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diff --git a/40697-8.txt b/40697-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 653082a..0000000 --- a/40697-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4861 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sport Royal, by Anthony Hope - -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/license - - -Title: Sport Royal - and other stories - -Author: Anthony Hope - -Release Date: September 7, 2012 [EBook #40697] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPORT ROYAL *** - - - - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - SPORT ROYAL - - - - - BY THE SAME AUTHOR - - _Uniform, 75 cents each_ - - - THE PRISONER OF ZENDA - THE INDISCRETION OF THE DUCHESS - THE DOLLY DIALOGUES - A MAN OF MARK - A CHANGE OF AIR - SPORT ROYAL - - - - - [Illustration: "_The Princess rushed to the other door, and, on - finding it locked, screamed again._"--P. 88. - - (Copyright, 1895, by HENRY HOLT & CO.)] - - - - - SPORT ROYAL - _AND OTHER STORIES_ - - BY - ANTHONY HOPE - AUTHOR OF "THE PRISONER OF ZENDA," ETC. - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY - 1895 - - - - - THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, - RAHWAY, N. J. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - SPORT ROYAL: - - CHAPTER I. THE SEQUEL TO THE BALL, 1 - - " II. AT THE HÔTEL MAGNIFIQUE, 31 - - " III. THE MISSION OF THE RUBY, 54 - - A TRAGEDY IN OUTLINE, 99 - - A MALAPROPOS PARENT, 102 - - HOW THEY STOPPED THE "RUN," 115 - - A LITTLE JOKE, 126 - - A GUARDIAN OF MORALITY, 139 - - NOT A BAD DEAL, 154 - - MIDDLETON'S MODEL, 169 - - MY ASTRAL BODY, 185 - - THE NEBRASKA LOADSTONE, 204 - - A SUCCESSFUL REHEARSAL, 216 - - - - -SPORT ROYAL. - -_An Extract from the Journals of Julius Jason, Esquire._ - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -The Sequel to the Ball. - - -Heidelberg seems rather a tourist-ridden, hackneyed sort of place to -be the mother of adventures. Nevertheless, it is there that my story -begins. I had been traveling on the Continent, and came to Heidelberg to -pay my duty to the castle, and recruit in quiet after a spell of rather -laborious idleness at Homburg and Baden. At first sight I made up my -mind that the place would bore me, and I came down to dinner at the -hotel, looking forward only to a bad dinner and an early bed. The room -was so full that I could not get a table to myself, and, seeing one -occupied only by a couple of gentlemanly looking men, I made for it, and -took the third seat, facing one of the strangers, a short, fair young -man, with a little flaxen mustache and a soldierlike air, and having the -other, who was older, dark, and clean-shaved, on my left. The fourth -seat was empty. - -The two gentlemen returned my bow with well-bred negligence, and I -started on my soup. As I finished it, I looked up and saw my companions -interchanging glances. Catching my eye, they both looked away in an -absent fashion, each the while taking out of his pocket a red silk -handkerchief and laying it on the table by him. I turned away for a -moment, then suddenly looked again and found their eyes on me, and -I fancied that the next moment the eyes wandered from me to the -handkerchiefs. I happened to be carrying a red handkerchief myself, -and, thinking either that something was in the wind or perhaps that my -friends were having a joke at my expense (though, as I said, they looked -well-bred men), I took it out of my pocket and, laying it on the table, -gazed calmly in front of me, my eyes naturally falling on the fair young -man. - -He nodded significantly to the older man, and held out his hand to me. I -shook hands with him, and went through the same ceremony with the other. - -"Ah!" said the young man, speaking in French, "you got her letter?" - -I nodded. - -"And you are willing?" - -The first maxim for a would-be adventurer is always to say "yes" to -questions. A "no," is fatal to further progress. - -"Yes," I answered. - -"It will be made worth your while, of course," he went on. - -I thought I ought to resent this suggestion. - -"Sir," I said, "you cannot possibly mean to suggest----" - -The young man laughed pleasantly. - -"My dear fellow," he said, "ladies have their own ways of paying debts. -If you don't like it----" and he shrugged his shoulders. - -"Oh," said I, smiling, "I misunderstood you." - -"It is, of course," said the older man, speaking for the first time, and -in a loud whisper, "of vital importance that His Royal Highness' name -should not appear." - -This really began to be mysterious and interesting. I nodded. - -"That goes without saying," said the young man. "And you'll be ready?" - -"Ready!" I said. "But when?" - -"Didn't I tell you? Oh, six o'clock to-morrow morning." - -"That's early hours." - -"Well, you must, you know," he answered. - -"And," added the older man, "the countess hopes you'll come to breakfast -afterward at ten." - -"I'll be there, never fear," said I, "and it's very kind." - -"Bravo!" said the young man, clapping me on the shoulder (for we had -risen from table). "You take it the right way." - -As may be supposed, I was rather puzzled by this time, and decidedly -vexed to find I should have to be up so early. Still, the mention of His -Royal Highness and the countess decided me to go on for the present; -probably the real man--for, unless it were all a mad joke, there must be -a real man--would appear in the course of the evening. I only hoped my -new friends would, in their turn, take it in the right way when that -happened. - -"Have you a servant with you?" asked the young man, as we said -good-night. - -"No," said I; "I am quite alone." - -"You are a paragon of prudence," he answered, smiling. "Well, I'll call -you, and we'll slip out quietly." - -Just as I was getting into bed, the waiter knocked at my door and gave -me a note. It bore no address. - -"Is it for me?" I asked. - -"Yes, sir," he answered. "You are the gentleman who dined with Herr -Vooght and M. Dumergue?" - -I supposed I was, and opened the note. - -"You are generous and forgiving, indeed," it said (and said it in -English). "What reward will you claim? But do be careful. He is -dangerous.--M." - -"The devil!" I exclaimed. - -The next morning I was aroused at five o'clock by my two friends. - -"Good-morning, Herr Vooght," said I, looking just between them. - -"Good-morning," answered the older man. - -"Now, my dear fellow, come along. There's a cup of coffee downstairs," -said the other, whom I took to be Dumergue. - -After coffee, we got into a close carriage with a pair of horses, and -drove two or three miles into the country; my companions said little. -Dumergue twice asked in a joking way how I felt, and Vooght puzzled me -very much by remarking: - -"They are bringing all the necessaries; but I don't know what they will -choose." - -When this was said, Dumergue was humming a tune. He went on for five -minutes, and then said, with a touch of scorn: - -"My good Vooght, they know our friend's reputation. They will choose -pistols." - -I could not repress a start. No doubt it was stupid of me not to have -caught the meaning of this early expedition before, but it really never -struck me that our business might be a duel. However, so it seemed, -and apparently I was one of the principals. Dumergue noticed my little -start. - -"What's the matter?" he asked. - -"Do they know my name?" said I. - -"My dear friend, could you expect the baron to fight with an unknown -man? The challenge had to be in your name." - -I had clearly been the challenger. I was consumed with curiosity to -know what the grievance was, and how the countess was concerned in the -matter. - -"The countess assured us," said Vooght, "that she had your authority." - -"As fully as if I had been there," I answered, and Dumergue resumed his -tune. - -I was sincerely glad that the name of my original had been given, for -his reputation for swordsmanship had evidently saved me from a hole -in my skin. I was a fair hand with a pistol; but, like most of my -countrymen, a mere bungler with the rapier. It was very annoying, -though, that my friends' exaggerated prudence prevented them mentioning -my name: it would have been more convenient to know who I was. - -I had not long for reflection, for we soon drew up by a roadside inn, -and, getting out of the carriage, walked through the house, where we -were apparently expected, into a field behind. There were three men -walking up and down, and two of them at once advanced to meet Vooght -and Dumergue. I remained where I was, merely raising my hat, and the -third man--a big, burly fellow, with a heavy black mustache--followed my -example. - -This one, no doubt, was the baron. To be frank, he looked a brute, -and I had very little hesitation in assuming that the merits of the -quarrel must be on my side. I was comforted by this conclusion, as I -had no desire to shoot an unoffending person. Preliminaries were soon -concluded. I overheard one of the baron's representatives mention the -word apology, and add that they would meet us halfway, but Dumergue -shook his head decisively. This defiant attitude became Dumergue very -well; but I, for my part, should have been open to reason. - -The baron and I were placed opposite one another at twelve paces. There -were to be two shots--unless, of course, one of us were disabled at the -first fire; after that, the seconds were to consider whether the matter -need go further. - -The word was just about to be given, when to my surprise the baron -cried: - -"Stop!" - -Everyone looked at him in astonishment. - -"Before we fire," he went on, "I wish to ask this gentleman one -question. No--I will not be stopped!" - -His seconds, who had advanced, fell back before his resolute gesture, -and he continued, addressing me: - -"Sir, will you do me the honor to answer one question? Are you the -person who accompanied----" - -Vooght struck in quickly: - -"No names, please!" - -The baron bowed, and began again. - -"On your honor, sir, are you the gentleman who accompanied the lady in -question to the masked ball on the night in question?" - -These gentlemen were all diplomatic. I thought I would be diplomatic -too. - -"Surely this is grossly irregular?" I said, appealing to my supporters. - -"I ask for an answer," said the baron. - -"It's nothing but a new insult," said I. - -"I have my reasons, and those gentlemen know them." - -This was intolerable. - -"You mean to fight, or you don't, M. le Baron," said I. "Which is it?" - -He shrugged his shoulders. - -"Your master is well served," he said with a sneer. - -His seconds looked bewildered: Vooght bit his nails, and Dumergue swore -furiously, and, coming near me, whispered in my ear: - -"Shoot straight! Stop his cursed mouth for him!" - -I had not the least intention of killing the baron, if I could avoid it -without being killed myself; but I thought a slight lesson would improve -his manners, and, when the word came, I fired with a careful aim. He -evidently meant mischief, for I heard his ball whiz past my ear; I -missed him clean, being much out of practice, and, I dare say, rather -nervous. I pulled myself together for the second shot, for I saw that -my opponent was not to be trifled with, and I should not have been the -least surprised to find myself in paradise the next moment. On the word -I fired; the baron fell back with a cry, and simultaneously I felt a -tingle in my left hand, and the unmistakable warm ooze of blood. The -witnesses ran to my opponent, and raised his head. Dumergue turned round -to me: - -"Are you hurt?" - -"A scratch," I answered, for I found the ball had run up my arm, merely -grazing me in its passage. - -A hurried consultation followed; then Vooght and Dumergue raised their -hats and joined me. - -"We had best be off," said Vooght. - -"Is he dead?" I asked. - -"No," said Dumergue, with a little disappointment, I thought. "He'll get -over it; but he's safe for a week or two. Not a bad shot, colonel!" - -So I was a colonel! - -"Now," said Vooght, "we'll drive back, and send you to the countess." - -I had made up my mind to get away from the place as soon as I could, -but my curiosity to see the _causa belli_ was too strong, and I said I -should be delighted to keep my engagement. - -Dumergue smiled significantly, and Vooght hurried us into the carriage. -We drove back to the town, and then two or three miles into the country -again, till we came to a pretty villa, embowered in trees, and standing -some two hundred yards back from the road. There was no drive up to the -house, a turf walk forming the passage from the highway. Vooght motioned -me to get down. - -"Don't you accompany me?" I asked. - -Dumergue smiled again. - -"Oh, no!" he said. "Come for us at the hotel, and we'll all be off by -the two o'clock train." - -"Unless you are detained," added Vooght. - -"I shouldn't be detained, if I were you," said Dumergue dryly. "Who -knows? The baron may die!" - -I was quite determined not to be detained, and said so. I was also quite -determined not to keep the rendezvous at the hotel, but to slip away -quietly by myself. The colonel might arrive at any moment. - -I watched my friends drive off, and then walked briskly up to the house. -A man in livery met me before I had time to ring. - -"Are you the gentleman?" he asked. - -I nodded. - -"Will you be so kind, sir, as to walk straight in? That door, sir. The -countess expects you." - -I had my doubts about that, but I walked in, shutting the door swiftly -behind me, lest the servant should hear anything. I thought an explosion -not improbable. - -The room was dim, close curtains shutting out the growing strength -of the sunshine. The air was thick with the scent of flowers that -overpowered without quite smothering the appetizing smell rising from a -table profusely spread for breakfast. I had entered softly, and had time -to take note of the surroundings before I became aware of a tall, slight -figure in white, first moving impetuously toward me, then stopping -abruptly in surprise. Presumably, this was the countess. Charming as she -was, with her open blue eyes, fluffy golden hair, and fresh tints, I -wondered from what noble house she sprang. However, the fountains of -honor are many, and their streams meander sometimes through very winding -channels. - -The countess stood and looked at me. I bowed and smiled. - -"You are naturally surprised," I said, in my smoothest tone. - -"I was expecting--another gentleman." - -"Yes, I know. I come in his place." - -"In his place?" she repeated, in incredulous tones. - -"Yes; in the colonel's place." - -"Hush!" she exclaimed. "We needn't mention names." - -It suited me perfectly not to mention names. - -"I beg pardon," I murmured. - -"But how is it possible?" she asked. "Do you know what he was to come -for?" - -"Oh, yes!" - -"And he hasn't come?" - -"No." - -She frowned. - -"Wouldn't he come?" - -"He couldn't. So I came." - -"But how did you know anything about it? Did he tell you about the -pr--about the affair?" - -"No. I only heard----" - -"From him?" - -"Yes--that you wanted a champion." - -"Oh, that's absurd! Why, you never heard of me!" - -"Ah, indeed I have!" - -"And--did you recognize me under my new name?" - -"Your----" - -"My--my title. You know." - -"The--he told me that. Must I confess? I jumped at the chance of serving -you." - -"You had never seen me!" - -"Perhaps I had seen your photograph." - -She smiled at this, but still looked perturbed. - -"Pray don't be distressed," said I. "I am very discreet." - -"Oh, I hope so! The prince [she spoke in a whisper] was so urgent about -discretion. You haven't seen him?" - -"The prince? No." - -"And--when is it to be?" - -"I don't quite understand." This was my first truthful remark. - -"Why, the duel!" - -"Oh, it's all over!" - -"Over!" - -"Yes--two hours ago." - -"And the baron? No, forgive me. You! Are you hurt?" - -"Not a bit. He's hurt." - -"Is he dead?" she asked breathlessly. - -"I am sorry, countess. Not quite. Was that necessary?" - -"Oh, no! Though he deserved it. He insulted me shamefully." - -"Then he did deserve it." - -She went off at a tangent. - -"What became of my letter?" - -"They gave it to me. You only said for the gentleman who dined with your -friends." - -"Then you read it?" she asked, blushing. - -"Yes. How I wish I were the rightful owner of it!" - -"Why didn't he come?" she asked again. - -"He's going to write and explain." - -"And you really came because----" - -"May I tell you already? Or have you guessed already?" - -She blushed again. - -"I don't see what else the prince could do, you know," she said. "He -ought, of course, never to have gone to the ball at all." - -"Perhaps not," I answered; "but I suppose he was tempted." - -"Do you think very badly of me?" - -"I should think you perfection if----" - -"Well?" - -"You would give me some breakfast." - -"Oh, what a shame! You're starving! And after all you have done! Come, -I'll wait on you." - -My meal was very pleasant. The lady was charming; she satisfied every -feeling I had, except curiosity. She was clearly English; equally -clearly she was involved with some great people on the Continent. I -gathered that the baron had insulted her, when she was with the prince, -and the latter could not, whether for state or domestic reasons, espouse -the quarrel. So far I got, but no farther. - -"What a debt I owe you!" she said, as she led the way after breakfast to -the top of a little tower. An awning was spread overhead, and armchairs -on the floor. A cool breeze blew, and stirred her hair. - -"I am more than paid!" - -"Fancy, if you had been hurt!" - -"Better I than the colonel!" I suggested. - -She darted a smile at me. - -"Oh, well," she said, "you came, and he didn't. I like you best." - -It was all very charming, but time was flying, and I began to plan a -graceful exit. - -"You make it hard to go," I said. - -"Yes, I suppose we must go as soon as possible. Herr Vooght said at two -o'clock." - -I was startled. Delightful as she was, I hardly reckoned on her being -one of the party. - -"The prince will be so pleased to see you," she went on. - -"Will he?" - -"Why, you will have my recommendation!" - -"I'm sure it must be all-powerful!" - -"But we have two hours before we need start. You must want to rest." - -"What a charming tower this is!" - -"Yes; such a view. Look, we can see for miles. Only I hate that stretch -of dusty road." - -I looked carelessly toward the road along which we had come. - -"Look what a dust!" she said. "It's a carriage! Oh, they'll upset!" - -I jumped up. About half a mile off, I saw a carriage and pair driven -furiously toward the villa. My heart beat. - -"Who can it be?" she said. - -"Don't be frightened," said I. "Possibly the authorities have found out -about the duel." - -"Oh!" - -"Let me go and see." - -"Take care!" - -"And in case I have to slip away----" - -"I shall go alone. You will join us?" - -"Yes. But now, in case----" - -"Well?" - -"As a reward, may I kiss your hand?" - -She gave it me. - -"I am glad you came," she said. "Stay, perhaps it's only our friends -coming for us." - -"I'll go and see." - -I was reluctant to cut short our good-by,--for I feared it must be -final,--but no time was to be lost. With another kiss--and upon -my honor, I can't swear whether it was her hand or her cheek this -time--I rushed downstairs, seized my hat and cane, and dived into the -shrubberies that bordered on the turf walk. Quickly I made my way to -within twenty yards of the road, and stopped, motionless and completely -hidden by the trees. At that moment the carriage, with its smoking -horses, drew up at the gate. - -Dumergue got out; Vooght came next; then a tall, powerful man, of -military bearing. No doubt this was the colonel. They seemed in a hurry; -motioning the driver to wait, they walked or almost ran past me up the -path. The moment they were by me and round a little curve, I hastened to -the gate, and burst upon the driver. - -"A hundred marks to the station!" - -"But, sir, I am engaged." - -"Damn you! Two hundred!" I cried. - -"Get in," said he, like a sensible man, bundling back the nose-bags he -was just putting on his horses. I leaped in, he jumped on the box, and -off we flew quicker even than they had come. As we went, I glanced up -at the tower. They were there! I saw Vooght and Dumergue lean over for -a moment, and then turn as if to come down. The tall stranger stood -opposite the lady, and seemed to be talking to her. - -"Faster!" I cried, and faster and faster we went, till we reached the -station. Flinging the driver his money, I took a ticket for the first -train, and got in, hot and breathless. As we steamed out of the town, -I saw, from my carriage-window, a neat barouche with a woman and three -men in it, driving quickly along the road, which ran by the railway. -It was my party! Youth is vain, and beauty is powerful. I bared my -head, leaned out of the window, and kissed my hand to the countess. -We were not more than thirty yards apart, and, to my joy, I saw her -return my salutation, with a toss of her head and a defiant glance at -her companions. The colonel sat glum and still; Vooght was biting his -nails harder than ever; Dumergue shook his fist at me, but, I thought, -more in jest than in anger. I kissed my hand again as the train and -the carriage whisked by one another, and I was borne on my way out of -their reach. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -At the Hôtel Magnifique. - - -To a reflective mind nothing is more curious than the way one thing -leads to another. A little experience of this tendency soon cured me of -refusing to go anywhere I was asked, merely because the prospects of -amusement were not very obvious. I always went--taking credit of course -for much amiability--and I often received my reward in an unexpected -development of something new or an interesting revival of a former -episode. It happened, a few months after my adventure at Heidelberg, -that my brother's wife, Jane Jason, asked me, as a favor to herself, to -take a stall at the theater where a certain actress was, after a long -and successful career in the provinces, introducing herself to a London -audience. Jane is possessed by the idea that she has a keen nose for -dramatic talent, and she assured me that her _protégée_ was a wonder. I -dare say the woman had some talent, but she was an ugly, gaunt creature -of forty, and did not shine in _Juliet_. At the end of the second act -I was bored to death, and was pondering whether I knew enough of the -play to slip out without Jane being likely to discover my desertion by -cross-examination, when my eye happened to fall on the stage-box in the -first tier. In the center seat sat a fair, rather stout man, with the -very weariest expression that I ever saw on human face. He was such -an unsurpassed impersonation of boredom that I could not help staring -at him; I could do so without rudeness, as his eyes were fixed on the -chandelier in the roof of the house. I looked my fill, and was about to -turn away, and go out for a cigarette, when somebody spoke to me in a -low voice, the tones of which seemed familiar. - -"Ah, impostor, here you are!" - -It was Dumergue, smiling quietly at me. I greeted him with surprise and -pleasure. - -"How is the baron?" I asked. - -"He cheated the--grave," answered Dumergue. - -"And the countess?" - -"Hush! I have a message for you." - -"From her?" I inquired, not, I fear, without eagerness. - -"No," he replied, "from the prince. He desires that you should be -presented to him." - -"Who is he?" - -"I forgot. Prince Ferdinand of Glottenberg." - -"Indeed! He's in London, then?" - -"Yes, in that box," and he pointed to the bored man, and added: - -"Come along; he hates being kept waiting." - -"He looks as if he hated most things," I remarked. - -"Well, most things are detestable," said Dumergue, leading the way. - -The prince rose and greeted me with fatigued graciousness. - -"I am very much indebted to you, Mr. Jason," he said, "for----" - -I began to stammer an apology for my intrusion into his affairs. - -"For," he resumed, without noticing what I said, "a moment's -bewilderment. I quite enjoyed it." - -I bowed, and he continued. - -"The only things I cling to in life, Mr. Jason, are a quiet time at home -and my income. You have been very discreet. If you hadn't, I might have -lost those two things. I am very much obliged. Will you give me the -pleasure of your company at supper? Dumergue, the princess will be -delighted to see Mr. Jason?" - -"Yes, sir, Her Royal Highness will be delighted," answered Dumergue. - -"Where was the princess going?" asked the prince. - -"To a meeting of the Women's International Society for the Promotion of -Morality, at the Mansion House, sir." - -"_Mon Dieu!_" said the prince. - -"His Majesty is much interested in the society, sir." - -"I am sure my brother would be. Come along, Mr. Jason." - -The prince and princess were staying at the Hôtel Magnifique in -Northumberland Avenue. We drove thither, and were told that the princess -had returned. Upon further inquiry, made by Dumergue, it appeared that -it would be agreeable to her to sup with the prince and to receive Mr. -Jason. So we went into the dining room and found her seated by the fire. -After greeting me, she said to the prince: - -"I have just written a long account of our meeting to the king. He will -be so interested." - -She was a small woman, with a gentle manner and a low, sweet voice. -She looked like an amiable and intelligent girl of eighteen, and had a -pretty, timid air, which made me wish to assure her of my respectful -protection. - -"My brother," said the prince, "is a man of catholic tastes." - -"It is necessary in a king, sir," suggested Dumergue. - -The prince did not answer him, but offered his arm to his wife, to -escort her to the table. She motioned me to sit on her right hand, -and began to prattle gently to me about the court of Glottenberg. The -prince put in a word here and there, and Dumergue laughed appreciatively -whenever the princess' descriptions were neat and appropriate--at least, -so I interpreted his delicate flattery. - -I enjoyed myself very much. The princess was evidently, to judge from -her conversation, a little Puritan, and I always love a pretty Puritan. -That rogue Dumergue agreed with all her views, and the prince allowed -his silence to pass for assent. - -"We do try at court," she ended by saying, "to set an example to -society; and, as the king is unmarried, of course I have to do a great -deal." - -At this moment, a servant entered, bearing a card on a salver. He -approached the princess. - -"A gentleman desires the honor of an audience with Her Royal Highness," -he announced. - -"At this time of night!" exclaimed the princess. - -"He says his business will not bear delay, and prays for a interview." - -"All business will bear delay," said the prince, "and generally be the -better for it. Who is he?" - -"The Baron de Barbot." - -"Oh, I must see him," cried the princess. "Why, he is a dear friend of -ours." - -I had detected a rapid glance pass between Dumergue and the prince. The -latter then answered: - -"Yes, we must see Barbot. If you will go to the drawing room, I'll take -your message myself." - -"That is kind of you," said the princess, retiring. - -"Give me the card," said the prince, "and ask the baron to be kind -enough to wait a few minutes." - -The servant went out, and the prince turned to me. - -"Why didn't you kill him, Mr. Jason?" he asked. - -"Is it----" I began. - -"Yes, it's your baron," said Dumergue. - -"It's really a little awkward," said the prince, as though gently -remonstrating with fate. "We had arranged it all so pleasantly." - -"It would upset the princess," said Dumergue. - -"What upsets the princess upsets me," said the prince. "I am a devoted -husband, Mr. Jason." - -"If there is anything I can do, sir," said I, "rely on me." - -"You overwhelm me," said the prince. "Is there anything, Dumergue?" - -"Why, yes, sir. Mr. Jason was at the ball. Why should he have fought, if -he wasn't?" - -"You are right, Dumergue. Mr. Jason, you were at the ball." - -"But, sir, I--I don't know anything about the ball." - -"It was just like other balls--other _masked_ balls," said Dumergue. - -"Perhaps a little more so," added the prince, lighting a cigarette. - -"There was a scandal at the last one," Dumergue continued, "and the king -strictly forbade anyone connected with the court to go, under pain of -his severe displeasure. There had been a rumor that a royal prince was -at the one before, and consequently----" - -"That royal prince was specially commanded not to go to this one," said -the prince. - -"It was bad enough," resumed Dumergue, "that it should be discovered -that the princess' favorite lady-in-waiting, the Countess von -Hohstein----" - -"Who bore such a high character," interjected the prince. - -"Did go, and, moreover, went under the escort of an unknown gentleman--a -gentleman whose name she refused to give." - -"Was that discovered?" said I. - -"It was. This baron detected her, and, with a view, as we have reason -to believe, to compelling her companion to declare himself, publicly -insulted her." - -"Whereupon," said the prince, "you very properly knocked him down, Mr. -Jason." - -"I beg your pardon, sir?" - -"The princess," continued Dumergue, "was terribly agitated and annoyed -at the scandal and the duel which followed. And of course the countess -left the court, and returned to England." - -"To England?" - -"Yes; she was a Miss Mason. The king ennobled her at the princess' -request." - -I smiled and said: - -"And now there is a question about who her escort was?" - -"There is," said Dumergue. "It is believed that the baron entertains an -extraordinary idea that the gentleman in question was no other than----" - -"Myself," said the prince, throwing away his cigarette. - -I remembered the baron's strange questions before the duel. - -"Dispose of me as you please, sir," said I. - -"Then you were at the ball, and knocked the baron down!" exclaimed -Dumergue. - -"A thousand thanks," said the prince. - -"But what are we to do with him now, sir?" asked Dumergue. "The princess -will be expecting him." - -"I will go and tell the princess of Mr. Jason's confession. You go with -Mr. Jason, and tell the baron that the princess cannot receive him. I -want him to see Mr. Jason." - -"But, sir," said I, "I didn't fight under my own name." - -The prince was already gone, and Dumergue was halfway down the stairs. I -followed the latter. - -We found the baron in the smoking room, taking a cup of coffee. A couple -of men sat talking on a settee near him; otherwise the room was empty. - -Dumergue went up to the baron, I following a step or two behind him. The -baron rose and bowed coldly. - -"I am charged," said Dumergue, "to express His Royal Highness' regrets -that Her Royal Highness cannot have the pleasure of receiving you. She -has retired to her apartments." - -"The servant told me she was at supper." - -"He was misinformed." - -"I'm not to be put off like that. I'll have a refusal from the princess -herself." - -"I will inform His Royal Highness." - -The baron was about to answer, when he caught sight of me. - -"Ah, there's the jackal!" he said, with a sneer. - -I stepped forward. - -"Do you refer to me?" I asked. - -"Unless I am wrong in recognizing my former antagonist, Colonel -Despard." - -This was just what I had anticipated. Dumergue did not seem surprised -either. - -"Of course it is Colonel Despard," he said. "You would not be likely to -forget him, baron." - -We had been speaking in a low tone, but at Dumergue's sneer, the baron -lost his temper. Raising his voice, he said, almost in a shout: - -"Then I tell Colonel Despard that he is a mean hound." - -If I assumed the colonel's name, I felt I must at least defend it from -imputations. I began: - -"Once before, baron, I chastised----" - -I was interrupted. One of the men on the settee interposed, rising as he -spoke. - -"I beg pardon, gentlemen, but is it Colonel Despard of the Hussars to -whom you refer?" - -"Yes," said the baron. - -"Then that gentleman is not Colonel Despard," announced our new friend. -"I am Colonel Despard's brother-in-law." - -For a moment I was at a loss; things were falling out so very -unfortunately. Dumergue turned on the stranger fiercely: - -"Pray, sir, was your interposition solicited?" - -"Certainly not. But if this gentleman says he is Colonel Despard, I take -leave to contradict him." - -"I should advise you to do nothing of the sort," said I. "M. Dumergue -knows me very well." - -"This person," said the baron, "passed himself off as Colonel Despard, -and, by that pretext, obtained from me the honor of a duel with me. It -appears that he is a mere impostor." - -The other man on the settee called out cheerfully, "Bob, send for the -police!" - -Dumergue looked rather sheepish; his invention failed him. - -"Do either or both of these gentlemen," said I, indicating the baron and -the colonel's brother-in-law, "call me an impostor?" - -"I do," said the baron, with a sneering laugh. - -"I am compelled to assert it," said the other, with a bow. - -I had edged near the little table, on which the baron's coffee had been -served. I now took up the coffee-pot and milk-jug. The coffee I threw -in the baron's face, and the milk in that of his ally. Both men sprang -forward with an oath. At the same moment, the electric light went out, -and I was violently pulled back toward the door, and someone whispered, -"Vanish as quick as you can. Go home--go anywhere." - -"All right, sir," said I, for I recognized the prince's voice. "But what -are they doing?" - -"Never mind; be off." And the prince handed me a hat. - -I walked quickly to the door, and hailed a hansom. As I drove off, I -saw the prince skip upstairs, and a _posse_ of waiters rush toward the -smoking room. I went home to bed. - -The next morning, as I was breakfasting, my man told me two gentlemen -were below, and wished to see me. I told him to show them up, and the -prince and Dumergue came in, the former wrapped up in a fur coat, with -a collar that hid most of his face. - -"The prince would like some brandy in a little soda water," said -Dumergue. - -I administered the cordial. The prince drank it, and then turned to me. - -"Did you get home all right?" he asked. - -"Perfectly, sir." - -"After you took leave of us, we had an explanation. Mr. Wetherington--it -was Mr. Wetherington at whom you threw the milk--was very reasonable. I -explained the whole matter, and he said he was sure his brother-in-law -would pardon the liberty." - -"I'm afraid I took rather a liberty with him." - -"Oh," said Dumergue, "we made him believe the milk was meant for -the baron, as well as the coffee. I said we took it _au lait_ at -Glottenberg." - -"It's lucky I thought of turning out the light," said the prince. "I was -looking on, and it seemed about time." - -"What did the hotel people say, sir?" - -"They are going to sue the electric company," said the prince, with a -slight smile. "It seems there is a penalty if the light doesn't work -properly." - -"And the baron, sir?" - -"We kicked the baron out as a blackmailer," said Dumergue. "He is going -to bring an action." - -"I return to Glottenberg to-day," concluded the prince; "accompanied by -the princess and M. Dumergue." - -I thought this course very prudent, and said so. "But," I added, "I -shall be called as a witness." - -"No; Colonel Despard will." - -"Well, then----" - -"He will establish an _alibi_. _Voilà tout!_" - -"I am glad it all ends so happily, sir." - -"Well, there is one matter," said the prince. "I had to tell the -princess of your indiscretion in taking Mme. Vooght----" - -"Who, sir?" - -"Mr. Jason," put in Dumergue, "has not heard that the countess and -Vooght are married." - -"Yes," said the prince, "they are married, and will settle in America. -Vooght is a loss; but we can't have everything in this world." - -"I hope Herr Vooght will be happy," said I. - -"I should think it very unlikely," said the prince. "But, to return. The -princess is very angry with you. She insists----" - -"That I should never be presented to her again?" - -"On the contrary; that you should come and apologize in person. Only on -condition of bringing you again could I make my peace for bringing you -once." - -I was very much surprised, but of course I said I was at the princess' -commands. - -"You don't mind meeting us in Paris? We stay there a few days," said -Dumergue. - -"You see," added the prince, "Dumergue says there are things called -writs, and----" - -"I will be in Paris to-morrow, sir." - -"I shall be there to-day," said the prince, rising. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -The Mission of the Ruby - - -I could not imagine why the princess desired to see me. It would have -been much more natural to punish the impertinence of which I had no -doubt been guilty--I mean, of which it was agreed on all hands that I -had been guilty--by merely declining to receive me or see me again. -Even the desire for a written apology would have been treating me as of -too much account. But she wanted to see me. What I had heard of the -princess' character utterly forbade any idea which ought not to have -been, but would have been, pleasant to entertain. No; she clearly -wanted me, but what for I could not imagine. - -When I went to claim my audience, the prince was not visible, nor -Dumergue either, and I was at once received by the princess alone. She -was looking smaller, and more simple and helpless than ever. I also -thought her looking prettier, and I enjoyed immensely the pious, severe, -forgiving little rebuke which she administered to me. I humbly craved -pardon, and had no difficulty in obtaining it. Indeed, she became very -gracious. - -"You must come to Glottenberg," she said, "in a few months' time." - -"To obey Your Royal Highness' commands will be a delightful duty," said -I, bowing. - -She rose and stood by the fire, "toying" (as the novelists say) with -her fan. - -"You seem to be an obliging man, Mr. Jason," she said. "You were ready -to oblige Mme. Vooght." - -I made a gesture of half-serious protest. - -"I wonder," she continued, "if you would do me a little service." - -"I shall be most honored if I may hope to be able to," said I. What did -she want? - -She blushed slightly, and, with a nervous laugh, said: - -"It's only a short story. When I was a young girl, I was foolish -enough, Mr. Jason, to fall in love, or at least to think I did. There -was a young English _attaché_--I know I can rely on your perfect -discretion--at my father's court, and he--he forgot the difference -between us. He was a man of rank, though. Well, I was foolish enough -to accept from him a very valuable ring--a fine ruby--quite a family -heirloom. Of course, I never wore it, but I took it. And when I married, -I----" - -She paused. - -"Your Royal Highness had no opportunity of returning it?" - -"Exactly. He had left the court. I didn't know where he was, and--and -the post was not quite trustworthy." - -"I understand perfectly." - -"I saw in the papers the other day that he was married. Of course I -can't keep it. His wife ought to have it--and I dare not--I would prefer -not to--send it." - -"I see. You would wish me----" - -"To be my messenger. Will you?" - -Of course I assented. She went into an adjoining room, and returned with -a little morocco case. Opening it, she showed me a magnificent ruby, set -in an old gold ring of great beauty. - -"Will you give it him?" she said. - -"Your Royal Highness has not told me his name?" - -"Lord Daynesborough. You will be able to find him?" - -"Oh, yes!" - -"And you will--you _will_ be careful, Mr. Jason?" - -"He shall have it safely in three days. Any message with it, madame?" - -"No. Yes--just my best wishes for his happiness." - -I bowed and prepared to withdraw. - -"And you must come and tell me----" - -"I will come and make my report." - -"I do not know how to thank you." - -I kissed her hand and bowed myself out, mightily amused, and, maybe, -rather touched at the revelation of this youthful romance. Somehow such -things are always touching, stupid as they are for the most part. It -pleased me to find that the little princess was flesh and blood. - -She followed me to the door, and whispered, as I opened it: - -"I have not troubled the prince with the matter." - -"Wives are so considerate," thought I, as I went downstairs. - -On arriving in England, I made inquiries about Lord Daynesborough. I -found that it was seven years since he had abruptly thrown up his post -of _attaché_, without cause assigned. After this event, he lived in -retirement for some time, and then returned into society. Three months -ago he had married Miss Dorothy Codrington, a noted beauty, with whom -he appeared much in love, and had just returned from his wedding tour -and settled down for the season at his house in Curzon Street. Hearing -all this, I thought the little princess might have let well alone, -and kept her ring; but her conduct was no business of mine, and I set -about fulfilling my commission. I needed no one to tell me that Lady -Daynesborough had better, as the princess would have phrased it, not -be troubled with the matter. - -I had no difficulty in meeting the young lord. In spite of the times we -live in, a Jason is still a welcome guest in most houses, and before -long he and I were sitting side by side at Mrs. Closmadene's table. -The ladies had withdrawn, and we were about to follow them upstairs. -Daynesborough was a frank, pleasant fellow, and scorned the affectation -of concealing his happiness in the married state. In fact, he seemed to -take a fancy to me, and told me that he would like me to come and see -him at home. - -"Then," he said, "you will cease to distrust marriage." - -"I shall be most glad to come," I answered, "more especially as I want -a talk with you." - -"Do you? About what?" - -"I have a message for you." - -"You have a message for me, Mr. Jason? Forgive me, but from whom?" - -I leaned over toward him, and whispered, "The Princess Ferdinand of -Glottenberg." - -The man turned as white as a sheet, and, gripping my hand, said under -his breath: - -"Hush! Surely you--you haven't--she hasn't sent it?" - -"Yes, she has," said I. - -"Good God! After seven years!" - -General Closmadene rose from his chair. Daynesborough drank off a very -large "white-wash," and added: - -"Come to dinner to-morrow--eight o'clock. We shall be alone; and, for -Heaven's sake, say nothing." - -I said nothing, and I went to dinner, carrying the ruby ring in my -breast-pocket. But I began to wonder whether the little princess was -quite as childlike as she seemed. - -Lady Daynesborough dined with us. She was a tall, slender girl; very -handsome, and, to judge from her appearance, not wanting in resolution -and character. She was obviously devoted to her husband, and he treated -her with an affectionate deference that seemed to me almost overdone. -It was like the manner of a man who is remorseful for having wounded -someone he loves. - -When she left us, he returned to the table, and, with a weary sigh, -said: - -"Now, Mr. Jason, I am ready." - -"My task is a very short one," said I. "I have no message except to -convey to you the princess' best wishes for your happiness on your -marriage, of which she has recently heard, and to give you the ring. -Here it is." - -"Have women no mercy?" groaned he. - -"I beg your pardon?" said I, rather startled. - -"She waits seven years--seven years without a word or a sign--and then -sends it! And why?" - -"Because you're married." - -"Exactly. Isn't it--devilish?" - -"Not at all. It's strictly correct. She said herself that your wife was -the proper person to have the ring now." - -He looked at me with a bitter smile. - -"My dear Jason," he said, "I have been flattering your acumen at the -expense of your morality. I thought you knew what this meant." - -"No more than what the princess told me." - -"No, of course not, or you would not have brought it. When we parted, I -gave her the ring, and she made me promise, on my honor as a gentleman, -to come to her the moment she sent the ring--to leave everything and -come to her, and take her away. And I promised." - -"And she has never sent till now?" - -"I never married till now," he said bitterly. "What's the matter with -her?" - -"Nothing that I know of." - -He rose, went to a writing table, and came back with a fat paper book--a -Continental Bradshaw. - -"You're not going?" I exclaimed. - -"Oh, yes! I promised." - -"You promised something to your wife too, didn't you?" - -"I can't argue it. I must go and see what she wants. I--I hope she'll -let me come back." - -I tried to dissuade him. I know I told him he was a fool; I think I -told him he was a scoundrel. I was not sure of the second, but I thought -it wisest to pretend that I was. - -"I hope it will be all right," he said, again and again; "but, right or -wrong, I must go." - -I took an immediate resolution. - -"I suppose you'll go by the eleven-o'clock train to Paris to-morrow?" - -"Yes," he said. - -"Well, you're wrong. Good-night." - -At twelve o'clock the next day I called in Curzon Street, and sent in my -card to Lady Daynesborough. - -She saw me at once. I expect that she fancied I had something to do with -her husband's sudden departure. She was looking pale and dispirited, -and I rather thought she had been crying. Her husband, it appeared, had -told her that he had to go to Paris on business, and would be back in -three days. - -"He didn't tell you what it was?" - -"No. Some public affairs, I understood." - -"Lady Daynesborough," said I, "you hardly know me, but my name tells you -I am a gentleman." - -She looked at me in surprise. - -"Why, of course, Mr. Jason. But what has that to do----" - -"I can't explain. But, if you are wise, you will come with me to Paris." - -"Go with you to Paris! Oh! is he in danger?" - -"In danger of making a fool of himself. Now, I'll say nothing more. Will -you come?" - -"It will look very strange." - -"Very." - -"In fact--most unusual." - -"Most." - -"Won't there be a--a--scandal, if----" - -"Sure to be. Will you come?" - -"You must have a reason," she said. "I will come." - -We started that evening, nine hours after My Lord, going separately -to the station, and meeting on the boat. All through the journey she -scarcely spoke a word. When we were nearing Paris, she asked: - -"Do you know where he is?" - -"No; but I can trace him," I replied. - -So I could. I bought a paper, and found that Prince and Princess -Ferdinand had, the day before, proceeded from Paris _en route_ for -Glottenberg. Of course Daynesborough had followed them. - -"We must go on," I said. - -"Why?" - -"Because your husband has gone on." - -She obeyed me like a lamb; but there was a look about her pretty mouth -that made me doubt if Daynesborough would find her like a lamb. - -We went to the principal hotel in Glottenberg. I introduced Lady -Daynesborough as my sister, Miss Jacynth Jason, and stated that she was -in weak health, and would keep her room for the present. Then I sallied -forth, intent on discovering Dumergue; he would be able to post me up in -the state of affairs. - -On my way, I met the king taking his daily drive. He was a dour, -sour-looking, pasty-faced creature, and I quite understood that he -would fail to appreciate many of my prince's characteristics. A priest -sat by him, and a bystander told me it was the king's confessor (the -Glottenberg family are all of the old church), and added that the king's -confessor was no mean power in the state. I asked him where M. Dumergue -was lodged, and he directed me to Prince Ferdinand's palace, which stood -in a pleasant park in the suburbs of the town. - -I found Dumergue in a melancholy condition, though he professed to be -much cheered by the sight of me. - -"My dear fellow," he said, "you, if anybody, can get us out of this." - -"I never knew such people," said I. "What's up now?" - -"There has been a--an explosion. Did you ever hear of Daynesborough?" - -I said no, and Dumergue told me of the princess' former _penchant_ for -him. - -"Well?" said I. - -"Well, she's invited him here, and he's now in the palace. You may -imagine the prince's feelings." - -"I suppose the prince can turn him out?" - -Dumergue shook his head dolefully. - -"She holds the trumps," he answered. "Jason, she's a clever woman. We -thought we had hoodwinked her. When Daynesborough turned up, looking, -I'm bound to say, very sheepish, the prince was really quite annoyed. He -told the princess that she must send him away. She refused flatly. 'Then -I shall consult my brother,' says the prince. 'I shall consult the king -too,' said the princess. 'It's indecent,' said he. 'It's not as bad as -taking my ladies to masked balls in disguise,' she answered. 'Oh, you -think you imposed on me--you and that clumsy young animal (forgive me, -my dear fellow), Jason. I am not an idiot. I knew all the time. And now -the king will know too--unless Lord Daynesborough stays just as long as -I like.'" - -"Confound her!" said I. - -"There it is," he went on. "The prince is furious, the princess -triumphant, and Daynesborough in possession." - -"What does he mean to do?" - -He shrugged his shoulders. - -"Who can tell? She's a little devil. Fancy pretending to be deceived, -and then turning on us like this! You should have heard her describe -you, my boy!" and Dumergue chuckled in sad pleasure. - -I object to being ridiculed, especially by women. I determined to take -a hand in the game. I wondered if they knew that Daynesborough was -married. - -"I suppose this young Daynesborough enjoys himself?" - -"Well, he ought to. He's got nothing to lose; but he seems a melancholy, -glum creature. I think he must be one of the king's kidney." - -"Or married, perhaps?" I suggested airily. - -"Oh, no! She wouldn't have him here, if he were married." - -I saw that Dumergue did not yet appreciate the princess in whose -household he had the honor to serve. - -"She won't compromise herself, I suppose?" - -"Not she!" he replied regretfully. "She may compromise the prince." - -I rebuked him for his cynicism, and promised to consider and let him -know if anything occurred to me. My hope lay in Daynesborough. I could -see that he was _galant malgré lui_, and I thought I could persuade him -that he had done all that his mistaken promise fairly entailed on him; -or, if I could not convince him, I had a suspicion that his wife might, -could, and would, in a very peremptory fashion, if I brought about an -encounter between them. I was full of eagerness, for, apart from my zeal -in the cause of morality and domestic happiness, I did not approve of -being called a clumsy young animal. It was neither true nor witty; and -surely abuse ought to be one or the other, if it is to be distinguished -from mere vulgar scurrility. - -I have been told, by those who know the place, that Glottenberg is not, -as a rule, a very exciting residence. But for the next four-and-twenty -hours I, at least, had no reason to grumble at a lack of incidents. - -The play began, if I may so express myself, by the princess sending for -the doctor. The doctor, having heard from the princess what she wanted -to do, told her what she ought to do; of course I speak from conjecture. -He prescribed a visit to her country villa for a week or two, plenty -of fresh air, complete repose, and freedom from worry. Dumergue told -me that the princess considered that the terms of this prescription -entailed a temporary separation from her husband, and that the prince -had agreed to remain in Glottenberg. The princess started for her villa -at twelve o'clock on Wednesday morning. The distance was but fifteen -miles, and she traveled by road in her own carriage, although the main -line of railway from Glottenberg to Paris passed within two miles of her -destination. - -At one o'clock Lord Daynesborough was received by Prince Ferdinand, -having requested an interview for the purpose of taking his leave, as -he left for Paris by the five o'clock train. Everybody knew that the -prince and Daynesborough were not on cordial terms; but this fact hardly -explained Daynesborough's extreme embarrassment and obvious discomfort -during the brief conversation. Dumergue escorted him from the prince's -presence, and said that he was shaking like an aspen-leaf or an -ill-made blanc-mange. - -At three o'clock I went to the hotel, and had an interview with Lady -Daynesborough. I then returned to the palace, and made a communication -to the prince. The prince was distinctly perturbed. - -"I never thought she would go so far," he said. "It's not that she cares -twopence about Daynesborough." - -"To what, then, sir, do you attribute----" - -"Temper! all temper, Mr. Jason! She is angry about that wretched ball, -and she wants to anger me." - -"Her Royal Highness is, however, giving a handle to her enemies," I -ventured to suggest. - -"She must come back to-night," said he. "I won't be made to look like a -fool." - -"My plan will, I hope, dispose of Lord Daynesborough. If so, Your Royal -Highness might join the princess." - -"I shan't do anything of the sort. I shall have her brought back." - -Apparently there was a reserve of resolution latent somewhere in this -indolent gentleman. - -"Will you go yourself, sir?" - -"No. You must do it." - -"I, sir? Surely, M. Dumergue----" - -"Dumergue's afraid of her. Will you bring her back?" - -"Supposing she won't come?" - -"I didn't request you to ask her to come. I requested you to bring her." - -I looked at him inquiringly. He inhaled a mouthful of smoke, and added, -with a nod: - -"Yes, if necessary." - -"Will Your Royal Highness hold me harmless from the king--or the law." - -"No. I can't. Will you do it?" - -"With pleasure, sir." - -At ten minutes to five, Lady Daynesborough, heavily veiled, and I drove -up to the station in a hired cab, and hid ourselves in the third-class -waiting room. At five minutes to five, Lord Daynesborough arrived. He -wore a scarf up to his nose, and a cap down to his eyes, and walked to -the station, unattended and without luggage. He got into a second-class -smoking carriage--one of the long compartments divided into separate -boxes by intervening partitions reaching within a yard of the roof, -a gang-way running down the middle. On seeing him enter, I caught the -guard, gave him twenty marks, and told him to admit no one except myself -and my companion into that carriage. Then I hauled Lady Daynesborough -in, and we sat down at the opposite end to that occupied by her husband. - -The train started. It was only five-and-twenty minutes' run to the -station for the princess' villa. There was no time to lose. - -"Are you ready?" I whispered. - -"Yes," she answered, her voice trembling a little. - -We rose, walked along, and sat down opposite to Lord Daynesborough. He -was looking out of the window, although it was dark, and did not turn. - -"Lord Daynesborough," said I, "you have forgotten your ticket." And I -held out a through ticket to Paris. - -He started as if he had been shot. - -"Who the devil----" he began. "Jason!" - -"Yes," said I. "Here's your ticket." - -"I thought you were in England," he gasped. - -"No, I am here." - -"Spying on my actions?" - -"Acquainted with them." - -"I'll have no interference, sir. If you know me, you will kindly be -silent, and leave me to myself." - -Time was passing. - -"You are going to Paris with this lady," said I. - -"You're insolent, sir--you and your----" - -"Don't say what you'll regret. She's your wife." - -Well, of course he was very much in the wrong, and looked uncommonly -ridiculous to boot. Still, the way he collapsed was rather craven. I -withdrew for five minutes. Then I returned, and held out the ticket -again. He took it. - -"If you will leave us for five minutes, Lady Daynesborough?" - -She went into the next box. Then I said: - -"Now, we've only ten minutes. We're going to change clothes. Be quick." - -I took off my coat. - -"By God, I'll not stand this!" - -And he rose. - -In a moment I had him by the collar, and was presenting a pistol at his -head. - -"No nonsense!" I whispered. "Off with them!" - -He might have known I would not shoot him in his wife's presence; but I -could and would have undressed him with my own hands. Perhaps he guessed -this. - -"Let me go," he muttered. - -I released him, and he took off his coat. - -The train began to slacken speed. I called to Lady Daynesborough, who -rejoined us. - -"You have fulfilled your promise," said I to the young man. "And," I -added, turning to her, "I have fulfilled mine. Good-night!" - -I opened the door, and jumped out as we entered the station. I stood -waiting till the train started again, but Lord Daynesborough remained in -his place. I wonder what passed on that journey. She was a plucky girl, -and I can only trust she gave him what he deserved. At any rate, he -never, so far as I heard, ran away again. - -I asked my way to the villa, and reached it after half an hour's -walking. I did not go in by the lodge gates, but climbed the palings, -and reached the door by way of the shrubberies. I knocked softly. A man -opened the door instantly. He must have been waiting. - -"Is it Milord?" he said in French. - -"Yes," I answered, entering rapidly. - -"You are expected, Milord." - -I did not know his voice, and it was dark in the passage. - -"I am wet," I said. "Take me to a fire." - -"There is one in the pantry," he answered, leading the way. - -We reached the pantry, and he turned to light the gas. - -Looking at me in the full blaze, he started back, then scrutinized me -closely, then exclaimed: - -"What? You are not----" - -"Oh, yes, I am! I am Lord Daynesborough." - -"It's a lie. You are a robber--a----" - -"I am Lord Daynesborough--Lord Daynesborough--Lord Daynesborough." - -At each repetition I advanced a step nearer; at the last I produced my -trusty pistol, at the same time holding out a bank-note in the other -hand. - -He took the note. - -"You will stay here," I said, "for the next two hours. You will not come -out, whatever happens. Is there anyone else in the house?" - -"One maid, Milord, and a man in the stables." - -"Where is the maid?" - -"In the kitchen." - -"Is the man within hearing?" - -"No." - -"Good! Is the princess upstairs?" - -"She is, Milord." - -I made him direct me to the room, and left him. I thought I would -neglect the maid, and go straight to work. I went up to the door to -which I had been directed, and knocked. - -"Come in!" said the gentle, childlike voice. - -I went in. The princess was lying on a sofa by the fire, reading a -paper-covered book. She turned her head with a careless glance. - -"Ah, you have come! Well, I almost hoped you would be afraid. I really -don't want you." - -This reception would probably have annoyed Lord Daynesborough. - -"Why should I be afraid?" I asked, mimicking Daynesborough's voice as -well as I could. - -Meanwhile I quietly locked the door. - -"Why, because of your wife. I know you tremble before her." - -I advanced to the sofa. - -"I have no wife," I said; "and, seeing what I do, I thank God for it." - -She leaped up with a scream, loud and shrill. - -A door opposite me opened, and a girl rushing in, crying: - -"Madame!" - -"Go back!" I said. "Go back!" - -She paused, looking bewildered. I walked quickly up to her. - -"Go back and keep quiet;" and, taking her by the shoulders, I pushed -her back into the next room. - -The princess rushed to the other door, and, on finding it locked, -screamed again. - -"Nobody," I remarked, "should embark on these things who has not good -nerves." - -She recognized me now. Her fright had been purely physical--I suppose -she thought I was a burglar. When she knew me, she came forward in a -dignified way, sat down on the sofa, and said: - -"Explain your conduct, sir, if you are in a condition to do so." - -"I am sober, madame," said I; "and I have two messages for you." - -"You present yourself in a strange way. Pray be brief," and she glanced -anxiously at the clock. - -"Time does not press, madame," said I. "Nobody will come." - -"Nobody will---- What do you mean? I expect nobody." - -"Precisely, madame--and nobody will come." - -Her ivory fan broke between her fingers with a sharp click. - -"What do you want?" she said. - -"To deliver my messages." - -"Well?" - -"First, Lord Daynesborough offers his apologies for being compelled to -leave for Paris without tendering his farewell." - -She turned very red, and then very white. But she restrained herself. - -"And the other?" - -"His Royal Highness requests that you will avail yourself of my escort -for an immediate return to Glottenberg." - -"And his reasons?" - -"Oh, madame, as if I should inquire them!" - -"You are merely insolent, sir. I shall not go to-night." - -"His Royal Highness was very urgent." - -She looked at me for a moment. - -"Why had Lord Daynesborough to leave so suddenly?" she asked -suspiciously. - -"His wife wished it." - -"Did she know where he was?" - -"Apparently. She followed him to Glottenberg. She arrived there -yesterday." - -"Now I see--now I understand! I had to deal with a traitor." - -"You must bestow trust, if you desire not to be deceived, madame. You -dared to use me as a go-between." - -"You had had practice in the trade." - -The princess had a turn for repartee. I could not have set her right -without quite an argument. I evaded the point. - -"And yet Your Royal Highness thought me a clumsy animal!" - -"Oh," she said, with a slight laugh, "it's wounded _amour propre_, is -it? Come, Mr. Jason, I apologize. You are all that is brilliant and -delightful--and English." - -"Your Royal Highness is too good." - -"And now, Mr. Jason, your device being accomplished, I suppose I may -bid you good-night?" - -"I regret, madame, that I must press the prince's request on your -notice." - -She sighed her usual impatient, petulant little sigh. - -"Oh, you are tiresome! Pray go!" - -"I cannot go without you, madame." - -"I am not going--and my establishment does not admit of my entertaining -gentlemen," she said, with smiling effrontery. - -"Your Royal Highness refuses to allow me to attend you to Glottenberg?" - -"I order you to leave this room." - -"Finally refuses?" - -"Go." - -"Then I must add that I am commissioned, if necessary, to convey your -Royal Highness to Glottenberg." - -"To convey me?" - -I bowed. - -"You dare to threaten me?" - -"I follow my instructions. Will you come, madame, or----" - -"Well?" - -"Will you be taken?" - -I was not surprised at her vexation. Dumergue had, in his haste, called -her "a little devil." She looked it then. - -"You mean," she asked slowly, "that you will use force?" - -I bowed. - -"Then I yield," she said, after a pause. - -I called the maid, and told her to order the carriage in five minutes. -The silence was unbroken till it came round. The princess went into her -room, and returned in cloak and hat, carrying a large muff. She was -smiling. - -"Ah, Mr. Jason, what can a woman do, against men? I am ready. We will go -alone. The servants can follow." - -I handed her into the coach, ordering the coachman to drive fast. He was -the only man with us, and we were alone inside. - -I began, perhaps stupidly, to apologize for my peremptory conduct. The -princess smiled amiably. - -"I like a man of resolution," she said, edging, I thought, a trifle -nearer me, her hands nestling in her muff. - -Apparently she was going to try the effect of amiability. I was prepared -for this. She would not tempt me in that way. - -"Your Royal Highness is most forgiving." - -"Oh, that is my way," she answered, with the kindest possible glance, -and she came nearer still. - -"You are a most generous foe." - -She turned to me with a dazzling smile. - -"Don't say _foe_," she said, with a pretty lingering on the last word. -And as she said it, I felt a knife driven hard into my ribs, and the -muff dropped to the ground. - -"God in heaven!" I cried. - -The princess flung herself into the corner of the carriage. - -"Ha--ha--ha! Ha--ha--ha!" she laughed, merrily, musically, fiendishly. - -I tried to clutch her; I believe I should have killed her, I was half -mad. But the blood was oozing fast from the wound--only the knife itself -held my life in. Things danced before my eyes, and my hands fell on my -lap. - -The carriage stopped, the door opened, and the coachman appeared. It was -all like a dream to me. - -"Take his feet," said the princess. The man obeyed, and between them -they lifted, or, rather, hauled and pushed, me out of the carriage, and -laid me by the roadside. I was almost in a faint, and the last thing I -was conscious of was a pretty, mocking mouth, which said: - -"Won't you escort me, Mr. Jason?"--and then added to the coachman, "To -Glottenberg--quick!" - -I did not die. I was picked up by some good folk, and well tended. -Dumergue arrived and looked after me, and in a couple of weeks I was on -my legs. - -"Now for Glottenberg!" said I. - -Dumergue shook his head. - -"You won't be admitted to the town." - -"Not admitted!" - -"No. They have made it up--for the time. There must be no scandal. Come, -Jason; surely you see that?" - -"She tried to murder me." - -"Oh, quite, quite!" said he. "But you can't prosecute her." - -"And I am to be turned adrift by the prince?" - -"What use would it be to return? No doubt you annoyed her very much." - -"I wish you had undertaken the job." - -"I know her. I should have ridden outside." - -"It is, then, the prince's wish that I should not return?" - -"Yes. But he charges me to say that he will never forget your friendly -services." - -I was disgusted. But I would force myself on no man. - -"Then I'll go home." - -"That will be much best," he answered, with revolting alacrity. - -"I say, Dumergue, what does the princess say about me?" - -"She laughs every time your name is mentioned, and----" - -"The devil take her!" - -"She says you may keep the knife!" - -I have it still, a little tortoise-shell-handled thing, with a sharp--a -very sharp--point. On the blade is engraved, in German letters, -"Sophia." It is a pretty toy, and in its delicacy, its tininess, its -elegance, its seeming harmlessness, and its very sharp point, it reminds -me much of Princess Ferdinand of Glottenberg. - - - - -A TRAGEDY IN OUTLINE. - - -I. - - DEAR MR. BROWN: * * * * - Yours sincerely, - M. ROBINSON. - - -II. - - MY DEAR MR. BROWN: * * * * - Always yours very sincerely, - MINNIE ROBINSON. - - -III. - - MY DEAR JACK (!): * * * * - Yours always, - MINNIE ROBINSON. - - -IV. - - MY DEAREST JACK: * * * * - Yours, - MINNIE. - - -V. - - MY DARLING JACK: * * * * - Lovingly, your - MIN. - - -VI. - - MY DEAREST JACK: * * * * - Lovingly, - MINNIE. - - -VII. - - MY DEAR JACK: * * * * - With love, - Yours, - MINNIE. - - -VIII. - - DEAR JACK: * * * * - Ever yours, - MINNIE ROBINSON. - - -IX. - - MY DEAR MR. BROWN: * * * * - Your sincere friend, - MINNIE ROBINSON. - - -X. - - DEAR MR. BROWN: * * * * - Yours sincerely, - M. ROBINSON. - - -XI. - -Silence. - - - - -A MALAPROPOS PARENT. - - -Young Mr. Pippitt had a father somewhere in America. Everyone who knew -young Mr. Pippitt knew that; for he had often spoken of his father, of -the fortune he was making, and of the liberal presents he sent home. -Then came a time when young Mr. Pippitt said less about his father and -less about the presents. Thus it was that people had almost forgotten -the existence of old Mr. Pippitt, when it was recalled to their memories -in a very startling and tragical way. Old Mr. Pippitt had landed in -England and was on his way to London, when he was killed in a great -railway disaster. His name, discovered from a letter in his pocket, was -published; and young Mr. Pippitt flew to the scene. The body was not -mangled or disfigured, and after one moment of extreme agitation the -bereaved son informed the official who had led him to where the dead man -lay that it was indeed his father. His evidence before the coroner put -the matter beyond doubt. Mr. Pippitt buried his father, assumed deep -mourning, and wrote to the company's solicitors. Repugnant as it was to -him to appear to make money out of the unhappy occurrence, the loss of -a rich and liberal parent was a matter which no struggling young man -could, in justice to himself, submit to without compensation. - -Railway companies, having an extensive experience of humanity, are -prone to skepticism; and very many inquiries were made as to the life, -doings, profession, and profits of old Mr. Pippitt, and especially as -to his alleged remittances to his son. That gentleman stood the fire -of questions very successfully; he had letters from his father up to -within six months of the accident, and he proved the receipt of very -considerable yearly sums, in each of the four years during which his -father had been absent. In face of this evidence, the matter in issue -reduced itself to a difference of opinion between the company and -young Mr. Pippitt: first, as to the probability of old Mr. Pippitt -continuing to make money; secondly, as to the probability of his -continuing to share what he made with his son. More concretely still, -the company, without prejudice, offered two thousand pounds, and Mr. -Pippitt, without prejudice, asked seven thousand; whereupon the case -was entered for trial. - -Mr. Naylor, the company's counsel, declared that young Mr. Pippitt was -one of the best witnesses he had ever seen. His demeanor was excellent, -his facts irrefragable, his memory neither unnaturally bad nor -suspiciously good. The last letter he produced from his father inclosed -a draft for three hundred pounds, and announced the writer's return on -a business visit by the next mail but one. By that mail, a gentleman of -the name of Pippitt had crossed the ocean, and had, presumably, taken -the train on landing, and met his death in the accident. Mr. Naylor -felt his case was so bad that he almost charged young Mr. Pippitt with -direct perjury, and twisted up a note to Mr. Budge, who was on the other -side, offering four thousand pounds and costs. Mr. Budge answered that -he must consult his client, and that he would wait till the end of the -plaintiff's evidence. Mr. Naylor nodded, and redoubled his insinuations -of an unscrupulous conspiracy. - -Mr. Budge rose to re-examine with a smile on his face. Mr. Pippitt said -he had no reason to anticipate a falling-off in his father's business; -it was well established: nor in his father's liberality; his father had -always led him to suppose that he would provide for him. Yes, there was -a strong--yes, a very strong, affection between them. Here Mr. Pippitt's -voice faltered; the judge nodded sympathetically; and the foreman of -the jury wrote "£5,000?" on a slip of paper and passed it round the box. - -That artistic falter produced another effect also. The gangways of the -court were crowded with the usual throng of idle folk, assembled to hear -Mr. Naylor's cross-examination; and as the plaintiff bore witness to the -bonds of love which bound him to his father there came from the recesses -of the crowd a voice, which said: - -"That there is! Let me through! Who's saying my boy doesn't love his old -father?" - -The group of people parted; and an elderly man came to the front, -advancing in an uncertain, apologetic manner. - -"Silence! silence!" cried the usher, a world of pained indignation in -his accents. - -"You mustn't disturb the court, sir!" thundered the judge. - -"I came to speak a word for Joe. I was passing, and dropped in, and, -seeing Joe, I made bold to speak. He's been a good son, has Joe." - -The judge looked appealingly at counsel. - -"Who is Joe, and who is this person?" And getting no answer, he turned -to the plaintiff. Young Mr. Pippitt met his eye with an uneasy smile. - -"I haven't the least idea, my lord," he said. - -The judge looked at the writ. - -"Your name is Joseph?" he asked. - -"No, it--yes--that is, certainly, my lord." - -"You don't seem very sure, sir," remarked the judge; and he added, -addressing the intruder, "Who are you, sir?" - -The old man seemed in a nervous and broken-down condition; but he -stammered out, "He's my son, my son, my lord." - -"It's a lie," cried young Mr. Pippitt. - -"Hold your tongue till you're asked to speak," said his lordship -snappishly. "I want to hear what this man has to say." - -The old man had much to say: much of young Mr. Pippitt's virtue, -industry, and much of his own fortunes, misfortunes, and wrongs. He -usurped the functions of both lawyer and witness, and all the court -listened to him. - -"I'm glad to be here, gentlemen," he said--"glad to be here. I thought -I was never going to get out of that cell they put me in, not for long -years. But here I am, Joe, thank God!" - -"Who put you in a cell?" asked the judge. - -"I'm telling you as fast as I can," answered the old man petulantly. -"I'd just written to Joe to send him a bit of money and tell him -to look out for me, when they brought a charge of fraud against -me--against me, a respectable merchant. And I was tried: tried and -found guilty--unjustly, my lord--and sentenced to five years. To think -of it! They didn't know me out in Louisiana; no east-coast jury would -have convicted." - -"Why didn't they know you?" - -"I wasn't going to have my name known. I called myself Brown; and they -convicted me--as I wrote to you, Joe--for five years. But the Governor -did his duty. He was a white man, the Governor. He let me out." - -"Why?" asked the judge curiously. - -"Was a white man to get five years for besting a nigger?" demanded the -old man, with his first approach to vigor. "Not if the Governor knew it! -Oh, he was a white man. So here I am, Joe--here I am, thank God!" - -The judge leaned forward and asked, "Have you any letters from the man -you say is your son?" - -The old man pulled a dirty letter out of his pocket, and handed it up -with a bewildered look. - -Young Mr. Pippitt still looked on with his fixed smile, while the judge -read: - - "DEAR FATHER: - - "It's a bad job that you're nabbed. Five years is no joke. Why were - you such a fool? You were right about the name. Keep it quite dark, - for God's sake! I'll see what I can do. - - "Yours, - "J. P. - - "Received your last all right." - - -"Is that your handwriting?" the judge asked of the plaintiff; but young -Mr. Pippitt swayed to and fro and fell in a faint in the witness-box. -The judge turned to Mr. Budge. - -"Do you desire," he asked, "that this man should be sworn, and repeat -his evidence on oath, so that you may cross-examine him?" - -Mr. Budge looked at his inanimate client, and answered, "I do not, my -lord. I shall probably have your lordship's approval in withdrawing from -the case?" - -While the judge directed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant, -the old man had anxiously watched the usher, who was unloosing young Mr. -Pippitt's neckcloth. When the plaintiff revived, the old man leaned over -to Mr. Budge, and said, with a pleased smile, "Oh, he'll be all right -directly, won't he? I thought I could help a bit. I have helped a bit, -haven't I?" - -"You have helped him to twelve months' hard labor," said Mr. Budge. - -But the old man did not understand what it all meant, till one day they -took him to Kensal Green, and showed him a handsome tombstone. The -inscription ran: - - "IN MEMORY OF JAMES PIPPITT." - -The old man read and laughed. - -"To think of that!" he said. "It beats everything!" - -He read on with a chuckle: - - "Erected by his sorrowing son, Joseph Pippitt. Born 13th December, - 1821. Died 5th February, 1891. 'I shall go to him, but he shall not - return to me.'" - -This prophecy might or might not be true of the person interred beneath -the tombstone. On its unfortunate inapplicability to his father, and on -the tainting of the fountain of Louisiana justice, young Mr. Pippitt -enjoyed twelve months' quiet reflection. - - - - -HOW THEY STOPPED THE "RUN." - - -There was a run on the Sandhill and District Bank. It had lasted the -whole of one day, and had shown no signs of abating in the evening. If -it lasted another day! Old Mr. Bradshaw wiped his brow. It had come -just at the awkwardest time--just after the farmers had got their usual -loans, just when securities were hard to realize; in fact, just at the -moment when the bank, though in reality solvent, was emphatically not in -a position in answer a long-continued demand for payment on the spot. -Mr. Bradshaw groaned out all these distressing facts to his son Dick. -It was, indeed, no use talking to Dick, for he took no interest in -business, and had spent the day in a boat with the Flirtington girls; -still, Mr. Bradshaw was bound to talk to someone. - -"We shall have to put the shutters up. One day's grace would save us, -I believe; we could get the money then. But if they're at us again -to-morrow morning, we can't last two hours." - -Dick sympathized, but had nothing to suggest, except that it would not -make matters worse if he carried out his engagement to go to the circus -with the Flirtington girls. - -"Oh, go to h--ll with the Flirtington girls, if you like," groaned Mr. -Bradshaw. - -So Dick went--to the circus (the other expedition, as he observed, -would keep), and enjoyed the performance very much, especially the -lion-taming, which was magnificent, and so impressed Dick that he -deserted his companions, went behind the scenes, and insisted on -standing Signor Philippini several glasses. - -"Is that big chap quite safe?" he asked admiringly. - -"_I_ can do anythink with 'im," said the signor (whose English was -naturally defective); "but with anyone helse 'e's a roarer, 'e is, and -no mistake." - -After the performance Dick took the Flirtington girls home; then, with a -thoughtful look on his face, he went and had some talk with his father, -and came away, carefully placing a roll of notes in his breast pocket. -Then he sought Signor Philippini's society once more. And that's all -that is really known about it--if, that is, we discard the obviously -fanciful statement of Fanny Flirtington that, as she was gazing at -the moon about 2 A. M., she saw a heavy wagon, drawn by two horses and -driven by Signor Philippini, pass along the street in the direction of -the bank. She must have been wrong; for Philippini, by the evidence of -his signora (whose name, notwithstanding that Philippini's morals were -perfectly correct, was Mrs. Buggins), went to bed at 11.30, and snored -like a pig all night. - -However these things may be, this is what happened next morning. When -the first of the depositors arrived at 7 A. M., they found one of the -windows of the bank smashed to pieces and the shutter hanging loose. A -cry went up that there had been a robbery, and one or two men began to -climb in. They did not get far before a fearful roar proceeded from the -neighborhood of the counter. They looked at one another, and said it -would be more regular to wait for the officials. The roars continued. -They sent for Mr. Bradshaw. Hardly had he arrived (accompanied by Dick, -breathless and in shirt-sleeves) before the backmost rows of the now -considerable crowd became agitated with a new sensation. The news -spread rapidly. Frantic men ran to and fro; several ladies fainted; the -circus-proprietor was sent for. A lion had escaped from the menagerie, -and was supposed to be at large in the town! - -"Send for Philippini!" cried the proprietor. They did so. Philippini -had started early for a picnic in the country, and would not return -till just before the performance in the evening. The proprietor was in -despair. - -"Where's the beast gone to?" he cried. - -A roar from the bank answered his question. - -"Well, I'm blowed if he's not in the bank!" exclaimed the proprietor. - -It certainly appeared to be the fact that Atlas (that was the lion's -name) had taken refuge in the bank, and was in full possession of the -premises and assets. Under these circumstances there was, Mr. Bradshaw -explained, a difficulty in resuming cash payments; but if his checks -would be accepted---- The crowd roared almost as loud as Atlas at such -an idea. Something must be done. They sent for the mayor; he repudiated -liability. They sent for the fire brigade and the lifeboat crew; neither -would come. They got guns, and peppered the furniture. Atlas retired -behind the fireproof safe and roared worse than ever. Meanwhile the -precious hours were passing. Mr. Bradshaw's money was also on its way -from London. At last Dick took a noble resolution. - -"I will go in at any cost," he cried, and, in spite of Fanny -Flirtington's tears, he scaled the window and disappeared from view. The -crowd waited to hear Atlas scrunching; but he only roared. When Dick was -inside, he paused and asked in a low voice: "Is he chained?" - -"Yes," answered Signor Philippini from behind the safe. "Is the Aunt -Sally business over?" and he came out with a long pole in his hand. He -used the pole to stir poor Atlas up when the roars became deficient in -quantity and quality. - -"The money ought to be here in three hours," said Dick. "Have you got -the back-door key?" - -Philippini reassured him. Then Dick took a wild running leap at the -window; Philippini stirred up Atlas, who roared lustily. Dick escaped -with his life, and landed, a breathless heap, at the mayor's feet. The -mayor raised him, and said he should write to Her Majesty, and suggest -that Dick would be a proper recipient of the Albert Medal, and the -vicar (who had no money in the bank) indignantly asked the crowd if they -could not trust a family which produced scions like that. Several people -cried "Hear, hear!" and told Mr. Bradshaw that they never really meant -to withdraw their deposits. Mr. Bradshaw thanked them, and looked at his -watch. - -At half-past three Philippini ran up; he also was breathless, and his -shoes were dusty from walking in the country. At once he effected an -entry, amid a scene of great excitement. A moment later he appeared at -the window and cried in a terror-stricken voice: - -"I can't 'old 'im! I can't 'old 'im! 'E's mad! Look out for yourselves!" -and he leaped from the window. - -The crowd fled in all directions, and two boys were all but run over by -a cart which was being driven rapidly from the railway station to the -bank. - -"All right," said Dick to the signor; "bring up the wagon." And then, -with great difficulty and consummate courage, the signor and Dick -brought an iron cage up to the window, and drove Atlas in. The operation -took more than an hour, because they had to feed Atlas and drink a -bottle of champagne themselves before they set about it. So that it was -six o'clock before Atlas was out, and the money was in, and the Sandhill -and District Bank opened its doors for business. - -"We gained just the time we needed," said Mr. Bradshaw. "It was -dirt-cheap at fifty pounds!" - -And Dick, although he did not get the Albert Medal, was taken into -partnership, and married Fanny Flirtington. It was the only way of -preventing her seeing things she was not meant to see out of the window -at 2 A. M. and chattering about them in public. - - - - -A LITTLE JOKE. - - -A day or two before Easter, I was sitting in my office, finishing up -some scraps of work, and ever and anon casting happy glances at my -portmanteau, which stood in the corner. I was just off to spend a -fortnight with my old friend Colonel Gunton, in Norfolk, and I was -looking forward to seeing him again with great pleasure. We had not met -for ten years, and I had never been to his place or seen any of his -family. It would be delightful. - -The telephone bell rang. - -"Oh, confound it! I hope that's nothing to keep me!" I exclaimed; and I -rose to see to it. - -"Mr. Miller? Are you there?" - -"Yes." - -"All right. I'll come round." - -A few minutes passed, and then my clerk announced, "A lady to see you, -sir." - -A remarkably pretty girl of about eighteen was ushered in. She stood -still some way from me till the door was closed. Then she suddenly -rushed toward me, fell at my feet, and exclaimed, "You will protect me, -won't you?" - -"My dear young lady, what in the world----" - -"You're the famous Mr. Miller, aren't you? Mr. Joseph Miller, the -philanthropist?" - -"My name is Joseph Miller certainly." - -"Ah! Then I am safe;" and she sat down in an armchair, and smiled -confidingly at me. - -"Madam," said I sternly, "will you have the goodness to explain to what -I owe the pleasure of this visit?" - -"They told me to come to you." - -"Who?" - -"Why, the people at the police station." - -"The police station?" - -"Yes, when they let me go--because it was a first offense, you know. -They said you always took up cases like mine, and that if I stuck to you -I should be well looked after." - -It was quite true that I have taken an interest in rescuing young -persons from becoming habitual criminals; but I was hardly prepared for -this. - -"What have you been doing?" - -"Oh, nothing this time--only a bracelet." - -"This time?" - -"They didn't know me up here," she explained smilingly. "I've always -practiced in the country. Wasn't it lucky? But really, Mr. Miller, I'm -tired of it; I am indeed. The life is too exciting: the doctors say so; -so I've come to you." - -The case was a strange one, but I had no time to investigate it now. It -wanted only half an hour to the time my train left Liverpool Street. - -"What is your name?" I asked. - -"Sarah Jones." - -"Well, I will have your case looked into. Come and see me again; or, if -you are in distress, you may write to me--at Colonel Gunton's, Beech -Hill, Norfolk. I shall be staying there----" - -"Going now?" - -"I start in a few minutes." - -"Oh, I'll come with you." - -"Madam," I answered, with emphasis, "I will see you--out of the office -first." - -"But what am I to do? Oh, it's nonsense! I shall come. I shall say I -belong to you." - -I rang the bell. "Show this lady out, Thomas, at once." - -She laughed, bowed, and went. Evidently a most impudent hussy. I -finished my business, drove to Liverpool Street, and established myself -in a first-class smoking carriage. I was alone, and settled myself for -a comfortable cigar. I was rudely interrupted. Just as the train was -starting, the door opened--and that odious young woman jumped in. - -"There! I nearly missed you!" she said. - -"I can hold no communication with you," said I severely; "you are a -disgrace to your--er--sex." - -"It's all right. I've wired to the colonel." - -"You've wired to my friend Colonel Gunton?" - -"Yes, I didn't want to surprise them. I said you would bring a friend -with you. It's all right, Mr. Miller." - -"I don't know who you are or what you are; but the Guntons are -respectable people, and I am a respectable man, and----" - -"That's no reason why you should promenade up and down, Mr. Miller. -It's very uncomfortable for me." - -"What is the meaning of this insolent behavior?" - -"Why not be friendly? We're off now, and I must go on." - -"I shall give you in charge at the next station." - -"What for?" - -On reflection, I supposed she had committed no criminal offense; and -with a dignified air I opened my paper. - -"I don't mind you smoking," she said, and took out a box of chocolates. - -I was at my wits' end. Either this girl was mad or she was a dangerous -and unscrupulous person. She was quite capable of making a most -unpleasant and discreditable commotion on the platform at Beach Hill -Station. What in the world was I to do? - -"Shall we stay long at the Guntons'?" she asked. - -"You, madam, will never go there." - -"Oh, yes, I shall." - -"Indeed you won't. I'll take care of that. The police will see to -that." - -"I don't care a fig for the police. I shall go and stay as long as you -do. They told me to stick to you." - -I became angry. Any man would have. But nothing was to be gained by -losing my temper. I took out a sovereign. - -"If you'll get out at the next station, I'll give you this." - -She laughed merrily. "I thought you went in for personal supervision, -not mere pecuniary doles," she said; "I read that in your speech at the -Charity Organization meeting. No; I'm not to be bribed. I'm going to the -Guntons'." - -"It's absurd. It's preposterous. What will--what will Mrs. Gunton say?" - -"Oh, _she_ won't mind," answered my companion, with a confident nod. -"She's used to girls like me." - -"You surprise me," I retorted sarcastically; but she only laughed again. -I returned to my paper. - -An hour passed in silence. The train began to slacken speed as we neared -the station next before Beech Hill. She looked up and said: - -"Would you really rather I didn't come with you?" - -I had passed a wretched hour. This girl was evidently bent on blasting -my character. - -"Madam," I said, "if you'll get out at this station, I'll give you a -five-pound note." - -"What? I heard you never gave away a farthing! They said no one could -get a penny out of you." - -"It is true that I disapprove of indiscriminate charity; but, under the -circumstances, I----" - -"Think I am a deserving object? Well, I'll take it." - -With a sigh of relief, I took a note from my pocket-book, and gave it -her. - -"I'll pay it back soon," she said. - -"Never let me see your face again." - -"Apologize for me to the Guntons. Good-by." - -She jumped out lightly, and I sank back, murmuring, "Thank Heaven!" - -After I got rid of her my journey was peaceful and happy, and I forgot -my troubles in the warm greeting my old friend Bob Gunton and his wife -gave me. The girl must have lied about the telegram; at least, Bob -made no reference to it. He had a fine family of boys and girls, and -presented them to me with natural pride. - -"That's my lot--except Addie. She's gone to see some friends; but we -expect her back every minute. They keep me alive, I can tell you, -Miller." - -After tea, my host and hostess insisted on taking me for a stroll on the -terrace. It was a beautiful evening, and I did not mind the cold. As we -were talking together, I heard the rumble of wheels. An omnibus stopped -at the gate. - -"Ah, the 'bus," said Gunton; "it runs between here and our market-town." - -I hardly heard him; for, to my horror, I saw, descending from the 'bus -and opening the gate, that girl! - -"Send her away!" I cried; "send her away! On my honor, Bob, as a -gentleman, I know nothing about her." - -"Why, what's the matter?" - -"I solemnly assure Mrs. Gunton and yourself that----" - -"What's the matter with the man? What's he talking about?" - -"Why, Bob, that girl--that barefaced girl!" - -"That girl! Why, that's my daughter Addie!" - -"Your daughter?" - -The little minx walked up to me with a smile, dropped a little courtesy, -and said: "I knew, Mr. Miller, that it wasn't true that you would refuse -to help a really deserving case. The others said you would; but I -thought better of you." - -And she had the effrontery, then and there, to tell her parents all -about it! - -I think parents are the most infatuated class of persons in the -community. They laughed, and Mrs. Gunton said, "How clever of you, -Addie! You must forgive her, Mr. Miller. My dear girls are so playful!" - -_Playful!_ And she never returned the five-pound note! - - - - -A GUARDIAN OF MORALITY. - - -Miss Tabitha Grey had not reached the age of forty-five years without -acquiring an extensive and unfavorable knowledge of her sex. Men were -wicked; Miss Grey admitted and deplored the fact, but it was so much in -the order of nature that she had almost ceased to cavil at it. But that -women should be wicked! Here Miss Grey's toleration gave out. And so -many women, especially young women, and more especially pretty young -women, were wicked. It was atrocious! Entertaining this general opinion, -Miss Grey, as a matter of course, held Maggie Lester in the utmost -detestation. The Waterfall Hotel was, in fact, hardly large enough to -contain, in any comfort, Miss Grey on the one hand and on the other -Maggie Lester, her brother Charles, and their friend and traveling -companion. Captain Petrie. It is true that the feeling of discomfort was -entirely confined to Miss Grey. The young people were very civil to her -when any one of them happened to be next her at _table d'hôte_, and at -other times thought nothing about her; but Miss Grey endured agonies -enough for an hotelful of people. She shuddered at Maggie's striped -waistcoat and white sailor's knot with its golden pin, at her brown -boots, at her love of long and hard rides, at her not infrequent slang; -above all, at the terms of hearty and familiar _camaraderie_ on which -she thought fit to conduct her acquaintance with Captain Petrie. The -decorum of literature forbids that Miss Grey's inmost suspicions should -be put in writing; it must suffice to say that they were very dark -indeed--so dark that all the other ladies, to whom Miss Grey repeated -them, could not but come to the conclusion that there must be some truth -in them. - -One morning, after breakfast, Miss Grey took her knitting and the -_Church Times_ and sat down in the veranda. A moment later, to her -disgust, Charlie Lester and Captain Petrie came out of the breakfast -room, lit their pipes, and, after a polite "Good-morning," took their -seats a few yards from her. Miss Grey sniffed the tobacco-tainted air, -and was about to rise and ostentatiously remove herself from the -infected zone, when she heard a scrap of conversation between the two -young men which entirely altered her determination. She sat still and -listened with all her might. - -"I wonder when Maggie will be down," said Lester; "I want to tell her." - -"Oh, you're too late," said Petrie; "I've told her." - -"What, have you seen her?" - -"Yes. I knew she'd like to know, so I went outside her door five minutes -ago and shouted what we'd heard, and she came out directly." - -"Had she anything on?" inquired Lester, in an interested tone. - -"No," responded Captain Petrie; "but that made no difference." - -"It would to me," said Lester, with a smile. - -"And to me," said the captain; "but it didn't to her. I reminded her of -it, and she said that it made no odds--she wanted to hear all I knew -directly. So we stood in the passage, and----" - -Miss Grey had been gradually becoming more and more horrified. She had -been prepared for a good deal, but this was too much. And the creature's -own brother listened to it! Her knitting fell from her grasp, and the -needles jangled on the tiled floor. The captain hastened to pick them -up, interrupting his narrative for that purpose; but Miss Grey froze him -with an awful look, and strode into the house. - -Miss Grey was a woman who never allowed herself to be turned from -the path of duty, however painful that path might be to others. She -soon made up her mind as to what she must do, and, having come to a -resolution, she laid the whole matter before an informal committee of -three irreproachable and austere matrons, whom she selected from among -her fellow-guests. The immediate result of their conference was, that -when Maggie Lester, looking very fresh and blooming after her morning -gallop, came in to luncheon and took her place at the table, no fewer -than four elderly ladies put down their knives and forks, rose from -their chairs, and solemnly stalked out of the room. - -"Hullo! what's up?" said Charlie Lester. - -But nobody knew what was up; and, to all appearance, Maggie least of -all, for she cheerfully began her lunch, mere remarking to the captain, -as though in continuance of a previous conversation: - -"It wouldn't have been so bad if I'd had anything--even the least little -bit--on, would it?" - -"Ah, you ought to have put your boots on," said the captain, with a -smile. - -A fifth lady, sitting by, overheard these remarks, and when, after -lunch, Miss Grey informed her of the startling occurrence of the -morning, her testimony completed the damning chain of evidence. They -made a joke of it! What could the suggestion of boots--only boots--be, -except a vulgar, shameless jest? The ladies went in a body to the -proprietor, and intimated that either they or the Lester party must -forthwith leave the hotel. The proprietor demanded reasons; cogent, -irrefragable reasons were supplied by Miss Grey and the fifth -lady--reasons clothed, of course, in decorous language, but unmistakably -revealing the infamous conduct of Maggie Lester. - -"I assure you, ladies," exclaimed the proprietor, beads of perspiration -standing on his brow, "it's the first time such a thing has ever -occurred in my house." - -"It must be the last," said Miss Grey firmly. - -"I will act at once," declared the proprietor. "This is a respectable -house, and such proceedings cannot be tolerated. Good gracious! It would -endanger my license!" - -"And your soul," said Miss Grey solemnly. - -"I beg your pardon, miss?" said the proprietor. - -"_And_ your soul," repeated Miss Grey. - -"Oh, yes, to be sure--of course, my soul, miss. As it was, I had a -bother about it last year--my license, I mean, miss. I'll go to Mr. -Lester at once." - -The proprietor was a nervous, bashful man, and when he found himself -standing before the Lesters and Captain Petrie, as they drank their -after-luncheon coffee, he was much embarrassed. At last he managed to -indicate that he wished to speak to Mr. Lester alone. - -"Oh, nonsense!" said Charlie. "Go on. What's the matter?" - -The proprietor nerved himself for the effort. After all, if these people -were not ashamed for themselves, why should he blush for them? Looking -sternly at Charlie, he began to formulate his accusation. He had not -got far before Maggie gave a little shriek of amazement; and the -captain, jumping up, seized him by the collar, and exclaimed: - -"What do you mean, you little rascal? What's this scandalous nonsense -you've got hold of?" and the captain shook his host severely. - -"I am not to be bullied, sir," said the proprietor stoutly. "I have -excellent authority for what I say, and----" - -"Whose authority?" - -The proprietor vouched Miss Grey and the fifth lady. - -"We must look into this," said the captain. - -Maggie, who was blushing severely, but was not without a secret tendency -to convulsive laughter, was prevailed upon to accompany them, and the -four proceeded to the drawing room, where the Inquisition sat enthroned -on the sofa, Miss Grey presiding. Miss Grey rose with a gesture of -horror. - -"Not gone yet?" she exclaimed. - -"No, ma'am," said the captain; "we want to hear your story first." - -"Have you no shame?" demanded Miss Grey of Maggie. - -"Never mind that, ma'am," said the captain; "let's have the story -first." - -Miss Grey cast an appealing glance at the ceiling, and began: "With my -own ears I heard it. Mrs. Britson [Mrs. Britson was the fifth lady] will -confirm what I say. With my own ears I heard Captain Petrie relate to -Mr. Lester--to this person's brother--that he had had an interview with -this person when this person was entirely----" Miss Grey paused for -a moment, gathered her courage, and added in an awestruck whisper, -"disrobed." - -A shudder ran through the audience. The culprits' faces expressed real -or simulated astonishment. - -"If I must put it plainly," pursued Miss Grey--and at this several -ladies opened their fans and held them before their faces--"Captain -Petrie said that Miss Lester--that person--had nothing on, and that when -he reminded her of it she stated that the circumstance was immaterial. -Subsequently, at luncheon, the young woman herself admitted the fact in -the hearing of Mrs. Britson. If that is not enough----" - -It apparently was enough, for Charlie Lester threw himself into an -armchair with a wild shriek of laughter. Maggie's slight figure shook -convulsively as she hid her face in her handkerchief, and Captain -Petrie, after a moment's blank amazement, cried out: - -"By Jove! I've got it. Oh! this beats anything!" And he joined in with a -loud guffaw. - -"Is that the way you treat such a--an abominable----" began Miss Grey -austerely. - -"Oh, stop! for Heaven's sake stop!" exclaimed the captain; "you'll be -the death of me, you really will!" - -Silence followed for a moment, and the captain, conquering his mirth, -went on: "I don't know if any of you ladies go in for horse-racing. -Probably not; I'm sure Miss Grey doesn't. Well, this morning I heard -that a horse of mine which is running in a race to-day had done an -exceptionally and quite unexpectedly good trial--I mean, had proved a -far faster runner than we had supposed. In fact, there was little doubt -that he would win the race. Sometimes, ladies, I am wicked enough to -bet. Occasionally Charlie Lester is equally wicked. Now and then Miss -Lester yields to that vice. Well, as you know, we are far from a -telegraph here; and we were much annoyed, Charlie and I, that we could -not take advantage of our fresh information to bet on the horse--to put -something on, as we say. Miss Lester regretted also, when I told her the -news, that she had nothing on--the horse. Do you begin to understand, -ladies?" - -The ladies glanced at one another in some confusion. Miss Grey looked -angry and suspicious. - -"And the boots?" she said. - -"To put your boots on a horse," explained the captain politely, "is -a slang expression for betting your entire available fortune on his -success. Another expression is to put your shirt----" - -"Sir!" said Miss Grey. - -But Miss Grey's sway was ended. Maggie burst into a fresh fit of -laughter, and, after a moment's pause the whole company followed suit. -Miss Grey turned and left the room. The next day she left the hotel; she -could not face her victorious foes. Captain Petrie insisted on handing -her into the omnibus, saying as he did so, "Be easy, my dear madam. In -future it shall be my care to see that Miss Lester has something on." - - - - -NOT A BAD DEAL. - - -The little volume of verses entitled, "To Lalage," made quite a stir in -the literary world. One critic of note said that it was instinct with -classic grace; another that it was informed by the true spirit of -Hellas; a third that it had a whiff of Hymettus; a fourth that it was -hardly suitable for family reading; and on the strength of all this -laudation, "To Lalage" was a success, and several copies were _bonâ -fide_ sold to complete strangers. Imagine, then, the bitterness of heart -with which Adrian Pottles, the gifted author, saw himself compelled to -maintain strict anonymity, and to conceal from a world thirsting to -know him that he was the "A. P." whose initials appeared in Old English -letters on the title-page. Yet he did not hesitate; for he knew that if -his uncle, Mr. Thomas Pottles, of Clapham Common, discovered that he -wrote not only verses, which was bad, but amatory verses, which was -atrocious, his means of present livelihood and prospects of future -affluence would vanish into thin air. For Mr. Pottles was a man of -strict views; and, whether one regarded this world or the next, there -could be no question that a bank clerk of Evangelical connections -committed a grave fault in writing love poems. So poor Adrian had to -make up his mind to remain unknown, and to hold his tongue even when he -heard that another man had been claiming the authorship of "To Lalage." -Luckily, perhaps, he failed to find out who this miscreant was, or -probably his indignation would have overcome his prudence, and he would -at any cost have claimed his own. - -The secret was well kept; and Adrian received the usual check at -Christmas-time, and with it the usual invitation to spend the festive -season with his uncle, and to bring with him his young friend Peter -Allison, to whom old Mr. Pottles had taken a great fancy. Peter was -a man of many engagements, but, sought after as he was and proclaimed -himself to be, he remembered the good cheer at Mr. Pottles', and -accepted the invitation. They went down together; Adrian bewailing his -hard fortune and denouncing the impostor; Peter warmly sympathizing, -but counseling continued silence and prudence. - -"Ah, if I could only claim it!" cried Adrian, opening his Gladstone bag -and gazing fondly at half a dozen neat, clean copies of "To Lalage." "I -should be the lion of the season, Peter." - -Peter smiled and shook his head. "A fortune is better than fame, -Adrian," said he. - -For a day or two all went well at Clapham. The old gentleman was in the -best of tempers, and the two young men did their best to keep him in it, -indorsing all his views as to the lax morality and disgraceful tone -which pervaded modern literature and modern society; and when they had -done their duty in this way they rewarded themselves by going in next -door and having tea with Dora Chatterton, a young lady whom they both -thought charming. Indeed, Adrian thought her so charming that, after a -short acquaintance, he sent her a copy of "To Lalage"--with the author's -kind regards. Now, Miss Dora Chatterton adored genius. She had thought -both Adrian and Peter very pleasant young men; she had perceived that -they both thought her a very pleasant young woman; and she had been -rather puzzled to know which of them she would, in a certain event, make -up her mind to prefer. "To Lalage" settled the question. It was the -gifted author, A. P., who deserved her love; and A. P. obviously stood, -not for Peter Allison, but for Adrian Pottles. - -The very next morning she called early at Mr. Pottles'. She found -him alone; the boys, he explained, had gone for a walk. Dora was -disappointed; but, failing the author himself, she was content to pour -her praises into the ears of an appreciative and proud uncle. She did -so, expressing immense admiration for Adrian's modesty in not having -told Mr. Pottles of his achievement. - -"Humph!" said Mr. Pottles. "Let me see these--er--things." - -The effect of "To Lalage" on Mr. Pottles was surprising, and -particularly so to Dora. In less than ten minutes she found herself -being shown the door, and intrusted with a letter to her mother in which -Mr. Pottles stated that she had been reading wicked books, and ought, in -his opinion, to be sent to her own room for an indefinite period. - -"And I shall know if you don't give it her," said Mr. Pottles -viciously. - -Thus it happened that Adrian and Peter, as they were returning, met -poor Dora on the steps with this horrid note in one hand and her -pocket-handkerchief in the other--for Mrs. Chatterton shared Mr. -Pottles' views, and Dora did not enjoy having to deliver the note. -They were just hastening up to speak to her, when Mr. Pottles himself -appeared on the steps, holding out "To Lalage" in his hand. Adrian -grasped the situation. - -"For Heaven's sake, Peter," he whispered, "say you wrote the beastly -thing; I'm ruined if you don't." - -"Eh? But he'll kick me out." - -"I'll stand a pony." - -"_Two_," said Peter firmly. - -"Well, two; but be quick." - -Then Peter spoke up like a man, and accepted the blame of "To Lalage." - -"But your initials aren't A. P.," objected Mr. Pottles. - -"To avoid suspicion, I reversed the order; mine are P. A." - -"James," said Mr. Pottles to the footman, "pack Mr. Allison's bag." - -But Dora gave Peter the kindest and most admiring glance as she murmured -softly to Adrian, "They're lovely! Oh, don't you wish you could write -verses, Mr. Pottles?" - -Adrian started. He had not bargained for this; but Peter had overheard, -and interposed: - -"I am more than consoled by your approval, Miss Chatterton." - -Mr. Pottles called to Adrian, and he had to go in, leaving Dora and -Peter in close conversation, and to assure his uncle solemnly that he -had been entirely disappointed and deceived in Peter, and, worse still, -in Dora, and that he never wished to see either of them again. Mr. -Pottles shook him by the hand and forgave him. - -Adrian passed a wretched week. In several newspapers he saw it openly -stated that Peter now admitted he was the author of "To Lalage." Peter -wrote that the fifty pounds were most convenient, and that he had had -a most charming letter from Dora, and that all the literary world was -paying him most flattering attentions. Adrian ground his teeth, but he -had to write back, thanking Peter for all his kindness. - -Meanwhile Mr. Pottles grew restless. Every paper he took up was full of -the praises of "To Lalage." The author was becoming famous, and Mr. -Pottles began to doubt whether he had done well to drive him forth with -contumely. - -"Adrian," he said suddenly one morning, "I don't know that I did justice -to young Allison. I shall have another look at that book. I shall order -it at Smith's." - -"I--I happen to have a copy," said Adrian timidly. - -"Get it," said Mr. Pottles. Mr. Pottles read it--first with a deep -frown, then with a judicial air, then with a smile, lastly with a -chuckle. - -"Ask him to dinner," he said. "Oh, and, Adrian, we'll have the -Chattertons. I wish you could do something to get your name up, my boy." - -"You like it, uncle?" - -"Yes, and I like the manly way he owned to it. If he had prevaricated -about it, I'd never have forgiven him." - -After this Adrian did not dare to confess. It was too bad. Here were -both his uncle and Dora admiring Peter for his poems, and crediting -Peter with candor and courage. He was to lose both fame and Dora! It was -certainly too much. A sudden thought struck him. He went to town, called -on Peter, and, as the police reports say, "made a communication" to him. - -"It makes me look a scoundrel," objected Peter. - -"Two hundred--at six months," suggested Adrian. - -"And she is a nice girl---- No, I'm dashed----" - -"A monkey at three!" cried Adrian. - -"Done!" said Peter. - -It was a sad tale of depravity on one side, and of self-sacrificing -friendship on the other, that Mr. Pottles and Dora Chatterton listened -to that evening. - -"He had made," said Adrian sadly, "a deliberate attempt to rob -me of my fame before, and he repeated it. And yet, uncle, an old -friend--boyhood's companion--how could I betray him? It was weak, but -I could not. I stood by, and let him deceive you." - -"You're a noble fellow," said Mr. Pottles, in tones of emotion. - -"Indeed, yes," said Dora, with an adoring glance. - -"There, let us say no more about it," pursued Adrian magnanimously. "I -have my reward," and he returned Dora's glance behind Mr. Pottles' broad -back. - -The next time he met Peter, he said, "I am really immensely indebted to -you, old fellow. My uncle has come down handsome, and if the monkey now -would be conv----" - -"By Gad, yes!" said Peter. He took it in crisp notes, and carefully -pocketed them. - -"And is Miss Dora kind?" he asked. - -"She's an angel." - -"And you are generally prosperous?" - -"Thanks to you, my dear old friend." - -"Then," said Peter, producing a piece of paper from his pocket, "you -might persuade your publishers to withdraw this beastly thing." It was a -writ, and it claimed an injunction to restrain Peter from claiming the -authorship of "To Lalage." - -"Then you've been publicly claiming it?" - -"I had to keep up the illusion, Adrian. Do me justice." - -"But," said Adrian, "how, Peter--how does it happen that the writ is -dated the day _before_ we went to Clapham?" - -He paused. Peter grinned uneasily. A light broke in on Adrian. - -"Why," he exclaimed, "you're the villain who----" - -"Exactly. Wonderfully provident of me, wasn't it? What, you're not -going?" - -"Never let me see your face again," said Adrian. "I have done with you." - -He rushed out. Peter whistled gently, and said to himself, "Not a bad -deal! He must stop the action, or the old man will twig." - -Then he whistled again, and added, "Glad I got it in notes. He'd have -stopped a check." - -A third time he whistled, and chuckled and said, "Now, I wonder if old -Adrian'll make five hundred and fifty out of it! Not a bad deal, Peter, -my boy!" - - - - -MIDDLETON'S MODEL. - - -Middleton was doing very well; everybody admitted that--some -patronizingly, others enviously. And yet Middleton aimed high. He -eschewed pot-boilers, and devoted himself to important subject pictures, -often of an allegorical description. Nevertheless, his works sold, and -that so well that Middleton thought himself justified in taking a wife. -Here, again, good fortune attended him. Miss Angela Dove was fair to -see, possessed of a nice little income, and, finally, a lady of taste, -for she accepted Middleton's addresses. Decidedly a lucky fellow all -round was Middleton. But, in spite of all his luck, his face was clouded -with care as he sat in his studio one summer evening. Three months -before he had been the recipient of a most flattering commission from -that wealthy and esteemed connoisseur the Earl of Moneyton. The earl -desired two panels for his hall. "I want," he wrote, "two full-length -female figures--the one representing Heavenly Love, the other Earthly -Love. Not a very new subject, you will say; but I have a fancy for it, -and I can rely on your talent to impart freshness even to a well-worn -theme." - -Of course there was no difficulty about Heavenly Love. Angela filled the -bill (the expression was Middleton's own) to a nicety. Her pretty golden -hair, her sweet smile, her candid blue eyes, were exactly what was -wanted. Middleton clapped on a pair of wings, and felt that he had done -his duty. But when he came to Earthly Love the path was not so smooth. -The earl demanded the acme of physical beauty, and that was rather hard -to find. Middleton tried all the models in vain; he frequented the -theaters and music-halls to no purpose; he tried to combine all the -beauties of his acquaintance in one harmonious whole, but they did not -make what tea-dealers call a "nice blend." Then he tried to evolve -Earthly Love out of his own consciousness, but he could get nothing -there but Angela again; and although he did violence to his feelings by -giving her black hair and an evil cast in her eye, he knew that, even -thus transformed, she would not satisfy the earl. Middleton was in -despair; his reputation was at stake. The thought of Angela could not -console him. - -"I'd give my soul for a model!" cried he, flinging aside his pencil in -despair. - -At this moment he heard a knock at the door. He existed on the charwoman -system, and after six o'clock in the evening had to open his own door. A -lady stood outside, and a neat brougham was vanishing round the corner. -Even in the darkness Middleton was struck by the grace and dignity of -his visitor's figure. - -"Mr. Middleton's, is it not?" she asked, in a very sweet voice. - -Middleton bowed. It was late for a call, but if the lady ignored that -fact, he could not remind her of it. Fortunately there was no chance of -Angela coming at such an hour. He led the way to his studio. - -"May I ask," he began, "to what I am indebted for this honor?" - -"I see you like coming to business directly," she answered, her neatly -gloved hands busy unpinning her veil. She seemed to find the task a -little difficult. - -"You see, it's rather late," said Middleton. - -"Not at all. I am only just up. Well, then, to business. I hear you want -a model for an Earthly Love." - -"Exactly. May I ask if you----" - -"If I am a model? Oh, now and then--not habitually." - -"You know my requirements are somewhat hard to fulfill?" - -"I can fulfill them," and she raised her veil. She certainly could. She -realized his wildest dreams--the wildest dream of poets and painters -since the world began. Middleton stood half-stupefied before her. - -"Well, shall I do?" she asked, turning her smile on him. - -Middleton felt as if it were a battery of guns, as he answered that he -would be the happiest painter in the world if she would honor him. - -"Head only, of course," she continued. - -"Of course," said he hastily; "unless, that is, you will give me hands -and arms too." - -"I think not. My hands are not so good." And she glanced at her kid -gauntlets with a smile. - -"And--er--as to terms?" he stammered. - -"Oh, the usual terms," she answered briskly. - -Middleton hinted at pre-payment. - -"I'm not allowed to take that," she said. "Come, I will ask for what I -want when the time comes. You won't refuse me?" - -"It's a little vague," he said, with an uneasy laugh. - -"Oh, I can go away." And she turned toward the door. - -"Whatever you like," he cried hastily. - -"Ah, that's better. I shall not take anything of great value." - -She gave him her hand. He ventured on a slight pressure. The lady did -not seem to notice it, and her hand lay quite motionless in his. - -"To-morrow, then?" he said. - -"Yes. I won't trouble you to call a cab. I shall walk." - -"Have you far to go?" - -"Oh, some little way; but it's an easy road." - -"Can't I escort you?" - -"Not to-night. Some day, I hope"--and she stepped into the street and -disappeared round the corner. - -Punctually the next day she reappeared. Apart from her incomparable -beauty--and every time she came, Middleton was more convinced that it -was incomparable--she was a charming companion. She was very well read, -and her knowledge of the world was wonderful. - -"I wish it wasn't rude to ask your age!" he exclaimed one day. - -"Ah, I am older than I look. My work keeps me young." - -"Are you very busy, then?" - -"I am always busy. But I don't grudge the time I give to you. No, don't -thank me. I am to be paid, you know." And she laughed merrily. If there -were a flaw in her, it was her laugh. Middleton thought it rather a -cruel laugh. - -"Do you know," he resumed, "you have never told me your name yet." - -"I am here _incognita_." - -"You will tell me some day?" - -"Yes, you shall know some day." - -"Before we part forever?" - -"Perhaps we shall not part--forever." - -Middleton said he hoped not; but what would Angela say? - -"My name is not so pretty a one as your _fiancée's_," the lady -continued. - -"How do you know I am engaged?" - -"I always know that sort of thing. It's so useful. Angela Dove, isn't -it?" - -"Yes; I hope you like it?" - -"To be candid, not very much. It happens to have unpleasant -associations." - -It was fortunate that Angela was staying out of town. Middleton felt -that the two ladies would not have got on well together; and---- He -checked himself in shame; for his thought had been that not even for -Angela could he send the stranger away. Middleton struggled against the -treacherous passion that grew upon him; but he struggled in vain. He was -guilty of postponing the finishing of his panel as long as he could. At -last the lady grew impatient. - -"I shall not come after to-day," she announced. "You can finish it -to-day." - -"Oh, hardly!" he protested. - -"I'll stay late; but I can't come again." - -Middleton worked hard, and by evening the panel was finished. - -"A thousand thanks," he said. "And now you'll have something to eat, -won't you?" - -She agreed, and they sat down to a merry meal. The lady surpassed -herself in brilliancy, and her mad gayety infected Middleton. Forgetful -of his honor and allegiance, he leaned over to toast his guest, with a -passionate gaze in his eyes. Insensibly the evening sped away; suddenly -the clock struck twelve. - -"I am going now," she said. - -"Ah, you won't leave me!" cried Middleton. - -"For the moment." - -"But when shall I see you again?" - -"As soon as you like, but not later than you must." - -"You are charmingly mysterious. Tell me where you are going?" - -"To my home." - -"If you won't come to me, I shall come to you," he insisted. - -"Yes, you will come to me," she answered, smiling. - -"And we shall be together?" - -"Yes." - -"As long as ever I like?" - -"Yes--longer." - -"Impossible! Eternity would not be too long." - -"_Nous verrons_," said she, with a laugh. - -"At least you will write? You'll send me your picture?" - -"I never write, and you have my picture." - -"And another in my heart," he cried hotly. - -"I have tried to put it there." - -"But give me some token--anything--a ribbon--a glove--anything." - -"Well, let it be a glove. As I go I will give you a glove." - -She rose from her chair and rested her right hand on the table. - -"Till we meet again!" she said. - -"I am yours for ever!" he cried, seizing her hand. - -"True! true!" she answered triumphantly. "You are mine forever!" and -with a sudden movement she drew her arm away from him and left on the -table--her glove, was it, or her hand? It seemed her very hand! and as -Middleton looked up he had a vision of a blood-red claw shaken in his -face, and devilish laughter rattled in his ears. The lady was gone, and -Middleton fell full length on his studio floor. - -Middleton is a very devoted husband to Angela Dove. When he is well and -cheerful, he blames himself for having made love to a model, and laughs -at himself for having been fool enough to fancy--well, all sorts of -rubbish. But when he is out of sorts he does not like to be complimented -on his figure of Earthly Love, and he gives a shudder if he happens to -come across an article which lies hidden in his cupboard--a perfect -model of the human hand covered with black kid; the model is hollow, and -there is a curious black mark inside it. - -And the earl? The earl was delighted with the panel. - -"Was she a professional model?" he asked. - -"She made it a matter of business with me," said Middleton uneasily. It -was one of his bad days. - -"I must know that girl," continued the earl, with a cunning look in his -eye. - -"I expect you will some day." - -"What's her name?" - -"I don't know. She didn't tell me." - -"Didn't she sign anything when you paid her?" - -"I haven't paid her yet." - -"But you're going to?" - -"I--I suppose so," answered Middleton. - -"Well, you'll find out who she is then. And, I say, Middleton, just let -me know." - -"I will if I can--unless you've found it out before." - -The earl took up his hat with a sigh. - -"A glorious creature!" he said. "I hope I shall see her sometime." - -"I think it's very likely, my lord," said Middleton. - -"Have you any notion where she comes from?" - -Middleton compromised. He said he understood that the lady was from -Monte Carlo. - - - - -MY ASTRAL BODY. - - -"There's no doubt at all about it," said the rajah, relighting his -cigar. - -"It's perfectly easy, if you know how to do it. The skepticism of the -West is nothing less than disgusting." - -The rajah had come to Oxford to complete his education and endue himself -with the culture of Europe; and he sat in my rooms, in a frock-coat -of perfect cut (he always wore a frock-coat), smoking one of my weeds -and drinking a whisky-and-soda. The rajah took to European culture -with avidity, and I have very little doubt that he learned many new -things with which it might or might not be expedient to acquaint his -fellow-countrymen and subjects when he returned to India. But all the -intellectual interests of Oxford were not strong enough to wean him from -his love for the ancient lore of his own country, and he was always -ready to expound the hidden wisdom of the East to any inquiring spirit. -As soon as I found this out, I cultivated his acquaintance sedulously; -for, in common with all intelligent men of the present day, I took -a keen interest in that strange learning which seemed to give its -possessors such extraordinary powers. - -"Can you do it?" I asked. - -"I should hope so," said the rajah contemptuously. "If I couldn't do -that, I'd turn Mahommedan." - -"I wish you'd teach me." - -The rajah took in a deep puff of smoke. "You're sure you could manage -it?" he asked. - -"I beg your pardon?" - -"Well, of course, like anything else, an astral body must be treated -with tact, or it gets out of hand." - -"Does it?" - -"Why, yes; you must be firm and yet kind. Don't let it take liberties, -or you don't know where it will land you. I rather doubt if I ought to -show you." - -I implored him to do so. I was young, rash, self-confident, and I -thought I could manage an astral body as easily as I did the dean. - -"Don't blame me if you find it too much for you, that's all," said the -rajah. "And of course you must promise not to tell anyone." - -"Oh, must I?" - -"Yes, you must; because it's quite irregular in me to show you like -this. You ought, by rights, you know, to go to Thibet for seven years." - -"That would be rather a bore." - -"Beastly," said the rajah; "but of course they insist on it, because -they get the fees." - -He swore me to secrecy by all manner of oaths, and lastly on my word as -a gentleman; and then he showed me. I practiced all that evening, and -was tolerably proficient by the time the rajah knocked out his last pipe -and went off to bed. I must not tell how it is done, as I promised not -to; besides, if anyone reads this narrative through, he will never want -to know. - -At first it was very convenient. I always used to project it to chapel -instead of going myself. It did capitally there, because it had only to -behave itself and hold its tongue. At lectures it was a failure; it was -such an inattentive beggar that its notes were worth nothing. And it was -no sort of use in the Torpid; I was told that I should be turned out if -I went on "sugaring" like that--there's no pluck or endurance in these -Orientals. On the whole, however, I was very well satisfied with it, -and came to rely upon it more and more for all the unpleasant duties of -life. - -"Well, how do you like it?" asked the rajah one day in Quad. - -"My dear fellow, it's splendid," I answered. "It's up in town, being -measured for trousers, now. You can't think how much trouble it saves." - -The rajah smiled and shook his head. - -"Be moderate," he said. "You mustn't use it too much, or it'll presume -on it." - -"Will it? What will it do?" - -"Why, if it's always being projected, it's as likely as not it'll learn -the trick of it, and take to projecting itself. Then you'll be left in -the lurch." - -"What shall I do then?" - -"I don't see what you can do," said the rajah, scratching his head. "Of -course, I should merely report it at headquarters; but you can't, -because you've no business with it at all." - -"Well, I shan't grudge it a holiday now and then," I said magnanimously. - -The rajah was right. It did begin to take French leave. Several times -when I wanted it I found it had, without a word of apology, projected -itself off to Iffley or somewhere, and was not available. I spoke very -severely to it. It said nothing, but listened with an unpleasant sort -of smile. "We all have our duties," I remarked, "and yours is to be -here"--and I pointed to my chest--"when you are wanted. You're as bad as -a scout." - -"I ought to have a little relaxation," it answered sulkily. - -"I never heard of such a thing in connection with you. Isn't it enough -for you to meditate in four dimensions when you're not at work? That -would satisfy most people." - -"It's all very well in Thibet," it grumbled; "but a fellow doesn't come -to Oxford to do that." - -"One would think you had nothing to do with me. You seem to forget that -you are simply a projection of mine." - -We had some high words and parted--I mean, united--in very bad temper -with one another. It was in the middle of a most impertinent and -positively threatening speech, when I terminated the interview by -resuming it. It was very unreasonable and irritating, and I made up -my mind to ask the rajah to speak to it the next morning. I had an -engagement that evening, or I would have done it then. How I wish I had! - -At half-past nine I went to an "At Home" at Professor Drayton's. As a -rule, "At Homes" are dull; but I had a reason for going to this one. The -professor had a very pretty daughter, and I was vain enough to think -that my presence was welcome to her. In fact, we were great friends, -and I had not been at the house a quarter of an hour before I had -forgotten all my worries with my unruly Astral Body, and was sitting -by Bessie in the small drawing room, enjoying myself immensely. -Suddenly--mysteriously--I felt something like a violent push. Bessie -vanished; the drawing room vanished; and I found myself in the High, -standing in dripping rain, without a hat or coat. I stood still in -bewilderment. What had happened? A moment later the proctor was upon -me. I gave my name and college in a mechanical way, and he passed on, -leaving me still standing in the rain. What had happened? Then it -flashed across my mind. I understood its threats. It had projected me! - -I woke up next morning, determined to have it out with it. I found, as -I expected, that it had waited till I was asleep; then it slunk in and -united without my knowing it. I went and paid my fine, and then, not -waiting to breakfast, I proceeded to project it. It wouldn't move! I -tried again and again. I had no more power over it than a child. I knew -it was there; but I could not move it an inch. In wrath, I jumped up, -seized my cap, and started for the rajah's rooms. The rogue saw what -I was up to. I give you my word, I had not reached the door when it -projected me most viciously, and I landed down in the Parks. - -I was not to be beaten. I came back to college at a run, and made -straight for the rajah's rooms. It was on the lookout for me. As I -ran by my oak, which I had to pass, it rushed out on me, united, and -projected me back again to Magdalen Bridge. This happened three times. -Then I sat down in the Parks, just where I dropped, and acknowledged to -myself that I was in a pretty fix. - -I had a fearful week of it. Of course, wherever I was, it could unite -at once by just thinking of me; and, directly it had united, it used, -I believe out of pure malice, to project me somewhere where I did not -want to go. It was lucky for me that it was new to the business; its -powers were as yet very undeveloped, and, consequently, it did not -carry very far. If it could, I am sure it would have sent me to the -Antipodes; but as it was, I never went further than the University -boat-house--a pretty tidy step on a bad morning. Still, it was -improving; and I felt that I must act at once if I did not want to be -a permanent wanderer on the face of the earth. - -My only chance was to engross its attention in some way, so that it -would forget me for a little while, and leave me free to speak to the -rajah. I pinned all my hopes on the rajah. Well, one morning, about a -week after it first projected me, I went for a walk in Christchurch -Meadow. We were united, and it had actually left me in peace ever since -breakfast. I hoped its better feelings were beginning to get the mastery -of it, and, in order to see, I tried to project it. No, it wouldn't -move! The creature was still recalcitrant. - -Suddenly I saw Bessie Drayton just in front of me. In delight at seeing -her, I forgot about it, and, quickening my pace, overtook her, and -lifted my hat. She smiled divinely, saying, "Why, Mr. Nares, I just -going to write----" At that moment, when I was listening to her sweet -voice, it projected me! Could ill-nature go further? But, luckily, its -mind was not really concentrated on what it was doing. I believe it was -thinking of Bessie, and consequently it only carried about a hundred -yards. I landed behind one of the big elms, where I lay _perdu_ till it -had gone by. It and Bessie passed me together, and it was grinning from -ear to ear, and looked as pleased as Punch. And poor Bessie, who thought -she was talking to me, was being most charming to it. - -I did not waste time in swearing. I ran like the wind back to college, -hoping that Bessie's society would prevent it coming after me till I -had spoken to the rajah. I still retained one pull over it. In order -to unite, it had to come where I was; it could not resume me from a -distance, as I used to resume it; so if it united now it would have to -leave Bessie. - -By a blessed chance, the rajah was at home, and in trembling haste I -poured my story into his ear. He burst out laughing. - -"I was afraid of it!" he gasped, holding his sides. "How splendid!" - -I restrained my annoyance, and after a time he became a little more -grave. - -"Do help me!" I urged. "It may unite at any moment, and project me the -deuce knows where." - -"Oh, it'll be all right with the young lady." - -"Not for long. She's very particular, and won't let it walk far with -her." - -"Oh, then we must act. You don't feel it yet?" - -"No; but do be quick!" - -The rajah sported his oak, took off his coat, lay down on the floor, and -went into strong convulsions. - -I regretted putting him to so much trouble, but my need was urgent, and -I knew that he was a good-natured man. Presently he cried (and I was -just getting alarmed about him): - -"Are you there, Nani-Tal?" - -"Certainly," said an old white-haired gentleman, dressed in a sheet, who -sat in the rajah's armchair. - -"That's all right," said the rajah, getting up and putting on his coat. -"You were very difficult." - -"We're so busy just now," said Nani-Tal apologetically. "I'm -demonstrating three nights a week, and the preparations take all my -time." - -"Well, you can't have a boom for nothing," said the rajah, smiling. - -"I don't complain," said Nani-Tal; "I only mentioned it to excuse myself -for keeping you waiting. I was in New York when you began materializing. -It's a lively city." - -"You must tell him all about it," said the rajah to me; "he won't be -very hard on us." - -Nani-Tal was, however, rather severe. He said it was too bad of the -rajah. How were they to live, if that sort of thing went on? Then he -turned to me, and added, "Of course you couldn't manage it. If you'd -gone through the course, you would have been all right. But there, it's -everything for nothing nowadays!" - -"My friend couldn't go to Thibet." - -"He might have paid the fees anyhow," grumbled Nani-Tal, "and taken -correspondence lessons." - -We smoothed him down with the promise of a handsome donation, and at -last he consented to help us. It was only just in time, for at that very -moment I felt my Astral Body uniting. A second later it made a violent -effort to project me; of course, it saw Nani-Tal, and knew it was in for -it. The old gentleman was too quick for it. - -"Come out of that!" he cried imperiously, and the wretch stood in the -middle of the room. - -It did my heart good to hear Nani-Tal fall on the creature. After giving -it no end of a lecture, he concluded, "And now, young man, you'll just -go back to your jackal for a thousand years, and learn better manners." - -The wretch protested; it asked for an elephant or even a tiger. Nani-Tal -was obdurate. - -"A jackal will just suit you," he said. "Be off!" The creature vanished. -Simultaneously Nani-Tal began to disintegrate. - -"Wait a bit!" cried the rajah. - -"I can't. I'm summoned to St. James' Hall. There's a large audience, and -the professor has been in convulsions seven minutes." - -I tried to grasp his hand in thanks. "If you want another," he said, -"you must go through the course--the full course. There's no other -way. Let this be a lesson to you." And with this parting remark he -disintegrated. - -The rajah lit a cigar, and I, lighter at heart than I had been for many -days, followed his example. - -"It was wrong of me," said the rajah; "I won't do it again." - -"It's a pity it turned out so badly," I remarked; "it was quite a -comfort at first." - -"They're all like that, unless you keep a tight hand on them. Shall you -take the course?" - -"Not I. I've had enough of it." - -"Perhaps you're right. Excuse me; I have to go to the Deccan on -business." - -He fell back on the sofa, apparently in a trance, and I went off to the -dean's lecture. It makes all the difference whether you know how to do a -thing or not. - - - - -THE NEBRASKA LOADSTONE. - - -If there was one man in college whom the rajah thoroughly and heartily -detested, it was the captain of the boat club. He had many faults; he -was very tall and powerful, and delighted in contrasting the English -physique with that of inferior races; by which he meant, among others, -the rajah's race. His manner was abrupt and overbearing, his laugh -loud and unmusical. In fact, he grated horribly on the rajah; and -it was merely the final straw when, in the exhilaration of a bump -supper,--full, as the rajah remarked in disgust, of cow and strong -drink,--he called that prince, in playful chaff, a "nigger." The rajah -swore melodiously in Hindustani, and I saw that he meant to be revenged. - -In those days the entertainment of the Nebraska Loadstone created a -_furore_. Everybody went to see her, and everybody came away convinced -that she possessed marvelous powers. Her peculiar gift--but everybody -remembers the details of the performance, and how the tricks were -finally, one by one, exposed, so that her adherents and believers were -driven from one position to another, until at last they had to fall back -on one single performance out of all those that the Loadstone gave, -and maintain that on that occasion at least something unexplained -and inexplicable did really happen. It is with the events of that -particular evening that I am concerned. I think I can throw some light -on them. - -At first, however, there were many believers and few skeptics. The dean -carefully pointed out that Plato nowhere denied the existence of odic -force; and the bursar, who was generally supposed to be little better -than an atheist, declared that Spencer in one passage impliedly asserted -it; even the warden, in his sermon, told us that it was better, -according to Bacon, to believe two errors than refuse one truth--which -was, to say the least of it, sitting on the fence. But none of these -authorities shook the robust skepticism of the captain of the boat club. -He knew a conjurer, and the conjurer had told him how it was done, and -he was going to expose the Loadstone. - -"But why haven't you?" I urged. "She's been here a week." - -"He will not be too hard on her at first," said the rajah, with a little -sneer. - -"I'll bust her up this very night," said Waterer. "I would have done it -before, only I was gated." - -The excuse was good, and Waterer departed, full of boastings and -self-confidence, to gather together a large number of the noisy men, and -make a pleasant party to "guy" the unhappy Loadstone. I stayed to smoke -a pipe with the rajah. - -"Of course she's a fraud," said he; "and I believe that animal really -has got hold of the right explanation." - -"I shall go and see it," I announced. - -After a moment's silent smoking, the rajah looked up with a twinkle in -his eye. "So shall I--if niggers are admitted." - -After hall, he and I set out together for the town hall. We found the -first two rows of stalls occupied by Waterer and his friends. They were -all in evening dress, and had obviously dined--not in hall. The rajah -and I seated ourselves just behind them. The room was full, and the -feats were being most successful; each was followed by general applause, -broken only by some gibes from our friends in front. These latter grew -so pronounced that the Loadstone's manager at last came forward and -pointedly invited one of the scoffers to submit himself to experiment. - -Now was Waterer's chance. He rose in the majesty of his bulk, walked on -to the platform, and said in a loud voice, as he settled himself on a -chair, "If the lady can move me one foot from this chair, I'll give her -a pony!" - -The Loadstone advanced and began to paw him about in her usual fashion. -Waterer, who was sober enough to have lost nothing but his shyness, was -apparently too many for her. He was immovable; and cries of, "Now then! -when are you going to begin?" and so on, became audible. Two or three -minutes passed, and the Loadstone turned with a gesture of despair -toward her manager. - -"I can't----" she began. - -I jumped to my feet, crying, "Wait a minute! Look!" - -For even as she spoke, there was what is scientifically called a -solution of continuity between Waterer and his chair. Still in a -sitting posture, but sitting on nothing, he was at least two inches from -the wicker-work of the chair. I glanced from him to the rajah. That -extraordinary man was in deep, placid, profound slumber. I jogged his -elbow and pinched his arm; he showed no consciousness whatever. I looked -at the Loadstone. She was standing motionless on the stage about a yard -from Waterer, with one hand outstretched toward him, and her eyes fixed -on his ascending figure; for Waterer was gradually, slowly, steadily -mounting in his strange journey. He was now a foot from his chair, still -in a sitting position--and up, up, up he was going. The wretch was -white as a sheet, and gasping with fright and bewilderment. Thunders of -applause burst from the audience. It was again and again renewed; but -the Loadstone did not, as her custom was, bow and smile in response. She -still stood motionless, and Waterer still ascended. - -At last, at a height of fully twenty feet from the stage, he stopped. -Simultaneously the Loadstone gave a loud shriek as she fell back into -the arms of the manager--and the rajah awoke. - -"I beg your pardon," he said politely; "I was drowsy. Anything going -on?" - -"No; he's stopped now," I answered, my eyes eagerly fixed on Waterer. - -The rajah rose from his seat with a yawn. "There'll be nothing more -to-night," he said. "Let's go home." - -"Go home, man!--with that before our eyes!" - -The rajah shrugged his shoulders. - -"She won't do anything more," he repeated. "Look at her; she's quite -done up." - -And, indeed, the Loadstone looked half dead as she gazed fearfully up at -Waterer. Her demeanor was not that of a triumphant performer. - -"Do sit down," I urged; "we must see the end of it." - -With a weary sigh, the rajah sat down, saying, "I'm not sure you will, -you know." - -While we talked, the audience grew impatient. However wonderful a feat -may be, the public likes to have things kept moving. They thought -Waterer had been in the air long enough, and there were cries of -"That'll do! Let him down!" "Give us another." - -The manager held a hasty conference with the Loadstone: he seemed to -urge her; but she shook her head again and again, and would do nothing -but lie back in a chair, and pass her hand to and fro over her head. The -rajah looked at her with a slight smile. The clamor increased. I think a -sort of panic--an angry panic--seized the audience. - -"Bring him down! Bring him down!" they cried, pointing to the pallid -Waterer, who sat as rigid as a trussed fowl. - -After another despairing appeal to the Loadstone, the manager came -forward and made a lame speech. The Loadstone was exhausted with her -unparalleled exertions. She must rest; presently she would bring him -down. Then Waterer's friends arose and ascended the platform. They -walked about, they stood on one another's shoulders; they made it clear -that no cords held Waterer. A pair of steps was called for and brought. -Placed on a sturdy table, they just enabled a man to reach Waterer's -feet. One mounted amidst intense excitement. Turning to the rajah, I -exclaimed, "Look!" - -He was asleep again; and the Loadstone stood stiffly upright, beckoning -toward Waterer. Slowly and gradually he descended, leaving the man on -the ladder grasping at empty air, till he sat again on his seat. The -applause burst out, and the Loadstone sank back in a faint on the floor. -The rajah awoke, and the manager dropped the curtain, hiding the -Loadstone, Waterer, and his friends from our view. - -"Give me your arm," said the rajah; "I am tired." I escorted him to a -cab, and we drove home. - -The Loadstone gave no performance the next evening: she was too -fatigued; and Waterer was absent from the boat and from the sight of -men two days. When he reappeared he made no reference to his friend the -conjurer. He slunk about the Quad, looking very pale and upset. I met -him once, when I was with the rajah, on our way to lecture. The rajah -smiled urbanely at Waterer, and said to me, when he had passed: - -"It's such a rude thing to call a gentleman a nigger, isn't it?" - -Waterer has not done it again. And the Loadstone never did that trick -again. She took the pony, though. The manager called on Waterer, and -asked for a check. I think that incident pleased the rajah most of all. - -"It is a ready utilization of the unexpected," he remarked, "which does -our friend much credit." - - - - -A SUCCESSFUL REHEARSAL. - - -Mr. Aloysius Tappenham, of Stamford Road, was a dealer in frauds. -It must not be understood from this statement that he was either a -company-promoter or the manager of a philanthropic undertaking. On -the contrary, he was as honest a man of business as you would find in -London, and he earned his living by discovering and introducing new -attractions in the shape of "Wonders," "Phenomenons," and so forth. -The music-halls were Mr. Tappenham's best customers, and when he -successfully launched a new impostor, he reaped a handsome return in -the way of commissions on the salary of the impostor and the profits of -the _entrepreneur_. All his _protégés_ were a success--a fact chiefly to -be attributed to his unvarying habit of insisting that he himself should -be shown "how it was done." He promised and observed absolute secrecy; -but, as he always said, he could not properly judge of the merit of any -particular fraud, unless he were allowed a private view of the machinery -by which it was worked. Some few years ago, in the very prime of life -and the full tide of a profitable trade, Mr. Tappenham suddenly retired -from business. This was the reason: - -One day Mr. Tappenham discovered a treasure in the shape of a very -attractive young lady whose name was Hopkins, but who proposed to call -herself Mlle. Claire. Claire was hardly suitable to the music-halls; -Mr. Tappenham thought that she was above that, and proposed to "run" -her himself in Bond Street, on half-profit terms. Her specialty was the -production of any spirit you liked to order. She received in a dimly -lighted room; you told her who you were, and whose spirit you wished -to interview, and forthwith, without any nonsense of hand-holding or -table-turning, she caused to appear a shadowy yet clearly perceptible -figure which was exactly like the person you named, spoke with that -person's voice, and exhibited full--or reasonably full--knowledge of -everything which that person, and that person only, might be expected to -know. - -Mr. Tappenham was much struck with the dexterity of this performance. -Of course, when explained, it resolved itself into some clever optical -illusion, a little ventriloquism, and a good deal of tact in returning -to the inquirer in another form information pumped out of him -beforehand. The materials were simple, the result was highly artistic; -and Mr. Tappenham determined to furnish the only thing needful to set -London aflame with the new marvel--namely, capital. However, before -taking the last irreparable step, he decided on a final trial. He -prepared the _mise-en-scène_ with due completeness, and invited Mlle. -Claire to experiment on himself. - -"Consider me as one of the public," he said, "and give me a -hair-raiser." - -Mlle. Claire protested that he was too much behind the scenes; but, on -being pressed, she consented to try, and asked Mr. Tappenham to name -his spirit. - -He thought for a moment, and then said, "When I was a young man, I knew -a girl called Nellie Davies--a pretty girl, my dear. I dare say I didn't -treat her over well; but that's neither here nor there. Let's have her." - -Clever little Mlle. Claire asked a question or two--and Mr. Tappenham -admired the neat and apparently undesigned nature of her questions--and -then set to work, after drawing the curtains a shade closer, and turning -the light a trifle lower. - -Mr. Tappenham sat comfortably in an armchair, his hands crossed over his -white waistcoat, and a smile of satisfaction on his face. Presently the -shadowy shape began to form itself a yard or two from Mr. Tappenham. - -"Capital, capital!" he chuckled. "That'll fetch 'em." The shape grew -more definite. - -"Will that do?" asked Mlle. Claire triumphantly. "Is it like?" - -"Now, by Jove, it is rather! Make it speak." - -Mlle. Claire laughed, and, projecting her voice to the shape, began in -low, sweet, sad tones. "You summoned me. What do you desire of your dead -friend?" - -She stopped, laughing again, and said, "It's no use, when you're up to -it beforehand." - -Mr. Tappenham did not answer her. He sat looking at the shape, and -seemed to be listening intently. - -"Shall I go on?" she inquired. - -Mr. Tappenham took no notice. - -"What's the matter with him?" thought Mlle. Claire. "I shan't go on if -he's not listening." - -Assuming her pretended voice again, she said, "I will try to forgive. -Farewell, farewell!" and, with a merry, boisterous laugh, she displaced -the arrangement which produced the illusion, and said to Mr. Tappenham: - -"Now are you satisfied?" Then she added, in a tone of surprise, -"Whatever is the matter?" For, as she looked, the expression of his face -changed from attention to surprise, from surprise to uneasiness. He -turned to her and said, with a forced smile, "It's too clever--a sight -too clever. That'll do; stop it, please." - -"Stop it?" - -"Yes. I've had enough. It's--it's damned absurd, but it's getting on my -nerves. Stop it, I say--stop it!" His voice rose at the end almost into -a cry. - -"Why, I have stopped it this three minutes!" she answered in surprise. - -His eyes had wandered from her to where the shape had been; but at -her last words he turned to her again with a start. "What? No, no! No -nonsense! Come, now, be a good girl and stop it. I've had enough." - -"Are you drunk?" asked Mlle. Claire impatiently. "It's all over." - -"I won't be made a fool of," said he angrily. "Stop it, or not a -farthing do you get from me." - -"Heaven bless the man, he's mad!" exclaimed the lady, who began to be a -little uncomfortable herself. It is an eerie thing to see a man looking -hard at--nothing, and listening intently to--nothing. - -Suddenly he jumped up and ran toward Mlle. Claire. He seized her by the -arm, and cried, "Stop, you little devil, stop! Do you want to madden -me? I never did it, I never did. At least, I never meant it--so help me, -God, I never meant it." - -"Mr. Tappenham, you're dreaming. There's nothing there. I'm saying -nothing." - -"She's coming! she's coming!" he cried. "Take her away! take her away!" - -Mlle. Claire looked at his face. Then she too gave a shriek of fright, -and, hiding her face in her hands, sank on the floor, sobbing. She saw -nothing. But what was that face looking at? - -As for Mr. Tappenham, he fled into the corner of the room. And when -Mlle. Claire recovered herself enough to draw back the curtains, and let -in the blessed sun, he lay on the floor like a man dead. - -Mlle. Claire was a good girl. She had a mother and two little brothers -to keep: so she stuck to the business; but she never liked it very much -after that day. Mr. Tappenham could afford to retire, and he did retire. -He lives very quietly, and gives large sums in charity. Mlle. Claire -knows all the tricks that ever were invented; she is a thorough-going -little skeptic, and believes in nothing that she does not see, and in -very little of what she does. Therefore she merely exemplifies feminine -illogicality when she thinks to herself, as she cannot help thinking now -and then: - -"I wonder what he did to Nellie Davies!" - -She told me about it, and I believed her when she said that she was -not playing a trick on Mr. Tappenham. But perhaps she was deceiving me -also; if so, that is an explanation. - -I repeated the story to a scientific man. He said that it furnished an -interesting instance of the permanence of an optical impression after -the removal of the external excitant. That is another explanation. - -Or it may have been the working of conscience: that is an explanation -in a way, though an improbable one, because, in spite of many -opportunities, Mr. Tappenham's conscience had never given him any -inconvenience before. It has since. - - -THE END. - - - - -BUCKRAM SERIES. - -Small 16mo, with frontispieces, 75c. each. - - THE PRISONER OF ZENDA. (_15th Ed._) By ANTHONY HOPE. A stirring - romance. - - THE INDISCRETION OF THE DUCHESS. By ANTHONY HOPE. (_5th Edition._) - - THE WAYS OF YALE. (_Just Published._) Sketches, mainly humorous. By - H. A. BEERS. - - A SUBURBAN PASTORAL. (_3d Edition._) American stories. By HENRY A. - BEERS. - - JACK O'DOON. (_2d Edition._) An American novel. By MARIA BEALE. - - QUAKER IDYLS. (_4th Edition._) By MRS. S. M. H. GARDNER. - - A MAN OF MARK. (_2d Edition._) A South American tale. By ANTHONY - HOPE. - - SPORT ROYAL. (_Just Published._) And Other Stories. By ANTHONY HOPE. - - THE DOLLY DIALOGUES. (_5th Edition._) By ANTHONY HOPE. - - A CHANGE OF AIR. (_5th Edition._) By ANTHONY HOPE. The adventures of - an English poet. With an account of the author. - - JOHN INGERFIELD. (_4th Edition._) By JEROME K. JEROME. A love - tragedy of old London, and four short tales. - - SLUM STORIES OF LONDON. (_Neighbors of Ours._) By H. W. 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The story holds the reader's -attention from first to last."--_Critic._ - -"A rollicking and exciting tale of adventure."--_Boston Transcript._ - -"The dash and galloping excitement of this rattling story."--_London -Punch._ - -"A more gallant, entrancing story has seldom been written."--_Review of -Reviews._ - -"It is not often that such a delightful novel falls into the reviewer's -hands."--_London Athenæum._ - -"A rattling good romance."--_N. Y. Times._ - -"The plot is too original and audacious to be spoiled for the reader by -outlining it. The author is a born story-teller, and has, moreover, a -very pretty wit of his own."--_The Outlook._ - -"Told a wildly and delightfully improbable tale in a plausible -manner.... Readers who are tired of realism and bored with studies -of painful consciences attended by weak heads and sickly bodies will -appreciate _The Prisoner of Zenda_."--_Philadelphia Enquirer._ - -"A grand story.... It is dignified, quick in action, thrilling, -terrible."--_Chicago Herald._ - - -HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. - - - - - _BY THE AUTHOR OF - THE PRISONER OF ZENDA._ - -16mo, buckram, with frontispieces, 75 cents each. - - -THE INDISCRETION OF THE DUCHESS. - -"The most surprising inventions flow from his brain in novel -combinations. Nineteenth century adventures though they are, they are -told with an old-time air of romance that gives them the fascination -of an earlier day; an air of good faith, almost of religious chivalry, -gives reality to their extravagance.... Marks Mr. Hope as a wit, if he -were not a romancer."--_Nation._ - - -A MAN OF MARK. - - A tale of a Revolution in the Republic of Aureataland, South America. - -SPORT ROYAL. - - A Heidelberg romance, and four short stories. - - -THE DOLLY DIALOGUES. - -"Smart, tersely written, delicate, and characterized by a delicious -drollery ... beneath the surface play of words lies a tragi-comedy of -life.... There is infinite suggestion in every line."--_Boston -Transcript._ - - -A CHANGE OF AIR. - -"A highly clever performance, with little touches that recall both -Balzac and Meredith. Mr. Hope, being disinclined to follow any of -the beaten tracks of romance writing, is endowed with exceeding -originality."--_New York Times._ - - -HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. - - - - -Narrow 16mo, buckram, with frontispieces, 75 cents each. - - -JACK O'DOON. (_2d Edition._) - - A Romance of the North Carolina Coast. By MARIA BEALE. - -"There is a maturity of conception, an accuracy of artistic perception, -not often noticed in an author's first novel ... the landscapes are as -faithfully definite as any artist could make them.... There is a great -deal of vigor in the characterization, and no little humor, while the -conversation is straightforward and natural.... Too much praise can -hardly be given to the management of the tragic close of the book ... -very carefully as well as finely related ... the tale ends precisely -where it should, and this is not one of the least of the several -excellences of this delightful story."--_Boston Transcript._ - - -SLUM STORIES OF LONDON. - - By HENRY W. NEVINSON. - -"Depicted with wonderful vividness.... They are wholly original.... The -touch, the manner is delightfully new."--_N. Y. Times._ - -"Graphically told, most vividly realistic."--_Boston Advertiser._ - - -QUAKER IDYLS. (_4th Edition._) - - By Mrs. S. M. H. GARDNER. - -"Her accounts of these (an anti-slavery fair and the trial of a fugitive -slave) seem to be descriptions of actual happenings, and she describes -men and incidents vividly."--_New York Times._ - -"Quiet but deep tales."--_Literary World._ - - -JOHN INGERFIELD. (_4th Edition._) - - A love tragedy of old London, and four short tales. By JEROME K. - JEROME. Illustrated. - -"A very sweet and pathetic love story ... true to the best there is in -human nature ... many diverse traits of character and striking incidents -being compressed within its narrow limits."--_New York Times._ - - -HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. - - - - -TEN BRINK'S FIVE LECTURES ON SHAKESPEARE. - - Translated by JULIA FRANKLIN. 12mo, gilt top, $1.25. - - -A HISTORY OF THE NOVEL. - - Previous to the Seventeenth Century. By F. M. WARREN, Professor in - Adelbert College. 12mo, gilt top, $1.75. - - -KALIDASA'S SHAKUNTALA, OR THE RECOVERED RING. - - Translated by Prof. A. H. EDGREN of the University of Nebraska. - (Library of Foreign Poetry.) 12mo, gilt top, $1.50. - - -HEINE'S LIFE TOLD IN HIS OWN WORDS. - - Edited by KARPELES. Translated by ARTHUR DEXTER. With portrait. - 12mo, $1.75. - -"On every page there is an illustration, worth reproduction, of the wit, -the sentiment, and the romantic charm which flowed without an effort -from the author's brain."--_New York Tribune._ - - -THE DAYS OF LAMB AND COLERIDGE. - - An Historical Romance. By ALICE E. LORD. 12mo, $1.25. - -"The relations of the two principal characters are traced from their -schooldays to their death.... The pathos and tenderness of Lamb's life -with his sister are well brought out, and the pages are brightened with -touches of the humor and brilliant repartee characteristic of the great -essayist."--_Critic._ - - -HEYSE'S THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD. - - An intense romance of German life that has become a classic. 12mo, - $1.25. - - -HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. - - - - -A very good novel.--_The Nation._ - -Mr. Ford's able political novel.--_New York Times._ - - -HON. PETER STIRLING, - -And what People thought of Him. - -By PAUL LEICESTER FORD. - -12mo. $1.50. - - -_The Nation_ further says he throws "floods of light on the _raison -d'être_, origin, and methods of the dark figure that directs the -destinies of our cities.... So strongly imagined and logically drawn -that it satisfies the demand for the appearance of truth in art.... -Telling scenes and incidents and descriptions of political organization, -all of which are literal transcripts of life and fact--not dry -irrelevancies thrown in by way of imparting information, but lively -detail, needful for a clear understanding of Stirling's progress from -the humble chairmanship of a primary to the dictator's throne.... In the -use of dramatic possibilities, Mr. Ford is discreet and natural, and, -without giving Stirling a heroic pose, manages to win for him very -hearty sympathy and belief. Stirling's private and domestic story is -well knit with that of his public adventures." - -_The Literary World_ says: "Of the mismanagement and villainy practiced -in the wards, of bossism, obstructions to reform, wranglings and riots, -we have had more or less in fiction, but nothing like this.... Pages -which read like actual history.... A fine, tender love story.... A very -unusual, but, let us believe, a possible, character.... Peter Stirling -is a man's hero.... Very readable and enjoyable." - -_The Boston Advertiser_ says: "The book is sure to excite attention and -win popularity." - - -HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. - - - - -BY JEROME K. JEROME. - -_AUTHOR'S EDITION._ - - -JOHN INGERFIELD. - - Three Serious and Two Humorous Stories. Ill'd. 16mo, buckram, 75 - cts. - - -NOVEL NOTES. - - Stories Tragic and Comic. 140 Illustrations. 12mo, $1.25. - - -THREE MEN IN A BOAT. - - Illustrations by H. Frederics. 12mo, cloth, $1.25; paper, 40 cents. - - -IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW. - - 12mo, cloth, $1.00; paper, 35 cents. - - -STAGE-LAND. - - Curious Habits and Customs of its Inhabitants. Illustrated by J. - Bernard Partridge. 12mo, cloth, $1.00; paper, 30 cents. - - -TOLD AFTER SUPPER. - - With 96 Illustrations by K. M. Sheaping. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 30 - cents. - - -DIARY OF A PILGRIMAGE. - - [And Six Essays]. With upward of 100 Illustrations by G. G. Fraser. - Cloth, $1.25; paper, 40 cents. - - -ON THE STAGE--AND OFF. - - The Brief Career of a Would-be Actor. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 25 cents. - - - HENRY HOLT & CO., - Publishers, New York. - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - -Text in italics was surrounded by _underscores_, text in small capitals -was changed to all capitals. - -Errors in punctuation have been silently corrected. Also the following -corrections have been made, on page - - 11 "hesitatation" changed to "hesitation" (very little hesitation in - assuming that) - 14 "my my" changed to "my" (that my opponent was not to be) - 21 "reremark" changed to "remark" (This was my first truthful remark) - 41 "cigaette" changed to "cigarette" (lighting a cigarette) - 68 "Ferdinard" changed to "Ferdinand" (that Prince and Princess - Ferdinand had) - 83 "prommise" changed to "promise" (You have fulfilled your promise) - 94 "Highnes" changed to "Highness" (Royal Highness is most) - 171 "beatuy" changed to "beauty" (the acme of physical beauty) - 212 "semeed" changed to "seemed" (he seemed to urge her). - -Otherwise the original was preserved. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sport Royal, by Anthony Hope - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPORT ROYAL *** - -***** This file should be named 40697-8.txt or 40697-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/6/9/40697/ - -Produced by Suzanne Shell, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -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. 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