It's my turn." - -"I have never," said the earl, chalking his cue, "seen you miss that -particular shot before." - -Anthony Trent came to the girl's side. - -"We can't talk here," he whispered. "The hounds meet at Michaelstowe -tomorrow and draw the Trenewth covers. Will you be out?" - -"Yes," she said, "but what chance shall we have to talk there?" - -"We can lose the field," he said, "and ride back over the moors alone." - - * * * * * - -Arthur Grenvil had taken the mastership of the North Cornwall Foxhounds -and persuaded Trent to follow them. The American had added a couple of -better-bred faster horses to his hack and now enjoyed the gallop after a -fox as much as any hardened foxhunter of them all. - -A fox was discovered almost immediately when the Trenewth covers were -drawn and got well away making in a westerly direction for the -Wadebridge road. Daphne and Trent made a pretense of following but soon -drew apart from the rest. The music of hounds became fainter and they -turned back to the moors. - -"You might have told me," she said reproachfully. - -"I didn't know," he answered, "I only realized when your father spoke -that it was more or less a command." - -"My father may be the lord-lieutenant of the county," she said, "but he -has no power to send a man away if the man doesn't want to go." - -"Can you think I want to go?" he demanded. - -"I only know you are not going to stay." - -She touched her horse lightly on the shoulder and put him to a canter. -Trent saw that she was heading for Rough Tor, one of the two mountains -guarding the moorlands. Once or twice they had ridden to its rocky top -and looked at the hamlets through whose chimneys the peat smoke rose, -and those strange hut circles of a prehistoric people. The path along -which she went was too narrow to permit him to ride by her side and he -was forced to ride in silence for almost an hour. - -When she dismounted at Rough Tor and he tethered the horses to a short -wind shorn tree he could see she was not the same cheerful girl of -yesterday. - -"Why did you stay here so long?" she asked presently. - -"Because I love you," he answered. - -"Why do you go away?" - -"Because I love you better than I knew." - -She looked at him with a faint smile. - -"That is very hard to understand, Tony." - -It was the first time she had ever called him by the name her brother -used. He took one of her gauntleted hands and kissed it. - -"My dear," he said tenderly, "it is crucifixion for me." - -She looked at him still with the little wistful smile on her face. - -"And are you the only one to suffer?" - -The knowledge that she cared as much as he did brought a look of misery -to his face where only triumph should have reigned. - -"Ada Barham told me about the girl in America," she continued. "Of -course I imagined there would be a girl somewhere whom you cared for but -I think you might have confided in me. Weren't we good friends enough -for that?" - -"There is no girl anywhere," he said. "I told Miss Barham that because I -didn't want her to suspect it was you." - -"Then why must you go away?" There was almost a wail in her voice. - -"I have told you," he answered, trying desperately to keep his voice -even, "I must go because I love you better than anything else in life." - -She laughed a little bitterly. - -"And so that is how men behave when they are in love!" - -"When a man really loves a girl he should think first of her happiness." - -She looked at him simply. There was none of the false shame that lesser -natures might feel in avowing love. - -"Don't you understand," she said in a low voice, "that you are my -happiness?" - -For a moment the devil tempted him even as the Son of Man had been -tempted upon a mountain top. Why should he think of the future when -today was so sweet? In the big Lion car in the castle garage he could -make Southampton in time enough for the White Star liner which went out -tomorrow. They could be married on board or at any rate directly they -reached America. Then with the money he had saved they could be happy. -She was the woman he wanted, the woman he worshipped. - -Then the other side of the picture presented itself. He saw them married -on board and radiantly happy as they approached the land that was to be -her home. Then the hard-faced men who showed official badges and -informed him he was wanted for a series of crimes which would keep him -away from wife and home and liberty until she was an old woman. One -ending to the trip was just as likely as the other. Situated as he was -he could never be certain of safety. This period in quiet Cornwall was -the first time since he had taken to crime that he had become almost -careless. He would break Daphne's heart for she was of the kind who -would never love another man. And the disgrace he would bring upon this -kindly family of hers which had suffered enough already. The screeching -headlines in the press of the earl's daughter who married a crook. It -was not to be thought of. - -"Dear," he said softly, "if there were any obstacles which could be -removed by human effort I should not say goodbye like this. Please don't -ask me to tell you anything more." - -"You said at Dereham that you felt you could sell your soul for a past. -Is that it?" - -"That is the irrevocable thing," he told her. - -"Pasts can be lived down," she whispered. - -"Not mine," he said dismally. "Daphne I have not been here all this time -without knowing you and the sort of people from whom you spring. It is -because of your tradition of honor that you felt Arthur's misfortunes so -much. I can bring upon you and yours a greater disgrace than he could." - -"I won't believe it," she cried. - -"I don't want you to," he said gratefully. "I remember the thing said -about your family, 'the Grenvils for Loyalty' and I love you for it, but -Lady Polruan was right when she called me an unknown adventurer from -America. The other countrymen of mine you meet here, like Conington -Warren for instance, have their place at home. I haven't. I am without -the pale. They don't know me and I can't know them. There is that great -gulf fixed which you can never understand. I want to go away leaving you -still my friend. If you ask me questions about myself and I answer them -truly I may have to carry away with me the picture of your scorn. Be -kind, Daphne and don't ask any more." - -"I should never scorn you," she cried. - -He put his arms about her and kissed her. - -"My dear," he whispered, "my sweet, believe always that there is -something God himself could not alter or I would never give you up like -this." - -"It is very hard," she said presently, "to have found love and then to -know it must only be a little dream that passes." - -"It is my just punishment," he answered. - -"When do you go?" - -"Tomorrow." - -She put her arms about his neck and looked him full in the eyes. - -"Darling," she said, "I shall never love anybody but you. Girls always -say that, I know, but I have always been a little afraid of love and its -exactions and the sorrow it brings. You see I was right in being afraid -for directly I find you I must lose you." She leaned forward, one elbow -on her knee, and looked at the countryside spread out at her feet. "I -shall probably live here to be an old woman and look after other old -women and see they have tea and warm wraps for the bad weather, and give -the old men tobacco. That's all I look forward to. Tony, Tony, why is it -one can't die on the day when one is killed?" - -He sat in silence. Bitterly as he regretted his past which had risen to -prevent happiness, he regretted his staying here in Cornwall even more. -If he alone had suffered it were well enough, part indeed of the -punishment he merited. But to have dragged this girl into it and to have -made her love a man who could never marry her was the blackest of all. -Perhaps she suspected it for she turned to him and put her hand on his. - -"Poor Tony," she said caressingly, "it's no good blaming yourself. It -had to be. I think I've always loved you. Before it is too late and you -are gone away, are you sure this thing that stands between us cannot be -banished or atoned or paid for in money? You know I have a large fortune -of my own and it is all yours if you need it. Don't let any little thing -stand between us. Where one loves wholly one can forgive all. I shall -not ask you again; but, my dear, if any human agency can give you to me -let me know." - -Anthony Trent thought of the view he once had of a great penitentiary in -which a man he used to know was serving a life sentence. The prison was -set among arid country in sandy plains. Along the top of the stone walls -sentries were placed at intervals, men with sawed-off shot guns waiting -the opportunity to kill such as sought to escape the dreary days and -dreadful nights. His friend made the desperate attempt and died as -warders crowded about him and congratulated the guard on his -markmanship. It was this place which might at any moment receive the -person of Anthony Trent. - -He could not think of the law as a human agency. That was one of the -differences between the Anthony Trent, writer and Anthony Trent, crook. -The writer regarded the law and its officers with a certain meed of -respect but the criminal hated them. - -"There is nothing that can help me," he said. - -There was silence for a little; then she rose to her feet and pointed -out scarlet coated men in the distance and galloping horses. Arthur's -hounds had lost their fox in Tregenna woods and had found another stout -dog fox headed for his earth on the moors. - -"We can follow after all," she said, with an attempt to be cheerful. - -They kissed silently and then remounted the impatient hunters. By -devious ways they joined the field again. The moorland was a dangerous -country to ride. Great stone walls divided small fields and there were -sunken roads and paths by which, thousands of years before, the -Phoenicians had taken their way. - -It was observed with what recklessness the American rode. - -"He'll break his neck if he isn't careful," said a rosy faced old -"hunting parson," as Trent set his horse at a great granite barrier. - -He was not to know that Anthony Trent would have welcomed just such an -end. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN - -_THE SENTENCE OF BANISHMENT_ - - -Lord Rosecarrel who was out with the hounds that day was riding ahead of -his daughter when she and her escort joined the field. He was a finely -built man and looked exceedingly well in hunting costume. He wore a -closely trimmed beard, now almost white, and seemed, so Trent thought, -more than his sixty-five years. It was a fine, sensitive face, and the -earl had all his days until this strange retirement mixed with the great -of the earth and taken part in the councils of nations. This mystery -connected with his withdrawal from public affairs intrigued the -American. He believed Daphne knew. He was wondering what it was when the -earl reined in his horse. - -"I am told you leave no later than tomorrow, Mr. Trent, I hope you will -dine with us tonight." - -Anthony Trent hesitated a moment before answering. - -"Thank you," he said, "I should like to." - -He knew it would only reopen old wounds but the temptation to see Daphne -again was not to be resisted. - -It would have been a dull dinner but for the earl. Whether or not he saw -Daphne's depression, the disappointment of his son and the -disinclination of the visitor to talk, he was entertaining and witty. He -asked a number of questions about the United States where his son and -heir was. While he played billiards with Arthur, Trent and the girl -watched them. In truth they paid little attention to the scores or -strokes. - -It was not easy to get back to the intimacy of the morning. There was a -certain reserve in the girl's manner, and a look of sadness that -immeasurably distressed Trent. - -"Ours is a tragic family," she said, when he tried to bring her to a -brighter mood. "We used to be so happy. My mother was wonderful. She is -gone, my two brothers are dead, St. Just is away and my father simply -pining away of a dreadful thing that wasn't his fault." - -"I wish you would tell me what it is," he said. - -"Impossible," she said decisively. "It poisons his whole life." - -"It was Arthur's fault, wasn't it?" he demanded. - -"What makes you say that?" she returned. - -"I know it," he said emphatically, "and whatever he did can be undone -and if it's humanly possible I can do it. Is someone blackmailing him?" - -He could see she was startled. He must have hit on something not far -removed from the truth. - -"Not that," she said, looking at where her father was standing -apprehensively. "And I'm sure you could do nothing." - -"I can try," he said earnestly. "Listen to me, Daphne. I feel that -there is nothing in life for me but the memory of you. I want more than -anything else to do something for you to prove my love. I have nothing -in all life to lose. I have no relations, no friends to speak of. My -life has been made up of," he hesitated, "of adventures where I pitted -myself against the world and won." - -She thought of that night in Dereham. Was that one of his adventures? -Certainly he had given her the impression of great strength and -resolution. Of all the men she met Rudolph Castoon and Anthony Trent -most radiated this uncommon quality. - -She looked across the big room to her father. Arthur was making a big -break and the earl was not watching him; she knew he was not thinking of -the game. He was thinking of that insuperable obstacle which barred him -from the work he loved, the work in which he was needed. He looked a -sad, broken man and reminded Trent of the portrait of Julius the second, -by Raphael, which he had seen in Florence. - -"I dare not tell," she said. "It touches big things and would involve -many names and would lead you into great peril." - -"It would not be the peril for me that you think," he insisted. "I shall -know when my hour is to strike. Darling, let me try to do something for -the woman I love, for the family where I found such happiness and such -sorrow. I have brought so much trouble on you that I want to feel I did -something to atone." - -He felt for a fleeting moment the warm clasp of her hand. - -"You have often been in danger?" she asked. - -"It has been my life," he said simply. - -"I am afraid to tell my father," she confessed. - -"Must he know?" Trent asked. - -"Yes. I know the whole hideous thing only in the barest outline." - -"I shall broach the subject," he said confidently, "after all I have -nothing to lose. I go tomorrow anyway." - -She hesitated a moment. - -"My father may think you are doing it at a price." - -"Instead of which I am offering to help you as atonement." - -The light died from her eyes and the hope left her heart. Nothing could -alter his decision, nothing apparently blot out the past that held them -asunder. - -The Earl of Rosecarrel heard Anthony Trent's request for a private -interview with a rather troubled mind. He had no doubt it had to do with -his daughter. He told himself he had been very careless. - -"By all means my dear fellow," he said cordially, "come to my library -where we shall be quite alone." - -Never had Trent been bidden to this great book lined chamber. It was -open neither to those who came on visitors' day nor to the casual guest. -It was here the earl and the prime minister were closeted for several -hours. - -"My lord," Trent began, "I am going to say something that will first of -all astonish you and then probably make you angry at what seems -presumption." - -"I hardly think you will do that," the other said urbanely. He was sure -now it had to do with Lady Daphne. - -"You have said," Trent went on, "that you are grateful to me for my help -to your son, Arthur." - -"I am profoundly grateful," the earl said quickly, "you have made a new -man of him." - -"Then promise me you will not interrupt me by ringing for a servant to -show me out." - -"I will promise that blindly," smiled the nobleman. - -"I owe a debt to your family. Arthur saved my life and I am still a -debtor. Since I have been here I have found out a great deal about your -life work. I found out also that at a moment when the Empire most needed -you you retired. I know at the present moment your name is being -mentioned everywhere as the most suitable for one of the highest offices -under the crown. I know the prime minister made a golfing trip to -Newquay the excuse to call on you personally. I know that in this very -room you refused a request from your sovereign." - -There was no doubting the agitation this statement produced in the -ex-ambassador. But he was mindful of his promise. - -"I know," the inexorable Trent went on, "that your refusal has something -to do with what your son did when he was irresponsible. I saw you throw -a terrible glance at him during the prime minister's talk over the -luncheon table. It told me plainly that remotely or not it was because -of something he did that you remain here eating your heart out. -Afterwards you were especially kind to him. It was as though you -repented your momentary anger. My lord, am I right so far?" - -"I do not pretend to understand how you have learned these facts," the -earl said slowly, "but you have made no error. What happened is over, -dead and done with." - -"I'm not so sure," Trent cried. "Perhaps because there was a day when I -wrote stories of a rather lurid type I can think of half a hundred -things that might seem final to you but which would yield to my type of -mind. Nothing is final to us Americans." - -Lord Rosecarrel looked at him shrewdly. - -"What you say is preposterous, Mr. Trent, but nevertheless it interests -me. What causes could this fertile mind of yours suggest?" - -"Blackmail first of all," Trent said. Lord Rosecarrel did not give any -indication whether the shot told or not. "Blackmail can be sub-divided -into many heads." - -"And is there a remedy for blackmail, then?" the earl asked blandly. - -"A remedy can always be found for things," Trent said confidently. - -"It amounts to this," the diplomat continued calmly as though he were -discussing an interesting phase in another man's life, "that you suppose -I am held inactive here because of the hold some man or government has -on me. Admitting for a moment that this is true, do you not suppose that -I should have strained every nerve, called upon my every resource to -remove the obstacle which you admit has a remedy?" - -"I think you have tried and failed," Trent said. - -"It is curious," said the earl still impersonally, "how fiction of the -type you used to write has taken possession of the public mind." - -"I should not fail," Trent said steadily. - -"You still persist in making the imaginary real," the earl said good -humouredly. - -"Why do you fence with me at a time like this?" Trent said making a -gesture of despair. "Can't you see I am in earnest?" - -"You rate your powers so highly then?" - -"You employed amateurs, my lord, I am a professional adventurer." - -"What are you doing in my house?" - -"Living honest hours and learning that a past can't be undone. I know -very well that you thought I wanted to see you because I love your -daughter. It is true. I do love her. And it is because I love her that I -am going. And it is because I want to prove that I am only truthful when -I say that, I offer to undertake anything that may help you." - -"But the reward?" - -"To have done something for her is the reward." - -The earl was silent for a minute. Then he paced the room. Trent watched -his tall, bent form wondering what was to be the outcome. - -"Mr. Trent," said the earl pausing before him, "you are either a -scoundrel or else the most chivalrous gentleman I have ever known. For -the moment I hardly know what to think, or say, or do. If I give you my -confidence and you abuse it the public will share the knowledge of a -disgrace which now only my enemy knows. If you set me free from my -bondage you put me under an obligation that I can never pay. If I let -you make the attempt in which two men have given their lives and you -fail I shall never forgive myself." - -"But my lord," Trent reminded him, "I am a professional. I have never -failed. I detest a brawl but I love danger, and life means less to me -than you might suppose. If I fail you will never be compromised. I shall -want no help nor send any plea for assistance. I work alone--always." - -The earl did not answer him directly. - -"The hounds met at Michaelstowe this morning," he said, "and I took the -opportunity of sending off a wire in reply to this post card which came -last night." - -Trent looked at it. It was in a language unknown to him. - -"It is in Hungarian," Lord Rosecarrel told him, "and it says, 'Please -let me know that the report in today's Times that you have accepted -office is incorrect.' The telegram I sent to the writer said: 'The -report is wrong. I have refused.' There you have my secret. The man who -sent the post card, in effect, threatened me with exposure if I came out -of retirement." - -"Then it is blackmail," Trent breathed. - -"I am going to trust you," the earl said suddenly. "I am going to think -of you as the chivalrous gentleman. The man who wrote the post card is a -very big figure in the politics of what used to be called _mittel -Europa_. Our interests clashed. He was on one side and I on the other. -It happened that I was usually able to out manoeuvre him because my -training had been such that no man in public life knew the Balkans as I -did, and do still, the wheels within wheels, the inner hidden things -that make national sentiment so dangerous at times or so valuable as the -case may be. In time he came to think me the one man who could -comprehend his activities and check them. He set out to ruin me. He -believed his ends justified other methods than I used. I was shot at on -the _Ferencz Jozsef rakpart_ for example and a companion killed." - -"Do you still seem a menace to him?" Trent asked. - -"More than ever if I take the position offered me in the near East. You -see the rumour in the Times brings instant recognition. I knew he was in -London." - -Trent looked at the speaker and wondered what it could be which kept him -from the work his country demanded of him. Assuredly it was not lack of -courage. - -"He was in London when he obtained the hold over me that keeps me buried -here. Arthur was at the moment a secretary of Rudolph Castoon. One -night he opened a strong box of mine and took some bank notes to pay a -racing debt. It was a terrible blow to think he had fallen so low, but I -was more alarmed to find a tentative draft of a treaty which was never -made effective, a document in my own writing, had disappeared. At the -time it might have incensed a country since allied with us almost to the -point of a declaration of war. Arthur told me it was gibberish to him -and he had thrown it on the fire. A month later I was summoned to a -cabinet meeting. A friend told me I was to be asked to produce the -treaty draft. I called Arthur to see me. I told him my honor was -involved and that if he had not destroyed it or was holding it to sell -another power I must know. He gave me his solemn word of honor, uttered -in the most convincing manner, that he had thrown it into the open fire. - -"When the prime minister asked for the draft I told him I had destroyed -it thinking its value gone and fearful of the danger of having it at my -house in Grosvenor Place. At the moment I was absolutely convinced that -my son had been honest with me. It was obvious I could not tell the -cabinet I had caught him stealing money or that he had torn up the -draft. I gave the cabinet my word of honor that it was destroyed and I -allowed them to assume that I did it. It was a lie and I do not justify -its use, but first and foremost my son's protection seemed necessary. It -was less than three months later that I received a visit from the man -who wrote that post card. - -"It was in Paris where I was staying with my daughter. He said that at -last he had a weapon which would wound me. Arthur had sold him the -draft. He had it concealed where none could get it. Unless I retired -from public life and activities he would show it to the same cabinet -which had heard me swear I had destroyed it with my own hands. The -inference would be that I had sold it. It was known that I had lost -money through the failure of a London bank. No matter what the cabinet -thought my honor was smirched and I should rightly be considered unfit -for high office. There, Mr. Trent, is the real reason." - -"Do you know where the draft of the treaty is hidden?" - -"In his almost inaccessible castle in Croatia." - -"You are certain?" - -"Two men have died so that the knowledge might be mine." - -"I should imagine he would keep it in the deposit box of a bank where he -could get at it quickly." - -"Banks can be broken into easier far than his strong room. He lives, -despite the changes wrought by the war, in a style almost feudal. He -owns and controls twenty square miles of the country where his home is. -What chance, I ask you, has a stranger of getting near without incurring -suspicion. There are many men who can speak German or French like -natives but Hungarian is a different matter, a non-Aryan tongue." - -"It should be done from the inside," Trent mused. - -"One of them was," the earl told him, "the man who tried was skillful, -adroit and courageous. He had flirted with death a hundred times, just -as you have done Mr. Trent, but they set a trap for him there which a -fool would have passed by; a trap so skillfully baited that only a -clever man would have tried to use it to further his cause. Yet he -failed. You have no idea of the household at that fantastic castle in -the mountains. You have no idea of the imperious temper and power of the -man who owns it, the multitude of servitors who would kill did he but -suggest it, the motley company he entertains there." - -This mention of many visitors interested Trent. - -"He entertains a great deal then?" - -"Only those he knows, men and women. The life there as reported to me -reads like a chronicle of medieval days." - -"The other man who failed--what did he go as?" - -"A steeple chase jockey. The count kept a great stud and raced all over -Continental Europe. He owned Daliborka the great horse which won the -_Grand Prix_." - -"The horse that was stolen?" - -"Exactly. Daliborka and three other thoroughbreds were missing from the -stables. The man who pretended to be a jockey and was instead a man of -lineage and wealth secreted the horses at intervals along the forest -road that runs from the castle to the coast. It was his idea when he had -obtained the draft to make his way by relays to the nearest harbour. -The poor fellows never had the opportunity to throw a leg across any of -them. You see, Mr. Trent, there is no chance at all." - -"I will make one," the American said confidently, "I am going to enjoy -this." - -"After what I have said you still persist?" - -"Because of it," laughed Anthony Trent. He had forgotten everything but -the prospect of coming danger, the duel that was to be fought between -him and this fabulous magnate. It was characteristic of Trent that he -swept aside all other possible inmates of the lonely castle as beneath -his notice. His business was with the superior. - -"How do you know he is still in London?" Trent demanded. - -"I keep myself informed," the earl said. "A newspaper clipping concern -sends me every notice of him." - -"I want them," the younger man observed, "I want everything that will -help me." - -He read through the brief notices eagerly and wished English papers -discussed personalities with the detail American periodicals employed. -The only item that interested him deeply was a notice that Count Michæl -Temesvar had visited the automobile show at the Crystal Palace and -seemed interested in the new twelve cylinder Lion car. - -"Rather humorous in its way," the earl said smiling, "since I own a -great deal of stock in that company. That's why I have that -inordinately high powered car in the garage which you and Arthur seem -to like." - -"Humorous!" Trent repeated, "I don't know that it isn't more humorous -than you know. Do you think he has any idea you are interested in the -company?" - -"Few know it," the earl said, "and I don't see why he should when even -my friends are ignorant." - -"How much of it do you own?" Trent asked eagerly. - -"More probably than any one stockholder." - -"And a letter from you to the manager would make me solid." He explained -the slang, "I mean if you wrote a letter to the manager asking that I be -given certain powers would he honor it?" - -"Most certainly," the earl answered. "There can be no doubt about it." - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT - -_COUNT MICHÆL TEMESVAR_ - - -Count Michæl Temesvar, when he left behind him the great estate where he -ruled as absolute and tyrannical master and came to the fashionable, -pleasure-loving London, was a different man. - -In London he paid due regard to the conventions and was entertained at -great houses and in return offered very splendid receptions to his -hosts. Meanwhile he kept a skilled finger on the hardening arteries of -new international affairs. - -He knew very well that he was suspected of intriguing for monarchial -restoration and the confusion of the country where he was so pleasantly -entertained, by such men as the Earl of Rosecarrel. But for the main -part England still clung to her habit of disbelieving that a man who -could be so charming in society would commit the _betise_ of plotting -where he had played. - -He was particularly interested in the Spring Automobile Show at the -Crystal Palace. He had heard a great deal of late of the Lion motor and -he wanted one. On his first visit to the show he told the manager that -the silver model there exhibited was the one that he would buy. He was -annoyed that the firm's representative would not allow it to be taken -away until the show finished. - -On his second visit he was irritated to find that the manager raised -objections about selling it at all. - -"You see, sir," said the manager, "a car like this demands careful -driving and constant attention. Our ordinary model would suit you -better." - -"I want this because it is said to be the fastest car in the world," -Count Michæl returned. "To me the price is nothing." - -"It isn't that at all, sir," the manager said. "In confidence it -wouldn't do us any good if your own mechanics got it in such a condition -it couldn't do its best work. Bad advertisement you understand." - -"You think I should have a special chauffeur then? Good. Send me one. -Send three if necessary but send me a man who has the nerve to drive -along my mountain roads by day or night at any speed I choose." - -"That's a tall order, sir," the manager returned. - -"But I pay. I always pay better than others because I want better work." - -Count Michæl Temesvar beheld a blue-clad mechanic working under a car. -He struck him a sharp blow on the leg with his cane. A grimy-faced man -emerged rubbing the bruised limb. - -"You," said the count peremptorily, "can you drive a car like this -Lion?" - -The man grinned. The idea seemed to tickle him. He spoke with the -cockney accent of his kind. - -"Me drive a Lion?" he said. "Ask Mr. King 'ere what I can do." - -"I couldn't let him go," said Mr. King quickly. "He is my best -demonstrator and a wonder at tuning up an engine." - -Count Michæl ignored the protesting manager. - -"What is your wage?" - -"I get five pound a week." - -"I give you ten. You are my man. You leave for my place in Croatia when -the show is over. My secretary will see you are looked after. Serve me -well and you will never regret it. I am generous, when I am pleased." He -turned to his companion. "See that all arrangements are made. If he has -a wife and children bring them if he desires it. If he will be happier -without them let them remain here. I must have him. He has intelligence -and industry. Look you, he has gone back to his work. He loves his -engine as a good groom does his horse." - -The mechanic had indeed crawled again under the huge car. The count -could have added that he was cautious for he drew his legs well into -cover. - -The count and the secretary went off. The secretary was to call at the -office next day and arrange things. The manager was deferential, but -when they had left the glass-roofed hall he permitted himself to laugh. -Then he crossed to the car and bent down. - -"It's all right, Mr. Trent," he said, "they've gone now; you can come -out." - -Anthony Trent looked up at him and grinned. - -"You can always get a job as an actor," he said. - -"Your accent is a bit of all right," the manager returned, gratified. - -"If it's etiquette for a manager to have a drink with a mere oil-stained -mechanic as I am, lead on to the nearest place." - -"Well," said the manager later, "what do you think of him?" - -Anthony Trent rubbed his leg. - -"He struck me," said Trent in a curious, musing way. There was something -in his tone which made the manager look at him quickly. Anthony Trent's -face was grim and set. - -"I don't think he meant it that way," Mr. King replied. He had visions -of assault and battery. - -"Some day I shall give him the opportunity to apologize," said the -American. - -Mr. King had received personal instructions from the chairman of the -Lion Motor, Ltd., to obey Mr. Anthony Trent in every particular. Mr. -Trent was to be allowed to have the run of the shops and the most expert -mechanics in the firm were to put all they knew at his disposal. - -Anthony Trent started by giving the manager the best dinner he had ever -eaten. Then he coached him in the _rôle_ of a manager anxious not to -lose his best demonstrator. King was delighted that Count Michæl walked -into the trap set for him eagerly. He liked Trent but thought poorly of -his chances in a tussle with this big girthed foreigner. - -"Must be fifty inches round the chest," he observed, sipping his drink -delicately, "and most of it muscle. One of the most powerful men I've -ever laid eyes on, Mr. Trent. Built like a wrestler. About five feet -ten I judge, a couple of inches less than you but five stone heavier." - -"What was the big car on the aisle opposite us at the show?" Trent -asked, as King thought, irrelevantly. - -"The 'Amazon,'" King answered scornfully. "All varnish and silver plate -and upholstery with a motor that isn't worth a tinker's dam." - -"That's like the count," Trent smiled, "champagne, high living and -general dissipation have made a shell of him. He looks well enough to -the eye, like that Amazon car, but call on the motor and you'll see 'em -both hang out distress signals." - -"Maybe," King conceded, "I'll put my bet on the Lion," he smiled in a -friendly fashion at the other, "and the Eagle." - -They fell to talking technicalities and kept it up till the hour when -Michæl, Count Temesvar went to dine at a house in Bruton street. He told -his host that as a compliment to this country, his second home, he had -just bought an English car and engaged an English chauffeur. The other -guests thought it so broad-minded of him. He further endeared himself to -his company by deploring the retirement of his old adversary, that -eminent diplomat, the Earl of Rosecarrel. - -His old adversary's occupation at the moment would have surprised him. -The earl was devising an ingenious cipher code having, it would seem to -the uninitiated, the various parts of a Lion motor which might need -replacing by telegram to the London factory. Anthony Trent would take a -copy with him, carefully concealed, and any telegram sent by him to the -works would instantly be forwarded to the code's inventor. - -"What makes you so cheerful?" his daughter asked as she bade him -goodnight. - -"That amazing American of yours," he answered. - -"'Of mine,'" she repeated. But even in the grip of her unhappiness she -was not sure that the dim future did not hold some alleviation. - - * * * * * - -Few people were more careful of appearances than Anthony Trent. He was -always dressed with quiet distinction. In the early days of a profession -where it is not well to be too prominent, he chafed at this restraint. -Later he saw that it was the sign of sartorial eminence. - -On assuming the name and characteristics of Alfred Anthony he also had -to dress the part and talk the part. From the men in the Lion shop he -had, with his mimic's cleverness, taken on their peculiar intonations -and slang until he certainly could deceive a foreigner. And since he was -thorough he forced himself to smoke the part. - -He accompanied his great silver car across the channel to Ostend dressed -as the men in the shop dressed. And he moved with their brisk, perky -quickness and he alternated between shag in a bull-dog pipe and Woodbine -cigarettes. He was glad that Mr. Hentzi, the count's secretary observed -his altercation at the Belgian port with a customs official who made -him pay duty on an excess number of cigarettes. - -"Ah," said Mr. Hentzi with condescension, "the cigarette of the Briteesh -Tommee!" - -At Ostend, Trent superintended the despatch of his charge by fast -freight and then took the trans-continental express to Budapest. He was -to wait for the car and drive it to its new home. During the few days he -was forced to idle in the Hungarian capital he deplored the fact that -new status prevented him from going to the Bristol or the Grand Hotel -Royal. He stayed, instead, at an hotel of the second class and -encountered little friendliness. English or Americans, it seemed, were -still regarded as enemies. - -He was saved from any violence by Hentzi's announcement that he must be -fitted for the Temesvar livery. It was no use to rebel. With incredible -swiftness the tailor turned it out. Trent looked at himself in the glass -with the utmost distaste. The color scheme was maroon and canary yellow. -He likened himself to those who stood before the fashionable stores on -Fifth avenue and opened limousine doors. - -"With that livery," Hentzi said impressively, "you will be safe; you -will be respected." - -Anthony Trent was too much overwhelmed to answer him. Certainly the -Anthony Trent who stared back at him from the mirror was a stranger. He -was wearing his hair longer than usual and a small moustache was already -sprouting. The hawklike look was not evident. He wore, instead, an air -of innocence that was Chaplinesque. Hentzi took this look of scrutiny to -be one of pride. - -"You must have your photograph taken and send it to your best girl," he -laughed, "she will make all the other ones jealous." - -"Yes," said the man who suddenly remembered he was Alfred Anthony of -Vauxhall Bridge Road, "she'll be fair crazy about it. Just like me." - -But he did not wear it much. He preferred the chance of a row with the -populace to his unwished for splendor. The days of delay gave him -leisure to think over coming difficulties. He conceded he had been led -away by emotion and enthusiasm when he was betrayed into boasting of his -prowess. The two men who had failed had been good men no doubt and they -were dead. - -Such a man as Temesvar must know that the brain who originated the -attempt at recovery of the draft was still scheming. The count must -constantly be on the watch. And if so, why had he engaged Alfred Anthony -with so little investigation? Like most high grade criminals, Anthony -Trent was apt to suspect simple actions when performed by men of the -Temesvar type and impute to them subtle motives. He wished he had been -able to take a longer look at the count instead of his momentary talk. - -He reminded Trent very much of the celebrated painting of Francis the -First, that sensual monarch who was devoted to the chase, masquerades, -jewelry and the pursuit of the fair. But Francis, for all his -accomplishments, was weak and frivolous while Temesvar was ruthless and -a power, if Lord Rosecarrel was to be believed. - -Before he left London Trent had secured what road maps he could of -Hungary and particularly the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia and Croatia. At -his hotel he spread them out on the table and spent hours poring over -them. - -He ventured to ask Mr. Hentzi some particulars of the place, and why -Count Michæl had gone to the expense of importing the chauffeur and the -car when he had many machines in his garage and so many men at his -command. - -Hentzi told him the count needed a clear-eyed, temperate man who could -make great speed and make it safely. - -"Most of our men," Hentzi declared, "drink _shlivovitza_, a brandy made -of plums, and there are people who visit the count whose lives must not -be imperilled by recklessness." - -"What about the roads?" Trent asked thinking of the weight of the Lion -and its tremendous wheel-base. - -"From Karlstadt to Fiume runs the Maria Louise road which is superb. It -is one over which you will pass many times. Then there is the Josephina -road from Zengg and many fine highways built not for the Croatian -peasants but for strategic purposes. You have seen in this war which is -passed what good roads mean, eh?" - -"You 'it it on the 'ed, Guv'ner," Trent said cheerfully. "What do I go -down to Fiume for?" - -"To meet passengers from the steamers or from the count's yacht. It is -one hundred and twenty miles from Fiume to Radna Castle. What could you -do that distance in? The road down the mountain to Karlstadt is good but -narrow." - -Alfred Anthony spat meditatively. - -"The old girl will do it in three hours," he said, "she'll shake 'em up -a bit inside but if there aren't no traffic cops or big towns I can do -it in three hours or bit more." - -"No. No," Hentzi cried nervously, "that is suicide. We have been -satisfied to take six hours." - -"With 'orses?" Alfred Anthony demanded, "pretty good time with 'orses, -but this is a Lion." - -Hentzi sat on the front seat during the long drive and pointed out the -path. On the whole he was a good natured man but he did not permit the -count's chauffeur to forget that he was talking to the count's -secretary. Hentzi had formerly been a clerk in the estate office of the -Temesvar family and had been promoted to his present position because he -was faithful and a good linguist. - -He was afraid of the count. Trent could detect a fear of him whenever -the name was mentioned. When Hentzi warned the new chauffeur to be -careful if his employer was in an angry mood the American demanded the -reason. - -"If I do my duty," said the pseudo mechanic, "he can't hurt me." - -"You talk as a child talks," Hentzi laughed. "He will do as he likes and -as the devils that are in him at the moment. He fears neither God, man, -nor devil. Pauline only may mock when he rages." - -"Who is Pauline?" Trent asked, "the missus?" - -"The Countess," Hentzi said with dignity, "is in perpetual retreat with -the Ursuline sisters near Vienna." - -"Is Pauline the daughter?" - -"His daughters are married." Hentzi laughed, "Castle Radna is not a -place where it is wise to ask questions. You think because his -excellency was cheerful when you last saw him he is like that always? I -tell you if Pauline has been unkind he may visit it on you. I prefer -that he does. I am tired of his humours and you are younger and -stronger." - -"You don't mean he might hit me?" Trent cried. - -Hentzi seemed to find Trent's anxious manner amusing. - -"Most certainly he will," the secretary assured him, "but you need not -be alarmed. He will fling you gold when his temper has spent itself." - -"I'm not going to let any man strike me," Trent said doggedly. "It would -raise the devil in me and I might be sorry for it." - -"You would," Hentzi said thinking that the chauffeur meant he might lose -his job. - -Anthony Trent, instead, was thinking that he might, in order to succeed -in his venture, have to submit to indignities that would be torture to -one of his temperament. It would not be wise to let the secretary know -this so he turned the subject to the woman who dare laugh when the count -was angry. - -"Who is Pauline?" he asked. - -"She was a skater from the Winter Palace in Berlin. She is beautiful or -she would not be at Castle Radna; she is clever or she could not control -Count Michæl who has broken many women's hearts. She is bad or she would -not have driven the countess from her home. For myself I hate her and -the men and women with whom she fills the place." - -"So they keep a lot of company up there?" - -"Company!" Hentzi replied, "there is no such castle in Europe. I have -seen life in Buda and Vienna but up there! You may be sure when the -master drinks champagne the servants will drink _shlivovitza_. But do -not think they are all Pauline's friends. No. No. The great of the world -come there too and Pauline's friends are banished. You will drive great -personages up from Fiume and you will not know who they are or what -their errand." - -"Is the count a politician?" - -Hentzi laughed with good natured contempt at such a naïve query. Not to -know Michæl, Count Temesvar's reputation in the field of world politics -was to admit ignorance of all the troubled currents which worried kings -and presidents. - -He was rudely brought back from his lofty attitude by the sudden -stopping of the car. He was almost thrown from his seat. - -"Look!" Trent cried, pointing to a piece of close cropped turf, "a golf -green as I live." - -"What of it?" Hentzi snapped, "what do you know of golf?" - -"I used to be a caddie," Trent lied glibly. "Who plays there?" - -"The count because his doctor tells him to. I because I hate it, and -Pauline that her figure may remain seductive. Thank God there are but -nine holes! It encourages our master to have one man who always plays -worse than he. Look, that is the castle." - -Almost under the shadows of Mount Sljeme the rugged building lay. Around -it, nestling at its gates were many other lesser stone buildings which -Hentzi told him were stables, dwellings and out-houses. It was situated -in the _Zagorje_ or land beyond the hills and had, despite its fine -gardens and the green turf of the links a forbidding air. - -When the Lion was run into its garage Hentzi introduced the new -chauffeur to the man with whom he was to live, a man who with his wife -had one of the cottages outside the castle wall. Peter Sissek, the man, -was unfriendly from the start. He resented the importation of a -chauffeur with the new car as a slight to his own skill. But as he spoke -only Croatian and Hungarian, and Trent understood neither tongue, his -grievances were not voluble. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE - -_PAULINE_ - - -Anthony Trent met Pauline in rather a curious way. He had been a week at -Castle Radna and had not been commanded to drive the count. Then Hentzi -had informed him Count Michæl was sick of a bad cold. Sissek by virtue -of being senior in the Temesvar service tried to get the new man to help -him with his own cars but Trent absolutely declined. - -He had assumed a certain post in order to carry out a design but his -duties lay with the Lion car and he left the Croatian grumbling and set -out for a tour of inspection. Naturally his steps led him to the little -golf course a mile distant. There were no long holes and the course was -hardly trapped at all. It was just the kind of place elderly men, who -played a weak game, would revel in. - -By the first tee was a little rustic pavilion. Through the windows Trent -could see three or four golf bags. The temptation was too strong to -resist. He picked the locks with the blade of a pocket knife and found -himself in a comfortable room. The count's golf bag contained excellent -clubs and plenty of balls. He looked at the balls and knew the count's -game instantly. They were bitten into by the irons of a strong man. -Trent shuddered at the gashes and then, selecting a new ball and a -putter and driver went out on the nearby green. It was sheltered from -all observation and he putted for a few minutes. - -In the distance he could see the first green. It looked to be a little -under three hundred yards distant; and it lay beneath, sweetly tempting -to a long driver. - -Anthony Trent had for some years now lived a life in which he denied -himself nothing. He had reached out for such treasures as only a -millionaire may buy. The question of right or wrong in the matter of -using his employer's clubs bothered him little. He did not want to be -observed in case the privilege were denied him. - -He teed up his ball, made a few preliminary swings and then struck the -white sphere with perfectly timed strength. He watched it rise, fall and -roll almost to the edge of the green. He would certainly make it in -three. - -Then he turned round to look into the astonished face of a very -beautiful woman. There was something in the general effect, quickly -seen, which reminded him of Lady Daphne; but as he looked he saw this -girl was older. He doubted the genuineness of the golden hair and he saw -that art had aided nature in the facial make-up. But she was no more -than eight and twenty and her figure differed from Daphne's slim, almost -boyish slightness. She was dressed in a curious shade of green. It was a -tint he thought he had never seen before until he looked into her eyes -and saw it there reflected. - -Pauline had known the count had engaged a chauffeur from London but she -assumed him to be of the usual type. She had no idea that the man who -had just made such a superb drive was he. Pauline had been used to much -social enjoyment of a sort and while Count Michæl had been away she had -to behave circumspectly. She was dull and she was bored; and now, as -though an answer to prayer, Fate had sent her a handsome young man who -stood like a bronze statue as he followed the flight of the ball. - -Since the count had given permission for the families of the -neighbouring landowners to use his course she imagined it to be one of -these or perhaps a guest at some local mansion. - -Anthony Trent was never one who made a habit of the pursuit of the fair. -His profession had taught him caution. Almost always the feminine -element had brought the great criminals to peril. There had been one or -two harmless flirtations but his love for Daphne was the great affair of -his life. He groaned when he looked into Pauline's bold eyes and saw -admiration looking from them. Other women had looked at him like that. -Pauline was absolute at Castle Radna. Her enmity might be very harmful. -Her friendship might be ruinous. - -He assumed the bearing of Alfred Anthony which he had abandoned -unconsciously. He even touched his cap to the lady as a servant who -habitually wears livery should do. She frowned as he did so. - -"Who are you?" she said in German. - -"I'm the new chauffeur, miss," he returned in English. - -"What are you doing here, then?" - -"Having a bit of a game," he said with an air of timidity. "I hope you -won't tell the guv'nor." - -"The guv'nor?" she repeated. - -"The count," he said, "the old toff with the beard." - -Trent produced a Woodbine and lighted it luxuriously. He had all the -quick nervous gestures of the cockney. - -"Where did you learn to play golf like that?" she asked, looking at the -white speck almost three hundred yards distant. - -"Anyone can make a fluky drive," he said, "one drive doesn't make a -golfer, Miss. I used to be a caddie at the Royal Surrey Club." - -"Then you can carry my clubs," she said. She looked at him with a frown. -"How is it the door is open?" - -"Someone must have forgot to shut it," Trent said simply. "I just walked -in." - -All his excuses to get back to his garage were ineffectual. - -"You will understand later," she said imperiously, "that if I order a -servant to obey me he must do so. I wish you to teach me to play better -golf. I shall pay you." - -"I'll be glad to have a little extra money to send the mis'sus," said -Trent cheerfully. - -"That means you are married, eh?" she said. - -"You've 'it it," he smiled. - -He misjudged Pauline if he thought this would have any effect upon her. -She was a specialist in husbands, an expert in emotional reactions. - -Pauline played a very fair game. She had not been properly taught. But -she was strong and lithe and although she had begun the game in order to -keep her figure she played it now because she liked it. When she had -performed professionally in London and big provincial cities she had -seen that efficiency in some sport or another was _de rigueur_ among -women of importance and she hankered after the social recognition that -unusual skill at sports often brought with it. - -"Make another such drive," she commanded after she had driven only a -hundred yards. "Not like mine, but like your first." - -Trent having committed himself to a term of caddiedom at a great club -where caddies have risen to the heights as professionals, he was not -compelled to play a bad game. Pauline had never seen such golf and she -worshipped bodily skill at games or sports more than any mental -attainments. His short approaches amazed her. The skill with which at a -hundred yards he could drop on a green and remain there with the back -spin on the ball seemed miraculous. - -"I shall play every day," she decided, "and you shall tell me how to -become a great player." - -"What about me and my motor?" he objected, "I came to drive a car and -not a golf ball." - -"I shall arrange it," she said, "Peter Sissek can drive." - -"Not my car," he cried, "I'm not going to have no blooming mucker like -him drive my Lion." - -Her green eyes were narrowed when she looked at him. - -"There are a hundred men who would give all they had for such an -opportunity," she said slowly. - -"Let 'em," he said quickly, "I'm a chauffeur and mechanic." - -At the last hole she made a poor topped drive and the ball landed in a -bad lie. It was an awkward stroke and he corrected her stance and even -showed her how to grip the club when suddenly he was struck a tremendous -blow on the back of the head. He was thrown off his balance but was up -like a cat, dazed a little but anxious to see what had hit him. He -thought it was a golf ball. It was Count Michæl instead. He looked more -like Francis the First than ever. His eyes were blazing with anger. He -had stolen upon them unaware at a moment when Trent's hand was holding -the white hand of Pauline as he tried to explain the grip. - -The count was too angry to understand the look that Trent threw at him -or to realize how nearly the pseudo-chauffeur lost control of himself. -But Trent pulled himself together, dissembled his wrath, remembered his -mission, and even presented a rueful but free from resentment -appearance. - -"'Ere guv'nor," he cried, "steady on! I 'aven't done anythink." - -"It is you I blame," the count said to Pauline. He spoke in German and -ignored Alfred Anthony. "Why is it unknown to me you bring my servant to -play with you?" - -Certainly Pauline had no fear of the magnate. - -"Because he has been a professional caddie and plays so well I can learn -the game. Since your game is contemptible with whom can I play here?" - -"I beat Hentzi every time," stormed the Count. - -"Hentzi," she laughed, "he is afraid of you. I am not. This man is -useful. I have told him he is to carry my clubs when I play. Do you -object to that?" - -"By no means," the count said becoming more amiable. "I see no -objection; but as he has two arms he can carry mine also. He is a _beau -garçon_ Pauline and I do not permit his filthy fingers to touch the hand -I kiss." He turned to Trent. "How is it you are here and not at your -work?" - -"I took a bit of a walk," Trent answered. - -"And finding him near the pavilion I told him to carry my clubs," -Pauline added in English. "What is strange in that?" - -Sissek with a Fiat car was waiting by the pavilion. He had driven his -master down and took Pauline back as well. He did not understand why the -new man was carrying golf clubs. He brightened when the count spoke to -him in rapid Croatian. - -"I am telling him," the count said, "that there is plenty of work for -you to do. He will find it if you cannot. And as Peter is very strong -and as short tempered as his lord I bid you be careful." - -Trent's temper was not sufficiently under control to keep a sneer from -his face. - -His grin was superbly insolent. He forgot his cockney accent and his -acquired vocabulary. - -"I'm afraid," he said, "you are not as good a judge of men as you are of -women." - -"What is this you say?" the count demanded frowning. - -"I mean that if your fool-faced Peter there can make me do anything -against my will he shall have _my_ salary as well as his own. You came -behind me when I wasn't looking and hit me. I can't resent that--yet, -but warn him if he tries anything on me like that I'll--" He paused -conscious of having said too much and aware that Pauline was gazing at -him with vivid interest. "I'll make him sorry." Trent felt it was a weak -ending. - -"He is funny, this new chauffeur from London is he not Pauline?" - -But Pauline had a mischievous idea. She spoke to Peter Sissek, that -powerful and jealous servant, and he flashed a look of hatred at Trent. -He thoroughly believed that the new man had indeed made the insulting -remarks Pauline ascribed to him. - -"Michæl," said Pauline caressingly, "let us see what this bold man would -do if Peter threatened him. We will not let Peter hurt him but it will -be a lesson." Pauline knew men and she saw in Trent one who could not -easily be forced to do anything. - -Poor Peter Sissek urged by his master to avenge himself upon this hated -alien rushed to his fate. In a way Trent was sorry. He had no real -grievance against the man. But Peter was immensely strong and spurred on -by a lively hatred. It was his idea to get his long arms about the -slenderer man and throw him to the ground and there beat his sneering -face in. He was stopped in his rush by a stinging left jab which caught -him square on an eye. While he stood still in amazement another blow -fell, this time on his nose. - -The big man paused in angry amazement that one built so much more -slenderly than he could hit with this terrific force. Pauline leaned -forward her lips parted and the red flush of excitement victor over -art's rouge. She was a woman of violent loves and hates and had urged -many a love sick swain into unequal contest for amusement's sake. -Although Trent had attracted her she was not sure that she did not want -to see Sissek punish him. He had paid as little attention to her charms -as though he thought she was old and ugly. - -As she looked at the foreigner she noted that his face had changed. He -looked keen, hawklike, dangerous. It would have been wiser for Anthony -Trent had he allowed Peter Sissek to triumph. - -Then, suddenly, Peter made a rush. He put down his bullet head and -jumped at his man. Anthony Trent saw the opportunity for as pretty an -upper-cut as one might need. For Peter Sissek it was the whole starry -firmament in its splendor that showed itself, and then the night came -down. - -"He has killed Peter!" the count roared. - -"That is not death," Pauline said clapping her hands. - -For an uneasy moment the count remembered that not many minutes earlier -he had buffetted this quiet, grim fighter, this same man who hit his -opponent at will and evaded his enemy's blows with practised ease. These -English speaking peoples with their odd notions of independence and -their skill with their brutal fists were dangerous. It might well be -that even he, Michæl Temesvar had best remember his new chauffeur was -not docile like Peter Sissek and the others. - -"This is murder!" the count said still angrily. - -"He'll come to," Trent said carelessly. "Shall I drive you back?" - -"No," said the count. He looked coldly at the man who had charge of the -Lion. But Trent knew very well that the anger in his face was not from -any sympathy with Peter Sissek. It was the thought that Pauline had -deceived him and that this young man was too skillful in too many ways -that annoyed the aristocrat. - -"I will send a car back," Count Michæl asserted, "meanwhile stay with -the man you have so cruelly assaulted." - -Peter Sissek awoke to consciousness a few seconds later and looked with -difficulty on the world. His nose was cut, an eye was closed and his car -was gone. He made strange outcries and became so excited that Trent with -a black look bade him be silent. Sissek knew what was meant and started -at a run along the road. - -Trent was not so sure he had done well that morning. He had angered the -count. Well, such anger would probably pass under ordinary conditions. -He had interested that magnificent animal Pauline, reigning favorite, -and autocrat, and Pauline was not discreet. Sooner or later the count -would see the way she looked at his chauffeur and then the game would be -up. He would be sent back to London his mission a failure. To get -Pauline's enmity would be fatal, too. She would not hesitate to ruin a -man she hated and the count would always believe her word against that -of Alfred Anthony. The American sat on the edge of the first tee and -cursed all irregularly run establishments. He looked up presently to see -the car returning. It was driven by Hentzi. - -"What is this I hear?" Hentzi said severely. - -"I don't give a damn what you have heard," Trent said crossly. - -"What? You talk like this to me?" - -"To you or anyone else," Trent retorted. "Look here, my little man, I -came here to look after a high powered car and risk my neck on mountain -passes. All right. I'm agreeable. But if you or anyone else thinks I'm a -golf caddie or a footman or a servile beast like Sissek you're all -mistaken. I'm a good mechanic and I can drive a car against almost -anyone but I'm not going to stand for oppression. The count hit me." -Anthony Trent patted himself on the chest as the enormity of the offence -grew larger, "he hit _me_!" - -"You talk as though you were a gentleman," Hentzi said coldly. "My -friend you are of the people and you have read too much. You probably -think you are my equal. It is an honor to serve a Temesvar but if you -are anxious to go to your own country I have no doubt your company can -send another man." - -"There's no need for that," Trent said less irascibly, "but what makes -Pauline think I'm going to carry her clubs around when I've got my own -work to do?" - -"So that was it," Hentzi commented. "That was why Count Michæl stormed -at me so. My good Alfred, you are young and life is sweet. I counsel you -to remember that always while you are at Radna. The Temesvars have -always been hot headed. You see that steep cliff yonder?" - -Trent looked above him to where the side of a mountain was cut so -sharply that a drop of four hundred feet would be the lot of one -stepping from the edge. - -"That has been the scene of many tragedies," Hentzi said, "many men have -stepped into space." - -"Murdered?" Trent demanded. - -"Accidents," Hentzi assured him, "unfortunate accidents. There was one -lamentable occurrence not many years ago and he was a fellow countryman -of yours by the way. A man of great personal distinction. But these are -not for you, these reminiscences of high life. What will interest you is -that the count says you can no longer live with the Sisseks. He does -not want two valuable servants to kill one another. Room will be made -for you at the Castle. That pleases you, eh?" - -"Yes," Trent said, conscious that his look of triumph had puzzled -Hentzi. "I do not like Mrs. Sissek's cooking." - -In reality he was delighted. Here he was to be taken into the Castle -without having to make an effort. It was the first step. It would be -strange if one as skilled and silent as he could not soon have every -detail of the house at his command. He knew the servants drank their -native spirits, brandies, made of cherries, apricots and plums. This -assured sound sleep and unlimited opportunities. The count was a great -drinker, too, and his guests feasted well. - -As if in conspiracy against him the major domo, chief of the indoor -servants, put him in the least desirable of rooms, a rat-ridden chamber -away from the sleeping apartments of the rest of the help. In the heat -of summer it would be unbearable. There was fortunately a great bolt -which barred the door from intruders. The one long, deep window opened -inwards. An old square copper pipe used to drain the roof far above -passed his window. He took hold of it and found it immovable. It would -easily support his weight. The ground lay twenty feet below. It was the -windows that this copper pipe passed which most interested Trent. If -they had catches similar to his own he could open them with a hair pin. -He was eager for night to fall. And because he was now assured of action -he became much more docile. He allowed Hentzi to lecture him severely -on his brutal behaviour. - -During the next week he was worked so hard that he had little -opportunity, apart from his long journeys to Fiume, to do aught else -than make a mental plan of the windows on his side of the castle. There -were four apertures similar to that which gave light and air to his -room. The heavy copper pipe passed by them all. To a gymnast with a -clear head they were all within reach. The climb was probably less -difficult than it would seem to an observer looking up from the ground. -There was risk, of course, but Anthony Trent was always ready to take -it. - -In the daily life of the servants' hall he noticed that the place had an -enormous number of retainers, young and old, many more than seemed -necessary. They were with a few exceptions sons and daughters of the -Temesvar family, servants proud of their caste and the man they served. -The major domo spoke German and French. He was a pompous person who -ruled absolutely below stairs. He did not like the stranger but he had -been commanded not to allow any brawls and he saw to it the chauffeur -was let alone. There was much to eat and to drink. Count Michæl owned -herds of swine which grazed in the miles of oak and beech forests -surrounding Castle Radna and the heady drinks that abounded were made -from his own fruits by his own people. - -As a rule the lower servants went early to bed. Those who remained up -later were the major domo and such of his men as waited upon the -count's table. There came a dark cloudy night when Anthony Trent -wearing black sneakers and a dark suit free from white collar or cuffs -crawled out of his dungeon-like window and up the twelve feet of piping -that intervened between his own and the next window above. He found -himself looking down into what he supposed was the great entrance hall -of the castle. Just below him was a great seat raised above the hall -level on a platform of stone at the base of the fine sweep of stairway. - -It was the official seat of the major domo. He could see the portly -servant in a sort of antique evening dress, white gloves on podgy hands -and a gilt chain of office about his thick neck. Below were three or -four footmen in the maroon and canary of the Temesvars. They were -yawning as though weary of inactivity. Plainly Trent could not emerge a -few feet above the major domo's head and in full view of the footmen. - -A climb to the next embrasure revealed what at first seemed a checkmate -to observation. He found on investigation that some great article of -furniture was backed against the window. It was immovable. Another climb -and he was able to step through the easily opened window to a dark -corridor. Anthony Trent in a great silent house where danger and -disgrace would attend his discovery was in his element. He moved -silently, surely, and seemed possessed of a seventh sense. He had never -before professionally worked in such a vast rambling place as Castle -Radna. It was not easy even for one trained as he to keep the plan of -the place in mind. He found himself on a floor of bedrooms few of which -were occupied. - -He bent over one slumberer whose breath was strong with plum brandy and -found he had discovered Hentzi's bedroom. He, did not need to be very -quiet here. Underneath him was the floor where the main bedrooms would -be and he had an idea the count might keep his valuables there. It was -necessary that he should be able to enter from the outside since the -stairway leading down was brilliantly lighted from the main hall and -stone stairway where the men servants seemed permanently stationed. - -Trent had the ability to snatch sleep when he desired it. It was now -only eleven o'clock. He crawled under Hentzi's bed and slumbered until -one. There was no danger of discovery. He did not snore and the man in -the upper berth would not wake till morning. Anthony Trent had made a -profound study of the value of snores in the determination of the -tenacity with which the snorer clung to sleep. - -When he shut Hentzi's door and stepped out into the corridor he saw that -the lights had been extinguished below and he was free now to make his -way to the floor beneath. He tried no doors but went at once to the -aperture covered by the article of furniture. It was a huge ebony -_armoire_ inlaid with panels of tortoise-shell and ornamented by -intricate designs of brass and ormolu. It was probably put in this spot -for the purposes of decoration and he picked the lock to prove himself -right. It was empty and there was space enough to stand upright in. - -He felt it vandalism to break the back panel and feared once the loud -cracking of wood might arouse the house. But there were few in Castle -Radna who went without a nightcap. It took him almost two hours to hack -an aperture that would admit him easily. - -Then he slid down the pipe and went to bed. It was not easy to sleep. He -had done very well so far. He was free of the house. With luck he could -come and go at will during the still night hours. But the first step was -easy. Next to find where the count kept Lord Rosecarrel's treaty and -then to take it. And finally to get away with his treasure. He was not -so much inclined to belittle the abilities of those other two who had -planned and failed as he had been when he talked to the earl. He had -taken due notice of Hentzi's reference to the death of an Englishman a -few years ago who had met his fate at the base of the steep cliff-side. -He felt almost certain that this was one of the men the earl had spoken -of. - -Lord Rosecarrel had said they set a trap for him into which none but a -clever man would fall. He wished now he had asked particulars of it. So -far Anthony Trent had escaped snares and the nets of hunters because he -had outguessed his opponents. Sometimes he told himself that in the end -the deadly law of averages would make him its victim. The pitcher would -go once too often to the well. These reflections while they made him -more than ever cautious did not lessen his zeal. Plainly it would be -easier to work a remote castle in Croatia than a New York mansion -protected by burglar alarms, night watchmen and detectives. Yet he had -always succeeded so far in the face of these obstacles. But the address -and nerve which had carried him through many a tight pinch in New York -would not avail him here. - -More than once, clad in evening dress, he had joined excited groups of -guests and tried to capture himself. He had calmly taken his hat and -cane from a footman and been bowed out of a house he had pillaged and -once Inspector McWalsh had carried to the door some priceless antiques -he had taken from the very collection the Inspector and his men were -guarding. - -Reflection showed him that Count Michæl Temesvar was far too shrewd to -trust the document that meant so much to him to insecure shelter. -Despite the fact that the castle seemed filled with idle, drinking, -overfed lackeys and he himself was unwatched, there must be some -precaution taken which would defeat him unless he trod warily. - -It was his experience that rich men knew little of the vulnerability of -the safes to which they entrusted their valuables. Again and again he -had been able to open such with ludicrous ease. Count Michæl probably -had an antique which would send a "peteman" into ecstacies of mirth. -Trent's job was to locate it. - -Next day he was commanded to accompany Pauline and the count to the golf -links. Pauline hardly looked at him but Count Michæl watched him -continually. He was relieved at the girl's attitude. She was beaten by -her opponent and angry at it. The count was not a sportsman. He putted -over the easy bunkers and more than once he lifted his ball to a better -lie. The victory made him good humoured. His heavy bearded face was -wreathed with smiles. Trent had the opportunity to observe him more -closely than ever before. It was a bad, crafty face but it was not -merely the face of a pleasure loving fool. If rumor spoke rightly he -was, more than any other man, the prime mover in activities aimed -against the English speaking peoples. From this same Castle of Radna had -issued many plots and subtle schemes all directed by this man who moved -a golf ball with his foot when he thought none was looking. - -Hentzi had told him that every European and American newspaper of note -was to be found in the count's library. It was odd that such a man would -not make some great city his home. He mentioned this once to Hentzi who -made the astonishing answer that the count dreaded assassination by -political enemies. Fearing perhaps he had said too much the secretary -added that Count Michæl had long ago abandoned politics for the life of -a great landowner and that such a fear was without foundation. - -"It wouldn't be easy for a stranger to get in here, would it?" Trent -demanded carelessly. - -The question seemed a most provoking one. - -"Let such a one try," he returned smiling, "and he will see how we -welcome him here in Radna. You who are of another world would not -understand." - -"I suppose not," Trent said and talked of other things. But he was not -reassured. He set himself to master the roads that led to safety. There -might be the need to know them. He had not yet been down to Fiume alone. -He wanted to find several places in the big port. There might be a time -when he would have to send an order to the Lion works for spare parts. -His code was elaborate and framed to meet all contingencies. - -When he asked Hentzi why so few people stayed at the castle the -secretary's reply amazed him. Hentzi rather liked to impress this -amiable cockney. He was not without a sense of the melodramatic. - -"My friend," he said with condescension, "there are more who take their -dinner in the big dining hall than you know. If it were your lot to be -an indoor servant you would know what I mean. Castle Radna is at one -time a prison, a sanctuary and the abode of hospitality." - -"I never understand what you're driving at Mr. Hentzi," Trent told him. -"I don't get your meaning half the time." - -"I do not intend that you shall," Hentzi remarked. "And I do not advise -you to seem curious. As it is you have displeased your master." - -"Sissek started it," Trent reminded him. - -"Sissek is a clod, a peasant, a man of no importance. I am not thinking -of Peter Sissek. I am thinking of Madame Pauline." - -"That blond woman," Trent said with assumed carelessness. "What about -her?" - -"She has praised your face and figure before one who, when he is -jealous, kills." - -"Me?" cried Trent with an air of astonishment, "why I only told her she -was a rotten golfer." - -He groaned in spirit. His stay at Castle Radna was going to be very -difficult. Hentzi watching him closely only saw a face which expressed -little interest. He was used now to sudden questioning by this volatile -cockney. - -"What do you mean by the castle being a prison?" - -"I should have said that it has held many prisoners in bygone years, and -sheltered many of the great. This is not like your English castles where -the lord has no power. Look you, not a year ago we stayed, the count and -I, at such a place. The owner struck a careless servant and was obliged -to pay a fine before a judge. Think of it! An English lord haled into -court by his own footman and fined. There is nothing like that here so -when you are struck again do not think of an English policeman and a -fine. I wish you to stay. When Sissek drives down the mountain I am -always alarmed. You go twice as fast and I have no fear. Count Michæl -desires you to stay." - -"I haven't said anything about going have I?" Trent retorted. He -supposed Hentzi was trying to warn him not to look covetously at the -handsome Pauline. The warning troubled him. He was of a physical type to -which blonds of the Pauline type were invariably attracted. - -"Many have died for her," Hentzi went on, "the young officers who -flocked to see her skate. There were scandals. She was sent away from -Berlin. She was in America, in England and Petrograd. She is cruel. I am -afraid of her." - -"I'm only a blooming chauffeur," Trent said carelessly, "and I wish I -had never carried clubs at the Royal Surrey." - -"You are also good looking," Hentzi said, "and of a superior type. -Furthermore you are young and she has seen you play better than any man -she has met and she has seen you fight. I warn you." - -"I've got a girl of my own in London," Trent said confidentially, "who -is a fair knock out. My girl has the real gold on her sweet little head -and the roses on her cheeks owe nothing to a bottle and her eyes are -sometimes violet and sometimes dark blue and she is slim and has those -long white hands one wants to kiss." - -"Love has made you a poet," Hentzi said affably. It was well that he did -not notice that the cockney accent was for the moment abandoned. Hentzi -was not a very close observer. He had only two profound emotions. The -one a fear of his employer, the other admiration for himself. He -considered Trent to be much impressed by his superior knowledge and, -here a little and there a little, imparted much valuable information as -to the castle, its inhabitants and their method of life. He -considerately pointed out the count's library, the room into which no -strangers had ever been bidden. - -Anthony Trent, therefore, at one-thirty A.M. the next morning was better -equipped for exploration than on his previous venture. Hentzi had told -him that so long as the count remained up a servant waited to attend on -him, old Ferencz by name. Trent remembered him at the servants' table as -a surly old man who was silent and reserved and unpopular even among his -fellows. He was liable to meet this man at any time. Trent was glad the -Temesvar men servants had not the same silent ways of the Rosecarrel -men. The men at Castle Radna walked heavily, lacking the thin shoes of -the earl's servants, and talked loudly. There was little of the perfect -discipline and service of the great English houses. It was due no doubt -to the fact that the men were almost feudal retainers and not highly -trained servants going from country estate to town house with the -seasons. - -Almost the moment he stepped from his tall ebony _armoire_ Trent heard -steps coming toward him. He was at the moment passing a door. His pass -key opened it instantly and he stepped into darkness and shut the door -carefully. But he knew he was not alone. There was a heavy unrhythmic -snoring of a man far gone in sleep. As his eyes grew accustomed to the -darkness Trent saw the outlines of a big bed. - -He passed the foot of it on hands and knees. The professional always -takes this precaution. A man waked from sleep by hearing a stranger at -the foot of his bed invariably aims at a man supposed to be standing up. -Although the sounds Trent detected were genuine sleep induced snores he -could not be sure that another watchful occupant of the bed was not -listening breathlessly and even now reaching for a weapon. - -When he assured himself everything was quiet he looked about the room -with the light of his electric torch. The sleeping man was a stranger to -him. He was a red faced man of middle age and on a chair nearby was the -undress uniform of an officer of high rank, a light blue uniform with -silver facings. Accustomed as he was to khaki uniform alone Trent had no -idea to what European service the sleeper belonged. He remembered -Hentzi's remark that there were more people at the dinner table than one -might suppose. Trent was certain he had never seen this officer about -the castle grounds and had never driven him. - -From the bedroom a door led evidently to a room _en suite_. This was -unlocked and Trent entered noiselessly. It was a room twice the size of -the adjoining apartment and furnished magnificently. So vast and -splendid was the chamber he thought it must be that of Count Michæl, the -room where perchance the treaty lay concealed for which he had risked so -much. But it was not Count Michæl who lay stertorously slumbering. It -was instead a prince of a great and lately reigning family who had -strangely disappeared from the world a few months earlier and had been, -so report ran, drowned in escaping from exile. - -Anthony Trent was looking at one, worthless in character and devoid of -ability but nevertheless a man who might by reason of his name rally -about him an army which could start again the dreadful struggle whose -scars were yet fresh. A great ceremony had been made of the funeral and -a society of his former officers had been organized to perpetuate his -memory by embarrassing his opponents. Trent remembered, dimly, reading -an article in a London paper which spoke of the prince as being as -dangerous dead as when leading his dissolute life. - -Anthony Trent looked at the weak, passion-lined face of the man who had -sought Count Michæl's shelter and smiled. He had long ago been intrigued -by the idea of mixing himself in high politics. Here, possibly, was an -excellent beginning. But the prince could wait a little while. The time -was not yet ripe for his resurrection. - -Looking across the room Trent saw two long French windows lighting it. -One was open. Instead of the balcony upon which the intruder assumed -these windows opened, they led into a large courtyard some eighty feet -long and forty feet wide. He did not understand how it was this great -open space should have its being in the middle of the castle. There -seemed no reason why it existed in a building of this sort. He was to -find later that its origin was accidental. What was now a paved and -open courtyard had been the magazine of the castle during the Turkish -occupation of Croatia. The castle itself had never given in to the -Ottoman conqueror. It had been shelled in the Reformation uprising in -1607 and a ball shot had exploded the ammunition. The chamber had never -been rebuilt but a century later was turned into a pleasant garden. - -Trent stepped through the open window and down three steps into the -courtyard. It was plainly much used. There were lounges and chairs and -tables. Pausing at one of them he saw London and New York papers which -he had brought up from Fiume earlier in the week. There were French -novels and bon-bons and a feather fan. Evidently the prince was not -without his feminine companionship. In one of these big chairs Trent sat -down and looked about him. The room from which he had come faced due -east. To the north and south were plain solid walls without windows. -Only to the West at the other end of the space could he see that the -walls were pierced with French windows. As he looked these were suddenly -illuminated. He made no motion. He felt reasonably certain that he was -in such a position as to be unobserved. - -But he grew less calm when the count's unmistakable figure passed up and -down before the two windows and finally opening one stepped out into the -courtyard. Behind him came Hentzi who should have been in bed long ago. -The two passed so close he could have touched them. They were speaking -rapidly and in what he supposed must be the Croatian tongue. Twice he -heard his name mentioned. The count always called him by the assumed -name of Alfred pronouncing it "Arlfrit." - -It was not pleasant hearing. They might be, for all he knew, discussing -his already discovered absence from his room. It was true he had bolted -the door but someone from the outside might have detected the dark-clad -climber making his unlawful ascent. Already a search might be in -progress which would eventually claim him as the third failure. Count -Michæl was often so excited about trivial things that the listener was -not able to guess whether his present mood was the outcome of some small -irritation or of something far more sinister. There recurred frequently -the name of Pauline and once or twice the count pointed to the windows -where slept the man whom his people had mourned as dead. - -There was one moment of dreadful anticipation for the American. He -noticed that Hentzi was permitting himself to argue with his master. -Suddenly as the twain passed by Trent's refuge the count buffetted his -secretary on the head. It was Count Michæl's favorite expression of -annoyance. Trent himself had suffered thus on the golf links. Hentzi -ducked in time to receive merely a glancing blow but he gripped the arm -of Trent's chair to steady himself. If he had taken his eyes off the -count's still upraised hand he could not have failed to see the -intruder. - -For a full half hour Anthony Trent sat quiet. Then the count and Hentzi -left him alone. Now that immediate risk of detection seemed past Trent -assured himself that his evening had been well spent. Undoubtedly Count -Michæl's rooms, the rooms he wanted to investigate--were those through -whose windows the two had come and gone. He memorized as well as he -could the position in the corridors the doors would occupy. The -discovery of this courtyard three floors in depth helped him to -understand what had baffled him in his explorations of the corridors -many of which came to abrupt meaningless ends. In other days they had -continued across the space that had once been arsenal, magazine and -strong room. - -He made his way through the open window and past the sleeping men -without mishap. In the corner of a panel in the _armoire_ he bored two -small holes and blew away the dust that fell from them. He descended the -copper pipe prepared to find his room invaded by vengeful servants. But -it was as he had left it. It was not for his arrest that the count had -dragged Arlfrit into his conversation. - - - - -CHAPTER TEN - -_THE GREATER GAME_ - - -Trent was annoyed next morning to learn from Hentzi that he was to -accompany Pauline and the count to the links. The only redeeming thing -about the expedition was that he himself could get a few strokes in the -demonstration. - -The count was in high good spirits and gracious to them all. - -"Ah, Arlfrit," he cried, "this is my last game for two weeks. Yes, I -shall be too busy playing another and a greater game. And you, too, will -be busy. Tell me you know the roads to Fiume, Zengg and Agram well?" - -"I could set them to music," Trent said forgetting that it was Alfred -Anthony who was answering his august employer. He waited until the count -drove. He saw that the autocrat broke every rule of the many which go to -make a perfect drive yet sent his ball every inch of two hundred yards. -Never had Count Michæl done such a thing before. - -"Let us see you beat that," he said dramatically. - -Trent pressed. He wanted to outdrive the other by fifty yards and -ordinarily would have done so. He took too much earth and sent a -rocketting ball skyward which dropped full fifty yards behind the -other. - -"That was very tactful of you," Pauline whispered. "His Excellency will -be in a good temper the whole day." - -"Do you think I tried to do that?" he asked. - -"Why not?" she asked, "I only know you are of a timid disposition. I -hate timid men." - -"I can't help being timid," he said grinning genially, "it's my nature." - -So gratified was the count by his unusual showing at the game that he -did not notice how close Pauline kept to Alfred Anthony. It was nervous -work for Anthony and he answered the girl abruptly trying to keep her -attention on the game. - -"You are two men," she said presently when Hentzi and his employer were -a little ahead of them. For a moment Trent was thoroughly alarmed. What -did she know? - -He had always known that it was a fallacy to assume because he had seen -none on his midnight wanderings that he had been unobserved. In a vast -house such as Castle Radna there were nooks and crannies where -frightened servants or timid guests might hide from him momentarily only -to denounce him later. - -"What do you mean?" he asked teeing up her ball. He had not answered her -immediately. - -"That you are two men. There may be three of you but I have seen two -already. There is the timid, servile creature accepting a coin or a blow -and eating with the servants as among his equals. I hate that man. The -other is a creature that every now and then looks out of your eyes like -a bird of prey. It is the man who drives the great car over the mountain -passes as though it were on a smooth boulevard. It is the man who beat -big Peter Sissek to the earth with tight lips and eyes that flashed. -That is a man I could love." - -He could feel her arm brush against his own. There was a caressing -tenderness in her voice. - -"Tell me, which is the real you?" - -Anthony Trent looked straight ahead of him. - -"If you slice your ball," he said, "you'll get into the rough. Golf, -like other things is largely a matter of self control." - -"I could kill you," she said, her eyes blazing. - -"Think of my wife and children," he answered with a grin. - -"That is why," she retorted. "The count is right. One should have only -contempt for lackeys. I honor you too much as it is." - -"Fine!" Trent observed, "suits me all right. How many quarterings of -nobility have you Mademoiselle Pauline?" - -"I at least am an _artiste_," she flung back at him. "To be the most -graceful skater in the world and to have earned more in a week than you -in a year is something which puts me as far above you as Count Michæl -Temesvar." - -"Absolutely," Trent agreed, "take your mashie here and go back slowly -and don't look up for three seconds after hitting the ball." - -Pauline was certainly a splendidly athletic woman. She held herself -magnificently and was at her best this morning but merely to be with her -bored the pseudo-chauffeur who had thoughts only for Daphne. Daphne -could have given her two strokes a hole and a beating, he reflected. -Gloom seized on him as he wondered if ever again he would see her. He -was in peril in Castle Radna even as an honest worker. Peter Sissek had -sworn to pay him for the beating. Half of Trent's energies were consumed -in going over his car to make sure the bolts and nuts were tight and had -not been loosened maliciously. - -And in his position as an emissary of the Earl of Rosecarrel he was in -danger of the most vivid kind. He was a spy in a house which sheltered a -princeling who might yet force Europe into war. If it were discovered he -possessed this secret nothing could save him. It was a sinister, dour -pile of stone, this Castle Radna utterly unlike the Cornish castle with -its rose gardens, its fountains and the charm of country life. He could -well believe that in his present dwelling tragedies has been enacted of -which no knowledge had filtered through to the larger world. Oddly -enough it was during the day when he was peacefully employed as Alfred -Anthony that he was most obsessed by despondency. When the servants were -long abed and asleep and the silences of the early hours hung about the -great corridors and halls Anthony Trent came into his own. His -rubbershod feet were noiseless in the stone passages and his two pass -keys opened every locked door. He was possessed of all secrets it seemed -to him. Here he was free to wander like a ghost in banquet hall and -corridor. None walked so silently as he. - -Pauline did not talk to him any more that morning but the count was -affable. - -"Ah, Arlfrit," he cried, "tomorrow your work commences. Yes. You leave -for Fiume at daybreak and meet the Ungarisch-Kroatische boat. This time -you will go alone as you will have a passenger beside you as you return. -You will wait at the _Hotel de l'Europe_. The boat gets to her dock at -eleven and my guests will drive immediately to the motor. Make speed -back for you must go to Agram and back before dinner." - -"That will be going some!" Trent commented. - -"For what reason do you suppose I buy a Lion car and a chauffeur if not -to do what my other automobiles and chauffeurs cannot do? Why do you -imagine I introduce a Londoner into my servants hall, a brawling man who -assaults good Peter Sissek if not because he must travel fast and -safely?" - -But the count was not angry. He was in that good humor which comes to -all men who having been in the habit of taking seven for a last hole -make it in four. Pauline had taken six and he had not permitted his -record to be clouded by allowing Trent (as Pauline suggested) to see -what he could do it in. - -Anthony Trent started on his trip when it was as yet hardly light. He -was singularly carefree. The repulsive Sissek was not at his side and -he was free to wander about the seaport town, locate the cable offices -and make certain arrangements that might contribute to future safety. -That he was invariably able to make such good time was due mainly to the -absence of traffic along the Maria Louisa road. Not yet had the old -prosperity come back to Europe and there were more automobiles in -Allenhurst, New Jersey, than all Croatia. - -He was bound to admit that the group of people he took from the _Hotel -de l'Europe_ lived up to all the traditions of mysterious fiction. There -were two men, middle aged and plainly used to power, and a very pretty -vivacious dark woman of five and thirty to whom her escorts paid -profound attention. The seat beside Trent was occupied by the lady's -maid. The black morocco dressing case she held inexorably upon her knees -was marked with a coronet. The woman was hard-faced, elderly and -uncommunicative. Trent noticed that her mistress was in that deep -mourning which European women affect. - -Trent tried the maid in English but she made no answer at all. He -strained his ears to catch what language was being talked behind him but -the Lion was a car of tremendous wheel base and the passengers were -removed too far from him. - -Once or twice in the old days, particularly in the case of the Sinn Fein -plot Anthony Trent had found his lack of knowledge of German a handicap. -This linguistic failing was now remedied. He had studied the tongue -carefully; and as languages were easily acquired by him had some fair -proficiency in it. - -He was not certain whether it was a trap or a genuine desire to know -that made the woman after a whispered talk with the lady in black say to -him suddenly, "_Wenn wir nur nicht unwerfen; die Strassen sind nicht -besonders hier zu Lande._" - -It was his first impulse to tell her that she would not be upset and -that they would soon get on to the better roads. Then he remembered -Alfred Anthony knew but little of any tongue but his own. He smiled at -her and shrugged his shoulders. - -"Try it in English," he commanded smiling. "No speak Dutch." - -She did not take the trouble to answer. It was, he decided, a trap to -find if he understood. Perhaps it was counted in his favor, this -ignorance of continental tongues. - -At Agram he fetched six other people. He found that Sissek and another -chauffeur had been busy also. Hentzi, always desirous of impressing -those beneath him in rank, told Trent he was to be guest tonight at a -table which would hold some of the great ones of the country. - -"Will Pauline be among those present?" Trent asked. - -"Pauline!" Hentzi sneered, "there will be gracious, high-born ladies at -the table and among these our Pauline has no part. She knows that." - -"What time do you dine?" Trent asked. It was now seven o'clock and -Hentzi was not in evening dress. - -"At half past eight. There is one among us who likes the late dinners of -the English and his likings must be obeyed even by Count Michæl." - -"An Englishman?" Trent queried. - -"My friend," Hentzi said impressively, "if he could take all the British -and all the Americans and sink them in mid-ocean he would be entirely -happy. I do not think you understand world politics, eh?" - -"I follow the racing and footer news," Trent confessed. "I'm not so much -on politics. A set of grafters if you ask me." - -Trent spent an hour on his car. He filled the tanks with gasoline and -saw that his spare tires were ready and made the little adjustments that -only sensitive fingers may perform. As a rule he drove the car straight -into the garage and backed out. Tonight he backed into it. There might -be the sudden need to utilize every moment. - -Hentzi's news was good. A dinner of state commencing at half past eight -would be continued long after dark. Of necessity the count would be -there and undoubtedly the officer and his royal master would grace the -board. Entrance could easily be made through their room and over the -courtyard to the Count Michæl's apartment. There would be time for a -thorough search. - -The kitchens were full of bustling maids assisting the cooks. There was -so much confusion that Trent helped himself amply to what food he -desired and strolled out to the garage to eat it. More than half was -stowed away in his car. If he were able to get away that night, as he -hoped, it might come in handily for breakfast. - -His plan was to place the treaty draft in an envelope already addressed -and stamped and mail it at Fiume. After that he would take the car into -Italy if possible and make for Venice whence he could come easily to -England. - -The servants saw him take a candle and walk wearily to his room. They -remembered he had been up before dawn broke. Not one of them had any -suspicions that he was aught but what he represented himself to be. - -At half past ten Anthony Trent, looking through the carved oaken -musicians gallery twenty feet above the floor of the banqueting hall, -beheld a notable company assembled. When he saw that the prince had at -his side the vivacious dark lady, he remembered that the weekly -pictorial papers had often presented her to their readers. She was the -daughter of a royal house lately at war with his country. To her -diplomatic skill and love of intrigue was due many checks to allied -plans. It was said she ruled her husband absolutely and loved him -little. - -Trent recognized the two men he had brought with him. They were in -evening dress as was Count Michæl and decorated with many orders, of St. -Stephen of Hungary among others. The military attaché bristled with -medals and there were others in brilliant uniforms. - -No other woman was present but the princess. Her jewels made Trent's -mouth water. No doubt the maid had carried them at his side for several -hours and would, for all he had to do with it, carry them back. Not for -a moment dare he think of taking them. It was obvious that the count -would make no outcry about the loss of the draft if that alone were -taken. He would piece things together and understand the riddle of -Alfred Anthony. But were the valuables of his guests taken it might be a -police matter. - -So great was the buzz of conversation that Trent could catch no -memorable phrase. Here and there was a name he had heard of but that was -all. He noticed that Hentzi was not a guest despite his boasting. This -in itself was awkward for the secretary might be even now in the big -room to which the master criminal was bound. He was relieved presently -to observe Hentzi hovering on the outskirts of the room directing the -servants, a sort of super-major-domo. - -It was exactly eleven when he crossed the dark courtyard and opened one -of the long French windows of Count Michæl's room. It was in darkness. A -little water driven power plant supplied some of the chief rooms of -Castle Radna with electric light and he was able, after screening the -windows to flood the room with light. It was an apartment the -counterpart in size and decoration of the one occupied by the prince, -across the courtyard. - -Almost the first thing Anthony Trent saw was the safe. And as he looked -on it he knew his hopes were in vain and the draft of the treaty could -remain there indefinitely for all his skill availed or all the knowledge -of the greatest "petemen" would aid, had he possessed it. - -Count Michæl Temesvar was not one of those who entrusted precious things -to insecure keeping. It was a Chubbwood burglar proof safe of a type -Trent had heard of but never before seen. The double-dialled cannon ball -safe of the American maker was the nearest approach to this gleaming -mocking thing which faced him. There was no chance that any forcing -screw or wedge could damage the bolts. The locks were so protected that -drilling was impossible and no nitro-glycerine could be used. The -oxy-acetylene blowpipe, high explosives or electric arc were useless -here. It was the last word of a safemaking firm which had been in the -business for more than a century. Trent did not doubt, as he gazed at -it, that there would be developed by the need of it craftsmen who could -open even this. But the time was not yet. - -Count Michæl Temesvar had been wise in buying the only safe in the world -whose patent had been extended by the Privy Council of Great Britain. -With his gloved hands Trent touched the thing lightly. The millionth -chance that it might not be locked was against him. He was wasting his -time. Quickly he made a methodical search of the room but found nothing -that interested him. - -On his own bed he sat for an hour wondering what to do. He had been so -certain when speaking to Lord Rosecarrel that his professional skill -would accomplish what others had failed to do that this disappointment -was bitter indeed. - -He had wondered why the count had taken so little caution in permitting -a foreigner of the same supposed nationality as Lord Rosecarrel to live -in Castle Radna. It was, plainly, because the count knew perfectly well -that the Chubbwood safe preserved his treasures inviolate. - -Probably no living crook could break into it even though he had a year -in which to work. It was undrillable, unscathed by fire and could repose -at the bottom of the sea without its contents becoming damaged. - -Trent's first thought of compelling the count to give up the combination -by force promised an unhappy ending. Surrounded by servants and friends -he would assuredly be interrupted before he could be forced to give up -his secret. - -Hentzi would never be entrusted with the combination. None would know it -but Count Michæl. For a moment he wondered if Pauline might be dragged -into it to exercise her Delilah arts on her protector. - -"There must be some way out of it," Trent murmured a hundred times as he -sat on his bed's edge. - -Dawn was breaking as he closed his eyes. His expression was calm and -untroubled. He had found his solution. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN - -_ANTHONY PLAYS HIS HAND_ - - -Lord Rosecarrel opened his town house in Grosvenor Place at the -beginning of May for the London season. Lady Daphne observed that he had -shaken off the gloom and apathy which had engulfed him for the last few -years. He began to take a more vivid interest in the international -situations which grew out of the Peace Conference. He began to talk to -the girl again about the aims of nations with respect to Persia and -indirectly with the future of India. - -The earl was waiting impatiently for her one night when she came back -from an opera party given in her honor by Rudolph Castoon. - -"Daphne," he began abruptly, "Do you believe absolutely in the _bona -fides_ of Anthony Trent?" - -The girl felt herself coloring. - -"Absolutely," she said steadily, "Why?" - -"I have had a long cable from him," he returned. "A cable so -extraordinary that I can hardly believe he sent it. Here it is. It is -only partly in cipher for the reason the cipher code I made was not -intended for a message such as this. What you would not understand I -have decoded." - -The girl took the slip of paper eagerly. - - "At once," she read, "allow papers to announce you have decided to - come from retirement and accept public office. If Temesvar wires - for confirmation persist in your statement. If he threatens tell - him he has not got treaty. Tell him if he has it to bring it to - the prime minister. Follow these instructions implicitly otherwise - I can never succeed." - -"And will you?" Daphne demanded breathlessly. - -"I don't know," the earl said slowly. "It seems rather a desperate thing -to do. You must have heard rumors that I have been offered the -enormously important position of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs -in the cabinet that will be formed when the present government goes out -of office. There will be two men there who are my enemies. There is, for -instance, Rudolph Castoon whose guest you have been tonight and Buchanan -who will be Home Secretary. Castoon knows I do not trust him wholly. -There is always a danger in making a man of his kind Chancellor of the -Exchequer. He has a brother in every great country and some of them have -been our bitter enemies in the past. Buchanan, of course, exercises -enormous influence through his newspapers and seems to feel a personal -grievance against me." - -"It was because you never would invite him here or to the castle," she -answered, "although he was forever spelling for an invitation. Those -_nouveaux riches_ are very sensitive." - -"If I accepted office," the earl went on slowly, "I should have these -two men against me. And if by any ill chance it should become known that -I did not destroy the draft of a treaty which was entrusted to me -Buchanan would see his opportunity and use his wretched papers to the -full. I should be forced out of public life. I have always been -intolerant of breaches of faith and that would be remembered against me -as a mark of hypocrisy." - -"But Mr. Trent says Count Michæl Temesvar hasn't got the treaty," she -cried, "and that means _he_ has it." - -Her father shook his head. - -"That's just what it doesn't mean," he returned. "Mr. Trent says I am to -tell Count Michæl he has not the treaty. If Trent had it he would have -told me so. I am to do this risky thing in order that he may ultimately -succeed. You see, Daphne, my statement to the press that I have decided -to take office is part of a move in the game that another man is -playing." - -"But he's playing it for you," she cried. - -The earl smiled. - -"Is he?" he returned, "I'll admit at all events that I am the one most -to be benefited if he succeeds." - -"But he will succeed," she persisted. "Does he look like the kind of man -to be beaten?" - -"Did Captain Hardcastle look the kind of man either?" Lord Rosecarrel -asked. "And you remember poor Piers Edgcomb the best fencer in Europe, -a man with nerves of steel? I firmly believe some of the count's men -killed him." - -It cost the girl an effort to say what she did. - -"But, dad," she reminded him, "they had no experience at, at that sort -of thing." - -"And this one has? That, alone, comforts me. But the odds are so -tremendously against him." - -"He went there knowing it." - -"I am not sure that it would not be safer for you for Arthur and for me -if I did go back permanently to private life. If Mr. Trent should -fail--" - -"You won't be implicated," she reminded him. "He has gone just as a -cockney chauffeur." - -"But don't you see," the earl said patiently, "that I am here invited to -throw down the gauntlet to the man who has in his power what can -disgrace me? Hardcastle and Sir Piers failed but their failure did not -drag me into it as this scheme will do." - -"Who will be foreign secretary if you refuse it?" Daphne asked. - -"That impossible nonconformist person Muir who has never been farther -afield than Paris and has no knowledge of Eastern affairs at all. He -will undo everything I have striven for. He will play into Count -Michæl's hands as a child might." - -"Then isn't the chance worth taking?" Daphne asked, pointing to the -cable. - -"I've taken it already," the earl said, "I wanted you to reassure me. I -felt a confidence utterly without logical foundation as to the ability -of your Anthony Trent." - -"That's splendid," she cried. - -"I am not so sure," her father returned, "Daphne, you know what I mean -when I say I hope Arthur's action in saving his life was not like those -other actions of the poor lad which have brought dire trouble to us all. -You must know that there can be no attachment between you and him." - -"You'd better know it," she said quietly, "but there is what you call an -attachment. As to marriage--he says like you it is impossible so I -suppose it is. That's all over." She patted his gray hair -affectionately. "I'm not going to marry anyone. I shall have my hands -full in looking after the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs." - -"My dear," he said, "you are taking this wonderfully well. I'm grateful. -I ought never to have let the thing drift along as I did. I blame -myself." - -"I'm glad," she whispered, "You couldn't possibly understand it, but -even if I never see him again I shall always be thankful to have known -him." - -The earl looked at her and sighed. His daughter was one of the loveliest -girls in England, highly accomplished, allied to some of the great -families of her own land and continental Europe and had been sought -after since her coming out ball. He had hoped to see her married to some -honorable man of her own class and instead she had fallen in love with -an adventurer whose past--according to his own admission--made a -marriage impossible. - -Of late he had suffered much. The death of his wife, the loss of two -sons, the many troubles Arthur's past had brought, his enforced -retirement and now Daphne's hopeless attachment. The only thing that -offered him any relaxation was the possibility of getting into harness -again. And that would only be attainable if Anthony Trent, that -mysterious American he had grown to like, succeeded in a forlorn hope. -At least he must do his part. A little wearily he took up the telephone -and called a number in Downing Street where was the official residence -of the prime minister, the man primarily in charge of the destinies of a -great empire. - - * * * * * - -There was no telephone in Castle Radna. Every morning some one of Count -Michæl's men went to Agram and brought back letters and telegrams. It -fell to Anthony Trent to fetch the mail that came twenty-four hours -after the conversation over the telephone with the prime minister. Among -the many pieces which the postmaster placed in the double locked mail -bag was a trans-continental telegram. It was the function of this big -letter pouch to guard its contents from the inquisitive by locks to -which only the postmaster and Hentzi had keys. - -When once Trent had established this he came by night to the room where -the secretary snored and made impressions of the keys and so was able to -open the pouch without any forcing of the locks. - -Instead of going on to Radna direct Trent turned his car into a byroad -of the oak forest and steamed open the wire. It was as he feared, in -code which he might be able to decipher after long study. But if the -language should be Croatian or Hungarian he would still be in the dark. - -It chanced that the count was near the garage as he drove in. It was a -frequent habit of Count Michæl's to walk over to the great stables where -formerly his thoroughbreds had been housed and now only a few riding -horses remained. He greeted "Arlfrit" with the manner that proved him to -be in a good temper. Hentzi was at his side and opened the mail pouch. -Instantly he passed the telegram to his master. Tinkering at some -pretended indisposition of his engines Trent watched the count's face as -he read. - -The man fell into a sudden and roaring rage. He gesticulated, he swore -and he pummelled the cringing Hentzi. His talk was in Croatian but his -meaning was plain. Suddenly he turned on Trent. - -"Do not put your car away," he ordered him, "You must return to Agram." - -No mail was ever entrusted to the Temesvar servants. Even what was sent -to Agram was sealed so that the post master alone or his assistant could -unlock the bag. - -In the same secluded dell of the forest Trent opened the bag a second -time and read the message addressed to the Earl of Rosecarrel. "I am -informed," it said, "that you have accepted office. Deny this rumor -instantly. Affirmation means danger to you. Michæl Temesvar." - -Trent chuckled. Things were beginning to move. Of late he had found his -occupation boring. It seemed he was always acting as a mail carrier -chosen over Sissek because he made so much better time. He had no chance -at golf. Pauline was away. Hentzi told him so one day when he had driven -three ladies up from Fiume and learned they were all high-born and that -for a time the company at the castle was distinguished. - -"You would not understand what I meant," Hentzi said, loftily, "if I -told you many important things are going on. When our guests have gone -there may be those of Pauline's sort you may drive from Fiume. Then the -air is different. For myself I prefer such company as we have at -present." - -"The lords and ladies?" Trent said remembering that he had seen Hentzi -acting as a sort of upper servant at such a dinner. - -"Exactly," Hentzi agreed. "Pauline had been ill advised enough to -disobey the count. There is a guest who admired her." - -"Why didn't the guv'nor biff him one same as he does you when he's mad?" -Trent demanded. - -"There are some to whom even Count Michæl may offer no violence," Hentzi -returned in a shocked voice. "But you would not understand." - -On the whole Anthony Trent was glad that the prince had been the cause -of the temporary removal of Pauline. She was a menace to him. Also he -rejoiced to think that the arbitrary Michæl Temesvar had his own uneasy -moments. - -Because Anthony Trent was more concerned in the successful outcome of -his present design than any other of his adventurous career he denied -himself the pleasure of those nocturnal wanderings in the castle -corridors and rooms. So that he might make Daphne happy by delivering -her father from bondage he decided to take no risks which might lead to -his capture. Particularly he wanted to secrete himself among the trees -in green tubs and flowers of the courtyard. Although it was not to his -immediate advantage to learn of the plotting which was going on under -the roof which sheltered him a knowledge of it promised some interesting -developments in the future. - -But now that the exchange of telegrams commenced between the two old -adversaries he found excitement enough in going to Agram and opening the -wires. Lord Rosecarrel, he found, had acted on his instructions. He -affirmed his intention to take office and when he received another more -threatening telegram from Count Michæl declared that he knew the treaty -was not in his possession. - -Count Michæl's anger was reflected in the face of each scurrying servant -of the many with whom Trent came into contact. Hentzi visited it -vicariously upon one Alfred Anthony until that bellicose chauffeur -reminded him that the fate of Peter Sissek was his for the asking. Later -Hentzi grew confidential. He had the impression that this humble member -of a dominant people looked up to him for his world knowledge and in -order to impress Alfred Anthony the more made indiscreet revelations -which were duly stored in the careful retentive memory of Anthony -Trent. - -It was from Hentzi that Trent learned of the sudden trip of their common -employer to London. - -"It is most inconvenient for us both," said the secretary. "For the -count that he should have to leave his guests and for me that I should -have to entertain them in his absence." - -"I thought you liked the company of lords and ladies," Alfred Anthony -said in simple tribute to his companion's parts. - -"There is responsibility you could not comprehend," Hentzi returned, and -left Trent to think over his plans. - -So far things had travelled evenly. The test was now to come. He was -reasonably certain that when Count Michæl set out for London he would -have in his possession the draft of the treaty. With this he would -confront a prime minister and possibly the entire cabinet. He knew well -of Buchanan's dislike of Lord Rosecarrel. Had Anthony Trent been in the -count's place he would never have committed the error of taking so -important a document with him. Trent invariably mailed what he had taken -to himself and breathed freer when the responsibility was on another's -shoulders. This, of course, only when a long journey was to be made. -When he had stolen the Mount Aubyn ruby in San Francisco he had mailed -it to his camp in Maine and thus confounded detectives who had searched -his apartment. - -That Count Michæl had not adopted this plan he knew because for the past -week he alone had fetched and carried mail matter. The time he had -taken in opening the mails had to be made up by faster travelling and -the Lion engine never failed him. The peasants used to point out the -racing car with pride and give him road room gladly. On those tablets of -memory he inscribed many interesting details that occurred in letters -written by other than the count. He could read in French, German, -Italian and Spanish and the letters which most interested him were in -German. - -Sometimes in the lonely night he wondered whether or not this knowledge -might not be sufficiently important to at least three governments to win -him a pardon should he ever be found out for crimes of other days. And -if there should come a time when he were free from the ever haunting -fear of arrest might there not be the fulfilment of his dearest wishes? -He was sure Daphne would drop her title if he thought it best. - -Then he put the thought from him resolutely. That was in the future and -he was immediately concerned with the success of this thing he had sworn -to accomplish. - -Hentzi told him that Count Michæl would travel by night to Fiume there -to board a Venice bound boat and catch the continental express for -Paris. As none but he drove the Lion and the count preferred it and its -driver the assumption was that Alfred Anthony would take him. It was on -this hypothesis that the success of Trent's scheme depended. He would -probably be alone. At most some servant or valet would be chosen to -travel with his master and he would of course sit next to the -chauffeur. - -Trent had long ago picked out a suitable spot where such a luckless -person could be dumped. There was a steep grassy bank some twenty miles -along the road where a man hit sufficiently deftly would roll out of -reach with small possibility of injury. A little stream ran at the -bottom which would revive him if stunned or drown him as the fates saw -best. Stored in the Lion car was a change of apparel, some food and -other necessaries. - -It was Hentzi who broke the bad news. The secretary came upon the eager -mechanic tuning up his engine lovingly. So engrossed was he that he -neither saw Hentzi nor noticed that Peter Sissek was polishing the brass -work on his Panhard. - -"Getting things shipshape and Bristol fashion," Trent said, when he saw -Hentzi. - -"It is Peter who takes the count," the secretary said idly, "You are to -go to Budapesth tomorrow. You see what it is to be considered so -skillful that Count Michæl offers you to his guests and goes more slowly -himself." - -Then Trent noticed the grinning and triumphant Sissek. It was a black -moment for him. - -"Yes, Peter takes the count," Hentzi repeated. - -"I think he'll have to," Trent said slowly, "for the second time." - -This alteration in the schedule which for the moment promised utter -disruption to his plans might have been brought about by reasons other -than those suggested by Hentzi. It was curious that at just this -critical moment Sissek should be entrusted with his master's safety and -Trent given a mission which Peter Sissek with his wider knowledge of the -country could better have filled. - -But it was time wasting to ponder on this now. In three hours Trent -would have started with his Lion. Sissek a slower driver and using an -older and less speedy car must get away earlier. Almost frightened out -of his accustomed calm Trent learned that the count was leaving in a -little over an hour, just as the darkness would set in. What plans he -could make must be made instantly. Failure was now almost at his side. - -Failure! Anthony Trent groaned at thought of it; Lord Rosecarrel would -be publicly humiliated. Daphne would blame him for it. With what -assurance and headstrong confidence he had plunged into an adventure -which had brought death to those other men! He could never face her if -he failed and failure was in sight. - -For a moment he thought of forcing a quarrel on Peter Sissek. Before -Hentzi or others could intervene he could with his boxer's skill most -certainly damage one eye if not two of a man who, to drive down dark and -dangerous roads, must possess unclouded vision. - -But he hesitated. If Count Michæl had chosen Sissek because Alfred -Anthony was under suspicion an assault on the Croatian at the present -moment might tend to confirm these doubts and he might find himself -overpowered and under guards he could not overwhelm. To put the car out -of commission was hardly possible with Sissek guarding it and another -man cleaning it. And these two, it seemed to Trent, were watching -suspiciously. - -By some trick of fate it was Sissek himself who contributed to Trent's -success. Peter was arrogant now and motioned to Trent to aid him in -lifting some baggage to the top of the Panhard limousine. Like most of -the continental cars it had a deep luggage rail around the top on which -trunks or lesser baggage could be carried. There was a cabin trunk, a -bundle of rugs and a dressing bag. Peter Sissek was astonished when -Trent cheerfully obeyed him and even helped to strap the cabin trunk -securely. - -Hentzi was amazed at the sudden change that had taken place in the -English chauffeur's attitude. He was now lively who had been gloomy, and -loquacious when he had been taciturn. - -"Why do you laugh," he asked. - -"At the idea of Peter taking the count," said Trent. "Someday you'll -know what that means." - -"I know now," Hentzi insisted, "I speak perfectly and my English -vocabulary is wider than could be that of a man of your position." - - * * * * * - -As Peter Sissek unaccompanied by valet or assistant drove down the hill, -after leaving the pavilion at the first tee on his left, he was -horrified to find a tree across his path. He dismounted, moved it aside -with difficulty and proceeded on his way. - -But this time he carried two passengers. - -The motor had come to an abrupt stop under a big oak tree whose -spreading arms reached across the mountain road. - -Lying along one of those rigid oak limbs Anthony Trent, after nicely -adjusting the fallen tree so that Peter Sissek's eyes would see it at -the proper moment, had waited anxiously for the approach of the Panhard. - -He was not sure that the powerful headlights would not pierce his leafy -shelter and discover him to the watchful driver. He could imagine -vividly the chauffeur warning his employer. And as Count Michæl always -went armed and might even now be suspicious of his cockney servant he -would very likely have no hesitation in picking him off the boughs as -Anthony Trent, years before in his New Hampshire hills, had shot -squirrels. If by any chance he could get to the ground, only twelve feet -beneath, before he was aimed at he would have to trust to the moment's -inspiration for his next move. He knew almost certainly that Count -Michæl carried the document he wanted in a flat leather case which -fitted into his breast pocket. - -If by any chance the men did not see him and the car passed him on its -seaward way his errand would be unaccomplished, his boasts vain and the -humiliation of his friends certain. He had determined if this happened -to send a telegram to the earl admitting defeat, and warning of the -count's visit. - -The Panhard came to a grinding stop a foot from the barrier. Sissek -removed it as quickly as he could but it was heavy enough to have taxed -Anthony Trent's superior strength! and the count grew so impatient at -the time taken that he sprang down to the road and urged his man to -greater activities. - -The two were jabbering in Croatian when Anthony Trent lowered himself to -the top of the limousine and nestled down in the shadow of the baggage. - -Trent had often been incensed in reading newspaper accounts of his -exploits to find that their success was so often ascribed to mere luck. -He supposed it would be so this time if it were known. People would say -that owing to two boulders in the side of the road Sissek pulled up so -that Trent could drop directly down on to the car. In most cases the -greatest luck comes to the best player and Anthony Trent had placed the -rocks on the road with the same care that he would play a stroke in golf -or cast along the edge of lily pads where the big trout lay in graceful -ease. There was only one place where Sissek could halt his machine. - -It was while the car travelled along a poor and rough section of the -route before reaching the Marie Louise road that Trent unstrapped a -bundle and selected a dark travelling-rug to cover him from observant -eyes in the infrequent towns through which they must pass. - -Half a hundred schemes raced through his quick, fertile brain only to be -rejected. He wondered, for instance, if it were possible to cut through -the top of the car and get at the count who was certain to be sleeping a -goodly portion of the journey. He decided that to lean over the rails -and try to peer through the oval glass window in the rear would also be -unwise. At most he would only catch a glimpse of the count and might -just as easily be seen himself. Then he wondered if it might not be -possible to drop down on Peter Sissek's shoulders and strangle him into -quietness. - -But Peter Sissek was taking his car along at a steady rate of -twenty-five miles the hour and with his hands off the steering wheel--a -certain contingency if Trent's strong fingers closed around his -throat--a bad accident was inevitable. A precipice on one side and a -wall of rock on the other, he would be between the deep sea and the -devil. - -He saw that Sissek must be eliminated at all costs. A match for either -of them singly Trent would certainly be overpowered in a tussle with -both; although they lacked the cat-like quickness of the American they -were both of uncommon strength. The immediate problem was to get rid of -Sissek and leave his master none the wiser. - -There was a part of the road through which they must presently pass -which promised aid to the schemer. It was a gentle rise through a very -dense section of beech forest and Peter would go slowly fearing that the -uneven surface would jolt his lord into unwelcome anger. - -Peter Sissek, straining his eyes to see that his way was clear, was -startled when one of the pieces of baggage on the top of the car was -jolted off. It fell on the Panhard's bonnet and then bounded into the -side of the road. He had run past it fifty yards before he brought his -machine to a stop. - -When he backed up to the fallen bag Count Michæl was aroused from -slumber and ascribed the accident to Peter's carelessness. In the -chauffeur's apology Anthony Trent heard his assumed name brought in. -Plainly Peter was making him the culprit. He had pitched the bundle from -the roof with some skill. It bounded far into the shadow. Finally Peter -Sissek stumbled over it. And as he stooped to retrieve it, Alfred -Anthony swung at him. For the second time Peter had taken the count. To -hit a defenceless, unsuspecting man was not a thing to give Trent any -pleasure, but it was not a moment in which to hesitate. With Peter's -livery cap and duster on, Trent took the bundle on his shoulder and -carried it at such an angle that in case of scrutiny his face would be -shielded from gaze. - -A quick backward glance a few minutes later on showed the new driver -that the count had resumed his broken slumbers. So well indeed did the -lord of Castle Radna sleep that he did not know the Panhard had left the -main road or that any danger threatened him until he was suddenly hauled -from his springy seat to look into the clear, hard eyes of Alfred -Anthony. - -Then he realized that his revolver was in the cockney's hand and the -precious wallet gone from his pocket. Count Michæl was no coward and he -thought quickly with that intriguing, plotting brain of his. A great -diamond still sparkled upon his finger and the money in another pocket -was untouched. - -"I should have been wiser," he commented. "I thought my lord Rosecarrel -had become suddenly mad. Now I see that he was saner than I. First -Captain the Honourable Oswald Hardcastle, then Sir Piers Edgcomb and now -you. May I ask your name and rank? You have been my servant and -succeeded so far where they failed?" - -Anthony Trent was not expecting this attitude. He had been so used to -seeing the count fly into stupendous rages that this calm, collected -manner was disturbing. It might be the man's natural attitude in moments -of real peril or it might merely mean he knew he was ultimately to be -the victor. - -It was a curious scene. The Panhard had come to rest in a clearing of -the woods and a brilliant moon gave the place almost the clarity of day. - -Count Michæl sat down on a log and lighted a cigarette. Almost he was -usurping Trent's _rôle_ under such circumstances. - -"This interests me," said Count Michæl, "let us discuss it." - -"I've no time," Trent said smiling. "I am due at Fiume or Trieste or -Zara as the case may be at a certain hour and as I haven't the Lion here -I must push on." - -"Have you thought that I shall certainly pursue you and assuredly -capture you?" - -"You may pursue later when you are found but by that time I shall be -gone." - -"You can never escape me," the count said. "I have a long arm and I do -not forget. And my vengeance is a bad thing for those against whom it is -directed." - -"It's not altogether healthy to have me for an enemy," Trent reminded -him. "I have my own likes and dislikes." - -The count sneered. - -"You," he cried, "Who are you? What have you done that men should fear -you? For a moment you have a little luck, the little luck that will -bring you blindly to greater danger." - -"I'm strictly _incognito_," Trent answered. "Once I was unwise enough to -answer such a challenge, but you may believe me that I, too, have a -name. Now count, it won't help you a bit to put up a fight. It will save -you trouble if you'll back up against that tree and let me tie you up." - -"You would put this outrage on me?" the other cried, his calm leaving -him, the veins standing out on an empurpled forehead like raised livid -ridges. - -"Get up!" Anthony Trent snapped. - -"It is because you have a pistol," the count said. "Put that down if you -are a man and then see what you can make me do." - -"You may believe it or not," Trent retorted, "but it hurts me to have to -decline the offer. If I dared take time I would return several little -tendernesses of yours. As it is I can't, having a weapon, strike a man -who hasn't one. You are luckier than you know. Back up there and do it -damned quick." - -Trent was certain that Count Temesvar could never unfasten his bonds. -And as he was gagged he could not cry for help. Some swineherd or -peasant would discover him later. Meanwhile the discipline would be -good. - -"Good-by," said Trent genially, "Give my love to your guest the prince -and all his high born companions." - -If Count Michæl had looked angry before his face now was doubly hideous -with rage. His hold over Lord Rosecarrel was gone and he could not doubt -but this stranger who had posed as a chauffeur had learned somehow of -the presence of the prince. If it were known in the chancelleries of -Europe all his carefully matured plans would go for naught. Unless -Alfred Anthony were captured Michæl, Count Temesvar could never again -make his pleasant little trips to the great houses of England, France -and Italy. There he was known as one who had abandoned all political -ambitions to become merely the country magnate interested in cattle and -crops. Never again could he gather useful information over friendly -dinner tables or hobnob with prime ministers over golf or auction bridge -if it were known he was giving sanctuary to one who threatened the world -peace. - -When Anthony Trent had satisfied himself that the document he had taken -was the one Arthur stole from his father, he knew, in order to be -absolutely safe, it should be destroyed. Its destruction would give the -earl immunity. But Trent hesitated. Once already Lord Rosecarrel had -believed it was demolished and had suffered terribly for his trust. -Inevitably there would be a seed of suspicion if a comparative stranger, -confessedly one who had profited by unlawful operations, should ask him -to take as true that the treaty had again been destroyed. - -A man in Trent's position was doubly sensitive in a matter of this sort. -He had no long and honorable record to back his assertions; and although -in the present instance he was actuated by no motives of -self-aggrandizement he was not sure others--Daphne alone excepted--would -believe him. He thanked God that with her it was different. - -So he put the paper in an envelope already stamped and addressed and -placed it in his pocket. Then he started for a port of safety. - -It seemed impossible that he should miss the way in the bright moonlight -but he realized a few minutes later that he was only circling around the -clearing where the count was tied to a tree. His headlights showed him -innumerable roads like those by which he had come but there was no -distinctive sign to guide him to the road to the coast. A group of -peasants going incredibly early to their work could not understand him. -He repeated the word Fiume but even that did not help. Their little life -was bounded by the confines of a few square miles; and the troop trains -which had taken them to the battle lines of a year or so back had only -confused them as to topography. - -Among the big oaks and beeches Trent could not easily find one tall -enough to bear his weight on branches that would let him see over the -tops of the others. When dawn came he was in no better plight. - -The position in which Anthony Trent found himself was by far the most -serious of his career. Hitherto he had faced imprisonment at most. Now -capture meant without doubt--death. He had, without thinking of the -folly of his utterance, told Count Michæl that he knew of the presence -of the guests unsuspected by the great powers. - -Count Michæl had probably staged the supposed escape of the prince and -supplied a convenient corpse for his interment. Unrest was in every -portion of what had once been the dual monarchy. Beggars on horseback -were riding to a fall and the Balkan volcano was near eruption. And -Anthony Trent, alone of those opposed to Count Michæl's party, knew -where was hidden the man whom the count was coaching for his big _rôle_. -His escape would mean disaster. By this time no doubt passing countrymen -had recognized their overlord and released him. But for lack of a -compass Anthony Trent should even now have been at a port where he could -escape to a friendly vessel. - -He remembered what Lord Rosecarrel had told him of Count Michæl's -character and autocratic power. Although theoretically shorn of his -former absolutism it was unlikely that peasants who worked on his lands -and still felt their dependence upon him should question Count Michæl's -actions. World news which spreads rapidly among the herded workers in -factories crept slowly among these land tillers. They had enough to eat -and drink and were grateful for that after their years of fighting. - -Now that capture was imminent Trent knew that the document must be -destroyed. But even in this he delayed hoping his usual luck might cling -to him and make the sacrifice unnecessary. - -He abandoned the automobile. Its wheels were embedded in black viscid -mud and to extricate them the engine would have to run on low speed and -announce the car's position to such as might already be seeking him. If -he could pass the day uncaptured he might at night be able to free the -car of its imprisoning mud and make his escape. He had woodcraft enough -to be able to mark down the spot where the Panhard was hidden. - -It was high noon when Anthony Trent came in sight of a farm. A big dog -came toward him with sharp, staccato inquiring barks. He had a way of -making dogs his friends and soon the animal was wagging a welcoming -tail. Trent satisfied his hunger and thirst with a meal of early plums -and lighted his last Woodbine. The Croatian farmers of the district in -which he found himself were horsebreeders to a man. It was an industry -which the government had always approved and encouraged. Without a doubt -in the distant barns there was some favorite animal which might bear -Trent to safety if his car had been discovered. The watch dog, now -satisfied that the stranger was one to be adored, would prove no -obstacle. - -Trent nestled back in some drying hay, well out of sight, he supposed, -of observers and dropped into a profound sleep. It was the unusual -spectacle of the watch dog sitting by the mound of hay that attracted -the notice of the farmer. He supposed that the animal--part hound and -part draft dog--had run some animal to earth. When the farmer saw that -the stranger slept there for whom he had, under Count Michæl's -direction, scoured the forest since dawn, he wisely brought assistance. -Thus it was that Anthony Trent, rudely brought back to an unsympathetic -earth, found himself seized, bruised and bound before he had time to -recover his senses or put up a fight. - -Peter Sissek it was who carried him to the recovered Panhard and threw -him violently to the floor. And for every blow that Trent had struck -Sissek in fair fight the Croatian returned with interest now that his -conqueror was bound and hopeless. One of Peter's assistants sat on the -seat brandishing the revolver which had been the count's. He talked -incessantly, threatening no doubt and insulting the captive, and -punctuating his invective with kicks that bruised the American's ribs -sorely. - -He was carried past a mob of jeering servants when the castle was -reached and put in a room which had been used as a dungeon for five -hundred years. As he looked about the stone walled cell with its narrow -windows through which his body could scarcely pass even though the heavy -bars were sawn through, he knew his professional skill would avail him -nothing. - -There was one safeguard for gaolers which he sighed to see. Inside the -door was a cage of iron where a keeper might stand and be protected from -the sudden onslaught of a waiting prisoner. Thus the most usual form of -escape was taken from him. - -Hentzi was his first visitor, poor rotund, posing Hentzi who had liked -Alfred Anthony largely because he supposed it was a semi-educated London -cockney who listened to his worldly wisdom. When he had learned from his -master that this pretended chauffeur was the third of the Rosecarrel -adherents who had made desperate attempts he supposed him to be of high -degree. With amusement Anthony Trent saw the change in his manner. -Although disgraced and in prison Hentzi paid the respect that he -invariably accorded to birth. He told himself that it was because he -noted the instincts of blue blood that he had found pleasure in talking -with Alfred Anthony. Trent's careless manner which had sometimes seemed -overbold in a chauffeur was now explained. - -"I grieve very much to see the marks of violence inflicted upon you by a -clod like Peter Sissek," he began. - -"I knocked the same clod out when he wasn't looking," Trent returned, -"so he had a kick coming. You didn't come to be merely polite Hentzi, -what is it? Torture? Boiling oil?" - -"It will not be boiling oil," Hentzi answered seriously. - -Anthony Trent looked at him searchingly. Of course Hentzi had his -purpose in coming here; and that he did not deny the possibility of a -Croatian third degree convinced the American that the danger he -anticipated was real and near. So far as Count Michæl's power went in -his own castle of Radna his prisoner might be in medieval times. Trent -was a danger to be nullified and a single life was hardly worthy of -consideration in the game the count was playing. - -To lose his life was bitter enough; but to lose it after failing and so -be denied another chance to make good was agonizing. Hentzi gathered -nothing from his scrutiny of the other man's battered face. He saw that -the forced and rather vacuous grin which Anthony Trent had worn when he -lived another part was gone. Only the powerful, brooding, hawklike look -which he had occasionally seen for a flash now remained. He did not -doubt but that this was the true character of the man a great English -noble had chosen for a dangerous mission. - -"You will remain here until the count returns," Hentzi announced. - -"How long?" Trent snapped. - -"A week certainly; more likely two." - -"What will happen then?" - -Hentzi sighed. His master's violence often frightened him. He came of a -peaceloving family. - -"That I cannot say." - -"I can't go without a daily shave," Trent said yawning. "And I need -cigarettes and the London papers. You can get them for me?" - -"The razor I dare not," Hentzi said. "The rest you shall have." - -"Afraid I shall commit suicide? You ought to be glad if I did. It would -save Count Michæl a lot of trouble. That cage there prevents my slitting -the throat of a keeper. A child with a gun could poke the barrel through -the bars and put me out of business. Come Hentzi, be human. I will not -live with whiskers. I swear to do myself no damage or anyone else -either." - -"You give me the word of a man of noble birth?" Hentzi inquired -anxiously. "You cannot conceal your origin from me. You may not wish it -known but I know." - -Anthony Trent kept a straight face. Hentzi had always amused him. - -"Hentzi," he said seriously, "I must preserve my _incognito_ at all -costs. That you appreciate, but if it will make you more comfortable I -will tell you that in my own country there is not a man who has the -right to call himself my superior or go in to dinner before me." - -Hentzi's bow was most profound. He had known it all along. This was -assuredly the venturesome holder of an ancient title, a man of high -birth and born to great honor. Hentzi's own Sheffield blades were at his -disposal. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE - -_SAINT ANTHONY_ - - -Count Michæl returned to his castle after Trent had been for fifteen -days a prisoner. - -The prince and his suite were now safely hidden in a far Carpathian -retreat and there was no evidence in Castle Radna of their occupancy. It -had been a dreadful moment when Count Temesvar found himself tied to a -tree and his plans in danger of disclosure to his enemies. He had no -opportunity of knowing as yet to what use Alfred Anthony had put his -knowledge. - -The London papers told him only that Lord Rosecarrel was the new -Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and was already making friends -with the Balkans and cementing an ancient alliance with Greece. That was -bad enough in all conscience. But if it were known that he had hidden a -prince whose only use to him would be the furtherance of his political -ambitions he would be denounced by the government under which he lived. - -The easy going, pleasure loving and almost amiable side of Count -Michæl's nature was for the moment put aside. The man who took pride in -his swift travelling Lion and his occasional long drive at golf was -banished by the need of the moment for possessing certain and wholly -accurate knowledge of what Alfred Anthony was and what he had done. - -Anthony Trent when he was brought before the count saw this at a glance. -He was Francis the First in his arbitrary moods, the mood that made that -versatile monarch sweep friends to destruction and visit wrath on them -who had offended. - -He was led, manacled, between Peter Sissek and old Ferencz and brought -to the big room in which the Chubbwood safe was placed. Hentzi hovered -nervously in the background. - -"I have sent for you," Count Michæl said, "so that you may have the -opportunity of making a confession." - -"It is thoughtful of you," Trent told him, "but I have no confession to -make. I have some complaints however. I dislike my present quarters. -They are verminous and draughty." - -"Is it possible," the count said slowly, "that you fail to understand -your position?" - -"What is my position?" Anthony Trent countered. - -"You are a nameless prisoner absolutely in my power. There is none in -the outer world to help you. Those other two who came told me as much. -They were sworn not to ask mercy of me or help of my lord Rosecarrel." - -"The cases are not parallel," Trent returned equably, "They asked no -mercy of you. I don't either. They did not expect help of--what was the -name you mentioned?" - -"The man for whom you risk death is the Earl of Rosecarrel. He cannot -aid you." - -Trent shook his head. - -"Never heard of him. I wonder what put it into your brain that I had any -definite plans in coming here except to get a position which you forced -on me." - -"Why did you take a certain document from my pocket and leave much -money? No, no. It is idle to fence. I have learnt from London that you -were only in the Lion factory a few days and that previously nothing was -known of you. You are not a mechanic; that is plain. You came for a -certain political document worth in money--nothing. You took it. Now, -sir, where is it?" - -There was no doubting the count's eagerness or Anthony Trent's -astonishment. The count had not recovered the treaty. So far as Trent -remembered the envelope was in his coat pocket, the same coat he had -taken off among the hay and made a pillow for his head. He assumed, -naturally, that when he was roughly dragged from slumber his clothes -were searched. A light of triumph came into his eyes at the thought that -it did not repose behind those inviolate doors of steel. But it was -amazing that the heap of hay had not been disturbed. He supposed it was -because of the week of almost continuous rain. - -"Where is it?" Count Michæl repeated. - -"When I saw it was of no value," Trent said, sticking to his chauffeur -rôle, "I burned it." - -"For the moment we will assume that you speak the truth. Now, how is it -you made the mistake of supposing that I had here certain guests of high -degree?" - -"Just a guess," Trent said calmly, "Wasn't I right? Remember I had to -bring them up from Fiume. I saw coronets on dressing cases and from the -way Hentzi bowed and scraped I imagined they were at least royalties in -disguise." - -"You said," Count Michæl insisted, "'Give my love to the prince.' You -could only have meant one particular personage. You did not speak in -generalities you particularized. You said 'The prince.' I warn you you -do not help yourself by denials. I am not a patient man. The world knows -that. Here in my castle of Radna I am supreme. I have not chosen my -servants idly. They are committed to me and my cause absolutely. Old -Ferencz there would die for me or mine. It is the tradition of loyalty -born in him. So with the others. You are surrounded here with those who -regard you as my enemy. How can I chide them if, knowing their lord is -in peril, they seek to remove it?" - -"First and second murderers," Trent commented. - -"Executioners," the count corrected. - -"It makes no difference what you call them," Trent exclaimed. - -"I am glad you look at it in that light," Count Michæl said, "It does -not make any difference as you will see. I shall convince you of that by -relating the sad accident which befell your friend Captain the -Honourable Oswald Hardcastle, formerly of the Royal Dragoons." - -"My friend?" Trent exclaimed. - -"Certainly," the count returned, "Lord Rosecarrel's military attaché at -Constantinople. Your innocence amuses me. You no doubt know that I owned -that great horse Daliborka a winner of the Grand Prix. I was -dissatisfied with my trainer and asked friends at the Jockey Club in -Paris to recommend me someone. Captain Hardcastle disguised himself much -as you have done. He was no longer an aristocrat, an officer of a great -regiment, but a trainer who was an ex-jockey. He was a good trainer and -a great horseman. Daliborka's time trials were marvelous. I entered him -for the great races in England. My new trainer was so jealous of his -horse he would have no strangers near and none was allowed to follow him -in his rides through the grass meadows." Count Michæl laughed softly, -"Yes, I was deceived, made a fool of, as you have it but I can confess -it as I do in your case with the satisfaction that the last laugh, the -last trick will be mine. It was my laugh at the last with Captain -Hardcastle. You are interested?" - -"I was in Paris when Daliborka won," Trent said. "I made money on him. -Most certainly I'm interested." - -"Captain Hardcastle wished for the document which you say you have -destroyed. He obtained it. He did not seek to escape as you have done -down the main roads. No. No. He had studied the country profoundly with -all the topographical knowledge gained at the Staff College. He had such -complete charge of my large stables that none questioned his right to do -as he chose and I was too busy at the time even to see him. He planned -his route carefully. He found out a path to the sea where there would -wait him a yacht. It was, oddly enough, the same steam yacht in which my -lord Rosecarrel makes his cruises. At intervals he placed my horses, -horses he had trained for steeple chases. But the first stretch of the -journey, ten miles of velvet turf he had planned to ride Daliborka. It -is sufficient to tell you that we knew his plans in time. He was to -start at midnight. It happened that I passed his quarters at half past -eleven and detained him in talk, talk that gave him no uneasiness." - -"Then, thinking I was safely here he rushed to the little outbuilding -where my great black horse was saddled. He sprang to its back quickly. -And as he did so we lit a torch so that he might see how we laughed -last. It was a black horse indeed, but a work horse, a slow placid beast -which we had substituted. I have never seen real despair seize on a -brave man as it did when he saw he had failed. I enjoyed it very much -Arlfrit. - -"The stable hands who had always resented his iron discipline, the -discipline of the soldier, took their vengeance of him in my absence. -They are rough, these brave fellows of mine, and do not know their -strength." - -"You mean," Trent snapped, "you let them murder a man who was probably -tied as I am tied now?" - -Count Michæl shrugged his shoulders. - -"A man who puts his head in the lion's den must not complain if the lion -be hungry. This is my house and I do not welcome thieves. Then there was -Sir Piers Edgcomb. I was never sure of him. A big man, slow of movement -and who spoke German so well I believed him to be of Bavaria. He was my -butler. These country bred servants of mine do well enough in most -things but the niceties of table service as I see in your own country -are beyond them. - -"A butler who has to take charge of much valuable plate and old, -precious glass should at least be able to clean them. This man--he -called himself Peters knew nothing of these things. So I set traps for -him. He had a wolf's cunning. But a wise hunter can snare a wolf and I -snared him. I did not bring you here to tell you of them so that you -might be entertained. I brought you here to tell you that they who -plotted, failed and died for their cause. You, who have succeeded and -have injured me are my captive just as they were." - -"Well?" Anthony Trent said, "What of it?" - -"Simply this. You say you have burned the document. That might be true -or untrue. It is possible you have concealed it in some place where I -could recover it only after long search. I shall give you a day to make -up your mind to speak the whole truth." - -"And after that?" - -"You will be glad to tell what you know," Count Michæl said grimly. -"Your death will be but a poor triumph to me; that I am willing to -admit, but it is the greatest loss that can befall you." - -"You are trying to make a bargain with me?" - -"Perhaps. I will say at least that if the document is procured Alfred -Anthony would be free to return to London on one condition." - -"Which is?" - -"That he gave me his word of honor to forget every face and name he had -seen or heard in Castle Radna. Under the circumstances I could allow -myself to be so generous but I should require the most solemn of oaths." -The count leaned forward a little and spoke impressively. "Remember -again, that your death will be but poor consolation for me yet it is the -most terrible thing that can happen to you." - -"I'm not so sure," Anthony Trent muttered. - -In that moment there was stripped from him the cunning and audacity that -success in crime had brought. Often he had seen himself in a -melodramatic almost heroic light, laughing at the nice distinctions of -wrong and right, stretching out his hand to take what he wanted and -caring nothing for the judgments of men. With the egocentricity of the -successful criminal he had felt himself superior to all his opponents -and had seen himself in future performing such exploits as none had -dared to do. - -His months at Castle Radna had been very dull. The plentiful food was -coarse; his companions boors; of music he had heard not a note. He was -anxious to be back again among people he liked. Such a chance was -offered him now. He believed if he gave his solemn word that the -count--in order to retain his hold on Lord Rosecarrel--would give him -safe conduct to Fiume. - -Yet he was amazed to find that he would not accept Count Michæl's offer. -Rather than tell him the truth about the document and so bring disaster -again on the family of the woman he loved he was content to give up his -life. Perhaps there was another reason which brought him to this way of -thinking also. Daphne was not for him. That, long ago, he had realized. -Life without Daphne! Dreary days that would hold no joy lengthening into -months and years of heart hunger and at last into dissatisfied old age. -He was brought back from his thoughts by the count's voice. - -"Of what are you not sure? That I shall not keep my word?" - -"I'm not sure that I shall give mine," Trent answered. - -"You will have a day and a night to think it over. I shall find you in a -more reasonable mood when I see you again. But remember this. After -tomorrow there will be no other opportunity. I am not a patient man and -I am holding back my anger with difficulty. I do not relish being sick -of chagrin." - -Anthony Trent held up his manacled hands. - -"This is a sporting way of doing things, isn't it?" he exclaimed. - -"Until tomorrow," Count Michæl smiled. - -It was dark when the prisoner reached his cell. An oil lamp lit the bare -room. It was hung on a nail in the little cage out of reach of any -occupant of the stone chamber. - -Peter Sissek and old Ferencz had brought him to his prison. They offered -him no violence. Evidently they were acting under orders. The count had -made no comment on the bruises that still discoloured the American's -face. - -He had been sitting an hour on the edge of his cot when the outer door -opened. Trent did not even look up. It was at this hour unappetizing -food was brought and thrust under the cage, food he could pick at -clumsily with his hands in iron bracelets. - -Hearing no grating sound of heavy plate being pushed over the uneven -floor he looked up. Pauline stood in the cage with Hentzi. The latter -was obviously nervous and alarmed. He looked about him in dread and -listened unhappily for sounds that might indicate the coming of others -along the flagged passage. - -"Open the gate," Pauline commanded, pointing to the steel barrier. - -"If the count should hear of it!" he wailed. - -"I will bear the blame," she said. "Be quick." - -"You must be but five minutes," he insisted. - -"I shall take ten," she retorted. - -Wringing his hands Hentzi, the prey of many apprehensions, left her -alone with the prisoner. It chanced that Pauline was aware of some petty -thefts on the secretary's part, defalcations which would destroy Count -Michæl's faith in his probity. It was a threat of exposure which forced -him to bring her here. - -Trent rose when she came in and offered his visitor the single rush -bottomed chair the cell contained. - -He looked at her warily as one antagonist gazes at another before a -struggle. Always she had called up in him this need for caution. Her -violent and passionate nature were graven on the face which had brought -so many men to folly and disgrace. Hentzi had told him many stories of -the life she had lived in great cities and the tragedies which had come -to those who had loved her. - -She was dressed tonight very splendidly. Jewels that should have -belonged to the poor countess who was passing her days in retreat were -about her neck. An emerald necklace which in other days would have set -Anthony Trent's eyes glittering matched her strange almond eyes. There -was a certain tiger grace about the woman which would have attracted -men's notice and women's from wherever she might have gone. Did she, he -wondered, come in peace or in war? He was on his guard. - -"You are surprised to see me?" she began. - -"I cannot choose my visitors," he reminded her. - -"You have never liked me," she returned, "Why?" - -"You were a danger to my enterprise," he answered. - -"A danger now removed," she said quickly. "What are those marks on your -face?" she cried as he turned his head from the shadow to where the dim -lamp light showed him more dearly. "Who has dared to strike you?" - -"That is nothing," he cried impatiently. "Certainly the least of my -troubles. I am very weary; there may be very unpleasant hours before me -and I need sleep. It cannot be such a great triumph to see me in this -cell?" - -"Why do you stay here?" she demanded. "I know what Count Michæl has told -you. I know you have only to give him that piece of paper and your word -of honor as a gentleman and you are free to go. It is very fortunate for -you. Those two friends who also came are dead." - -"Did he send you here?" Trent asked. - -"He would be furious if he knew," she said quickly. "Certainly it would -do you no good if he learned of it. You know," and Pauline looked at him -through lowered lashes, "he has always been jealous of you." - -"He has had no reason to be," Trent reminded her coldly. - -"I know," she said, bitterness in her tone, "but he will not believe -that. And now he knows you are noble and were masquerading as a -chauffeur he will be all the more jealous." - -"I'm not a nobleman," he said almost angrily. He resented her presence. - -"You cannot deceive me," she said tenderly. - -"If you did not come here to speak for Count Michæl, may I ask then for -what purpose?" - -"I want to warn you not to keep that paper from him." - -"It was burned long ago," he answered. "If he can collect the ashes he -is welcome to them." - -"At present he is trying to collect your coat," she told him and noted -with a smile his start of alarm. "When they took you you were coatless. -He thinks somewhere in the forest they will find it and when they find -it the paper will be there and perhaps other things of your own which -will be interesting." - -"I fear he will be disappointed," Trent said calmly, "but if he will -return a favorite pipe in one of the pockets I shall be obliged." - -She looked at him steadily. Hers was not always an easy face to read. - -"I pray that they will find the coat," she said. - -"Thank you," he exclaimed. "At least you make no pretence of wanting me -to win." - -"You don't understand," she cried, "it is because they will force you to -tell if they cannot find it. I am speaking no more than the truth. -Cannot you see that you have mixed yourself in high matters and are a -menace to Count Michæl? He must know and he will know." - -She saw his mouth tighten. - -"Men just as strong and brave as you have broken down and told all." - -"That may be," he answered, "but I am not going to alter my story about -burning the paper and I am not going to weaken under any punishment they -think of trying on me." - -He was not going to tell her that in a few days he would be able to make -his way out of this very cell if they kept handcuffs from him a little -longer. Kicked out of sight among the dust on the floor was one of his -most useful tools. It was a strip of highly tempered steel spring with a -saw edge--forty teeth to the inch--and could bite its way through the -barred window. When first he entered his prison he thought the opening -too small for exit but he had revised his calculations and was now -certain he could wriggle through it. - -"It is for a woman you do this," Pauline said. "It is because of a woman -you are cold and ask no help of me." - -"I can't prevent your wild guesses," he answered. There was no mistaking -his distaste of her meddling. - -"I do not give up easily," he told her. "I used to think that in a duel -between love and duty love should always win. It doesn't seem to work -out that way always. And I used to think that a man who had not been -worthy of a woman should be given a chance to rebuild his life if he -really loved her." He shook his head. "It isn't the right idea. -Sentimental nonsense the world calls it. The wedding gift a man offers -his bride is his past." He shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't qualify." - -Anthony Trent looked at the rough wall and saw only those dancing days -of happiness and love in another castle. And instead of Pauline with her -world weary face, her knowledge of every art to hold men, he saw his -slim and lovely Daphne. He knew that both of them loved him. Vaguely he -understood that Pauline had come to offer to save him but he had kept -her from telling him so yet. There might conceivably be a future with -her in which he would find eventually his old ambitions stirring and his -pride in his hazardous work revive. There might even be years that were -almost happy; reckless, passionate, quarrelling years. But the thought -of it was nauseating. He swept it aside. He remembered the phrase of -Private Smith in the dug-out that he was dying in better company than he -knew. Well, Anthony Trent if the worst came would die better than he had -lived. - -To Pauline, who loved him, the idea of a violent ending to one of his -ability and address was tragic. - -An Austrian by birth, Pauline had been taken to Berlin then blossoming -into extravagant and vulgar night life by a mother who was a dancer. -Vain, ambitious and jealous of the success of others, Pauline offered no -objection to anything whereby she might become widely known. Later, when -she had attained international fame as a skater she grew more selective -in her affairs. She was the rage for several years and but for the -suicide of a Serene Highness would never have been banished from Berlin. - -Count Michæl Temesvar was an old admirer. The war swept away Pauline's -possessions and there was no manager to engage her at a living wage. - -At twenty-eight she had known many capitals, enjoyed great success and -never been really in love. Then she saw Anthony Trent on the golf links -and never passed a moment but was filled with thoughts of him. His -consistent repulsing of her threw her into moods of anger which she -visited mainly on her protector. And when she summoned scorn and anger -to her aid in dealing with this Alfred Anthony, she found them only -ministers to her infatuation. - -She looked around as Hentzi came into the cell. - -"It is ten minutes," he whispered. - -"Another five," she said. "I shall come with you then." - -Hentzi withdrew nervous and expostulating. Trent noticed that her manner -was different when she spoke. There was a certain timidity about her, an -air of unhappiness almost of hopelessness. - -"Have you thought what difference it will make to me?" she asked. - -Gone from her face were those meretricious smiles, those little ways -cultivated through intimate association with her world of warring sex. -The Pauline who looked at him now was a woman stripped of artifice, a -woman who suffered and loved. - -There was an uncomfortable silence, the awkwardness of the man in the -avowed affection of the undesired woman. - -"Let there be no deception between us," she said quietly. "I see that it -is someone else who claims your heart. I did not think there were men -like you who would be steadfast and loyal in a moment such as this. I -know only that we--you and I--are alike in one thing. We both love where -there is no hope. I came here to offer you freedom at a price most men -would be glad to pay. I will not insult you by saying what it was. I -have known few good men and I know you are good." - -"No, no," he cried, embarrassed by her manner, "Indeed if you only -knew." - -She would not listen. - -"Love can redeem all," she said. "I pray the good God whom I have -neglected," she smiled a little ruefully, "to redeem me. I feel that my -life is over. I have had everything I wanted and am wearied of the -taste. Everything I wanted until now. There comes a time when one is no -longer so eager to live. It is so with me." She looked at him wistfully. -"Can you believe me when I tell you I want to help you?" - -"I do believe it," he said gratefully. "I am glad enough to have a -friend in this dismal place." - -"Then let me help you," she said eagerly. "Something tells me you have -hidden that paper. I warn you if it is still in existence, it will be -found. Can I get it for you?" - -Anthony Trent did not answer for a moment. The thought that there yet -might be a way of getting the treaty draft to Lord Rosecarrel almost -made speech an effort. If that were done with what energy and hope might -he not bend his skill to means of escape! - -"I should be putting my honor in your keeping," he said slowly. - -Her face fell. - -"And you dare not trust me?" - -It was caution which had saved Anthony Trent a hundred times before and -he hesitated just a moment now. Then he looked at Pauline again and was -convinced of her sincerity. And, after all, no better way presented -itself. - -"I will trust you," he said, "but can you find out the place where they -captured me?" - -"I know it already," she said, "it is the farm of Zencsi and lies no -more than thirty miles away." - -"Thirty!" he cried, "I thought it was twice that distance." - -"You went miles out of your reckoning." - -"Have you a pencil?" he cried. "I want to draw a plan of it." - -"Alas, no," she exclaimed, "but Hentzi will be here and he shall get -one." - -The five minutes were up and the count's secretary entered entreating -Pauline by fear of discovery to come with him. - -"A pencil," she snapped, "and paper. A leaf from that little red -memorandum book where you keep account of what money you have saved by -cheating your master." - -She waved him away. - -"Three more minutes," she commanded. - -"I hid in a mound of hay quite close to the farm house. It was the one -nearest a tree recently struck by lightning. It was a plum and the fruit -was still red and unwrinkled. I hid my coat there primarily with the -idea of it being a pillow. When they dragged me out I kicked it down and -out of sight. Three things may have happened. One, that owing to the -rain they have not canted the hay. Second, that a farm hand found the -coat and took the money in it and destroyed everything else. The third -contingency is that the document may have been undisturbed. In this case -it will be returned when the count inquires broadcast for stray -garments." - -"Yes, yes," Pauline said, excitement in her voice, "but tell me exactly -what to do." - -"Can you motor to this Zencsi farm without being found out?" - -"It will not be easy but it shall be done." - -Her air of assurance heartened him. - -"You can only find the blasted tree by day light," he said thoughtfully, -"and in day light you may be seen. Can you be there at dawn before the -farmer himself is up." - -"But that is easiest of all," she cried, "Listen to me. I shall wait -until everyone here is asleep. Then I shall take the Fiat and get to -Zencsi in a little more than an hour. I can hide the car in the forest -and make my search. If I find it I can be back here before any man or -maid is stirring." Her face fell. "But what am I to do with it? I dare -not give it to you who may be searched." - -"It ought to be destroyed," he answered, "but I've sworn to give it to -the man who sent me here. I've got it. Put it in the tool box of the -Lion, among the cotton waste. Can you get into the garage?" - -"Hentzi has all keys, as you should remember," she said. "What keys he -has are mine. And then?" - -"You will find at the bottom of the big tool box a couple of keys. They -are punched out of two thin steel bars. Really there are four keys. It -is most important that you bring them to me. You will not forget?" - -"When your life hangs on it? What else? We must be quick. I do not fear -Hentzi but his master must not find me here." - -"If the coat has been removed you must go to the farm house. There is a -watch dog who barks but he pines for affection and you can win him -easily. Find out who has the coat. If it isn't in the hay someone on the -farm has it. If the document is handed to you look at it eagerly to make -sure it is what I want and if it is, tell them the thing is worthless -and not what the count wants. And if you find the paper in the breast -pocket do the same thing." - -"Why?" she demanded. - -"If you show them it is what you came for the count who will certainly -hear of it will want to get it. What would happen if he knew you had -given it to me?" - -"Why think of that now?" she returned. But he noticed that a shade of -fear passed over her face at the thought of it. - -"If you get it and put it in the tool box he will only think how well -you have served his interests in coat hunting while his lazy varlets -were abed. Of course if they don't hand it to you at the farm and it -isn't in the coat it may be destroyed. I'm afraid you'll have to do some -bullying and threatening to get at the truth but the truth I must have." - -She rose from the rush bottomed chair with a sigh. - -"You believe that there are those who can read fate?" - -Anthony Trent hesitated. Men of his profession were usually -superstitious attaching unwarranted importance to fortuitous things, -watching for signs and portents and abandoning planned enterprises at -times because of some sign of misfortune which had met them. - -"I don't believe it," he admitted, "but that sort of thing influences -me. Why?" - -"There is a woman nearby who can tell," Pauline replied, "Yesterday I -gave her money. She said--can you think of it--that I should die happy." - -"I hope you do," he said. - -"But it is impossible," she cried. "None clings to life as I do. I am -tired of this life. I love the life of cities, the restaurants, the -crowds. I am city bred. In a year when conditions are better I shall go -back. I shall appear in Berlin again, Petrograd, perhaps and of course -in London and they want me in New York. I shall hate to die. But I did -not mean to speak of myself. She told me that the man I loved would be -successful. Fate makes no mistake. Keep up your courage for you will win -and I shall die happy. What more could we want?" - -But there were tears in her eyes as she said it. - -He took both her hands in his. - -"What a splendid woman you are!" he said with conviction. - -"My dear," she answered, her voice a little uneven, "do not tell that to -the woman you love. She would hate me and I want to live a little in -your heart without anyone else to share it. Promise me that?" - -There was in his mind to tell her Daphne was different. That Daphne -would love her too, but he said nothing. Her intuition told her more -than his hope could foretell. - -"I promise," he answered, "and I promise that I shall never forget." - -Hentzi's agitated voice disturbed them. - -"Not one moment longer," he whispered. "I dare not." - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN - -_DOWN TO THE SEA_ - - -When Pauline had gone Trent was immeasurably happier in the hope she had -given him. Until her visit his only chance of escape had been centered -in the expectation that when once his hands were freed he might file the -bars. There was now a scheme in his head worth many of that. - -Half an hour after she had left two men entered guided by the now -assured Hentzi. - -"You have complained of the dirt here," the secretary explained, "and it -will be removed." - -The tiny spring saw was swept up unobserved. Trent saw it disappear now -with a smile where before it would have been black tragedy to him. - -He slept well that night and shaved himself next morning in high -spirits. It was not easy, shaving with handcuffs on, but it was -possible. Then he waited for some message from Pauline. - -Hentzi came into the cell at five. - -"Count Michæl will see you at ten tonight. My friend, I warn you to be -wise and acknowledge defeat." - -"That's not my idea of wisdom," Trent grinned so cheerfully that Hentzi -was vaguely disturbed. - -"You are more foolish even than the others," Hentzi said, shaking his -head. "Brave men, all three. For my part I would be reasonable. I would -say, 'I have fought a good fight and the odds were against me. How much -can I save from the wreck?' That is the way to talk, my lord." - -Suddenly he took a book from his pocket, a book tied with string and -sealed but not enveloped in paper. He handed it to the American. - -"This is from a friend," he announced. "I bring danger on myself in -giving it to you but I can rely on your silence, eh?" - -"Certainly," Trent said carelessly and betrayed no interest in the gift. -"At ten o'clock tonight? Is that it?" - -"It is wise to acknowledge defeat," Hentzi said earnestly. - -"We'll see when the time comes," Trent returned. "It's largely a matter -of holding trumps my good Hentzi." - - * * * * * - -Anthony Trent tore the string from the book eagerly. In the middle, -placed carefully in a space hollowed among the leaves were the bar keys -which might, with luck, open the doors to safety. About them was wrapped -a half sheet of scented, green note paper. On it was scrawled very -faintly in pencil, "I have put it where you told me to." - -"Thank God!" cried Anthony Trent. - -Then with some difficulty he managed to put the two thin steel bars in a -special pocket long ago prepared for them. - -The hours seemed very long until Hentzi, with Sissek and Ferencz, came -for him. The two servants carried their big service revolvers. - -The anxious moment was at hand, the moment that was to tell Trent -whether he was to be utterly defeated or to stand a chance of escape. - -"Take these off," he said holding out his manacled hands. - -"No. No." Sissek and Ferencz cried together. - -"The count said so," Trent frowned. - -"I have had no orders," Hentzi assured him, "and that is one key I have -not got." - -For one desperate moment Anthony Trent thought of bringing down his iron -ringed wrists on Sissek's head and attempting to escape. But he put the -thought from him as futile. There was still another trump to play. - -They led him, as he hoped, to the great room where the safe was, the -room he had searched so carefully. - -In a carved oak chair at the head of a table sat Count Michæl. Pauline -was there sitting in a chaise longue smoking a cigarette in a very long -amber and gold holder. She did not turn her face from the count to the -prisoner until he had stood there silent for a full minute. Then she -looked at him coldly, sneeringly, and said something to Count Michæl -which brought a peal of laughter from him. - -It seemed to Trent that he had never seen the two on such wholly -affectionate terms. - -There were two doors to the room. At one stood Peter Sissek, revolver -in hand. At the other old Ferencz watched in armed vigilance. On the -table before the count was a .38 automatic pistol. Shades were drawn -over the long narrow French windows. In a chair before one of them -Hentzi sat nervous as ever in the presence of his violent employer. -Before the other window was a big bronze statue of the dying Gaul. The -stage was set very comfortably for all but the manacled Anthony Trent. - -"You said I could have these off," Trent began, "these damned steel -bangles that I've worn so long." - -"It is for yourself to remove them," the count said suavely. "I am about -to give you the opportunity. You see I am generous. Others would blame -me for it." - -"You are not generous," Trent snapped. "A coward never is." - -The count's face lost some of its suavity. - -"Who dares call me a coward?" he cried. - -"I do," Trent returned promptly. "You are a coward. Here am I, an -unarmed man among three with guns. The doors are locked and yet you keep -me here handcuffed. Generous! Brave!" All his contempt was poured out as -he said it. - -"If I take them off will you give me your _parole d'honneur_ to make no -effort to escape?" - -Anthony Trent turned to Pauline. - -"Madame," he said, as though to a stranger, "I cannot congratulate you -on the courage of your friend. So afraid is he of one single man that he -wishes me to give my word I will not try to escape. He forgets I am -unarmed, in a strange and vast house filled with his servants, with -death threatening me at any suspicious move. Are all your noblemen of -Croatia as cautious as he?" - -Pauline did not reply to him. Instead she spoke to the count in German. - -"Pay no attention to him," she counselled. "I know that you are brave, -my Michæl. Let him laugh at you for a coward if he wishes. I would not -have him hurt you or frighten you for the world." - -"Frighten _me_!" cried the count, "Hurt _me_!" He flung a little key -across the table to Hentzi. "Take them off," he commanded. - -Trent examined his reddened wrists with a frown. - -"This should never have been done," he declared. Then he turned to -Hentzi. "I need a cigarette." - -"I did not bring you here to smoke," Count Michæl said acidly. "I -brought you here to interrogate you. Remember that." - -"I have been without a decent smoke for nearly two weeks," Trent -returned. "And I want one. Unless I have some I shall not answer any one -of your interrogations. Think it over, count." - -Hentzi looked at the American reproachfully. He had supplied his -prisoner with the best of tobacco. That he had done so surreptitiously -robbed him of the privilege of recrimination. The two guards not -understanding a word of the conversation could not deny Trent's -statements. - -Count Michæl Temesvar looked closely at his former chauffeur. He was -standing on the rich red rug between the two windows. He was biting his -lips; his face twitched and his fingers worked nervously. It was plain -that he suffered as drug takers do when deprived of their poisons. - -There was a cedar lined silver box of cigarettes on the little table by -Pauline's chair. This Hentzi was commanded to place before the prisoner. -Anthony Trent's symptoms were admirably assumed. He inhaled and exhaled -in silent delight and his face grew more peaceful. But he was still -unsettled and nervous. The count, remembering his iron-nerved driver, -attributed the change as much to imprisonment and fear as to lack of -tobacco. In a sense it was a tribute to his power over the man who had -thwarted him. He watched Trent stride up and down by the two windows and -ascribed it to a growing sense of the ordeal about to be undergone. - -"I've got to keep moving," Trent said, "I've been tied up in a kennel -for two weeks." - -"If you must I shall permit it," the other answered. "But I warn you -that the length of this table must be your limit. Otherwise my faithful -men may have to shoot. You understand?" - -"Perfectly," Trent said growing more affable. "I even give you my -_parole d'honneur_ not to go near the doors. Why rush on certain death?" - -"You are growing sensible," Count Michæl said smiling. "I knew it would -come. As you say, why rush on certain death? It is foolish. More, it is -unnecessary and to do so wastes one's energy. I have not yet had time to -learn your name and rank but I am treating with you as an equal." - -"Thank you!" Trent retorted. "If you call locking me up in a verminous, -rat-haunted cell treating me as an equal I'm hardly grateful." - -"I dare take no risks," the count assured him. "You men who came here -for my lord Rosecarrel are different from others. I have not forgotten -that Sir Piers Edgcomb killed three of my honest lads before he died. -There are others who would have treated you less well than I. Now, where -is the paper you stole from me and say you burned?" - -"What is the fate of ashes tossed to the four winds?" - -"It was never burned," the other snapped. "Somewhere it exists in your -pocket where I saw you place it. Remember this before you answer. If by -your aid alone I find it you may leave this castle." - -"How?" Trent demanded. "To walk into ambush outside?" - -"There will be twenty square miles of country where none dare touch you. -Do you need more than that, you, who cast aspersions on the courage of -others? Is it possible you are afraid?" - -"What is the other alternative?" - -"To join your friends." The count laughed cordially. The idea seemed to -amuse him. "To make the third grave. First the trainer, then the butler -and last the chauffeur. I wonder what your chief will send me next." - -"He will have no need to send anyone else," Trent said affably. By this -time his nervousness had disappeared and he was cool and calm as ever. - -"You mean he will give up the attempt?" - -"Why should there be another when I have already succeeded?" - -"This is bravado," the count cried. It was his turn to be nervous now. -The importance he attached to the possession of the paper seemed out of -all proportion to its value. Trent knew little of the great eternal -European game of politics. For a few moments in Paris the New World had -its glance at the complicated working but forgot it when booming trade -held sway and salesmen took the place of diplomats. The elimination of -the new Foreign Secretary meant a great deal to Count Michæl. The other -knowledge which Trent stored in his mind was equally dangerous but there -were others who could attend to that. No matter what part Anthony Trent -played the count had assigned him the rôle of the defeated. - -"It happens to be the truth," Trent returned. - -He could see that Pauline was now listening intently. Her pose of -antagonism to the stranger was swept away by her anxiety for his safety. -Her heart thrilled to see him standing there, debonair, smiling, -dominating. It seemed madness to her, this avowal of success. - -"You are learning wisdom," Count Michæl commented. - -"We may define the term differently," Trent smiled. "I did not burn the -paper." - -"Ah!" the count breathed excitedly. "Now we have it." - -"I preferred to keep it so that I could assure the Right Honourable the -Earl of Rosecarrel, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that I had -indeed succeeded. You will understand my feelings. Perhaps it was -bravado but none seems to believe that such papers ever do get burned. -You, count, seemed to doubt it." - -"Where is it?" the count snapped. "Your life depends on your truth." - -"I have put it in a safe place," Trent said, resuming his pacing of the -room. - -The count's excitement banished the air of toleration he had with -difficulty affected toward one he hated. - -"Where is it?" he bellowed. - -Anthony Trent was smiling and his eyes were bright. It was one of his -moments. - -"I am going to fetch it," he said urbanely. - -Long ago he had made a careful survey of the possibilities of the room -in which he stood. He had thoroughly scrutinized windows and doors as -likely aids to future needs. - -Every pair of eyes in that great room was turned on him. Sissek and -Ferencz understanding no word only saw that he was unmoved, unruffled, -almost joyous in the presence of the great Count Michæl. They could not -understand it at all. They only hated him the more. - -Hentzi was rather thrilled with the spectacle. Here was a young and -handsome man of a type he had longed to be, no doubt the bearer of an -historic title, who in the presence of great peril dared to laugh at -the head of all the Temesvars. - -Count Michæl felt the constricting collar that now almost choked him. -These other two who had preceded Alfred Anthony met death bravely but -they acknowledged failure. But this man was different. It was almost as -though he thought himself the victor. What else would have nerved him to -bandy words with his gaoler? - -But of them all it was Pauline who watched him most eagerly, and most -feared for his safety. He seemed incredibly rash to antagonize the count -still further. Few guessed the cruelties to which he could sink when his -_amour propre_ was wounded. She had made up her mind that the man she -loved so wholly should not suffer. So far the count had no reason to -suspect her interest in the stranger. His first jealousy had passed when -she protested how needless it was. He trusted women with few of his -political secrets but she knew Trent was a marked man because he had -stumbled on the identity of the princely guest. Therefore he would -suffer unless her woman's wit could aid him. Knowing the count's vanity -so well she perceived that every moment of this unperturbed attitude -added to the severity of the punishment his prisoner would receive. - -"You are going to fetch it!" Count Michæl said thickly. "Is it permitted -to ask how and when?" - -"By all means," Trent said graciously. "I am going to fetch it now and -thus." - -He made a lightning quick leap toward the window where Hentzi was -sitting in a low chair and then a dive over the secretary's shoulder. -Through the small panes of glass he went like a hurled rock. The shade -torn from its roller wrapped itself about his head and shielded him from -flying glass and piercing splinters. - -Two shots rang out and he heard Hentzi's voice raised in a shriek of -agony. There were other sounds which drowned even this. The count's -voice bellowed forth instructions. He could hear Peter Sissek and -Ferencz shouting and then, as another shot followed him into the -courtyard Pauline's cry rang high above all other sounds. - -Trent landed on his shoulder, bruised but not seriously hurt. When he -pulled the enveloping window shade from his face he was amazed to see -that the room from which he had come was now in darkness. He could hear -the men thrashing about it in a fury of rage at being unable to find the -way of pursuit. Whether failure of the current was the cause or someone -had pressed the button, the delay was of incalculable value. - -Trent raced across the paved courtyard and pried open the door of what -had been the prince's apartment. It was unoccupied as was that of the -adjoining room where the military aide had slept. - -At the bedroom door leading to the corridor he listened carefully but -heard no sound. He opened it quietly to come upon a servant passing by. -It was an unmannerly fellow who had often jeered at him when they used -the common table, a tall, awkward, stooping creature with a malicious -face. His eyes opened wide when he saw it was the detested English -chauffeur. Visions of reward darted across his brain and he made a -movement as to apprehend the foreigner. - -He was instantly gripped with a hold, which agonized him as he sought to -break it, and forced into the bedroom from which Trent had just come. -Then the door was locked and he was a prisoner. When, a minute later his -master and the others came bursting through he supposed them to be other -than they were and hid under a bed where the redoubtable Sissek pursued -him and beat him soundly until his identity was established. - -Leaving him in the room Trent made his way carefully to the _armoire_, -that rock of refuge in a weary land, and entered it noiselessly. - -It was established that no stranger could have left the castle by any of -its exits. Such as were not barred had servants near them. It was clear -that Alfred Anthony was concealed somewhere in the vast building. His -capture was only the matter of time, the result of careful searching. - -This search was gone about systematically Count Michæl directing his men -personally. It was the count's theory that one of his bullets, the first -shot at which Hentzi had screamed because of its nearness to his head, -had wounded the fleeing man, and that he would sooner or later be traced -by a trail of blood. - -Hardly had plans been made for the disposition of the searchers than an -agitated footman reported Peter Sissek's wife with dire news. She was -brought before her employer trembling with excitement. - -"Excellency," she cried, "He has escaped in the English car." - -Pauline at the count's side clutched his arm. - -"Thank God!" she breathed. - -"They shall suffer who let him pass," the count roared, "Swine, children -of swine, spawn of the devil." - -"Let me go after him Excellency," Peter Sissek pleaded. "I will bring -him back to you dead or alive as you command." - -"Fool," the count shouted, "Who are you to do this, you who have not his -skill nor so fast a car! Get you to Agram. I will telegraph to Fiume and -Zara and Trieste and have him stopped for a thief." - -"But," Pauline protested, "how dare you let it be known that it is the -paper he has stolen? Dare you invite notice of it?" - -The count looked at her very oddly. Never had he looked so coldly. - -"Is it also his car?" he asked. "Have I no right to that?" - - * * * * * - -Weeks before Anthony Trent had hidden a spare key to the garage in a -secret place. From the moment of closing the door of the _armoire_ -behind him, climbing down the copper pipe and starting his engine, -Anthony Trent had not consumed more than four minutes. As he drove it -out of the yard he saw Mrs. Sissek running toward him. Soon they would -be on his track again. He did not care. He knew there was never a driver -in all Europe who could hope to catch him between Castle Radna and -Fiume. - -A quick glance had assured him all was well with his Lion. Two extra -wheels were carried which could be put on in three minutes. There was -gasoline in his tanks and the purring hum of the motor was like a -Beethoven symphony to his ears. And he knew that somewhere in the -toolbox was concealed the little scrap of paper which had cost two lives -already and might take his own as toll were he not careful. He prayed -that the gods of chance might give him no less than an even break. - -Down the mountain side he went singing. At night there was little or no -traffic. The peasants were early abed and the way would be deserted -until he struck the Marie Louise road. - -Anthony Trent knew that not a car in the garage would pursue him with -any chance of success. They would probably send a telegram from Agram -but that contingency did not worry him very much. It had taken no more -than a minute of his time to do damage that would take a hundred times -as long to remedy. He smiled to think of the savage Sissek trying to -start his Panhard. Then they would attempt to get the Fiat going and -finally, the old and tricky Mercedes. And they would all balk because -that skilled mechanic Alfred Anthony had had his finger in the pie. - -At the roar of his engines, magnified in the night silences, peasants -turned over and went to sleep again. It was their lord or one of his -exalted guests who passed. Sometimes one of them would hear, floating -out for a moment, the sound of his singing. - -It was a night of triumph and hope for Anthony Trent. He had succeeded -where others had failed. The hours brought him nearer to a sight of the -woman he loved and he could not put away from him the hope that -somewhere happiness and content might wait for them. - -There was not an untoward incident in his journey until he reached the -high land overlooking the harbor of Fiume. Day would break in less than -an hour. Stopping his motor he took the rain stained document from its -shelter. Pauline had not failed him. She showed her thoughtfulness by -placing sandwiches and a flask of wine in the tool box. He thought of -her with a flood of gratitude. Until this reminder he had forgotten her -very existence in the thought of the other woman. - -Trent had not come idly to Fiume with the bare hope of being able to -make his escape. He knew that there were in port several British -destroyers that lay off a certain breakwater which he had observed on -many occasions. Tied up at this stone pier were a number of rowboats. It -would be an easy task to pull off to a destroyer and climb aboard. No -commander would deny him the privilege he sought and there was not a gun -in Fiume which dare be trained on a British or American vessel. - -It was Anthony Trent's way to look for opposition in his ventures and be -a little uneasy if he met none. So far things had gone almost too -smoothly. - -He had threaded his way through the narrow streets of Fiume without -other than a few laborers when he was suddenly halted by a policeman. -The policeman stood before the Lion and waved his sword. It was plain he -labored under stress of great excitement. Three others of his kind came -running from a side alley. It seemed to the policeman that the great -automobile made a vicious jump at him. He leapt aside with marvelous -agility as the accelerated Lion passed him on its way to the pier. - -There was just sufficient light for Trent to see the destroyer lying at -her anchorage. Everything would have been comfortably done but for the -cries of the pursuing police. - -A groom of Count Michæl's had ridden a fast horse into Agram and the -Fiume authorities were bidden apprehend a thieving chauffeur driving a -blue and silver Lion. There was so liberal a reward that the police -force was almost disorganized in contemplating it. Pursuers among -civilian laborers and sailors joined in the chase. - -Trent's heart sank to see the little cove where the boats were tied was -not empty at this early hour as he expected. There was a group of seven -or eight fishermen getting their nets ready. Their quick ears caught -sounds of the disturbance and saw that the man in the motor was to be -caught. They seized a two inch hawser and stood across the pier barring -the motor's way. Four men holding to one end and three, to another. - -Trent took the situation in at a glance. Stupidly enough the fishermen -supposed themselves to be able to stop the car of their own strength. -Had they fastened the hawser around the cleats at their side Anthony -Trent would have gone down to defeat. It was plain that he could not -carry out his plan of rowing to the destroyer with these men at his -heels. - -There was one last desperate thing to do. - -The great car responded to the accelerator and by the time it had -reached the men holding the rope it was going at fifty miles an hour -over the smooth stone breakwater. Two of the men were jerked clear into -the water. They were all thrown down and one had an arm broken. -Fascinated they watched the great car racing down the pier straight to -destruction as they supposed. Then they looked, horrified, as it seemed -to hurl itself from the jetty, hurtle through the air and disappear in a -tomb of foam. - -When police and fishermen strained their eyes and could see no trace of -the chauffeur they naturally assumed he had been caught in the car. - -"He has killed himself!" the sergeant cried. - -"He was mad!" said another. - -Anthony Trent had no difficulty in freeing himself from the sinking -Lion. It was his wish to swim under water as far as possible and so -elude those who watched for him in the faint light. - -There was a strong current running and the destroyer lay a couple of -cable lengths distant. It was a hard swim, clothes encumbered as he was, -and he dare not discard the garment that held the paper. There was a -despairing moment when he thought he could never make headway against -the tide which would take him back into the harbor. - -It was an astonished marine who saw the dripping exhausted man clamber -aboard and fall to the deck. - -"I must see your commander at once," Trent cried, when his breathing was -easier. - -Lieutenant Maitland awaked from his sleep was not inclined to see him. - -"What's he like and the devil is it all about?" he demanded crossly. - -"He's about knocked out," the marine answered, "and he says he won't -tell his business to anyone but you." - -Lieutenant Maitland put on a bath robe and interviewed the stranger. He -was instantly taken by the man's face and manner. He saw, too that he -was dealing with one of his own class. - -"I have important despatches for Lord Rosecarrel the Foreign Secretary -which I must get to him at once." - -"Yes?" Maitland said interrogatively. - -"I want you to take them and me," Anthony Trent said. - -"I'm afraid that's impossible," said the officer. "You see that is a -little out of my beat. Even if your papers were for the First Lord of -the Admiralty I could not proceed to a home port without instructions. -I am bound for Malta and weigh anchor in a little while." - -Anthony Trent was silent for a moment. He knew that private matters -concerning Lord Rosecarrel and his son had nothing to do with the -government directly. He knew, too, that to commandeer a destroyer for a -private errand was inadmissable. But he was determined to get back and -had no appetite for Fiume. There was a trump card which he had yet to -play. - -"Why does a squadron of destroyers stay so long in Fiume?" he asked. - -"Admiralty orders," Lieutenant Maitland said briefly. - -"They are here because trouble may break out at any moment. The -information I carry is necessary for the interests of your country and -my own. I'm an American as I supposed you guessed. You will be thanked -by the prime minister for taking me and my information back." - -"Why not cable it?" Maitland suggested, "I'll wireless it for you in -code." - -"I dare not trust it," Trent said emphatically, "and they wouldn't -believe it anyhow. Mine is a preposterous story but it's one that your -government needs to know. Can't Malta get on without you a little? It -won't take long. You fellows travel at forty miles an hour." - -"Who is to judge of the importance of the information?" Maitland -demanded, "I have to think of that. If you are spoofing me I run the -certainty of court martial. Really I think I must beg you to be -decently careful in asking this of me." - -"That's only fair," Trent agreed. "Does the name of William, Prince of -Misselbach, mean anything to you?" - -"Only that I went to his funeral when he escaped from that island prison -of his and was drowned. I was on the port guard ship at the time. I -understand the allied powers breathed a sigh of relief that he had -chosen to drown himself." - -Anthony Trent pointed to a group of boats at the end of the pier from -which he had taken his leap. They were growing distinct in the light. - -"Those fellows," said Anthony Trent, accepting one of the officer's -cigarettes, "are grappling for my body. They believe I'm dead. Drowned -as deep as ever Prince William of Misselbach ever was. You have just as -much right to think the prince dead. I've seen him. I know where he's -been staying since his escape and I know who is behind the plot to put -him on the throne of Hungary. Now, Lieutenant, do we steam back to -England or shall I cable it?" - -"I'll take a chance and slip back to Portsmouth. What you need is a hot -bath and some hotter coffee. By the time you've fed and got into some of -my togs we shall be on our way back to fame or court martial." - -The lieutenant grinned cheerfully. He was still a boy for all the stern -years he had witnessed disaster by sea and land. Also he liked Trent. -It was rather a lark, he thought. - -"By the way," said Trent suddenly, "if they wig-wagged you from shore -that you were harbouring a man supposed to have stolen a Lion automobile -from Count Michæl Temesvar the man who is at the bottom of the plot -would you feel bound to deliver him up to justice? I ask because I think -some sort of police are on the way here now." - -"My dear man," said Lieutenant Maitland, "you have the good fortune to -be aboard the fastest destroyer on God's wide waters. Also steam is up -and we shall have started before the harbour authorities can get aboard. -If they can overhaul my old dear you may ask me that question again." - - * * * * * - -When it was certain that Trent had made good his escape the black rage -that took hold of Count Michæl plunged his household into a distress -that showed itself on every troubled face except that of Pauline. - -She was not easily able to conceal her joy in Anthony Trent's good -fortune. The prophecy of the gipsy that he would escape was fulfilled. - -She knew that rage must be eating at the count's heart, a rage compared -with which all his other frenzied outbursts were as nothing. As a rule -he made Pauline his _confidante_, desiring only that she approve of his -behaviour. Twice she had tried to get Hentzi aside and learn what news, -if any, had come of the masquerader. Hentzi sullenly turned away from -her. She supposed he had been so upset over his master's temper that he -was nursing a grievance himself. - -She was in her room that night, about to take a gorgeous necklace from -her firm white throat, when there was a knock upon the door. - -"It is Mr. Hentzi," said her maid. - -"Tell him I will not see him," Pauline yawned. - -"He has an important message from Count Michæl," said the girl. - -"Which will wait until tomorrow," Pauline said lazily. - -Hentzi's voice made itself heard through the partly opened door. - -"I must beg you madame, to come at once. It is imperative. The count -must have your advice on matters of importance." - -Pauline decided to go. After the silence of the day the count would tell -her everything, and she was anxious to be reassured of Anthony Trent's -safety. - -"Where are you taking me?" she demanded as Hentzi guided her past the -big room where Trent had been arraigned, the room from which he had made -his escape. - -"His Excellency cannot remain in a room with an entire window torn out. -It would but be to invite a flock of bats to enter." - -Pauline climbed two little flights of steps which led to the topmost -floor of the castle. - -"I have never been here before," she commented. - -"Few strangers have," he said, locking it behind her. - -"Strangers!" she repeated, "since when have I been a stranger?" - -She found nothing strange in his silence. Hentzi was constantly a prey -to the fear he might by some over zealous action provoke the wrath of -the man he served. Probably he had not heard her question. - -She found Count Michæl in a big bare room, octagonal in shape and knew -it must be the tower which stood out boldly on the western corner of the -castle. - -"Why bring me here?" she said petulantly. - -She had no fear of the man who ruled his people as an autocrat. It is -not in the nature of such women as Pauline to eliminate a certain -feeling of contempt for the power of men whom they can sway by whim and -artifice. Michæl, Count Temesvar, was terrible to such as he hated, and -a political force of sinister strength, but to the green eyed woman who -looked at him mockingly he was one of the weak and pliable pawns on -life's board. - -"Sit down," he said suavely. There was no sudden look of affection as he -gazed at her. He spoke, she reflected, very much as he had done to -Anthony Trent. But the ex-chauffeur had been a prisoner. She looked -about her and saw that this was almost a prison. - -"About this Alfred Anthony," he began. "I am told, although I do not -believe it, that you were much concerned for his safety." - -"Who told you that?" she demanded. - -"What matters that? It is untrue?" - -"Naturally," she answered, trying to fathom what lay behind his smiling -face. - -"Tell me this Pauline," he said leaning forward, "when the Sissek woman -informed us that he had escaped I thought I heard you say 'Thank God.' -Why did you thank God when my enemy escaped?" - -Pauline was not so easily to be trapped. She remembered breathing her -prayer almost at his ear but she hoped in the excitement he had not -heard. - -"You are dreaming Michæl," she exclaimed. "Why should I say that?" - -"Another thing," the count went on. "This man would hardly have escaped -if the electric lights had not gone out." Abruptly the count turned to -Hentzi. "Tell me, did you see the engineer about this?" - -"Yes, Excellency," Hentzi assured him, "He tells me in technical terms -which I do not comprehend that sometimes the light goes off for a few -moments. It was the thunder storm or some atmospherical condition. I do -not remember." - -"Heaven seems to fight for him," Count Michæl commented. "First the -lights extinguished and then someone in this house of mine who gives him -keys and aids his escape. The garage door opens itself to him and lo, he -disappears." - -"He has an accomplice you think, Excellency?" Hentzi stammered. He was -fearful that his master had learned of his carrying the book to the -prisoner. Out of this slender fact the wrathful count might be weaving -plot enough to engulf his faithful secretary. "I assure your -Excellency," Hentzi cried, "that I am entirely loyal." - -Pauline was still not to be frightened by this changed mood of the count -and the agitation expressed on his secretary's face. She had been victor -over him in a hundred violent scenes and Pauline loved violence and the -raising of voices. - -"A curious thing," said the count meditatively, "is that the lights went -out only in my room. A well trained thunder storm Hentzi, eh?" - -"Your excellence means that someone turned them off. I was on guard at -the window as you remember." - -"I know that you were. Ferencz was at the north door, Peter at the -other. The thief could not be suspected and I was a dozen feet distant -sitting in my chair. And yet, Hentzi, when I pressed the button light -again flooded the room." - -"I suppose you are hinting that I did it?" Pauline said calmly. - -When the count smiled, it was another man looking at her, a man to whom -she was a stranger. For the first time a thrill of uneasiness took hold -of her. - -"Is hinting the right word?" Count Michæl retorted. - -"I might have done it," Pauline admitted, "I remember when I heard the -crash of the broken glass jumping up. I probably put my hand out to -steady myself and touched the knob without noticing it. How -unfortunate!" - -"Again," said the count, "I must question your right use of words. You -said 'unfortunate,' did you not?" - -"There is one other thing which has puzzled me," Count Michæl went on. -"Peter Sissek's wife thinks she saw you come back to the garage two -mornings back soon after sunrise. She was wrong?" - -"She was right," Pauline replied, "I could not sleep so I went out to -try and find the missing coat." - -"What loyal helpers surround me," the count murmured. "Before you retire -to your well earned night's rest one other question." - -"As many as you please," said Pauline, some of her burden of anxiety -lifted. "What is it?" - -"This thief knew of the presence here of certain exalted personages. He -had never been anywhere but in the kitchen quarters and his own room. No -servant of mine would have told him anything. There were many hours when -I was busy and you played golf that you could have told him. I want your -word that the information did not come from you." - -"You have it," she said lightly. "Now as that is all I shall go to my -room. This hideous place chills me." - -"Pauline," Count Michæl said sternly, "I have given you every chance to -tell the truth. You have lied. It is in your nature to lie but I thought -that one of your training would know when the time came to speak the -truth. Such an hour is at hand. The man was your lover. You helped him -to escape. That I am certain of. You have betrayed me and my cause--and -your cause too--because you are a light of love, a thing who will accept -a purchase price and then play false." - -"My poor Michæl," she said commiseratingly, "you drink too much of your -own plum brandy. Tonight you are crazy. Tomorrow I shall have you -begging for a smile from me. As it is I find you tedious. Hentzi, open -the door." - -The secretary made no move to obey her. - -She shrugged her shoulders. Neither of the men judged from her manner -the fear that began to enwrap her. - -"Yours will be a cold smile tomorrow," Count Michæl said, "and I, for -one, shall not envy it. You have betrayed me but in the end I have -triumphed. They have caught him Pauline. They are bringing him back to -you. Do you think you will be there to aid him when he is my prisoner -again?" - -If Count Michæl wished for tribute to his victory it was his now. - -The confidence left her face. She was white and smileless. The courage -and bold carriage of her splendid body seemed taken from her. She leaned -heavily on the bare table. Hentzi, a prey always to emotion, could have -wept for her forgetting she was his master's enemy. - -To Count Michæl her attitude had the effect of whipping into white heat -his repressed and savage rage. He had tried to believe that he still -stood first in her affection. It was the vanity of the successful man -whose desire has outlived his fascination. - -No woman could be stricken to the earth by news of the capture of a man -unless he were unutterably dear to her. It was clear confession of the -victory of Lord Rosecarrel's agent. What desire for mercy had been in -the count's heart died down. There came in its place the craving for -instant and brutal revenge. - -"So you did help him?" he said in a low harsh voice. - -"Yes," she answered. "I thought I had helped him to succeed." - -"And you admit you told him of the presence here of the prince?" - -"If you like," she said wearily, "If I denied it you would not believe -me." - -"Take note of that, Hentzi," the count commanded him. "It is important, -this admission of guilt." - -Pauline hardly heard him. The shock of learning that the man she adored -had been recaptured overwhelmed her. She tried to shut out the thought -of what punishment would be meted to him now. - -"I will talk more tomorrow," she said brokenly. - -"Do you not understand that for you there will be no tomorrow?" She -could see now that the count hated her. Jealousy had swept from him all -memory of past affection. He could only think of himself as one betrayed -by the man he hated. In vain she might look for mercy here. - -"I am to be murdered?" she said looking from one to the other of the -two. - -"You are to be executed," he said. "You took your oath to support this -movement and you have betrayed it. I have given you your chance to -confess and instead you perjured yourself." He raised a service revolver -from his table. - -It was Hentzi who in this last black scene rose above his fears to plead -for her. The count waved his protests aside. The woman did not move. - -"Madame," Hentzi cried almost hysterically. "You must not believe what -his excellency tells you." - -"Silence," the count cried angrily. - -But Hentzi would not be stayed. At heart he was generous and in a dumb, -hopeless fashion he had long cherished an affection for Pauline. - -"He escaped," Hentzi continued, "We have just learned that they did not -capture him. Already he is on a fast war ship of his country far from -fear of pursuit." - -It was as though a miracle had happened. - -The color came again into Pauline's cheeks and the drooping, broken -figure grew tall, erect and commanding. - -"So you lied to me, Michæl," she said slowly. "You were ashamed to admit -that he had beaten you. But I should not have lost my faith in him so -easily." She turned to Hentzi. "Thank you my friend. You have made me -happy." - -"Silence," the count cried. "Prepare yourself." - -"You cannot hurt me now, Michæl," she laughed. Hentzi thought she looked -like a young girl, splendid and triumphant with the wine of youth. "At -most you can take my life. As I can never have him whom I love I do not -mind. Perhaps I am a little grateful to you. Why does your hand tremble, -Michæl?" - -She held herself at this last moment with a brave insolence. Her head -was carried high and the count knew she was laughing at him for having -failed. He knew that her words were not idly spoken when she said she -would die happy because her lover had escaped. - -She stood there flouting him, jeering at him, this woman through whose -actions his own safety was imperilled, the woman whose fascination had -so long enthralled him. And he realized that although it would be his -hands which would strike her to the dust yet she would be the victor. - -Untrembling she looked into the black mouth of the revolver. - -"Why do your hands shake?" she repeated. "Are you afraid he will come -back and rescue me?" - -Hentzi covered his eyes as the spurt of flame jumped at her. It was his -shriek which rang out. Pauline met her death, triumphant, smiling, -unafraid. - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN - -_THE CABINET MEETING_ - - -A fast destroyer is a wet and uncomfortable craft but Anthony Trent had -never enjoyed a voyage so much. Life in Castle Radna had been a greater -strain than he knew. He felt the need for relaxation. The trout stream -called him, the golf links tempted him. He felt very much as he had done -years before at Dartmouth when the rigors of the training period were -finished with. He was safe. He was free; and he was speeding northward -ho with the paper in his pocket which had seemed impossible of -attainment. - -"I dare not run into Portsmouth," Maitland confided in him, "as I'd have -to report to the Admiral commanding and this news of yours is not for -his ears yet." - -"Can't you get nearer London than Portsmouth?" Trent asked. - -"We're headed for Sheerness at the mouth of the Thames. I can lie -quietly off Canvey Island and then train it to town. Later on when my -irregular proceedings are dilated upon I can get the First Lord of the -Admiralty to back me up. By the way," he said later, "Do you know the -Grenvils well?" - -"Very well," Anthony Trent answered, "Why?" - -"Then you probably know Rudolph Castoon. One of my sisters who knows -Lady Daphne says an engagement is rumoured between them." - -"Nothing to it," Anthony Trent said confidently. "She doesn't even like -him as a friend. Does your sister know her well?" - -"Next door neighbours in Cornwall," Maitland answered. "She married Lord -Polruan." - -So it was Maitland's sister who had dubbed him an American adventurer -and indirectly warned the earl against the danger of having him on such -intimate terms! And this unassuming young naval officer was of course a -son of an earl, and would rightly be described as the Honourable -Willoughby Maitland. Anthony Trent smiled. He could not help thinking -how gratified his old housekeeper in Kennebago would be to think he -moved in such company. - -The two men reached Liverpool Street station at ten o'clock at night and -taxied westward to Lord Rosecarrel's town house in Grosvenor Place. - -The butler, that stern functionary who disapproved of democracy and the -ambitions of the new rich, beamed a welcome when he beheld Anthony -Trent. In a sense he felt the young American was one of the family. His -greeting to Trent's friend as the son of an earl was respectful, but to -Anthony he vouchsafed especial courtesy. It was very grateful to the -wanderer. It was like coming home to a man who has no abiding place. - -"His Lordship is attending a cabinet meeting," he said. "Her Ladyship -is at an Albert Hall concert and Mr. Arthur is out of town." - -It was plain from his manner that he expected Anthony Trent to make his -quarters in the Rosecarrel town house. - -"I must see his lordship instantly," Trent said. "Tell one of your men -to whistle for a taxi." - -"You seem to be very popular with old Barlow," Maitland said. - -"I have spent the happiest hours of my life at Rosecarrel Castle," -Anthony Trent said, Maitland thought with some little reserve. - -At Downing Street the prime minister's butler could not conceive of such -a thing as an interrupted cabinet meeting. - -"It is business of state," Anthony Trent said loftily. "If you feel you -have a right to dictate terms very well. But," he continued -impressively, "I will promise you one thing. From tomorrow on, you will -buttle for someone else." - -It happened that the cabinet meeting, which had to do with domestic -finance, was already ended. - -The prime minister glanced at the card sent in, and turned to the -private secretary of the Earl of Rosecarrel who had just entered the -room. - -"That splendid young man Willoughby Maitland who did so well at -Zeebrugge is demanding an audience. I am rather tired. Do you mind -seeing if it is of importance?" - -"Certainly not, sir," said Colonel Langley. - -He stopped short when he saw who accompanied the naval officer, and -learned that it was Anthony Trent who had business with the premier. - -"The last time I saw you," he said stiffly, "was under circumstances -which give you no right to expect me to plead your cause." - -"That may be," Trent said equably, "but I am here not to converse with -you but your superiors. By the way who is prime minister now?" - -"Llewellyn Morgan," Maitland said. "His third term." - -It was Llewellyn Morgan Trent had met in Cornwall. Things looked -brighter. "The premier knows me," he said to Colonel Langley, "and you -are no doubt aware I am privileged to call Lord Rosecarrel my friend." - -When the two reached the simply furnished room Lord Rosecarrel looked at -the American with wide open eyes. - -"My dear boy," he said affectionately, gripping both his hands. "I do -not think you can believe how glad I am to see you." - -"Isn't this the young man who had the presumption to outdrive me forty -yards every time we stepped to a tee?" - -The Right Honourable Llewellyn Morgan greeted him in so friendly a -fashion that Colonel Langley was astounded. But there was another man, -of cabinet rank, who scowled when he beheld it. Rudolph Castoon had -attained his desire. He was now Chancellor of the Exchequer. And Castoon -knew in his heart that it was because of Anthony Trent Lady Daphne -Grenvil had refused him. - -"Do I understand," he said, with a show of friendliness, "that you have -news of such importance that it justifies, shall I say breaking in upon -us here?" - -"It is for the premier to decide," Trent said. Then he looked at Colonel -Langley and took his revenge. Trent addressed the pleasant and amiable -personage who sat at the head of the table. "Have I your word for it -that this gentleman is entirely to be trusted?" - -"He is my private secretary," Lord Rosecarrel said quickly. - -"By all means let him remain," the premier decided. - -Lord Rosecarrel was vaguely disturbed. So far as he knew there was -nothing Trent could have learned at Castle Radna which justified this. -To tell the assembled members of the cabinet of his errand and its -success would spell disaster to the one who had sent him. - -"Briefly it is this," Trent began, "Prince William, of Misselbach, was -not drowned although a real corpse was buried. He is at the present time -hiding and Count Michæl Temesvar is planning to put him upon the throne -of Hungary. I have seen him with my own eyes a dozen times although he -was not aware of it. I had the luck to get a list of names of the prime -movers in it. I could not keep the paper so I memorized them and wrote -them down while on the destroyer which brought me from Fiume." - -Trent passed it across the table to the prime minister. - -"This is exceedingly important," he declared after reading it quickly. -"Mr. Trent you have performed a service to this government and your own -which entitles you to a reward of no mean character. Now have the -goodness to answer these questions." - -They were fired at him quickly and embraced a variety of subjects. It -was only because of his retentive memory and trained powers of -observation that he was able to satisfy the premier. - -"It is unfortunate," said Rudolph Castoon, "that Mr. Trent was not able -to bring us the original document. One's memory, even when one's -intentions are of the best, can play off tricks." - -He said it so obviously to discredit the American that Trent flushed and -disclosed something that he had not meant publicly to announce. - -"Do you know Baron Adolf Castoon?" he asked. - -"Naturally," Castoon answered, "One does not easily forget to know one's -eldest brother." - -"Then I have news of your eldest brother which will cause you infinite -concern," Trent said, with sympathy in his voice. "Baron Adolf is -financing this revolutionary movement. I brought him up from Fiume one -day and being assured I did not understand a word of German he was -indiscreet enough to talk about it." - -"It is a lie," Rudolph Castoon cried. "Adolf is loyal to the interests -of the Allies. His public speeches are evidence of it." - -"But I am speaking of private speeches," Trent said smiling. - -"What were you doing that you came to drive him?" - -"Acting as chauffeur," Trent replied. "I stored many interesting facts -in my brain during that four hour ride." - -"Of course," Castoon said turning to his chief, "you do not believe this -sir?" - -"I can only say that Baron Adolf's printed speeches, a copy of which you -sent me, did not interest me greatly. I am much more eager to hear what -he said in private." - -"First of all," Castoon said, "may I ask why it was this young man went -to the trouble of acting as chauffeur. It may be, of course, that it is -his profession." - -"That's interesting," Colonel Langley commented, "Why did he go there at -all?" - -"I went," said Anthony Trent, "because Lord Rosecarrel, who knows Count -Michæl and mistrusts him, asked me to go. He had an idea that I might be -useful. I went and I think I can assure him I have succeeded in what he -desired me to do." - -Lord Rosecarrel breathed a sigh of relief. So, after all, this -mysterious American had freed him from bondage. - -Mr. Llewellyn Morgan looked at his friend reproachfully. - -"And to have kept it from me," he said. - -"The credit belongs to Mr. Trent and not to me," said Lord Rosecarrel. -"To give merely a hint and have it followed to successful conclusion by -another is not the lot of many. For my part I can never cease to feel -under obligation to him." - -"What we have heard," said the premier, "is under the seal of the most -absolute secrecy." He turned to Castoon. "I am sorry for the news you -have heard but it was not a matter of surprise to me. I have long heard -unpleasing rumours as to the baron's sympathies. You understand that he -must not be apprised in any way of this?" - -"Certainly sir," Castoon returned stiffly. "I can hardly see the -necessity of reminding me of it." - -When the meeting had broken up Anthony Trent was amazed to see Colonel -Langley's outstretched hand. - -"I must apologize," he said frankly, "I did not know that you were -working for my chief or that he regarded you so highly. You shoot I -suppose?" - -"Crazy over it," Anthony Trent admitted. - -"I wish you would be one of the guns next September the first. My place -is at Dereham Old Hall in Norfolk. You have never been to that part of -the world I imagine?" - -Anthony Trent looked at the tall colonel and understood. - -"Never," he said, "but I shall be delighted to come." - - * * * * * - -Maitland remained after the others left. It was necessary that the -premier should endorse his conduct with his own chief. British -destroyers are not designed as passenger boats. - -"Of course you are going to make your headquarters with us?" Lord -Rosecarrel said and pointed to his waiting limousine. - -"I think not," Trent returned. He had not forgotten that when he planned -to go to Castle Radna he gave his word that he would seek no reward. To -go back to Grosvenor Place would seem as though he had forgotten this. - -"But I insist," the earl said. - -"You are asking me to put myself in torment," he returned. - -"Fiddlesticks!" the other cried, "How youth exaggerates." - -Anthony Trent felt it was weak of him but he climbed into the car. The -thought of seeing Daphne again was intoxicating. He was grateful that -there was silence during the five minute ride. - -The butler informed his master that Lady Daphne had come in and was now -in bed. - -"Did she know I was here?" Trent asked him. - -"No, sir," said the man, "I did not see her ladyship." - -The earl pushed a silver cigarette box over the table of his library. - -"I don't want to talk of politics," he said, "until tomorrow." - -"Nor I," Trent answered and passed the draft of the treaty to the other. - -The earl held it in his fingers until the flame reached them. The paper -was now ashes and a memory. - -"Anthony Trent," said the earl, "No matter what you have done or what -things have conspired to make your life unfortunate, you are a -chivalrous gentleman. Let me smoke in silence for a little. My heart is -too full for speech." - -"Now," he said later, "Let me tell you about Arthur. He is splendid. He -is my own lad again. The years that the locusts have eaten are still -blotted from him. He has confidence in himself. He is marrying one of -the dearest of girls next month. You are back in time. It is no secret -that you are to be his best man." - -"That's good news indeed," Trent said heartily. - -"It has made me very happy," the earl said slowly, "and incidentally -made me examine my conduct rather more severely than I had ever thought -of doing." - -"I'm afraid I don't see what you mean sir," the younger man said during -the long pause. - -"I will tell you. Here was the girl. Young, beautiful, of a great -family. She had everything to offer and my son loved her. Here was the -problem. Had I the right to let her marry him when there lay behind him -those misspent years? I wondered whether I was not bound to tell her -father of what he had done. It was true he was not responsible but -nevertheless he had done them. In the end I persuaded myself that where -love existed as it did between my son and the woman he is to marry, -pasts counted for little." - -Anthony Trent looked at him for a long time in silence. - -"Had you any especial reason for telling me this?" he asked. - -Lord Rosecarrel smiled. - -"I am tired and must sleep," he said, "and my wits may be -wool-gathering; but you know me well enough, I hope, to be sure that I -have my reasons for making confidences." - -"I am afraid to say what I think," stammered Anthony Trent. - -"Then put it off until tomorrow," the earl laughed, "Go and sleep, my -dear boy, even though it may be in torment. We breakfast rather later -here than in the country. I don't suppose Daphne will be down until ten. -We keep such late hours." - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN - -_ANTHONY THE TRIUMPHANT_ - - -The butler tapped upon Trent's door before nine next morning. - -"I've just taken a telephone message for you, Mr. Anthony, very -important if I may judge." - -"Come in and tell me about it," the American said. He could not imagine -who knew his whereabouts. It must be Maitland, he supposed, who had -promised to see him before he joined his destroyer again if it were -possible. - -"It's from the American Embassy," the butler informed him. - -"What?" Trent demanded. "Are you sure?" - -The American Embassy! What had he to do with that? Once behind the doors -he was on American soil and subject to her jurisdiction. - -"It was a message saying that the ambassador must see you at once. I -took the liberty of saying I thought you could get there by half past -nine. A motor will be waiting when you have dressed." - -Anthony Trent sat on the edge of his bed and saw all his high hopes -dashed to earth. Someone must have told the ambassador of this young -fellow countryman of his who was on intimate terms with a cabinet -minister. And the ambassador with the aid of his intelligence -department must have run him to earth. - -For a moment he wondered whether it would not be wiser to make a run for -it. Maitland now assured of his _bona fides_ would not hesitate to take -him with him and land him at some lonely spot on the Italian coast by -night. He had money and his wits. It would be beginning life over again -but it would be better than disgrace here in London. - -Then his fighting side asserted itself. He would not be frightened into -flight before he was convinced flight was necessary. - -There was another visitor in the American ambassador's waiting room, a -man of middle age who smoked an excellent cigar. He turned as Trent -entered. - -"Morning," said Trent morosely. He was annoyed to find that he had to -speak. It was the publisher of a chain of magazines for one of which -Trent used to write when engaged in the manufacture of light fiction. He -had often smoked one of the millionaire's celebrated cigars. - -"Good morning," said the publisher graciously. "It's a long time since I -saw you." - -"The ambassador keeps extraordinary hours," Trent commented. - -"He's a business man," the other explained, "Not bred to the old time -diplomacy, just a plain, business man." - -"What have you done that he sent for you?" - -"You don't seem to understand," the publisher said mildly. - -"I only understand," Trent said, still irritably, "that I'm being kept -waiting. He was to see me at nine thirty and it's now twenty minutes to -breakfast." - -"He was on the minute," the other laughed, "Where have you been not to -know I'm the ambassador?" - -"You!" said Trent in amazement. - -"And I'm making a damned good one," the diplomat said, "even if I do get -up hours before the rest of 'em." - -"What am I here for?" Trent demanded. - -"Congratulations mainly," said the ambassador. "I was waked out of sleep -at after midnight by the prime minister. He wanted to know if I had -heard of an American called Anthony Trent. I said 'Sure. He used to -write for me. Anthony Trent is all right.' The way these Londoners keep -up half the night is something shocking." - -"I still don't see why you've sent for me, Mr. Hill." - -"I'll explain," said the ambassador. His manner was serious, so serious -indeed that Anthony Trent was infinitely perturbed. "You may not know it -but you've rendered your country a considerable service. Over here in -the Birthday or New Year honours list you'll find decorations awarded -men the public knows nothing about. Trent, sometimes they are given for -work like you have done. We don't give orders or decorations or grants -of money. If we did you'd have one coming to you. What you've done won't -even come before Congress. You'll be a mute inglorious Milton, but--if -the day comes when you need help, if you should ever be in a tight -place, remember you've got something to trade with. I'm not going to -mention this again but you bear it in mind." - -"I certainly will," Trent said gratefully. Then he spoke a little -hesitatingly. "Be frank with me, Mr. Hill. I ask this as a personal -favor. Had you anything at the back of your mind when you spoke about my -being in a tight place or needing help?" - -"No," the ambassador said after a mental reaction which could be -measured in seconds. "But you've made enemies here. Some of 'em have -sent in asking what you do for your livelihood. Of course I remembered -that Australian uncle. He certainly must have cut up rich." - -"He did," Anthony Trent said sombrely. He had invented an Australian -uncle years before to account for possession of the large sums of money -his professional work netted him. Oddly enough the memory gave him -little pleasure now. - -"I was able to assure the inquisitive," the diplomat declared, "that I -had known you for years." - -Enemies! Castoon perhaps, who hated him on sight, and possibly the -Colonel Langley who was now his friend. What others unknown to him might -there not be! And there was Lady Polruan sister of Willoughby Maitland. -She probably would be influenced by her favorite brother and receive -him on a friendly footing if they met again. These people he knew. But -it was the unknowns who bothered him. - -"Was Rudolph Castoon one of them?" he inquired. - -"The Chancellor of the Exchequer?" Hill laughed. "My boy you have -certainly got right into the top-hole set here. The inquisitive ones -were your own countryfolk who were jealous that a man not even in the -Social Register got in on intimate terms with the great families. Maybe -they wanted to get your formula. Nothing serious. I've got a busy -morning. Lunch with me at one tomorrow?" - -"Gladly," Anthony Trent returned, his manner brighter. Never had he -shaken hands so heartily with his old publisher. - -"It's done me good to see you," he exclaimed. - - * * * * * - -The friendly butler informed Trent in confidence that Lady Daphne was -not yet down. His lordship was already riding in the Row. - -"Her ladyship has not been informed of your arrival," said the butler. -"She is expected down in a few minutes. I have ordered kidneys and bacon -_en brochette_ for you, sir." - -"This feels like being really at home," the American said. "I have -wanted that for breakfast every morning I've been away and never once -had the luck to get it." - -Below stairs the butler informed the housekeeper, who later retailed it -to maids, that Mr. Anthony seemed very nervous. A footman openly -rejoiced when he overheard the butler's conversation with the -housekeeper that his duties would enable him to witness the meeting of -his mistress and the American. - -"There will be nobody in the breakfast room when her ladyship enters but -Mr. Anthony," his superior said firmly. "Haven't you got any romance in -you, Simpkins?" - -"Yes," answered the footman simply, "that's why I want to see them." - -Anthony Trent was sitting in a big winged chair by the fire when Daphne -entered. She walked to the table and picked up some letters without -seeing him. At every mail she expected to hear from him and now was -another of these continual disappointments. Invitations, letters from -friends and relatives, but never a one from the man she loved. - -Watching her Anthony Trent was a victim to many emotions. The rumor -which he had confidently disputed that she was engaged to Rudolph -Castoon now assumed a guise of probability. Why not? He had left her -expecting never to see her again. He had convinced her of the -unsurmountable barrier between them, a barrier which still existed. What -a fool he had been to twist the earl's statement about Arthur into -something that spelled hope when none was intended. - -That he was here was due to the feeling on Lord Rosecarrel's part that -he deserved courtesy at the hands of the Grenvils. Before leaving for -Croatia he had assured the elder man that he would not claim a reward. -And here he was within a few feet of Daphne. What he should have done -was to call and greet her in a friendly fashion, a fashion which would -have told her that he realized there could no longer be any pretence of -intimacy between them. Instead he was hiding in a deep chair and must -presently disclose himself. - -He noticed anxiously that she was looking frail and tired. There was a -sadness on her face which he had not seen there before. It was, he -decided, a hopelessness, a lack of the vivacity which had always -distinguished her. - -It was when the butler had decided time enough had elapsed for greeting -that Simpkins was allowed to bear in silver dishes of food. - -It was the footman's entrance which made the girl look up from her -unopened collection of letters. She did not see Simpkins. She saw only -the man in the chair, the tall, slim man who rose almost awkwardly when -he met her wide-open eyes. - -Ordinarily self possessed, never at a loss for a word or embarrassed, -Anthony Trent stood there dumb and looked at her. - -"Oh Tony, Tony!" she cried. - -Immensely gratified, Simpkins beheld the American gather her to him. -Honest Simpkins had tears in his eyes. He went from the room blindly, -his mission unaccomplished. He had seen Love so near to him that he was -dazzled. - -It was in Daphne's own sitting room facing St. James' Park that they -were able to talk coherently. "Why do you suddenly look so grave on this -morning of all mornings in my life?" she asked tenderly. - -"Darling," he said, "I can't keep on living in this doubt any longer. -You know what I said in Cornwall?" - -"That's so long ago. I forget. Exactly what did my wise Tony say? I only -remember that he said he loved me." - -"I shall always say that," he said softly. "Daphne, I must not go on -deluding myself any longer. I ought not to have seen you. It was only -because your father was courteous and I was weak that I came." - -"You have seen father?" she cried. - -"Last night," he told her. "I was with him for an hour. He was very -kind." - -"Did he tell you about Arthur?" - -"He said he was going to be married." - -She looked at her Tony with a smile he could not understand. There was -certainty in it content, assurance. It was as though there were no -barriers that kept him from her. - -"My wise Tony," she said, "there is much for you to learn. Let us leave -Grosvenor Place and go to Australia in the first place." - -"Australia?" he cried uneasily. For the second time within a few hours -the island continent had arisen to confound him. - -"Yes, Australia," she said. "You remember that my father bought a place -there for Arthur?" - -He had often heard of it. It was a magnificent property of a hundred -thousand acres. Great flocks of sheep and cattle grazed on it and there -were hundreds of horses. There were lakes on it where the rainbow trout -grew to fifteen pounds in weight. He had seen photographs of the big -house with its tennis courts, its outside swimming pool, its walled -gardens. It was administered, he knew, by intelligent superintendents -and capable of even greater development. - -"A wonderful place," he said. "Yes, I remember. Your father wanted to -sell it." - -"He has given it away instead." - -"Given away a place like that?" - -"Perhaps I ought not to say given away," she smiled. "He has given it in -exchange for what business people call collateral. He has given it to -you, Tony, subject to certain conditions." - -"Me?" he cried, "Oh no! Impossible. I couldn't take it." - -"But you haven't even heard the conditions," she said. "I go with it. It -must be kept in the family." - -Anthony Trent had a vision of the future. He saw himself a clean man -again, a man with hard work before him and great responsibilities. He -remembered his country's ambassador and the cryptic utterances which -might mean so much. The new life in the new country where none knew him. -The realization of those dreams of children who need never be ashamed of -their parentage. And all this was offered him. - -Daphne looking at him saw that the eyes which she had sometimes thought -were hard were softened now. None but she had ever seen tears in the -eyes of Anthony Trent who had once been the Master Criminal. - -"Oh Daphne," he said brokenly. "Daphne." - -THE END - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Silver Car, by Wyndham Martyn - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE SILVER CAR *** - -***** This file should be named 40372-8.txt or 40372-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/3/7/40372/ - -Produced by Annie R. McGuire. This book was produced from -scanned images of public domain material from the Google -Print archive. - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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 - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |