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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -<title>THE CARDINAL MOTH</title> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="43674" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Cardinal Moth" /> -<meta name="PG.Reposted" content="2013-09-15 error corrections" /> -<meta name="PG.Reposted" content="2015-07-24 error corrections" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Fred M. White" /> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-09-08" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1905" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Cardinal Moth" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> - -<link rel="schema.DCTERMS" href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" /> -<link rel="schema.MARCREL" href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/" /> -<meta content="The Cardinal Moth" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="/home/ajhaines/moth/moth.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2015-07-24T16:33:02.579638+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43674" /> -<meta content="Fred M. White" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2013-09-08" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="Ebookmaker 0.4.0a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="the-cardinal-moth"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">THE CARDINAL MOTH</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world 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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> included with -this ebook or online at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>. If you -are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws -of the country where you are located before using this ebook.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: The Cardinal Moth -<br /> -<br />Author: Fred M. White -<br /> -<br />Release Date: September 08, 2013 [EBook #43674] -<br />Reposted: September 15, 2013 [error corrections] -<br />Reposted: July 24, 2015 [error corrections] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE CARDINAL MOTH</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="container frontispiece"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 67%" id="figure-11"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""'The Cardinal Moth,' Frobisher said, hoarsely." (Chapter I.)" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"'The Cardinal Moth,' Frobisher said, hoarsely." (Chapter I.)</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">THE CARDINAL -<br />MOTH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">FRED M. WHITE</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">Author of "The Crimson Blind," "The Weight of the Crown," -<br />"The Corner House," etc., etc.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">WARD, LOCK, & CO., LIMITED -<br />LONDON AND MELBOURNE -<br />1905</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Made and Printed in Great Britain by -<br />WARD, LOCK & Co., LIMITED, LONDON.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CONTENTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>I.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#flowers-of-blood">FLOWERS OF BLOOD</a><span> -<br />II.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#angela">ANGELA</a><span> -<br />III.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#crossed-swords">CROSSED SWORDS</a><span> -<br />IV.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-dusky-potentate">A DUSKY POTENTATE</a><span> -<br />V.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#an-interrupted-feast">AN INTERRUPTED FEAST</a><span> -<br />VI.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#bit-of-the-rope">BIT OF THE ROPE</a><span> -<br />VII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-grip-of-steel">A GRIP OF STEEL</a><span> -<br />VIII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-weaker-vessel">THE WEAKER VESSEL</a><span> -<br />IX.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-word-to-the-wise">A WORD TO THE WISE</a><span> -<br />X.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#id1">A WORD TO THE WISE.</a><span> -<br />XI.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#borrowed-plumes">BORROWED PLUMES</a><span> -<br />XII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-model-husband">A MODEL HUSBAND</a><span> -<br />XIII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-queen-of-the-rubies">THE QUEEN OF THE RUBIES</a><span> -<br />XIV.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#uneasy-lies-the-head">"UNEASY LIES THE HEAD——"</a><span> -<br />XV.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#hunt-the-slipper">HUNT THE SLIPPER</a><span> -<br />XVI.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#diplomacy">DIPLOMACY</a><span> -<br />XVII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-friend-in-need">A FRIEND IN NEED</a><span> -<br />XVIII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-defensive-alliance">A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE</a><span> -<br />XIX.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#what-did-she-mean">WHAT DID SHE MEAN?</a><span> -<br />XX.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#check-to-frobisher">CHECK TO FROBISHER</a><span> -<br />XXI.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#denvers-learns-something">DENVERS LEARNS SOMETHING</a><span> -<br />XXII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#strands-of-the-rope">STRANDS OF THE ROPE</a><span> -<br />XXIII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-lunch-at-the-belgrave">A LUNCH AT THE BELGRAVE</a><span> -<br />XXIV.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-woman-s-way">A WOMAN'S WAY</a><span> -<br />XXV.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-striking-likeness">A STRIKING LIKENESS</a><span> -<br />XXVI.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#a-bad-quarter-of-an-hour">A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR</a><span> -<br />XXVII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#mrs-benstein-intervenes">MRS. BENSTEIN INTERVENES</a><span> -<br />XXVIII.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#nemesis">NEMESIS</a><span> -<br />XXIX.—</span><a class="reference internal" href="#the-tightened-cord">THE TIGHTENED CORD</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="flowers-of-blood"><span class="bold x-large">THE CARDINAL MOTH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">FLOWERS OF BLOOD.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The purple darkness seemed to be filled with -a nebulous suggestion of things beautiful; -long trails and ropes of blossoms hung like -stars reflected in a lake of blue. As the eye grew -accustomed to the gloom these blooms seemed to -expand and beautify. There was a great orange -globe floating on a violet mist, a patch of pink -swam against an opaque window-pane like a -flight of butterflies. Outside the throaty roar of -Piccadilly could be distinctly heard; inside was -misty silence and the coaxed and pampered -atmosphere of the Orient. Then a long, slim -hand—a hand with jewels on it—was extended, and -the whole vast dome was bathed in brilliant light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For once the electric globes had lost their -garish pertinacity. There were scores of lamps -there, but every one of them was laced with -dripping flowers and foliage till their softness -was like that of a misty moon behind the -tree-tops. And the blossoms hung -everywhere—thousands upon thousands of them, red, blue, -orange, creamy white, fantastic in shape and -variegated in hue, with a diabolical suggestiveness -about them that orchids alone possess. Up -in the roof, out of a faint cloud of steam, other -blossoms of purple and azure peeped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Complimented upon the amazing beauty of his -orchid-house, Sir Clement Frobisher cynically -remarked that the folly had cost him from first to -last over a hundred thousand pounds. He passed -for a man with no single generous impulse or -feeling of emotion; a love of flowers was the -only weakness that Providence had vouchsafed -to him, and he held it cheap at the money. You -could rob Sir Clement Frobisher or cheat him or -lie to him, and he would continue to ask you to -dinner, if you were a sufficiently amusing or -particularly rascally fellow, but if you casually -picked one of his priceless Cypripediums——!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He sat there in his bath of brilliant blossoms, -smoking a clay pipe and sipping some peculiarly -thin and aggressive Rhine wine from a long, -thin-stemmed Bohemian glass. He had a fancy -for that atrocious grape juice and common ship's -tobacco from a reeking clay. Otherwise he was -immaculate, and his velvet dinner-jacket was -probably the best-cut garment of its kind in -London.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A small man, just over fifty, with a dome-like -head absolutely devoid of hair, and shiny like -a billiard-ball, a ridiculously small nose suggestive -of the bill of a love-bird, a clean-shaven, humorous -mouth with a certain hard cruelty about it, a -figure slight, but enormously powerful. For the -rest, Sir Clement was that rare bird amongst -high-born species—a man, poor originally, who -had become rich. He was popularly supposed -to have been kicked out of the diplomatic service -after a brilliant operation connected with certain -Turkish Bonds. The scandal was an old one, and -might have had no basis in fact, but the same -</span><em class="italics">Times</em><span> that conveyed to an interested public the -fact of Sir Clement Frobisher's retirement from -the </span><em class="italics">corps diplomatique</em><span>, announced that the -baronet in question had purchased the lease of -947, Piccadilly, for the sum of ninety-five thousand -pounds. And for seven years Society refused -to admit the existence of anybody called Sir -Clement Frobisher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the man had his title, his family, and his -million or so well invested. Also he had an -amazing audacity, and a moral courage beyond -belief. Also he married a lady whose social claims -could not be contested. Clement Frobisher went -back to the fold again at a great dinner given -at Yorkshire House. There it was that Earl -Beauregard, a one-time chief of Frobisher's, -roundly declared that, take him all in all, Count -Whyzed was the most finished and abandoned -scoundrel in Europe. Did not Frobisher think -so? To which Frobisher replied that he -considered the decision to be a personal slight to -himself, who had worked so hard for that same -distinction. Beauregard laughed, and the rest -of the party followed suit, and Frobisher did much -as he liked, ever after.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was looking just a little bored now, and was -debating whether he should go to bed, though -it was not long after eleven o'clock, and that -in the creamy month of the London season. -Down below somewhere an electric bell was -purring impatiently. The butler, an Armenian -with a fez on his black, sleek head, looked in and -inquired if Sir Clement would see anybody.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it's a typical acquaintance, certainly not, -Hafid," Frobisher said, sleepily. "If it happens -to be one of my picturesque rascals, send all the -other servants to bed. But it's sure to be some -commonplace, respectable caller."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid bowed and withdrew. Down below the -bell was purring again. A door opened somewhere, -letting in the strident roar of the streets like a -dirge, then the din shut down again as if a lid -had been clapped on it. From the dim shadow -of the hall a figure emerged bearing a long white -paper cone, handled with the care and attention -one would bestow on a sick child.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Paul Lopez to see you," Hafid said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lopez!" Frobisher cried. "See how my -virtue is rewarded. It is the return for all the -boredom I have endured lately. Respectability -reeks in my nostrils. I have been longing for a -scoundrel—not necessarily a star of the first -magnitude, a rival to myself. Ho, ho, Lopez!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The newcomer nodded and smiled. A small, -dark man with restless eyes, and hands that -were never still. There was something catlike, -sinuous, about him, and in those restless eyes a -look of profound, placid, monumental contempt -for Frobisher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did not expect to see me?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," Frobisher chuckled. "I began to fear -that you had been hanged, friend Paul. Do you -recollect the last time we were together? It -was——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The voice trailed off with a muttered suggestion -of wickedness beyond words. Frobisher lay back -in his chair with the tangled ropes of blossoms -about his sleek head; a great purple orchid with a -living orange eye broke from the cluster and hung -as if listening. Lopez looked round the bewildering -beauty of it all with an artistic respect for his -surroundings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The devil has looked after his dear friend -carefully," he said, with the same calm contempt. -Frobisher indicated it all with a comprehensive -hand. "Now you are jealous," he said. "Hafid, -the other servants are gone to bed? Good! Then -you may sit in the library till I require you. -What have you got there, Paul?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have a flower, an orchid. It is at your -disposal, at a price."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At a price, of course. What are you asking for it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Paul Lopez made no reply. He proceeded to -remove the paper from the long cone, and disclosed -a lank, withered-looking stem with faded buds -apparently hanging thereto by attenuated threads. -It might have been nothing better than a dead -clematis thrown by a gardener on the dust-heap. -The root, or what passed for it, was simply -attached to a slap of virgin cork by a couple of -rusty nails. Frobisher watched Lopez with half-closed eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, I am going to be disappointed," he -said. "How often have I gone hunting the eagle -and found it to be a tit? The rare sensation of a -new blossom has been denied me for years. Is it -possible that my pets are going to have a new and -lovely sister?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He caressed the purple bloom over his head -tenderly. Lopez drew from his pocket a great -tangle of Manilla rope, yards of it, which he -proceeded to loop along one side of the -orchid-house. Upon this he twisted his faded stem, -drawing it out until, with the dusty laterals, there -were some forty feet of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is your steam-pipe?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher indicated the steam-cock languidly. -Ever and again the nozzle worked automatically, -half filling the orchid-house with the grateful -steam which was as life to the gorgeous flowers. -Lopez turned the cock full on; there was a hiss, a -white cloud that fairly enveloped his recent work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now you shall see what you shall see," he -said in his calm, cool voice. "Oh, my friend, you -will be with your arms about my neck presently!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Already the masses of flowers were glistening -with moisture. It filled up the strands of the loose -Manilla rope, and drew it up tight as a fiddle-string. -Through the dim cloud Frobisher could see the -dry stalks literally bursting into life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aaron's rod," murmured Frobisher. "Do you -know that for Aaron's rod, properly verified, and -in good working order, I would give quite a lot of -money?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would cut it up for firewood to possess -what I shall show you presently," said Lopez. -"See here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He turned off the steam-cock and the thin, -vapoury cloud rapidly dispelled. And then behold -a miracle! The twisted, withered stalk was a -shining, joyous green, from it burst a long glistening -cluster of great white flowers, pink fringed, and -with just a touch of the deep green sea in them. -They ran along the stem like the foam on a summer -beach. And from them, suspended on stems so -slender as to be practically invisible to the eye, -was a perfect fluttering cloud of smaller blossoms -of the deepest cardinal red. Even in that still -atmosphere they floated and trembled for all the -world like a palpitating cloud of butterflies -hovering over a cluster of lilies. Anything more chaste, -more weird, and at the same time more bewilderingly -beautiful, it would be impossible to imagine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher jumped to his feet with a hoarse cry -of delight. Little beads of perspiration stood on -his sleek head. The man was quivering from head -to foot with intense excitement. With hesitating -forefinger he touched the taut Manilla rope and -it hummed like a harp-string, each strand drawn -rigid with the moisture. And all the moths there -leapt with a new, hovering life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Cardinal Moth," Frobisher said hoarsely. -"Hafid, it is the Cardinal Moth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid came, from the darkness of the study with -a cry something like Frobisher's, but it was a cry -of terror. His brown face had turned to a ghastly, -decayed green, those lovely flowers might have -been a nest of cobras from the terror of his eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Chop it up, destroy it, burn it!" he yelled. -"Put it in the fire and scatter the ashes to the -four winds. Trample on it, master; crush the -flower to pieces. He is mad, he has forgotten -that dreadful night in Stamboul!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you mind taking that tankard of iced -water and pouring it over Hafid's head?" said -Frobisher. "You silly, superstitious fool! The -Stamboul affair was a mere coincidence. And so -there was another Cardinal Moth besides my -unfortunate plant all the time! Oh, the beauty, -the gem, the auk amongst orchids! Where, where -did you get it from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It came from quite a small collection near London."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The greedy ruffian! Fancy the man having a -Cardinal Moth and keeping it to himself like that! -The one I lost was a mere weed compared to this. -Name your price, Paul, and if it is too high, Hafid -and I will murder you between us and swear that -you were a burglar shot in self-defence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez laughed noiselessly—a strange, unpleasant laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would do it without the slightest -hesitation," he said. "But the orchid is quite -safe with you, seeing that the owner is dead, and -that his secret was all his own. And the price is a -small one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, you are modest, friend Paul! Name it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are merely to tell a lie and to stick to it. -I am in trouble, in danger. And I hold that -hanging is the worst use you can put a man to. -If anything happens, I came here last night at -ten o'clock. I stayed till nearly midnight. Hafid -must remember the circumstances also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hafid," Frobisher said slowly, "will forget -or remember anything that I ask him to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid nodded with his eyes still fixed in -fascinated horror on the palpitating, quivering, -crimson floating over its bed of snow. He heard -and understood, but only by instinct.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was at home all the evening, and her ladyship -is away," said Frobisher. "I was expecting a -mere commonplace rascal—not an artist like -yourself, Paul—and the others had gone to bed. -And you were here for the time you said. Is not -that so, Hafid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, by the soul of my father, yes!" Hafid -said in a frozen voice. "Take it and burn it, and -scatter it. What my lord says is the truth. Take -it and burn it, and scatter it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He'll be all right in the morning," Frobisher -said. "Lopez, take the big steps and festoon that -lovely new daughter of mine across the roof. You -can fasten it to those hooks. To-morrow I will -have an extra steam valve for her ladyship. Let -me see—if she gets her bath of steam every night -regularly she will require no more. Aphrodite, -beautiful, your bath shall be remembered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He kissed his fingers gaily to the trembling -flowers now hooked across the roof. Already the -loose Manilla rope was drying and hanging in -baggy folds that made a more artistic foil for the -quivering red moths. It was only when the -steaming process was going on that the thin, -strong ropes drew it up humming and taut as -harp-strings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, that is like a new planet in a blue sky!" -Frobisher cried. "Lopez, I am obliged to you. -Come again when I am less excited and I will -suitably reward you. To-night I am </span><em class="italics">tête montêe</em><span>—I -am not responsible for my actions. And the -lie shall be told for you, a veritable </span><em class="italics">chef-d'oeuvre</em><span> -amongst lies. Sit down, and the best shall not be -good enough for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must go," Lopez said in the same even tones. -"I have private business elsewhere. I drink -nothing and I smoke nothing till business is -finished. Good-night, prince of rascals, and fair -dreams to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez passed leisurely into the black throat of -the library, Hafid following. Frobisher nodded -and chuckled, not in the least displeased. He had -not been so excited for years. The sight of those -blossoms filled him with unspeakable pleasure. -For their sakes he would have committed murder -without the slightest hesitation. He had eyes for -nothing else, ears deaf to everything. He heeded -not the purr of the hall bell again, he was lost to -his surroundings until Hafid shook him soundly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count Lefroy to see you, and Mr. Manfred," -he said. "I told them you were engaged, but -they said that perhaps——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher dropped into his chair with the air -of a man satiated with a plethora of good things.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now what have I done to deserve all this -beatitude!" he cried. "An unique find and a -brother collector to triumph over, to watch, to -prick with the needle of jealousy. But stop, I -must worship alone to-night. Say that I shall -particularly desire to see them at luncheon -to-morrow."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="angela"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">ANGELA.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher sat the following morning in -the orchid-house chuckling to himself and -waiting the advent of his two guests to -luncheon. Heaven alone could follow the twists -and turns of that cunning brain. Frobisher was -working out one of his most brilliant schemes now. -He took infinite pains to obtain by underground -passages the things he might have obtained openly -and easily. But there was the delight of puzzling -other people.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked up presently, conscious of a presence -beyond his own. In the dark Frobisher could -always tell if anybody came into the room. He -crooked his wicked head sideways with the air of -a connoisseur, and in sooth there was good cause -for his admiration. Here was something equal at -least to his most beautiful and cherished orchids, -a tall, graceful girl with shining brown hair, and -eyes of the deepest, purest blue. Her complexion -was like old ivory, and as pure, the nose a little -short, perhaps, but the sweet mouth was full of -strength and character.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came for the flowers that you promised me, -Sir Clement," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Call me uncle and you shall have the -conservatory," Frobisher grinned. "I am your -uncle by marriage, you know, and your guardian -by law. Angela, you are looking lovely. With the -exception of a peasant woman I once met in -Marenna, you are the most beautiful creature I -ever saw."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela Lyne listened with absolute indifference. -She was accustomed to be studied like this by Sir -Clement Frobisher, whom she loathed and detested -from the bottom of her heart. But Lady Frobisher -was her aunt, and Frobisher her guardian for the -next year, until she came of age, in fact.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me the flowers," she said. "I am late -as it is. I have sent my things on, for I shall dine -with Lady Marchgrave after the concert, and come -home alone. Hafid will let me in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better take a latchkey," Frobisher suggested. -"There! Let me pin them in for you. I'll show -you an orchid when you have time to examine it -that will move even you to admiration. But not -now; she is too superb a creature for passing -admiration. Now I think you will do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no question of Frobisher's taste or -his feeling for arranging flowers. The blossoms -looked superb and yet so natural as they lay on -Angela's breast—white orchids shot with sulphur. -They were the theme of admiration an hour later -at Lady Marchgrave's charity concert; they -gleamed again on Angela's corsage as she sat in -the Grosvenor Square drawing-room at dinner. -Five-and-twenty people sat round the long table -with its shaded lights and feathery flowers. -There were distinguished guests present, for Lady -Marchgrave was by way of being intellectual, but -Angela had eyes for one man only. He had come -a little late, and had slipped quietly into a chair -at the bottom of the table—a tall man with a -strong face, not exactly handsome, but full of -power. The clean-shaven lips were very firm, but -when the newcomer smiled his face looked -singularly young and sweet. Angela's dinner -partner followed her glance with his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it isn't that beast Denvers," he muttered. -"I thought he had been murdered in the wilds of -Armenia or some such desirable spot. You ought -to be glad, Angela."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad, Mr. Arnott," Angela said coldly. -"Permit me to remind you again that I -particularly dislike being called by my Christian -name; at least, at present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little man with the hooked nose and the -shifting, moist eye, put down his champagne glass -savagely. For some deep, mysterious reason, -Sir Clement favoured George Arnott's designs -upon Angela, and if nothing interfered he was -pretty sure to get his own way in the end. At -present Angela was coldly disdainful; she little -dreamt of the power and cunning of the man she -was thwarting. She turned her head away, -absently waiting for Lady Marchgrave's signal. -There was a flutter and rustle of silken and lace -draperies presently, and the chatter of high-bred -voices floating from the hall. A good many people -had already assembled in the suite of rooms -beyond, for Lady Marchgrave's receptions were -popular as well as fashionable. Angela wandered -on until she came to the balcony overlooking the -square. She leant over thoughtfully—her mind -had gone back to such a night a year or so before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mine is a crescent star to-night," a quiet -voice behind her said. "I seemed to divine by -instinct where you were. Angela, dear Angela, -it is good to be with you again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl's face flushed, her blue eyes were full -of tenderness. Most people called her cold, but -nobody could bring that accusation against her -now. Her two hands went out to Harold Denvers, -and he held them both. For a long while the -brown eyes looked into the heavenly blue ones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Still the same?" Denvers asked. "Nobody -has taken what should be my place, Angela?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody has taken it, and nobody is ever -likely to," Angela smiled. "There is supposed to -be nothing between us; you refused to bind me, -and you did not write or give me your address, but -my heart is yours and you know it. And if you -changed I should never believe in anything again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I should change! Dear heart, is it likely? -If you only knew what I felt when I caught sight -of you to-night. My queen, my beautiful, white -queen! If I could only claim you before all the -world!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela bent her head back behind the screen -of a fluttering, silken curtain and kissed the speaker. -He held her in his arms just for one blissful moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems just the same," he said, "as if the -clock had been put back a year, to that night -when Sir Clement found us out. The son of the -man whom he had ruined and his rich and lovely -ward! There was a dramatic scene for you! -But he only grinned in that diabolical way of his, -and shortly after that mission to Armenia was -offered to me. I never guessed then who procured -it for me, but I know now as well as I know that -Sir Clement never intended me to come back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Harold! Do you really mean to say that—that——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You hesitate, of course. It is not a pretty -thing to say. Life is cheap out there, and if I was -killed, what matter? Let us talk of other and -more pleasant things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of your travels and adventures, for instance. -Did you find any wonderful flowers, like you did, -for instance, in Borneo, Harold? Where did you -get that lovely orchid from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A single blossom flamed on the silk lapel of -Denvers' coat—a whitish bloom with a cloud of -little flowers hovering over it like moths. It was -the Cardinal Moth again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unique, is it not?" Harold said. "Thereby -hangs a strange, romantic tale which would take -too long to tell at present. What would Sir -Clement give for it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me have it before I go," asked Angela, -eagerly. "I should like to show it to Sir Clement. -He has some wonderful flower that he wants me -to see, but I feel pretty sure that he has nothing -like that. I shall decline to say where I got the -bloom from."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Denvers removed the exquisite bloom with its -nodding scarlet moths and dexterously attached -it to Angela's own orchids. The thing might have -been growing there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems strange to see that bloom on your -innocent breast," Harold said. "It makes me -feel quite creepy when I look at it. If you only -knew the sin and misery and shame and crime -that surrounds the Cardinal Moth you would -hesitate to wear it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela smiled; she did not possess the imaginative vein.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall tell me that another time," she -said. "Meanwhile you seem to have dropped -from the clouds.... Are your plans more -promising for the future?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A little nebulous for the present," Denvers -admitted, "though the next expedition, which is -not connected with Sir Clement Frobisher, -promises well for the future. There is a lot to be -done, however, and I am likely to be in London -for the next three weeks or so. And you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are here for the season, of course. My -aunt is staying at Chaffers Court till Friday, hence -the fact that I am here alone. If you are very -good you shall take me as far as Piccadilly in -a taxi. I must see a good deal of you, Hal, for -I have been very lonely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a pathetic little droop in Angela's -voice. Harold drew her a little closer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish I could take you out of it, darling," he -said. "For your sake, we must try and make the -next venture a success. If we can only start the -company fairly, I shall be able to reckon on a -thousand a year. Do you think you could manage -on that, Angela?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, or on a great deal less," Angela smiled. -"I could be happy with you anywhere. And you -must not forget that I shall have a large fortune -of my own some day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Other people were drifting towards the cool air -of the balcony now, George Arnott amongst the -number. It was getting late, and Angela was -tired. She whispered Harold to procure her a -cab, and that she would say good-night to Lady -Marchgrave and join him presently. The cab -came, and so did the lights of Piccadilly all too -soon. Denvers lingered on the steps just for a -moment. He was going down to a big country -house on Saturday for the week-end. Would -Angela come if he could procure her an invitation? -Angela's eyes replied for her. She was in the house -at length by the aid of her latchkey. The -dining-room door opened for a moment; there was a rattle -of conversation and the smell of Egyptian -cigarettes. Evidently Sir Clement was giving one of -his famous impromptu dinner-parties. Angela took -the spray of orchids from her breast and passed -hurriedly in the direction of the orchid-house. The -bloom would keep best there, she thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she passed along the corridor the figure of a -man preceded her. The stranger crept along, -looking furtively to the right and the left. From -his every gesture he was doing wrong here. Then -he darted for the orchid-house and Angela -followed directly she had recovered herself. She -would corner the man in the conservatory and -demand his business. In the conservatory Angela -looked about her. The man had vanished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had utterly gone—he was nowhere to be seen. -Angela rubbed her eyes in amazement. There was -no other way out of the conservatory. She stood -therewith the Cardinal Moth in her hand, aware now -that she was looking into the scared face of Hafid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," he said -in a dazed kind of way. "Take it and burn it at -once. Dear lady, will you go to bed? Take it -and burn it—my head is all hot and confused. -Dear lady, do not stay here, the place is accursed. -By the Prophet, I wish I had never been born."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="crossed-swords"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">CROSSED SWORDS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Hafid came into the library and pulled to the -big bronze gates of the orchid-house like -the portals of a floral paradise. There were -flowers here: stephanotis climbing round the -carved mantel, ropes of orchids dangling from the -electroliers, in one corner a mass of maiden-hair -fern draped the wall. Even the pictures in their -Florentine frames were roped with blossoms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher glanced beyond the carved and -twisted gates with a peculiar smile after Angela -had departed. His luncheon guests were late. He -looked more like a mischievous bird than usual. -There was an air of pleased anticipation about him -as of a man who is going to witness a brilliant -comedy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There came to him a tall man with a heavy -moustache and an unmistakable military swagger. -If Frobisher resembled a parrot, Lefroy was most -unmistakably a hawk. He passed in society -generally as a cavalry officer high in favour of his -Majesty the Shan of Ganistan; more than one -brilliant expedition against the hill-tribes had been -led by him. But some of the hill-men could have -told another tale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Lefroy," Frobisher exclaimed, genially. -"This is a pleasure, a greater pleasure than you -are aware of. Mr. Manfred, take a seat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy's secretary bowed and sank into a deep -chair. His face was absolutely devoid of emotion, -a blank wall of whiteness with two eyes as -expressionless as shuttered windows. Most people -were disposed to regard Manfred as an absolute -fool. The hill-men at the back of Ganistan -muttered in their beards that he was, if possible, -worse than his master.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy reached for a cigar, lighted it, and -looked around him. The white-faced Manfred -seemed to have lapsed into a kind of waking sleep. -A more utter indifference to his surroundings it -would be hard to imagine. Yet he was a kind of -intellectual camera. He had never been in -Frobisher's library before. But a year hence he -could have entered it in the dark and found his way -to any part of the room with absolute certainty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came to see you over that central Koordstan -Railway business," Lefroy said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely," Frobisher smiled. "I might have -guessed it. As an Englishman—though you have -so picturesque a name—you are anxious that -England should receive the concessions. In fact, -you have already promised it to our Government."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy made a motion as who should move a -piece on a chess-board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is one to you," he said. "Yes, you are -quite right. Whereas you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whereas I am interested on behalf of the -Russian Government. I tried our people here -two years ago, but they refused to have anything -to do with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Refused to trust you, in point of fact."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher laughed noiselessly. The wrinkled -cunning of his face and the noble expanse of his -forehead looked strange together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite right," he said. "They refused to trust -me. Any man who knows my record would be a -fool to do so. But in that instance I was perfectly -loyal, because it was my interest to be so. Still -I bowed with chastened resignation and—immediately -offered my services to Russia. Then -you slipped in and spoilt my little game."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is half a million hanging to the thing, -my dear fellow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well! But you have not won yet. You -can do nothing till you have won the Shan of -Koordstan to your side. Whichever way he -throws his influence the concession goes. And He -of Koordstan and myself are very friendly. He -dines here to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy started slightly. He glanced at Frobisher -keenly under his shaggy brows. The latter lay -back smoking his filthy clay with dreamy ecstasy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," he went on, "He dines here to-night -to see my orchids. My dear fellow, if you and -Manfred will join us, I shall be delighted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy muttered something that sounded like -acceptance. Manfred came out of his waking -dream, nodded, and slipped back into conscious -unconsciousness again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That picturesque and slightly drunken young -rascal has a passion for orchids," said Frobisher. -"It is the one redeeming point in his character. -But you know that, of course. You haven't -forgotten the great coup so nearly made with the -Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The plant that was burnt at Ochiri," Lefroy -said uneasily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same. What a wax the old man was in, -to be sure! Ah, my dear Lefroy, we shall never, -never see a Cardinal Moth again!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I could," Lefroy said hoarsely. "Your -chances with the Shan of Koordstan wouldn't be -worth a rap. With that orchid I could buy the -man body and soul. And the plant that was -stolen from us at Turin is dead long ago. It must -be, such a find as that couldn't possibly have been -kept quiet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll bet you a thousand pounds that orchid -is alive," Frobisher said dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy sat up straight as a ramrod. The waxed -ends of his big moustache quivered. He turned to -Manfred, anxiety, anger, passion, blazing like a -brief torch in his eyes. Manfred seemed to divine -rather than know that he was under that black -battery, and shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fail to see the point of the joke," Lefroy said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher signed to Hafid to throw back the -gates. Lefroy was on his feet by this time. He -breathed like one who has run fast and far. -Manfred followed him with the air of a man who is -utterly without hope or expectation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There!" Frobisher cried with a flourish of -his hand. "What is that you see beyond the third -tier of ropes? Ah, my beauty, here comes another -lover for you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy's black eyes were turned up towards the -high dome of the orchid-house. Other tangled -ropes and loops of blossoms met his gaze and held -it as he glanced in the direction indicated by -Frobisher. And there, high up above them all -he could see the long, foamy, pink mass of blooms -with the red moths dancing and hovering about -them like things of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Cardinal Moth," he screamed. "Manfred, -Manfred, curse you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He wheeled suddenly round in a whirl of -delirious passion, and struck Manfred a violent -blow in the mouth. The secretary staggered back, -a thin stream of blood spurted from his split lip. -But he said nothing, manifested no feeling or -emotion of any kind. With a handkerchief he -staunched the flow with the automatic action of a -marionette.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Cardinal Moth," Frobisher said as genially -as if nothing had happened. "The gem has but -recently come into my possession. It will be a -pleasant surprise for our friend the Shan to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just for an instant it looked as if Lefroy were -about to transfer his spleen from Manfred to his -host. But Frobisher had been told enough already. -The cowardly blow said as plainly as words could -speak that Frobisher had obtained the very -treasure that Lefroy was after. He imagined that -his secretary had played him false. And, -moreover, he knew that Frobisher knew this.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You've got it," he said. He seemed to have a -difficulty in swallowing something. "But you -could not bring yourself to part with it. You -couldn't do it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My good Lefroy, every man has his price, -even you and I. My beloved Moth may not be a -very good trap, but I shall find it a wonderfully -efficient bait."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dare say," Lefroy returned moodily. "Can -I examine the flower closer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly. Hafid, bring the extending steps -this way. Be careful of those ropes and tangles. -An active man like you could climb up the stays -and bracket to the roof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy was a long time examining the flower. -He was torn by envy and admiration. When he -came down again his face was pale and his hands -trembled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The real thing," he said, "the real, palpitating, -beautiful thing. But there is blood upon it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Born in blood and watered with the stream -of life. No, I am not going to tell you where I -got it from. And now, my dear Lefroy, what will -you take for your Koordstan concessions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy said nothing, but there was a gleam -in his downcast eyes. Then presently he broke -into a laugh that jarred on the decorous silence -of the place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The game is yours," he said. "White to -play and mate in three moves. Still there may be -a way out. And, on the other hand, you must be -very sure of your game to show me that. Lord, -I'd give twopence to have you alone in a dark -corner!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He rose abruptly, turned on his heel, and made -for the door, followed by the white automaton -with the bleeding lip. He could hear Frobisher's -diabolical chuckle as the big bronze gates closed -behind him. It was perhaps the most silent meal -ever partaken of at Frobisher's. He was glad at -length to see the last of his luncheon guests.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once in the streets Lefroy's manner changed. -He looked uneasy and downcast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sorry I hit you, Manfred," he said. "But -when I caught sight of that infernal plant I felt -sure that you had sold me. But even you couldn't -have carried the thing off quite so coolly as that. -And yet—and yet there can't be two Cardinal -Moths in existence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are not," Manfred said impatiently. -"That is the same one I hoped to have had in my -possession to-night. Didn't Frobisher say it had -recently fallen into his hands?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I recollect that now. Manfred, I'm done. -And yet I regarded it as a certainty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were a great fool to strike me just now," -said Manfred, thoughtfully, and without -resentment. "Why? Because the blow told Frobisher -that he had gained possession of the very thing -you were after. It was as good as telling him that -you thought I had betrayed you. To-night when -the Shan dines——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy grasped Manfred's arm with crushing force.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He isn't going to dine with Frobisher -to-night," he whispered. "We shall dine there, -but his Majesty will be unfortunately detained -owing to sudden indisposition. In other words, -he will be too drunk to leave his hotel. Let's go -into your lodgings and have a brandy and soda. -I've got a plan ready. There is just a chance yet -that I may succeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Manfred let himself into a house just off Brook -Street. In a modest room upstairs, a box of -cigars, some spirits, together with a silver jug of -water, and a box of sparklets were put out. On -the round table lay an early edition of an evening -paper that Manfred opened somewhat eagerly for -him. He glanced over a late advertisement in the -personal column and shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is as I thought," he said. "See here. -'The butterflies have gone away and cannot be -found. My poor friend has broken his neck and -I have gone on a journey'—That is addressed to -me, Lefroy. It is a message from my man that -somebody has stolen the Cardinal Moth, and that -my man's confederate has met with a fatal -accident. Also it seems likely that there will be -a fuss over the business, so that my correspondent -has gone somewhere out of the way. We will -look for some account of the tragedy presently; -it is sure to be in this paper. Now tell me what -you propose to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy poured a brandy and soda down his -throat without a single movement of his larynx.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm in a devil of a mess," he said frankly. "I -made certain of getting the Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So did I. But that is a detail. Go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wanted money badly. The concession -seemed to be as good as mine. With the Moth as -a bribe for the Shan it would have been all -Lombard Street to a green gooseberry. So I -lodged the charter with a notorious money-lending -Jew in Fenchurch Street, and got twenty -thousand pounds on account."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear Lefroy, you hadn't got the concession -to lodge!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but I had the man's letters, and I had the -draft contract. So I forged the Charter, hoping -to exchange it for a more broad and liberal one -later on, and there you are!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And where will you be if you stay in the -country forty-eight hours longer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I understand," Lefroy said grimly. "But -there is a chance yet. The Shan does not go to -Frobisher's dinner this evening and we do. You -are suddenly indisposed and sit out. At a given -signal I make a diversion. Then you hurry into -that orchid-house and steal the flower."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The thing is absolutely impossible, my dear fellow!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all. There is a much smaller Moth -growing side by side with the larger one. I found -that out to-night. You have only to snap off a -small piece of cork and unwind the stems. Then -you hurry off to my place with it and put it -amongst my orchids. The old man does not -expect anything beyond a small plant; those we -had before were babies compared to the one -yonder. Then we get the Shan round the next -day and give him the vegetable. I shall have the -concession ready. And it's any money Frobisher -never knows how he has been done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll make the attempt if you like," Manfred -said without emotion. "We can discuss the -details in the morning. And now let me see what -happened to my man. There is sure to be an -account in this paper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Manfred came upon it at length:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mysterious Occurrence in Streatham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yesterday evening Thomas Silverthorne, -caretaker at Lennox Nursery, Streatham, was aroused -by hearing a noise in the greenhouse attached to -the house. Silverthorne had not gone to bed; -indeed, only a few hours before his employer had -died, leaving him alone in the house. On entering -the greenhouse the caretaker discovered the body -of a man lying on the floor quite dead. -Silverthorne thinks that it was the dull thud of -the body that aroused him. Some plants in the -roof had been pulled down—rare orchids, according -to Silverthorne, who, however, is no gardener—but -there was no means to show how the -unfortunate man got there, as there is no exit -from the greenhouse to the garden. The man was -quite dead, and subsequent medical examination -showed that he had been strangled by a coarse -cloth twisted tightly round his throat; indeed, the -marks on the hempen-cloth were plainly to be -seen. An inquest will be held to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what do you think of it?" Lefroy asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Manfred pitched the paper aside in a sudden -flame of unreasoning passion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Accursed thing!" he cried. "It is the curse -that follows the pursuit of the Cardinal Moth. -It is ever the same, always blood, blood. If I had -my way——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Drop it," Lefroy said sternly. "Remember -what you have got to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Manfred grew suddenly hard and wooden again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have passed my word," he said. "And it -shall be done, though I would rather burn my -hand off first."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-dusky-potentate"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A DUSKY POTENTATE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A very late breakfast, past two o'clock, in -fact, was laid out in one of the private -sitting-rooms of Gardner's hotel that -self-same afternoon. Gardner's only catered for -foreign princes and ambassadors and people of -that kind, the place was filled with a decorous -silence, the servants in their quiet liveries gave -a suggestion of a funeral of some distinguished -personage, and that the body had not long left -the premises. But despite the fact, some queer -people patronised Gardner's from time to time, and -His Highness the Shan of Koordstan was not the -least brilliant in that line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was nearer three when he pushed his plate -away and signified to the servant that he had -finished his breakfast. A morsel of toast and -caviare assisted by a glass of brandy and -soda-water is not a meal suggestive of abstemious -habits, and, indeed, the Shan of Koordstan by no -means erred in that direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked older than his years, and had it not -been for his dusky complexion and yellow eyes, -might have passed for a European of swarthy -type. His features were quite regular and fairly -handsome; he was dressed in the most correct -Bond Street fashion, the cigarette he held between -his shaky fingers might have come from any -first-class club.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've got a devil of a head," he said, as the -servant softly crept away with the tray. "I shall -have to drop that old Cambridge set. I can't stand -their ways. If anybody comes I am out, at least -out to everybody besides Mr. Harold Denvers; -you understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The servant bowed and retired. He came back -presently with a card on a salver, and he of -Koordstan gave a careless nod of assent. The -next moment Harold Denvers came into the room. -He sniffed at the mingled odour of brandy and -cigarette smoke, and smiled. Koordstan was -watching him with those eyes that never rested. -Their side gleam and the hard set of the grinning -mouth showed that a tiger was concealed there -under a thin veneer of Western civilisation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You've got back again, Denvers," he said. -"'Pon my word, you're devilish lucky. They had -quite meant to put you out of the way this time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Highness is alluding to Sir Clement -Frobisher, of course," Harold said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Koordstan crossed over to an alcove and pushed -the curtain back. Beyond was a small -conservatory filled with choice orchids. They were -a passion with him as with Frobisher. One of -his chief reasons for coming to Gardner's was -because it was possible to fill the small -conservatory with a selection of his favourites. -The atmosphere was damp and oppressive, but -the Shan seemed to revel in it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's about the size of it," he said. -"Frobisher found out that you were </span><em class="italics">épris</em><span> of his -lovely ward, and he had other views for her. The -young lady has a will of her own, I understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you could see your way," Harold murmured, -"to leave Miss Lyne out of the discussion——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear chap, I have not the slightest -intention of erring against good taste. I like you, -and out of all the men I come in contact with, you -are the only honest man of the lot. Now I have -stated why you were to be got out of the way I can -proceed. Can't you see that there is somebody -else who is your mortal enemy besides Frobisher?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot call any one particularly to mind at present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, you are blind!" Koordstan cried. "What -about George Arnott? Now I know that, like a -great many people, you regard Arnott as a fool. -He has the laugh of a jackass, with the silly face of -a cow. But behind the mooncalf countenance of -his and that watery eye is a fine brain, and no -heart or conscience. He and Frobisher are hand -in glove together: they have some fine scheme -afloat. And the price of Arnott's alliance is the -hand of a certain lady, who shall be nameless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean that Arnott, when I went out -to Armenia, actually——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Actually! Yes, that is the word. I shall be -able to prove it when the time comes. And now -you have come about those concessions that I was -to consider with a view——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Begging your pardon—the concessions which -your Highness has promised to my company."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Drop that polite rot, old chap," Koordstan -said, with engaging frankness. "You speak like -that, but you regard me as a sorry ass who is -building his own grave with empty brandy bottles. -</span><em class="italics">Entre nous</em><span>, I did promise you those concessions, -but you can't have them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold knew his man too well to rage and storm -or show his anger. He had counted on this matter. -He had seen his way through dangers and perils -of the fertile valleys of Koordstan and a fortune -and perhaps fame behind. The hard grin on the -face of the Shan relaxed a little.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll tell you how it is," he said. "You know -a lot about my people and what a superstitious -gang they are. And you have heard the history -of the Blue Stone of Ghan. As a matter of fact -it's a precious big ruby, and is a talisman that every -Shan of Koordstan is never supposed to be without. -Now if I sold that stone or gave it away, what -would happen to me when I got home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They would tear you to pieces and burn your -body afterwards."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. Now that is a pretty way to treat -a gentleman who merely has the misfortune to be -hard up. And I have been most infernally hard -up lately, owing to my unlucky speculations and -those tribe troubles. Can't get in the taxes, you -know. So the long and short of it is, that I -pledged the Blue Stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold started. The statement did not convey -much to the Western ears generally, but Denvers -realised the true state of the case. The Shan was -not a popular monarch; he was too European -and absentee for that, and if the fact came out the -priests would ruin him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was a most reckless thing to do," Harold said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was acting the goat, wasn't it?" Koordstan -said carelessly, as he pared his long nails. "There -was a new orchid or something that I had to buy. -Sooner or later I shall recover the Blue Stone. -But unfortunately for you, Lefroy and his set are -after those concessions, and in some way Lefroy -has discovered that the precious old jewel is no -longer in my possession."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So that is the way in which he is putting the -pressure on you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it," the Shan said with a dangerous -gleam in his eyes. "Mind you, he is too good a -diplomat to say out and out that he has made that -important discovery. The Blue Stone is engraved -on one side, and that side is used as a seal for -sealing important state documents. Lefroy is -desolate, but his people will do nothing until they -get from me a wax impression of the seal; he told -me that here. And he smiled. It was very near -to the last time he smiled at anybody. If we had -not been in London!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Koordstan checked himself and paced up and -down the small conservatory as like a caged tiger -as a human being could be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your answer to that was easy," Harold said. -"You might have declined on the grounds that -it would have been too easy to forge a die from that -waxen impression."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good Lord, and I never thought of it!" -Koordstan cried. "By Jove, that opens up a fine -field for me! But it will take time. In the -meantime a smiling face and a few of those -previous subterfuges that men for want of a better -name call diplomacy. You shall have your -concessions yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold muttered something that might have -been thanks, but he had his doubts. The Shan was -favourably disposed towards him, but he would -not have trusted the latter a yard so far as money -was concerned. But there was another and better -card yet to play.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not forgotten your promise," he said. -"When I showed you the Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Afterwards subsequently destroyed. Ah, that -we shall never see again. If you could give me -that, you could make any terms with me. By -heaven, I would have all Koordstan back at my -feet if I could show them the 'Moth'! Denvers, -you don't mean to say that you have come here -with the information——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused as if breath had suddenly failed him. -The yellow face was quite ashy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I have," Harold said quietly. "That -was one of the reasons why I came home. I got -scent of the thing on the far side of the Ural -mountains. My adventures would fill a big book. -But I came home with the 'Moth' packed up in -a quarter-pound tin of navy cut tobacco."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have kept this entirely to yourself?" -the Shan asked hoarsely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, rather. I meant to have brought you a -bloom as a guarantee of good faith. The plant is at -present hidden away in the obscure conservatory at -a nursery in the suburbs. If you would like——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold paused as a soft-footed servant came -in with a card on a tray. The Shan glanced at it -and grinned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell him to come again in half an hour," he said. -"Denvers, you had better depart by the Green -Street door; it's Lefroy, and it would be as well for -him not to know that you had been here. Go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you would like to see the 'Moth' I can -make arrangements for you to do so. Only not -one word of this to anybody. We can steal away -down to Streatham and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Koordstan bounced to his feet, anger and -disappointment lived on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Streatham, did you say!" he cried. "There -seems to be witchery about the business. Don't -tell me that you left the plant in care of a man -called——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan grabbed for an early edition of an -evening paper which fluttered in his hand like a -leaf in a breeze. He found what he wanted -presently and began to read half aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yesterday evening Thomas Silverthorne, -caretaker at the Lennox Nursery, Streatham—— Look -here, Denvers, read it for yourself. At the -Lennox nursery a man was found dead, murdered -by having a rope placed round his neck, and held -there till he was strangled. Silverthorne says there -was a rare orchid or two in the house, and that one -of them had been pulled down and probably -stolen. Now if you tell me that your 'Moth' was -placed there, I shall want to murder you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold rose, his face was disturbed and uneasy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is as you imagine," he said. "I did place -the 'Moth' there the night before last. And I -would have taken my oath that nobody knew -that the plant was in England, I'll go to Streatham -at once; I'll get to the bottom of this strange -mystery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count Lefroy is sorry," murmured the -soft-footed servant, as he looked in, "but he -hopes your Highness will see him now as he can -wait no longer."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-interrupted-feast"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">AN INTERRUPTED FEAST.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>To Frobisher's </span><em class="italics">pêtit dîner</em><span> the same evening of -that eventful day ostensibly to meet the -Shan of Koordstan, Lefroy came large -and flamboyant, with a vivid riband across his -dazzling expanse of shirt and a jewelled collar -under his tie. There was an extra gloss on his -black moustache, his swagger was a little more -pronounced than usual. He looked like what he -was—a strong man weighed down by not too -many scruples.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were less than a dozen men altogether, a -couple of well-known members of the Travellers', -a popular K.C., and a keen, hatchet-faced judge -with a quiet manner and a marvellous faculty for -telling dialect stories. The inevitable politician -and fashionable doctor completed the party. As -Lefroy and his secretary entered the drawing-room -most of the men were admiring a portfolio of -Morland's drawings that Frobisher had picked -up lately.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid stepped noiselessly across the floor with -a telegram on a salver. Frobisher read it without -the slightest sign of annoyance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan is not coming," he said. -"Koordstan is indisposed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I gathered when I called professionally this -afternoon," Dr. Brownsmith said dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Champagne," Frobisher laughed whole-heartedly. -"All right, Sir James. I won't -question you too far. So white is not going to -mate in three moves this evening, Lefroy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy shrugged his shoulders carelessly. The -Shan of Koordstan was safe for the present. He -had seen to that. Manfred had dropped quietly -into a chair with just the suggestion of pain on his -face. A smooth-voiced butler announced that -dinner was served.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where does Frobisher get his servants from, -Jessop?" Sir James Brownsmith asked the judge, -as the two strolled across the hall together. "Now -there's a model of a butler for you. His voice has -a flavour of old, nutty sherry about it. By Jove, -what are those flowers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were flowers everywhere, mostly arranged -by Frobisher himself. In the centre was a rough -handful of green twigs bound together with a -silver cord, and the whole surmounted by a coil -of the pinky-white orchid with its fringe of -trembling red moths.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Orchids," said the politician. "Something -fresh, Frobisher? What do you call it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The specimen is not named at present," -Lefroy said meaningly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher glanced at the speaker and smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lefroy is quite right," he said. "The -specimen lacks a name. It came in the first place -from Koordstan, and there were three spines of -the original plant. It is a freak, there never was -anything like it before, and there will probably -never be one like it again. That self-same orchid -was very near to being the price of a kingdom -once upon a time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only it is unfortunately impossible to tell the -story," Lefroy remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once again Frobisher glanced at the speaker and -smiled. Most of the guests by this time were busy -over their soup. They were not the class of men -to waste valuable sentiment over flowers. It was -only Frobisher who glanced from time to time -lovingly at the Cardinal Moth. Manfred seemed -to avoid it altogether. He sat at the table -eating nothing and obviously out of sorts with -his food.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've a bilious headache, Sir Clement," he -explained. "The mere sight of food and smell of -cooking makes me sick to the soul. Would you -mind if I sat in the drawing-room in the dark for a -little time? I am confident that the attack will -pass off presently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anything you please, my dear fellow," -Frobisher cried hospitably. "A strong cup of -tea! A glass of champagne and a dry biscuit? -No? If you ring the bell Hafid will attend to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid salaamed as he dexterously caught a -meaning glance from Frobisher. Lefroy brutally -proclaimed aloud that a good dinner was utterly -wasted upon Manfred. Brownsmith with his -mouth full of aspic was understood to say -something anent the virtues of bromide. So the -dinner proceeded with pink lakes of light on the -table, the flowers and the cut glass and quaint -silver. And there were blossoms, blossoms -everywhere, thousands of them. Frobisher might -have been a great scoundrel—that he was a man -of exquisite taste was beyond question. The -elaborate dinner dragged smoothly along, two -hours passed, a silver chime proclaimed eleven -o'clock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cloth was drawn at length, as the host's -whim was, the decanters and glittering glass stood -on a brown glistening lake of polished oak, with -here and there a dash of fruit to give a more vivid -touch of colour. Hafid handed round a silver -cigarette-box, a cedar cigar cabinette on wheels -was pushed along the table. Over the shaded -electric lights a blue wrack of smoke hung. The -silver chime struck twelve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hafid; you have made Mr. Manfred -comfortable?" Frobisher asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid replied that he had done all that a man -could do. Mr. Manfred was reclining in the dark -near an open window. All the other servants -but himself had retired. The butler had seen -that everything necessary was laid out in the -smoking-room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always send the servants to bed as soon as -possible," Frobisher explained. "What with the -spread of modern journalism, I find it necessary. -You never know nowadays how far one's butler -is interested in the same stock that you are deeply -dipped in. And a long-eared footman has changed -the course of diplomacy before now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If everybody pursued the same policy, -George," Baron Jessop murmured, "I and my -learned friends of the Bench would have more or -less of a sinecure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Lord Saltaur, yonder would not have lost -a beautiful wife," Lefroy said loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sudden hush seemed to smite the table. Lord -Saltaur whitened to his lips under his tan; his -long, lean hands gripped the edge of the table -passionately. His own domestic scandal had been -so new, so painful, that the whole party stood -aghast at the brutality of the insult.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frobisher," Saltaur said, hoarsely. "It is not -pleasant to be insulted by a blackguard——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What was that word?" Lefroy asked quite -sweetly. "My hearing may be a trifle deficient, -but I fancied his lordship said something about a -blackguard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher interfered as in duty bound. As a -matter of fact he was enjoying the situation. -Lefroy had drunk deeply, but then he had seen -Lefroy's amazing prowess in that direction too -many times for any fears as to his ultimate -equilibrium. No, Lefroy was playing some deep -game. As yet only the first card had been laid -upon the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think that the apology lies with you, Count," -Frobisher said tentatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A mere jest," Lefroy said, airily. "A </span><em class="italics">jeu -d'esprit</em><span>. Lord Saltaur's wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You hound!" Saltaur cried passionately. -"Whatever I have been, you might leave the -name of a pure woman out of your filthy -conversation. If you don't apologise at once, I'll -thrust your words down your throat for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A contemptuous reply came from Lefroy. There -was a flash of crystal and a glass shattered on the -Count's dark face, leaving a star-shaped wound on -his cheek. A moment later and he and Saltaur -were struggling together like wild animals. -Frobisher had so far forgotten himself as to lean -back in his chair as if this were a mere exhibition -got up for his entertainment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is this part of the evening's amusement, Sir -Clement?" the judge asked coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher realised his responsibilities with a -sigh for his interrupted pleasure. His civilisation -was the thinnest possible veneer, a shoddy thing -like Tottenham Court Road furniture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, you chaps must drop it," he cried. "I -can't have you fighting over my Smyrna carpet. -Saltaur, you shall have your apology. Lefroy, do -you hear me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Strong arms interfered, and the two men were -dragged apart. Lefroy's teeth glistened in a -ghastly grin; there was a speck of blood on his -white shirt front. Saltaur's laboured breathing -could be heard all over the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I take you all to witness that it was no seeking -of mine," he cried. "I was foully insulted. In -a few days all the world will know that I have been -made the victim of a discharged servant's perjury. -Frobisher, I am still waiting for my apology."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy paused and passed his handkerchief -across his face. He seemed to have wiped the -leering expression from it. He looked a perfect -picture of puzzled bewilderment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What have I done?" he asked. "What on -earth have I said?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beautiful," Frobisher murmured. "Artistic -to a fault. What is he driving at?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Baron Jessop explained clearly and judiciously. -He was glad to have an opportunity of doing so. -Viewing the thing dispassionately, he was bound -to say that Count Lefroy had been guilty of a -grave breach of good taste. But he was quite -sure that under the circumstances——</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On my honour, I haven't the slightest -recollection of it," Lefroy cried. "If there is one -lady of my acquaintance I honour and respect it -is Lady —— the charming woman whom Lord -Saltaur calls his wife. A sudden fit of mental -aberration, my lord. An old wound in the head -followed by a spell in the sunshine. This is the -third time the thing has happened. The last time -in Serbia nearly cost me my life. My dear Saltaur, -I am sorry from the bottom of my heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Funniest case I ever heard of," the puzzled -Saltaur murmured. "All the same, I'm deuced -sorry I threw that wine glass at you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, so you chucked a wine glass at me! -Laid my cheek open, too. Well, I should have -done exactly the same thing under the same -circumstances. From this night I touch nothing -stronger than claret. If I'd stuck to that, this -wouldn't have happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The good-humoured Saltaur muttered something -in reply, the threads of the dropped conversation -were taken up again. Hafid, who had watched -the sudden quarrel with Oriental indifference, had -gone off to the conservatory for hot water to bathe -Lefroy's damaged face. There was just a lull for -a moment in the conversation, a sudden silence, -and then the smash of a crystal vessel on a tiled -floor and a strangled cry of terror from Hafid. -He came headlong into the room, his eyes starting, -his whole frame quivering with an ungovernable -terror.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Manfred," he yelled. "Lying on the floor -in the conservatory, dead. Take it and burn it, -and destroy it. Take it and burn it, and destroy -it. Take it——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher pounced upon the wailing speaker and -clutched him by the throat. As the first hoarse -words came from Hafid the rest of the party had -rushed headlong into the orchid-house. Frobisher -shook his servant like a reed is shaken by a storm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence, you fool!" he whispered. "You -didn't kill the man, and I didn't kill the man. If -he is dead he has not been murdered. And it is -no fault of yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah knows better," Hafid muttered, sulkily. -"You didn't kill him, and I didn't kill him, but -he is dead, and Allah will punish the guilty. Take -it and burn it, and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Idiot! Son of a pig, be silent. And mind, -you are to know nothing. You went to get the -hot water from the orchid-house and saw -Mr. Manfred lying there. As soon as you did so you -rushed in to tell us. Now come along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The limp body of Manfred had been partly -raised, and his head rested on Sir James -Brownsmith's knee. The others stood waiting for -the verdict.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fellow is dead," the great doctor said. -"Murdered, I should say, undoubtedly. He has -been strangled by a coarse cloth twisted about his -throat—precisely the same way as that poor -fellow was murdered at Streatham the night -before last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A solemn silence fell upon the group. Hafid -stood behind, his lips moving in silent speech:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it. Take it -and burn it, and destroy it, for there is blood upon -it now and ever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The drama was none the less moving because -of its decorous silence. The great surgeon knelt -on the white marble floor of the orchid-house with -Manfred's head on his knee. Though Sir James -Brownsmith's hand was quite steady, his face was -white as his own hair, or the face of the dead man -staring dumbly up to the tangle of ropes and -blossoms overhead. There the Cardinal Moth was -dancing and quivering as if exulting over the -crime. A long trail of it had broken away, and -one tiny cloud of blossom danced near the surgeon's -ear, as if trying to tell him the tragedy and its story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A ghastly business," the judge murmured. -"How did the murderer get in here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did he get out?" Frobisher suggested. -"There is no exit from here at all. All the servants -have been in bed long ago, and the front door is -generally secured, at least the latch is always down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what brought poor Manfred in here?" -Saltaur asked. "I understood from Hafid that he -was lying down in the drawing-room. Oh, Hafid! -Wake up, man!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," Hafid -said mechanically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher shook him savagely, shook the dreamy -horror off him like a garment. He was sorry, he -said, but he could tell the excellent company -nothing. A quarter of an hour before and -Mr. Manfred had appeared to be asleep on the -drawing-room sofa. Hafid had asked him if he -needed anything, and he had made no reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very strange," Sir James murmured, still -diagnosing the cruel stranded pattern about the -dead man's throat. "Perhaps Count Lefroy—where -is the Count?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He went back into the dining-room," said Saltaur.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher brought his teeth together with a -click. For the moment he had quite forgotten -Count Lefroy. He passed from the library and -into the dining-room. Lefroy stood by the great -shining table close against the fluttering pyramid -of red moths, a thin-bladed knife in his hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what might you be doing?" Frobisher asked softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy smiled somewhat bitterly. He was -perfectly self-possessed with the grip of the man -who knows how to hold himself in hand. And he -smiled none the less easily because there was -murder raging in his heart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am cutting my nails," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I'll cut your claws for you!" Frobisher -said. "Don't do that, what will your manicure -artist say? And a social superiority (feminine) -tells me that you have the finest hand of any man -in London. You are unhinged, my dear Count. -This little affair——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This cold-blooded murder you mean. Oh, -you scoundrel!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy had dropped the mask for a moment. -There was contempt, loathing, horror in the last -few words. Frobisher, counting the nodding -swarm of crimson moths, merely smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Twenty-seven, thirty-one, thirty-nine," he -said. "You haven't stolen any of my flowers yet. -Not a bad idea of yours to purloin a cluster, and -send it to our tin Solomon yonder, as an earnest -of good intentions later on. And why do you call -me scoundrel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are the most infernal villain that ever -breathed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, perhaps I am. It is very good of you -to admit my superior claims, dear Lefroy. But -I am getting old, and you may live to take my -place some day. Why——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you kill Manfred?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow, I didn't kill Manfred. You -think he has been murdered in the ordinary sense -of the word. Manfred has not been murdered, and -nobody will ever be hanged for the crime. That -you may take my word for. It is the vengeance of -the Crimson Moth, death by visitation of God; call -it what you will. And it might have been yourself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's whole manner had changed, his eyes -were gleaming evilly as he hissed the last words -warningly in Lefroy's ear. The latter changed -colour slightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't understand what you mean," he stammered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet you are not usually slow at -understanding. I repeat that it might have been -yourself. If you had attempted the raid of the -Cardinal Moth, instead of Manfred, you would -have been lying at the present moment with your -head on Brownsmith's knees, and the mark of the -beast about your throat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if I tell those fellows yonder what you say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are at liberty to say anything you please. -But you are not going to say anything, my dear -Lefroy; you are too fine a player for that. You -are going to wait patiently for your next innings. -Come back to the others. And perhaps I had -better lock this door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy, like a wise man, accepted the inevitable. -But the rest of the party were no longer in the -orchid-house. They had carried the dead man to -the back dining-room, where they had laid him -out on a couch. Frobisher rang up the nearest -police-station on the telephone with the request -that an inspector should be sent for at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By gad, this is a dreadful thing, don't you -know!" Saltaur said with a shudder. "Fancy -that poor fellow being murdered whilst we were -wrangling in the dining-room. I suppose there is -no doubt that it is murder, doctor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not the shadow of a doubt about it," Sir -James replied. "Poor Manfred must have been -admiring the flowers when the assassin stepped -behind him and threw that coarse cloth over his -head. A knee could be inserted on his spine, and -the head forced backwards. The cloth must have -been twisted with tremendous force. It is quite -a novel kind of murder for England."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, then you have heard of something of the -same kind before?" Frobisher asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In India, frequently. I had a chance to -examine more than one victim of Thugee, yonder. -You remember what a scourge Thugism used to be -in India some years ago. A Thug killed Manfred, -I have not the slightest doubt about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there are no Thugs in England," the -judge protested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow, I have had an unfortunate -demonstration to the contrary. And this crime -is not necessarily the work of a native. Thugee is -not dead in India yet, and some white scoundrel -might have learnt the trick. Your own servant, -Hafid——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A robust bluebottle would make a formidable -antagonist for Hafid," Frobisher interrupted. -"Hafid, somebody is ringing the bell. If it's a -policeman, ask him in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Inspector Townsend came in, small, quiet, soft -of manner, and undoubtedly dressed in Bond -Street. He listened gravely to all that Frobisher -and Brownsmith had to say, and then he asked -permission to view the body, and subsequently -examine the premises.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A close search of the house only served to deepen -the mystery. All the servants slept on the top -floor, and that part of the house was bolted off -every night after the domestic staff had retired. -This was a whim of Sir Clement's, a whim likely -to increase his unpopularity in case of fire, but at -present that was a secondary consideration. There -was no exit from the orchid-house, no windows -had been left open, and despite the fact that there -were guests in the house, the front-door latch had -been dropped quite early in the evening. A rigid -cross-examination of Hafid led to no satisfactory -result. The man was almost congealed with terror -and shock, but it was quite obvious that he knew -nothing whatever about the mystery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There will be an inquest to-morrow at twelve, -Sir Clement," Townsend said. "It will probably -be a mere formal affair at which you gentlemen -will be present. Good night, sirs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better follow the inspector's -example," Lefroy cried. "Good night, Frobisher."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow, I wish you a cordial adieu," -Frobisher cried. "And I can only regret that our -pleasant evening has had so tragic a termination. -Townsend, you have locked up the back dining-room -and taken the key? Good! I want no extra -responsibility."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The big hall-door closed behind the last of them. -Frobisher took Hafid firmly by the collar and led -him into the orchid-house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, you rascal," he asked, "what on earth -do you mean by it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and destroy it, and burn it," Hafid -wailed, with a wriggling of his body. He seemed -to be trying to shake off something loathsome. -"Oh, master, what is to become of us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You grovelling, superstitious fool," Frobisher -said lightly. "Nothing will become of us. -Nobody knows anything, nobody will ever know -anything as long as you remain silent. We -haven't murdered anybody!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allah looking down from Paradise knows -better than that, master!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, he is not likely to be called in as a -witness," Frobisher muttered grimly. "I tell you -nothing has happened that the law can take the -least cognisance of. Mind you, I didn't know that -things would go quite so far. When I rang up -the curtain it was comedy I looked for, not -tragedy. Take the key and go into the -dining-room. Remove those orchids and burn -them, taking care that you destroy thirty-nine -of the red flowers. Then you can go to bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid recoiled with unutterable loathing on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I couldn't do it," he whispered. "I couldn't -touch one of those accursed blossoms. Beat me, -torture me, turn me into the street to starve, but -don't ask me to do that, master. I dare not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He cowered abjectly at Frobisher's feet. With -good-humoured contempt the latter kicked him -aside. "Go to bed," he said. "You are a greater -coward than even I imagined. Put the lights out, -and I'll go to bed also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lights were carefully put out, except in the -smoking-room, where Frobisher sat pondering -over the strange events of the evening. He was -not in the least put out or alarmed or distressed; -on the contrary, he looked like a man who had -been considerably pleased with an interesting -entertainment. For Manfred he felt neither -sorrow nor sympathy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not look fearfully round the room as if -half expecting to see the shadow of Manfred's -assassin creeping upon him. But he smiled in his -own peculiar fashion as the door opened and a -white-robed figure came in. It was Angela with -her fine hair about her shoulders and a look of -horror in her eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you've found out all about it," Sir Clement -said. "I'm sorry, because it will spoil your rest. -How did you come to make the discovery?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had just come in," Angela explained. "I -let myself in with my latchkey. I did not come -near you because I could hear that you were -entertaining company, so I went straight to bed. -Then I heard Hafid's cry, and I came to the head -of the stairs where I could hear everything."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean to say that you stood there and listened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I couldn't help it. So far as I could judge there -was an assassin in the house. Just for the -moment I was far too frightened to move. That -raving madman might have come for me next."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you can make your mind quite easy on -that score. As you know, the whole house has -been most thoroughly searched from top to -bottom, and there is nobody here but the servants -and ourselves now. If I were you I should keep -out of it. Go to bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Clement barked out the last few words, but -Angela did not move.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There will be an inquest, of course?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Lord, yes! The papers will reek of it, -and half the reporters in London will look upon the -place as a kind of public-house for the next week. -Take my advice and keep out of it. You know -nothing and you want to continue to know nothing, -so to speak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I am afraid that I know a great deal," -Angela said slowly. "When I came in I was -going into the conservatory to place a flower that -I had given me to-night. It is a flower that I am -likely to be interested in another time. And there -I saw a strange man walking swiftly the same way. -From his air and manner he was obviously doing -wrong. My idea was to follow and stop him. And -when I reached the conservatory, to my intense -surprise, he was nowhere to be seen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher bent down to fill his pipe. There was -an evil, diabolical grin, so malignant, and yet so -gleeful, as to render the face almost inhuman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may be of importance later on," he said. -"Meanwhile, I should keep the information to -myself. Now go to bed and lock your door. I'm -going to finish my pipe in my dressing-room."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher snapped out the lights, leaving the -house in darkness. For once in her life Angela -did lock her door. She could not sleep; she had -no desire for bed and yet her eyes were heavy -and tired. She pulled up the blind and opened the -window; out beyond, the garden was flooded -with moonlight. As Angela stood there she seemed -to see a figure creeping from one bush to another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is my fancy," she told herself. "I could -imagine anything to-night. And yet I could have -been certain that I saw the figure of a man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela paused; it was no fancy. A man crept -over the grass and looked up at the window as if -he were doing something strictly on the lines of -conventionality. To her amazement Angela saw -that the intruder was in evening dress, and that -it was Harold Denvers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Harold," she whispered. "Whatever are you -doing there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came on the chance," was the reply. "I -have heard strange things to-night, and there is -something that I must know at once. I was -going to try and rouse you with some pebbles. -Dare you go down to the garden-room window -and let me in? Darling, it is a matter of life or -death, or I would not ask."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela slipped down the stairs noiselessly, and -opened the window.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="bit-of-the-rope"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A BIT OF THE ROPE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sir James Brownsmith thought that on -the whole he would walk home from -Piccadilly to Harley Street. The chauffeur -touched his hat, and the car moved on. The -eminent surgeon had ample food for reflection; -it seemed to him that he was on the verge of a -great discovery. Somebody accosted him two or -three times before he came back to earth again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That you, Townsend?" he asked, abruptly. -"You want to speak to me? Certainly. Only as -I am rather tired to-night if you will cut it as short -as possible, I shall be glad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid I can't, Sir James," Inspector -Townsend replied. "Indeed I was going to suggest -that I walked as far as your house and had a chat -over matters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James shrugged his shoulders, and Harley -Street was reached almost in silence. In the -small consulting-room the surgeon switched on -a brilliant light and handed over cigars and -whisky and soda.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now go on," he said. "It's all about -to-night's business, I suppose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely, sir. You've helped us a good many -times with your wonderful scientific knowledge, -and I dare say you will again. This Piccadilly -mystery is a queer business altogether. Do you -feel quite sure that the poor fellow was really -murdered, after all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brownsmith looked fixedly at the speaker. He -had considerable respect for Townsend, whose -intellect was decidedly above the usual Scotland -Yard level. Townsend was a man of imagination -and a master of theory. He went beyond motive -and a cast of a footmark—he was no rule-of-thumb -workman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the face of it I should say there can be no -possible doubt," said Sir James.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murdered by strangulation, sir? The same as -that man at Streatham. As you have made a -careful examination of both bodies you ought to know?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there any form of murder unknown to me, -Townsend?" Sir James asked. "Is there any -trick of the assassin's trade that I have not -mastered?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I admit your special knowledge, sir! But -it's a trick of mine to be always planning new -crimes. I could give you three ways of committing -murder that are absolutely original. And I've -got a theory about this business that I don't care -to disclose yet. Still, we can discuss the matter -up to a certain point. Both those men were -destroyed—or lost their lives—in the same way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both strangled, in fact. It's the Indian Thug -dodge. But you know all about that, Townsend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll admit for the moment that both -victims have been destroyed by Thugee. But -isn't it rather strange that both bodies were found -in close juxtaposition to valuable orchids? We -know, of course, that Sir Clement's orchids are -almost priceless. The Streatham witness, Silverthorne, -says that a very rare orchid was recently -placed in the Lennox conservatory. Now, isn't -it fair to argue that both murdered men lost their -lives in pursuit of those orchids?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James nodded thoughtfully. He had -forgotten the Cardinal Moth for the moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see you have pushed your investigations a -long way in this direction," he said. "This being -so, have you ascertained for a fact that the -Lennox nursery really contained nothing out of -the common in the way of Orchidacæ? You know -what I mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite so, sir. That I have not been able to -ascertain because the proprietor of the Lennox -nursery has no special knowledge of his trade. His -great line is cheap ferns for the London market. -But he says a gentleman whom he could easily -recognise left him an orchid to look after—a poor -dried-up stick it seemed to be—with instructions -to keep it in a house not too warm, where it might -remain at a small rent till wanted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, indeed! You are interesting me, -Townsend. Pray go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Sir James, I wanted to see the flowers -after the murder, not that I expected it to lead to -anything at that time. Seeing what has happened -this evening, it becomes more interesting. Would -you believe it, sir, that the flower in question was -gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean that it had been stolen? Really, -Townsend, we seem to be on the track of -something important."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Sir James, the flower had gone. Now, -what I want to know is this—has Sir Clement -Frobisher added anything special to his collection -lately?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James shot an admiring glance at his -questioner. Seeing that he was working almost -entirely in the dark, Townsend had developed his -theory with amazing cleverness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a treat to work with you," the great -surgeon said. "As a matter of fact, Sir Clement -had got hold of something that struck me as -absolutely unique. It's a flower called the -Cardinal Moth. A flower on a flower, so to speak; -a large cluster of whitey-pink blossoms with little -red blooms hovering over like a cloud of scarlet -moths. Sir Clement is very pleased about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From what you say I gather that he has not -had it long, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I should say quite recently! But you are -not going to tell me that you suspect Frobisher?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At present, I don't suspect anybody, though -Sir Clement is an unmitigated rascal who would -not stop at any crime to serve his own ends. I -don't go so far as to say that he had a hand in the -business, but I do say that he could tell us exactly -how the tragedy took place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James shot an admiring glance in the -direction of the speaker. Frobisher's elfish -interest in the crime, and his amazing </span><em class="italics">sang-froid</em><span> -under the circumstances, had struck the surgeon -unpleasantly. Townsend looked reflectively into -the mahogany depths of his whisky and soda.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's one thing to know that, and quite another -to make a man like Sir Clement speak," he said. -"I am more or less with you, sir, over the Thugee -business, but was the crime committed with a -rope? I shall not be surprised to find that it was -done with a bramble, something like honeysuckle -or the like. But at the same time as you seemed -so certain about the rope, why——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend waved his hand significantly. Sir -James rose and unlocked a safe from which he -produced an envelope with some fibrous brown -strands in it. These he placed under a powerful -microscope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, these I took from the throat of the poor -fellow who was killed at Streatham," he explained. -"I was rather bored by the case when you called -me in first, and even up to the time I gave my -evidence at the inquest. After the inquest was -over I examined the body over again, and I confess -that my interest increased as I proceeded. After -what you have just told me I am completely -fascinated. I made a most careful examination -of the dead man's neck once, and had discovered -that he had died of strangulation, and bit by bit I -collected these. They are fibres of the rope with -which the crime was done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend nodded so far as Sir James had proved -his case.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you done as much with the poor fellow -at Sir Clement's residence?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, but I shall do so in the morning. This is -a curious sort of stuff, Townsend, and certainly -not made in England. It is not rope or cord in -our commercial sense of the word, but a strong -Manilla twist of native fibre. Thus we are going -to introduce a foreign element into the solution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend smiled as he produced a little packet -from his pocket and laid it on the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are building up my theory for me, -wonderfully, sir," he said. "I also have something -of the same sort here, only I have more than you -seem to have collected. Here is the same sort of -fibre from Mr. Manfred's collar-stud, so that he -must have been strangled over his collar, which -means a powerful pressure. I didn't think it -possible for human hands to put a pressure like -that, but there it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My word, we've got a powerful assassin to look -for!" Sir James exclaimed. "Like you, I should -not have deemed it possible. Did you find all that -on Manfred's collar-stud?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not all of it, sir. The collar-stud was bent up -as if it had been a bit of tinfoil. But I found the -bulk of this under the dead man's finger-nails. -They are long nails, and doubtless in the agony -of strangulation they clutched frantically at the -cord. I am quite sure that you will find this -fibre to be identical with that which you took -from the neck of the Streatham victim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And this caretaker you speak of. Is he a -respectable man? Silverthorne you said his name -was, I fancy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's the man, sir. He has been in his -present employ for one-and-twenty years, a -hard-working, saving man, with a big family. -Oh, I should take his word for most things that -he told me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James revolved the problem slowly in his -mind, as he inhaled his cigarette smoke. If the -Lennox nursery had been deliberately made the -centre of a puzzling murder mystery, it was quite -sure that neither the nursery proprietor nor his -man knew anything whatever about it. And yet -it had been necessary, for some reason, that a -glass-house should play an important part, for -both murders had taken place under glass, and -both suggested that the orchid was at the bottom -of it. Again, Townsend was not the kind of man -to make reckless statements, and when he boldly -averred that Sir Clement Frobisher could tell all -about it if he liked, he had assuredly some very -strong evidence to go upon. A great deal depended -upon the analysis of the red, liquid stain on the -fibre taken by Townsend from the body of Manfred.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If these little bits of stuff could speak what -tales they could tell," Sir James said, as he -carefully locked up both packets of fibre. I'll -get up an hour earlier in the morning and have -a dig at these, Townsend. And meanwhile as my -days are busy ones, and it's past one o clock, I -shall have to get you to finish your drink and give -me your room instead of your company.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend took the hint and his hat and retired. -But though Sir James had expressed his intention -of retiring almost immediately, he stretched out -his hand for another cigarette and lighted it -thoughtfully. Was it possible, he wondered, if -Sir Clement Frobisher really could solve the -mystery? And had he anything to do with it? -Not directly, Sir James felt sure; Frobisher was -not that kind of man. He was much more -likely to get the thing done for him. He was -secretive, too, over the Cardinal Moth; he had -behaved so queerly over that business of Count -Lefroy and his insult of Frobisher's guest. -Brownsmith pitched his cigarette into the grate, -and switched off the electric light impatiently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should I worry my head about it?" -he muttered. "I'll go to bed."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-grip-of-steel"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A GRIP OF STEEL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sir Clement had not gone to bed yet. He -sat over a final pipe in his dressing-room, -the fumes of the acrid tobacco lingered -everywhere. The owner of the house leant back, -his eyes half closed, and the smile on his face -suggestive of one who is recalling some exquisite -comedy. A shocking tragedy had been enacted -almost under his very eyes, and yet from -Frobisher's attitude the thing had pleased him, -he was not in the least disturbed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began to kick off his clothing slowly, the -filthy clay pipe between his lips. He touched a -bell, and Hafid slid into the room. There was -terror in his eyes enough and to spare. He might -have been a detected murderer in the presence -of his accuser. He trembled, his lips were -twitching piteously, there was something about -him of the rabbit trying to escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, mooncalf," Frobisher said with bitter -raillery. "Well, my paralytic pearl of idiots. -Why do you stand there as if somebody was -tickling your midriff with a bowie knife?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," Hafid -muttered. The man was silly with terror. "Take -it and burn it, and destroy it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Lord, was there ever such a fool since the -world began?" Frobisher cried. "If you make -that remark again I'll jamb your head against the -wall till your teeth chatter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," Hafid -went on mechanically. "Master, I can't help it. -My tongue does not seem able to say anything -else. Let me go, send me away. I'm not longer -to be trusted. I shall run wild into the night -with my story."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, and I shall run wild with my story in the -day-time, and where will you be then, my -blusterer? What's the matter with the man? -Has anybody been murdered?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," Hafid said slowly, as if the words were -being dragged out of him. "At least, the law -could not say so. No, master, nobody has been -murdered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then what are you making all this silly fuss -about? Nobody has been murdered but an -inquisitive thief who has accidentally met with -his death. Other inquisitive thieves are likely to -meet with the same fate. Past master amongst -congenial idiots, go to bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher shouted the command backed up by a -sounding smack on the side of Hafid's head. He -went off without sense or feeling; indeed, he was -hardly conscious of the blow. Frobisher sat there -smiling, sucking at the marrow of his pipe, and -slowly preparing for bed. His alertness and -attention never relaxed a moment, his quick ears -lost nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who's moving in the house?" he muttered. -"I heard a door open softly. When people want -to get about a house at dead of night it is a mistake -to move softly. The action is suspicious, whereas -if the thing were openly done, one doesn't trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher snapped out the lights and stood in -the doorway, rigid to attention. Presently the -darkness seemed to rustle and breathe, there was a -faint suggestion of air in motion, and then silence -again. Frobisher grinned to himself as he slipped -back into his room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Angela," he said softly; "I could detect that -faint fragrance of her anywhere. Now what's she -creeping about the house at this time for? If -she isn't back again in a quarter of an hour I shall -proceed to investigate. My cold and haughty -Angela on assignation bent! Oh, oh!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela slipped silently down the broad stairway, -utterly unconscious of the fact that she had been -discovered. She was usually self-contained -enough, but her heart was beating a little faster -than usual. In some vague way she could not -disassociate this visit of Harold's from the -tragedy of the earlier evening. And to a certain -extent Harold was compromising her, a thing he -would have hesitated to do unless the need had -been very pressing. By instinct Angela found her -way to the garden-room window, the well-oiled -catch came back with a click, and Harold was in -the room. They wanted no light, the moon was -more than sufficient. Harold's face was pale and -distressed in the softened rays of light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dearest, I had to come," he whispered in -extenuation. "It was my only chance. I could -not possibly enter Sir Frobisher's house by -legitimate means, and yet at the same time it is -important that I should see certain things here. -If I could only tell you everything!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me all or as little as you like," Angela -whispered. "I can trust you all the same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good to hear you say that, Angela. It -was wrong of me to come, and yet there was no -other way. Did you show Sir Clement those -blossoms that I gave you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, there was no possible chance. I -placed the spray in the conservatory, intending -to give my guardian a pleasant surprise to-morrow, -and then the tragedy happened. But of course -you know nothing of that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I do, Angela. I know all about it. -Jessop, the judge, who dined here to-night, came -into the club full of it. Manfred, Count Lefroy's -secretary, wasn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same man. I cannot understand it. -Harold. There was a man in the conservatory, -or rather there was a man going towards the -conservatory, who had no business there. Anybody -could see that from his manner. My idea was -to place the spray there and to ask the intruder -what he was doing. When I reached the -conservatory the place was empty. Absolutely -empty, and yet I had seen the man enter! There -is no exit either. I went back to my room not -knowing what to think. And shortly afterwards -I heard Hafid cry out. From the top of the stairs -I heard all that was going on. And the man who -had been strangled in the conservatory was the -very man I had seen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Denvers said nothing for the moment. He was -breathing hard and his face was pale with horror. -Angela could feel his hand trembling as she laid -her own upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you understand," she whispered. "I -fancy that you know. Harold, tell me what all -this strange mystery means."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not yet," Denvers replied. "You must wait. -Nobody ever heard the like of it before. And so -long as you are under the same roof as—but -what am I talking about? But this much I may -say: the whole horrible problem revolves round -the Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Round the flower that you gave me to-night, -Harold! And that so innocent looking and -beautiful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, there it is. I have been on the fringe -of it for some time. Angela, you must give me -back that spray of blossom, you must not mention -it to Sir Clement at all. And now I must have a -look into the conservatory, indeed I came on -purpose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You came expecting to find something, a clue -to the mystery there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, yes, if you like to put it that way," -Denvers murmured, avoiding Angela's eyes for the -first time. "I had a plant of that Cardinal Moth -which I deemed safely hidden in Streatham. Why -I had to hide it I will tell you in due course. It -had a great deal to do between myself and the -Shan of Koordstan, with whom I hoped to do -important business. I mentioned it to him and he -showed me a paragraph in a paper which for the -moment has scattered all my plans. As soon as I -read that paragraph I felt certain that my Moth -had been stolen, though it cost one life to get it. -When I heard of the tragedy here to-night, I was -absolutely sure as to my facts. Angela, my Moth -is in the conservatory here, and Manfred lost his -life trying to steal it for somebody else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela listened with a vague feeling that she -would wake presently and find it all a dream. A -new horror had been added to the house in the -last few minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us hope you are wrong," she said with a -shudder. "Come and see at once. But what do -you propose to do if you find that your suspicions -are correct?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Denvers hardly knew; he had had no time to -think that part out. He reached out to find a switch -for the light, but Angela's gentle hand detained him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The moon must suffice," she said. "Sir -Clement has eyes like a hawk. What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A thud in the hall followed by an unmistakable -cry of pain. It was only just for an instant, and -then there was silence again. Angela drew her -lover back into the shadow of the curtain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was Sir Clement," she whispered. -"Whether he has found me out, or has merely -come down for something, I can't say. Probably -he kicked against something in the dark. Harold!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For Harold had darted out from the curtain and -gripped something that looked like a shadow. As -he dragged his burden forward the moon shone -on the dull features of Hafid. Taken suddenly as -he had been, he did not display the slightest -traces of fear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My beautiful mistress is watched," he said -smoothly. "I came to warn her. Sir Clement -has gone up to his dressing-room for his slippers. -He struck his illustrious toe against a marble -table and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then follow him and lock him in," Harold -said hurriedly. "Do that and you shall not be -forgotten. Lock the dressing-room door whilst -you are pretending to look for the slippers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You could do me no greater service," Angela -whispered sweetly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid hastened off as noiselessly as a cat. There -was nothing short of murder that he would -not have done for Angela. There was no light -in Frobisher's dressing-room, by the aid of the -moon he was fumbling for his slippers. He -turned as Hafid entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My master was moving and I heard him," -Hafid said. "Is there anything that I can do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," Frobisher said crisply. "You can hunt -round and find my confounded slippers. That -fool of a man of mine never puts things in the -same place twice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid came back presently with the missing -articles. The key of the dressing-room was in his -pocket, he slipped through the bedroom and -locked that door also. Frobisher stood listening -a minute or two with a queer, uneasy grin on his -face. Evidently this little accident had not -frightened the game away. He turned the handle -softly, but with no effect. He shook the door -passionately. Something seemed to have gone -wrong with the lock. That Hafid should have -dared to play such a trick never for one moment -entered Frobisher's mind. With his well-trained -philosophy Frobisher sat down and filled his pipe. -What a woman had done safely once, she was -certain to attempt again, he argued, perhaps try -and attempt a better move. And there were other -light nights before the moon had passed the full. -Denvers stood listening, but no further sound -came. The attempt must be made now or never.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Show me the conservatory," he whispered. -"There are long folding steps, of course? Then -you can stay in the doorway till I have finished, -My darling, I am truly sorry to expose you to all -this, but——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela led the way. It was fairly light in the -great glass tank with its tangle of blooms, but as -Denvers entered a great gush of steam shot up -from the automatic pipe and filled the dome with -vapour. Harold quickly drew the long steps to -the centre and mounted. He disappeared in the -mist and was quickly lost amongst the tangle of -ropes and blossoms. He had to wait for the -periodical cloud of vapour to pass away before he -could make a searching examination. So far as -Angela could see, nobody was in the roof at all, -it was as if Denvers had disappeared, leaving no -trace behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was another gush of steam followed by a -shower of falling blossoms, and a quick cry of -pain from the dome. As Angela darted forward -the cry of pain came again, there was a confused -vision of a struggling figure, and then Denvers came -staggering down the steps holding his right arm to -his side, his face bedabbled with a moisture that was -caused by something beyond the heated atmosphere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What has happened?" Angela asked -hurriedly. "Have you had an accident with -your arm?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Denvers stood there gasping and reeling for a -moment. The steam had all evaporated now, and -there was nothing to be seen in the dome but a -tangle of blossoms on their rigid cords. At -Denvers' feet lay a spray of the Cardinal Moth. -Despite his pain he placed it in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here," he said hoarsely. "This is -witchcraft. Somebody grasped my arm, some -unseen force clutched me. I managed to get away -by sheer strength, but look here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a ring of blood all round Denvers' -wrist, the flesh had been cut almost to the bone. -It seemed almost impossible for a human hand to -grasp like that, but there it was. And up in the -dome now there was nothing to be seen but the -tangled masses of glorious blooms.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-weaker-vessel"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE WEAKER VESSEL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Like most men of his class, Frobisher had a -perfect knowledge of the art of using -others. To study their weakness was always -the first stage of the game, and therefore in an -early stage of their acquaintance the little baronet -learnt the fact that Paul Lopez was criminally -extravagant with his money. How Lopez got -rid of it Frobisher neither knew nor cared, the -weakness paid him, and there was an end of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Therefore Frobisher paid his henchman liberally. -There was no generosity about it, nothing but -policy. That was the secret of Lopez's life, and -beyond that Frobisher never attempted to -penetrate. Perhaps he knew that Lopez must -not be pushed too far.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Paul Lopez had contented himself with the -result of his labours for the day. He was a plain, -simply-dressed man himself, and gave no suggestion -of a liking for the luxuries and good things -of this life. All the same, he was seated now at -a most perfectly-appointed table, clad in most -immaculate evening-dress, and looking across a -table in the centre of which was a veritable bank -of flowers. Two opal electric swans floated upon -what was meant to resemble a miniature lake, -and these gave the only light to the dinner-table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dining-room was small but exquisitely -furnished, for Lopez had a pretty taste that way. -There were no servants in the room now, for coffee -had been served, and Lopez was leaning back -with the air of one who has dined wisely and well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the other side of the table a girl sat. She -was slight and fair, with a pretty, petulant face, -the spoilt look not in the least detracting from -her Greuze-like beauty. Her eyes were the eyes -of a woman, and her expression that of a child. -Lopez called her simply Cara—not even his most -intimate acquaintances knew her other name—and -she was popularly supposed to be the child -of some dead and gone friend. No daughter had -ever had more care and love bestowed upon her -than Cara, she was the one soft spot in Lopez's -life. Perhaps she cared for him in a way; perhaps -she had come to regard him and all these luxuries -as a matter of course; certain it was that Cara -lacked nothing many times when Lopez had to -go without.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a queer, half-ashamed look on his -face now, as he pulled at his cigarette. Cara -had been scolding him, and he looked like a -detected schoolboy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have been gambling again," she said, -sharply. "Why do you do it? You would be a -rich man by this time if you would only let those -wretched cards alone. And you always lose. You -are so headstrong and rash, you seem to lose your -senses over the card-tables. And you distinctly -promised to take me to Pau this year."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez admitted the fact with a sigh. Nobody -else under the sun would have dared to speak to -him as Cara was doing at this moment. It never -occurred to him to suggest that Cara might be -doing something for a living. He had promised -her a good time at Pau, instead of which he had -been gambling, and had lost all his money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No trouble at all getting cash," he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara crushed a grape between her white, strong -teeth. "That sounds very pretty," she said. "But -I have had no money for a week, and some of the -tradespeople are beginning to ask about their -books. If I am to be worried I shall go away. -Did you get those tickets for the opera to-morrow -night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez nodded. He had not forgotten them; in -fact, he never forgot anything of that kind. He -looked furtively at the clock, and Cara sighed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are going out?" she demanded. "Which -means that I am to have a long, dull evening at -home. I am sick of these long, dull evenings at -home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How long since you had one?" Lopez asked, -good-naturedly. "My dear, there are few girls -who have as good a time as you. And business -must be attended to. I have to go out for a -little time, but I shall be back by eleven o'clock. -And when I come back I'll take you to the -Belgrave to supper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little smile broke out on Cara's pretty, petulant -face. Already she was debating in her mind what -dress she should wear. When Lopez made a -promise of that kind he always fulfilled it. Cara -rose, and now gave her guardian a loving embrace. -She smiled engagingly as she lighted a cigarette -for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then be off at once," she cried, "and then -you will have no excuse for being late. It will -save time if I meet you at the Belgrave. You -are to get that little table opposite the door for -10.45. And you will wait for me in the corridor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara issued her commands in the most imperial -way, and Lopez listened meekly. He had been -used to command and make use of men all his -lifetime, but he never rebelled when Cara was -concerned. He passed into the road leading to -Regent's Park presently, and hailed a passing taxi. -In the course of time he was set down at the -corner of Greenacre Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little way down that quiet, dignified -thoroughfare he stopped, and took a latchkey from his -pocket. The door of the house where he paused -was closed, a feeble light glimmered over the fan, -everything looked most quiet and respectable -and decorous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the hall was an umbrella-stand, two carved -oak chairs and a Turkey carpet. Beyond it was -a dull baize door, and beyond that an inner hall -magnificently furnished. A gorgeous footman -took Lopez's hat and coat, and he proceeded to -make his way up the marble staircase. There -were more baize doors, and as Lopez paused, the -murmur of voices grew louder. Lopez came at -length to a magnificent double drawing-room, -where the electric lights were low and dim under -crimson shades, and where a score or two of men -were gambling. There was a roulette-table, -which was well patronised, with tables for other -games. There was no laughter or badinage; -from the players' faces the stakes were evidently -high; indeed, the proprietor of the Spades' Club -looked with a cold eye upon the gambler who -preferred moderate stakes. The place was -comparatively new, and as yet the police had no idea -of its establishment, and only a favoured few knew -where heavy play was to be found.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez helped himself to an excellent cup of -coffee and a liqueur, and stood smoking placidly, -and waiting for a chance to join the roulette-table. -Most of the men round were well known -to him as great lights in the world of fashion, who -were killing an hour or so after dinner before -proceeding to one social function or another. They -would, most of them, return in the small hours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another man was waiting, a little, lithe, active -man, who suggested the East. His dress was -quite modern and Western, but his dark eyes -and dusky skin told their own tale. Lopez gently -touched the spectator on the shoulder, and he -turned round sharply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Haven't you been playing at all?" Lopez asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had my turn," the other man said. "I'm -dead out of luck, Lopez. I shall have to help -myself to some of my master's jewels if this -goes on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only unfortunately, he of Koordstan has -already anticipated you," Lopez laughed. "You -will have to think of a better plan than that, -Hamid Khan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamid Khan smiled sourly. On the staff of the -Shan and sent over on a secret, political mission, -the dark-eyed man was a deadly enemy of the -man he called his master. He had all the vices -and extravagances of his imperial employer, and -he would have done anything for the wherewithal -to carry on the campaign. Lopez and he had -been more or less friends for many years, and -many a piece of shady business had they -transacted together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan is hard up?" Lopez suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan is at the end of his resources," -Hamid Khan growled. "Of course, it is always -possible for him to raise money on those -concessions. But for the present he's what you call -hard up. Still, he's not without brains, and he -may be worth backing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I were you I should back him for all he -is worth," Lopez said, as he thoughtfully watched -the rolling marble on the roulette-table. "I -know that you are in the opposite camp, and -that you have elected to throw your lot in with -what is called the progressives in Koordstan. -But the man you want to make Shan is a friend -of Russia, and the English Government may not -stand it. Besides, the present Shan is no fool, -and I happen to know that he is well advised here. -If you can, get a grip on him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I've got the grip fast enough!" Hamid -Khan said moodily. "Perhaps I should like to -do what you suggest, but I'm too deeply plunged -to the other side now. I am forcing the old -man's hand now; I came over on purpose. The -Blue Stone——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez suppressed a little cry. He affected not -to be listening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you will favour me with your attention," -Hamid Khan said stiffly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow, I beg your pardon. But -red has turned up ten times in succession, and I -was counting up the theory of chance. Do you -mean to say the Shan had sold the Blue Stone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was cleverly done, and the shot was an -admirable one. Hamid Khan fell into the trap -at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan's not quite such a fool as that," he -said. "If he did that and the fact became public -property he wouldn't be on the throne for a week. -But I happen to know that he hasn't got the stone -at present, and I'm going to work that fact."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez listened to all that Hamid had to say; -indeed, he went further, and made several -suggestions as if he had been advising a friend in -the most disinterested manner possible. At the -same time, he had learnt a valuable piece of news, -and he was trying to find some way to use it to -the best advantage. There came a gap in the -table presently and Lopez changed a handful of -notes into counters. These notes were all the -money in his possession, but the fact troubled -Lopez not at all. Once the gambling fever -possessed him, common sense went to the winds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He played on for some time with varying -success, everything else forgotten. He was fairly -temperate at first, but the fever began to turn in -his veins, and he started gambling in earnest. -Surely it was time for black to have a turn after -so marvellous a run of the red. But according to -scientific authorities, this is nothing to go by, -and the chances are quite equal even after a -record run, and the end of an hour saw the last -of Lopez's gold-lettered counters swept with a -careless movement into the clutches of the bank, -and he rose with a sigh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The proprietor of the club, a tall man, with the -bland air of a cabinet minister, came up to him -and proffered his condolences. Lopez lighted a -cigarette with a steady hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you were playing very well," the -proprietor said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody plays very well at this game," Lopez -said with a smile. "There are some of England's -best intellects gathered here, well knowing that -the odds are on the bank. And yet such is the -egotism of the human nature that every individual -expects that he is going to be more fortunate -than his fellows, and get the best of a dead -certainty. My dear Bishop, if it came to a battle of -wits between you and myself, the disaster to you -would be great. And yet we come here and you -grow richer and richer at our expense!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If a small cheque is any good?" the other -insinuated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would go the same way. Besides, I -cannot stay to-night. I have a call elsewhere. -I am taking a lady to supper at the Belgrave, -where unhappily they give no credit. In the -temporary insanity of the moment I have gambled -myself dry. A five-pound note——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The note was immediately forthcoming, with -an urgent request that Lopez would take what -he liked. He took a further note, and rammed -it carelessly into his pocket. Hamid Khan rose -at the same time from the other side of the table, -his dark eyes gleaming. He helped himself -somewhat liberally to champagne from the side-table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You also, my friend," Lopez laughed. "Let -us depart and console ourselves upon the road. If -you have not anything better to do walk with -me as far as the Belgrave. I can't ask you to -join me, because it is my privilege to be supping -with a lady there. Come along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They passed presently into Piccadilly, and -from thence by degrees through Grosvenor Square. -A great party was going on in one of the big -houses there, and the road was blocked with smart -conveyances. The lights shined on many lovely -women, and Lopez carelessly admired them. -There was one lady in a car alone, a tall woman -with a wonderfully regular face and black hair -glowing with diamonds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My word, but she is lovely!" Hamid Khan -exclaimed. "Who is she? Looks English, but -there is a decided suggestion of the East about her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A wonderful woman," Lopez said. "Unless -I am greatly mistaken, she is going to be one of -the big sensations of the world here. She is the -wife of Aaron Benstein, the financier. The old -chap is in his dotage now, and, of course, she -married him for his money. As a matter of fact——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez broke off suddenly; he was going to -say that he had known Mrs. Benstein pretty -intimately at one time, but there was no reason -to tell Hamid that much. The block of carriages -broke up at once, and the dazzling beauty with -the diamonds in her hair was gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know the name of Benstein," Hamid said. -"He is the old man whom the Shan has had -so many dealings with lately. I shouldn't -wonder——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the turn of Hamid to break off suddenly, -and Lopez smiled. Under the big portico of -the Belgrave, the curiously-assorted couple parted. -Lopez lingered a moment to finish his cigarette. -In an ordinary way he watched the well-dressed -crowd flutter up the steps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By no means a bad night's work," he -muttered. "I've picked up a piece of priceless -information, at least I hope so. Unless I am -greatly mistaken my dear little Cara is going to -ruffle it with the best of them at Pau yet."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-word-to-the-wise"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A WORD TO THE WISE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A soldier of fortune like Lopez was not -easily elated by the smiles of the first -goddess, but he felt on very good terms -with himself as he stood there finishing his -cigarette. Most of the people who passed him -up the flight of marble steps were familiar to him, -and Lopez amused himself by marking them -off one by one. He was in an indolent mood -now, but his glance grew brighter as a smartly-appointed -motor-car drove up and a lady alighted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had no covering to her marvellous -dead-black hair, though her dress was hidden by a -long wrap. She was quite alone, her air was -absolutely self-possessed as she looked around -her. As she came up the steps she became -conscious of Lopez's presence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She smiled in a slow, languid way, and half held -out her hand. "One always meets you in -unexpected places," she said. "The last time we -came together the conditions were very different -to these."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is quite true, Isa," Lopez said gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mrs. Benstein, if you please," the woman said, -with not the faintest trace of annoyance in her -tones. The smile was almost caressing. "We -had better observe the proprieties. Do you -remember the last time we met, Paul Lopez?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez bowed gravely. His mind had travelled -back a long way. He had never forgotten the -marvellous beauty of this woman; it seemed -strangely heightened by the dress and the diamonds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were not Mrs. Benstein then," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. My ambitions did not lie in that direction. -I had no liking for a fortune ready made. -I always made up my mind to carve out one -for myself. But since then I have learnt how -hard it is for a woman to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The great, dark eyes grew thoughtful for a -moment, then the woman laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are all puppets of fate," she went on, -"even the strongest of us. I am a philosopher, -or at least I imagine myself to be one, so it comes -to the same thing. I am tired of the contemplation -of my splendour, so I am going to make use of it. -I shall go into society."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am quite sure you will go anywhere you -please," Lopez said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," the woman spoke as if it were a matter -of course. "To-morrow I begin. The wife of -Aaron Benstein, the money-lender. How they -will sneer and mock at me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how they will envy you from the bottom -of their shallow hearts!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein laughed as she walked up the -shallow steps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will give salt to the dish," she said. -"I came here to-night because I was tired of my -own company. Let us sup together and talk of -old times."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez was desolated, but he had to decline. -There was a girl waiting for him here, a simple -girl who was not used to this kind of thing. It -seemed dreadfully rude, but Mrs. Benstein would -have to excuse him. The woman with the dark -eyes smiled meaningly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you will," she said. "Then I will sup -alone and study human nature uninterrupted. -Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She passed on to the grand salon where the -band was playing, and hundreds of soft-shaded -lights played upon the banks of flowers and on -the jewels that glittered there; Cara had secured -her favourite table, and was busy looking over -the menu when Lopez came up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I began to think that something had happened," -the girl said. "I feared lest you had -gambled all your money away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I did, as a matter of fact," Lopez said -coolly, as he unfolded his serviette. "I had to -borrow ten pounds for the supper. But you need -not fear—the information I got was worth the -price. Now let me see what there is to eat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me what you have discovered," Cara -demanded imperiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That I shall not do, my child," Lopez replied. -"Suffice it, that you have the benefit of my -labours. Besides, it all refers to a closed chapter -in my life. I have found a way to put money in -my purse, so that you will ruffle it with the best -of them at Pau."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara smiled contentedly. She finished her meal -presently, and then she had time to study the other -guests. It was always a fascination to her to -try and read the history of other people. As a -rule, her guesses were fairly shrewd, and when -she was wrong Lopez corrected her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are those people at the third table?" -she asked. "The man looks like a gentleman; -he might have been in the army. But there is a -certain fierce swagger about him that tells a story. -There is a man who is rather cold-shouldered at -his clubs. His wife is pretty, but shallow, and -not at all too straightforward. The boy with them -is dreadful. Probably rich, though."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez smiled as he lay back in his chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are correct," he said. "That is Colonel -Fairford and his wife. They are the hero and -heroine of that Lawton Lodge diamond scandal. -Of course nothing was ever proved, but we have -our ideas. The Colonel sticks to his clubs, but -he has had a bad time there, and nobody will play -cards with him. The young man comes from -Australia. He is rich at present, but the Colonel -will see that he does not long remain troubled -with superfluous cash."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gratified little smile played about the corners -of Cara's mouth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the worst comes to the worst, I can call -myself by a fancy name and turn palmist," she -exclaimed. "We are very clever people, you and -I. On the whole, the people here to-night are not -particularly interesting. Who is the lady with -the glorious diamonds?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara indicated Mrs. Benstein sitting all alone, -self-possessed and languidly interested in all -that was going on around her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The recently-married wife of Aaron Benstein, -the great financier," Lopez explained. "The old -man is more or less in his dotage, and they -say there is nothing that he will not do for his -beautiful wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The diamonds are absolutely superb," Cara said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should they not be? Benstein is -supposed to have two-thirds of the jewels of -society in his charge at one time or another. -That is the way in which your high dame raises -the wind. Most of those stones are kept at -Benstein's own house. Doubtless his wife knows -all about them. Then, if she wishes to wear this -or that precious gem, why shouldn't she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara laughed merrily. Mrs. Benstein seemed to -fascinate her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is no bad thing to be the wife of a big -financier," she said. "Those diamonds and -emeralds together are absolutely superb. Who -was Mrs. Benstein?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez was understood to say that she was a -brilliant mystery. Nobody quite knew where she -came from, and nobody cared. But she was rich -and beautiful and clever, and if she made up her -mind to play the game of society, nobody could -stop her. All this Lopez explained as he sipped -his liqueur. Cara took Mrs. Benstein in steadily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She would make a good enemy," she said. -"Who is the vulgar woman who is having supper -with that handsome man with the red beard?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that is Lady Beachmore!" Lopez explained. -"Beachmore is a man of a good family, -he has a good name, and his career as a soldier -was an honourable one. There are phases of -human nature that beat me entirely, Cara. A -case like that makes me feel how little I know. -Lady Beachmore was on the variety stage, with -nothing piquant about her but her vulgarity. -She is plain, she is horribly made up, and yet -Beachmore married her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he a rich man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As things go, yes. He is one of the peers who -has enough for his wants and a little to spare, as the -old song has it. Why did he marry her, Cara?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara admitted that the problem was beyond her. -Lady Beachmore was vulgar enough, in all -conscience; she talked loudly and she drank a -great deal of champagne. She was extravagantly -dressed, but she wore no ornaments—which was -unusual in a woman of her class.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She ought to be smothered in stones," Cara said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bridge," Lopez explained sententiously. -"Lady Beachmore is one of the most reckless -gamblers in society. Probably that is why she -is tolerated in good houses. Everybody knows -what a gambler she is except her husband. If I -were to hazard a guess I should say that the -Beachmore jewels are all in the possession of -Aaron Benstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cara nodded. The salon was gradually getting -empty. Lord Beachmore said something to his -wife, who shook her head, and then he sauntered -slowly from the room. Lady Beachmore looked -across to the seat where Mrs. Benstein was -reclining, and her coarse face grew red with anger. -By some kind of magnetic influence the eyes of -the two women met, and the former rose. She -crossed over to Mrs. Benstein's table, a few low -words followed before Mrs. Benstein rose also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her eyes were flashing and her breast was -heaving. She made a motion towards the jewels -in her hair, and then seemed to change her mind. -A few of the low, angry words reached Lopez's -ears. A sardonic smile was on his lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A curious coincidence," he muttered. "She -is actually wearing Lady Beachmore's diamonds! -Well, the information should prove valuable. I'll -go and see Frobisher to-morrow. The mere hint -of what can be done should be worth five hundred -pounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you muttering about?" Cara -asked impatiently. "Take me home, I'm tired -of all this light and glitter. Sometimes I wish -that I had never left the country. All the same, -I would give a great deal to know what those -people are talking about."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="id1"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A WORD TO THE WISE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sir Clement stood before a looking-glass -in the library surveying himself with a -certain saturnine humour. He was just as -fond of analysing himself as other people, and he -had just come to the conclusion that there was a -deal to be said from the Darwinian point of view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it the morning-coat or the top-hat?" he -asked himself. "How terribly like a dissipated -old ape I look, to be sure! And yet in a velvet -dinner-jacket I am quite—well, picturesque. On -the whole, that is better than being handsome. -Ah, somebody is going to suffer for this! Come in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door opened, and Paul Lopez came almost -inaudibly into the room. Not for a moment did -Frobisher discontinue his critical examination.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm going to a garden-party," he explained. -"I'm taking my womenfolk to the Duchess's -afternoon affair. I was just saying to myself that -somebody would have to suffer for this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez dropped into a chair and lighted a -cigarette quite coolly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody would suspect you of this personal -sacrifice without some ultimate benefit," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spoken like a book, my prince of rascals," -Frobisher cried gaily. "I see they have adjourned -those two inquests again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two men looked at one another and smiled. -They were not pleasant smiles, and Frobisher's -teeth bared in a sudden grin that was not good to -see. He crossed to the table near which Lopez was -seated, and began to play with a cheque-book.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Artistic things, these," he said. "Observe -the beauty of the watermark, the fine instinct -of the oblong; note the contrast between the -pale pink of the legend and the flaming red of -the stamp. My Lopez, a cheque, properly -verified, and engagingly autographed, is veritably -a joyful thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A study in itself," Lopez said without -emotion. "What are you after, you rascal?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My Lopez, you are taking liberties. I am a -baronet of old creation, whereas you are what -you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arcades ambo. You sent for me, and I am -here; my time is money. Once more, what are -you driving at?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm puzzled," Frobisher replied, still ogling -his cheque-book lovingly. "Frankly, I'm puzzled. -If I were not so busy with the big things I'd soon -solve the little ones. Are you ever puzzled, -Lopez?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Occasionally," Lopez replied. "When people -tell me the truth, for instance. There was one -man who had everything to gain by lying to me, -and he didn't do it. That was a tough job."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher did not appear to be listening. With a -pen in his hand he wrote the words "Paul Lopez" -on the top line of a cheque. The cosmopolitan's -eyes flashed for a moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I am going to tell you the truth," -Frobisher went on. "Such a course under the -circumstances will save me a lot of trouble. Mind -you, I am going to tell the absolute truth. You -know all about the Shan of Koordstan, of course. -He promised me certain things, and now he is -trying to wriggle out of his bargain. At the same -time, he wants to complete it. There is some -obstacle in the way because I am prepared to -pay him more money than any one else, and he -wants all the cash he can get. Now, if it were -worth my while, I could get to the bottom -of this business very soon, but you don't want -sprats on the hook that you have baited for a -whale. You must find this out for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if I promise to find this out for you, -what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher wrote the words "five hundred -pounds" under the name of Paul Lopez on the -cheque and appended his queer, cramped signature. -As he lay back with a smile, Lopez coolly reached -over, tore the cheque from the counterfoil and -placed it in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," he said. "The money is already mine. -I've had a few of your cheques in my time, and I -have earned every one of them. I have earned -this already."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher displayed no surprise or emotion -of any kind. Lopez was worth his money, and he -never boasted. The information needed would -be cheap at the price. He waited for Lopez to -speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan of Koordstan is generally hard up," -the latter said. "He is a precious rascal, too. I -have already dogged and watched him because he -might be a profitable investment some day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely," Frobisher chuckled, "precisely -as you have studied me. Well, you are quite -welcome to all the milk you can extract from this -cocoanut. You are interesting me, beloved spy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Koordstan has been unlucky lately in his -many dealings. The tribes are fighting shy of -him. And in the depths of his despair he found a -friend and philanthropist in Aaron Benstein. In -other words, he must have given Benstein really -good security for his money. Mind, I am speaking -from personal knowledge."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are earning your money," Frobisher -croaked. "Do you know what the security is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know that it isn't the concession you are -after, because there is another game on over that. -And Benstein is not likely to say anything, nor -is the Shan, for that matter. But one thing is -wrapped up in another, and there you are. -Shall I show you how I have earned all that cheque?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rascal, you are puzzling me. If Benstein -had any kind of weakness——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has. He is the hardest man in London, the -most clever and greedy financier I know, and yet -he has his weak point. He is old and his mind is -not what it was. And he has a young wife, a -kind of beautiful slave that he has purchased of -recent years. The fellow is infatuated with her -to the verge of insanity. She has no heart and -no brains, but cunning and infinite beauty, to -say nothing of an audacity that is thoroughly -Cockney in its way. I dare say you have seen her?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded thoughtfully. Benstein's -wife was one of the stars of London. She kept a -</span><em class="italics">queue</em><span> of young men in her box, but no faint -breath of scandal touched her fair fame. Benstein -was too old to run risks like that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We don't seem to be getting any further," -Frobisher suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed! The subtle play of your mind is not -in evidence to-day, and perhaps the morning-coat -has unsettled you. My friend, men tell their -wives everything—everything."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not every man," Frobisher said, with one of -his wicked grins. "I don't, for instance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you did your wife wouldn't stay here for a -day," Lopez said coolly. "Pshaw, I don't mean -things of that kind; I mean business things, -successful deals, how you have got the best of -somebody else; in fact, the swaggering boasting -that man indulges in before the woman of his choice. -Not a single secret of that kind does Benstein keep -from his wife—he couldn't if he wanted to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In other words, Mrs. Benstein has the secret -that I would give a small fortune to possess?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. The game is in your own hands, -</span><em class="italics">mon ami</em><span>. That woman is trying to get into -society. And, with her natural audacity and the -money she has behind her, she will succeed. In a -year or so she will be turning her back upon -women who won't look at her now. Only up to -now she had got hold of the wrong leaders. But -she is going to your Duchess's to-day. The Duke -is in Benstein's hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a good tip," Frobisher chuckled. -"I'll get an introduction to her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez bent across the table and lowered his -voice confidentially.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get Lady Frobisher to take her up," he -said. "Quite as great ladies will be doing it before -long. Mark my words, but Mrs. Benstein will be -the fashion some day. Nothing will keep her out. -If your wife holds out a helping hand—why, -it seems to me that I shall have more than earned -my money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher lay back in his chair, and laughed -silently. He was quite satisfied that he had -found a most profitable investment for his five -hundred pounds. In great good-humour he -pressed cigarettes upon Lopez.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are a fine couple," he said gaily. "With -my brain to plot and yours to weave, we might -possess the universe. Again, it shall be done; -Lady Frobisher shall take up Mrs. Benstein. Lord, -what a pleasant time I shall have at luncheon!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lay back in his chair chuckling and croaking -long after Lopez had departed. The second -luncheon gong sounded before he rose and made -his way to the dining-room. Lady Frobisher, -tall and slim and exquisitely patrician, had already -taken her place at the table. Angela came in a -moment later with a murmured apology for -keeping the others waiting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have both been out?" Frobisher asked -in his politest manner. "Riding, eh? Is there -anything new?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher was languidly of opinion that -there was nothing fresh. Most people were -looking fagged and worn out owing to the heat -of the season; she was feeling it herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a treat to see some suggestion of the -open country," she said in her languid way. "For -instance, we met Harold Denvers. He was like -a whiff of the sea to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher shot a lightning glance at Angela. -Try as she would, she could not keep the colour -from her face. And in that instant Frobisher -knew the meaning of Angela's secret visit -downstairs a night or two before. Angela also knew -that he guessed; the flame on her cheek grew -almost painful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So he's back," Frobisher said, with a -suppressed chuckle in his voice. "Don't you ask -him here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As if he would come," Angela exclaimed -indignantly. "I am sure Lady Frobisher would -not do anything of the kind. She would as soon -ask that impossible Benstein woman!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A queer light flamed into Frobisher's eyes. -Luck had given him an opening sooner than he -had expected. He was prepared to lead up to -his point by tortuous means.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there anything impossible in society -nowadays?" he asked. "Mrs. Benstein is beautiful -and audacious, and her husband is fabulously -rich. What more could you have?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She was actually wearing diamonds this -morning," Angela murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what of that? Next year, next week, -it may be the thing to wear diamonds in the -morning. After all, fashion is dictated by the -tradesman you buy your stockings from, men with -Board School education for the most part. Ain't -you photographed in evening dress and picture-hats? -After that atrocity any thing is possible. -Mrs. Benstein will be at the Duchess's party to-day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Really, my dear Clement, I can't see how -that can possibly interest me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher laughed again, and the quick grin -bared his white teeth. He liked his wife in these -moods, he liked to bring her down from her high -pedestal at times.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It means a good deal to you," he said gaily. -"</span><em class="italics">Ma chérie</em><span>, I have a mood to take Mrs. Benstein -up. The woman fascinates me, and I -would fain study her like one of my valued -orchids. Of course, I don't make a point of it, -but I shall be glad if you will get an introduction -to Mrs. Benstein, and ask her to your fancy dance -next week."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Clement, you must be mad to insult me by -such a suggestion!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in the least, my dear. The Duchess is -complacent, and why not you? It is my whim; -I have said it. Or perhaps you would prefer -me to bring the lady to you this afternoon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If that woman ever sets foot in this house," -Lady Frobisher gasped. "If she ever comes -here——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will be polite and amiable to her, I am -sure," Frobisher said in a purring voice, though his -eyes flashed like little pin-points of flame. "Or -perhaps I had better ask the Bensteins to dinner. -Sit down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher had risen, and Sir Clement did -the same thing. Angela sat there breathlessly. -With a slow, gliding movement Frobisher crept -round the table to his wife's side. He took her -two hands in his and gazed steadily into her face. -Her eyes were dilated, her lips were parted, but she -said nothing. Just for an instant she had one -glance into the flame of passion and evil that -Frobisher would have called his soul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not going to make a scene," he said, -in the same caressing, silken voice that made -Angela long to rise and lay a whip about his -shoulders. "After all, Mrs. Benstein has a great -pull over many women that you nod and smile to -and shake hands with across afternoon tea-tables—she -is quite respectable. Besides, this is part of -my scheme, and I expect to be—well, we won't -say obeyed. As a personal favour, I ask you to -meet me in this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher dropped into a chair and her -lips moved. Her voice came weak and from a -long way off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll do as you wish," she said. "Of course, -it would be far better if somebody else——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher skipped from the room whistling an -air as he went. The sudden grin flashed all his -teeth gleamingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is going to cry," he muttered, "and I -cannot stand a woman's tears. If there is one -thing that cuts me to my shrinking soul, it is -the sight of a lovely woman's tears."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="borrowed-plumes"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">BORROWED PLUMES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher's highly sensitive nature -demanded a flower as a little something to -soothe his nerves. He passed into the -conservatory where the Cardinal Moth was flaming -overhead, he climbed like an over-dressed monkey -up the extending ladder, and broke off a spray -of the blooms. He patted them gently as he fixed -the cluster in the silk lapel of his coat. Hafid looked -in and announced that the car was ready. Hafid's -face was white and set like that of a drug victim. -Frobisher was at his most brilliant and best -as the car flashed away. Presently the scene -changed from the hot air and dusty glare of the -streets, to green lawns and old trees and the soft -music of a band of some colour and doubtful -Hungarian origin. But there was the clear flow -and the throbbing melody of it, and Frobisher's -gloved hand beat gently to time. There were little -knots of kaleidoscope colours, graceful and -harmonious in graceful shades and the emerald green -for a background. Here, too, was the Duchess -with a swift, pecky smile for each guest, as if she -had been carelessly wound up for the occasion, -and something had gone wrong with the spring.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher slipped in and out of the various -groups with his hands behind him. There were -still certain people who seemed to be smelling -something unpleasant as the wicked little baronet -passed, but this only added zest and piquancy to -his studies. It was some time before he found -the object of his search—a study in yellow, and -a large black hat nodding with graceful plumes. -Something round her slim, white neck seemed to -stream and dazzle, there was another flash of -blue fire on her breast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet the diamonds did not seem in the least out -of place on Mrs. Benstein. There was something -hard and shaky about her beauty that called for -them—blue black hair drawn back in a wave from -her forehead, a complexion like old ivory, and -eyes suggestive of mystery. Frobisher thought -of the serpent of old Nile as he looked at her -critically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A marvellously beautiful woman beyond all -question, a woman without the faintest suggestion -of self-consciousness. Yet she was practically -alone in that somewhat polyglot gathering, and -she knew that most people there were holding aloof -from her. Frobisher strolled up in the most -natural way in the world. He had had one or two -dealings with Benstein, had dined with the man, -in fact, but he had contrived not to see -Mrs. Benstein in public till to-day. He dropped into -a chair and began to talk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You feel any attraction to this kind of -thing?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, not much," was the candid reply. "I -came here out of curiosity. The Duchess would -not have asked me, only that my husband is -useful to the Duke. So you have got a Cardinal -Moth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher fairly gasped, though he dexterously -recovered himself. He smiled into the dark, -swimming eyes of his companion. Their strange -mystery irritated as well as fascinated him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what can you possibly know about the -Cardinal Moth?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I know a great many things. You see -my father was a merchant in the Orient, and my -mother had some of the Parsee about her. We -gravitate to strange things. But I see you have -the Cardinal Moth, and, what is more, I know -where you got it from."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The last words came with a quick indrawing -of the breath that faintly suggested a hiss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Paul Lopez is by way of being a relation of -mine," Mrs. Benstein went on. "At one time we -were engaged to be married. I was much -annoyed when he changed his mind. Sir Clement, -why do you choose to be so amiable to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The quick audacity of the question stirred -Frobisher's admiration. This woman was going -to get on. With his fine instinct, Frobisher -decided to be frank. Frankness would pay here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I am a great admirer of courage," he -said. "I admire your splendid audacity in -coming here in broad daylight wearing diamonds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A wonderful smile filled the eyes of the listener.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why shouldn't I wear them if I like?" she -demanded. "The stones are wonderfully becoming -to me. And, after all, it is only a matter of -what these chattering parrots here call fashion. -See how they are all watching me, imagine the -things they are saying about me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I am quite sure you do not mind in the least?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not I. I must be doing something out of -the common, something daring and original."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was anything but original, but certainly -very daring, for one so beautiful to marry a man -as—er, mature, as Aaron Benstein," Frobisher -murmured. It was an audacious speech, and -Mrs. Benstein smiled. "You might have had a -duke or even a popular actor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you see, I was sick of being poor. It is -not my fault that I was born an artist with a -second-hand clothes shop in Hoxton for a home. -I don't look the part, do I? And Aaron came -and fairly worshipped the ground I stood on. -Except for money, and the making of it, he is -perfectly childish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Therefore he tells you all his secrets like the -dutiful husband that he is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes. I find some of the secrets useful. -There is the Countess of Castlemanor yonder, who -has stared at me in a way that would be vulgar -in the common walk of life. And yet, if I went -up and whispered a word or two in her ear, she -would gladly drive me home in her car."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher laughed silently. Here was a woman -after his own heart—a woman who studied society -and despised it. And Frobisher was going to make -use of her, as he made use of everybody, only -this was going to be one of his finest efforts. Isa -Benstein was no ordinary pawn in the game.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to see you do it," he chuckled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the use? She is a poor creature, -despite her title and her marvellous taste in -hats. Can't you give me a similar hold on -Lady Frobisher? There would be some fun in -humbling her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again Frobisher laughed. The splendid -audacity of the woman fascinated him. The -people he made use of as a rule were not -amusing. And here was a power. It pleased -his vanity to know that he was bending a power -like this to his will.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am angry with myself to think of what I -have lost," he said. "My dear Mrs. Benstein, it -can all be arranged without annoyance to the -lady who does me the honour to rule my household. -I will bring my wife to you presently, and -she shall ask you to her fancy dance next week."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will doubtless be a great pleasure to -Lady Frobisher," Mrs. Benstein smiled. "I shall -like her, but I shall like Miss Lyne a great deal -better. And if you try to force her to marry that -detestable little Arnott I shall do my best to -spoil your hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's teeth flashed in one of his uneasy -grins. He felt like a man who has discovered -a new volcano quite unexpectedly. What an -amazing lot this woman knew, to be sure; what -an extraordinary fascination she must exercise -over her doting husband. He followed her glance -now to a distant seat under a tree where Angela -and Harold Denvers were talking together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you like to match your wits against -mine at that stake?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein declined the challenge. She was -only a woman after all, she declared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I like the look of the girl," she said thoughtfully. -"She's honest and true. And he's a man -all through. Now go and bring Lady Frobisher -to me, and we will talk prettily together, and she -shall show me how much it is possible for a society -woman to hate another woman without showing it. -You want to make use of me or some subtle purpose, -but it suits my mood for the present to comply."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher went off chuckling to himself. The -creature was absolutely charming, so clever and -subtle. But she was neither subtle nor clever -enough to see his game, Frobisher flattered -himself. In a profound state of boredom Lady -Frobisher was nibbling a tepid strawberry dipped -in soppy cream. She was tired to death, she said, -and wanted to go home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a tonic you need," Frobisher said, with -one of his quick grins. "Come along, and have -your mental shower-bath. I'm going to introduce -Mrs. Benstein to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher rose stiffly. Her little white -teeth were clenched passionately. But she made -no protest. Under the eyes of fashionable London -she crossed over to the place where Mrs. Benstein -was seated. She knew perfectly well that her -action would be the theme of general conversation -at a hundred dinner-tables to-night, but she -moved along now as if she were sweeping the -primrose path of conventionality with her lace -gown. There was some little seed of consolation -in the fact that Mrs. Benstein made no attempt -to shake hands. On the whole, she was perhaps -the coolest and most collected of the two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My wife very much desires to make your -acquaintance," Frobisher said in his smoothest -manner. "Didn't you say something about a -fancy-dress ball, Norah?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher was understood to murmur -something that suggested pleasure and a wish -fulfilled. She was not quite sure whether she had -proffered the invitation or not, but it was a small -matter, as Frobisher was not likely to permit the -card to be omitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very good of you, and I shall come with -pleasure," Mrs. Benstein said. "I am not sure, -but I fancy that society is going to amuse me. Of -course, it is all a matter of time, though I could -have pushed my way here before. You see, the -Duchess asked me here of her own volition. My -dear Lady Frobisher, do you see how Lady -Castlemanor is glaring at you? Yes, I will do it. I will -go and dine with that lady as honoured guest on -Monday night. And you shall come and see my -triumph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher turned feebly to her husband -for support, but he was too frankly enjoying the -performance to interfere. Here was a new farce, -a new source of amusement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will be a success," he predicted. "You -must come to the dance as 'diamonds' or -something of that kind. You would carry off any -amount of jewels, and nothing becomes you -better. You see we are already becoming the -centre of attraction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>People were passing by with studied inattention. -A great society dame paused and put up -her glasses. In anybody else the stare would have -been rude. The great lady's face flushed crimson -with anger, much as if her own cook had been -found masquerading in that select assembly. -She took a step forward, paused, and then walked -hurriedly away. Frobisher turned away to hide -the mirth that he found difficult to control. He -had come here practically on business, therefore -the unexpected pleasure was all the more -enjoyable. With a bow and a smile Lady Frobisher -turned and took her husband's arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I suppose you are satisfied now," she -said, with a fierce indrawing of her breath. "With -your saturnine cleverness, perhaps you will tell -me why the Marchioness behaved so strangely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The thing is obvious," Frobisher chuckled. -"Benstein is a money-lender in a big way, old plate -and jewels, and all that sort of thing. And he's -got all her ladyship's diamonds. Probably takes -the best of them home and shows his wife. Being -weak and doting, she has them to play with. -And Mrs. Benstein is wearing the old lady's -collar and star this afternoon. And people say -there's no comedy in society!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher turned away mortified and cut -to the quick. And this was the class of woman -that she had actually asked to her dance, one of -the great social functions of the season! Frobisher -threw himself into a deck-chair and gave way to -his own amused thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Clever fellow, Lopez," he chuckled. "On the -whole, he earned that cheque. But I don't quite -see what he meant by saying that Mrs. Benstein—by -gad, I've got it! Lopez, you are a genius! -It's any money that my grip on the Shan is in -Benstein's house, and she can get it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher rose and strolled back to Mrs. Benstein's -side. It would have been impossible to -guess from his face of the fiendish elation that -burnt within him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've been thinking over that jewel idea I -gave you," he said. "Are you disposed towards it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," Mrs. Benstein said, thoughtfully. "I -am very favourably disposed towards it indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then wear rubies," Frobisher urged. "Rubies -will suit you splendidly. I have the greatest -fancy to see you decked out in rubies. If you -can get hold of some large ones. I'll come round -and have tea with you to-morrow, and we can -discuss the matter thoroughly."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-model-husband"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A MODEL HUSBAND.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Isa Benstein drove in her closed car -thoughtfully homewards, a little less -conscious than usual of the attractions caused -wherever she went. On the whole she had enjoyed -herself; she had got on far better than she had -expected. It was characteristic of her -self-reliance and strength of character that she had -gone to the Duchess's party quite alone and -knowing nobody there, whilst she herself was -familiar by sight and reputation to everybody -who would be present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had directed her husband to obtain that -invitation out of a pure spirit of curiosity. She -had read paragraphs touching the great social -function in the smart papers, and Isa Benstein -had smiled to herself as she remembered that -but for her husband and his money-bags the -great gathering could not possibly have taken -place at all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By instinct, by intuition, by observation, Isa -had pretty well gauged modern society. She -had seen it at Ascot and Cowes, at Hurlingham -and Covent Garden, but as yet she had never -actually been in it. And now her first experience -was over.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had almost come to the conclusion that -the game was not worth the candle, when Frobisher -came up and spoke to her. With her natural -astuteness she had not long to see that Frobisher -had some intention of making use of her. That -being so, the game should be mutual. Not for -one moment was Mrs. Benstein deceived—by -some magnetic process Lady Frobisher had been -forced to be polite, and ask her to that fancy-dress -ball. Mrs. Benstein had smiled, but she had -seen the rooted repugnance in Lady Frobisher's -face, the constrained look in her eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder how he managed it?" she asked -herself as she drove along. "And what does that -little creature with the brow of a Memnon and -the mouth of a tom-cat want to get out of me? -Money is at the root of most things, but it can't -be money in that quarter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Berkeley Square was reached at length, and for -the moment Mrs. Benstein banished Frobisher -from her mind. All she required now was a cup -of tea and a cigarette. Most society women -would have sacrificed a great deal to know the -secret of Mrs. Benstein's complexion, but the secret -was a simple one—she ate sparingly, and she -never touched intoxicating drinks in her life. -The tea was waiting in the drawing-room, the -water was boiling on the spirit-kettle. A slight, -dark man rose as Mrs. Benstein entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll take a cup with you, Isa," he said. -"Nobody makes such tea as yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Paul Lopez," the hostess said. "I have not -been honoured like this since the day when -you and I——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Agreed to part. Who was wise over that -business, Isa? No sugar, please. I loved you -too well——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never! You are incapable of loving anybody, -Paul. I gave you the whole of my affection—and -a scarlet, flaming plant it was—and you -trampled it down and killed it. Not so much as -a cutting remains. And why? Because you -were ambitious and I had no money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez waved the accusation aside with his -Apostle spoon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was the wiser part," he said calmly. "I -shall never be rich like Aaron, for instance, though -I have ten times his intellect. My love of perilous -adventure prevents that. And when I look -round me, I am quite pleased with myself. -Persian carpets, Romneys, Knellers, Lelys, Louis -Quinze furniture, Cellini silver, even Apostle -spoons. Have you got a complete set?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I understand," Isa Benstein said carelessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And there you have the keynote of this -wonderful house. The exquisite pleasure you -must have had in the collecting of all these -beautiful things! And yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein smiled queerly as she bent over -the teapot. When the time came she was going -to be even with this man, though, characteristically, -she had no flaming anger against him. She -had loved him once, and let him see it, and he -had weighed the possibilities, and coldly told her -it was not good enough, or words to that effect. -The secret was theirs alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You cannot say that you are not happy," -Lopez said after a long pause.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, no. Happiness is but a negative -quality, after all. I am probably a great deal -happier than if I had married a scoundrel like -yourself, for instance. That is Aaron's voice in -the hall. I suppose you have come to see him -on business, or you would not be here at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez gravely accepted his dismissal. All this -wonderful beauty and intellect would have been -his had he at one time chosen to take it. Slowly -and thoughtfully Mrs. Benstein went up to dress -for dinner. She chose her gown and her jewels and -her flowers with the utmost care; she might -have been going to a state concert or dance, from -the nicety of her selection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame is going out to-night?" the maid suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame is going to do nothing of the kind," -Isa said, with one of her seductive smiles. "I -am going to stay at home and dine </span><em class="italics">tête-à-tête</em><span> with -my husband. Always look as nice to your -husband, Minon, as to other people. You will -find the trouble an excellent investment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein was late. He had been detained so -long that Isa was in the dining-room before he -arrived breathlessly and full of apologies. With -his fat, fair face, and heavy, pendulous lips, he -made an almost repulsive contrast to his wife. -His dress-suit was shabby and ill-fitting, suggesting -that it had been bought second-hand like his -large pumps. The red silk socks bore a pleasing -resemblance to the cyclist's trousers when -confined to the leg with those inevitable clips; they -bulged over at the ankles. Benstein wore no -diamonds; he had not even a large stud in his -crumpled shirt. It was a great deprivation, -and the financier mourned over the fact in secret. -But Isa was inexorable on that point. The man -was hideously common enough, without jewels. -Besides, Isa's interference in the matter was by -way of being a compliment. It showed at least -that she took some sort of interest in the man -she had married.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Kept by business," Benstein wheezed. He -raised his dyed eyebrows. He flattered himself -that the dye took from his seventy years, whereas -the deception merely added to them. "Nice -you look! Lovely!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His little eyes appraised her. Despite his -many limitations, Benstein had a keen love of -the beautiful—</span><em class="italics">qua</em><span> beautiful. Isa stood before -him a vision of loveliness in a dress of green -touched here and there with gold. The shaded -lights rendered her eyes all the more brilliant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me a kiss," Benstein said hoarsely. -"When you look like that I can refuse you nothing. -I am getting into my dotage, men say. Well, -perhaps. Good thing some of them can't see me now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The elaborate dinner proceeded in that perfect -Tudor dining-room. Not a single article of -furniture was there that lacked historic interest. -The old oak and silver were priceless, and every -bit of it had been collected under Isa Benstein's -own eye. No dealer had ever succeeded in -imposing on her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silk slips were drawn at length from the -polished dark oak with the wonderful red tints -in it, so that the nodding flowers were reflected -from a lake of thin blood. Here and there the -decanters gleamed, a Tudor model of a Spanish -galleon mounted on wheels was pushed along the -table, its various compartments filled with all -kinds of cigarettes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, a Virginian for me," Isa said, as the -servants withdrew. The drawing-room was a -dream of beauty, but she preferred the dining-room. -For restfulness and form and artistic -completeness there was no room like the Tudor hall, -she declared. "Give me good, honest tobacco."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you get on to-day?" Benstein asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't. I sat and watched the procession. -Sir Clement Frobisher came and made himself -agreeable to me, and so did his wife—under -compulsion. But she asked me to her dance, -and I am going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hope that they won't ask me, too," Benstein -said uneasily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You need not go, in any case; in fact, I'd -rather you didn't. I've been scheming out my -dress, Aaron; do you happen to be strong in -rubies just now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein nodded his huge head and smiled. -More or less, he had the jewels of the great world -in his possession. It was his whim to keep them -at home. He trusted nobody, not even a bank. -Besides, nearly every day brought something -neat and ingenious in the way of a jewel fraud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can rig you out in anything," he said. -"Yes, I could pretty well cover you in rubies. -They're all on diamonds just for the moment, so -that they bring their emeralds and rubies to -redeem the white stones. Wonder what some of -those big swells would say if they knew you had -got their jewels to wear, Isa?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa smiled at some amusing recollection, but -she held her peace. Humour was not Benstein's -strong point. He puffed away to the library, -followed by his wife, and once there locked the -door. Here was a large iron sheet that, being -opened, disclosed something in the nature of a -strong-room. There were scores of tiny pigeon-holes, -each filled with cases and bags all carefully -noted and numbered, for method was Benstein's -strong point.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"More papers," Isa exclaimed. "A fresh lot since -yesterday. Is it some new business, Aaron?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count Lefroy," Benstein wheezed. "Valuable -concessions from the Shan of Koordstan. -Shouldn't wonder if those papers don't become -worth half a million. Queer-looking things. -Like to see them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa expressed a proper curiosity on the point. -The papers were in Hindustani and English, -with some cramped-looking signature and the -impression of a seal at the bottom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Those signatures are both forgeries," Mrs. Benstein -said, after careful examination. "And -that seal, I feel quite sure, is a clumsy imitation -of something better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Doesn't matter if they are," Benstein said -without emotion. "If they are real, I only get -a finger in the pie; if they are forged I bag the -whole of the pastry. Let me once get Lefroy -under my thumb like that, and I'll make a pocket -borough of Koordstan. Leave your Aaron alone -for business, my dear. Now let us see what -we can do in the way of rubies, though I am a -great fool to——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's too late in the day to think of that," Isa -said sharply. "Turn them out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shabby cases began to yield their glittering -contents. The electrics glowed upon the piled-up -mass of rubies, bracelets, brooches, tiaras, -armlets—the loot of the East, it seemed to be. Isa's -slim fingers played with the shining strings lovingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is even better than I expected," she -murmured. "I shall be able to trim my dress -with them, I can have them all over my skirt, -I can cover my bodice. I am going simply as -'rubies.' Give me that tiara."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She placed the glittering crown on her head, she -draped her neck and arms with the beautiful -stones. Benstein gasped, and his little eyes -watered. Was there ever so lovely a woman -before? he wondered. When Isa looked at him -like that he could refuse her nothing. It was -criminally weak, but——</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The thing is almost complete," Isa said. -"Now haven't you got something out of the -common, some black swan amongst rubies that I -could attach to the centre of my forehead, -something to blaze like the sun? Aaron, you've got -it; you are concealing something from me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The financier laughed weakly, still dazzled by -that show of beauty. In a dazed way he unlocked -a little compartment and took a huge stone from -a leather bag. His hands trembled as he handed -it to his wife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can try it," he said hoarsely; "you -can see how it goes. But you can't have that to -wear, no, no. If anything happened to it, they -would make an international business of it, my -life wouldn't be worth a day's purchase. You are -not to ask me for that, no, no."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He meandered on in a senile kind of way. -With a low cry Isa fastened on the gem. She -pressed it to her white forehead, where it blazed -and sparkled. The effect was electric, wonderful. -She stood before a mirror fascinated and -entranced by her own beauty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall have it," she said. "I couldn't go -without this, Aaron. You are going to have it set -into the finest of gold wires for me. Come, I won't -even ask you where you got it from. And from -what you say, nobody in England is likely to -recognise it. Aaron, do, do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her smile was subtle and pleading. Nobody -could have withstood it. Benstein gabbled -something, his cheeks shook.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Lord," he groaned. "If anything does -happen! Well, well, my darling! Unlock the -door and stay here till I come back. What artful -creatures you women are! My dear, my dear. -Positively I must go into the dining-room and -treat myself to a liqueur-brandy!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-queen-of-the-rubies"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE QUEEN OF THE RUBIES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The faint sobbing of violins sounded from -somewhere, giving the artistic suggestion -of being far off, the dominant note of the -leader hung high on the air. Now and then a -door opened somewhere, letting in the splitting -crack of Piccadilly, the raucous voices of -news-boys more or less mendaciously. Sir Clement -Frobisher stood before the glass in his smoking-room -setting his white tie. Over his shoulder he -could see the dark, smileless face of Lopez -looking in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want here to-night?" he asked. -"What are you thinking about me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'd give a good round sum—if I had it—to know -what you are thinking about," Lopez retorted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Money isn't worth it. I was wondering if I -really looked like a waiter, after all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you don't. There is something too -infernally sardonic and devilish about your head -for that. May I take a cigarette? I dare say -you wonder how I got here to-night? I—well, I -just walked in. That kind of audacity always -pays. Also you wonder why I came."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I don't. You want me to lend you one -hundred pounds. What do you do with your -money, friend Lopez? Not that it is any business -of mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That being so, you have answered your own -question," Lopez said dryly. "Every man has -his weakness, even the strongest chain has its -breaking-point. Let me have one hundred -pounds. And pay yourself ten times over, as -you always do for your accommodation. Did -I earn my last five hundred pounds?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed you did," Frobisher said frankly. "A -wonderful woman, Mrs. Benstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About the most wonderful I ever met. None -of your dark schemers about her, none of your -flashing eyes and figures drawn up to their full -height. But there is the rare mind in its beautiful -setting. You are going to make use of that -woman? We shall see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both men smiled meaningly. The plaintive -wail of the violins rose and fell, from the great -hall beyond came the murmur of voices. Lady -Frobisher's great function had commenced. -Frobisher glanced significantly at the clock. He -was in no fancy-dress himself, presumedly he was -disguised as an honest man, as Lopez suggested. -He laughed heartily at the gibe, and pushed Lopez -outside the door with a cheque in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Quite a crowd of cloaked and dominoed women -had gathered there. Lady Frobisher had -reverted to the old idea of a masked ball and the -uncovering after the last dance before supper. -The masks appeared to be walking about as they -generally did, for Shepherd strolled up to Chloe -and Adonis to Aphrodite in a manner that might -have suggested collusion to the sophisticated -mind. One tall woman, closely draped, touched -Frobisher on the arm as he threaded between the -silken mysteries.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no flowers," she said. "My man -stupidly dropped mine and somebody trod on -them. Take me to your conservatory, Sir -Clement, and give me my choice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher offered his arm; he did not need -to ask who the speaker was. Those low, thrilling -tones, with the touch of power in them, could -only have belonged to Isa Benstein. There was -nobody in the conservatory which was devoted to -orchids, and nobody was likely to be, for that -part of the house was forbidden ground. -Mrs. Benstein looked out from under her cloud—only -her eyes and nose could be seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I not be privileged to see your dress?" -Frobisher pleaded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly not," Isa Benstein laughed. "Why -should you be specially favoured? Get me two -long sprays of orchid. I shall be content with -nothing less than the Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was something in the nature of extracting -a tooth, but Frobisher mounted the steps and -tore down the two sprays asked for. Isa Benstein -whipped them under the folds of her cloak. There -was a subtle fragrance about her that a younger -man than Frobisher would have found heady.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must fly to the dressing-room," she said. -"And then to pay my respects to my hostess. -Do you think that she is likely to recognise me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher thought not. He lingered over his -cigarette, making not the slightest attempt to -play the host, though the dance was in full swing -now, and the house echoed to the thud of feet in -motion. At the same time, Frobisher was looking -forward to plenty of amusement presently, before -supper, when everybody unmasked. He grew a -little tired of his own company presently and -strolled into the ballroom. There the electrics -were festooned and garlanded with ropes of roses, -the plaintive band could not be seen behind a -jungle of feathery ferns, a bewildering kaleidoscope -of colour looped and twisted and threaded in a -perfect harmony.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few of the younger and consequently more -</span><em class="italics">blasé</em><span> men lined the walls. A cavalier of sorts -with a long, thin scar on the side of his lean head -was watching the proceedings. Frobisher touched -him on the arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not dancing, Lefroy?" he said. "Are you -past all those fleeting joys?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's an old wound in my thigh," Lefroy -explained. He was just a little chagrined to -discover that his host had so easily detected him. -Frobisher's superior cleverness always angered -him. "It is my amusement to spot the various -women, and I have located most of them. But -there is one! Ciel!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One that even meets with your critical -approval! Good. She must be a pearl among -women. Point her out to me and let us see if -our tastes agree."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy's eyes glittered behind their mask as -they swept over the reeling crowd. A moment or -two later and he just touched Frobisher on the arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here she comes," he whispered. "On the -arm of General Marriott. No mistaking his limp, -and his white hair like a file of soldiers on parade. -What a costume and what a cost! That scarlet -band across her brow over the mask is wonderfully -effective. That woman is an artist, Frobisher. -And she has the most perfect figure in Europe. -Who is she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher made no reply; he was studying -Isa Benstein's costume—lustrous black from -head to foot, with white seams fairly covered with -rubies. There were rubies all over her corsage, -bands of them up her arm, a serpent necklace -round the milky way of her throat. The whole -thing was daring, bizarre, and yet artistic to a -point. The scarlet band across the brows struck -a strong and vivid note. The rubies were not -so bright as the woman's eyes. As she came -nearer the tangle of blossom across her bosom -showed up clearly. Lefroy gasped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A mystery in a mystery," he said. "She -is wearing the Cardinal Moth. Who is she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher laughed, and protested that each -must solve the problem for himself. He liked to -puzzle and bewilder Lefroy, and he was doing -both effectively at the present moment. The -Count would have liked to take the little man -by the shoulders and shake him heartily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe you know who she is," he growled. -"Come, Frobisher, gratify my curiosity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will refresh it if you like," Frobisher said -with one of his sudden grins. "I am not positively -sure, but I fancy I can give a pretty shrewd guess -as to the identity of Madame Incognita. But -would it be fair to give her secret away before -supper-time? Patience, my fire-eater."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lady of the rubies passed along leaning on -the arm of her companion. She gave one glance -in Frobisher's direction, and Lefroy looked -eagerly for some sign of recognition. But the -dark eyes were absolutely blank so far as the -master of the house was concerned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy turned and followed the couple in front. -As Frobisher lounged back to the smoking-room -for another cigarette, he almost ran into his wife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As hostess she was wearing no mask. Her -beautiful face was just a little set and tired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seems to be all right," Frobisher croaked. -"They appear to be enjoying themselves. And -yet half of them would like better to come to my -funeral. Some pretty dresses here, but one -head and shoulders over the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean the ruby guise," Lady Frobisher -exclaimed, with some animation. "Is it not -superb! So daring, and yet in the best of taste. -Everybody is asking who she is and nobody seems -to know. I declare I feel quite proud of my mystery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An angel unawares," Frobisher laughed -silently. "You never can tell. And you mean -to say that you can't guess who it is that is exciting -all this attention?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher looked swiftly down into the -face of her husband. The corrugated grin, the -impish mischief told her a story. It seemed -very hard that the woman she most desired -to keep in the background was actually creating -the sensation of the evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mrs. Benstein," she whispered. "Clement, -do you really think so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, I am absolutely certain of it. And -why not? Isn't Mrs. Benstein as well-bred as a -score of American women here to-night? Doesn't -she carry a long pedigree in that lovely face of -hers? Some folks here to-night suffer from a -pedigree so old that even their grandfathers are lost -in the mists of antiquity. What short-sighted -creatures you women are! Can't you see that a -creature so rich and daring and clever as -Mrs. Benstein will be riding on the crest of the wave -within a year? And you will gain kudos from the -mere fact that your house saw her début into -'society'—Heaven save the mark!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher had no more to say. There was -a great deal of cynical truth in Frobisher's words. -Mrs. Benstein was going to be a brilliant success as -far as the men were concerned, therefore her -presence at the assemblies of the smart set would -become almost necessary. Lefroy came back at -the same time, having learnt little or nothing in -the refreshment room. Lady Frobisher might -have gratified his curiosity if he had asked her, -only she gave him no opportunity. She detested -the man thoroughly; with her fine instinct she -had detected the tiger under his handsome, -swaggering exterior.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No luck?" Frobisher laughed. "Well, it is -nearly twelve o'clock, and then you will know. -Come with me and smoke a cigarette till the -clock strikes. It will soothe your nerves. A small -soda and a drop of 1820 brandy, eh? Don't -give my general run of guests that liqueur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy nodded carelessly. He would have -it appear that he had dismissed the matter from -his mind. But he had finished his cigarette -and brandy as the clock chimed the midnight -hour, and then, with a fine assumption of -indifference, he returned to the ballroom. The band -was playing something weird from Greig, the -guests stopped just where they stood, and each -cast their masks upon the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The swashbuckler was in luck, so it seemed to -him, for the lady of the rubies stood smiling by -the side of her military escort just opposite. -The scarlet band had gone with the mask, revealing -a fillet of rubies round the smooth white brow, -a fillet with one huge ruby in the middle, so large -and blazing that Lefroy stood aghast. He -staggered back, and something like a stammering -oath escaped him. The vulgarism was lost for -the moment, and people congregated round the -stranger. That many people there did not know -who Mrs. Benstein was only gave piquancy to the -situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!" Lefroy muttered, "who is she? -Where did she get it from? It's the real thing. I -would swear to it amongst a million imitations. -And I dare swear that, despite his air of mystery, -Frobisher—— But he must not see it, I must -prevent that, anyway."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy hastened back to the smoking-room. -His limbs were trembling under him now, a little -moisture broke out on his forehead and trickled -down his face. He had made a discovery that -wrenched even his iron nerves. And at any cost -Frobisher must not know.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was smoking and sipping brandy as Lefroy -entered. If he saw anything strange or strained -about the face of Count Lefroy, he did not betray -the fact. He looked up gaily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come to fetch me?" he asked. "Want me to -see the lady of the rubies? Well, was the face -worthy of the setting? Did you recognise her?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never saw her in my life before," Lefroy -said hoarsely. He stammered on, saying anything -to gain time, anything to keep Frobisher where he -was. "I've lost interest in the whole thing. -Let's stay here and smoke, and talk about old -times. What do you say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher said nothing. He studied Lefroy's -white face intently. Outside was a babel of -laughter and chatter and the swish of drapery. -A clear, calm voice announced a late visitor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His Highness the Shan of Koordstan," the -footman said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher glanced at Lefroy's face. In itself -it was a tragedy.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="uneasy-lies-the-head"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">"UNEASY LIES THE HEAD——"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As a matter of fact, His Highness the Shan of -Koordstan had not intended to go to -Lady Frobisher's dance at all, though he -had been graciously pleased to accept the -invitation. His present intention was to go to bed -early and be a little more careful for the future. -There was a shakiness about the ruler of Koordstan -that told its own tale, a shakiness that would -not have conduced to his popularity with his -subjects in the Far East.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An interview with a recently-arrived minister -of his had changed his plans entirely. In place of -bed he had a cold bath and a cup of strong coffee, -and sat down, as far as his aching head would -allow him, to review the situation. The final -outcome was a fit of utter despair and an express -letter to Harold Denvers, who fortunately was -at home and ready to respond to the invitation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Eastern potentate was smoking moodily -as he arrived. Harold significantly declined the -offer of refreshment of a spirituous description.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Meaning that I have had enough already," -the Shan said moodily. "But I'm sober as a -judge now, had enough to make me. The shocking -luck I've had lately!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tossed a cigarette across to Denvers, and -lighted a fresh one of his own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I sent you to give me a leg up if you can. -You are the only honest man of the lot. Denvers, -I'm in a fine mess over the Blue Stone. If I -don't produce it at once I'm done for. It would -be madness for me to show my face at home again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Somebody has discovered that your Highness -has parted with it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it. Lefroy is the rogue in the play. -The game is Koordstan; for years he has been -trying to get rid of me and put my cousin in my -place. Even my own ministers are against me. -And now I feel positive that Lefroy has given me -away. They don't ask me to show the stone, or -accuse me of parting with it—they are too deep -for that. A minister comes with a lot of literature -which he calls important documents of State -which require to be sealed immediately. That -rascal has been in my cousin's pay for years. -And the worst of it is, the whole thing looks so -natural and straightforward that I can't refuse, -especially as everything has my sanction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The document must be sealed with the Blue -Stone?" Harold asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Inevitably. It has been the custom for -generations. Any deviation from this rule would -do for me at once. Hamid Khan was here this -afternoon, and I put him off this time by saying -I was ill, which was no more than the truth. -What shall I say when he comes back presently? -If my confounded head did not ache so, I might -find some way out of the difficulty, but as it is——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan smote his fist passionately on the -table. Nothing was any good, nothing could -save the situation but the immediate production -of the twenty thousand pounds needed to recover -the jewel from Benstein. At the present moment -the Shan had no resources whatever; he had -always mortgaged his income, and most of his -personal property had been dissipated in his -brilliant pursuit of pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But that's more or less beyond the point," -he groaned. "The stone must be redeemed at -once. I could not possibly put Hamid Khan -off after to-night, even if I can manage that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will give us time to think," said Harold. -"Let your man know that you don't keep so -sacred a jewel at your hotel. You have heard -of Chancery Lane Safe Deposit?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan's eyes twinkled. His subtle mind -rose to the suggested deception. For the present, -at any rate, he saw his way to a pleasing -subterfuge. He was pondering over the matter when -there came a timid knock at the door, and a slim -brown figure came humbly in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hamid Khan," the Shan explained. "Why -do you worry me again to-night? Didn't I say -I was too ill to be troubled with state business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamid prostrated himself at his master's feet. -He was desolate and heart-broken; might any -number of dogs defile his father's grave for his -presumption, but the thing had to be done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't got the stone," the Shan said, "I -haven't been well enough to fetch it myself, and -I dare not trust anybody else. Dog, do you -suppose I should keep the jewel here? There is -a place of vaults and steel chambers and strong -rooms guarded night and day by warders, where -the wealthy keep their valuables. The place is -called the Safe Deposit, and is hard by where -the learned lawyers argue. That is where the -stone is, in proof of which I show you the key."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan gravely held up a latch-key. Acting -though he was, there was a dignity about him -that quite impressed Denvers. Hamid was -impressed also, or his face belied him. He was -sorry to have offended his royal master, but he -was only obeying orders. Should he come again -on the morrow?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, at midday," the Shan said loftily. "Now -take your miserable body from my presence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan's dignity collapsed as the door closed -behind Hamid Khan. He looked to Harold for -assistance. He had not more than fourteen hours -or so—and most of them the hours of the night—to -find salvation. All the time Harold was leisurely -turning over matters in his mind. If he could -manage this thing for the Shan his future was -made. He had his finger on the centre of an -international intrigue almost. The Shan had -always been favourable to England, his tastes and -inclinations, his very vices, were English, whereas -the new aspect leant towards Russia. The -British Government doubtless would have stood -by the Shan at this juncture had they known.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's only one thing for it," Harold said -after a long pause. "We must try and work -on Benstein's cupidity. He knows you, he is well -aware that your name is good for a large sum -of money, only he will have to wait for it. And -of your integrity there is no doubt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Foreign Secretary does not think so," -the Shan groaned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not speaking of morals now, but stability. -For the time you are hard up. If you will eschew -champagne for a time, not to mention other things, -you could make it worth Benstein's while to wait -for a few weeks. Ask him to let you have the -Blue Stone for a few days, after which it will be -returned to him until it is properly redeemed. -For this accommodation you are prepared to pay -a further two thousand pounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan nodded greedily. He was prepared -to promise anything. His lips were twitching with -excitement. He rose and put on his coat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us go at once," he said. "But stop, do -you know where Benstein lives? And if we do -find him it's long odds that stone is deposited -with his bankers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Benstein lives in Berkeley Square," Denvers -explained. "He is growing old and senile, he -has come to that cunning stage when he does -not trust anybody. He keeps all his valuables -in a big strong-room at his house. That I know -for certain. He is sure to be at home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we'll go at once. It's a forlorn hope, -but still—come along." Denvers checked his -impulsive companion. Common prudence must -not be forgotten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Highness forgets that you are certain -to be watched," he said. "Your friend Hamid -or some of his spies are sure to be pretty close. -I'll go away from the hotel and wait for you in -Piccadilly. Then you steal out by the side door -and meet me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan nodded approval. His head was too -bad for him to think for himself. Harold stood -on the steps of Gardner's Hotel, and hailed the -first taxi that passed. The cabman was to drive -to Piccadilly and there wait.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Progress in Piccadilly was slow in consequence -of the block of carriages before Frobisher's house. -The guests were arriving in a steady stream, and -Denvers amused himself by identifying most of -them. One of the last comers was Lord Rashburn, -Foreign Secretary, and his wife. Harold smiled -to himself as he wondered what his lordship -would give for his own private information. -It might be necessary to appeal to Rashburn -presently, and it was a good thing to know where -to find him. Only it would be useless for Denvers -to try and obtain admission to Frobisher's house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan came up presently, and Berkeley -Square was reached at length. Benstein was at -home, and the footman had no doubt that he would -see his visitors, late as it was. Many a bit of -business with people who needed money in a -desperate hurry had Benstein done between the -dinner-hour and midnight. He was seated in -his library now with a fat cigarette between his -teeth and poring over a mass of accounts. To -reckon up his money and to gloat over his many -securities was the one pleasure of Benstein's life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to see you, gentlemen—glad to see you," -he said, rubbing his puffy hands together. "If -there is anything that I can do for your Highness, -it will be a pleasure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His Highness wants to put two thousand -pounds into your pocket," Denvers said. "It is -the matter of the Blue Stone of——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A queer sound came from Benstein's lips, and -his mottled face turned as pale as it was possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean to say that you want the -stone to-night?" he gasped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why else are we here?" Harold demanded. -The air was full of suspicion and he had caught -some of it. "It is absolutely necessary that we -should have it back, for a time at least. It was -distinctly understood, I think, that the stone was -to be returned at any hour of the day or night that -we required it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein's big head swayed backwards and -forwards pendulously, his thick lips were wide -apart, and showing the gaps in the yellow teeth -beyond. Harold's suspicions became a certainty. -Benstein had parted with the stone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you want it now?" Benstein said, as if -the words had been dragged from him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold intimated that he did want the stone -immediately. Slowly Benstein was recovering. -The rich red blood was creeping into his face again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is impossible," he said. "Usually I keep -most of my valuables here. But I recognised the -political as well as the pecuniary value of the Blue -Stone, and I did not dare. The stone is at the -Bank of England, and I cannot get it before ten -to-morrow. It is very unfortunate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very," Harold said dryly. "But we must -make the best of it. I have a pretty shrewd idea -where the stone is, but my guess would not have -been the Bank of England. We don't propose to -redeem the gem; we suggest that you should let -the Shan have it for two or three days on the -understanding that when the business is completed -your charge is increased by the sum of two -thousand pounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But this is not business," Benstein pleaded. -"Under the peculiar circumstances——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely," Harold interrupted dryly. "Under -the peculiar circumstances you are going to -accommodate us. Mr. Benstein, I fancy that you -and I understand one another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein's eyes dropped, and the fat cigarette -between his fingers trembled. He muttered the -talisman word "business" again; but he was -understood to agree to the terms offered. He was -shakily eager to offer his distinguished guests -refreshments of some kind, but Denvers dragged -the Shan away. Once in the street, the latter -stopped and demanded to know what the -pantomime meant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's pretty plain," Harold said. "Old -Benstein hasn't got your jewel at this moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hasn't got it? Do you mean to say that he...? -Preposterous! But in the morning——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the morning it will be all right again. -In the morning you will see quite another Benstein—a -Benstein who has changed his mind, and will -refuse to part with the Blue Stone so long as a -single penny remains unpaid. I startled him -to-night. I got astride of that figment of a -conscience of his. But I am going to help you to -clench the business. Come along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are you going to?" the Shan asked feebly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Back to your hotel. You are going to dress -up in your State war-paint and proceed at once -to Lady Frobisher's dress-ball. I suppose you've -any amount of dresses and that kind of thing—I -mean you could rig out a staff, if necessary?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've got all the mummery for going to Court, -if that is what you mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," Harold cried. "I'll just step into -this chemist's and get a few pigments necessary -to the successful performance of my little comedy. -You are going to the dance as the Shan of -Koordstan, and I am going carefully disguised -as Aben Abdullah, your suite."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="hunt-the-slipper"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">HUNT THE SLIPPER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A fine perspiration stood out on Lefroy's -face, he swayed to and fro like one in an -advanced stage of intoxication, the Count -was utterly unmanned for the moment. As his -brain and eye cleared presently, Frobisher came -out of the mist in the semblance of a man who was -manifestly enjoying himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I pray you sit down," he said in his silkiest -manner. "My dear Count, the heat has been too -much for you. The hero of a thousand adventures -succumbs to a high thermometer—it is possible to -choke a Hercules with an orange pip. A little -of the old brandy, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's face was perfectly grave now, only -the dilation of his pupils and the faint quivering -of his lips denoted his amusement. Lefroy -forced a smile in reply. He was conscious of the -fact that that little demon opposite was reading -his inmost thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just a little of the brandy," Frobisher said -coaxingly. "The kind that I keep for my very -dear friends. Ah, I am sure that is better. Now -let us sit down and smoke, and forget the giddy -side outside."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy nodded. The course suggested suited -him admiringly. When he was best pleased -Frobisher chatted most, and he seemed to be -exceedingly pleased about something now. Lefroy -would have time to recover his scattered thoughts -and define some line of action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have solved the problem of the lady of the -rubies?" Sir Clement asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have," Lefroy replied carelessly. "From -a romantic point of view the solution is -disappointing. I expected to see a regal personage -at the very least, whereas——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker shrugged his shoulders insolently. -The other smiled expectantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on, my dear Lefroy. I am all attention, -I assure you. The lady of the rubies is——?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was on the tip of Lefroy's tongue to -snarlingly reply that Frobisher knew perfectly well, -but that was bad policy under the circumstances.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are typical of the spirit of the age," -he said. "All the same, I hardly expected to see -the wife of a moneylender under your roof. -Lady Frobisher——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has progressed rapidly of late in the cult -of the proletariat. So Mrs. Benstein is the lady of -the rubies. I half expected it from the first—only -the wife of a moneylender could sport jewels -like that. But she is a beautiful woman, Lefroy, -and she is going to make a great social success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy could only mutter something in reply. -He had one great aim in view at the present -moment—to get back to the ballroom and persuade -Frobisher to remain where he was. Did the -Count but know it, Frobisher was just as eager to -reverse the order of the procedure. But no suggestion -of this escaped him, he sat there smiling as if -he and a double meaning were strangers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am very partial to rubies myself," he said. -"In a modest way I am a collector, and my uncut -stones are worth an inspection. My wife also -has the same weakness, which is another of the -many strong bonds that bind us together. I'll -show them to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't trouble," Lefroy said hastily. "Any -other time will do. If you have to fetch -them——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sit down. Positively you must have another -drop of the brandy. Your nerves are better, but -not what the nerves of a bold warrior should be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So saying, Frobisher produced a case from a -drawer and laid the contents before Lefroy's eyes. -In spite of himself he could not but admire. -He did not see the keen, alert look on the face of -his host as he bent down to examine the gems. -People were passing the open door; there was -a light ripple of laughter and conversation. -Frobisher darted into the hall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This way a moment," he whispered, as he -caught his wife by the arm. "Come with me and -do as I tell you. You are to keep Lefroy in -yonder room for half an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was back again before Lefroy had missed -him. Lady Frobisher's scornful eyes softened as -they fell upon the tray of gems.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have a taste in common, then, Count," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy replied suitably enough. He had a -strong admiration for the white, cold beauty of this -woman; he watched her slim fingers as she toyed -with the gems. Some of them were unnamed, -whilst others had histories of their own. Frobisher -pitched his cigarette into the grate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can amuse the Count, my dear," he said. -"He has had some little touch of illness, and -should be kept quiet. The gems will interest -him. Meanwhile, I will endeavour to take -your place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was all done so quickly and naturally that -Lefroy could do or say nothing. Did Frobisher -really know anything or not, he began to wonder. -If there was any conspiracy Lady Frobisher knew -nothing of it, it only needed a glance at that -scornful, beautiful face to feel that. She was talking -now easily and naturally enough with one of the -stones in her pink palm, and Lefroy had perforce -to listen. To leave the room now would have been -an unpardonable rudeness—a </span><em class="italics">gaucherie</em><span> Lefroy -never allowed himself to commit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Frobisher had mingled with his -guests. He was in no hurry. Lefroy was safely -out of the way for a time, and Frobisher always -preferred to hunt his game leisurely. Besides, -the crush of dancers and guests generally was so -great that progression was a matter of some -difficulty. He came across Angela presently -attired in white and with a pair of gauze wings -suggestive of Peace or something of that kind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop a bit," he said, "and tell me all about it. -Upon my word, you are looking exceedingly nice. -By common consent, who is the success of the -evening?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Mrs. Benstein, without doubt," Angela -replied, with sincere admiration. "She is lovely, -and those rubies are simply superb. Everybody -is talking about them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the fortunate woman herself? How does -she wear her blushing honours?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well indeed. You know, I rather like -her. Everybody is asking for an introduction -now, but at first people held aloof. I have had -a long chat with Mrs. Benstein, and she quite -fascinated me. She is going to be a great success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course she is with her cleverness and -audacity, to say nothing of her beauty and her -jewels, it could not be otherwise. I must go -and pay my respects to her. Where is she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Angela had not the slightest idea. Something -like a thousand people were scattered about -the long suite of rooms, and there were shady -alcoves and dim corners for easy conversation -</span><em class="italics">à deux</em><span>. Mingled with the brilliant throng of -uniform and fancy dresses the jewelled turban -of the Shan of Koordstan stood out. He came -up with his companion similarly attired, and -held out his hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is an unexpected pleasure, your Highness," -said Frobisher. "I heard that you were -not quite——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sober," the Shan said frankly. "I have been -leading a deuce of a life lately, Frobisher. -My servant here, Aben Abdullah, insisted upon -my putting in an appearance here to-night. -He has been bullying me as he would never dare -to do at home. When we get back I shall have to -bowstring him gently. He is a very valuable -servant, but he knows too much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Aben Abdullah bowed and smiled. The Shan -extended his patronage to Angela.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My servant knows a little English," he said. -"My dear young lady, would it be too great a -trespass on your kindness to ask you to act as his -cicerone for a time? I have a little business to -discuss with Sir Clement. Aben is very intelligent, -and he is a noble in his own country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela expressed her pleasure. She was always -ready to sacrifice herself to others; besides, she -had rather taken a fancy to this handsome young -foreigner, who reminded her somehow of Harold -Denvers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What would you like to do?" she asked, as -they strolled off together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Aben murmured something about the flowers -that he had heard so much about. Could he see -them? Angela would be delighted. They stood -in a large conservatory at length in the dim light, -and then Aben smiled down into Angela's face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I feel sure of my disguise now, darling," -he whispered. "If I could deceive you, I am -not in the least afraid that Sir Clement will find -me out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what does it mean, Harold?" Angela -asked. "You certainly reminded me of yourself; -but I should never have penetrated your -disguise. But the Shan must know all about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course he does. It is a little scheme that -we have hatched together. I have no time to tell -you everything now; indeed, with so clever a -man to deal with as Frobisher it is far better -that you should not know. But the Shan has done -a very foolish thing, and his very throne is in -danger. Both Frobisher and Lefroy know this, -and they will do all they can to keep him under -their control. If I can defeat that plot and free -the Shan, then I need not trouble about the future."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela's eyes lighted up eagerly. All her quick -sympathies had been interested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will let me help you?" she exclaimed. -"Harold, I am quite sure that you want my -assistance. I am a great deal stronger and braver -than you imagine. Try me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to try you, my dear little girl," -Harold whispered. "I should like to kiss you at -this moment, but I dare not take any risks. -For the present your task is a very simple one. -I want you to get a certain lady in here and sit -under the shaded lamp yonder. You must get -here and keep her talking till I come back. If -I hold up my two hands your task is finished; -if I come forward, you must know that I want to -speak to the lady alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It all sounds very mysterious, Harold. Who is -the lady?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have christened her the lady of the -rubies here. I was very pleased just now to hear -that you had, so to speak, made friends with her. -Will you go at once?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela made off hurriedly, and, for the time -being, Harold returned to the ballroom. On the -whole, he was not particularly enamoured of the -part he was playing: the idea of forcing himself -into a house where he had been forbidden by the -host was repugnant to his finer feelings; but, on -the other hand, any scheme was worthy which -had for its end the defeat of a scoundrel. As the -Shan caught Harold's warning eye he left Frobisher -and moved towards his ally.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So far there is not much the matter," Harold -replied. "Miss Lyne knows exactly what she has -to do, and she will do it well. You are going to -have a pretty big surprise just now, but whether -it will turn out a pleasant one or the reverse -I cannot say as yet. Stand here and pretend to be -interested in the pictures."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela had been more successful in her search -than Frobisher. A prosy peer had buttonholed -his host and the latter could not get away for -the present without using actual violence. Angela -had found the lady of the rubies sitting in a dim -corner alone. She looked a little dazed and tired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not used to it," she said frankly. "And -I can't stand all their silly folly. I sent my -partner for an ice on purpose to get rid of him. -My dear young lady, you are very kind, and I've -taken a great fancy to you because you are the -first person I have spoken to to-night who is -honest and true. All the same, I really want that -ice, and if you can find some quiet corner——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know the very thing," Angela cried eagerly, -delighted at the way fate was playing into her -hands. "Come along. There, what do you -think of that? Sit down near the light and I'll -go and get the ice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein protested, but Angela was already -out of earshot. The Shan and his companion -were deeply engrossed in a pair of Romneys as -Angela passed them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have secured your bird," she whispered. -"She is exactly where you asked me to place her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold touched his companion on the arm, and -they strolled away leisurely in the direction of -the great conservatory. It was fairly quiet here, -with few people about. Under the lamp sat a -rarely beautiful woman whose dress from head -to foot was one mass of rubies. Another one -flamed across her forehead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you think of her?" Harold -whispered. "And what do you think of that big -stone that is attached to her forehead by those -thin gold wires?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan started violently. He rubbed his -hands across his red bloodshot eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Blue Stone of Ghan," he whispered -hoarsely. "By Allah, she is wearing the sacred -jewel!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="diplomacy"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">DIPLOMACY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As the Shan stood there watching the graceful, -unconscious form of Mrs. Benstein, a great -rage seized him. In one moment his thin -veneer of Western civilisation had vanished. He -was Baserk, savage, hard and cruel, from his -glittering eyes and long fingers that crooked as -if on the woman's throat. He swayed against -Denvers with the passion that thrilled him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Close in on her," he hissed. "Drag the jewel -away. If you steal behind her and hold her by -the throat——" He could say no more for the -present. There was safety and freedom close -to his hand, and only a frail woman between -himself and his desires.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, rubbish!" Harold said coolly. "My good -sir, you will kindly forget that you are the Shan -of Koordstan for a moment, and recollect that -you are a guest here. I can give a pretty shrewd -guess how the stone came here—indeed, I should -have been disappointed had I not seen it. Benstein -is old and feeble, and he dotes on his wife. But -there is a better way than yours. Can I trust you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan nodded. He was recovering himself slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then stay here, but do not be seen. Miss -Lyne will be back presently, and she is on our -side. Ah, here she comes. I have a few words -to say to her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela came up at the same moment, her eyes -shining blue interrogation points. Harold drew -her aside a little way and rapidly whispered a few -words in her ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Questions presently," he smiled. "We have -only time for action now. Ask Mrs. Benstein -to remain where she is, and say you will be back -in a moment. Meanwhile, I must get you to -present me to Lord Rashburn, the Foreign -Secretary. Can you manage this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela was under the impression that she could -manage this quite well. Rashburn was a close -connection of Lady Frobisher, and a great admirer -of her own; indeed, the handsome, courtly -Foreign Secretary was an avowed admirer of the -sex generally. It was some little time before -Angela contrived to get possession of the great man -and it required all her fascination to induce him -to listen to the handsome young man who -represented the Shan's suite.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll give him five minutes," he said. "Where -is the intelligent young foreigner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold came up at a sign from Angela. Lord -Rashburn was courtly as usual, but bored. He -particularly disliked intelligent young foreigners. -He hoped that Aben Abdullah knew some English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am English, my lord," Harold said coolly. -"I assure you that I shall not bore you; indeed, -I propose to interest you extremely. I heard your -lordship in a recent speech observe that you -derived a lot of good from reading healthy fiction; -indeed, you went on to say that, under altered -circumstances, you would have been an author -yourself. I should like to discuss a little plot -with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rashburn was unaffectedly interested. Mystery -and intrigue of any kind appealed to him; he was -fond of building up stories from conventional -surroundings. And there was some mystery here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on," he said, courteously. "I feel I -shall be interested. In the first place, is the plot -a—er—murder one?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eventually, my lord. We will begin here in -this very room, describing the house and the -occasion, not forgetting the host. Our host, my -lord, should make a fascinating study of a character -given to—shall we say—to diplomatic methods?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not stretch a point and make him an -unscrupulous rascal?" Lord Rashburn said dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a most excellent suggestion, my lord. -We will go on to say that he has designs against -my master; that he desires certain concessions -that my master has promised elsewhere, say to a -young Englishman who knows the past, and who, -under an assumed name, is part of his suite. -Sir Clement has a hold on my master, and I want -to save him. In virtue of his office my master -has in his possession a precious jewel called—called -anything you like."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Blue Stone of Ghan!" Rashburn cried -incautiously. "I know all about that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us call it a magic diamond," Harold -smiled. "We must not be too realistic. After -all said and done, this is no more than the plot -of a story."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To be sure," Rashburn said hastily. "I had -forgotten that. Pray go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My master is extravagant, which is a mild -way of putting it. At the risk of losing -everything, his head included, he raises money on -the—er, diamond, pledges it, in fact, with a -miserly old moneylender, who has a wife that he -fairly dotes on. My master's enemies, including -Sir Clement, and another called Count Lefroy, -find this out. They cook up some story to the -effect that the sacred—er, diamond is wanted -to seal certain State papers. There, for the -present, we must leave my master in the dilemma -into which he has got himself and go forward, -merely premising that he has promised to produce -the stone and seal those documents to-morrow -morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of the most ingenious plots I have heard -of for a long while," Rashburn murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I flatter myself that the best part is to come," -Harold proceeded. "My suggestion is that the -moneylender should be seen and asked to let us -have the stone for an hour or two, and add two -thousand pounds to his charges. We called for -that purpose, and the old man thinks we want the -gem back. He is in such a state of pitiable terror -when we call, that instantly I know that he has -parted with the stone. From what he says its -recovery is only a question of a few hours. He -says something about the stone and the Bank of -England, but that is all nonsense. I guess what he -has done. He has lent the stone to somebody, -and I also have a shrewd guess who that somebody -is. Then I suggest that we come here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Capital!" Rashburn cried. "You are interesting -me exceedingly. Go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We come here. And here we find that a great -sensation has been created by a lady who is -dubbed the lady of the ru—I mean the queen of the -diamonds. She is the wife of the great financier -my master and I have been so recently -interviewing. Remember he is old and senile, and -dotes on her. It is inevitable that he has lent -her the great diamond as a kind of glorious finish -to her toilette."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In fact, we may assume that you have seen -it blazing on her—shall we say forehead?" -Rashburn asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have guessed it exactly, my lord," -Harold went on. "Here, then, is a beautiful -complication—my master has to get the gem back, -and incidentally is ready to commit murder to do -so; here is the host who may come along at any -time, and recognise the gem. That is as far -as I have developed the story as yet, but I might -at this point bring in yourself and your -Government and make an international matter of it. -If this thing leaks out, the Shan, who is favourable -to England, goes, and his cousin, who is from -Russia, steps on to the throne. Would it be -fair to ask the Government to lend my master -two hundred thousand pounds under the circumstances?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lord Rashburn glanced admiringly into the -face of his companion, and shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be a foolish thing to mention the -affair directly to the Foreign Secretary at all. -Officially I could not listen to you for a moment. -I can only listen to you now because I am interested -in stories of any light kind. But if you are -asking my advice purely to get your local colour -right——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it," Harold said eagerly. "If it were -true, which is the proper course to pursue?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see you are a born novelist," Rashburn -smiled shrewdly. "Well, in these matters there -are intermediaries, rich men who are ready to -sacrifice their purse for their country. Most of -these men have strong claims on the Government -of the day. Some of them become Commissioners, -of this, that, and the other, and have letters after -their names. Some become baronets, or even -members of the Upper House. There is Mr. Gerald -Parkford, for instance. He is over there talking -to the lady in the yellow satin. I understand that -he is deeply interested in problems of this kind, and -has frequently done the State some service, at a -considerable loss to himself. Some day his wife -will wear a coronet. Purely out of regard for your -story I will introduce you to Parkford, and then -you will be able to bring the tale to a logical -conclusion. Of course you will see that if this -were anything but fiction it would have been a -gross impertinence of you to have mentioned it to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, my lord," Harold said humbly, -and carefully avoiding Rashburn's eyes. "If -your lordship will be so kind as to make me known -to Mr. Parkford——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will do that with the greatest possible -pleasure. I shall catch his eye presently. Ah, -I thought so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little keen, brown-faced man opposite -looked up presently, and at a sign from Rashburn -excused himself to his fair companion, and crossed -the floor. Rashburn explained the situation in a -few words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I understand you are fond of adventures of -this kind," he said. "For the sake of my friend -here, and for the sake of his book, you will give -him the benefit of your advice. My dear young -friend, I am quite fascinated by your interesting -story. Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rashburn turned upon his heel in the most -natural manner, and plunged at once into a -flirtation with a pretty girl in pink. Nobody would -have guessed that he had just listened to a -thrilling piece of information that might mean a new -move for him in his Eastern policy. The little -keen-eyed man looked at Harold and nodded his -head interrogatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, Rashburn has to play his game," -he said. "It would never do for him to know -anything about the thing officially, unless the Shan -approached him personally, which is not in the -least likely. Because, you see, we have got to get -that ruby back—no reason to split hairs between -you and I—and by fair means or foul. Personally, -I should prefer to settle the business on prosaic -business lines—go to Benstein very late, tell him -we know everything, and tender him a cheque -for the money and bring away the ruby on an -authority from the Shan to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a written authority," Harold said hastily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course not. You could come along if you -liked. That's one way of settling the business -out of hand. A day or two after, Rashburn would -ask me how the story was going on, and I should -say that I had showed you a flaw in it, and that as -the money had been forthcoming the affair was -finished on much too matter-of-fact lines to give -an interesting finish. He would understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And his diplomacy would be unspotted," -Harold smiled. "But I fancy we are not going -to be allowed to finish quite in this light-hearted -way. We have Frobisher to deal with—Frobisher -who suggested that Mrs. Benstein should appear -in the role of the Queen of the Rubies. He knew -that Benstein had the Blue Stone; he knew that -Mrs. Benstein is in the habit of borrowing gems -left with her husband for security; and he -calculated on her borrowing that pearl amongst rubies -for to-night. Do you suppose, knowing Frobisher's -character, that he means that stone to leave -the house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know that he is an utterly unscrupulous -scoundrel," Parkford said freely. "Oh, he is -quite capable of this kind of thing. Do you -happen to know anything of Miss Lyne?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am engaged to be married to her," Harold -said quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little brown-faced man whistled softly, -but his features expressed no astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought your English was uncommonly -good for a native," he said. "Of course, I know -all about you now. My wife, who knows the -history of everybody in London, I believe, told -me about Harold Denvers and Miss Lyne, and -how you had been forbidden the house and all that -kind of thing. I seem to remember, too, that at -one time your father and Frobisher were by the -way of being friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To my father's cost," Harold said with some -little bitterness. "He robbed and ruined my -father, and he died a broken man. That was -before Frobisher put money in his purse by so -shamefully abusing his position in the diplomatic -service. As to Miss Lyne——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Lyne may be of the greatest possible -service to us," Parkford said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is of use at the present moment," Harold -said. "Of course she knows I am here and -why, though I should be kicked out of the house -if discovered. Miss Lyne is keeping Mrs. Benstein -out of the way for the moment—out of Frobisher's -way, that is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Parkford jerked his thumb over his right -shoulder and nodded. As Harold looked up -he saw the shifting figure of Frobisher passing -through the crowd. His eyes were narrow and -eager, he seemed to be looking furtively and -greedily for some one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bloodhound is astir," Parkford muttered. -"We must cross his trail without delay."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-friend-in-need"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A FRIEND IN NEED.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Angela took her place by Mrs. Benstein's -side as if they had been friends of -standing. She had a game to play, and -not too many instructions as to how it was to be -played, but, at the same time, she was strangely -moved to the financier's wife. In spite of her -beauty and intelligence there was an atmosphere -about her that was just a little pathetic. She -reminded Angela of some white mountain-peak -stretching away far above its fellows, solitary, -beautiful and alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The light shimmered upon her jewels as they -gently heaved upon her breast. Her fine eyes -were just a little interrogative as they turned upon -Angela.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very good of you to interest yourself in -me," she said. "I wonder why you do it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela coloured slightly; after all, her -attentions were not quite disinterested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps it is because you fascinate me," -Angela said frankly. "I have never seen any one -like you before. I love character. And yet, -you seem quite lonely, as if you were apart from -the rest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, so I am," Isa Benstein replied. "The -men on occasions like this count for nothing. -I never see a lot of men crowded round a pretty -woman without a strong temptation to laugh. -They look so foolish. And yet your women here -rather avoid me—they are not quite sure of my -position. But I could lead the whole lot of them -if I chose to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela did not doubt it. She had only to look -in that beautiful face and see that the boast was no -idle one. The brilliant light died out of the -speaker's eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what is the good of it?" she said. "I -don't believe there is any society worthy of the -name to-day. Money seems to be everything. -Your poor aristocrat sneers at the monied people. -But ain't they just as ostentatious themselves! -Don't they rob their creditors and neglect their -bills to appear like other people? It seems such -a dreadfully snobbish thing to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fine eyes were looking round contemptuously, -the breastplate of rubies heaved slowly. -The words sounded strange from one so superbly -attired, and Mrs. Benstein laughed as she caught -Angela's smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are thinking that I am no better than -the rest," she went on. "Well, perhaps not. -But, then, my plumes are borrowed ones. You -see my husband is what is called a money-lender. -There are lots of great ladies here to-night who -come to him for assistance, they bring their -jewels and he lends them money. I am wearing -nearly all borrowed plumes to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela gave a little gasp at the audacity of the -confession.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, of course it is wrong," Mrs. Benstein -proceeded. "It's like a laundress who keeps -back a silk blouse from somebody else's washing -to wear on a Sunday. I've done that myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela listened in dazed fascination. Such a -confession from one so stately and beautiful was -amazing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have learnt the art of jesting with a -perfectly serious face," she suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, I am telling you the exact truth. I -suppose it is the impish spirit in my blood that -prompts me to do such things. In the day of -my early Sunday holidays things were different. -But you can't expect a high morality in a little -Shoreditch second-hand clothes shop."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will tell me that you served in one next," -Angela laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, I did," was the reply. "Do you -know, I have not the slightest idea who my parents -are. All I know is that I am not a Jewess, though -I was brought up as one. I used to run about the -streets. I grew up somehow. And then I drifted -into that shop. I educated myself pretty well, -for the simple reason that I cannot forget -anything. My husband took me away and married -me. I would have married any one to get away -from that blighting desolation. I was going mad -for the want of colour and brightness in my life. -And—and there you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody could possibly tell that you have not -been used to this life always," Angela said. -"There have been jealous eyes round you to-night, -but they found no flaw."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had no intention of them finding a flaw," -Mrs. Benstein said coolly. "I have intuition and -observation. And yet, till this very night, I have -never sat and chatted with a lady before. I like -you, Miss Lyne, and I would do anything for you. -I like your kind face and those thoughtful eyes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela was glad to hear it. The confession made -her task all the easier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to ask you to help me," she said. -"I felt sure from the first that I could rely upon -you. May I not be personal just for a little -longer? You say your plumes are borrowed -ones. Have you any idea of the identity of the -ruby you are wearing on your forehead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not the least. My husband never mentions -his clients by name—or, at least, very seldom. I -took a fancy to this stone as a kind of climax to -my costume, and with great reluctance my -husband let me have it. Your eyes are telling me -strange things, Miss Lyne."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My tongue is going to tell you stranger," -Angela whispered. "To think that you should -be ignorant of the fact that you are wearing the -sacred Blue Stone of Ghan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Shan of Koordstan's Royal gem!" Mrs. Benstein -exclaimed. "Oh, I know all about that. -There is very little underground political history -that I don't know. Koordstan and the Cardinal -Moth and the—the rest of it. Our host to-night -would give me something for the stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our host of to-night means to have it," Angela -said under her breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see, I see. What an intellect the man has! -It was he who persuaded me to come as Queen -of the Rubies. For his own ends he got me -invited here. He felt pretty sure that my husband -would let me have the Blue Stone to wear. I -am in danger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think you are exactly in danger," -Angela said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, I am. You don't know everything, -I can see. The Shan of Koordstan is here to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is here with one of his suite called Aben -Abdullah, who, by the way, is my beloved one in -disguise. He is Harold Denvers, who is aiding -the Shan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A romance, a veritable romance, with danger -and difficulties clinging to it like an aroma. So -I am to play the part of one of Sir Clement's -puppets! We shall see. Now tell me everything."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela proceeded to explain that she was -going much beyond Harold Denvers' hurried -instructions. But from the first her instinct had -told her that she could make a friend of the woman. -She concealed nothing, she spoke of the difficult -position of the Shan, and what Harold had to gain -by a recovery of the sacred jewel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm glad you told me," Mrs. Benstein said -slowly. "Very glad. But there is more danger -here than you anticipate, danger to me and to all -of us. Sir Clement Frobisher is one of the greatest -scoundrels on earth; he is cunning into the -bargain, a perfect master of trickery and intrigue. -Do you know anything of the Cardinal Moth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela shook her head. She was practically -ignorant on that point. Mrs. Benstein indicated -the nodding, trembling spray of blossom on her -breast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These flowers are in it," she said. "The -Cardinal Moth must play its part with the rest. -There will be no rest until the Moth is back again -over the altar in the temple of Ghan. You wonder -perhaps how I know all these things, but the -blood of all nations contrives to make the mystery -that is called Isa Benstein. Now I want you to -bring General Pearson to me; I want you to stay -here whilst we go away for a dance together. -Sir Clement, and perhaps another man, will be -looking for me. Say that I shall be back here in -ten minutes to see you. You need say no more -than that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela went away, wondering but obedient. -The handsome old soldier would be delighted. He -had been looking for his next partner for a long -time. He was quite distracted by her absence. -They walked away together, leaving Angela -behind. Presently in the distance she could see -the figure of Frobisher wandering in and out of -the crowd. Angela walked smiling up to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hide-and-seek," she cried gaily. "You are -looking for somebody?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even the Queen of the Rubies," Frobisher -responded in a similar strain. "A handsome -reward will be paid to anybody giving information -as to her present whereabouts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may keep your beloved money," Angela -said. "I am above such things. Mrs. Benstein -is dancing with General Pearson, and in ten -minutes she has asked me to meet her under the -lamps yonder. And here comes Count Lefroy, -as if he were looking for somebody, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela slipped away as Lefroy came up, -showing his teeth in a queer, uneasy smile. He was -trembling, too, as if he had run a long distance. -Frobisher suppressed a disposition to snarl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have finished, then?" he asked. "My -rubies were worthy of a closer inspection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And would have had the closer inspection only -Lady Frobisher was called away," Lefroy replied. -"Her ladyship would have left me alone with them -but I implored her not to place so fierce a -temptation in my way. She does not know that I -share your passion for those stones, especially -large ones."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Like the Blue Stone of Ghan, for instance?" -said Frobisher, with a sharp indrawing of his -breath. "It would be good to get hold of that, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy's eyes grew a trifle harder and more -uneasy. He seemed to be miserably uncertain -in his mind, divided in opinion as to whether -he should stay where he was or go away on some -errand of his own. The crowd became slightly -more thick as the strains of music ceased and the -dance came to an end. In spite of everything, -the rooms were growing unpleasantly warm, and -the guests were seeking cool corners. Mrs. Benstein -came presently, leaning on the arm of her -military escort. Her face was turned away, so -that neither of the two men watching her could -see her features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy drew a deep, long breath. The time had -come, he would have to stand up and fight -Frobisher, the secret that he had half deemed his -own was on the verge of exposure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mrs. Benstein is going into the conservatory," -he said meaningly. "I propose to follow her wise -example and do the same thing. A sybarite -like you does not care for robust air. I presume, -therefore, that you are going to stay where -you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher hooked his arm quite affectionately -through that of his companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the contrary, I feel that a tonic would -do me good," he said sweetly. "I am distressed -for your sake. There is a nervousness about you -to-night that alarms me; I could not enjoy -myself thinking about it. What should I do, -where should I be without my Lefroy? Orestes -and Pylades, Damon and Pythias </span><em class="italics">et hoc</em><span>, where are -you all alongside of Lefroy and Frobisher?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He led the way into the conservatory close to -where Mrs. Benstein and her companion were -seated. By accident or design, Isa Benstein -had her back to them. She seemed to be chatting -gaily and without a trouble in the world to the -General, who rose presently and proceeded back -in the direction of the ballroom on ices bent. -Then Mrs. Benstein rose and sauntered to the -door of the conservatory. Both the men there -watched her breathlessly—the time had come, and -they both of them knew it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She wheeled round suddenly as if conscious of -their presence and smiled gloriously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am admiring the flowers," she said. "They -are exquisite. But I must have a word with Miss -Lyne, whom I see in the distance. If my -distracted General misses me, pray tell him that I -shall be back at once. I trust you to do this for -me, Sir Clement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded with his mouth wide open, -even he felt at a loss for words. There stood the -lady of the rubies, her dress glistening with the -gems, but her fair broad brow was clear as day, -there was no vestige of a stone to mar its pure -symmetry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a wonderfully warm night," Frobisher gasped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sultry," Lefroy said meaningly, "very sultry. -Deprives you of your wits, doesn't it? Weren't -you saying something just now about the Blue -Stone of Ghan? Or did I dream it? Come along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where to?" Frobisher asked, like a man in a dream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, to the smoking-room, to be sure," -Lefroy said with polite mockery. "As you told -me just now with such tender consideration -for others, you are not quite yourself. A little -brandy, the brandy you know, and a small soda. -You seem to want it badly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Egad," Frobisher burst out bitterly; "egad, -I fancy we both do!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-defensive-alliance"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Lefroy's face, on the whole, was the more -composed of the two. It was not often, -in public at any rate, that Frobisher -allowed his passion to get the better of him, but -for the moment he was utterly taken aback. -He had planned his scheme so neatly, the whole -cunning skein had reeled off so splendidly that the -startling disappointment was all the more -maddening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing like the old brandy," Lefroy sneered. -"You will find it a sovereign cure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Frobisher was recovering himself slowly. -He was not the man to show his hand for long. -The dry, hard smile was on his face now, the -passionate desire to hurt something had passed -away. Ignoring Lefroy's remark, he passed on -in the direction of Mrs. Benstein.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have been looking for you everywhere," he -said. "One does not usually have to hunt for -the sun, but in this case the planet would seem to -be a retiring one. Does my house afford such -poor attraction that you should bore yourself in -this lovely spot?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not in the least bored," Mrs. Benstein -said, with one of her most brilliant smiles. "On -the contrary, I have been enjoying myself -immensely. I am merely resting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher said something appropriate. Nobody -could do that kind of thing better when the mood -was upon him. At the same time, his deep-set -eyes were looking for signs, that might be conspired -into something useful. Lefroy contented himself -by standing behind and smiling vaguely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your gems are all I expected them to be," -Frobisher went on. "I felt certain that rubies -would suit you to perfection. But you want something, -a certain finish. A star or cluster on the forehead -to finish. Don't you agree with me, Count?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He flashed a wicked grin at Lefroy, who said -nothing. Isa Benstein gave no sign. She smiled -as she arranged the flowers, the Crimson Moth -that seemed to fascinate Lefroy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought so at first," she said. "In fact, I -was wearing something of the kind when I came -here. But on mature consideration I decided -that it looked too overpowering. Several of your -splendid mirrors confirmed that impression; -consequently, I removed it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is in a safe place, I trust?" Lefroy said -carelessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Really, I suppose so. Not that it matters, -seeing that it is of no particular value. It was the -only sham thing that I had about me. It is with -my fan somewhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy urged the point no further. It was not -policy to say too much. The two men went off -together presently, as Isa Benstein was claimed -for another dance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man who finds that fan will be lucky," -the Count said meaningly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man who finds that fan will find nothing -else," Frobisher replied. "How on earth it has -happened I don't know, but that woman has -discovered everything. Did you see her face as -we were leaving? I did. She came here in -blissful ignorance of the little comedy or tragedy, -or whatever you like to call it; but she has had -a warning from somebody since supper. Lord -bless you, she knows all about it. We couldn't -ask any prying questions without arousing her -suspicions, though I am of opinion that she is -quite aware of the way that she has baffled us. -Oh, she is a clever woman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Clever as they make them. But she is only a -woman, after all, my friend, and liable to make -mistakes like the rest of her sex. She has got -that stone about her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's eyes gleamed. He had been thinking -much the same thing. Followed by Lefroy, he -repaired to the smoking-room and proffered his -hospitality. For some time the Count smoked and -drank in silence, waiting for a lead from his host. -There was bound to be some kind of explanation -between them, and Lefroy preferred the lead to -come from the other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence is golden," Frobisher said, with one -of his sudden grins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In this case," the other said. "Perhaps you -would like to deal the first hand. I shall sit tight -for the present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fancy it is my play," Frobisher said -thoughtfully. "Fate and the other players push us a -long way off our line of policy sometimes. For -instance, I never imagined that I should be dragged -into an offensive and defensive alliance with you. -But for the present it is absolutely necessary. -We must get that precious gew-gew——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Call it the sacred Blue Stone of Ghan and -have done with it," Lefroy growled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, though it is hardly diplomacy. -Mrs. Benstein came here wearing the Blue Stone. -You found it out quite by accident, and it was -your game to prevent me from knowing. You -tried very hard, but you were a little too much -taken by surprise, especially when the Shan was -announced."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was a very awkward moment for me," -Lefroy admitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was. Directly you came in here I guessed -exactly what had happened. As a matter of fact, -I had not the least intention of your coming here -to-night, indeed I didn't know you were coming. -As a matter of fact, also, my wife cordially -dislikes you, and I suppose she only asked you out -of compliment to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll let that pass," Lefroy said. "I was -startled when Mrs. Benstein dropped her mask -and the Blue Stone stood revealed. Of course, I -knew that the stone was pledged to Benstein, and -that Mrs. Benstein having it was natural enough. -The doting old fool had been wheedled out of it -for the evening. But I didn't know that you knew -that, and I was most anxious to keep the information -from you. But directly I came face to face -with you here, I knew that you had some deep -scheme, and that you guessed that I had got wind -of it. I have worked that out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher smoked and sipped his brandy with -infinite relish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I always like to study a subtle mind, Count," -he said. "Will you explain your meaning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly, especially as I shall lose nothing -by so doing. Why did you get your wife to ask -that woman here at all? I knew you had to use -something like force to bring it about. You did -it because you knew where the Blue Stone was. -You advised Mrs. Benstein as to her dress, you -gave her hints on that head. You were quite -aware of the extent of Benstein's senile devotion -to his wife. And you calculated that if she -adopted the ruby suggestion she would borrow the -Blue Stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Excellent," Frobisher said cordially. "A -capital piece of reasoning. And a very pretty -scheme, though I say it myself. It came off, and -only your presence prevented my coup. Pray go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There isn't much more to say. Once Mrs. Benstein -was here wearing the Blue Stone, you -had no intention of her leaving with the gem in -her possession. I don't mean to say that you -would have used brutal force to get it, but I do -mean to say that you would not have hesitated -at that if needs must. Once you had the stone -you would have forced those concessions from -the Shan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And exposed the forged ones that you -deposited with Benstein," Frobisher said sweetly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy winced, and the glass chattered against -his teeth. He had not expected that stroke, and -his dark face indicated the fact for a brief moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is certainly one to you," he said. "Only -that is not the point for the present. The point -is, that your plot has failed, that the woman who -came here to-day wearing the Blue Stone out -of pure vanity and with no kind of </span><em class="italics">arrière pensée</em><span> -whatever, has been warned of her danger, which -she has promptly removed. She knows pretty -well everything—the way she received us showed -that. She is an exceedingly clever woman, and -has a shrewd idea how to take care of herself. -Has she got the stone still?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded gravely. Lefroy's point was -worthy of consideration.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean, has she passed it on to somebody -else?" he said. "She might have done that, but -I don't fancy so, and I'll tell you why. She has -seen enough of the world to teach her not to -trust anybody. Naturally enough, she does not -want her husband to be ruined, as would be the -case unless the stone was restored to Benstein's -safe keeping without delay, and so she would -trust to her own shrewdness to get away without -robbery. On the whole, she has not parted with -the stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little reflection assured Lefroy of the -soundness of this reasoning. The thing resolved -itself into a game of hide-and-seek with a fortune -at the end of it with any luck. Up to a certain -point these men were compelled to act together, -but the alliance might end at any time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't very well abduct Mrs. Benstein till -she parts with the gem," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, we can't do it, but we might find somebody -who could," Frobisher smiled. "There's the -Shan's minister and treacherous servant, Hamid -Khan, for instance. He has scant respect for the -laws of this or any other country, and he knows -quite well that his master has parted with the -stone. If we could put our hands upon the amiable -Hamid at this moment——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing is easier. Hamid is watching in -Piccadilly at this very moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you have got a little scheme afoot, too," -Frobisher laughed. "Upon my word I need all -my wits to enable me to get the better of you, -Count. How long has this been going on?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ever since the stone left the Shan's possession. -Ever since then he has been dogged and watched. -Let me go and call Hamid in to our discussion. -He knows what has happened, for I scribbled a -few lines on a sheet of paper just now when I left -your wife, and handed it to one of the smaller -spies who are loafing outside. The night is hot, -and our absence will not be noticed. Now slip -on our coats and assume to be going to smoke a -cigar in the garden. From thence we reach -Piccadilly by the back way, and surprise Hamid -in his dreary vigil. Then he comes back with us -here. What do you say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded gleefully; it was an intrigue -after his own heart. They passed into the cool -air of the garden, and from thence into the narrow -lane at the back of the house. It was very late -now, and Piccadilly was growing quiet, so that the -few lounging figures there were easily seen. A -slender, brown-faced man in a dust coat and -evening dress came along smoking a cigarette. -He did not appear to be in the least interested in -anything only for his restless eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want you," Lefroy said. "There's work to -be done, Hamid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, I am glad to hear that," said the -other in a remarkably English tone of voice. "I'm -getting sick to death of this eternal loafing. But -Sir Clement Frobisher and Count Lefroy together! -My dear Count, what are you doing in that galley?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Any galley is good enough when your own -has been temporarily wrecked," Lefroy growled. -"But ask no questions for the present and come -with us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went back again presently in the smoking-room -without having attracted the least attention, -or so at least Sir Clement Frobisher flattered -himself. It would never do for the Shan to know -of Hamid Khan's presence in the house. But -there were other watchful eyes besides those of -the Shan of Koordstan. Mrs. Benstein had seen -the two men go into the garden, and she had seen -three return. She was not quite quick enough to -get sight of the third, but she had a pretty shrewd -idea who he was. She waited till she could have a -word with Angela.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want you to do something for me, at once," -she said. "Sir Clement Frobisher and Count -Lefroy are in the private smoking-room with a third -person. I want you to open the door and rush -in with Sir Clement's name upon your lips as if -you are in a hurry for something. Then you can -stammer an apology and close the door behind -you. The great thing is to get a quick mental -photograph of the third person."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela nodded, she wasted no time in idle -questions. In the most natural fashion she burst -open the door and fluttered into the smoking-room, -calling upon Frobisher as she did so. Then she -stammered an apology and gently closed the door -again. The third person had been seated directly -opposite to her so that she had a perfect view of -his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see you were perfectly successful," Mrs. Benstein -said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, absolutely," Angela replied. "It is a -slender man with a deep mahogany face and curly -hair, quite a handsome Asiatic, in fact; but what -struck me more were his eyes, which are a clear -light blue. Fancy, blue eyes in a face like that!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Capital," Mrs. Benstein murmured. "It is -exactly as I expected. No, I am not going to say -any more for the present, because I don't want to -spoil your enjoyment. Now go off and flirt with -that handsome young fraud, called Aben Abdullah, -when you have the chance. Only don't go where -I shall have to hunt for you in case of dire -necessity."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="what-did-she-mean"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">WHAT DID SHE MEAN?</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Harold was on the look out for Angela, so -that she had not much trouble in finding -him. His stolid Asiatic indifference was -admirably feigned, and showed nothing of the -anxiety within. There was just an interrogative -gleam in his eyes for the moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isn't there somewhere where we can be really -quiet for a few minutes?" he said. "I have -successfully disposed of my royal rascal for the -time, and I want badly to speak to you. Unless I -am greatly mistaken, you can give me a good deal -of information, Angela."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela's smile indicated that she could. There -was a small passage behind some heavy curtains -leading to a suite of rarely-used rooms, and -Angela led the way there. She put the light up -for a few moments and disclosed a cosy corner -lounge, then she snapped off the switch again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've pulled the curtain back so that it is -possible to see without being seen," she explained. -"We must not stay long, Harold—I am sure that -Mrs. Benstein will want me before long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold slipped his arm round the girl's waist, -and kissed her. Stolen moments like this were -very sweet. There was just an interval of blissful -silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now tell me what you know," Harold asked -presently, "about the Blue Stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know nothing about the Blue Stone," Angela -explained. "Mrs. Benstein has done something -with it. All the mischief arose from the fact that -she had no idea of the traditional value of the gem. -She had not asked her husband about it. As a -matter of fact a cunning idea of Sir Clement's——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know all about that," Harold interrupted. -"It was very cunning, and came near success, -only I nicked in, and you and I spoilt it between -us. Lefroy spotted the stone first and tried to -keep the knowledge from Frobisher, which was -practically impossible. Then luck conspired to -force those fellows to make an offensive and -defensive alliance. But where is the stone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear boy, I haven't the remotest idea. All -I know is that it has disappeared from -Mrs. Benstein's forehead, and that she seems to be -enjoying the comedy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold listened uneasily. He knew perfectly -well that Frobisher and Lefroy would not stick at -murder even to regain possession of the Blue -Stone. If the sacred gem was still in Mrs. Benstein's -possession she would never be allowed -to reach home with the thing intact.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose we must wait on events," he said -after a pause. "For the present the Shan is not -likely to interfere. I have placed him safely at a -bridge-table, and there he will sit so long as there -is a game, though his kingdom was toppling about -his ears. Still, it keeps him sober, and that is the -main thing. I suppose Mrs. Benstein did not tell -you what she proposed to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't ask her, Harold. She is so -marvellously cool and clever that I felt quite easy -in my mind. But there is another foe to fight. -I quite forgot to tell you about him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did Mrs. Benstein tell you, or did you find it -out yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. It was Mrs. Benstein. She said somebody -was closeted in the private smoking-room -with Sir Clement and Count Lefroy. I was to -pretend that I didn't know, and blunder into the -room, taking care to get a good sight of the -stranger before apologising. I did it very well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold squeezed Angela's waist affectionately. -She laid a loving hand on his.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps you know the man," she went on. -"He looks like a true Asiatic, but at the same -time he has blue eyes. It struck me as such a -singular thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know him perfectly well," Harold muttered. -"This thing goes deeper than I expected. The -man who is still plotting with these two rascals is -Hamid Khan, who calls himself one of the Shan's -ministers. He is perhaps the most dangerous foe -my pseudo-master has. If he can only prove that -the Blue Stone had been out of the Shan's -possession there will be a change of dynasty in -Koordstan. This is the worst piece of news I -have heard to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't quite see why you should be so deeply -interested," Angela said softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My darling, there is a good deal of self at the -bottom of it," Harold admitted candidly. "I -shouldn't take all this trouble and run all this -risk for a worthless creature like the Shan, unless -I could see some benefit in it. I want to pin him -down over those concessions, which will make my -fortune. They will give me control over one of the -richest tracts of land in Koordstan. In a year or -two I shall be wealthy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just as if it mattered," Angela whispered, -rubbing her cheek against Harold's, "just as if it -mattered, when I shall have so much. But don't -forget that you have Mr. Benstein to deal with. -You can't rob him of the stone which he has come -by honestly in the way of business."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I know that. And we must have the stone -by ten o'clock to-morrow. But I have found a -way out of that difficulty. Between ourselves, -Lord Rashburn showed me the way. We have a -rich Englishman who will advance the money and -benefit politically and secretly at the same time. -He runs no risks of losing his capital either, because -he is certain to get it back from the Shan in time. -When Mrs. Benstein has gone home we shall follow -and settle the business out of hand. I wish she -would go now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should trust her," Angela said thoughtfully. -"She will go in her own time and her own way; -she will baffle those scoundrels yet, I am certain -of it. My dear boy, do be careful. If you are -found out——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela paused significantly. There was a risk -of the mine being fired at any moment. There -was no more dangerous or cunning foe in Europe -than Sir Clement Frobisher, all the more dangerous -in that he had Count Lefroy for an ally. And the -time before the Shan was getting perilously short.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait upon events a little longer," Angela -urged as she arose. "We must go back again, -it is not wise to stay here any longer. -Mrs. Benstein may want me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold made no demur, pleasant as it was to -linger by Angela's side. She held his face between -her hands and kissed him, then he walked towards -the curtain. The band was playing some -passionate love waltz; there were murmurs of -conversation and light laughter. It seemed almost -impossible to identify intrigue and danger with -so fair a scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two wandered on together past the dancers -and the couples sitting out, talking quietly -together as if they had been no more than casual -acquaintances. Harold was a dull-dogged Asiatic -again, but he kept his eyes about him. The -crowd grew less; it was more quiet in the region -of the card-rooms. Several parties were deep in -bridge here, the Shan of Koordstan amongst the -number. There was a pile of gold before him; -from the satisfied glitter in his eyes he was winning -heavily. Harold gave a sigh of relief. He was -free still to follow his own plans without the added -responsibility of keeping the Shan away from the -champagne. He had a passion for wine, but a -deeper passion for play, and so long as the -cards were on the green baize, he would think of -nothing else.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His whole soul seems to be wrapped up in it," -Angela whispered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course it is," Harold said contemptuously. -"If I went to him now and told him that he had -only to step across the room to recover his sacred -gem he would ask me to come back in an hour. -Doubtless he has quite forgotten why he came here. -Look, here comes Frobisher."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher came into the room rubbing his -hands together and smiling softly. A glance at -him told Harold that he had not only made his -plans, but was perfectly satisfied with them. -Somebody hailed Frobisher with a suggestion -that he should come in and make up a table, but -he excused himself. He strolled off down the -corridor, and as he did so Angela caught sight of -Mrs. Benstein's flashing gems in the distance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll follow her," she whispered. "She's gone -towards the big conservatory."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Frobisher was on the same errand. He -caught Mrs. Benstein up and made some remark. -She smiled back at him as if there was nothing -hidden under the surface.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, the orchids," she said. "I have been -promising myself a treat with your orchids. I -will conveniently forget that I am engaged for the -next dance. I want to see your Cardinal Moth in -full bloom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to know how you are so </span><em class="italics">au fait</em><span> with -the Moth," Frobisher grinned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is my secret, sir," Isa Benstein laughed. -"There is Eastern blood in my veins. But I -know all about it. You will certainly be murdered -if you keep that orchid long enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That, to my mind, is just the added charm," -Frobisher said coolly enough. "I love the flower -passionately. But the Cardinal Moth is unique, -it has such a cruel, bloody history. Still I am not -going to part with it for all the priests of Ghan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein was forced to admit that there was -something in Frobisher's fascination as she looked -up at the graceful ropes of blossoms. There had -been one of the periodical bursts of steam which -had just cleared away, so that the cloud of delicate -white-pink bloom with its fluttering red satellites -overshone in refulgent perfection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is indeed the queen of flowers," a deep -voice came from behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein looked round into the dark, -inscrutable face of Lefroy. She and her host and -the Count were alone in the big conservatory. -The door was open, but they were too far away -for any one to hear or to hear any one else. That -she had been lured there Isa Benstein knew without -anybody to tell her. She had the Blue Stone of -Ghan in her possession, both these men knew it, -and they were both desirous of gaining possession, -but they were both utterly unscrupulous in their -methods.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If it came to a personal struggle they were -equal to that. They would both declare afterwards -that the story of violence was a pure fabrication, -and that it had existed in a hysterical woman's -imagination. And for the sake of her husband -Mrs. Benstein would say nothing. How could she -stand up and tell the world that she had been -wearing the Blue Stone at Lady Frobisher's dance, -when the thing had been pledged to cover a money -advance?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These thoughts flashed through the woman's -nimble brain like lightning. But the smile never -left her face; she did not show for a moment that -she knew or felt anything. She was quite ready.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are lovely," she said. "I am filled -with envy, though I have some perfect orchids of -my own. Miss Lyne, won't you come and worship -at the shrine of Flora?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein raised her voice in the hope that -Angela might be near. It was a sort of danger -signal and might prove efficacious. The next -moment Angela walked in. She understood -perfectly, but she made no sign. Just for a -moment Frobisher's eyes flashed like electric -points.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't care for orchids," Angela said. "There -is something uncanny about them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not all," said Mrs. Benstein, as she bent and -broke off a spray of deep blue blossom. Frobisher -winced as if somebody had struck him a painful -blow. "Look at these blooms; they are sweet -and tender enough. Count Lefroy, I want you to -arrange this spray in Miss Lyne's hair. You can -reach better than I can, and I can trust your taste. -Place this flat under the coil at the side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela made no demur, though she would far -rather have done it herself. Lefroy did his work -gracefully enough and stepped back to admire -the effect, as did Isa Benstein. Frobisher, still -snarling for the loss of his beloved flowers, looked -on with his teeth bared in an uneasy grin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perfect!" Mrs. Benstein cried, as if she had -only one thought in her mind. "All this evening -I have been racking my brains to know what little -final touch was lacking. I beg of you as a personal -favour not to remove those flowers till you go to -bed. Now will you promise me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela gave the promise lightly enough. Lefroy -drew Frobisher a little on one side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are wasting valuable time," he growled. -"Get rid of that girl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One moment. Her presence here is quite an -accident. Our fair friend has no suspicion. I -shall find a good pretext to get rid of Angela in a -moment. Yes, it is a fine flower and quite unique."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The last few words were spoken aloud. But if -Lefroy had seized his chance for a word with -Frobisher, Isa Benstein had not lost her -opportunity. "I am going to make a remark," -she said, "though I only dare to give you a hint. -Sir Clement has ears like a hare. When I speak -you are to give a laugh as if I had made a brilliant -joke. You are quite sure neither of these men are -really listening to us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you can venture to go on," Angela -murmured. "I am quite ready to laugh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She broke out into a rippling, amused smile as -Mrs. Benstein slightly bent her head and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be sure that you take down and brush out -your hair to-night!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="check-to-frobisher"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">CHECK TO FROBISHER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The whole thing struck Angela as strangely -unreal. It hardly seemed possible that -this swiftly-moving drama could be played -amongst the settings of her daily life in this fashion. -There was the dreamy music of the band—the -Scarlet Bavarian Band of so many big social -functions—the familiar fuss and flutter of drapery, -the sound of well-known voices. Mrs. Benstein -was smiling in the most natural way, the two men -appeared to be quite at their ease. And yet here -was a moving drama that any one moment might -flare into tragedy. Still, Angela played the game -mechanically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A light laugh rippled from her lips so naturally -that she was quite surprised. She had not the -slightest idea what Isa Benstein meant by the -strange caution, but she had every intention of -carrying it out to the letter. Frobisher sauntered -back to his beautiful guest's side. Angela lingered, -waiting for the next move. She saw Mrs. Benstein's -eyes glance towards the door with a -significant look. As she made some excuse for -leaving the others together she saw a flickering -smile of approval.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May we smoke?" Frobisher asked, as he -closed the door behind Angela. "We are all -enthusiasts, and we don't want any dilettantes here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may do just as you please," Mrs. Benstein -said. "Probably you would follow that course -in any case. You are a bold man to keep the -Cardinal Moth here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you know about it?" Frobisher asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a dry chuckle in his voice as he put -the question. Mrs. Benstein looked up at the cloud -of glorious blossoms over her head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know a great deal," she replied. "I have -lived with some strange people in my time and -I have heard some strange things. There are -certain quarters in the East End where they speak -queer languages and where they know things -that would startle the authorities. Amongst these -people I was brought up. I learnt their ways and -their methods. Ah, it was a good school for a -girl who has a treacherous world to fight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker flung herself into a chair and hung -her long white arms by her side. The light -gleamed upon her sparkling jewels and the dark -eyes that sparkled more brightly still. Frobisher -watched her with something more than artistic -admiration; his thin blood was stirred.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You speak like a Sibyl," he laughed. "If you -know all about the Cardinal Moth you also know -all about the Blue Stone of Ghan, I presume?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's voice was low and hoarse and -persuasive. He had flung down the challenge, and -Isa Benstein was ready to receive it. She raised -her large dark eyes slowly, and they seemed to -float over the faces of her antagonists. She noted -the leering grin on Frobisher's features, the -truculent bullying expression of Lefroy's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have heard of that also," she said in the -same level tones. "The two are inseparable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Or ought to be," Frobisher went on. -Evidently he was to be the spokesman. "But if -the Moth has flown far, why not the sacred jewel? -Have you ever seen it, fair lady?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The question was a direct threat, and Isa -Benstein rose to it. She sat there swinging her -long arms idly, and glancing with perfect -self-possession at her companions. They meant to -have that jewel, as she knew; they were not -going to stick at anything to gain possession of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have seen it," she said quietly; "in fact, I -wore it here on my forehead to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher started. He fairly beamed with -admiration. What a woman! What a -nerve! he thought. Anybody else would have denied -the thing point blank. But here was a woman -prepared for any emergency. There was going -to be a battle of wits here, and Frobisher rose to -the fray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely a rash thing to do," he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wasn't it?" Isa Benstein asked with a swift -and glorious smile. "But ignorance is bliss, you -say. That being so, there ought to be a great deal -more happiness in the world than there is. Count -Lefroy, won't you sit down? No, in that other -chair, so that I can see your face."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy bowed and complied. All this waste of -time annoyed him, but Frobisher, on the other -hand, was enjoying himself exceedingly. Nothing -that was straight or open ever appealed to him. -He would rather have obtained a shilling by -crooked means than a sovereign by holding out -his hand for it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You came here wearing the Blue Stone -without knowing it?" he asked. "I am interested, -fascinated, and amazed. Incidentally, I am -a little amused into the bargain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Possibly," Isa Benstein smiled brilliantly. -"But you are not half so amused as I am."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher grinned at the way in which his -challenge had been flaunted back into his teeth. -With the quick subtlety of the polyglot the woman -had grasped his scheme and what he wanted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good to feel that my guests are thoroughly -enjoying themselves," he said politely. "I should -like to know how the Blue Stone came into your -possession at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Problems seem to be in the air," Isa Benstein -murmured. "Your flattering interest is very -soothing to my vanity. You know what a -conjurer means when he speaks of forcing a card -on a spectator? Of course you do. The expert -with his quickness and his patter can make the -spectator he selects draw any card he chooses. -The conjurer in this case chose me to force his -card upon. But all the same when I came here I -had no notion that I was wearing anything half so -historic as the Blue Stone of Ghan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you tound it out after you got here?" -Frobisher said keenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. That was a piece of good luck. And -when I did so I removed it. That was a piece of -caution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you had worked it all out in your mind, -I suppose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. I worked it out in the best possible -way—backwards. I worked it out so completely -that I was in a position to read another person's -mind. Shall I read that other person's mind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher bowed and smiled in one of his quick -grins. Lefroy shifted uneasily in his chair. Isa -Benstein's lips were parted, her arms played idly -by the side of her chair, there was no sign of fear -in her eyes. When she spoke again it was quite -calmly and slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will begin with the conjurer," she said. -"After all, he has succeeded in forcing the card -that is destined to lead up to the brilliant trick -that dazzles and astonishes everybody. We will -assume, for the sake of argument, that you are -the conjurer and I am the silly heedless spectator -who is marked out as the involuntary accomplice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The mind could not grasp you in that senile -capacity," Frobisher murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then give your vivid imagination free run for -once, Sir Clement. The card in this case represents -something that you very much desired, call it -the Blue Stone of Ghan. The sacred jewel is -hidden in a certain place. Your great idea is to -conjure that somewhere else, and being a master -of your trade, you have to make use of a third -party who shall make the transfer for you without -knowing anything of the matter. Only a prince -among conjurers could hope to bring off so -brilliant a coup as that, but there is no great -success without great audacity. But Count -Lefroy is looking at his watch. I am afraid that -he is not interested."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It matters nothing about Lefroy," Frobisher -said. "I am deeply interested. Pray go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, our conjurer knows where the -stone is. It is in the custody of an old man -who has a young wife. The old man with the -young wife has countless gems for safe custody. -From time to time he lends these gems to his wife to -wear, though, with the characteristic caution of -his tribe, he never says anything to the owners. -Well, here is the conjurer's card forced from him, so -to speak. All he has to do now is to design an -occasion when the transfer may be made. We will -say it is to be at a brilliant party—a fancy-dress -ball, where gems may play a leading part. The -victim will be there. As the Blue Stone of Ghan is -a ruby, he naturally suggests rubies, much as -the common conjurer with his magic bottle induces -his assistant on the stage to choose the kind of -liquid he wants to dispense. Says he to himself, -that old man will offer his young wife the Blue -Stone as a kind of crown of glory, and she will -take it, not knowing what it is. Once she arrives -at the fancy-dress ball the rest is easy. Do I -interest you so far?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wonderfully," Frobisher croaked. "Fancy -finding the conjurer out like that. But though -you have spoiled the trick, he must have the -forced card, in this case represented by the—but -why complete the phrase?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, indeed?" Isa Benstein asked serenely. -"The brilliant trick as a brilliant trick has failed, -for the simple reason that the involuntary medium -has been too clever for her part. But I see that -the conjurer is not so disconcerted as he might be, -because he can always fall back upon his bully -method whereby he sometimes disguises failure -and leads up to a success in a fresh line. Is it to -be the bullying policy, Sir Clement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Clement bent forward and nodded eagerly. -His yellow teeth were all exposed in a wide grin. -Lefroy sat regarding him with open contempt. A -clock somewhere struck two; the strains of the -band floated in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to borrow the Blue Stone," -Frobisher said hoarsely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will discuss that presently," Isa Benstein -went on. "Perhaps I had better finish my train -of logical reasoning. There was danger of the -trick failing, in so much as the Blue Stone might -have been recognised. And here was a further -resource open to the conjurer. It was open to him -to put aside the tricks of his trade and take the -stone, take it with violence, if necessary. He -would argue that his victim dared not speak, that -she would put up with the loss rather than tell a -story that nobody would believe. The idea of a -man robbing his guest with violence under his -own roof—and such a roof!—would be scouted -by any common-sense person. Again, the -unconscious medium would have her husband to -consider. If the true facts of the case came out he -would be ruined; there would be a scandal that -might end in a gaol. Of course, when the desired -mischief had been worked, the stone would be -restored again, discreetly found before it was lost. -Really, gentlemen, my imagination makes me -nervous. As I sit opposite you, I am inwardly -alarmed lest you should fall upon me and despoil -me of a thing I would not have touched had I -been aware of the true history of the case. I -know I am foolish——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame," said Frobisher, rising with a bow. -"You cruelly malign yourself. I have had some -experience of clever people, and you are by far -the cleverest woman I have ever met. Your -insight is amazing, of your courage there can be -no doubt. But don't carry your courage too far."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein had risen in her turn, the critical -moment had come, but she gave no sign. Frobisher -stood also, shaking his head doggedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You deem discretion to be the better part of -valour," the woman said. "The English profess -never to know when they are beaten! Surely -that is carrying the thing too far. The man who -knows when he is beaten is the most valorous -foe, for the god of war is always on the side of -heavy battalions. You want the stone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must have it," said Frobisher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Must is not a nice word, but——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it's got to be used," Lefroy spoke for the -first time. "All these words are so much air. -Will you be so good as to lend us the Blue Stone -for a time, or——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop!" Mrs. Benstein cried. "Let us quite -understand one another. If I do not lend you the -stone you are prepared to go to extreme measures -to get it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded and grinned till his teeth -flashed again. He advanced with his hands -outstretched and a look of greed in his -eyes. Lefroy stood by as if apart from the -discussion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A few more words," Mrs. Benstein said, -with a steady smile, "a few more words, and -then you may do as you please. I am forced -to allude to the conjurer again and his forced card. -That card is in the possession of the involuntary -medium. The success of the experiment depends -upon the ability of the conjurer to force the card -when and how he will. But suppose the -involuntary ally determines to frustrate the trick, -and say that he has lost the card or changed it -for another, what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A wicked, brutish oath sprang from Frobisher's -lips. All his pretty cynicism and flippant hardness -had gone and the original savage looked out of -his eyes. Just for a moment he panted with a -rage that was unconquerable. He was a murderer -in his heart at that moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean," he gasped—"you mean to say -that you——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. As I said before, I had thought -the matter out. Am I the woman to be any -man's puppet? The card has disappeared, the -conjurer is baffled. If you can find the card, well -and good; if not, the trick fails. The card is no -longer in my possession."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Frobisher, looking into her eyes, knew -that she spoke the truth.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="denvers-learns-something"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">DENVERS LEARNS SOMETHING.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher was first to recover himself. -There were beads of moisture on his -forehead, his teeth were ground together, -but he forced a smile to his lips. Then he laughed -in a low chuckling fashion, as if something subtle -had greatly amused him. Lefroy stood there, -glowering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not going to be put off like that," he said. -"The thing's impossible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein ignored the speaker altogether. -She was lying back in her chair as if bored with -the whole proceedings. The lights were gleaming -on her jewels and her beautiful, tranquil face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't lose your head," Frobisher said, still -laughing in the same noiseless way. "Surely -you're not so accomplished a liar that you haven't -learned to know the truth when you see it. I pay -Mrs. Benstein the compliment of believing every -word that she says. We have exposed our hands -for nothing, and been outwitted by a very clever -woman. You'll gain nothing by losing your temper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who could she have passed the jewel on to?" -Lefroy growled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, that is the point! Knowing nobody here -and all! Madame, I kiss your hand. You have -made Clement Frobisher look and feel like a fool. -It is a sensation I have not experienced since I left -school. I believe every word that you say, nay, -if I let myself go I could be furiously angry with -myself. Lefroy, you had better go, there is -nothing to be gained by staying here. After -all——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher paused, and Mrs. Benstein, with her -head serenely tilted upwards, finished the sentence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After all, the Shan of Koordstan is in no -better plight than he was before. Whoever has -possession of the stone, it is assuredly not the -Shan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy strode off and clanged the door behind -him. Frobisher lighted a fresh cigarette. He had -been found out in a singularly rascally action, -but that did not disturb his equanimity in the least.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be having a particularly pleasant -evening," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The most enjoyable I ever remember." Isa -Benstein smiled frankly. "In the first place, -I have created a sensation and scored a most -decided success. To a woman that is like a -foretaste of Paradise. Then, again, I have been -involuntarily forced to become the central figure -of a most exciting intrigue. I love intrigues and -mystery to my finger-tips. I was to have been -the puppet, and yet I have beaten you all along -the line. Oh, yes, I am likely to remember this -evening for some time to come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose so," Frobisher grinned. "If I -had known I would have lent you a prize ruby -and the Blue Stone might have remained where it -was. If I had made you my ally——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Impossible," Isa Benstein said, curtly. "I -should never have trusted you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher laughed as if the candour appealed -to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I bear no malice," he said. "I love a strong -foe. But I wish I had lent you my big ruby, all -the same. You must accept a souvenir of that -kind in memory of this eventful evening. I'll -fetch you some uncut stones from which I shall -be proud for you to make your choice. Meanwhile -I shall leave you to admire my orchids. You -can't very well run off with my Cardinal Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to examine it closer," Isa -Benstein said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was easily done. Frobisher merely pulled -a lever and the framework upon which the -Cardinal Moth was roped came down to within a -few feet of the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein caressed the blossoms tenderly. -Such a wealth of bloom had never been seen -before. She stood with them all about her like -the goddess Flora, the ropes touched her bare -arms, the flowers nodded in her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll not be long," Frobisher croaked as he -stooped and touched one of the shining taps near -the floor. "My word, what a picture for an -artist you make!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He crept away gently, leaving his guest amidst -the nodding blooms. They were so fascinating -that Mrs. Benstein could think of nothing else for -the moment. She had quite forgotten the events -of the evening. She turned her lips to a cluster -of the glorious blooms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are like beautiful, fascinating snakes," -she said to herself. "No wonder the man dares -run the risk of having this bewildering beauty in -his house. Like lovely snakes, the hiss and all -complete."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a sudden hiss of escaping steam, and -the whole of the dropped trellis-work was -enveloped in mist. The mass seemed to move as if it -had been endowed with life or as if a strong breeze -had swept over it. Then without the slightest -warning a grip like a vice caught Isa Benstein -below and above the elbow, pressing her forearm -and causing her to wince with the horrible pain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So tight was the grip that she could not turn -or move. She stood there writhing in agony, and -yet too fascinated to call out. The bones creaked -and cracked, and still the pain grew greater; it -seemed impossible that any human fingers could -grip flesh and blood like that. Were all the -weird legends clinging round the Cardinal Moth -true, Isa Benstein caught herself wondering in -a faint, dizzy way?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she braced herself up and struggled -violently. It was characteristic of the woman -that she uttered no cry. As she drooped and her -eyes grew cloudy she had a faint vision of a face -under a turban, and then there came a sound of -swiftly rushing feet. The platform seemed to -rise with a sudden jerk. Isa Benstein was wrenched -from her feet, the weight of her body told, the -arm came away with a cruel drag from the vice-like -grip, and she fell a huddled, shimmering heap -on the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope you are not much hurt," a voice -whispered in her ear. "It was dreadful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein scrambled to her feet breathless, -dizzy, and writhing with pain. But her quick -eyes were clear now, and she recognised the Shan's -companion, whom she knew to be Angela's lover. -His face was white and quivering; there was a -nameless horror in his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You saw it," Mrs. Benstein said. "What was it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot tell you yet," Harold said. "It was -too dreadful, too awful. The shock of discovery -almost unmanned me for a moment. We will -speak about that presently. How did you happen -to be just where you stood?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was admiring the flowers. Sir Clement -pulled down the frame for me, so that I could -see better. He went away to get something that -he wanted to show me, then there was that -sudden grip."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which seemed to come out of a vapouring -mist, did it not?" Harold asked hoarsely. "By -accident I loosened the spring, and as the frame -rose your weight released you. Is not that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein nodded; she had no words just -for the moment. Now that the reaction had come -she was feeling sick and faint with the pain. -Harold's eyes were still distended with the horror -of some awful discovery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very strange," he said. "Sir Clement -did not mean to come back to you, for he has just -left the house. He slipped out with some -companion whose face I did not see. But your -arm is painful. Nothing broken, I hope?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein raised her lovely white arm to -prove that such was not the case. But there was -a round red band, and here and there a thin red -stream came from the broken skin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you mind keeping this to yourself for -the present?" Harold asked. "Believe me, there -are urgent reasons why you should do so, reasons -so urgent that I cannot go into them now. If -you are silent we shall bring one of the greatest -scoundrels to the gallows. If not——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be silent," Mrs. Benstein said, between -her white set teeth. "But if you could get me -away to see a doctor, or if there is a doctor here -whom I could trust——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course there is, I must have been a fool -not to have thought of it before. Sir James -Brownsmith is the very man, and he is interested -in the case too. Nobody is likely to come in here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold hurried away in search of Brownsmith, -whom he had seen a little while before. He found -Angela and explained what he desired to her. He -had hardly got back to the great conservatory -before the great surgeon bustled in. Coolly enough -Harold locked the door. There was no chance of -Sir Clement coming back yet. In a few words he -gave a brief outline of what had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's part of the mystery," he said. "The same -horrible mysterious force that brought that poor -fellow at Streatham and Manfred to their death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good God!" Sir James cried. "Do you -mean to say that you have solved that mystery?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly I have. That is why I wanted you -above all men to see Mrs. Benstein. Oh, never -mind who I am for the present. To the world I -am merely Aben Abdullah attached to the suite -of the Shan of Koordstan, and I am popularly -supposed to know very little English. Look to -your patient, man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James passed the rudeness from a young -man to one of his exalted position. Very tenderly -and gently he examined the wounded arm. But -his vivid interest was more than strictly -professional.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is very strange," he said. "There are no -bones broken, I am glad to say—nothing worse -than a severe bruise. But I could not believe, I -should utterly refuse to believe that a human -hand could make such a mark like that. Why, -it would have to be as large as a shoulder of -mutton to grip the forearm and deltoid like that. -Did you see your assailant, Mrs. Benstein?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I saw nothing at all," Mrs. Benstein said, with -a faint smile. "There was nobody to see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James shook his head, but Harold nodded -as if he quite approved of the remark. Sir James -was still carefully examining the round white arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The thing tallies," he said. "There are the -same cruel marks, the same indentations as from -a coarse cloth. And also we have the same great -force used. In the name of God, what is it, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brownsmith spoke with a sudden horror upon -him. Harold shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can sympathize with your feelings, Sir -James," he said. "I came very near to fainting -myself when the full force of the thing dawned -upon me. But for the present I prefer to keep -silence. And I will ask you to be silent also. You -would be playing into the hands of an utter -scoundrel if the slightest inkling of Mrs. Benstein's -accident were to leak out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brownsmith pursed up his lips and nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the best thing Mrs. Benstein can do is -to go home," he said. "Plenty of hot water -fomentations for the present and something to -follow. I'll see that it is delivered to-night. But, -seeing that Mrs. Benstein has to say good-night -to her hostess, and seeing that her dress is so low -in the sleeves——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein solved the problem in her own -swift, characteristic fashion. She tore her dress -from the shoulder so that the gauzy fabric hung -over and hid the cruel red seam on her arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask Lady Frobisher to come here," she said. -"Then call my car and fetch my wraps. I quite -see the necessity of making the thing look as -natural as possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was all done so smoothly and easily that no -suspicion was aroused. Mrs. Benstein had simply -had an accident with her dress, an accident that -necessitated her immediate return home. She -had had a charming evening, one that she was -likely to remember for a long time. Her manner -was easy and natural; she gave no impression -of one who has escaped a nameless horror, -perhaps a cruel death.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can slip away, thank you very much," she -said. "Perhaps the gentleman who has been so -kind will see me to my car. May I ask your arm?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold bowed profoundly. It was just the -opportunity he required. They threaded their -way through the guests along the brilliantly-lighted -corridor into the street where the car was -waiting. Isa Benstein held out her hand in a -warm and friendly grip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to help you and Miss Lyne, if I -can," she said. "Ask Miss Lyne to come and see -me the first thing in the morning. After she has -gone to bed to-night she will know and appreciate -my request. Have you really solved the mystery -of the two tragedies?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am absolutely certain of it," Harold replied. -"See, there is Sir Clement and that fellow—Hamid -Khan, the man who was in the smoking-room, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein looked eagerly out of the window. -Her big eyes gleamed. "It is as I expected," she -said. "I have made a discovery also, Mr. Denvers. -If you will call on me after eleven -to-morrow you will hear of something greatly to -your advantage. Strange how fate seems to be -playing into our hands to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The car moved forward, the speaker was gone.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="strands-of-the-rope"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">STRANDS OF THE ROPE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Denvers returned to the ballroom with a -feeling that he would be glad to get away. -The whole thing sickened him, the light -laughter and frivolous chatter jarred upon his -nerves. He had been very near to a dreadful -tragedy; he had learnt a hideous truth, and he -had not got himself in hand yet. He wanted to -know the whole truth without delay. Angela -awaited him anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My aunt tells me that Mrs. Benstein is gone," -she said. "She had an accident with her dress. -Harold, you look as if you had seen a ghost."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have seen the devil, which is much the same -thing," Harold murmured. "My dear girl, never -again shall I flatter myself that I have no nerves. -I dare not go into the refreshment-room and -demand strong drink, but I shall be more than -grateful if you will smuggle me a glass of -champagne into the little alcove where we first -met to-night. There I can tell you something."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But it was not very much that Harold had to -tell. The terrible discovery he had made must be -kept to himself as far as Angela was concerned. -Mrs. Benstein would like to see Angela in the -morning. She had a new design for a costume -that might suit the girl, so that she was to be -sure and wear the blue orchids that Angela had -at present in her hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It sounds very mysterious," Angela smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, it does," Harold admitted. "But I'm -sure Mrs. Benstein has good reasons for the -request. Taking her all in all, she is the most -brilliantly intellectual woman I have ever met, -and if I mistake not she can supply the missing -piece of the puzzle. Now I really must say -good-night, dear old girl, and drag my master -home. I have much to do before I go to bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did Mrs. Benstein do with the ruby?" -Angela asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know. She utterly baffled Frobisher -and Lefroy. At first it occurred to me that she -had passed it on to you, but she would argue that -your tell-tale face would give you away. I expect -she acted as the hero of Poe's 'Purloined Letter' -did—place the gem in a place so simple and -commonplace, that nobody would ever dream of -looking for it there. However, I am quite sure -that the jewel is safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the card-room the Shan was just finishing a -rubber of bridge. He had won a considerable -sum of money, and was in the best of spirits. As -two of the players quitted the table, Harold drew -his pseudo-master aside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not going to play again," he said, -curtly, "you are coming home. If you refuse to -come home I shall take no further interest in your -affairs. Do you hear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan nodded sulkily. Like the spoilt child -that he was, he had no heed for the morrow. But -Denvers' stern manner was not without its effect. -He wanted a glass or two of champagne first, but -Denvers fairly dragged him into the street. There -was no car waiting, so perforce they had to walk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're carrying it off with a high hand," the -Shan growled. "Anybody would think you had -the Blue Stone safe in your pocket. Have you -done anything?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have done a great deal; on the whole, it has -been a most exciting evening. Still, so far as -things go I am quite satisfied with myself. The -rest depends upon you. It will be your own fault -if you don't see your own back to-morrow. No -drink, mind; you are to go to bed quite sober."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Confound you!" the Shan flashed out, -passionately. "Do you know who I am? A -servant like yourself——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am no servant of yours," Harold replied. -"And I know quite well who you are. You are a -dissolute, drunken fool, who is doing his best to -bring himself to ruin. And I am doing my best -to save you at a price. If you like to go your own -way you can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan muttered something that sounded like -an apology.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, I am greatly worried about the -Stone," he said. "The Stone and the Moth. You -promised to tell me to-night where the Moth had -vanished to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Moth is hanging up in Sir Clement -Frobisher's conservatory," Harold Denvers said. -"Frobisher would have shown it to you to-night -only he had a more interesting game to play. It -is the very plant that was stolen from Streatham. -You can imagine the price Frobisher would ask -for its restoration. You would grant the price, -and then he would have found some way to -repudiate all the wicked story of that infernal -flower."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I do, my dear chap," said the Shan, -now thoroughly restored as to his temper. "It -has been whispered fearsomely round firesides in -Koordstan for a thousand years. The Cardinal -Moth guarded the roof of the Temple of Ghan. -All the great political criminals were sentenced to -climb to the roof and pick a flower from the Moth. -The door was closed and the temple seen to be -empty. When the priests outside had finished -their prayer the door was open and the criminal -lay on the floor dead with the marks of great -hairy hands about him. Sometimes it was the -neck that was broken, sometimes the chest was -all crushed in as if a great giant had done it, but -it was always the same. Ay, they dreaded that -death more than any other. It was so mysterious, -horrible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you have no idea how it was done?" -Harold asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a bit of it. The priests kept that secret. -Of course they pretend to something occult, but -I have been in the West too long to believe that. -Still, it is pretty horrible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would perhaps like to know how it is done?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I should, Denvers. The priests are -too cunning for that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Doubtless. All the same, I know how it is -done, and, what is more to the point, Frobisher -knows. It was the way that Manfred died, also -that poor fellow at Streatham. And, but for a -miracle, Mrs. Benstein, with your sacred jewel -presumedly in her possession, would have been a -further victim. Frobisher deliberately planned -the last thing to close the mouth of a woman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan's eyes fairly rippled with curiosity, -but Harold shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not yet," he said. "I must be absolutely -certain of my facts first. Now I am going to see -you into bed, and come round to keep you out -of mischief in the morning. Meanwhile, I am -going to restore myself to a Christian garb and call -up Sir James Brownsmith, late as it is. Between us -we might be able to put all the pieces together."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To his great satisfaction, Harold saw his dusky -friend not only in bed, but fast asleep before he -had finished his own change. Everything seemed -to promise fair for the morrow. It was past two, -and Harold hurried along in the direction of -Harley Street, and he was glad to see a gleam over -the fanlight of the surgeon's front door. He was -pulling the bell for the second time when Sir -James Brownsmith appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want?" he asked, testily. "A -consulting physician like myself——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is Mrs. Benstein?" Harold asked coolly. -The question was quite effective. "When I saw -you a little time ago, Sir James, I passed as one -of the Shan's suite. Clothed and in my right mind, -I am Mr. Harold Denvers, at your service. I -have the solution of the Manfred mystery in my -pocket."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And altogether I have no doubt that you are -a most remarkable young man," Sir James said. -"Pray come in. I ought to be in bed, but I have -not the faintest inclination for sleep. Come in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brilliant lights gleamed in Brownsmith's cosy -study, where books and scientific instruments -made up the bulk of the furniture. The famous -surgeon proffered cigarettes what time he looked -keenly into the face of his younger companion. -He lighted one of the thin paper tubes himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am just from Mrs. Benstein's house," he -explained. "I saw her alone, her husband knows -nothing; it is her great desire that he should -know nothing, that the matter should be kept a -profound secret, in fact."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It must be," Harold exclaimed. "Not a -word of it must leak out. You made a certain -examination of the wound. What did you find? -Was there any blood?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not quite sure. When I came to wash -the arm there was no blood there. But there were -the fibres of the rope, and they seemed to be -impregnated with blood the same as those from -the throat of Manfred, and the body of that poor -fellow who was strangled at Streatham."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you quite sure that it is blood, Sir James?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I could hazard the suggestion, though I -have not made a careful analysis yet. No blood -on the victim, but blood on the strands of the -rope. Strange, isn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it were true, yes," Harold said, dryly. -"But it isn't. Look here, Sir James."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the vest-pocket of his dress-clothes -Harold took one wilted bloom of the Cardinal -Moth. He crushed it between his fingers, and -immediately they were covered with a rosy sticky -bright red substance exactly like blood. No -paint or pigment of any kind could have -counterfeited the original so well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that's interesting," Sir James cried. "I -see your meaning. When the victim was strangled -one or two of those amazing blooms must have -been twisted round the rope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In other words, the rope that did the mischief -was the rope that held up the Cardinal Moth," -Harold said. "It was the same at Streatham; -it was the same with poor Manfred; according to -your own showing, Mrs. Benstein met with her -accident under precisely similar circumstances."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James rose and walked up and down the -room in a fit of unusual excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean to infer that it was not an accident -at all?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have precisely taken in my meaning, Sir -James. The Cardinal Moth is at the bottom of the -whole thing. I must tell you a little of its history. -The Cardinal Moth is unique amongst flowers; -for centuries it guarded, or was supposed to guard, -the Temple of Ghan. It had magical powers: it -was used for the destruction of political prisoners. -They were shut in with it to pick a flower, and -always were they found dead, crushed to death. -This part is no legend, as the Shan of Koordstan -will tell you.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fame of the orchid got whispered about, -and many were the tries to get it. At last a party -of three men managed it; they divided the -orchid in three parts and fled. Frobisher was with -one part, and narrowly got off with his life at -Stamboul. Lefroy got away with another part, -but he lost it and almost his life as well in a fire -at Turin, a fire that was no accident. The third -man vanished, but his orchid remained intact -till I came across it and brought it to Streatham, -when it was stolen. My idea was to give it back -to the Shan of Koordstan in exchange for certain -concessions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know who stole the plant from -Streatham?" Sir James asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have a very shrewd idea," Harold said. -"But that we can go into later. At the present -moment I want to show you a little experiment, -and when I have done so you will know as much -as I do about the mystery. I am going to prove -to you that the Cardinal Moth has been a terrible -power in the hands of the priests of Ghan, but I -am also going to prove that the power is exercised -in quite a mechanical way. To-night I managed -to bring away a very small piece of the rope that -sustains the Cardinal Moth. You see, it is -exceedingly dry and hard, and yet under certain -conditions it thickens up like a cheap sponge. We -will tie this end to this leg of the table and that -end to the other leg, leaving it to sway a little, -and not making it too tight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold tied the rope as he had indicated under -the eyes of Sir James, who watched him with -breathless attention. The thing looked so simple, -and yet there was a strange mystery behind it all, -a mystery that was about to be explained. The -two knots were made tight at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, despite the warmth of the night, I shall -have to get you to light a fire," Harold said. "It -is absolutely necessary that we should boil a -kettle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No occasion to do that," Sir James said. -"You shall have your kettle in five minutes. -See here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From under the table he produced a copper -electric kettle, filled it, and plunged the plug into -the wall. In a little less than five minutes a long -trail of steam issued from the spout. By reason -of the long flex Harold could carry the kettle from -place to place without cutting off the connection, -so that the water continued all the time to boil -and fizzle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now watch this," he said. "I place this jet -of steam under the rope here, and there you are! -The effect is practically instantaneous. See what -a simple thing it is." Sir James jumped back, -horror and enlightenment in his eyes. His voice -shook as he spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Infernal! Diabolical!" he cried hoarsely. -"And you mean to say that Frobisher knew this! -Damnable scoundrel; he is not fit to live, still less -to die."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-lunch-at-the-belgrave"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A LUNCH AT THE BELGRAVE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Mrs. Benstein received Denvers as -arranged the next morning as if the events -of the previous night had been forgotten. -She was looking wonderfully fresh and bright; a -tailor-made gown fitted her figure to perfection. -She motioned Denvers to a chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad you came," she said. "Now you -are to please listen to me carefully and put the -past out of your mind altogether. Since I saw you -last night I have learnt a great deal touching the -history of the Blue Stone of Ghan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which I trust is quite safe," Harold murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh quite," Mrs. Benstein said, with a queer -little smile. "I have even satisfied my husband -on that point, though he has not yet recovered -from the shock of your visit—I mean the visit of -yourself and the Shan last night. You want to -borrow the stone for a day or so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was the suggestion we ventured to make, -Mrs. Benstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For the purpose of throwing dust in the eyes -of certain persons who are interested in an attempt -to deprive the Shan of his throne. Mind, that is -merely surmise, but I fancy it is correct. But I -may tell you that my husband could never have -hardened his heart to that extent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It doesn't matter now," Harold explained. -"We are in a position to redeem the gem. Of -course, under the circumstances, I need not -conceal anything from your Mr. Gerald -Parkford——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Capital!" Mrs. Benstein cried. "His name -is good enough for anything. Now the path is -quite clear. I want you and Miss Lyne to lunch -with me at two o'clock at the Belgrave. The Shan -must come along, that is imperative. He is to -leave a note for his minister Hamid Khan to join -him there at that meal, and bring the document -that requires sealing along. Also I am going to -ask Sir Clement Frobisher; only I want Hamid -Khan to be a little late. Do you understand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Most brilliant of mysteries; I'll try to," -Harold smiled. "And the Blue Stone——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Blue Stone will be in evidence when the -time comes. See Mr. Parkford and ask him to -bring that cheque along. My husband is too ill -to attend to business to-day, so I shall transact -it for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has had a great deal on his mind the last -few hours," Harold smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is it, Mr. Denvers. A corner in rubies, -so to speak. Now will you go and settle up this -business for me without delay? I understand that -the Shan wants looking after if one desires to keep -him in a condition to bestow his mind on business -affairs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll take the hint and my departure," Harold -laughed. "I suppose you have written all your -notes. And I quite forgot to ask if you feel any -the worse for last night's adventure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein had written all her notes, and on -the whole she felt little inconvenience from her -accident.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not that I am at all satisfied," she said. -"Mr. Denvers, I was in great danger last night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Terrible danger!" Harold said gravely. -"But I have got to the bottom of the mystery -now, and the same thing is not likely to happen -again. I can't tell you now; in fact, if I did there -would be no luncheon-party at the Belgrave -to-day. But your curiosity will not be unduly tried."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the use of the telephone and a cab, Harold -managed to carry out Mrs. Benstein's desires. -Parkford was waiting in his chambers, having just -breakfasted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I expected you," he said. "Any news of the ruby?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mrs. Benstein says it is all right," Harold -replied. "She wants you to lunch with her at -two at the Belgrave, and I was to ask you to put -the cheque in your pocket. It sounds flighty and -very unbusinesslike, but there are other matters -mixed up with this one, and Mrs. Benstein is not -the woman to do a thing of this kind without some -very good reason. Will you come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With pleasure," Parkford replied, "and bring -the cheque along. Before very long an invitation -from Mrs. Benstein will confer a mark of -distinction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ruler of Koordstan was dressing as Denvers -arrived, and suggesting something in the way of -champagne and soda-water as a means of an -appetite for breakfast. He had gone to bed -painfully sober for him, and he resented the -interference of Harold accordingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Pon my word, you seem to forget yourself," -he said. "If a man can't do as he likes in my -position——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is precisely a man in your position who -cannot do as he likes," Harold said coolly. "Leave -that stuff alone till after lunch, when you can do -as you please. If you want your stone back——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had forgotten all about the confounded -thing!" the Shan growled. "Let me see, what -had you arranged? I was so interested in my -bridge last night that I forgot all about it. Wasn't -there a man called Parkford who promised to do -something to get me out of my scrape?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He promised a cheque," Harold explained. -"He is ready to redeem the stone for us, and -Mrs. Benstein has promised that it shall be produced -at the proper time. I have seen her already this -morning, and she wants you to join her -luncheon-party at the Belgrave at two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count me in!" the Shan said eagerly. "A -monstrous fine woman, Denvers; and a beautiful -one, into the bargain. But you forget I promised -to see Hamid Khan here in an hour's time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you are not going to meet him here," -Harold said. "Mrs. Benstein has got some little -scheme on, and I am here an involuntary ally in -the matter. You will be good enough to leave a -note here for Hamid Khan, explaining that you -have been called out on business, or pleasure, or -whatever you like; so that Hamid Khan is to -meet you at the Belgrave at two for luncheon, -after which you will seal his papers. This is -not my idea, but Mrs. Benstein's. I am looking -forward to a very pretty comedy presently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan scrambled off his note and presently -departed with Harold, who had no intention of -losing sight of his dusky friend till the luncheon-party -was over. To the Shan's suggestion of the -club and billiards he assented, but to a feeble -suggestion of modest liquids he turned a deaf ear. -On the whole, Denvers was glad to find himself -on his way to the Belgrave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein had already arrived, accompanied -by Angela. She had fetched the latter, she -explained, so that she would have no time for an -excuse. A spray of the Cardinal Moth flashed -and trembled on Mrs. Benstein's breast; the same -spray of purple orchid that Angela had worn the -night before in her hair, was tucked into her belt. -Mrs. Benstein was frank and easy and charming -as usual, but there was just a touch of colour in -her cheeks, and her eyes had a brighter sparkle -than usual.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have managed everything myself," she cried, -gaily. "I have even arranged the flowers on the -table. A strange thing, is it not, that we English -people can arrange flowers!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, here is Mr. Parkford."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Parkford came up, alert, quick, and -self-possessed as usual. Denvers gave him an -inquiring glance, at which he smiled and tapped -his breast-pocket significantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No flowers, any of you!" Mrs. Benstein cried -in affected surprise. "Here is one for -Mr. Parkford, and there is one for Mr. Denvers. -Positively, I see nothing of the shade to suit the -colouring of His Highness the Shan. Ah, here is -the very thing! Excuse me, Miss Lyne."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker bent down and broke off a little -spray of one blossom of the purple orchid from -Angela's belt, and herself fixed it in the lapel of -the Shan's immaculate coat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who can say that it is not in perfect taste?" -she cried. "It is the very shade. We will sit -down, and unless Sir Clement Frobisher turns up -in time we will proceed without him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela looked a little disappointed at the -mention of Frobisher's name. A couple of waiters -busied themselves over the table, a basket of -gold-foiled bottles attracted the Shan's admiring -gaze. As the big Empire clock over the doorway -of the great red and gold saloon struck the hour -Frobisher appeared. He drew up grinning and -smiling with perfect self-possession; even the -presence of Denvers did not disconcert him. He -affected to ignore Harold altogether. But though -he smiled, there was just the suggestion of a -puzzled pucker between his eyes. There was -something going on that he did not understand. -He made a mental note of the fact that Angela -and Denvers were not to meet again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A pleasant party," he murmured, "and full of -sweet surprises. But I always was partial to a dainty -salad. Do you expect any further guests, dear lady?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I understand that His Highness the Shan is -waiting for someone," Mrs. Benstein murmured. "It -is a matter of business, I believe. Is not somebody -hunting for you over there, your Highness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hamid Khan, sure enough," the Shan -exclaimed. "He sees us at last. He is coming -this way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hamid came leisurely along, smiling -deferentially as he caught sight of his master. -The Shan introduced his minister more or less </span><em class="italics">en -bloc</em><span> as Hamid murmured something. Then his -face suddenly changed, a sickly yellow showed -under his tan as he looked up and met the -slightly-mocking glance of his hostess.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hamid Khan and I have met before," Mrs. Benstein -said serenely. "It was some years ago, -but I have not forgotten."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Egad, our friend does not duly appreciate his -blessings," Frobisher chuckled as his keen eye -detected the sickly pallor of the newcomer. -"Try one of these liqueurs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The heat, the walk in the sun," Hamid -murmured. "London often affects me in this -way. If my master will excuse me, I will get my -business done and go away. My unworthy -presence——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Luncheon first," Mrs. Benstein gaily cried. -"For the sake of old times, I cannot be refused. -I confess I am very curious to see that Blue Stone -and the way State documents are sealed. You -will perform the operation in our presence after -luncheon, will you not, Shan?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Shan nodded stolidly. If some play was -going on he might take his part, he thought, -especially with so brilliant a lady to lead him. -Frobisher's restless little eyes roved from face to -face, but he could read nothing. The meal -proceeded gaily enough, the only silent person being -Hamid Khan, who seemed restless and ill at ease. -Hardly was the coffee on the table before he rose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mrs. Benstein must excuse me," he said. -"But I have much to do. If your Highness will -produce the stone I will lay out the necessary -papers and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shrugged his shoulders. The Shan put down -his glass and nodded. It was impossible from his -stolid features to guess that he was as utterly -puzzled as Frobisher, which was saying a great -deal. A sudden silence, a burst of expectation had -fallen on the party. A burst of laughter from an -adjoining table seemed out of place, incongruous. -The papers were crackling under Hamid Khan's -shaky hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has anybody a wax-match?" he asked. -"Thank you, sir. I will get the seals ready."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He proceeded with the aid of a vesta to melt a -piece of white wax on a plate. These he laid -neatly on a round patch on the paper before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now for the seal," Mrs. Benstein cried -gaily. "Pray produce it, your Highness. I hope -you are not so indiscreet as to carry it loose in -your pocket."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have too many enemies for that," the Shan -said, carelessly. "I have to hide it carefully—in -fact, I ought not to be in the street with it at -all. Now guess where it is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein's eyes fairly caressed the speaker. -He wanted an opening lead, and he had contrived -to ask for it in such a manner as to utterly throw -Frobisher off the scent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fancy I can tell," Mrs. Benstein went on. -"Yes, you are not so clever as you imagine. You -are like the man who hid his bank-note in his tie, -and called the attention of the thieves who dogged -him to the fact by tapping the tie nervously all -the time. I have seen you glance frequently at -the purple orchid in your coat. I guess that the -Blue Stone is fixed in the calyx of the orchid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A most amazing and clever woman," the -Shan murmured as he removed the flower from his -coat and looked gravely into the calyx of the -bloom. "By the prophet, there is some foreign -substance here! I remove it between my thumb -and forefinger, and behold the Blue Stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A queer cry broke from Frobisher, who instantly -suppressed it. Hamid Khan looked up with -dilating eyes and shot a glance almost murderous -at Frobisher. As to the Shan, he smiled with the -air of a man who has brought off some new and -brilliant feat of conjuring.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of Frobisher's orchids too," he said. -"Frobisher, if you drink so fast you'll choke -yourself."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-woman-s-way"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A WOMAN'S WAY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher sat there grinning with his teeth -showing in a kind of smiling snarl. The -shining dome of his head exuded a beady -moisture, his hand crooked upon the haft of a -dessert-knife, as if it had been a dagger of -melodrama. A dog sometimes looks like that -when he is being whipped on the chain. Nobody -spoke for the moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not the faintest shadow of triumph -on Mrs. Benstein's face. She merely smiled with -the delighted air of a child who watched some -new and fascinating game. In a businesslike way -the Shan reached for Hamid Khan's document and -called for the wax.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a very pretty and ingenious hiding-place," -Mrs. Benstein said at length. "No enemy -would think of looking for it there. Your Highness -has many enemies?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask Hamid Khan yonder," the Shan said -crisply. "He can tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wretched Hamid wriggled and bowed. It -was evident that he had been taken quite by -surprise. The Shan sealed the documents and -carelessly tossed them across the table. The -Blue Stone glittered there well within the reach -of Frobisher, and his fingers itched for it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put the jewel away," he said hoarsely. "It -is dangerous to leave it there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A fresh hiding-place," the Shan laughed. "I -feel quite nervous. Suppose that I get Parkford -to take care of it for me until I get home. He is -a man to be trusted, and not a man lightly to -molest. Sir, will you do me the favour?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Parkford coolly dropped the gem into his -waistcoat pocket. At the same time he passed a -folded strip of paper to Mrs. Benstein and nodded -significantly. Then he rose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am desolated," he said, "but really I have to -leave. Denvers, a word with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The luncheon-party broke up upon this, -Mrs. Benstein alone remaining. She had arranged to -wait here for a friend, she explained. Frobisher -slid away, followed by Hamid Khan, and outside -Denvers put Angela into a passing taxi. He had -work before him this afternoon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was very neatly done," Parkford said to -the Shan. "It was a pleasure to see Frobisher's -face. You saw me pass my cheque over to -Mrs. Benstein, who will hand it to her husband. If -you take my advice you will allow me to deposit -the Blue Stone with my bankers for the present. -I am going that way, and I shall see that it is -all safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put it where you like," the Shan said, -recklessly. "It's all the same to me, knowing as -I do that I have an honest man to deal with. -This rigid virtue of mine is undermining my -constitution. I'll go off to the club, and try and -get a game of bridge. Dine with me to-night, -Denvers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Denvers excused himself on the plea of urgent -business; besides, it was strongly probable that -His Highness of Koordstan would be beyond -entertaining by dinner-time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You've got our dusky friend out of a tight -place," Harold suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I suppose," Parkford said, indifferently. -"I like this kind of intrigue, and I have a fancy -for acting unofficially for the Government. -Sometimes the hobby proves expensive, sometimes -the information is valuable. In this case I am -going to make a good thing out of it. I am very -glad, for your sake, that you told Lord Rashburn -all about it. It's given me a grip upon the Shan, -and I'll see that you get your concessions. But -we must discuss that another time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold went on his way with hope rising high -within him. He began to see his way clear now, -once the mystery of the Cardinal Moth was -fathomed. Lefroy passed him presently, and -turned into the Belgrave. Harold wondered if -this was the friend whom Mrs. Benstein was -expecting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was. Lefroy came up to the table where -Mrs. Benstein was seated and took a chair by her -side. There was no smile of welcome on her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am charmed to come at your summons," the -Count said, placidly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is very good of you," Mrs. Benstein -said. "Whether you remain in that frame of -mind is quite another matter. I asked you to -meet me here because my time is limited, and I -have business close by. As you see from the table -I have had guests to luncheon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I envy them from the bottom of my soul," -Lefroy murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would not waste envy on some of them, -Count. For instance, Frobisher and Hamid Khan. -The Shan of Koordstan came here as my guest; -he put off important affairs of State to please me. -But I was thoughtful. I said that Hamid Khan -should come on here and bring the papers that he -required sealing with him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The documents that required the impress of -the Blue Stone?" Lefroy asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same. Here is the wax cool and hard -now upon the Limoges plate, and with which the -deed was done. On the whole it was an -interesting ceremony, and nobody was more interested -than Clement Frobisher. Never has that most -beautiful smile been so much in evidence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy coloured slightly. He was not so -obviously at his ease now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hamid Khan was also deeply moved," Mrs. Benstein -went on. "Really, I believe that both -of the men I have mentioned expected that the -Blue Stone would not be produced in evidence. -But it was. And where do you think it came from? -You can never guess, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy muttered something to the effect that -his talents did not lie in that direction. He was -conscious of a steely glitter in the eyes of the -woman he was near.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I had better tell you," she went on. "He -took the stone out of a great purple orchid he was -wearing. It was all the more strange that just -before I broke that very flower from a cluster worn -by Miss Lyne. Do you remember placing a cluster -of those flowers in her hair at my request last -night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I remember that circumstance perfectly well, -Mrs. Benstein."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, it was one of the same cluster of flowers. -And I feel quite certain now that when at my -request you adorned Miss Lyne last night in the -conservatory, the Blue Stone was hidden in that -very blossom. Does that intelligence appeal to -you in any way, Count Lefroy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are an exceedingly clever woman," the -Count said hoarsely, but with sincere admiration. -"So that is the way you baffled us last night. -And all the time I had actually the Blue Stone in -my hand. And I'll swear that Miss Lyne was not -in the secret."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She was not; her face would have betrayed -her. Now you can imagine the pleasure with -which I watched Sir Clement and Hamid Khan -across the luncheon-table. And you call Frobisher -a clever man!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is by far and away the cleverest man I -ever met, Madame."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is nothing of the kind," Mrs. Benstein said -contemptuously. "For depth and cunning he -has no equal, I admit. But intellect he has -little, and imagination none at all. The fellow -generally scores because his plots, as a rule, are -laid against honest people. But I saw through -him from the first. He was going to make use of -me—me! I would pit myself against him and -win every time. If he had not been prepared to -play the bully and the coward last night I would -have spared him, but not now. Before long that -man will stand in the dock, and take heed lest you -stand there by his side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein's voice had sunk to a hissing -whisper, her eyes flashed with passion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is hard to know what I have done," Lefroy -murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be hard to say what you have not -done," was the swift reply. "You, too, were -ready last night to apply force to a desperate -woman. But I beat you, and it is part of my -revenge to tell you how the trick was done. You -will never have another chance to get possession -of the Blue Stone and ruin the Shan by your plots -together with Hamid Khan. You would have -made use of me, now I am going to make use of -you. Here comes my husband. When he has -done with you I shall dictate my terms. -Meanwhile, if your nerves are not equal to the -strain there are many kinds of wines here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy declined the proffered hospitality. He -began to feel like one of his own puppets as -Benstein nodded ponderously and sat down. The -interview had evidently been arranged for.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad of this opportunity for a little chat," -Benstein said, ponderously. His fat cheeks were -shaking, his hand was not quite so steady as it -might have been. He seemed to be fumbling for -something in the capacious pocket of a coat far -too large for his bulky figure. "I was going to -look you up, but my wife said she would arrange -the matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have had a lot of business transactions -together," Lefroy suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there is going to be no more, my friend," -Benstein said. "You are too dangerous—you are -too many for the old man whose sight is not what -it used to be. It is about those Koordstan -possessions that you pledged with me for a large -sum of money. I keep them by me, I regard them -as good business, until one day I show them to my -wife. And what does she say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is impossible to hazard the suggestion what so -clever a woman would say," Lefroy murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She says that the whole thing is forgery. -Then I look quietly into the matter, and surely -enough I find that the whole thing is a forgery. -I stand to lose ten thousand pounds. My first -impulse is to go off to the police and ask for a -warrant to issue against you. When you take my -money you take part of my body. Still, if you -pay me the money now, I say nothing further."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy nodded thoughtfully. He was not in -the least abashed; he made no attempt to deny -the truth of Aaron Benstein's accusation. He -would have to find the money, but how, was quite -another matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you give me a little time," he said, "I -shall hope to see my way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! ah!—a little time—seven years perhaps -the Judge will say. But I leave it to my wife—she -is the clever one. My dear, what shall I do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At the present moment put on your hat and -go back to the City," Mrs. Benstein said. "I -fancy I shall know how to deal with Count Lefroy. -You can't have your money back and your revenge -as well. I fancy you can safely leave me to settle -matters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Aaron Benstein was certain of it. He beamed -proudly at his wife and kissed his fingers as he -put on his hat and most obediently waddled out -of the room. For a long while neither party at the -table spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid that I don't quite understand you," -Lefroy ventured at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not meant to understand me," Isa -Benstein retorted. "For the present you are -going to be my puppet and dance when I pull the -strings. Play me fair, and you shall not suffer -for the wrong you have done my husband; play -me false, and you shall stand in the dock within -an hour after. Come, sir, it is the turn of the -woman towards whom you and another scoundrel -last night would have shown personal violence had -you dared. For the present I shall be content -with plain replies to plain questions. Do you -know from whence Frobisher obtained the Cardinal Moth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not quite sure, but I can give a pretty -good guess," Lefroy said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall come to that presently. Was -Manfred well acquainted with the properties of -that accursed flower?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should say not. Of course he had a good -idea of its value and what one could do with it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite so. Then I suppose that I am correct -in assuming that on the night of his death Manfred -was party to a conspiracy to steal the orchid from -Sir Clement Frobisher; in other words, he acted -as your agent, and he was killed in the act of -purloining the flower?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lefroy wriggled uneasily and muttered something. -But Mrs. Benstein pinned him firmly down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall abandon you to your fate unless you -speak frankly," she said. "Was Manfred trying -to steal the Cardinal Moth when he met with -his death?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may take that for a fact," Lefroy said, -as if the words were dragged from him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very good. Manfred was going to steal the -Moth which previously had been stolen by Sir -Clement's agent from somebody else. Who sold -the Moth to Sir Clement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not quite certain, but I believe it was -Paul Lopez," said Lefroy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein rose from her seat, and flicked a -solitary crumb from her dress. On the whole she -did not seem displeased with the day's work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enough for the present," she said. "Take me -out and see me into a swift taxi."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-striking-likeness"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A STRIKING LIKENESS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher had passed a bad night, and he -looked as if he were likely to have an -equally unpleasant morning. A small -dealer out St. Alban's way claimed to have found -three new orchids in his last speculative parcel, -and Frobisher had set his mind on seeing them -before some other soulless and selfish collector -stepped in. But a slip of blue paper, humorously -accompanied by a shilling, told him that his -presence was imperative at the adjourned inquest -on the body of the man unknown, who had been -found murdered in the greenhouse at Streatham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now what possible connection can I have -with that?" he grumbled, as he ate his breakfast. -"It was bad enough for Manfred to thoughtlessly -lose his life in my conservatory: And here's a -letter from George Arnott. He has a great deal -of complaint about you, Angela."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am properly flattered by his consideration," -Angela said coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that's all very well, young lady. But you -are going to marry George Arnott all the same. -That young scoundrel Denvers had better make -the most of his time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will do that without any encouragement -from you," Angela replied. "Mr. Arnott is an -unspeakable little cad, and I would as soon marry -your butler. Indeed, I insult the butler by -comparison."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An ugly smile crossed Frobisher's face, but he -carried the conversation no further. He was -puzzled and bewildered, and neither feeling was -palatable. He had been outgeneralled by a -woman, and the reflection was bitter. But he was -going to have his own way over this matter, as -Angela would discover.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Arnott to see you, sir," the butler -announced. "In the library, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arnott seemed to be anxious about something. -He was fussing up and down the library with a -mass of papers in his hand. His manner was -hardly flattering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you have made a nice mess of it," he said, -"you and Lefroy between you. He's bolted." -Frobisher chuckled for the first time since he rose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bet you a penny old Benstein had found out -all about those forgeries," he said. "Lefroy -didn't know that I was </span><em class="italics">au fait</em><span> as to that -transaction. So Lefroy has retired discreetly—urgent -business on behalf of the master, and all that kind -of thing, eh? That leaves the field clear for us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To a certain extent, perhaps. But you won't -get the concessions. Hamid Khan has been -utterly beaten by Mrs. Benstein and your friend -Harold Denvers. It appears that Mrs. Benstein -knew Hamid Khan years ago, he being no more of -a Koord than you or I. The Shan has dismissed -him, and at the present moment is on his way to -Paris with Denvers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A round rasping oath shot from Frobisher's lips. -"So that young blackguard was in it," he -exclaimed. "I fancied so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In it! In it up to his neck. I bribed one -of the Shan's servants. Why, Denvers, calling -himself Aben Abdullah or some such name, and -beautifully disguised, was in your house the night -before last at your wife's dance. It was he who -stopped your little game and enabled -Mrs. Benstein to turn the tables on you. Those -concessions are as good as in Denvers' pocket."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But where did the money come from to get -that gem out of Benstein's clutches? I know for -a fact that the Shan is desperately hard up for the -moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What does that matter?" Arnott asked -irritably. "You were at Mrs. Benstein's -luncheon-party at the Belgrave yesterday. Who was there -besides the actors in the game? You are losing -your wits, Frobisher. What do you suppose -Parkford was doing there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher slapped his bald head helplessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never thought of that," he said blankly. -"I'd go to Paris myself, only I've got to attend -an inquest. Come and dine quietly to-night and -discuss the plan of campaign. I shall find some -way out yet. Now just you toddle off and keep -your tongue between your teeth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what about Miss Lyne?" Arnott asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's going to be all right—you can safely -trust the young lady to me. She doesn't realise -what I am capable of. Though why you should -want to marry a girl who hates you and despises -you from the bottom of her heart is more than I -can comprehend. Eight o'clock sharp to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher travelled down to Streatham a little -later, and devoutly hoped that his own evidence -would be a matter of form. But the hall in which -the inquest was to be held was crammed with -curious onlookers, for the dual sensation caused -by two mysterious deaths under similar -circumstances had not been forgotten by the -public. Frobisher but rarely glanced at the -newspapers except </span><em class="italics">The Times</em><span>, or he would have -known that "the orchid mystery," as it had been -called, was the sensation of the hour. Only by -the aid of two friendly policemen did he reach -a seat in court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The proceedings were drawing on, evidence of -a formal nature only being called at present. -Frobisher nodded to Inspector Townsend, whom -he recognized as an old acquaintance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Something horribly nasty about perspiring -humanity," he said. "I should like to turn a -garden-hose on to the gallery yonder. What on -earth do you want me for, Townsend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend admitted that there might be one or -two points on which Sir Clement's evidence might -prove material. He was not quite sure what the -barrister for the authorities had in his mind. -Frobisher glanced at his watch from time to time -impatiently; he had forgotten his surroundings -utterly, when the sound of his own name brought -him back to the present with a start. Leisurely -and with perfect self-possession he entered the -box and was sworn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to ask you a few questions," the -Crown counsel said. "You have read something -of the case, Sir Clement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have heard of it, though I am afraid I shall -be of very little use to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall see. This man, whom I shall call -the unknown for the reason that he has not yet -been identified, was found dead, murdered in a -greenhouse at Streatham. He had been strangled -by means of a hair rope twisted about his neck -and pulled tight with great force from behind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That you are perfectly sure of?" Frobisher -said with a suggestion of a grin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At any rate, it will serve for a theory at -present. In that greenhouse, upon the authority -of Thomas Silverthorne, was a valuable orchid -which had been placed there by a stranger some -time before. After the murder of the unknown -that orchid had absolutely disappeared."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very strange," Frobisher said indifferently, -"but of no particular interest to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps we shall make it more interesting -presently," Counsel retorted. "We are inclined -to believe that two people were after the orchid—the -man who was killed and the man who killed -him and took the orchid away. The plant must -have been singularly valuable and possibly unique -in its way to induce a crime like this. The whole -thing is very strange and singular, and it is -rendered more so by the fact that a precisely similar -crime was committed in your conservatory the same -night. You have valuable orchids, Sir Clement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded. He was not quite so cool -now, and an irritating lump was working at the -back of his throat. His quick mind began to see -what was behind these apparently innocent -questions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have probably the finest collection in -England," he replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many of them would tempt a thief, I suppose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I dare say. There are orchid collectors -all over the world, you see. Once a man gets hold -of that passion it seldom leaves him. A valuable -stolen orchid would be a marketable commodity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same as stolen books or prints, eh? The -commercial morality of all collectors is supposed -to be low. What you mean to say is that an -orchid of repute would be bought by some -collectors well knowing that it had been obtained -by questionable means?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've no doubt about it," Frobisher admitted. -"I have known such cases."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then here we have a motive for the crime. -Let me refer to your own case for a moment. -What do you suppose Mr. Manfred was doing in -your conservatory at the time he died? He -refused to dine under plea of a headache; he was -supposed to be lying down, and yet he was found -dead near your flowers. Do you think he was -after one of them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The inference is a fair one," Frobisher said, -guardedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Counsel smiled as he stroked his moustache. He -was getting to the point now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you or do you suspect Mr. Manfred was -after a particular plant?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher started. He saw the trap instantly. -The smiling little man with the bland questions -knew a great deal more than he had told as yet. -He was not so much asking questions as inviting -the witness to make admissions. He had been -primed doubtless by Mrs. Benstein and Denvers. -The lump in the back of Frobisher's throat grew -large, the easy smile flickered and died on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have a score that are almost unique," he -said. "Under the circumstances——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Counsel waved the point aside. His experience -told him that he was alarming his witness. He -started on another tack which was destined to be -even more disturbing to Frobisher's peace of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me put it another way," he said in his -silkiest manner. "We are pretty certain that a -valuable orchid was stolen from Streatham. You -tell me that commercial morality among collectors -is not high, and that a plant like that would be a -marketable commodity. Would you buy it, for -example?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would go a long way in that direction," -Frobisher said with a touch of his old cynicism.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would! Now I am going to ask you a -direct question. I need not tell you the hour at -which the unknown was murdered at Streatham -because you know that as well as I do. Now since -that time have you added to your collection an -orchid of extraordinary interest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher gasped. He had not expected the -question. He was like a man who suddenly sees -before him a deep and yawning precipice in the -path of flowers. And the chasm was so deep and -yawning that he could not see to the bottom of it. -He hesitated and stammered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I certainly bought a valuable orchid the same -night," he admitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! Now we are getting on, indeed. The -orchid you bought was unique!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that is a fair description of it. Nothing -like it has been seen before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An orchid the like of which has never been -seen before! Come, this is very interesting. Can -you tell us if the plant in question has any -particular name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is called 'The Cardinal Moth,'" Frobisher -admitted slowly. The words seemed to be -dragged from him; he half wondered what had -become of his voice. "It came originally from -Koordstan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stolen," the Counsel cried. "The orchid, sir, -is unique. It was used to guard the Temple of -Ghan. It is supposed to possess certain sinister -qualities. Criminals who were sent into the place -where the Moth hung never came out alive, they -always died, as the two unhappy men whose cases -we have under consideration perished. The -sentence was to pluck a flower from the Cardinal -Moth. The flowers were plucked, and when the -great gates were thrown back the criminal was -dead, strangled. Sir Clement, I presume that you -knew all about this before you purchased the -Cardinal Moth the other night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Every collector of intelligence knows the -story," Frobisher admitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So when the treasure came in your way you -could not resist the temptation of purchase. Now, -pray be careful. Did you not buy the Cardinal -Moth about an hour or two, say, after the unknown -was found murdered in that conservatory at -Streatham?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher wiped his shining head; his hand was -shaking slightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you put it that way, I did," he said. "It -was brought to me and offered for sale that night -and I bought it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did you give for it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher gaped open-mouthed at the question. -It came back to him with sudden force that he -had not given anything for the Moth at all, he -had only promised for Lopez's sake to tell a lie and -stick to it. Counsel rapped sharply on the table -before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I asked you what you gave for the Cardinal -Moth?" he exclaimed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A trifle," Frobisher admitted. "Well, nothing -in money at all. You see, the man who sold it to -me——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you see the man in court? Look round -and let us know if he is here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher slowly looked round the court, not -so much to find Lopez as to regain his own -scattered wits.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-bad-quarter-of-an-hour"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher passed a handkerchief over -his shining head slowly, with a feeling -that he was going through the ordeal of a -Turkish bath. It was a long time before he was -quite sure that the vendor of the Cardinal Moth -was not in court. The little questioner smiled as -Frobisher shook his head. Evidently he had a -powerful reserve behind him. He switched off -on to another track presently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know all about the history of the -Cardinal Moth?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Every collector does," Frobisher replied. "It -has been known for centuries. Times out of -number adventurers have tried to obtain the -whole plant, or, at any rate, a small portion of -it, but without success. Generally the attempt -has ended in disaster to the adventurers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean that usually they have been killed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. They have died of strangulation -as—as Mr. Manfred did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite so. You don't suggest that there is -anything Satanic or diabolical about the Moth? -No cruel force from an unseen world, or anything -of that kind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly not," Frobisher said with the -suspicion of a sneer. "Although such a thing is -firmly believed in Koordstan and elsewhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then there is some trick, some danger. Now, -Sir Clement, listen to me carefully. You knew -all about this strange fatality that clings to the -Cardinal Moth, you know that Mr. Manfred met -his death by that terrible way, and that tragedy -at Streatham was more or less a repetition of the -thing that happened under your roof. You can't -deny that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have I made any attempt to do so?" Frobisher retorted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't suggest anything of the kind," -Counsel snapped. "But I do say that you -suppressed, deliberately suppressed, what you -knew to be facts of the deepest import. Why did -you not tell all this to the police? Why didn't -you mention it to Sir James Brownsmith and -other friends?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher mumbled something in reply. It -came to him suddenly that he was older than he -ought to be, that his nerve was no longer what -it once had been. He called to mind the many -brilliant knaves who had from time to time stepped -jauntily into a witness-box contemptuous of the -inferiority of the cross-questioner, and who had -an hour later tottered from the court a broken -man. How much did this little keen-eyed man -know? he asked himself. He would have given -half his fortune to be quite clear on that point. -But he could not answer the question satisfactorily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing could have been gained by that -course," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you want the court to believe that?" -Counsel cried. "Here were you with something -like a correct solution in your mind and you keep -silence. When did you buy the Cardinal Moth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was on the night of the Streatham tragedy," -Frobisher admitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed! Was the man you purchased that -plant from a stranger to you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. On the contrary, I have known him -for years. He was with me the night before as -well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worse and worse," Counsel protested. "Tell -me, Sir Clement, have you ever made an attempt -to raid the Cardinal Moth in person or in -conjunction with others?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I laid a plot to get possession of it," Frobisher -admitted coolly enough. He felt that he could -afford to be cynical and frank on this point. -"But my plans miscarried. The plant was divided -into three portions. One was lost sight of, in -America, I fancy; the other was lost at Stamboul, -where I came very near to losing my life as well. -And the third plant was burned at Turin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was that by accident or design?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Design, doubtless. The hotel was deliberately -set on fire."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Interesting," Counsel murmured. "What -was the name of your ally at Turin?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sorry I cannot remember. In the many -busy incidents in a life like mine——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One moment, if you please. And don't -forget that you are on your oath. Now wasn't -the name of your partner who got as far as Turin -Count Lefroy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher snarled out something that sounded -between an affirmative or an oath. He was -clinging to the rail of the witness-box now; there -was a perceptible stoop in his shoulders and his -lips quivered. The little man went on with his -merciless questions, smiling as he scored one point -after another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count Lefroy has been your partner in many -a financial venture?" he asked. "But you have -dissolved partnership of recent years; you could -not trust one another?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The steel was too finely tempered in us both," -said Frobisher, with a touch of his old humour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And so you parted. Now let us get on a -little further. Of late you have been very anxious -to obtain certain concessions from the Shan -of Koordstan. Count Lefroy was equally anxious. -And the Shan, not being so very popular with his -subjects at present, would have liked to get the -Cardinal Moth back again. Now were you -prepared to change the Moth for the concessions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I confess that some such idea was in my -mind," Frobisher admitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In which case was it not dangerous to ask -Count Lefroy to your house? I mean to luncheon -to show him the Moth, and afterwards the -invitation to the fatal dinner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't say," Frobisher replied. "I really -can't see what——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes you can; a clever man like yourself -can see everything. The Count was as anxious -to have the Moth as you were, also with an eye -to these concessions. He was more anxious -because he had already mortgaged the so-called -concession to Mr. Aaron Benstein for a large sum -of money. Did you know of that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher hesitated a long time before he replied. -He had grown singularly hot and confused; he could -see no more than that a trap was being laid for him, -but the bait was invisible. There was nothing -for it but to tell the truth and trust to chance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was quite aware of what Count Lefroy -had done," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet you showed him the Cardinal Moth. -He was very angry and he struck Manfred in your -presence. He gave you to infer that he had by -the merest chance lost the Moth itself. In other -words, the man who had stolen it brought it to -you instead of to Count Lefroy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher nodded. He was smiling recklessly -and a little hysterically now, wondering how -many hours he had been standing there under -the rigid fire of questions. As he glanced up at a -big clock over the coroner's head, to his intense -surprise he saw that it was barely twenty minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Count Lefroy had made up his mind to steal -that plant," Counsel went on. "Didn't you -guess that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I felt pretty sure that he would make the -attempt, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As a matter of fact, we contend that the -attempt was made. It was all arranged. The -night of your dinner, Mr. Manfred sat out under -the pretence of a bad headache. The house was -quiet and you were engaged with your guests, and -Manfred knew exactly where to go. He made the -attempt, and in doing so lost his life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks very much like it," Frobisher said, -hoarsely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know exactly how he lost his life?" -Counsel asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The question came quick and short like the -snapping of a steel trap. Frobisher understood -the import of it, nobody else practically did. He -glanced at Townsend, who appeared to be deeply -interested in a newspaper; the Coroner was -gazing at the painted ceiling. An unconquerable -rush of rage possessed the witness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hang you, find out," he cried. "To the devil -with you and your questions. How should I know -the secret that the priests of Ghan have kept -so closely all these centuries? All I know is, that -anybody who tampers with the Moth under -certain conditions dies, and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Coroner suddenly woke up and sternly -rebuked the witness. He listened humbly enough -now, for he was spent and broken again, only -longing passionately to be away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am truly sorry, sir, but the question irritated -me," he said. "Anybody would think that I -had a hand in the death of poor Manfred."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody has suggested anything of the kind," -Counsel went on as smoothly as if nothing had -happened. "All I contend is, that you can -practically solve the problem if you choose. But -let us hark back a little way again. What is the -name of the man who sold you the orchid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His name is Paul Lopez," Frobisher said in -a tone so low that he was asked to repeat it again. -He passed his tongue over his dry lips. "I can -tell you no more than that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he a stranger to you, or have you known -him a long time?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sorely tempted to lie, Frobisher hesitated -a moment. But once more the cruel uncertainty -of the knowledge possessed by the little man -opposite forced the truth from him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have known Paul Lopez for years," he -said. "He has done many little things for me. -But I swear to you now—as I am prepared to -swear anywhere—that the Cardinal Moth came -to me as a complete surprise. I never expected -it, and I was absolutely astonished when I -saw it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you have no idea whence it came?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not the slightest. It never occurred to me -to ask any questions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The wise man does not ask questions," Counsel -said dryly. "Possibly your curiosity would not -have been gratified, in any case. But I suppose -that you had an idea, eh? You feel pretty -sure now that the plant was stolen from -Streatham?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is mere conjecture on your part," -Frobisher replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, no, it isn't. I shall be in a position to -prove the fact when the time comes. You can -step down for the moment, Sir Clement, though -I shall have to trouble you again. Call Paul -Lopez."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Townsend put down his paper and stood up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be quite useless, sir," he said. "Lopez -has disappeared. My information tells me that -he has gone in the first instance as far as Paris. -Perhaps later on we may be able to produce -him, but that will require more than the usual -subpoena."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Coroner woke up again, and his eyes came -down from the ceiling. Yet he had missed nothing -of what was going on, as his next question showed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is rather unfortunate, Inspector," he -said. "What do you propose to do now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask for an adjournment till Thursday, sir," -Townsend said. "Then I hope to call Sir James -Brownsmith, who I am sure will have a great -deal to say. If that course is quite convenient -to you——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Coroner snapped out a few words, and the -crowd in the gallery began to fade away. In a kind -of walking dream Sir Clement Frobisher found -himself outside. He felt as if many years had -been added to his life; he was shaking from head -to foot. The gold sign of a decent hotel caught -his eye. The white legend, "Wines and spirits," -allured him. Somebody was speaking to him, but -he did not heed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he became conscious that Mrs. Benstein -was standing before him. She had been in court, -but he had not seen her. He muttered some -commonplaces now, he tottered across the street -and into a bar which was empty. The smart girl -behind looked at him curiously as he ordered a -large brandy-and-soda. The soda he almost -discarded, he poured the strong spirit down -his throat, and a little life crept into his -quivering lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Mrs. Benstein stood by the door of -her car. She appeared to be waiting for -somebody. From the bar window the now resuscitated -Frobisher watched and wondered. He saw -Townsend come out of court; he saw -Mrs. Benstein stop him as he touched his cap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'd give a trifle to hear what they are saying," -Frobisher muttered. "I wish I had never seen -that confounded woman. I am growing senile. -Fancy being beaten by a woman!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein had very little to say to -Townsend, but that little was to the point.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you can lay hands on Lopez, what shall -you do?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arrest him on suspicion of the Streatham -murder," Townsend said promptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which he never committed. Still, it is the -proper thing to do. Now tell me where I can -give you a call upon the telephone about ten -o'clock to-night."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="mrs-benstein-intervenes"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">MRS. BENSTEIN INTERVENES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Mrs. Benstein was dining alone and early, -for Benstein had an important engagement -later, and usually he made a point of being -in bed betimes. He had had a good day, which -was no uncommon thing for him, and he was -loquacious and talkative as usual. From the head -of the table Mrs. Benstein smiled and nodded, -but, as a matter of fact, she had not the least idea -what her husband was talking about. Not until -the coffee was on the table and the cigarettes -going round did she speak. She always liked -her coffee in that perfect old Tudor dining-room—the -dark oak and the silver and the shaded lights -all made so restful a picture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now I want to give you half an hour," she -said. "You will be in plenty of time to see Lord -Rayfield afterwards. Did you read the account -of the Streatham inquest in the </span><em class="italics">Evening Standard</em><span> -as I asked you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Read every word of it whilst I was dressing," -Benstein said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein smiled. From the way her -husband was dressed, the paper in question had -monopolized most of his attention. At any rate, -he seemed to have grasped the case.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did you think of it?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, it's a queer business," Benstein said, -thoughtfully. "Seems to me to be a lot of fuss -to make about a paltry flower that any accident -might destroy. Never could understand Frobisher -wasting his money over that sort of trash."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you wouldn't," Mrs. Benstein said, quietly. -"But mind you, that flower is more or less of a -sacred thing, and the Shan of Koordstan would -have given his head to get it. He's Oriental through -and through, despite his thin veneer of polish and -his Western vices. I suppose those concessions -that the Shan has to dispose of are valuable?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein's deep-set little eyes twinkled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give a million for 'em and chance it," he -said. "So you think that Frobisher——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. Much as he loves orchids, he -didn't want the Cardinal Moth for keeping, as -the Americans say. With that lever he meant to -get hold of those concessions. Now I have -discovered that it was young Harold Denvers -who found the Cardinal Moth and brought it to -England. He took it down to Streatham, thinking -that it would be safe there. But Paul Lopez -got to know about it, and so did another man, -apparently—I mean the man who was murdered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think that he was murdered by Lopez, Isa?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein made no reply, but smiled -significantly. She might have startled her husband -with some strange information, but she did not -care to do so at present.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will be the general impression after -to-day's proceedings," she said. "And Paul -Lopez has disappeared. But I feel pretty sure -that he has not left England."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am certain of it," Benstein chuckled. -"Lopez has never got any money. He tried me -for a loan only yesterday to take him away. -Guess I could put my hand upon him in an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think he is to be found at that gambling -club you are so interested in?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certain of it, my dear. Lopez is friendly -enough with old Chiavari, who has found him a -bed and food before now. Rare good customer -to Chiavari he has been. If Lopez is not hiding -at 17, Panton Street, I'm no judge. Do you want -to see him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein intimated that she did, at which -Benstein said nothing and evinced no surprise. -He had the most profound, almost senile confidence -in his wife and her intelligence, and she did -exactly as she liked, and her obedient husband -asked no questions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, my dear," he said, as he rose and -looked at the clock. "I'm going past Chiavari's -and I'll look in. If Lopez is there, expect him -in half an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Benstein waddled out of the room and presently -left the house. Something seemed to amuse -Mrs. Benstein as she sat in the drawing-room -before her piano. Half an hour passed, the -clock was striking nine, and the footman opened -the door to admit a stranger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A gentleman to see you, madame," he murmured. -"He says you would not know his name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Isa Benstein signalled assent. She closed the -door as Lopez came in and led the way to a small -room beyond, furnished as a library more or -less. There was an American roll-top desk and -a telephone over it. Isa Benstein pushed a box -of cigarettes towards her companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you guess where to find me?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't guess," Isa Benstein said, quietly. -"I never guess anything. You were near the -Coroner's court this morning, because I saw -you. You did not deem it prudent to appear, so -you had a friend who gave you the news </span><em class="italics">en passant</em><span>. -After that you would deem it prudent to go away -for a little while beyond the range of the police. -But unfortunately as usual you have no money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Correct and logical in every detail," Lopez -cried. "What a couple we should have made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You indeed! The brilliant wife and the equally -brilliant husband who would have gambled everything -away as soon as it was made. Strange, too, a -man so clever could be such a fool. So here you are -stranded in London without a feather to fly with."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Correct again. Unless you are going to help me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should I help you? You are friendless -as well as penniless. There is only one man in -London who would be glad for his own sake to -supply you with funds, and that is Sir Clement -Frobisher. But you dare not go near him or write -to him or have any communication with him for -fear of the police."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Once more absolutely correct, Isa. Truly -a wonderful woman. If you fail me——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall come to that presently. What -do you know of that Streatham business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very little indeed. If you want me to swear -on my oath that I had nothing to do with the -crime I am prepared to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you know perfectly well who the man is. -He was lying dead on the floor of the conservatory -at Streatham, at the very time when you stole -the Crimson Moth placed there by Mr. Denvers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez started and turned colour slightly. He -did not know that this was mere conjecture on -the part of his questioner, but it was. Speaking -from her intimate knowledge and calculating by -time she felt sure that she had not been far -wrong. And here was the face of Lopez -confirming her impressions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You need not trouble to deny it," she went -on. "I know pretty well everything. -Mr. Denvers had not left many minutes before the -accident happened. Was there an automatic -steam-pipe in the conservatory?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course. And you may be quite certain -that—but do you really know everything, Isa?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Absolutely. I can speak from experience. -I did not know till the night of Lady Frobisher's -party, but I found out then. If you don't believe -me, look here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Benstein bared her arm, and displayed the -cruel circular wound above the elbow. She was -very pale now, and her eyes were dark. Very -slowly she pulled her sleeve down again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now you can tell how much I know," she said. -"Who was the man who lost his life at Streatham?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know his name, but he appeared very -familiar to me. He was a Greek, a tool of Lefroy's -and that queer fellow Manfred. He was too -adventurous, and he died."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Manfred was too adventurous and he -died also. I was a little curious, and I nearly -met the same fate. That fate was deliberately -planned for me by Frobisher; in intent that -scoundrel is as guilty of murder as if he had fired -at me from behind cover. He thought to trick me, -to make me his puppet and tool, and by flattering -my vanity obtain possession of the Blue Stone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only the scheme did not come off," Lopez grinned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It failed, because I have ten times Sir -Clement's brains and none of his low cunning. -But the scheme would never have been tried at all -had you not suggested it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I!" Lopez stammered. "Do you mean to say——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You suggested it; you told Frobisher where -the Blue Stone was. His quick brain did the rest. -Now perhaps you begin to guess why I sent for -you to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought perhaps you intended to help me," -Lopez said with his eyes on the carpet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should I help you? To put money -into your purse you did not hesitate to ruin me -and my husband, knowing that my one poor -vanity induced me to deck myself out in borrowed -plumes. As a girl you asked for my heart and I -gave it you; I gave all the love I had for any -man. I have never been able to feel the same -since. Don't flatter yourself that I care the least -for you; the flower has been dead many years. -I forgave you that. I did not get you crushed -and broken, as I could easily have done. And -now you dare drag me once again into your net. -I sent for you to-night to make conditions; the -whole truth must be told. You are to stay in -London, and on Friday you are to give your -evidence at the adjourned inquest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are never going to have it all out?" -Lopez said blankly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I am. Whether you and Frobisher -are actually guilty of crime in the eyes of the -law I don't know or care. But you both have -a deal to answer for. Don't you play me false."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez looked up and down again swiftly. -He was thinking how he could turn this thing to -advantage and go his own course at the same time. -He did not hear the tinkle of the telephone-bell -behind him; he took no heed as Mrs. Benstein -placed the receiver to her ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she said. "I am home. See you in -ten minutes. Ask him to wait outside the drawing-room -door. Oh, yes, the messenger came quite -safely. Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If Lopez heard all this it was quite in a -mechanical way. He spoke presently, urging -the uselessness of the proceedings that Isa -Benstein suggested. She said something in reply, -something cold and cutting, but she was taking no -further interest in the matter. She was listening -for something, the ring of the front-door bell and -a step outside. It came at length, and she rose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My mind is quite made up," she said. "And -I am not going to give you a chance to go back -upon me. Will you open that door, please? -I thank you. Inspector Townsend, will you be -so good as to step in? As I told you over the -telephone, the messenger arrived quite safely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez's hand shot swiftly behind him; then he -dropped it to his side and smiled. He had been -beaten, but he showed no emotion or the slightest -sign of anger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you had better come quietly," he said. -"I have plenty of assistance outside. The charge -is wilful murder over that affair at Streatham. -Shall I call a cab for you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lopez nodded. As he passed out of the house -Isa Benstein went to the telephone again, and -called up the office of the </span><em class="italics">Evening Banner</em><span>. -There was a hurried conversation, then the -communication was cut off. It seemed to -Mrs. Benstein that she had every reason to be pleased -with her evening's work. "It would be good to -see Frobisher's face when he knows that," she -said. "And he will know to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was getting late now, but some of the evening -papers were running extra specials. There had -been a big railway accident in the North, and -there was a little capital out of that. Frobisher -heard the raucous cry of the boys as he came out -of his club. He was restless and ill at ease; he -could not sit down and contemplate the beauty -of his orchids to-night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Terrible accident," a boy screamed as he -passed. "More about the Streatham 'orror. -Arrest of Paul Lopez to-night. Arrest of the -missing witness. Speshul."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, boy, let me have a paper," Frobisher -called out. "Never mind the confounded change. -Give me a paper, quick." His hand trembled as -he took the still damp sheet, his legs shook as he -made his way back to the quietude of the -conservatory. He must see to this at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yes, there it was, a few short pregnant lines to -the effect that Paul Lopez had been arrested by -Inspector Townsend a little after nine that night. -It looked cold and bald enough in print, but it -thrilled the reader to his marrow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fool!" he hissed. "The fool had no -money to get away with. Why didn't he come to -me or send? I'd have given him all he wanted -if it had been half my fortune."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="nemesis"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">NEMESIS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Frobisher raged furiously up and down -the conservatory for a time. Everything -seemed to have gone wrong with him all -at once. His favourite clay pipe would not draw; -as he jammed a cleaner down the stem angrily it -came away in his hand. The case of spare pipes -he could not find anywhere. It crossed his -imagination suddenly that some of the more -delicate orchids in the roof were looking a little -stale. He touched the gauge of the automatic -steam-pipe that threw off vapour at regulated -intervals and found it out of order. He shook the -spring tap angrily as a terrier might shake a rat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Confound the thing," he cried. "Everything -seems to be wrong to-night. Here is a job for Hafid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid came in trembling at the long ring of the -electric bell. He had not seen his master in such -a dark mood for many a day. Why had he not -come before? Where had the fool been? -Hafid bowed before the storm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm going out, you congenial idiot," Frobisher -muttered. "Something has gone wrong with the -automatic steam-tap in the conservatory. Turn -it on for a minute at eleven o'clock and again at -twelve if I am not back. As you value your skin, -don't forget it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid bowed again, and his lips formed hoarse -words that Frobisher could just hear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," he said. -"Take it and burn it, and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You chattering simian," Frobisher cried. He -sprang on Hafid and shook him till his teeth -chattered. "You besotted ass. Are you going to -do what I say or not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid abased himself and promised by the -name of the Prophet. There was a slight hiss in -the conservatory beyond that Frobisher did -not notice. There was nothing wrong with the -steam-valve, after all; perhaps it had stuck -somewhere for a moment, but at any rate it was -working again now. But Frobisher was too -passionately angry to see that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eleven o'clock," he commanded. "Don't -forget the time. Now find my pipes for me. Find -them in a minute, or I'll kick you from here to -your kennel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hafid was fortunate enough to discover the -cases of pipes precisely where his master had -placed them. Then he slipped away discreetly -enough before worse befell him. For some time -Frobisher smoked on moodily. He looked like -being beaten all along the line, and he hated that -worse than losing his money. If the whole truth -came out, and it could be proved that he tacitly -permitted these tragedies, no decent man would -ever speak to him again. Also, he was a little -uneasy as to whether the law held any precedent -for murder by proxy. Again, if Lopez was forced -to speak to save his own skin, the Cardinal Moth -would have to go. There was torture in the -thought beyond the bitter humiliation of defeat. -Beyond doubt, Mrs. Benstein was at the back of -all this. Frobisher wondered if she quite knew -everything. At any rate, if he could see her he might -pick up a useful hint or two. Women always talk -if properly encouraged, and a triumphant woman -could never quite keep her triumph to herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll go to-night," Frobisher muttered as he laid -aside his pipe. "I dare say I can invent some -ingenious excuse for calling at this time of night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He passed from the conservatory into the hall -and from thence to the drawing-room. Lady -Frobisher was there, and Angela standing before -the fire-place drawing on a long pair of gloves. -The big Empire clock over the mantel chimed -the three-quarters past ten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are you going at this time of the -night?" Frobisher asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lady Warrendale's," Lady Frobisher said without -looking up from her paper. "We are waiting -for Nelly Blyson. We shall not start before eleven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you can take me and put me down at -the corner of Belgrave Square," Frobisher said. -"I've got a little business in that direction. -Didn't I hear Arnott's voice?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher said nothing; she seemed to be -deeply engrossed in her paper. Angela lifted -her dainty head just a little bit higher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He certainly called," she said, "to see me. -But he is not likely to come again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher's teeth showed behind one of his -sudden grins. He wanted to grip those white -arms, to leave the small marks of his fingers behind. -But there were better ways than that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you mean that you have refused him?" -he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Definitely and finally," Angela replied. "I -paid him the compliment of treating him like a -gentleman, but I might have spared myself the -trouble. If you ask that man here again when I -am present, I shall be compelled to leave the -house and take up my quarters elsewhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frobisher grinned again. He could pretty well -picture to himself the way in which Arnott would -take his rejection. And the man was not a -gentleman. Frobisher's own breeding showed him that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well," he said. "Go your own way for -the present. Ask Parsons to give me a call when -the car comes round. I shall be amongst my -flowers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He strode back to the conservatory, hating -everybody in the world, himself most of all. -Hafid was crossing in the direction of the -conservatory, a big old clock in the hall was -close on the hour of eleven.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are you going to, you black thief?" -Frobisher demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My master gave certain directions for eleven -o'clock," Hafid said, timidly. "I was going to——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll do it myself. But don't you forget twelve -o'clock if I have not returned. Go back to -your room."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The black shadow departed, Frobisher went -on muttering. There was time for half a pipe, -and then—then a brilliant idea came to him. He -grinned and laughed aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll do it," he said. "I'll take the Cardinal -Moth down and hide it. The thing will dry and -shrivel for a time, and come back to all its beauty -when it feels the grateful moist warmth again. -Denvers shall not have the laugh on me. I'll be -robbed. It shall go out to the world that the -famous Cardinal Moth has been stolen from my -conservatory. And I'll do it now, by Jove."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, with this design, Frobisher pulled up -the extending steps. A minute later and his -body was thrust into a tangle of looped ropes -on which the Cardinal Moth hung. It was like -untying a multitude of loose knots. The folds -were all about Frobisher like a snake. So intent -was he upon his work that he did not hear the -hiss of the steam-valve below. The air was -growing suddenly warmer and moister, but -Frobisher did not seem to heed. Then, without any -warning, something caught him by the wrists and -held him as in handcuffs. He struggled and looked -down. A cloud of steam was slowly ascending.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!" Frobisher burst out. "That -valve was all right, after all. Here, Hafid, help!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Hafid was some way off, and nobody seemed -to notice. Frobisher struggled, then another loop -caught him round the chest, as he fought frantically, -slipped up and pinned him round the throat. -A thousand stars danced before his eyes; he could -hear voices in the distance. In the hour of his -peril he caught the sound of Harold Denvers' -voice and wondered what he was doing here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a last despairing cry, a choke and a -snort and a long shudder of the powerful limbs. -The thousand stars went out as if suddenly swept -off the face of the heavens by a passing cloud; -it was dark with patches of red in it, and Frobisher -grew still after a long shuddering sigh. Then he -hung for the space of a few minutes—ten, at the -outside—before the strain relaxed and he fell -crashing to the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was light laughter in the hall, the fresh -sound of a young girl's voice, the firm tones of -Harold Denvers demanding to see Sir Clement -Frobisher on urgent business. Hafid came -forward like a shadow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My master is going out," he said. "The car -is waiting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell him I must see him at once," Harold -said curtly. "Lady Frobisher, you had better -go without your husband, as our business is -likely to take some time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must hear my lord and master say so," -Lady Frobisher replied. "What is that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A long wailing cry from the conservatory, a -yell of horror in Hafid's voice. A strange light -leapt into Harold's eyes as he dashed forward. -He had guessed by instinct what had happened. -Hafid was bending over the dead form of his -master muttering to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," he wailed. -"Ah, if they had taken and burnt, and——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hush," Harold commanded sternly with a -hand over Hafid's mouth. "I see that you know -quite as well as myself what has happened. Stay -here a moment and be silent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold hastened back to the hall just in time -to intercept Lady Frobisher and Angela. From -the expression of his face they knew that some -tragedy had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is my husband," Lady Frobisher said, -quietly. "He is dead. Do not be afraid to speak -the truth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I—I am afraid so," Harold stammered, -"He—he has fallen from the roof of the -conservatory. He must have died on the spot. Lady -Frobisher, I implore you to go back to your room. -Angela, will you go along! If you will leave it to -me, I will do everything that is necessary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lady Frobisher went away quite calmly. -The sudden shock had left her white and shaking, -but after all she had nothing but contempt and -loathing for the man who had fascinated her into -matrimony. Harold drew all the servants away -with the exception of Hafid, and hurried to the -telephone. He gave a minute, and a voice replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that you, Sir James?" he asked. "I am -very glad to hear it. I am Harold Denvers, -speaking to you from the residence of Sir Clement -Frobisher. He is dead. I found him dead in the -conservatory a few minutes ago. What? Oh, -yes, he died in precisely the same manner as poor -Manfred. Will you come at once, please? Thank -you very much. I am going to ring up Inspector -Townsend now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Inspector Townsend was at Scotland Yard, -and would be there immediately. Harold turned to -Hafid, and led him back to the conservatory again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did it happen?" he asked, sternly. -"Tell me the truth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All I know," Hafid muttered. "My master -thought the steam-valve was wrong. I was to -turn on the tap at eleven o'clock, but my master -said that he would do it himself. He must have -been up with the Moth when the valve worked. -The rest you know, sir. The rest I could not tell -you. The tap was not out of order, after all, and -my master is dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a fitting end for such a scoundrel," -Harold said, sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He glanced up to where the Cardinal Moth still -danced and nodded. Some of the long sprays -nearly reached the ground. The clinging spirals were -untwisted here and there. And Harold understood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was removing the Moth," he told himself. -"He was going to take it away and hide it, -possibly to pretend that he also had been the -victim of a robbery. He knew that I should claim -it soon. Knave and trickster to the last! What -a sensation this will make."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir James Brownsmith came presently, followed -by Townsend. There was nothing to be said, -nothing to be done beyond certifying that Sir -Clement was dead, and that he had perished in -the same mysterious manner as Manfred and the -still unrecognised victim at Streatham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a mystery to me, and yet not a mystery," -Townsend said. "I've pretty well worked it -out. But how did Sir Clement manage to get -caught like that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An accident," Harold exclaimed. "He -thought that the steam-pipe was not in working -order, and he was mistaken. But all England -will have the explanation of this amazing mystery -to-morrow. We will have the inquest here, and I -shall be in a position to show the jury exactly what -has happened. But, knowing what Frobisher knew, -he was morally guilty of the death of Mr. Manfred."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no more to be said and nothing to -be done beyond laying the body decently out, -and locking the door of the conservatory, which -Townsend proceeded to do. As Harold was -going out Angela stopped him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was it murder again?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It has not been murder at all, dearest," -Harold said. "To-morrow you will know -everything. Before long I shall hope to take you -from this dreadful house altogether."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela murmured something. Her eyes were -steady, but her face was very white.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall be ready, Harold," she whispered. -"Only not yet, not till my aunt.... And -indeed it is a merciful release for her. Only I -know what she has suffered. Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She touched her lips to Harold's and was gone.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-tightened-cord"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE TIGHTENED CORD.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>London had seldom had a more thrilling -hour over the morning paper. The -sensational section of the press had lost -nothing in the making of what was called the -orchid mystery; some of them had even obtained -more than an inkling of the true history of the -Cardinal Moth, and many were the ingenious -theories propounded as to the mysterious deaths -at Streatham and in Frobisher's conservatory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And here was another victim in the person of -Sir Clement himself. As the thousands of business -men poured into London by trains, 'buses and -trams, nothing else was talked about. It became -known presently that there would be an inquest -at ten o'clock, and some time before the hour -traffic opposite Frobisher's house was practically -stopped. But people who had gathered there -hoping to get in were disappointed. Doubtless -the inquest would be adjourned to some more -suitable place, but the public were rigidly excluded -from a private house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nevertheless the conservatory was pretty well -full at the time the inquest commenced. The -pressmen were quite a large body in themselves, -to say nothing of the jury and the police and a -sprinkling of doctors. Both Sir James Brownsmith -and Harold Denvers had arrived early.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela came down to meet Denvers, looking -white and subdued by contrast with her black dress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lady Frobisher is well, I hope?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My aunt is satisfactory," Angela replied. "She -slept fairly well, and she is getting over the shock. -Of course it is absurd to say that she is overwhelmed -with sorrow; it would be mere hypocrisy to say -so. Nobody knows what a life she has had."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did she marry him?" Harold asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, indeed? She was not happy at home, -and Sir Clement had an extraordinary fascination -when he cared to exercise it. It was a miserable -business altogether. Harold, is there ever going -to be a solution of this terrible mystery? It gets -on my nerves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The whole thing is going to be solved within -the next hour," Harold replied. "There is nothing -very terrible to hear, so that you can be present -if you choose. We shan't want Lady Frobisher."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the big conservatory the proceedings had -already commenced. The Coroner had addressed -the rather frightened-looking jury, and then had -waited for Inspector Townsend to call the -witnesses. Hafid dragged himself into the box -and was sworn on a Koran. He had very little to -say except that he had heard a cry and found the -body of his unfortunate master as he had found -the body of Mr. Manfred. Beyond that he knew -nothing. For the way he looked around him he -might have been the criminal himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it and burn it, and destroy it," he said. -"Take it and burn it, and destroy it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what do you mean by that remark?" -the Coroner asked sharply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We can explain that presently, sir," Sir James -Brownsmith said, suddenly breaking off the -whispered conversation with Townsend. "The poor -fellow is half beside himself with terror. I know I -am quite irregular, sir, but this is an extraordinary -case. If I may make a suggestion——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would it not be better to call the next witness?" -the Coroner asked. "Inspector Townsend tells me -he has a full solution of this strange affair."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a visible flutter among the pressmen -present. Without further ado Harold Denvers was -called. From his place he could see Angela's -black figure in the doorway. The same barrister -who had represented the Crown at the inquiry into -the Streatham affair faced Harold with a smile. It -was quite evident that he knew the whole history.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were present here last night when Sir -Clement's body was found?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir. I had called to see Sir Clement on -important business. I called here to desire the return -of the Crimson Moth you see close above you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All eyes were turned upwards to where the -scarlet crowd of blossoms hovered. The stranded -ropes sagged and bagged now so that some of the -blooms were almost in reach. A little later there -was a hiss of steam, and the cords tightened to -the moisture as if some human hand had raised the -beautiful garlands. As to the loveliness of the -Cardinal Moth there was only one opinion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So that is the strange bloom," Counsel said. "Do -orchids of that class require constant moisture?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some of them do," Harold explained. "You -see the Cardinal Moth came originally from a hot -swamp, probably in Borneo or on the West Coast -of Africa. You see that is on a very coarsely-woven -Manilla rope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are we not wandering from the point?" the -Coroner suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the contrary, sir, we are sticking very -closely to it," the barrister retorted. "Now tell -me, is not this same Cardinal Moth supposed to -be endowed with magic powers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the idea. Perhaps I had better say -once more what I have already stated elsewhere. -For generations the Cardinal Moth guarded or was -supposed to guard the inner temple of Ghan in -Koordstan. The form and beauty of the Moth -travelled until it was known to most collectors. -Two or three people made up their minds to steal -it; it matters little who they were. They did -steal it and divided it into three portions. Two of -these portions were lost, and the third came into -my hands. The plant above your head is the one -that was stolen from the greenhouse at Streatham, -where I put it for safe custody."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you any idea who stole it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was taken away by Paul Lopez after -the death of Count Lefroy's representative, who -had nearly stolen a march on Lopez."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But Lopez never murdered that man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think somebody else did?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, I don't. That man was not murdered at -all, neither was Manfred, or Sir Clement Frobisher."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A murmur of astonishment followed this speech. -It seemed hard to believe, but Harold spoke -quietly, though in tones absolutely emphatic.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps I had better explain," he went on. -"I told you that the Moth used to guard the inner -temple at Ghan. It was the punishment of high -political criminals that they should go into the -inner temple and pluck from the trail a single -blossom. They went in, but they never came out -alive. When the gates were thrown back they -lay dead with strange marks about their throats -or their breast bones broken. It was a terrible -and awesome punishment, and one that gave the -priests immense power. Nobody knew how death -came, nobody was meant to know, but we shall -all in the room know in a few minutes. It was -the work of the Moth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again the murmur of astonishment arose. -Harold signed to the policemen to open the window; -As a dry air came in the long strands of the Manilla -rope stretched as the moisture warmed out of it, -a climber of the Moth dangled over the head of an -inspector who pushed it aside, as if it had been -poison. Harold produced something that looked -like an oblong sack filled with firewood. He -proceeded to tangle it in the loops and folds of the rope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will suppose that is a man," he said, "a -man who has climbed up to the roof to steal the -Moth which is all tangled up. He puts his arm -through one loop and his head through another, -thinking no evil, when suddenly the steam-hose -is turned on. Now watch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold crossed the room and touched the -steam-tap. As the moisture struck the very coarse -Manilla rope it suddenly tightened with the -moisture till it hummed again. The same effect -was to be seen with a clothes-line after a shower -of rain. But the almost diaphanous character of -the rope and the heavy discharge of moisture -brought the strands up so tight that they seemed -to hum in the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There!" Harold cried, "there is the mystery—there -is the secret of the priests. The man -climbs until he is in a maze of loose rope; the -steam is discharged and he is strangled—the life -pressed out of him by those cruel cords; one cry -and all is over. Listen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the rope drew up the wood within the sack -was heard to crack as if a vice had a grip on it. -Gradually at the same time the whole mass lifted -higher and higher. Presently as the air dried the -loops again slackened and the sack came to the -ground. Nobody said anything for a long time. -But practically the proceedings were over; there -was very little to say or do.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gentlemen of the pencil began to file out. -After all, the extraordinary tragedy that had -thrilled London as it had not been thrilled since -the days of Jack the Ripper had resolved itself into -a mere accident. One or two of the more fanciful -element stayed, for they could see the making of -a fine story here. After all, there was never a -murder or a set of murders planned like this before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The explanation is quite satisfactory," the -Coroner said. "If you propose to go any further—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Inspector Townsend shook his head. There was -no occasion to rake up any mud. Sir Clement was -dead, and the other two men had lost their lives -in attempted robbery. But that the trap had been -deliberately laid for Manfred, and that Sir Clement -was morally guilty of murder, the Inspector did -not doubt. Then the proceedings collapsed almost -before they had begun, and the usual prosaic -verdict was returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm glad it was so simple," Angela said when -everybody had gone. "But how Sir Clement——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was going to take the Moth away," -Harold hastened to explain, "so that I should not -recover possession of it. He thought the steam-cock -was out of order, and it wasn't. That is -the bald truth. That plant belongs to me, and I -have no doubt that Lady Frobisher will let me -take it away. Ask her on the first favourable -opportunity. It's no time to talk of business, but -the sooner I can hand that accursed thing over to -the Shan, the sooner I shall have those concessions. -And now, is there anything I can do for you, -sweetheart?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was late before Harold saw the Shan. He -had been reading the morning's proceedings in the -early edition of some evening paper. He welcomed -Harold effusively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to see you," he said. "Upon my word, -you are the only honest and straightforward one -of the lot. By the way, if you don't want the -Moth——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came here to offer it you," Harold said, "but -after the way the trick has been exposed——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bless you, that will not make any difference -in Koordstan. Nobody reads papers there, and -the priests will be pretty sure to keep their mouths -shut. Besides, I shall have them on my side now -that I know the whole game. Now sit down and -we'll settle the business of those concessions."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was a month later, and the season was -drawing to an end. Lady Frobisher was back in -town for a few days, to make arrangements for -her trip abroad, and Angela had come along. -Harold had been dining there. He was prosperous -now, and pretty certain to become a rich man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When is Lady Frobisher going?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not till August," Angela replied. "That is -nearly two months. And in the meantime——"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the meantime we are going to be married -and have a long honeymoon," Harold said. "Then -I have to go out to Koordstan for a spell, and -Lady Frobisher can come along. It is a lovely -country, and it will be a complete change for her. -What do you say to that, Angela?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Angela smiled and did not draw herself away -as Harold kissed her. She appreciated his kindness -and thought for others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always unselfish," she murmured. "Harold, -it shall be as you say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harold stooped and kissed Angela again, and -then there was silence between them, the blissful -silence of a perfect understanding.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold medium">SUCCESSFUL NOVELS</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold large">FRED M. WHITE</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">PUBLISHED BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WARD, LOCK & CO., LTD.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Mr. White is a master of the breathless -pace which whirls a reader along whether he -will or not."—</span><em class="italics">Yorkshire Observer</em><span>.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>THE FIVE KNOTS -<br />THE BRAND OF SILENCE -<br />THE GOLDEN ROSE -<br />THE FOUR FINGERS -<br />THE TURN OF THE TIDE -<br />THE WINGS OF VICTORY -<br />THE SLAVE OF SILENCE -<br />A CRIME ON CANVAS -<br />NETTA -<br />A QUEEN OF THE STAGE -<br />THE RIDDLE OF THE RAIL -<br />MYSTERY OF THE RAVENSPURS -<br />THE CARDINAL MOTH -<br />THE KING DIAMOND</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE CARDINAL MOTH</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43674"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43674</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. -Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this -license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and -trademark. 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