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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57314 ***
+
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+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+   1. Page scan source: The Web Archive,
+    https://archive.org/details/yellowface00whit
+    (The Library of Congress)
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+   3. Hyphenation of compound words is as presented in the original
+    book.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YELLOW FACE
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
+
+The Crimson Blind
+The Corner House
+The Weight of the Crown
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YELLOW FACE
+
+
+
+BY
+FRED M. WHITE
+
+Author of
+"_The Crimson Blind_," "_The Corner House_,"
+"_The Midnight Guest," etc_.
+
+
+
+
+R. F. FENNO & COMPANY
+18 EAST SEVENTEENTH STREET, NEW YORK
+------------------------------------
+F. V. WHITE & CO.,            LONDON
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1907
+By R. F. Fenno & Company
+
+
+
+"_The Yellow Face_"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+        I. Nostalgo.
+
+       II. The Chopin Nocturne.
+
+      III. The Mystery of the Strings.
+
+       IV. The Speaking Likeness.
+
+        V. A Vanished Clue.
+
+       VI. Vanished!
+
+      VII. No. 4, Montrose Place.
+
+     VIII. The Chopin Fantasie.
+
+       IX. The Man with the Fair Moustache.
+
+        X. What Did She Know?
+
+       XI. The Shadow on the Wall.
+
+      XII. Locked In!
+
+     XIII. The Parable.
+
+      XIV. Nostalgo Again.
+
+       XV. Lady Barmouth.
+
+      XVI. The Bosom of Her Family.
+
+     XVII. Which Man Was It?
+
+    XVIII. The Empty Room.
+
+      XIX. A Broken Melody.
+
+       XX. The Mouse in the Trap.
+
+      XXI. A Leader of Society.
+
+     XXII. The Portrait.
+
+    XXIII. Face to Face.
+
+     XXIV. In the Square.
+
+      XXV. On the Track.
+
+     XXVI. Serena Again.
+
+    XXVII. In the Smoking Room.
+
+   XXVIII. The Lamp Goes Out.
+
+     XXIX. The Silver Lamp.
+
+      XXX. Bedroom 14.
+
+     XXXI. A Chance Encounter.
+
+    XXXII. Lady Barmouth's Jewels.
+
+   XXXIII. Gems Or Paste?
+
+    XXXIV. In the Vault.
+
+     XXXV. The Cellini Plate.
+
+    XXXVI. A Stroke Of Policy.
+
+   XXXVII. A Pregnant Message.
+
+  XXXVIII. The Cry in the Night.
+
+    XXXIX. Preparing The Way.
+
+       XL. The Magician Speaks.
+
+      XLI. The Worm Turns.
+
+     XLII. A Piece of Music.
+
+    XLIII. The Trap is Baited.
+
+     XLIV. The Substitute.
+
+      XLV. Caught.
+
+     XLVI. The Music Stops.
+
+    XLVII. "A Woman Scorned."
+
+   XLVIII. The Proof of the Camera.
+
+     XLIX. Proof Positive.
+
+        L. On the Brink.
+
+       LI. Against the World.
+
+      LII. The End of it All.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YELLOW FACE
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YELLOW FACE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+NOSTALGO.
+
+
+The flickering firelight fell upon the girl's pretty, thoughtful face;
+her violet eyes looked like deep lakes in it. She stood with one small
+foot tapping the polished brass rail of the fender. Claire Helmsley
+was accounted fortunate by her friends, for she was pretty and rich,
+and as popular as she was good-looking. The young man by her side, who
+stood looking moodily into the heart of the ship-log fire, was also
+popular and good-looking, but Jack Masefield was anything but rich. He
+had all the brain and all the daring ambition that makes for success,
+but he was poor and struggling yet, and the briefs that he dreamed of
+at the Bar had not come.
+
+But he was not thinking of the Bar now as he stood by Claire
+Helmsley's side. They were both in evening dress, and obviously
+waiting for dinner. Jack's arm was around Claire's slender waist, and
+her head rested on his shoulder, so that by looking up she could just
+see the shadow on his clean-cut face. Though the pressure of his arm
+was strong and tender, he seemed as if he had forgotten all about the
+presence of the girl.
+
+"Why so silent?" the girl said. "What are you thinking about, Jack?"
+
+"Well, I was thinking about you, dearest," Jack replied. "About you
+and myself. Also of your guardian, Anstruther. I was wondering why he
+asks me so often and leaves us so much together when he has not the
+slightest intention of letting me marry you."
+
+The girl colored slightly. The expression in her violet eyes was one
+of pain.
+
+"You have never asked my guardian," she said. "We have been engaged
+now for over six months, Jack, and at your request I have kept the
+thing a dead secret. Why should we keep the matter a secret? You are
+certain to get on in your profession, and you would do no worse if the
+world knew that you had a rich wife. My guardian is kindness itself.
+He has never thwarted me in a single wish. He would not be likely to
+try and cross my life's happiness."
+
+Jack Masefield made no reply for a moment. It was perhaps a singular
+prejudice on his part, but he did not like the brilliant and volatile
+Dr. Spencer Anstruther, who was Claire's guardian. He would have found
+it impossible to account for this feeling, but there it was.
+
+"My guardian has plenty of money of his own," Claire said, as if
+reading his thoughts.
+
+"There you are mistaken," Jack replied. "This is a fine old house,
+filled with beautiful old things. Anstruther goes everywhere; he is a
+favorite in the best society. Men of letters say he is one of the
+finest talkers in the world. But I happen to know that he has very
+little money, for a lawyer told me so. That being so, the £2,000 a
+year you pay him till you marry or come of age is decidedly a thing to
+take care of. On the whole, dearest, we had better go on as we are."
+
+Claire had a smile for her lover's prejudices. Personally she saw
+nothing amiss with her guardian. She crossed over to the window, the
+blinds of which had not yet been drawn, and looked out. She looked
+across the old-fashioned garden in front of the house to the street
+beyond, where a few passengers straggled along. On the far side of the
+road stood an electric standard holding a flaring lamp aloft. The
+house opposite was being refaced, so that it was masked in a high
+scaffold.
+
+As was the custom in London, the scaffolding had been let out to some
+enterprising bill-posting company. It was a mass of gaudy sheets and
+placards puffing a variety of different kinds of wares. In the centre,
+bordered by a deep band of black, was one solitary yellow face with
+dark hair and starting eyes. At the base was the single word
+"Nostalgo."
+
+An extraordinary vivid and striking piece of work for a poster. The
+face was strong and yet evil, the eyes were full of a devilish
+malignity, yet there was a kind of laugh in them too. Artists spoke
+freely of the Nostalgo poster as a work of positive genius, yet nobody
+could name the author of it. Nobody knew what it meant, what it
+foreshadowed. For two months now the thing had been one of the
+sensations of London. The cheap Press had built up legends round that
+diabolically clever poster; the head had been dragged into a story.
+The firm who posted Nostalgo professed to know nothing as to its inner
+meaning. It had become a catchword; actors on the variety stage made
+jokes about it. But still that devilish yellow face stared down at
+London with the malignant smile in the starting eyes.
+
+"Jack, they have put up a fresh 'Nostalgo' poster on the hoarding
+opposite," Claire said. "I wish they hadn't. That face frightens me.
+It reminds me of somebody."
+
+"So it does me," Jack replied, with sudden boldness. "It reminds me of
+your guardian."
+
+Claire smiled at the suggestion. The guardian was a large, florid man,
+well-groomed and exquisitely clean. And yet as Jack spoke the yellow
+face opposite seemed to change, and in some way the illusion was
+complete. It was only for an instant, and then the starting eyes and
+the queer smile that London knew so well were back again.
+
+"You make me shudder," Claire said in a half-frightened way. "I should
+never have thought of that. But as you spoke the face seemed to
+change. I could see my guardian dimly behind it. Jack, am I suddenly
+growing nervous or fanciful? The thing is absurd."
+
+"Not a bit of it," Jack said stoutly. "The likeness is _there_. It may
+be a weird caricature, but I can see it quite plainly. Don't you
+recall how Anstruther breaks out into yellow patches when he is
+excited or angry? I tell you I hate that man. I may be nonsensical,
+but----"
+
+Jack paced up and down the room as if lost in thought. The light was
+shining on the face on the hoarding--it seemed to look at him with
+Spencer Anstruther's eyes.
+
+"There is something wrong in this house," he said. "I feel it. You may
+laugh at me, you may say that I am talking nonsense, but there it is.
+The strange people who come here----"
+
+"Sent by the police mainly. Don't forget that my guardian is one of
+the greatest criminologists of our time. There is no man in London who
+can trace the motive of a crime quicker than Mr. Anstruther. There was
+that marvelous case of those missing children, for instance----"
+
+"Oh, I know," Jack said, with some suggestion of impatience in his
+voice. "And yet, if you don't mind, we will say nothing of our
+engagement at present."
+
+Claire contested the point no longer. After all she was very happy as
+things stood. She had plenty of chances of meeting her lover, and Mr.
+Anstruther seemed to be altogether too wrapped up in his scientific
+studies to notice what was going on under his very eyes. He came into
+the room at the same moment humming a fragment of some popular opera.
+
+There was nothing whatever about the man to justify Jack Masefield's
+opinions. Spencer Anstruther was calculated to attract attention
+anywhere. The man was tall and well set up, he had a fine commanding
+face softened by a tolerant and benign expression. People looked after
+him as he walked down the street and wondered which popular statesman
+he was. In society Anstruther was decidedly welcome, amongst men of
+learning he was a familiar figure. His scientific knowledge was great,
+certain publications of his were regarded in the light of text-books.
+Altogether he was a man to cultivate.
+
+"I am afraid that I am late, young people," he said in a smooth,
+polished voice. "I hope you have been able to amuse yourselves
+together in my absence. You look moody, Jack. Don't those briefs come
+in as freely as you would like? Or have you been quarreling?"
+
+"No, sir," Jack replied. "We never quarrel; we are too good friends
+for that. We have not the excuse in that way that lovers are supposed
+to possess."
+
+"We have been studying that awful poster," Claire said. "I wish
+somebody would take it away. Jack is always seeing some likeness in
+it. He says that you----"
+
+The girl paused in some confusion. Anstruther smiled as he put up his
+glasses.
+
+"It is a complex face," he said. "Whose features does it remind you of
+just now, Jack?"
+
+"Yours," Jack said boldly. He flashed the word out suddenly. Half to
+himself he wondered why he always felt a wild desire to quarrel with
+this man. "I hope you won't be offended, sir, but I can see a
+grotesque likeness to you in the famous repellent Nostalgo."
+
+Claire looked up in some alarm. She was wondering how her guardian
+would take it. The log fire in the grate shot up suddenly and
+illuminated Anstruther's face. Perhaps it was the quick flare that
+played a trick on Claire's fancy, for it seemed to her that suddenly
+Anstruther's face was convulsed with rage. The benign pink expression
+had gone, the features were dark with passion, the fine speaking eyes
+grew black with malignant hatred. Claire could see the hands of the
+man clenched so hard that the knuckles stood out white as chalk. And
+there with it all was the likeness to Nostalgo that Jack had so boldly
+alluded to. The fire dropped and spurted again, and when it rose for
+the second time the face of Spencer Anstruther was smooth and smiling.
+
+Claire passed her handkerchief across her eyes to concentrate the
+picture of fiendish passion that she had seen. Was it possible that
+imagination had played some trick on her? And yet the picture was as
+vivid as a landscape picked out and fixed upon the retina by a flash
+of lightning on a dark night. The girl turned away and hid her white
+face.
+
+"I should like to meet the artist who drew that face," Anstruther
+said, with a smile. "One thing I am quite certain of--it is not the
+work of an Englishman. Well, it has found London something to talk
+about, and the advertisement is a very clever one. I dare say before
+long we shall discover that it is exploited in the interest of
+somebody's soap."
+
+"I am inclined to favor the view that Nostalgo is something novel in
+the way of a thought-reader or a spiritualist," Jack said. "It seems
+to me----"
+
+The dining-room door was thrown open by a woman servant, who announced
+that dinner was served. They passed across the hall into a large
+dark-walled room, the solitary light of which was afforded by a pair
+of handsome candelabra on the table. There were not many flowers, but
+they were all blood red, with a background of shiny, metallic green.
+The woman who waited passed from one plate to another without making
+the slightest sign. As she came into the rays of the shaded candles
+from time to time Jack glanced at her curiously. She was dressed in
+sombre, lustreless black, with no white showing at all. There was no
+cap on her head--nothing but a tangle of raven-black hair. Her brows
+were black and hairy, her skin as dark, so that her faded eyes were in
+striking contrast to her swarthy appearance. Her hands were very
+strong and capable, the mouth firm to the verge of cruelty. And yet
+there was something subdued, something beaten about the woman, as if
+she had been taken in a wild state and tamed. Anstruther seldom
+addressed an order to her in words; a motion of the hand, the raising
+of an eyelid seemed to be sufficient for those pale, tired eyes, which
+somehow never for one instant relaxed their vigilance.
+
+The woman was a mystery of the house; she seemed to be entirely
+dominated by her master's will. And yet there were strength and
+passion there, Jack felt certain. The fanatic only slumbered. A pansy
+fell from one of the flower vases, and Jack started out his hand to
+replace it.
+
+"Did you ever see the evil face in the heart of a pansy blossom?" he
+asked, for there was a pause in the conversation. "It is a demon
+face--and familiar too. Miss Helmsley, whose face does this saffron
+heart of the pansy remind you of?"
+
+Claire took the pansy from Jack's hand and studied it with a frown on
+her pretty face.
+
+"Why, of course." she cried. "I see what you mean. It is Nostalgo, the
+man with the yellow face."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+THE CHOPIN NOCTURNE.
+
+
+Claire gave the desired assurance, and rose from the table. She would
+have Jack's coffee saved for him in the drawing-room, she said.
+Anstruther lit a cigarette, and began to talk of crime. Crime and
+criminals had a fine fascination for him. Scotland Yard offered
+valuable inspiration for his new book on the criminal instinct, and in
+return he had been in a position to give the officials yonder one or
+two useful hints. The case he had on hand just now was a most
+fascinating one, but, of course, his lips were sealed for the present.
+Jack forgot his dislike in the fascination of the present.
+
+"Stay here and finish your cigar," Anstruther said as he rose and
+pitched his cigarette into the fire. "I'll go into my study and work
+this thing out with the aid of my violin. I may be an hour or so, or I
+may be longer. If I have finished before eleven o'clock I'll come up
+with my fiddle, and we'll get Claire to play. If you require any more
+claret you can ring the bell."
+
+Jack sat there for a time smoking and thinking matters over.
+Presently, from the study beyond, came the sound of music. Really,
+Anstruther was a wonderful man--he seemed able to do anything. He was
+not perhaps a great performer on the violin--his playing was a little
+too mechanical, and seemed to lack soul--but the execution was
+brilliant enough. Jack opened his cigarette case only to find that it
+was empty. There was a fresh supply in the pocket of his overcoat,
+which was hanging in the hall. He would be just in time for one more,
+and then he would join Claire in the drawing-room. The hall light had
+been turned low, so that, as Jack stood in the vestibule fumbling in
+his coat pocket, he was not visible, though he could see what was
+going on in the hall behind him.
+
+There was a spot of light at the head of the staircase. Somebody was
+standing there looking down into the hall--somebody in a rough jacket
+buttoned to the throat and wearing a pair of rubber-soled shoes, for
+the intruder made not the slightest noise. Jack wondered if some
+impudent burglar was raiding the house at this hour. If so, he would
+get a warm reception presently. Jack stood there as the figure came
+down the stairs and turned along a corridor to the left of the
+drawing-room. But there was no challenge and no fight, for the simple
+reason that in the hall light, as the stranger passed, Jack recognized
+the face of Spencer Anstruther. There was no doubt about it; there was
+no possibility of a mistake here.
+
+Inside the study the music once more began. Very gently Jack tried the
+handle of the door, but it was locked. Under ordinary circumstances
+this would have excited no suspicion; perhaps there was another way
+into the room by way of the corridor. But if so that did not explain
+why Anstruther was creeping about his own house in the semblance of a
+burglar, and wearing rubber-soled shoes. There was something creepy
+about the whole business. Jack returned to the vestibule again, and
+from there he passed into the garden. The study was at the side of the
+house, and a belt of shrubs outside afforded a pretty good cover.
+There was the study under with the blinds down and a strong light
+inside. Jack noted that it was a French window, a window frequently
+used, because the stone step outside had been worn by the pressing of
+many feet.
+
+The smooth melody of Chopin was playing on inside. Jack stooped down
+to where he could see the lace flowers on the blind, and looked into
+the room. There was a little slit in the blind where the sun had worn
+it, and by this slit the whole of the room could be seen. The music
+had softened down to a _piano_ passage taken very slowly. But Jack was
+not thinking of the music now at all, though the strains were soothing
+and flowing enough.
+
+He rubbed his eyes to make sure that they did not deceive him. No, the
+room was plain enough, so was the sound of the music. And with it all
+_the room was absolutely empty!_
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+THE MYSTERY OF THE STRINGS.
+
+
+It was the most extraordinary thing in the world. Beyond question the
+room was absolutely empty. Jack could see to the far side; he noted
+the pictures and the flowers and the vases on the mantelpiece. His
+view was naturally narrowed by a small spyhole, but there was no
+portion of the room hidden from him, though he could not quite see the
+whole of it at one time.
+
+The music was proceeding quite smoothly, though with pauses now and
+again. It was followed now and then by what sounded like subdued
+applause.
+
+Jack stepped back from the window. He wanted to make certain that he
+had not mistaken the room. No, the sounds of music came from the study
+right enough. At the risk of being discovered he crept back into the
+house again and tried the study door. It was locked, and what was
+more, the key was in the lock, as the application of an eye testified.
+
+And the music was proceeding quite swiftly again. The mystery was
+absolutely maddening. Jack wondered if there was some cabinet in the
+study hidden from view where the player had taken up his stand. At any
+rate somebody was playing Chopin's music--playing it very well. There
+was no magic about the thing.
+
+The hall of the house was very quiet, nobody seemed to be about.
+Occasionally there came the sound of mirth from the servants' hall,
+but nothing more. Fully determined to get to the bottom of this
+mystery, Jack returned to the garden again. Once more his eye was
+glued to the slit in the blind. He could make nobody out in the room.
+There was little fear of his being detected, because a belt of shrubs
+hid the window from the road.
+
+Without the slightest warning a figure appeared in the room. It was
+impossible to see where she came from, but of necessity she must have
+entered by the door. Jack was a little uncertain on that head, for his
+glance was not directed towards the door for the moment.
+
+He saw the figure of a woman, young and exceedingly well dressed. She
+was wearing an evening gown of white satin that showed up the creamy
+pallor of her skin, for her neck and shoulders were bare. The neck was
+rather thin, Jack noted, and the shoulders more inclined to muscle
+than beauty. For a young girl it struck Jack that the upper part of
+her body looked old. But the face was dark and wholesome, and against
+the deep eyes and swarthy complexion the girl's hair was dazzling. It
+was beautiful, rippling hair, changing color as the light flashed upon
+it.
+
+"Well, this is a bit of an adventure," the watcher told himself. "But
+where's the person in the room who let the young lady in? Somebody
+must have let her in, because the door was locked and the key on the
+inside. I saw it there, so I can swear to that fact. But who is she?"
+
+There were many answers to the problem, for Spencer Anstruther was a
+man who had countless strange visitors. His vast knowledge of crime
+and the ramifications of human depravity brought him in contact with
+large numbers of people. Men and women in distress often came to him,
+and they came in increasing numbers since Anstruther had got the
+better of a gang of scoundrels in a recent famous blackmailing case.
+Sometimes these people came on their own initiative, sometimes they
+were sent by the police. But Anstruther never said anything about
+them. He looked upon himself as a confidential agent. Claire could
+have told of many curious visitors at all hours, though Anstruther
+never so much as alluded to them afterwards.
+
+But this girl did not look in the least like anybody in trouble. Her
+dark features were almost expressionless; there was no display of
+violent emotions there. Her gaze slowly wandered round the room as if
+looking for something; she had much the aspect of a pupil whose
+attention is called to a blackboard by a master. As Jack watched, it
+seemed to him that he had seen this girl before. He could not
+recollect anybody in the least like her; that contrast of dark skin
+and fair hair was striking enough to impress itself upon the most
+careless mind, and yet Jack could not give the face a name. He could
+not permit himself to believe that he had made a mistake. He knew
+perfectly well that the expressionless features were quite familiar to
+him.
+
+The girl stood for some little time, as if waiting for her lesson.
+Jack's eyes were glued so closely upon her that he did not notice the
+coming of another person--a man this time. He was a young man, with
+sleek, well-brushed brown hair, and dark, well-groomed moustache
+turned up after the fashion affected by the German Emperor. The man
+was perfectly well appointed, his evening dress and white waistcoat
+were faultless. His face was strong, but it did not convey anything
+intellectual. There were scores of such men to be seen any day during
+the London season, all groomed the same, all apparently finished in
+the same machine.
+
+The man bowed and smiled to the lady, and she bowed and smiled in
+return. It was rather a graceful bow; it seemed to Jack that she
+looked at her companion to see if it were quite correct. Then the two
+proceeded to talk in dumb show, partly by signs and partly by fingers.
+The mystery was getting deeper--one of these two was a deaf mute,
+perhaps both of them. Was this one of Anstruther's cases, or did it
+possess a far deeper significance?
+
+The solution was beyond Jack Masefield. He might have been on the
+track of a mystery, and on the other hand he might merely be doing a
+little vulgar eavesdropping. If it was the latter, and Anstruther
+found him out, he need not hope to visit Claire at home any more.
+Anstruther was most particular about these things, as Jack knew; but
+he set his teeth together and decided to take the risk. He felt pretty
+sure that there was something here that touched the household deeply.
+
+He turned just for the moment, with an idea that somebody was behind
+him. But the strip of lawn was quite clear. Jack could see through the
+belt of trees to the street again beyond, with its great arc light
+flaring on the yellow face of the mysterious Nostalgo and his
+starting, half-laughing eyes. That weird face seemed to form a fitting
+background to the room mystery.
+
+But Jack had his eyes to the slit in the blind again. Inside the
+pantomime in show was still going on. The girl seemed to be getting a
+lesson of some kind, and her tutor appeared to be pleased, for he
+smiled and clapped his hands from time to time. Then he took out his
+watch and consulted it with a frown. As he glanced up the girl crossed
+the room to the mantelpiece and opened the face of the clock. With a
+quick movement she put it back half-an-hour.
+
+The man in the faultless evening dress nodded approval. There was a
+little pause before he approached the window and stood so that his
+shadow was picked out clean against the strong light of the room. Then
+he rapidly signaled with his arm. One arm went up, there was a noise
+of rings and a flutter of drapery, and then a heavy curtain was jerked
+over the window, and Jack could see no more. Try as he would, no ray
+of light could he make out. It was as if the lights had been switched
+off, leaving the room in utter darkness.
+
+What on earth did it all mean? Beyond doubt the young man in evening
+dress had signaled to somebody outside when he stood close against the
+window and raised his arm. Jack congratulated himself on the fact that
+the slit in the blind was low down, so that he had not to stand
+against the light. He slipped into the belt of shrubs and watched for
+a moment, but no further sign came.
+
+What were those people inside going to do? The solution flashed upon
+Jack instantly. They had not come there so perfectly dressed for the
+mere sake of seeing Spencer Anstruther. They had not been spending the
+evening anywhere, dining and that kind of thing beforehand, for they
+looked too spruce and fresh for that. The woman's toilette in
+particular had evidently been just donned, as if fresh from the hands
+of her maid. And she had put the clock back half-an-hour.
+
+"They are going somewhere in half-an-hour," Jack decided. "Hang me if
+I don't follow them. By the right time it is half-past ten. Anstruther
+said he should not come up if he failed to get his business finished
+before eleven, at which time he will expect me to go. I'll go up to
+the drawing-room and talk to Claire for a little time just to avert
+suspicion."
+
+He crept back into the house without being seen, he finished his
+claret, and dropped the stump of his cigarette on to his dessert
+plate. As he made his way up the stairs the music began again. That
+music was not the least maddening part of the mystery.
+
+"What a time you have been," Claire said as she tossed her book aside.
+"All by yourself down there! Really, Jack, you modern young men are so
+cold-blooded that----"
+
+"I'm not so far as you are concerned, dearest," Jack, said as he
+kissed the girl. "I had something to do; I was working out a case that
+puzzled me."
+
+"A case in some way connected with the law, I suppose?" Claire asked.
+
+"Well, yes," Jack replied. He quite believed that the case was
+connected with the law. "I begin to see my way to its solution. I
+suppose there is not the slightest chance of your guardian coming up
+to-night?"
+
+Claire replied that it did not look like it. Evidently the solution of
+the music problem was not an easy one, for the violin was going again
+as if it had only just begun.
+
+"It makes me feel creepy," Claire exclaimed. "Fancy the idea of
+tracking a criminal by means of divine melody like that! Jack, don't
+you notice something strange about it?"
+
+"I should say that I do," Jack said. "Why, the whole thing--really, I
+beg your pardon, darling. I--I was thinking about something else. It
+was the case I alluded to just now."
+
+"My dear boy, you are very strange in your manner to-night," Claire
+said. "You look pale and distracted. Trust the eyes of love to see
+anything like that. You haven't bad news for me, Jack?"
+
+Masefield forced a smile to his lips. It was hard work to maintain his
+ordinary manner in the face of the strange scene that he had witnessed
+that night.
+
+"I have certainly heard no news since dinner time," he said. "What did
+you expect me to say?"
+
+"I thought that perhaps you had mentioned me to my guardian; that you
+had changed your mind, and told him that you and I were going to be
+married some time."
+
+"No, your name was never mentioned, dearest. Anstruther was full of
+his case and gave me no opportunity. He went off directly he had
+finished his tobacco. As a matter of fact, Claire, I am more resolved
+than ever to say nothing about our engagement to Mr. Anstruther."
+
+"It is very strange that you mistrust him like that, Jack."
+
+"Perhaps it is, little woman. Call it instinct, if you like. I know
+that women are supposed to hold the monopoly of that illogical
+faculty. They dislike a man or a woman without being able to say why,
+and in the course of time that man or woman turns out to be a villain.
+There is no denying the fact that I feel the same way towards your
+guardian. I am convinced that once he knows the truth you will be in
+danger. I said before that he is a poor man, and the enjoyment of your
+£2,000 during the time----"
+
+"My dear Jack, you are perfectly horrid," Claire murmured. "If I were
+a nervous girl you would frighten me. As it is, I feel certain that
+you are utterly wrong. My guardian is one of the most delightful of
+men. If he were not, plenty of clever people would have found it out.
+And, besides, why do so many unfortunate people come to him to advise
+them, which he does with great trouble to himself and no hope of
+reward?"
+
+Jack admitted that perhaps he was wrong. And he had no desire either
+to frighten Claire. He had not the slightest intention of telling her
+what he had discovered that night.
+
+"Let us be less personal," he said. "What was the strange thing that
+you noticed about your guardian's playing?"
+
+"That it is so much better than usual," Claire said. "There seemed
+more passion and feeling in the music. My guardian is a brilliant
+violin player, but I have not hitherto noticed much feeling in his
+style. Now, listen to the thing that he is playing at present."
+
+"Chopin's Fantasie in F," Jack muttered. "I know it very well indeed.
+It is a favorite of mine."
+
+There was certainly plenty of expression and feeling in the music.
+Jack was bound to admit that. The fantasie came to an end with a crash
+of two chords, and Claire clapped her hands.
+
+"Beautiful!" she cried. "I must really compliment my guardian on the
+improvement in his style. You are not going already, Jack? It's not
+quite eleven yet."
+
+"I'm very sorry, dear, but I have that case to look into to-night,"
+Jack said, with perfect truth. He saw that the hands of the big clock
+on the mantelpiece were creeping on to the hour. "Anstruther won't
+come up to-night; he said he should be here by eleven if he were. And
+he gave me a hint not to stay later. I shall see you at the Warings'
+to-morrow night. Good-night, darling."
+
+Claire put up her red lips to be kissed. She would have seen Jack to
+the door, but he pointed out that the night was chilly and Claire's
+dress thin. Neither would he have the butler summoned. His coat and
+hat were in the hall, and he would get them himself. A moment or two
+later and he was standing in the garden behind the strip of shrubs. He
+was quite free to act now; he had nobody in the way. As he stood
+there, a distant church clock boomed the hour of eleven.
+
+"Now we shall see what we shall see," Jack muttered. "I'm going to
+find whether there is a mystery of the house or whether these people
+are merely Anstruther's clients. Oh!"
+
+As he spoke the dark curtain over the study window was pulled back,
+and the figure of the young man in the evening dress was clean cut
+against the light. Then a black arm pulled for the catch of the
+window, and the young man, pushing the blind aside, came out. He was
+wearing an overcoat now, and a tall hat. He seemed to be waiting for
+somebody.
+
+Then the figure of the dark-faced, fair-haired girl came out. She was
+cloaked from head to foot in a blue wrap trimmed with feathers; her
+fair hair was not covered. No word was spoken, but Jack could see that
+they were conversing still by signs.
+
+The watcher wondered if he had time to get inside the room. But that
+little idea was dismissed at the outset, for the young man pushed the
+window to carefully and the latch clicked. It was quite evident that
+the long sash closed with a spring lock, which was a most unusual
+thing for French windows to do. As the strange pair went down the side
+path Jack stepped into the open. He wanted to assure himself as to the
+window being fastened. He pulled at it hard, but it did not yield. At
+the same moment from the window of the room came a strange, brilliant
+crash of music. Yet that room was absolutely empty, as Jack would have
+been prepared to swear in any court of England.
+
+"I'll wake up either from a dream or in a lunatic asylum presently,"
+he muttered. "And now for those other people. Good thing they had no
+idea of being followed."
+
+Jack was in the road now, and taking his way through the quiet nest of
+squares between Bloomsbury and Regent's Park. He could see his quarry
+a hundred yards or so before him; there was nobody else, and there was
+not the slightest chance of those in front being lost. A horse's hoof
+clicked on the wood pavement as a well-appointed hansom passed the
+tracker. Then he saw the hansom pull up by the curb and the deaf mutes
+in front jump in, as if the whole thing had been arranged, and drive
+off.
+
+The thing was so sudden and unexpected that Jack was nonplused for a
+moment. There was no chance of following these people, for there
+probably was not another hansom within half-a-mile of the spot. Jack
+stood hesitating in the silence of the road; he could hear the steady
+flick-flack of the horse's hoofs as the rubber-tired hansom hurried
+on, and then suddenly the horse's hoofs stopped. They had not died out
+in the distance; they had merely stopped.
+
+Jack hurried forward; he had not given up all hope yet. He might
+overtake the hansom and by good luck meet an empty one going towards
+the Strand. As he turned a corner, he saw to his surprise the figure
+of the young man in evening dress come silently towards him on the
+other side of the road. Then the stranger crossed the road and turned
+down the far side of the square as if he were going to complete the
+circuit and join his cab again. As the man vanished Jack heard a
+thudding sound, followed by a sound like the tearing of stiff paper,
+like the rattle of peas on a drum, a queer stifled cry, and then
+silence. On the impulse of the moment, Jack turned and followed.
+
+At the angle stood a row of houses, some of them being repaired. Jack
+heard somebody speak to somebody else a little way down the road. He
+looked across at the opposite houses to see that they were in
+scaffolding and that they were plastered with bills. A little way
+above the ground in front of the centre house being repaired was one
+of the repulsive, clever Nostalgo posters with the yellow face looking
+out.
+
+But there was something else lying there at full length on the
+pavement, the body of a man with his face up to the stars. With a
+little cry Jack crossed the road. Almost instantly a policeman stood
+by his side.
+
+"Drunk," he said. "A gentleman who's just gone down the road told me a
+man was lying drunk on the pavement. My word, sir, but he's got the
+complaint pretty bad."
+
+"He has," Jack said, with a catch in his voice. "The man isn't drunk;
+he's dead. He's been murdered. Shot through the head and breast. Show
+your lantern here, officer."
+
+The officer flashed the strong, searching rays on the face of the dead
+man. As he did so he gave a cry, and pointed to the hoarding behind
+him with a finger that shook a little.
+
+"Dead, sir, and murdered, beyond doubt," he said. "But that's not the
+strangest part of it. Look at his face and the expression of his eyes;
+look at the yellow face and----"
+
+"Good heaven!" Jack cried. "The yellow face, the face of the
+diabolical poster behind you. As I am a living man, we have found
+Nostalgo in the flesh."
+
+The dead man grinned up, the poster grinned down. And the face of the
+dead and the face in the print were exactly the same!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+THE SPEAKING LIKENESS.
+
+
+Masefield looked at the figure on the pavement in a dazed kind of
+way. Beyond all question there lay the embodiment of the famous
+Nostalgo poster. London had been discussing the mystery of the poster
+for weeks already. The amazing hideous cleverness of it had struck the
+popular imagination, the artistic side of it had appealed to those of
+culture. Nobody had the least idea what it was intended to convey.
+Every daily paper promising a correct solution on a certain day would
+have added tremendously to its circulation.
+
+Then there had been those who had declared that the poster was a
+portrait; they had held that no artist could imagine a face quite like
+that. And here was dread confirmation of the theory. Absolutely the
+poster and the dead man were identical. The same long, thin nose, the
+same starting eyes, the same suggestion of diabolical cunning in the
+smile.
+
+In the poster Nostalgo wore a turn-down collar and a loosely-knotted
+red tie. It was the same with the dead man on the pavement. As to the
+rest, his dress was conventional enough--a frock coat and gray
+trousers, a tall silk hat which had rolled into the road.
+
+"Don't you think that you had better search his pockets?" Jack
+suggested.
+
+The constable replied that it was not a bad idea. But a close
+examination produced no definite result. There were no papers on the
+body, nothing beyond a handful of money--gold and silver and coppers
+all mixed up together in the trousers pocket. There was not even a
+watch.
+
+"This game's beyond me," the officer muttered, as he blew his whistle.
+"We must get this poor chap conveyed to the police station. Foreigner,
+ain't he?"
+
+But Jack could not say. The sweeping, coarse black hair pushed back
+from the bulging forehead, and the yellow, guinea-colored face
+suggested the Orient. But the lips were thin like the nose, and these
+might have belonged to some Spanish hidalgo. It was impossible to
+decide.
+
+"You were close by," the policeman said. "Didn't you see anything,
+sir?"
+
+"Nothing whatever." said Jack. "I was just passing along on the side
+of the square at right angles with this spot. I certainly saw a young
+man come along, but I didn't notice him much. I expect he was the
+young man who told you that a 'drunk' awaited you here."
+
+"I expect he was, sir; young man with his moustache turned up like the
+German Emperor's."
+
+Jack started, but said nothing. It was not for him to say anything of
+the strange sight that he had seen in Spencer Anstruther's study. The
+young man in question had left his hansom; probably he had come back
+for something forgotten; therefore, on the whole, Jack felt that he
+could not in any way connect him with this mystery.
+
+And yet Spencer Anstruther's young friend must have been close by at
+the very moment the murder was committed. It seemed impossible to
+believe that he had not heard that choking cry, and that strange noise
+like the tearing of calico or the scatter of peas on a tray. But, on
+the other hand, the murdered man had been shot, and shooting implies
+noise. Certainly Jack had heard nothing that in any way would be
+connected with the firing of a revolver.
+
+And yet there was that tearing sound, and the strange fact that the
+Nostalgo of the poster had tears in him in exactly the same place as
+the real man who had been wounded. There was a plot calculated to
+puzzle Spencer Anstruther himself, and Jack said so aloud.
+
+"I don't think as even he'd guess this," the policeman said. "Friend
+of yours by any chance, sir?"
+
+"I had not left his house five minutes before I found that body," Jack
+said. "If you like, I will go back and bring Mr. Spencer Anstruther
+here."
+
+Here was a chance to get at the other business, the mystery of the
+strange music. It was a legitimate errand enough, but the policeman
+shook his head. He did not want to take anything so important upon his
+own shoulders, his inspector being "down on that kind of thing." Two
+constables with the ambulance came at length. They asked no questions,
+but hoisted the body up and turned immediately in the direction of
+Shannon Street police station.
+
+"I think you had better come along, sir," the first policeman
+suggested to Jack. "It's just possible that the inspector may want to
+ask you a few questions."
+
+Masefield followed. He smiled just a little as he noted the speaker's
+tone. If not exactly in custody, he was at least expected to give a
+good account of himself. To his great relief he found the inspector
+not in the least disposed to assume the official manner; on the
+contrary, he seemed rather a timid man, though his eyes were steady
+enough.
+
+"I have told you everything, sir," Jack said at length. "I only wish
+it might have been more. If there is any further way in which I can be
+of assistance to you----"
+
+"You are very good, sir," the inspector said. "What we have to do now
+is to push the matter forward before the scent gets cold. It is very
+imperative that we discover who this man is. The first person to apply
+to is the firm of advertising contractors who posted those bills. Did
+anybody happen to notice the firm whose hoarding the deceased man was
+found against?"
+
+"As a matter of fact, I did," Jack said, as the officer shook his
+head. "Not that that is a sure find for you, Mr. Inspector, seeing
+that those bills appeared on the hoardings of all the bill-posting
+firms in London. Still, they may have emanated in the first place from
+one firm, and perhaps that firm was Freshcombe & Co."
+
+"That being the name on the top of the hoarding we are speaking of?"
+the inspector asked. "You have a keen eye for detail, sir; it was very
+smart of you to notice that."
+
+"Not at all; it was almost an accident. The mere fact of finding the
+prototype of the famous Nostalgo poster was sufficiently startling to
+brace all one's faculties. In glancing at the hoarding I saw the name
+of Freshcombe & Co. on the top. The name was impressed upon my memory
+by the fact that quite recently I appeared for Freshcombe & Co. in an
+action they brought against a rival firm for damages. That is why I
+have the name so exact."
+
+The inspector smiled with the air of a man who is well pleased with
+himself. In that case Mr. Masefield practically knew the head of
+Freshcombe & Co., and where he lived. In that event the inspector
+proposed to go direct to the gentleman in question and ask for a few
+particulars.
+
+"There I can help you again," Jack said. "I had several interviews
+with Mr. Freshcombe through his solicitor, and one of them took place
+in Mr. Freshcombe's own house in Regent's Park Crescent."
+
+The inspector waited to hear no more. One of his men would call a cab,
+and perhaps Mr. Masefield would be good enough to go as far as
+Regent's Park Crescent and smooth the way. It was getting late now,
+but Jack had no objection. He was keenly interested in this mystery,
+and he must get to the bottom of it if he could. He had a few
+questions to ask as the cab rolled away, but none of them struck the
+inspector as being to the point. But Jack knew better.
+
+Fortunately Mr. Freshcombe had not gone to bed, though the house was
+in darkness. The stout little prosperous-looking man of business
+started as he caught sight of the inspector's uniform. Something in
+connection with burglary rose uppermost in his mind as he asked his
+visitors' business.
+
+"I hope there is nothing wrong," he stammered. "Ah, how do you do, Mr.
+Masefield? Will you gentlemen be so good as to step inside. There is a
+fire in the dining-room. Anything in the way of a cigar, or----"
+
+But the inspector came to business at once. It was plain that his
+story interested the listener, for he followed with eyes of rounded
+astonishment. He punctuated the story with surprised grunts.
+
+"Bless my soul!" he explained. "Whoever would have thought it? I never
+expected that there was anybody like that famous poster. I had two
+thousand of them through my hands in the way of business, and they
+struck me as clever, very clever indeed. Personally, I regarded them
+as theatrical bills."
+
+"Then you can't tell us anything about them?" the inspector asked,
+with an air of chagrin.
+
+"Nothing whatever," Freshcombe replied promptly. "As I said before,
+the posters came to us in the ordinary way of business. There was an
+air of secrecy about the whole thing."
+
+"Which did not attract your attention? Did not appeal to your
+suspicions, I mean?"
+
+"Not a bit of it. The advertiser wanted to create an air of mystery
+and sensation. How well that has been managed I leave you to guess.
+Being, moreover, exceedingly shrewd, the advertiser did not mean his
+name to leak out. I received a note one day asking my terms for
+displaying a thousand of those posters on all the hoardings in London,
+and my people sent in a quotation."
+
+"That letter came from another business house, I presume, sir?" the
+inspector asked.
+
+"No, it didn't. It was from a certain Mr. John Smith, and was written
+from the Hôtel Royale, and on the official paper of the hotel. Three
+days later the posters arrived per a firm of carriers, and the same
+afternoon a check drawn by John Smith on the City and Provincial Bank.
+We cashed the check and posted the bills. I may say that, in the usual
+course of business, I should not have known this; but I was a little
+struck by the posters and their mystery, so I made inquiries. I assure
+you that I have not time to go into these minor details as a rule."
+
+"I am rather disappointed," the inspector said. "I hardly expected
+this. The mystery of the posters----"
+
+"Was part of the cleverness of the scheme," Freshcombe interrupted.
+"As a rule, these things leak out and spoil the game. Why,
+half-a-dozen newspaper men have been asking questions in my office."
+
+"Then you don't even know who printed the posters?" Jack asked. "Have
+you any more left?"
+
+"I fancy the posters were French," Freshcombe said. "They had
+evidently been repacked before they came to me. No, we have none left;
+they were all posted last week. I haven't even one as a specimen."
+
+Mr. Freshcombe would have pushed his hospitality, but the others
+declined. The inspector was not going to give up the chase like this.
+Could Mr. Freshcombe find a London Directory, or in any way help him
+to ascertain the name and address of the manager of the City branch of
+the City and Provincial Bank? Mr. Freshcombe could supply both
+details. The bank manager in question was a large shareholder in the
+firm and enjoyed an important position. As to his residence, it was in
+Piccadilly, over the bank's branch there. Mr. Carrington was a man of
+fashion, so that, if he were at home, it was unlikely that he had gone
+to bed. A moment later and the cab was proceeding towards Piccadilly.
+
+Mr. Carrington was not only at home, but he was entertaining friends.
+There were lights in all the windows of the handsome suite of rooms
+over the bank, and a chatter of voices assailed the ears of the
+callers as soon as the mahogany door was opened. Mr. Carrington was
+giving an evening party, the footman explained, and he did not like to
+be disturbed. But the sight of the inspector's uniform was not without
+its effect, and the intruders were ushered into a little room at the
+top of the stairs. The door was not quite closed, so that the
+strangers could see down a handsome corridor into a fine drawing-room
+beyond. Jack could recognize some of the guests, whereby he knew that
+Mr. Carrington kept very good company.
+
+"I feel like an intruder," Jack said, as he stood looking out of the
+room. In his evening dress he might have passed for a guest himself.
+"If Mr. Carrington is in a position----"
+
+Jack paused suddenly. He was face to face with the third great
+surprise to-night. For there in the corridor, and coming towards him
+now, was the fair-haired, dark-skinned girl whom he had seen with the
+young man in Spencer Anstruther's study. There was no mistake here, no
+illusion. The girl walked along with her head down, making a sign from
+time to time to the man by her side. He was a perfect stranger to
+Jack, who dismissed him from the situation altogether as a mere
+vacuous man about town. If the woman was here, the youth with the
+imperial moustache was not far off, Jack thought. "I think that you
+were going to say something, sir," the inspector ventured. But Jack
+had quite recovered himself by this time. He made some commonplace
+remark, and then Mr. Carrington came into the room. He was polite, but
+not at all anxious for his visitors to remain. Would they be so good
+as to get to the point. The inspector told his story with considerable
+brevity. Mr. Carrington was pleased to be interested. It was a strange
+and startling romance as it stood, but the bank manager did not see
+his way to afford any solution of this mystery. "I haven't quite
+finished, sir," the inspector said quietly. "That bill-posting was
+paid for by a check drawn on your City branch, of which you are
+manager, by one John Smith. Now, this John Smith----"
+
+"Which John Smith?" Mr. Carrington asked, with a smile. "My good sir,
+do you know that we have some two thousand five hundred accounts at
+our City branch? Probably the name of John Smith is the commonest in
+the world. Without making any very definite statement, I should say
+that we have over two hundred accounts in the name of Smith, and
+probably a third of them John Smith. I can quite understand your
+anxiety to get on the track of the right man without delay, but that
+could not possibly be done to-night. I could not even get at the
+ledgers without two of the cashiers being present. But I will make it
+a point to be at the bank at ten o'clock to-morrow morning and meet
+you there. It is impossible to do any more to-night."
+
+The inspector nodded his head somewhat sadly. He quite saw the force
+of what Mr. Carrington was saying. He could do no more than make an
+appointment for the following day. He wished Carrington good-night and
+turned to go, followed by Masefield. In the corridor somebody called
+Jack by name. He turned to see a colleague of the junior Bar standing
+before him.
+
+"Hullo!" the latter said, "where did you turn up from? I had an idea
+that you were a friend of Carrington's. Get your coat off and join us
+in a game of bridge." The situation was just a little embarrassing,
+but Carrington came to the rescue. Masefield was dressed for the part,
+so to speak, and would he not remain? There would be dancing
+presently, and----
+
+But Jack decided promptly. He whispered the inspector to precede him
+and wait for him in the cab. Carrington passed on as Jack stood just a
+moment chatting with his old friend and school-fellow.
+
+"I came here to-night on rather important business," he said. "There
+is no occasion to go into that now. But I want you to do something for
+me, my dear fellow. In hunting up one mystery I feel pretty sure that
+I have come on the track of another. There is a deaf and dumb girl
+here--there she is, with that Johnny chap in the resplendent white
+waistcoat. I want you to find out who she is and where she comes
+from."
+
+"That's all right," Richard Rigby responded. "Nice-looking girl, with
+fair hair and dark eyes. Sort of striking theatrical get-up, don't you
+think?"
+
+"Well, now you mention it, perhaps it is rather in that way. But that
+isn't all, Dick; unless I am greatly mistaken, the girl came here with
+a fair chap whose moustache is turned up after the fashion of the
+German Emperor. Find out all about him, too, and I'll look you up at
+your chambers the first thing in the morning. I must not keep my
+friend waiting. Good-night."
+
+Jack passed along the corridor in the direction of the staircase.
+There were many palms and ferns there, with screens behind which
+people could sit and not be seen except by their partners. Jack paused
+with his foot on the thick pile of the carpet, for just in front of
+him was the girl with the southern face and fair hair. Her head was
+still bent low, her fingers were working. What her companion was like
+Jack could not quite make out, for his back was turned. The girl
+looked up at him with a flash of anger in her eyes, her lips moved,
+and sound certainly came from them. Jack could just catch the words.
+
+"Don't drive me too far," she said. "Take care and not drive me too
+far, because----"
+
+The girl suddenly lapsed into silence again and her fingers began to
+work. The couple passed behind a screen of palms and ferns, and Jack
+could see them no more.
+
+"Well, this has been a night and a half," he said. "Where is it going
+to end? I wonder if my friend the inspector will be disposed to accept
+my suggestion?"
+
+The inspector gave Jack's suggestion the most careful attention. He
+had not thought of it before.
+
+"We'll go back to the scene of the murder," Jack said. "There is a
+strong electric light in front of the hoarding, and the Nostalgo
+poster is only a few feet from the ground. Moreover, it has only
+recently been put up, and it is quite clean and fair. Depend upon it,
+there is some trade-mark upon the bill, even if it is only a cipher.
+Of course, you see the importance of finding out who posted that
+bill?"
+
+"Of course, sir. How do you propose to get at the facts?"
+
+"By examining the bill with the aid of a strong magnifying glass. I
+have no doubt that, being a detective, you have such a thing in your
+pocket at the present moment? Good. Then, all you have to do is to
+order the cab to drive to the corner of Panton Street and stop there."
+
+The cab arrived at length and the occupants dismounted. They did not
+take the cab quite as far as the scene of the murder for obvious
+reasons, but walked on there alone. It was quite still now, and
+nobody was about save a passing policeman, who had orders to give
+notice if anybody was coming. It was just as well that the curiosity
+of passers-by should not be aroused.
+
+"Now for it," Jack said, breathing a little faster in his excitement.
+"Perhaps we had better have the assistance of your lantern as well. I
+thought that the poster was there. It was there. I'll swear that that
+is the very spot, just where that picture of the pretty girl taking
+the pills is. Good heavens, man, the poster has _gone!_ It has been
+covered up since we were here before by that mustard advertisement. At
+the hour after midnight the thing has been done. But the right thing
+must be underneath. See! The poster is wet!"
+
+Jack advanced to tear the poster down, but the inspector pulled him
+roughly aside.
+
+"Don't touch it," he said hoarsely. "Whatever you do, don't touch it.
+_Wait!_"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+A VANISHED CLUE.
+
+
+Jack Masefield paused for Inspector Bates to say more. Possibly the
+officer was possessed of some brilliant idea, but after the first
+glance at his face it was easy to see that he was as nonplused as Jack
+himself. It was only the professional caution that spoke; there was no
+illumination at the back of the policeman's brain.
+
+"I had hoped that perhaps you had discerned something," Masefield
+said.
+
+"Not quite that, sir," Bates admitted. "So far I am as much in the
+dark as you are yourself, but my experience is that nothing is to be
+gained by haste. What I mean is that a thoughtless movement often
+destroys a clue of the utmost value. I should like to stand here for a
+moment and consider my position."
+
+Jack drily remarked that there could be no objection to the course
+proposed by Inspector Bates. It was very late now; there was nothing
+to be seen, so that the train of thought of the inspector was not
+likely to be interrupted. He stood facing the great boarded hoarding
+with its wealth of gaudy pictorial advertisements, but his face did
+not lighten, and the moody frown was still on his brow.
+
+"Blessed if I can make anything of it," he said in vexed tones.
+"Here's a man found dead under the most amazing circumstances. There
+seems to be no motive for the crime; nothing has been removed from the
+body so far as we know; the man evidently died where he fell. That he
+was killed I dare say the medical examination will show."
+
+"So far the crime is commonplace and vulgar enough," Jack Masefield
+suggested. "Scores of these things happen in London every year. Some
+are found out, but some remain mysteries to the end of time; but this
+particular crime seems to be peculiarly terrible. First of all, London
+for some time has been doubly attentive to the yellow-faced posters.
+No greater advertising circular has ever appealed to the public.
+Nostalgo is a personality about as great as some of our leading
+actors. Still, nobody has really regarded Nostalgo as a living force,
+and I find him dead on the pavement here right in front of one of his
+own posters. Is that coincidence or an amazing happening?"
+
+"Both, I should say, sir," Bates replied. "An amazing happening in any
+case. But to find the man dead in front of one of his own posters may
+be no more than a coincidence. You see, there are so many Nostalgo
+posters about."
+
+But Jack was loth to give up his point.
+
+"I admit that," he said; "but the particular poster we find up is a
+fresh one. It was more or less shot-marked, as I pointed out to you;
+it was marked much as the body of the dead man was marked. If you
+remember, I suggested examining the poster by means of a magnifying
+glass, in the hope of finding some kind of printer's trade-mark, and we
+come back here for that purpose. We find the poster pasted over with a
+commonplace advertisement of somebody's mustard. Surely that is not
+coincidence. For some reason or other the poster was covered by
+design. It is not the habit of the bill-poster to go about the work at
+midnight."
+
+"Ah, there you are not altogether correct, sir," Bates exclaimed. He
+felt that he was on pretty safe ground now. "The working bill-poster
+is not tied to time. He has a certain amount of work to do, and he
+does it pretty well when he pleases. Sometimes they have to work very
+late. For instance, a stock piece put up at a theatre may prove a
+draw, and the management desire to keep it going for a time. Then
+there is work late at night for some firm of the paste-pot."
+
+"Quite so, inspector; but does that apply to the harmless, necessary
+mustard advertisement?"
+
+"Not directly, perhaps. But suppose there had been a sudden rush of
+new and urgent work, the routine would have fallen behind. Please
+understand that the bill-poster does not career round in a casual way,
+sticking up a poster just where it suits his fancy. All these
+hoardings are rented, and big advertisers contract to have so many
+sheets displayed every week; in fact, it is a most desultory business.
+Depend upon it, the bill-poster who so lately posted up that alluring
+mustard tin had nothing to do with the business."
+
+It was all so logical and conclusive that Jack was compelled to drop
+further argument. At the same time, it seemed rather foolish to stand
+there doing nothing.
+
+"Look here," he said, struck by a sudden idea; "why not pull that
+mustard poster down, and get at the real source of the truth. The
+paper is still wet, and I dare say we might find a ladder behind the
+hoarding. Let us pull it down, and take the whole thing to the
+police-station and examine it at our leisure."
+
+There was no objection to this, as Bates was bound to admit. It was a
+very easy matter to find a way behind the hoarding and secure the
+firmest of many ladders. A short one was sufficient for the purpose,
+and very soon the great sheet that contained the mustard advertisement
+was pulled off the wooden hoarding and lay in a heap on the pavement.
+In the place of it, fresh and strong, was the yellow face of Nostalgo.
+Jack took the inspector's lamp and regarded the poster carefully by
+the magnifying glass. But there was no imprint to be seen, nothing to
+lead to the identity of the firm who printed the placard.
+
+"I can make nothing whatever of it," Masefield was fain to admit at
+last. "There are the shot holes plainly marked, as if somebody had
+used an air-gun or a pea-rifle. Beyond that I can see absolutely
+nothing of the slightest significance. The best thing for us to do is
+to see the contractor who has the job in hand in the morning, and get
+him to saw the poster out of the wooden hoarding for you. The strong
+light of day may make a difference; but I am not as yet absolutely
+satisfied that that mustard poster was placed exactly on the top of
+the yellow face quite by accident."
+
+Bates did not contest the point. He was getting tired and sleepy, and
+it was very late. "Very well," he said, "we will return to the police
+station in Shannon Street and have another look at the dead man. It is
+just possible we may find something there. At the same time, it may be
+just as well to be on the safe side. I'll get one of my men to come
+here and keep an eye on the hoarding to-night. It is on the cards that
+he may see something suspicious. I'll send a plain clothes man here to
+watch."
+
+As Bates blew softly on his whistle a constable turned up and saluted.
+He was to stay where he was until relief came, Bates explained. Then
+he and Jack Masefield went off in the direction of Shannon Street
+station. The place was perfectly quiet; nobody had been brought in
+lately; there was no sign of the tragedy here. In a rack near the
+back, lighted by a skylight some six feet from the ground, lay the
+murdered body of the man with the yellow face. The malignant look had
+gone from his face; he seemed calm and placid. As Jack bent over him
+it seemed to him that there was a movement of the heart. He pointed
+this out to the inspector, who shook his head.
+
+"People not accustomed to these things often make the same mistake,"
+he said. "I have heard witnesses swear that the body of this or that
+man was not bereft of life, and in this belief they have been quite
+certain. Then a doctor comes along and proves beyond a doubt that
+death has taken place perhaps five or six hours before. Muscular
+action is what probably deceives people. That poor fellow is dead
+enough."
+
+Masefield did not argue the matter. It was a sickening business, and
+he felt that he would gladly see the end of it. Not so Bates, who was
+inured to this kind of thing. Very rapidly and skilfully he went over
+the body in search of anything that might be likely to lead to the
+identification of the deceased. But the pockets were doubtless empty;
+there was no watch or chain, or purse, no marking on the linen.
+
+"Not even a laundry mark?" Jack suggested. "If my reasoning is
+correct, a laundry mark has frequently proved of the greatest
+assistance."
+
+"No mark whatever." said Bates. "The shirt, for instance, is of
+ordinary make, the class of thing that one buys ready-made at a shop,
+and which has usually its maker's mark on. There has been a mark of
+some kind on the neck band, but it looks as if it had been blocked out
+with chemicals. See how much whiter and thinner the neck band is. We
+are simply wasting our time here."
+
+Jack said nothing; he could only shake his head sadly. The more the
+mystery came to be probed the more maddening did it become. A close
+investigation of the clothing presented as little result; there was
+nothing even about the boots to prove where they had been made. If the
+man was a criminal, and his general air suggested that, he had taken
+the most amazing precaution to prevent identification in case of
+accidents. Jack looked at the clear, dark features. This was no man to
+take anybody into his confidence. Success or failure, or crime, must
+all be undertaken alike alone and unaided. This face would never
+have led anybody to rejoice with him in good fortune, or sympathize
+with him in failure.
+
+"Well, I think I had better be getting to my rooms," Masefield said.
+"I have given you my name and address. I'll come round to-morrow and
+see if you have made anything out of the poster in the daylight. One
+thing is pretty certain--there should be no difficulty, if a
+determined effort is made, to discover the people who printed the
+picture of the yellow face. There are not many firms in this country
+capable of such work."
+
+"There is the Continent," Bates suggested. "I'm afraid that it will be
+very much like looking for a needle in a hayrick. Still----"
+
+What deep philosophical remark Bates was going to make Masefield was
+not destined to hear, for at the same moment there was the sound of a
+sudden disturbance in the office beyond. The hoarse voice of a
+sergeant was heard demanding to know what this little game meant,
+there was a groan, and the collapse of a heavy body on the floor.
+Bates strode into the office.
+
+"What is all this row about?" he demanded.
+
+"It's Gregory, sir," the sergeant replied. "Went off half-an-hour ago
+on some special work for you, or so he _said_, and here's he back as
+drunk as a lord; regularly collapsed on the floor, he did. It's not
+the first time, either."
+
+A sudden suspicion burst upon Masefield. He knelt by the side of the
+plain clothes man and felt his heart. There was a peculiar red mark
+round the man's neck as if something had been pulled very tightly
+round it.
+
+"The man is no more drunk than I am," Jack said. "He has been
+attacked, and his breath is wholly free from any suspicion of drink.
+Look at that mark round his neck."
+
+Very slowly the prostrate man struggled to a sitting position. When
+the fact had once been ascertained that there was no suggestion of
+intoxication, brandy was administered to him. He had a strange story
+to tell. He was carrying out instructions when suddenly somebody came
+behind him and placed a rope round his neck. Before he could recover
+himself he was partially strangled; he lost consciousness and lay on
+the pavement. When he came to himself again he was quite alone. He had
+managed to struggle back to the station, and once there had collapsed
+on the floor. Robbery was not the motive, for he had lost nothing.
+
+"It's all part of the same mystery," Jack decided. "Something was
+going on behind that hoarding, and the criminals did not want the
+policeman to see. I shall walk back to my rooms that way. No, you had
+better not come along, inspector, in case you are spotted. I shall
+just walk very coolly by and keep my eye on that hoarding.
+Good-night!"
+
+There was nothing more to be done, so Masefield was allowed to depart.
+He had ample food for thought as he walked along the deserted streets.
+He came at length to the great hoarding where the poster had stood. He
+stopped just for a moment, almost too amazed to move; then he forced
+himself to go forward again. _For the striking Nostalgo poster was
+gone. It had been sawn neatly out of the boards of the hoardings
+leaving a blank square eye in its place!_
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+VANISHED!
+
+
+It was not to be supposed that this had happened without attracting
+the Argus eye of the Press. The nightbirds of journalism had been
+hovering about, seeking their prey of sensational copy. They haunted
+the police station with a hope that something might turn up--the hope
+that every reporter has that sooner or later he may happen on a good
+thing that has in it the making of some columns of red-hot descriptive
+matter.
+
+One of them, hungry and lynx-eyed, had seen the body of Nostalgo
+carried to Shannon Street station. There might have been a paragraph
+then; there might have been a column. At any rate, the chance was too
+good to be lost. The reporter was on the best of terms with the police
+for a square mile or so; indeed, his living more or less depended on
+the good fellowship of the local authorities. The sergeant had first
+of all set the ball rolling; the reporter had seen the body; he had no
+difficulty in recognizing the striking likeness between the dead man
+and the poster. Younger men would have rushed off at once and made a
+long paragraph of this, manifolded it, and sent it broadcast along
+Fleet Street.
+
+But not so the old and cunning hand at the game; his instinct told him
+that there was more to come. There was more to come, probably in the
+shape of the shaken Gregory, who presently told the reporter his part
+of the story. This was a case when a cab was justified. Half-an-hour
+later the reporter was closeted with the chief sub-editor of the
+_Daily Planet_, a halfpenny morning paper dealing largely in
+sensations. The sub-editor's eye gleamed as he listened to the
+reporter's story. This was something after his own heart.
+
+"Write two columns of it," he said. "You can use Daly's room. Serve it
+up as hot as you can with plenty of scare heads. We'll give it the
+first place on page five. You had better have a stenographer, as time
+is pressing." Therefore it came about that the half million or so of
+readers of the _Planet_ had the shock at breakfast the following day.
+With its tally of many dazzling sensations, the _Planet_ had never
+been more successful than in this. The thing was admirably done. The
+mystery was puzzling to a degree. Before ten o'clock the following
+morning London was talking of little else. It was discussed in the
+train, on the top of the omnibus, in City offices. The name of
+Nostalgo was on every lip.
+
+The editor-in-chief and the chief shareholder in the _Planet_ Company
+came down to the office very early in the forenoon, an action quite
+unusual with him. But his keen instinct scented a good thing for the
+_Planet_ here. The thing was exclusively his own, and he meant
+to work it to the last ounce. The little man with the bald head and
+gold-rimmed monocle had created a pretty scheme by the time he had
+reached his office. Without loss of time he sent for Mr. Richard
+Rigby. Rigby came in response to the summons. He found journalism more
+remunerative than the Bar.
+
+"This is the best thing we have ever had," Mr. Van Jens said in his
+staccato way. "I'm just going to show the British public what an
+American journalist can do with the thing. It's pretty clear to me
+that the police have blundered, as they always do, and that they
+have got right off the track of the truth. We're going to solve the
+mystery, Rigby, and you're the man I have picked out to do it. In the
+first place, you are a clever actor, and you have pluck. Go about it
+in your own way, and take your own time. Never mind the expense; spend
+£1,000 if necessary. Only get to the bottom of the thing, if it's
+merely to prove to the police that they can't do without the Press. By
+the way, isn't Masefield a friend of yours?"
+
+Rigby admitted that such was the case. He did not pretend to follow
+the quick working of his chief's brain; few men were competent to do
+that. Van Jens was leaning over the _Planet_ in order to read the
+report of the Nostalgo affair.
+
+"I saw Masefield last night," Rigby said. He did not tell Van Jens
+that Jack had met him at Carrington's, for that was a matter
+concerning Masefield alone. "Do you think he is likely to be of any
+assistance to me?"
+
+"It is just possible. You see it was Masefield who actually found the
+body of the man who we call Nostalgo. It is possible also that
+Masefield knows more than our reporter got to find out. You had better
+hint to Masefield that there is a chance of getting a commission from
+us to write a serial for one of our weekly journals--he is in the way
+of doing that kind of thing. Anyway, get him to regard it in a
+favorable light. If you handle the man properly, I feel quite sure
+that he will offer you valuable information."
+
+Rigby nodded. He did not tell Van Jens that Jack Masefield was a close
+friend of his, for that point had nothing to do with Van Jens, who
+regarded Rigby as the typical smart unit of the smart paper, and none
+too scrupulous where men were concerned. As a matter of fact Rigby had
+his code of honor; possibly his chief would not have considered it.
+Come what might, Rigby was not likely to take any advantage of
+Masefield.
+
+"All right," he said; "you may rely upon me to do all that I can. By
+the way, if I am to take this case in hand, I must not be tied as to
+time. I mean, that somebody else must be drafted out to do my regular
+work and--and to say nothing if I don't show up here regularly. I
+think that only fair."
+
+"Only fair, it is," Van Jens replied. "I'll see to all that. And I'll
+leave instructions with the counting house that you are to draw on me
+to the extent of £1,000 if necessary. And now you had better go off to
+Masefield without delay."
+
+It was not yet eleven o'clock, and Rigby felt pretty certain of
+finding Masefield at home. He was perfectly correct in his
+conclusions, for Jack was busy just putting the finishing touches to a
+short magazine story. The morning papers lay in a pile on the table,
+but as yet he had not had time to open them. Rigby helped himself to a
+cigarette.
+
+"Hope I don't intrude," he said. "If I am in the way, kick me out at
+once."
+
+"You are never in the way here, Dick," Masefield smiled. "As a matter
+of fact, I have just passed the last page of this story for the
+_Grasshopper_. It's always a pleasure to sit down and write a story
+when you have a fair commission for it."
+
+"You will soon have plenty of them, my boy," Rigby said cheerfully,
+"especially now that you've got your name in the papers. Seen the
+_Planet_ to-day? You haven't? Well, you are pretty prominent on page
+five, let me tell you. One of our men got hold of that sensational
+Nostalgo business, and then made a picture of it. Just run your eye
+along the report, and tell me what you think of it. Pretty hot, isn't
+it? Now can you tell me anything?"
+
+"Anything fresh in regard to the affair you mean?"
+
+"You've got it first time. As a matter of fact, Van Jens has placed
+the thing in my hands, and I'm to get to the bottom of it if it costs
+the paper £1,000. Van Jens suggested that I should come and see you
+and pump you. The bait to you is a commission for a big serial in one
+of our weeklies. But apart from all that, Jack, I'm quite sure that
+you will be ready to help me for old sake's sake."
+
+"Of course I will," Masefield said heartily. "Really, there is very
+little to tell; your man seems to have got it down very fine. But I
+can tell you all about the shot marks and the missing poster, only you
+must not publish that."
+
+"My dear fellow, you don't quite understand my position. I'm not sent
+as a mere scare writer in this business; I'm more of an amateur
+detective, with a pocket full of money. My task is to beat the police
+at their own game, and prove the superior intellectual force of the
+Press. Then I shall write the whole story, and the _Planet_
+circulation will go up to a million."
+
+"Then I'll tell you all that there is to know," Jack replied. "When I
+have finished my story, I shall have a few questions to ask you. Get
+your note-book out."
+
+Rigby had no cause for complaint on the score of Masefield's
+narrative. In the description of the shot marks and the subsequently
+missing poster he felt that he had conquered a fine point of the
+situation. He took another cigarette, and Jack did the same. "Now I'm
+going to ask you a few questions," the latter said, "and I should not
+be surprised that in replying to my queries we throw some fresh light
+on the object of your search. You will recollect meeting me at
+Carrington's last night?"
+
+"Of course I do. I took you for a fellow quite above that kind of
+thing--playing the amateur detective."
+
+"Notably, as I was in evening dress. As a matter of fact I had been
+dining with Spencer Anstruther, and it was in leaving his house that I
+found the body of the man we had better call Nostalgo. Of course I
+recognized him by the likeness to the poster. Subsequently Inspector
+Bates and myself discovered the name of the firm who posted the
+creation. We went off to see the head of the firm, and he could tell
+us very little, except that the placards came from some John Smith,
+who had an account with the City and Provincial Bank. The latter fact
+accounts for my being at Carrington's last night."
+
+"Exactly. And you asked me to keep my eye on a pretty girl, who was
+deaf, and who had for attendant cavalier a chap with a moustache like
+that of the German Emperor."
+
+"I am coming to that," Masefield went on. "I told you that I had been
+dining with Anstruther. Now these two people left Anstruther's house,
+for I followed them. I will tell you a more striking thing about them
+later on, but I want to have my side of the affair cleared up first.
+Tell me what happened after I left Carrington's with Inspector Bates.
+
+"Well, I kept my eye on these people, as you asked me. I tried to get
+some information about the fair one from Carrington himself, but he
+didn't seem to like the subject. He seemed depressed and a little bit
+uneasy, I thought; said it was a sad case, sort of relation of his,
+and that the man with the moustache was a foreign count or something
+of that sort. I wouldn't press the matter, as it would have been in
+bad taste, you see. But, all the same, I did keep an eye on these
+people, as you asked me, and the end of it was that I followed them
+when they left the house. I don't know what made me do it."
+
+"At any rate I'm glad you acted in that manner," Jack said. "Did they
+go back in the direction of Anstruther's house? Did they take a cab?
+
+"Not in the ordinary acceptance of the word," Rigby explained. "They
+walked as far as the top of Regent Circus, where a private growler was
+waiting. The cab was all black, the driver had a black livery. I could
+not see his face, as it was tied up with a silk handkerchief as if the
+fellow had toothache or something of that kind. The four-wheeler was
+evidently waiting for them, for they got in at once."
+
+"Anybody else inside the cab?" Jack asked.
+
+"By Jove, I was nearly forgetting that!" Rigby exclaimed. "I was just
+flush with the cab as it passed a lamp. There was another figure in
+the cab, a man, and as the light shone on his face I was about
+staggered by his resemblance to the poster of Nostalgo. I only saw the
+face just for an instant, but it is impressed upon my mind as if the
+man were standing before me at this very minute. Singular, was it not?"
+
+Jack nodded dumbly. This was another new departure in the strange
+mystery. For the man seen by Rigby in the black four-wheeler could not
+possibly have been the same Nostalgo that Jack had found, seeing that
+the latter had been lying in Shannon Street some hour or two before
+the time that Rigby was speaking about.
+
+"You did not follow them further, I suppose?" Masefield asked.
+
+"No; I didn't go as far as that. And at the moment I didn't think
+anything as to that Nostalgo business No. 1, so to speak. If I had,
+you may bet your bottom dollar that I should not have lost the
+opportunity. The cab drifted away without any direction being given;
+so I went along, without giving it more consideration, to my club. Eh,
+what?"
+
+Inspector Bates had hurried into the room without ceremony. His face
+was pale and agitated.
+
+"Something strange come out at the inquest?" Jack asked.
+
+"No, sir," Bates gasped, "for the simple reason that there has been no
+inquest. You can't hold an inquest without a body. What do I mean?
+Why, that the body has vanished from the room, leaving not a hint of a
+clue behind!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+NO. 4, MONTROSE PLACE.
+
+
+The inspector stood there with his hand on his heart, as if he had run
+far and fast. So far as Jack could see, Bates was suffering from some
+strong emotion. He flopped down in the chair indicated for him, and
+took Jack's proffered cigarette with a shaking hand. Although his
+feelings were not exactly under the control one would have expected
+from one of the leading lights of Scotland Yard, there was at the same
+time a certain suggestion of grim humor playing about the corners of
+his mouth. Jack looked across at Rigby and smiled significantly.
+
+"Evidently a new development of the case," Jack said, glancing once
+more at his friend. "As a matter of fact, inspector, I have just been
+telling Mr. Rigby all about last night's ghastly business. By the way,
+you will recollect, of course, that Mr. Rigby is my friend whom we met
+at Mr. Carrington's last night. Not to make too long a story of it,
+there are sidelights of this business of which you are not at present
+aware--but all that is beside the point. What I want you to tell me is
+about this disappearance of the body of Nostalgo. Seriously, do you
+want my friend and me to believe that the body of a dead man has
+disappeared from Shannon Street police station right under the eyes of
+the authorities?"
+
+"Well, that is about the size of it," Bates admitted ruefully.
+"Naturally enough, we look forward to important developments at the
+official inquiry. I had a chat late last night with the doctor, who
+seemed to be of the opinion that the dead man had been shot with
+something quite new in the way of a weapon."
+
+"What, do you mean a new projectile or a new sort of small arm?"
+Masefield asked.
+
+"Well, not exactly that," the inspector replied; "but something quite
+new in the way of a missile. There were marks on the breast of our
+unfortunate friend which indicated the presence of a shot of some kind
+that did mortal damage without leaving traces of anything material
+behind."
+
+"Oh, that is all very well, so far as it goes; but what I want to get
+at chiefly is the cause of the disappearance of the body," Rigby put
+in impatiently. "What is the good of trying to establish all sorts of
+new theories when you have not so much as a dead body of the deceased
+man before you? It seems incredible to me that this outrage could have
+been committed in a police station. Was no one about--was the whole
+place deserted, whereby some stranger could have coolly stepped in and
+walked off with the body of a powerful man?"
+
+"Well, that is not so difficult as it might seem," Bates said eagerly.
+"As a matter of fact, our mortuary is merely an outside room which at
+one time had been used as a kitchen. Mr. Masefield will recollect last
+night noticing that the light of the room consisted entirely of a kind
+of skylight. The ceiling is exceedingly low, so that it would be quite
+possible for a tall man to lift the body through and carry it away
+without the least trouble, provided, of course, that he had sufficient
+strength. At any rate, there it is, and we have to make the best of
+it."
+
+"I hope that you have managed to keep this matter from the public so
+far," Masefield said. "I don't think anything will be gained by
+allowing this new sensation to get into the papers. The best thing we
+can do is to come round to Shannon Street with you and see if we can
+lay our hands upon anything in the way of a clue. My friend Mr. Rigby
+has had a lot of experience in amateur detective work; I dare say you
+recollect his success in the matter of the Mortlake coiners, on behalf
+of the _Planet_."
+
+Bates expressed his willingness to fall in with this arrangement. Not
+that he had any particular confidence in amateur detectives generally;
+but he was so bewildered and disheartened at present that anything was
+preferable to his own painful thoughts. The police station was reached
+at length, and a thorough search of the shabby little apartment at the
+back of the office made. But no amount of investigation served to
+throw any light on this new phase of the mystery. It was even as Bates
+had said: with the darkness of the night, and expecting no
+developments of this kind, a bold and unscrupulous character might
+easily have entered the room and taken away anything, however bulky,
+without much chance of detection.
+
+Nothing daunted by the want of success attending his efforts, Rigby
+climbed on to the roof and looked around him. He was particularly
+struck by the deserted area at the back of the police station. It was
+some distance from his coign of vantage to the nearest house. No doubt
+at one time the open space had consisted of fertile gardens, but the
+same space was now given over to arid grass and a few stunted trees--a
+scene of desolation indeed. On the opposite side, some two hundred
+yards away, the backs of a terrace of large houses looked blankly on
+the scene. Rigby, with a new idea entirely in his mind, inquired the
+name of the terrace. Bates smiled with the superior air of the
+professional, and replied that it was Montrose Place.
+
+"And what class of people live there?" Rigby asked.
+
+"Well, rather mixed, I should say," Bates replied. "There was a time,
+not so many years ago, when Montrose Place was quite fashionable. Mind
+you, they're exceedingly good houses, quite good enough for any
+moneyed class; but I understand that the landlord is by no means a
+liberal man, and, as the houses have fallen out of repair, they have
+become void."
+
+Any further information on this head was cut short by the sudden
+calling away of the inspector. It seemed to Masefield that Rigby was
+by no means disposed to mourn for the official's company. He stood
+with his brows bent frowning at the sombre row of houses in front of
+him, but, from the quick working of his hands, Masefield could see
+that his versatile friend's brain was busy.
+
+"I see you have made a discovery," Masefield said quietly. "Would you
+mind telling me what it is?"
+
+Rigby pointed to the fourth house from the end of the terrace. Did
+Masefield notice anything about it peculiar? he asked. But Masefield
+did not see anything about the house at all ominous or suggestive,
+except that the windows were grimy and dirty, and that the erstwhile
+fashionable silk blinds were hanging in tatters like banners behind
+the murky glass.
+
+"But surely you see something?" asked Rigby impatiently. "For
+instance, take the third window on the left over the ledge, which
+probably is that of the bathroom. Don't appear to be looking, and, at
+the same time, keep your eye casually on the window."
+
+With a quickening of his pulses, Masefield glanced up in a vague kind
+of way in the direction of the window. He felt instinctively that in
+some way the deserted house was involved in the disappearance of
+Nostalgo. There was not much time for speculation on this point. Very
+slowly and cautiously the blind was raised, and a haggard face peeped
+out. It was like a picture from some old print, this strange weird
+yellow face behind the grimy glass. So thick was the murky dust upon
+the casement that it was impossible at so short a distance to decide
+whether the features were those of a man or a woman. Anyway, the face,
+if it were that of a man, was clean-shaven, the pale head half hidden
+behind a tangle of thick black hair. It was only for a moment that
+this weird face presented itself to the eager eyes of the spectators
+below; an instant later and the whole phantom had vanished.
+
+"Now, what do you think of that?" Rigby asked eagerly. "Don't you
+agree with me that this strange apparition has something to do with
+the story? Now, supposing you or I had some powerful inducement for
+getting hold of the missing body, could we find a better place to work
+from than that deserted house?"
+
+"Provided always that it is deserted," Masefield said guardedly.
+"Don't let's go quite so fast. Surely your own experience must have
+taught you what strange creatures one often sees as caretakers in good
+houses?"
+
+"So much the better for me," Rigby replied. "If you are correct in
+your suggestion, it will make my task all the more easy; for, come
+what may, I am going to see the whole inside of that place before I
+sleep to-night."
+
+Rigby walked back into the police station with the air of a man who
+has said his last word on the matter. It was no advantage to him,
+working as he was on behalf of his own newspaper, to mention his
+discovery to Bates. Possibly Masefield's common-sense view of the
+problem might have been the correct one, after all, in which case
+Bates would have had the laugh of his unprofessional ally. But Bates
+had evidently been called out on other business, so that there was no
+occasion to say anything to him at all. Declining to return to
+Masefield's rooms and there discuss the matter further over tea, Rigby
+went thoughtfully back to the office of the _Planet_. He dined alone
+at his club, lingering till about ten o'clock over the evening papers,
+and then proceeded on his way to Montrose Place by the somewhat
+circuitous route of Covent Garden.
+
+But there was more method in Rigby's madness than met the eye. The
+sleek, well-groomed barrister and journalist who entered the shop of
+Jonas the costumier shortly after ten o'clock, emerged a little before
+eleven carefully and effectually disguised as a seller of newspapers.
+Then, with the fag-end of a cigarette of doubtful quality in his
+mouth, he slouched along towards his destination.
+
+Montrose Place from a front view was considerably more prepossessing
+than the similar outlook that presented itself from the back. At least
+half the houses were tenanted by people of means, judging from the
+neatness of the blinds and the amount of light displayed in the
+various windows. Yet, at the same time, it was quite evident that
+Bates' estimate was fairly correct.
+
+The first three houses in the terrace bore plates of highly polished
+brass, testifying to the fact that doctors were not lacking in the
+locality. No. 4, however, stood out in marked contrast to its
+neighbors. There was no chance of Rigby's presence there exciting
+undue suspicion, for there was not a soul to be seen in the terrace.
+
+Emboldened by this fact, Rigby had no hesitation in lighting a vesta
+and making a comprehensive examination of the door-steps. They were
+dirty enough in all conscience; no housemaid had knelt there for many
+months or even years past; but Rigby's sharp eyes did not fail to note
+the fact that some one more than once recently had left footprints on
+the grimy flags. They were not dearly indented footprints; indeed,
+there was a misty hesitation about them which at first puzzled the
+amateur detective exceedingly.
+
+He struck another match after looking cautiously up and down the
+terrace. Nobody was in sight; the precaution was quite unnecessary;
+the blue flame picked out the misty footprints grimed into the filthy
+steps, and then Rigby understood. Whoever made those marks had been
+wearing rubber-soled shoes.
+
+"And new shoes at that," Rigby muttered to himself. "I can see the
+pattern in the centre of the sole clearly indented now. And the
+prints go and come up and down the steps quite regularly. Now, the
+fact that somebody comes here and wears new rubber shoes makes it
+clear that the wearer has been here very recently. It is also evident
+that the wearer wears rubber-soled tennis shoes so as to make no
+noise. I feel pretty certain that I am going to learn something now."
+
+But Rigby was a little too sanguine. In the first place, he had to
+gain admission to the house, the front door of which was locked. It
+was perhaps a significant fact that, though the lock of the door was
+green with rust, the edge of the rim of the hole where the latch-key
+indented was bright and clear at the edges.
+
+"Evidently used regularly," Rigby went on. "Now, the ordinary
+caretaker does not usually sport a latch-key; he or she generally uses
+the area door. I should not wonder if the area window was open; I'll
+try it."
+
+The area window was not open, but the loose catch had been carelessly
+pushed to. The blade of a stout penknife sufficed to prize the catch,
+and a moment later Rigby was in the housekeeper's room, safe from all
+outside observation.
+
+There was no sign of life here; no vestige of it on the stairs leading
+to the big rooms overhead. Rigby could not but notice what a fine
+house it was; the last tenant had evidently been lavish in the way of
+decorations. With a match in his hand carefully shaded from the
+window, Rigby crept up the stairs. He could see in the dust lying
+there the constantly repeated footprint of the rubber shoe, indicating
+that the owner of that shoe was in the habit of spending a great deal
+of time there.
+
+But now, so far as he could judge, the house was absolutely deserted.
+He tried door after door softly, and each yielded to his touch,
+revealing gloom and desolation and dirt by the faint light of the
+vesta. As each stump burned low Rigby carefully dropped the end of it
+in his pocket. He was conscious of a feeling of disappointment. Almost
+before he was fully cognizant of that feeling he paused in an attitude
+of rigid attention. Something like the sound of a smothered cough
+struck on his ear; it seemed to him that he could hear somebody
+approaching. The stair creaked, and Rigby drew back into a doorway.
+
+He was not mistaken. Somebody was coming up the stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+THE CHOPIN FANTASIE.
+
+
+It was nearly two hours later before Rigby crept cautiously down the
+steps and emerged by the way in which he had entered the house. The
+street as before was absolutely deserted; so far as Rigby could see he
+might have been in a city of the dead. Despite his disguise and the
+artistic make-up of his grimy face, an acute spectator would not have
+failed to notice the agitation of his features. He crept with
+trembling footsteps to the roadway, and clung to the railings with a
+swaying air of one who has seen things the tongue refuses to describe.
+Then his natural courage, fanned by the cool air of the evening and
+the sense of being no longer isolated, returned with virile force to
+him. Mechanically he fumbled in his rags and produced from a breast
+pocket a silver cigarette-case, that might have got him into serious
+trouble if a lynx-eyed policeman had been near at hand.
+
+"Well, I have seen some queer things in my time, but, as the poet
+says, 'never aught like this,'" Rigby said, with teeth that chattered
+a little. "I really must have one of my own cigarettes."
+
+Despite his excitement, Rigby was conscious that he ought to be just a
+little ashamed of himself. He had always prided himself upon the fact
+that his nerves were perfectly under control and that nothing ever put
+him out, otherwise he would not have occupied the position he did at
+the _Planet_ office. He began to feel the effect of the cool night
+air, which braced him like a tonic. As he stood there waiting for
+something--though he would have found it difficult to say what--a
+policeman came slowly down the street. Rigby stooped and pretended to
+be busy with his stock of papers.
+
+Some spirit of mischief moved him to chaff the representative of the
+law, and at the same time test to the utmost the disguise that he was
+wearing.
+
+"Paper, sir?" he asked. "All the winners--horrible murder in Grosvenor
+Square. Ain't you going to buy one?"
+
+Apparently the officer was one of the good-tempered sort, for he only
+smiled, and in a more or less gruff voice ordered the news-vender to
+move on.
+
+"Just waiting for my pal, sir," Rigby explained. "I have never come
+down this street before, an' I'll take good care never to come down
+here again. Why, half these houses seem to be empty. Look at that show
+opposite. 'Ow long since anybody has lived there?"
+
+"Before I came on the beat, anyway," the policeman explained. "Do you
+want to take one?"
+
+With a laugh at his own pleasantry the policeman stalked off down the
+street, leaving Rigby easier in his mind and quite satisfied that his
+disguise would stand any ordinary test.
+
+He leaned against the area railings absolutely undecided as to what to
+do next. With a certain new caution almost amounting to cowardice--a
+feeling of which he would be ashamed at any other time--Rigby turned
+his back upon the man who was advancing down the street. At the same
+time, so full was he of the horrors that he had lately witnessed, the
+amateur detective quite forgot the fragrant cigarette so out of
+keeping with his character. The stranger pulled up and, crossing the
+pavement, tapped Rigby familiarly on the shoulder.
+
+"You are not so clever as you think you are," the stranger remarked
+coolly. "You may be a very smart chap, Dick, and I may be a very dull
+one, but I have certainly sufficient brains to know that the average
+newspaper tout does not smoke Turkish cigarettes. Besides, after our
+conversation this morning, I felt pretty certain that you would make
+an attempt to get inside that house."
+
+Rigby laughed in a way that suggested that his nerves were in a
+considerably frayed condition.
+
+"So that's you, Jack," he said, with a sigh of relief. "Yes, you are
+quite right; in fact, I told you I should not rest to-night until I
+had seen the inside of that house."
+
+"And did the expedition come up to expectations?" Masefield asked
+eagerly.
+
+"My dear fellow, I have had some weird experiences in my time, but I
+would not go through the last hour again for the wealth of the Indies.
+In fact, if I tell you what I've seen, you would set me down for a
+doddering lunatic."
+
+The look of self-satisfaction on Jack's face faded away. He shivered
+with a strange weird feeling, that strange presentiment of something
+dire about to happen. Again, why should he doubt the fact that
+something terribly out of the common had happened to Rigby after his
+own amazing experiences?
+
+With his hand on the arm of his friend, he walked abstractedly the
+whole of the terrace. Here a great arc light threw a stream of pallid
+blue upon the motley coloring displayed upon a big hoarding. In the
+centre of the hoarding, well displayed, was the terrible placard
+disclosing the grinning features of Nostalgo.
+
+"By Heaven!" Jack exclaimed, "there is no getting away from the
+features of that grinning devil. I know as well as if I had seen it
+down in black and white that the awful experiences which have so
+changed you lately have to do with that yellow face."
+
+"I am not going to deny it," Rigby replied; "and, what is more, I am
+not going to tell you what I have seen in the last two hours--at
+least, not at present. And now tell me, to change the subject, what is
+your private opinion of Spencer Anstruther?"
+
+To say that Jack was taken aback by the suddenness of the question
+would be a mistake. It will be remembered that on the occasion
+Masefield last dined with Anstruther he had pointed out to Claire the
+amazing likeness between Nostalgo and her guardian. Not that it was
+possible for anybody to notice this except when Anstruther was moved
+to great emotion; but the fact remained. And now to find that Rigby's
+mind was so strangely moved in the same train of thought was, to say
+the least of it, disturbing.
+
+"What do you mean by asking that question?" Jack said guardedly.
+
+"For goodness' sake do not let us have any of this unnecessary caution
+between friends like ourselves," Rigby said, with great feeling.
+"Believe me, my dear friend, I am not asking this question out of idle
+curiosity. As man to man, is he a magnificent genius or the greatest
+criminal the world has ever seen?"
+
+Thus put to it, Jack had no hesitation; indeed, he could have had no
+hesitation in replying to such a direct question as this.
+
+"I am going to speak quite candidly to you," he said. "As you are
+perfectly well aware, knowing the man quite as well as I do, he is,
+like most geniuses, an exceedingly poor man. At the same time, unlike
+most geniuses, he is as unscrupulous as he is clever. I have more than
+an idea that he could tell us all about this affair, but I prefer to
+pose as a person who has come into it by accident, and who is only
+languidly interested. I have had some hesitation in mentioning my
+estimate of Anstruther's character to his ward, but I feel very uneasy
+so far as Claire is concerned. I know for a fact that Anstruther is
+painfully hard up; really, there are times when his financial straits
+are absolutely desperate. This being so, it has occurred to me more
+than once that Claire's money must be a strong inducement to prevent
+her marrying, for instance, myself."
+
+"That is by no means a remote contingency," Rigby suggested drily.
+
+"My dear fellow, to be perfectly frank with you, Miss Helmsley and
+myself have been engaged for the past two years. Mind you, this is a
+dead secret. I have a presentiment, call it foolish if you like, that
+the announcement of this fact to Anstruther will be the first moment
+of real danger for Claire. But why do you so suddenly spring this
+question upon me?"
+
+By way of reply Rigby drew his companion into the comparative shadow
+of a doorway. He had hardly done so before another figure came
+jauntily down the street--a tall, slim figure which seemed strangely
+familiar to Masefield.
+
+"The whole place seems to reek of Anstruther to-night," Jack said, "or
+perhaps it is my disordered imagination. But if that is not Anstruther
+himself, my eyesight strangely deceives me."
+
+"If you knew as much as I do, or you had learned what I have learned
+the last hour, you would not be surprised," Rigby said. "However, we
+will soon settle that. I'll just step across the road and try and sell
+him a paper." Before Jack could lay a detaining hand on the arm of his
+friend, Rigby was half way across the street. In the approved raucous
+voice of the tribe, the amateur news-vender tendered Anstruther an
+_Echo_. He waved the offer aside, and made his way down the street
+with the air of one who has a definite object in view. With a whine
+artistically uttered, Rigby fell back upon the doorway in which
+Masefield was concealed.
+
+"Anstruther beyond all shadow of doubt," Rigby said triumphantly.
+"Now, I am not a betting man, but I will lay you any odds in reason
+that our interesting friend enters No. 4. Ah, what did I tell you?"
+
+Surely enough, Anstruther paused in his stride before the dilapidated
+door of No. 4. With one swift glance up and down the street to make
+certain that he was not observed, he drew a latch-key from his pocket
+and disappeared within the dingy portals. On the still night air the
+click of the latch-key and the muffled banging of the door could be
+heard all down the road. Rigby drew a sigh of relief.
+
+"Well, I think that'll do for to-night," he said. "I reckon I have had
+just about as much as my nerves will stand. No, I am not going to tell
+you anything, and I have no stomach for further adventures this
+evening. I am going straight to bed, to sleep if I can. Come around
+and see me to-morrow afternoon."
+
+But curious as he was, and anxious also as he was, Jack was forced to
+decline the proffered invitation. Besides, he had promised to take
+Claire to a matinee concert at the Albert Hall, to hear a new
+violinist who so far had only performed twice before in England.
+Signor Padini had come to the metropolis with a marvelous reputation,
+but so far he had hardly fulfilled expectations. Still, it was not the
+habit of music-lovers like Claire and Masefield to accept a verdict of
+this kind at second-hand. Therefore they had determined to hear the
+new virtuoso for themselves.
+
+Not that any thoughts of a harmonious and musical kind were running in
+Jack's mind as he walked home to-night. Try as he would, he could not
+dismiss the idea that some grave peril was impending, and that Claire
+was likely to be the central figure of the tragedy. But it is the
+blessed privilege of youth to throw off the haunting cares and doubts
+that assail their elders, and Jack suffered little on the ground of
+sleeplessness that night.
+
+All the same, the haunting fears were with him again on waking in the
+morning.
+
+But perhaps Claire noticed something of this, for she put the direct
+question to her lover when he called on her the next afternoon. Yet
+Jack had no intention of saying anything for the present. He began to
+speak somewhat hurriedly of the new violinist, Signor Padini, and so
+the conversation lasted till the Albert Hall was reached.
+
+There was nothing particularly attractive in the concert generally,
+and both waited somewhat impatiently for the foreigner to appear. He
+came at length, tall, slim, and clean-shaven, and Claire noticed with
+an amused smile that for once she was in the presence of a master who
+eschewed long hair. She turned and whispered something to this effect
+to Jack, who did not appear to be listening.
+
+"Now, where have I seen that fellow before?" he muttered. "Call me
+foolish if you like, say this man is an absolute stranger to England
+if you please; but I am absolutely prepared to swear that his face is
+quite familiar to me."
+
+But perhaps it was merely a chance likeness, Claire suggested. She was
+far too interested in the musician to take much heed of what Jack
+said. Evidently this man knew his business to his finger-tips; the way
+in which he handled his bow would have proved that to any critic.
+Claire glanced down the programme; and no sooner did the wild sweeping
+music come streaming from the strings than the whole audience thrilled
+responsive to the master's touch. He was not, after all, playing the
+piece standing against his name on the programme, but the peculiar
+weird and mournful rhapsodie of Chopin's that Jack had heard
+Anstruther interpreting two nights before. He leaned back; his eyes
+were half closed with a strange sensation that he was listening to
+Anstruther now. He turned to suggest something of this to Claire, and
+to his surprise he noticed that her face was paler than his own.
+
+"Does anything strike you?" he whispered. "Have you a feeling, like
+myself, of having gone through all this before?"
+
+"Dreadful!" Claire shuddered. "I know exactly what you mean. It is the
+same, precisely the same, as if my guardian had crept inside the body
+of Padini---- There! Did you notice that particular slur, that strange
+half hesitation? I declare, I feel certain that this Padini was in my
+guardian's study the other night. Jack, you must get at the bottom of
+this; there is some mystery here which we must solve, and that without
+delay."
+
+Jack rose from his seat and buttoned his coat firmly about him.
+
+"Ay," he said, "a deeper mystery than you are aware of. Stay here
+while I go behind the stage. I am going to see Signor Padini, and get
+to the bottom of this business at any cost."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+THE MAN WITH THE FAIR MOUSTACHE.
+
+
+Claire sat there, her mind half on her music and half on the
+extraordinary conduct of her lover. Not that she did not trust him
+implicitly; but, still, it seemed strange that he should have gone off
+without explaining the cause of his agitation.
+
+Some one next to her touched her on the elbow and asked a question as
+to an item on the programme. The question was repeated twice before
+Claire realized that she would have to pull herself together. She
+replied quite at random; then she looked about her, and became
+cognizant of the fact that Padini was still on the stage, bowing his
+acknowledgments of the thunderous applause which had greeted his
+magnificent efforts.
+
+Yet a closer glance did not serve to show Claire anything sinister in
+the artist's personality. He was pale and clean-shaven, palpably very
+nervous, and yet pleased with the warmth of his reception. Surely
+there could have been no mystery connected with a man like this.
+
+On the other hand, the marvelous likeness between his playing and the
+execution in the same piece displayed by Anstruther two nights ago
+could not possibly be overlooked by any one professing to any musical
+knowledge at all. Claire hoped that the inevitable encore would
+produce a repetition of the same piece.
+
+Surely enough, Padini came forward and struck the opening bars of the
+same rhapsodie. With eyes closed and mind eagerly concentrated on the
+music, Claire followed every passage with rapt attention. There was no
+longer any possibility of mistake. The Padini interpretation of the
+piece was exactly that of Anstruther. Was Anstruther, therefore, a
+consummate master of his art or a showy humbug or charlatan? Could it
+have been possible that this new artist had been concealed in the
+Panton Square library two nights before? But, on the face of it, this
+was absolutely impossible. Padini had only been in England a little
+over eight and forty hours, and his first appearance in London had
+been at a musical "at home" on the same night that Anstruther had
+played the Nocturne in Panton Square.
+
+Claire was still debating this problem in her mind when Jack returned
+to his seat. He looked a little pale and shaky, but the grim smile on
+his face was determined enough. "My dearest girl, I am going to ask
+you a little favor," Jack whispered. "I hope you won't think it the
+least rude of me, but I want you to excuse me going back with you.
+Can't you guess that there is something more than meets the eye here?"
+
+"I should be very blind indeed if I did not," Claire replied. "Jack,
+what is the meaning of this strange mystery? Either Signor Padini was
+at our house the other night, or my guardian learned to play that
+rhapsodie after having had lessons from the man on the platform before
+us."
+
+"I may be wrong, of course," Jack said, "but I feel pretty sure that I
+have guessed the problem. That is why I want you to go off by
+yourself, and leave me to play the detective so far as Padini is
+concerned. It is not altogether a pleasant job, but I am going to
+follow that fellow when he leaves the Hall."
+
+So saying, Jack rose from his seat, and Claire obediently followed his
+example. Once outside, Jack called a cab, and gave the driver his
+instructions.
+
+"I think that will be all right," he said. "You may expect me to come
+round after dinner, my darling girl. I hope you are not in the least
+annoyed with me; but there is danger ahead for you and me, and it is
+my duty to prevent it at all hazards. I declare if I had not almost
+forgotten one of the most important things I had to say to you. On no
+account are you to breathe a word of this afternoon's visit to your
+guardian. He is not to know that you have been with me or anybody else
+to the Albert Hall to-day."
+
+Claire glanced at the pale, anxious face of her lover and gave the
+desired assurance. She felt perfectly safe in his hands; he would tell
+her all there was to be told in due course; and now for the first time
+she congratulated herself on the fact that her engagement had been
+kept a secret from Anstruther.
+
+Meanwhile Jack had returned to the back of the Hall. So far as he
+could recollect, Padini was down on the programme for no further item
+that afternoon, therefore it was only a matter of waiting till the
+violinist emerged, and following him to his destination. But Jack had
+succeeded in consuming three cigarettes without any sign of the artist
+rewarding his patience. Taking half-a-crown from his pocket, he
+crossed the road and proceeded to interview the stage-door keeper.
+
+"Oh, that foreign-looking chap, is it?" the stage-door guardian said.
+"Signor Somebody or other who plays the fiddle. Why, he's been gone
+the last ten minutes."
+
+"Gone!" Jack exclaimed, with palpable dismay. "Why, I have been
+watching most carefully for him the last half-hour. Was he wrapped up
+or shawled in any way?"
+
+Whilst Jack still stood arguing there a slim young man, with fair
+moustache turned upwards _à la_ German Emperor, passed and repassed
+him hurriedly. The stranger passed into a smartly appointed hansom and
+vanished.
+
+"Well, there's your man," the doorkeeper exclaimed. "He must have
+forgotten something and returned for it."
+
+Jack muttered his thanks, parted with his half-crown, and went into
+the roadway thoroughly puzzled. He could not for a moment doubt the
+word of the doorkeeper, who was naturally an expert in a recognition
+of faces. As a matter of fact, the man with the turned-up moustache
+was the same individual who had been so mysteriously concealed in
+Panton Square, and who had afterwards accompanied the deaf-mute girl
+to Mr. Carrington's. On the stage Padini had appeared as a slight,
+slim man, whose face was absolutely devoid of hair.
+
+Jack stood thoughtfully in the middle of the road, wondering what to
+do next. His first idea was to go at once and look up Rigby. He must
+have been standing there a great deal longer than he had imagined, for
+presently he saw the smart hansom return and take its place on the
+rank. Here was a slice of luck indeed. Jack crossed over and hailed
+the hansom.
+
+"Here, I want you to drive me to the office of the _Planet_," he said.
+"I suppose you know where that is. Do you want to earn an extra
+half-sovereign?"
+
+"That's the way I was educated." said the cabman, with a grin. "Oh, my
+last fare, is it? Well, I can easily answer that question. Gent with
+the cocked-up moustache. I have just driven him to 5, Panton Square."
+
+Jack stepped into the hansom, feeling that luck was entirely on his
+side. He knew now that he was on the track of something more than mere
+coincidence. For 5, Panton Square was no less a place than the
+residence of Spencer Anstruther, Claire's guardian. Here was proof
+positive that Padini, the violinist, a perfect stranger to London, was
+at any rate on terms of friendship with Anstruther. There was nothing
+for it now but to seek out Rigby and tell him all that had happened
+without delay. Rigby was found in his room at the _Planet_ office,
+mournfully drawing skeletons on a sheet of blotting-paper. He nodded
+thoughtfully as Jack came in; then, catching sight of the latter's
+eager face, asked what was in the wind.
+
+"I have been making discoveries galore," Jack responded. "You would
+hardly expect me to do that through the medium of an afternoon
+concert; but there it is. You have heard of this new violinist, Signor
+Padini, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh, yes," Rigby said indifferently. "Well, a typical class of foreign
+boomster, I suppose."
+
+"That is not the point," Jack proceeded to explain. "You will
+recollect what I told you about the empty study in Anstruther's house
+from which the music proceeded in that strange, unaccountable manner.
+Naturally, I thought the player was Anstruther himself--Anstruther
+wonderfully improved or inspired beyond all recognition; but now I
+know that such was not the case. Dick, there is something devilish in
+this strange business--the empty room, the unearthly music, the
+strange appearance of that young man with his deaf-mute companion,
+followed so closely by the death of Nostalgo. What does it all mean?"
+
+"I will give a thousand pounds to know," Rigby responded.
+
+"Well, I think I can tell you," Jack went on. "You will recollect the
+night before last, during our chance meeting at Carrington's, that I
+asked you to keep an eye on a young man with moustache turned up _à
+la_ German Emperor. Would you be surprised to hear that this young man
+was no less a person than Signor Padini?"
+
+"Impossible!" Rigby exclaimed. "How could you prove such a statement?"
+
+"Well, I am going to prove it, anyway. Together with Miss Helmsley I
+went to hear Padini this afternoon. By some strange freak of fate he
+had chosen Chopin's Rhapsodie in F as his item on the programme.
+Directly he began to play my mind went back to that strange, weird
+music in Anstruther's study. It was not I alone who noticed this
+subtle resemblance; in fact, Claire recognized it as soon as I did.
+Mind you, every musician of note has his little tricks and fancies
+which are absolutely peculiar to himself. When I shut my eyes, I could
+literally hear Padini playing in Anstruther's house.
+
+"I sent Claire home in a cab, and proceeded to wait till Padini
+left the Albert Hall. I missed him, of course, for Padini was a
+clean-shaven man on the stage. As a matter of fact, he must be a very
+conceited creature, seeing that in private life he wears a fair
+moustache. I got that from the doorkeeper; but, what is more to the
+point, the cabman who drove me here is the same man who half-an-hour
+ago dropped Padini at Anstruther's house. Now, I would like to know
+what you make of that."
+
+Rigby listened thoughtfully to all that Jack had had to say. The
+significance of the revelations was not lost upon him.
+
+"And yet, I dare say, Anstruther would deny any knowledge of Padini if
+you asked him," he said. "Still, we know a great deal, and, clever as
+Anstruther is, he cannot possibly conceive the fact that we are so
+closely acquainted with his movements. Let's go and call upon the
+beggar, shall we? Pretend that we want to consult him on some matter
+of business. Anything will do. Did you keep your cab?"
+
+"Well, yes; it occurred to me that we might want him again, and,
+besides, the driver can prove that he left Padini at 5, Panton
+Square."
+
+Panton Square was reached at length; the cabman had been discreetly
+dropped at the corner of the street. Jack rang the bell, which was
+answered by Serena. In the full light of the afternoon sunshine her
+strange, inscrutable face looked more haggard and strange than usual.
+There was the same furtive droop of her eyelids, the same pitiable
+shake of her hands, that suggested the beaten hound, that Jack had so
+often noticed before. He would have given much, as a writer of stories
+himself, to have known the secret history of this woman. Docile and
+tame as she appeared to be, she was still capable of passionate
+emotion, or the dilatation of her black pupils spoke falsely. Though
+she was meek and friendly enough, there was ever a suggestion that she
+was on her guard.
+
+"Your master in?" Rigby asked breezily. "But we know that he is. Don't
+you trouble about us; we will go to the study ourselves."
+
+Serena stood there as if something gripped her throat and choked her
+utterance.
+
+"But my master is not at home." she protested. "He has not been at
+home all day; neither do I know what time to expect him to-night. I
+fancy he is out of town altogether."
+
+"That's rather awkward," Rigby said. "We came here on business,
+expecting to meet a friend of ours. I suppose you have seen nothing of
+him--a tall, slim young man, with rather a fierce type of moustache?"
+
+"There has been no visitor calling here to-day," Serena replied, with
+the air of one who repeats a well-learned lesson. "I am the only
+servant in the house at present, and should have known if anybody had
+called."
+
+Jack did not dare to glance at his companion, feeling that those dark,
+interrogating eyes were fixed upon his face. A sudden impulse moved
+Jack; he decided upon trying the effect of a swift surprise. He tapped
+the woman familiarly on the shoulder.
+
+"Come, come," he said, with a jocular ring in his voice. "Do you mean
+to tell me that you have not had a visit to-day from Signor Padini?"
+
+A stifled cry broke from the woman; she clenched her hands in an
+attitude of pain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+WHAT DID SHE KNOW?
+
+
+Nothing was said for a full minute. Serena stood there, gazing from
+one to the other as a child might do who finds herself in the presence
+of two harsh taskmasters. There was something pitiable about her
+hopelessness; the fighting glint had left her eyes; she stood there
+downcast and shaking as a slave might do.
+
+"I am afraid I do not understand what you mean," the woman said.
+
+In a way Jack was feeling very sorry for Serena. Ever since he had
+known Anstruther and been a friend of the household the woman had held
+a certain subtle fascination for him. Though Jack had not made as yet
+much progress in the paths of literature, he had all the quick
+dramatic feeling which is essential to the making of a successful
+novelist.
+
+It had often occurred to him that so mysterious a figure as Serena
+would have made a splendid character for a strong novel. He watched
+the woman carefully now; he saw how her breast was heaving, and what a
+great fight she was making to keep her emotions under control.
+
+"I am afraid I must press you for an answer," Jack said. "Signor
+Padini can be nothing to you, and yet you start and cry out when his
+name is mentioned as if I had struck you a blow. Now, tell me, was the
+man I speak of a visitor to this house last night? What time did he
+come?"
+
+"My master's business is my master's business," Serena said sullenly.
+"He tells me nothing--he tells nobody anything. And who am I, a humble
+servant like me, to ask questions of my master?"
+
+Rigby shrugged his shoulders hopelessly. He began to see that there
+was nothing to gain here. He nodded to Jack and half turned away. But
+Jack was not to be so easily suppressed.
+
+"But, surely," he urged, "you would be doing no harm in telling us if
+a foreign gentleman called here last night?"
+
+"I will tell you nothing," Serena cried. "Why do you come and bully a
+poor woman like this?"
+
+And yet, at the same time, though Jack knew how faithful she was to
+her master, he could not but feel that she was not antagonistic to
+Claire and himself. With a sudden impulse he pushed his way into the
+hall, followed by Rigby.
+
+"We all make mistakes sometimes," he said. "Now, are you quite sure
+you have made no mistake about your master? Mr. Anstruther is a law
+unto himself; he comes and goes as he likes, and it is just possible
+that he might have returned without you being aware of the fact. There
+is nothing to be frightened about; we are not here to murder him for
+the sake of his Apostle spoons."
+
+As Jack ceased to speak he made a swift sign to Rigby behind the
+woman's back, and the latter understood. He would go off to the
+library and see for himself if Anstruther had returned. As the hall
+door closed behind him, Serena rushed impulsively forward and threw
+herself headlong at Jack's feet. Her attitude had entirely changed;
+she was no longer the half-dumb slave of circumstance, no longer a
+mere machine answering to the call of her master, but a living,
+palpitating woman. The change was so quick, so dramatic and
+unexpected, that Jack had no voice of protest left to him.
+
+"For heaven's sake, do not do it!" Serena whispered hoarsely; "and, if
+not that, for your own sake I implore you to stay your hand. Oh, I am
+not so blind and foolish as you think--I am not the dull, stupid
+creature that my master takes me to be. You can deceive him where love
+and honor are concerned, but you cannot blind my eyes, because I have
+loved, alas! too well myself. Do not think that I pry and watch, for
+such is not my nature. And yet I know as well as if you had told me in
+so many words that Miss Claire and yourself are something more than
+friends. I cannot speak more plainly because I dare not; but if you
+would save the girl you love from the terrible danger that hangs over
+her, you will be blind to all that goes on in this dreadful house."
+
+The words which had begun so hoarsely and quietly came at the finish
+with the torrential force of a mountain stream. Surprised as he had
+been, Jack's self-possession had not quite deserted him. Hitherto he
+had regarded the silent Serena as an old woman, but now that her face
+was transformed and glowing with emotions he could see that she was
+still comparatively young. He could see also, and the fact gave him a
+vague sense of satisfaction, that this woman's sympathies were
+entirely with Claire and himself.
+
+"Will you get up, please?" he said, and his own voice was just a
+little shaky. "It is not right for a woman to kneel to a man like
+that. Serena, you are not what you seem. You are not a servant in the
+ordinary acceptation of the word; you spoke just now like a refined
+and educated woman. You may say that is no business of mine, and,
+indeed, I do not wish to pry into your past, but you must see that
+this matter cannot possibly stop here. You denied just now that Signor
+Padini had been here at all. You denied the presence of your master,
+and yet I can hear his voice on the other side of the study door at
+this moment. You will perhaps also deny that you heard of No. 4,
+Montrose Place."
+
+It was merely a bow drawn at a venture, but the shaft seemed to strike
+home to the feather. Serena had risen painfully and slowly to her
+knees; she staggered back against the table and contemplated Jack with
+dilated eyes.
+
+"Oh, you have gone further than I dreamed." she moaned. "You are a
+strong, masterful man, and I see now that nothing I can say will turn
+you from your purpose."
+
+"Since you have made up your mind to that," Jack said grimly, "perhaps
+you had better be candid with me and tell me all you know. For some
+time past I have felt a strong conviction that Anstruther is no better
+than a consummate scoundrel. Discreet as he is, I have come to the
+conclusion that this is no house for Miss Helmsley. I am quite certain
+that you would find both of us more sincere friends than the man you
+call your master. Why not, therefore, leave him and throw in your lot
+with us?"
+
+The woman wrung her hands piteously; Jack could see the tears rolling
+down her face.
+
+"Oh, if I only could--if I only dared." she whispered; "and yet I
+cannot, even if it were only for your sakes. If you only knew what was
+hanging over you--but I must say no more. When that man comes to me,
+when I stand before him with his eyes looking into mine, I am
+compelled to give him up the secrets of my very soul. I wish from the
+bottom of my heart that----"
+
+Serena clutched at her throat with a quivering hand, as if something
+choked her, and rushed impulsively from the room. She had said
+nothing, and yet she had said so much. Her very reticence, her
+hesitation to speak definitely against her master, had proved
+conclusively to Jack what a consummate scoundrel Anstruther was. He
+was still debating the matter in his mind when Rigby came back to him.
+The latter did not speak; instead of that, he took Jack by the arm and
+piloted him quietly and firmly to the front door. They were in the
+street before Jack could ask the meaning of this cautious conduct.
+
+"One can't be too cautious in a case like this," Rigby explained. "It
+was just as I had expected. Anstruther was at home; he, indeed, had
+not been out all day, which fact was proved by his still being in
+dressing-gown and slippers. Our usually self-contained friend had
+either been dissipating last night or he has had disturbing news; at
+any rate, he was very pale and shaky, and did not seem in the least
+pleased to see me. Not that I think that he was in the least
+suspicious of my visit."
+
+"Did you happen to see anything of Padini?" Jack asked eagerly. "Well,
+I did and I did not," Rigby explained. "At any rate, the Italian was
+not in the study, though he had been there, from the simple fact that
+a music case and a rather jaunty-looking Homburg hat rested on a side
+table. Did you happen to notice if Padini was wearing a Homburg hat
+this afternoon?"
+
+Jack was able to reassure his friend on that point, whereupon Rigby
+proceeded to ask if anything had happened during the time he was left
+alone with Serena. Rigby listened with interest to all that Jack had
+to say.
+
+"That's a woman we ought to get hold of," he said thoughtfully.
+"Unless I am greatly mistaken, she can tell us all we want to know. As
+a matter of fact, she has told us a great deal, though perhaps without
+knowing it. At any rate, from what you say, she is quite aware of the
+fact that something uncanny is going on at 4, Montrose Place. I feel
+perfectly certain that the body of Nostalgo was smuggled away _via_
+that empty house; we know perfectly well that Anstruther is in the
+habit of going there, and we are equally sure that the very mention of
+the house filled Serena with terror. As we have plenty of time on our
+side, and there seems to be no immediate hurry, you and I are going to
+keep our eye on that place. You were very anxious last night to know
+what I had seen there. Well, you have plenty of pluck and courage of
+your own; you shall come with me presently and verify the thing for
+yourself."
+
+"Do you mean to say we are going to keep a vigil there to-night?" Jack
+asked.
+
+"That's about the size of it," Rigby answered coolly. "You had better
+come round to my rooms not a moment later than half-past ten. Mind
+you, we are not going there as ourselves, but you can leave a disguise
+quite safely to me. Don't bring a revolver or anything noisy of that
+kind; something in the way of a thick stick would be much safer. By
+the way, didn't you tell me that you were going to see Miss Helmsley
+to-night? Take my advice, call there and dine as if nothing had
+happened, and directly Anstruther makes an excuse to return to his
+study, slip away from the house without the formality of leave-taking
+and come to my place at once."
+
+It was not easy work for a straightforward fellow like Jack to sit
+with Anstruther on the other side of the table, discussing trivial
+topics as if there was nothing grim and terrible behind this picture
+of refined home life. Jack was conscious of carrying himself off
+fairly well, what time Anstruther rose from the table with an excuse
+that he had work to do.
+
+"Please don't think I am avoiding your company," Anstruther said
+pleasantly, "and don't be annoyed if you hear the sound of my violin
+presently. As a matter of fact, my thoughts are always clearest when
+inspired by the sounds of music."
+
+Jack muttered something suitable to the occasion, and exchanged
+glances with Claire directly Anstruther left the room.
+
+Just as that genius had prophesied, the sweet strains of the violin
+stole from the study presently. Claire listened with an interest which
+was vivid and thrilling beyond words.
+
+"Now, listen to that." she cried. "Did you ever hear anything like it?
+Did you ever hear Mr. Anstruther play in that style and manner before?
+Note the little slurs, the half hesitation, which is at once so
+dramatic and artistic. If you close your eyes, you might swear that
+you are listening to Padini himself."
+
+"It really is amazing," Jack murmured. "Padini to the life; the
+Italian to a semitone. And yet we know perfectly well that it cannot
+be Padini, because at this very moment he is waiting to take his turn
+at the Queen's Hall concert. Claire, you must try to get to the bottom
+of this. I cannot possibly believe that this infernal juggling is
+conceived merely to satisfy the vanity of Anstruther, for, in the
+first place, we form so small an audience. There is something behind
+this much more serious than the soothing of a clever man's vanity. And
+now I must be off."
+
+Claire pleaded with her lover to stay a little longer, but, mindful of
+Rigby's strict injunctions, he was fain to refuse. In the light of
+recent knowledge he had no occasion to feel sure that Anstruther was
+still on the premises, despite the fact of those exquisite strains of
+music emanating from the library. He had not forgotten the strange
+experience in that direction two nights before. Still, the sweet,
+melancholy melody could be distinctly heard by Jack as he crossed the
+road.
+
+Rigby was impatiently awaiting his friend, and he had all the
+disguises sent up to his bedroom. He listened eagerly to all Jack had
+to say whilst artistically making himself up as a news-vender. A
+glance at himself in the glass reassured Jack; he felt pretty sure in
+his mind that no one could possibly recognize him attired as he was
+now.
+
+"What's the programme?" he asked, completing the illusion with a short
+clap pipe. "Are we going straight away to Montrose Place?"
+
+Rigby replied that that was the intention. It was getting near to
+eleven o'clock before the friends reached Montrose Place; so far as
+they could see they had the terrace entirely to themselves. A
+policeman strode majestically down the road, flashing his lantern here
+and there, and finally disappeared from sight.
+
+"Now's our time," Rigby said eagerly; "no chance of being interrupted
+for the next ten minutes. You stand at the top of the steps whilst I
+sneak down and open the window. We 'shall have to fumble our way
+up-stairs, because it is by no means safe to use matches. Still, I
+have the geography of the house quite clear in my mind. Come along."
+
+They were in the grim, dusty house at last. Jack was conscious only of
+the intense darkness and musty smell of the place. Carefully piloted
+by Rigby, he reached the second floor landing at length, and there
+Rigby grasped his arm significantly. There was no sound at first save
+the scratching of mice behind the panel or the flutter of some ragged
+blind swayed in the piercing draught. Then suddenly it seemed to Jack
+that a solemn footfall sounded in a room close by, a door opened with
+a pop like a pistol crack, and a long slit of light, dazzling in its
+brilliancy, fell like a lance upon the dusty floor. Somebody laughed
+somewhere, a laugh that sounded so near and yet so far away; then the
+door opened wider, and a partial view of the interior of the room
+could be seen.
+
+Utterly taken by surprise, moved and horrified to the depths of his
+soul, Jack could have cried out, but for the hand clapped upon his
+mouth like a steel trap.
+
+"Not a sound," Rigby whispered sternly. "For heaven's sake, restrain
+yourself, and look, look!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+THE SHADOW ON THE WALL.
+
+
+Jack needed no second bidding; he was only too anxious and eager to
+follow the direction of Rigby's outstretched finger. He was by no
+means lacking in the nerve and pluck which generally go to a young man
+of fine physique and clean habit. But there was something about the
+whole of this affair, a creeping suggestion of diabolical crime, such
+as one only encounters in the wildest realms of fiction.
+
+And yet it seemed to Jack that his reading of the daily press recalled
+things just as vile in every-day life. With teeth clenched firmly,
+with a stern resolution to do nothing very likely to precipitate what
+might have been a terrible catastrophe, Jack looked into the room
+before him. As the door was half open and the two friends were hidden
+in the blackish shadow, it was possible to watch without the slightest
+chance of being seen.
+
+For an empty house, dusty and gloomy and deserted as it was, the room
+in front of our two adventurers presented a striking contrast to the
+rest of the place. There was no window, or at least, where the window
+ought to have been, something in the way of an iron shutter stood, and
+over this a great wealth of silken hangings was artistically arranged.
+As to the rest of the apartment, the furniture was directly in keeping
+with the abode of a millionaire. Jack did not fail to notice the rich
+Persian carpet, the luxurious chairs and settees of the First Empire
+period, the fine pictures on the walls. The walls, too, had been
+recently decorated, so that there was not a single jarring note to mar
+the harmonious whole. There were flowers, too, grouped in the corners
+of the room and piled cunningly around the electrolier standing on the
+centre table.
+
+"Now, that is a strange thing," Jack whispered. "So far as I could
+see, so far as I can see now, there is no sign whatever of the
+electric lighting in any other part of the house. Do you suppose that
+these people have taken this house in the ordinary way, or is it
+possible that----"
+
+"Not a bit of it," Rigby replied. "They're not the sort of people to
+do anything as foolish as that. Nor would there be any occasion to go
+to the expense. Depend upon it, they know all about the character of
+the owner of this property, and that it is not in the least likely to
+let unless put thoroughly in order."
+
+"Then, what about the electric light?" Jack suggested. "That would
+have to be put in by somebody. These people could not tap the main, or
+anything of that kind."
+
+"There's a much simpler way than that, my dear fellow. Dr. Adamson
+lives next door, and I know perfectly well that he has electric light.
+It does not require much technical knowledge to wire a house, and
+anybody with a small amount of common sense could easily drill a small
+hole through a partition and attach a wire to one of the main lines
+next door. I think that explains the problem."
+
+Jack had no further question to ask for the moment. His full attention
+now was concentrated on the occupants of the room. There were three of
+them altogether, two being dressed like superior mechanics, and were
+evidently there for some purpose connected with machinery. The third
+man, superior in every way to his companions, had his back turned to
+the door, so that it was impossible to get a glimpse of his features.
+He had in front of him an ingenious-looking arrangement, not unlike a
+magic lantern or a contrivance for throwing cinematograph pictures on
+a screen. At a sign from him, one of the workmen drew back the silken
+draperies covering what ought to have been the window, and a white
+sheet stood confessed.
+
+"Give me the third slide by your left hand," the operator commanded.
+"That will do. Now switch out the light."
+
+There was a click and a jerk, and immediately the whole room was
+plunged in darkness save for the fierce disc of blinding light that
+flashed upon the screen. Almost immediately a dazzling disc was
+transformed to the face of a man. Jack clutched at the arm of his
+companion.
+
+"By heaven! do you see that?" he whispered. "It is nothing more nor
+less than the face of Nostalgo. Do you think this is merely a
+development of some novel form of advertisement, or is it possible
+that these fellows have hit upon some novel way of putting in
+posters?"
+
+But Rigby had nothing to say. He was too deeply interested in the
+spectacle before him. It had occurred to him for the moment that there
+might have been something in what Jack suggested. It was just possible
+also that what he took to be a large sheet was no more than a wide
+stretch of paper.
+
+At any rate, there was no hurry. There would be plenty of time to
+ascertain whether the supposed sheet on the wall was paper or not.
+Rigby had made no reply to Jack's cogent question, but he seemed to be
+quite as interested as his friend.
+
+"Hang me if I know what to think of it," he said at length. "It seems
+to me as if these fellows were trying to work out something quite new
+in the way of lantern slides. Mind you, it is just possible that we
+are mistaken altogether in our assumption that Anstruther is carrying
+out some cunning rascality. These men may, after all, be no more or
+less than honest workmen."
+
+"I can't quite see that point," Jack replied. "Honest workmen do not,
+as a rule, come in this furtive way to an empty house. Besides, look
+at them."
+
+"That is all very well," Rigby argued. "But supposing that you were
+engaged upon some secret process which you did not want anybody to
+know anything about. And, besides, Anstruther is quite a genius in his
+way, and there is no reason why he should not be engaged upon
+inventing some new process of lithography."
+
+"In that case," Jack said, "is it not a strange coincidence that they
+should be manufacturing these Nostalgo posters? I grant you that
+Anstruther is absolutely a genius, but his talents always take a
+sinister bent; in fact, I don't think the fellow could be honest if he
+tried. Still, we have plenty of time to find out."
+
+"Do you really think that is paper?" Rigby asked. "It looks to me like
+it."
+
+"It looks to me like it, too," Jack said; "but we shall have to
+possess our souls in patience."
+
+"Hang me if I don't go and see," he said. "No, I don't see that there
+is any great danger unless they should happen to turn up the light
+again, and I do not suppose they will do that until the experiment is
+finished."
+
+"For goodness' sake, do nothing rash," Jack implored. "From what we
+have already seen, we have to do with a gang who would not hesitate to
+cut our throats if it served their purpose."
+
+The thing, after all, was not so hazardous as Jack had imagined. Just
+for an instant, as if by accident, one of the shaded electrics on the
+wall flashed out in a pin-point of diamond light.
+
+"You clumsy fool!" growled the man behind the lantern. "What did you
+do that for? You might have spoilt all my work by your blundering
+folly."
+
+The erring workman grunted out something in the way of an apology and
+a promise that he would be more careful in the future. Here, then, was
+Rigby's opportunity. He knew now that there was no likelihood of the
+light being turned on again for some time to come. All he had to do,
+therefore, was to creep cautiously, wriggling like a snake across the
+floor, until he could touch the huge screen and ascertain whether it
+were paper or cloth.
+
+He took a penknife from his pocket and opened a small blade. So dense
+was the darkness of the room by contrast with the vivid lane of light
+thrown upon the screen that the journey was practically devoid of
+peril, so long as no one touched the switch of the electrics.
+Therefore Rigby crept along, his nerves braced to the highest tension
+and an exhilarating sense of danger strong upon him. He could see now
+that the white sheet extended from floor to ceiling, the edges of it
+seeming black and firm like an iron plate in contrast with the
+brilliant white centre.
+
+He was close to it now, so close indeed that, with a cautious movement
+of his arm, he could touch the sheet. A single prick with a sharp
+point of his knife gave him all the information that he needed. It was
+a sheet of paper surely enough. A moment later Rigby was standing by
+Jack's side once more.
+
+"Paper," he whispered. "Really, this adventure is likely to prove
+prosaic after all. Don't you think we are rather making a mountain out
+of a molehill? We know that Anstruther is a great rascal, but at the
+same time he is an exceedingly clever man, and, as you know, inclined
+to be secretive. Now, isn't it just possible that our friend has hit
+upon some new process of photo-lithography, and that we are witnessing
+an experiment to demonstrate the value of the new idea."
+
+"I don't think so," Jack replied. "Indeed, since you have been away, I
+have made something in the way of a discovery also. Mark well the
+picture thrown upon the screen yonder. You know what it represents, of
+course?"
+
+"Well, naturally. I have seen the diabolical face of Nostalgo on too
+many posters not to be absolutely familiar with his ugly mug. Depend
+upon it, those fellows are printing the famous poster in some way
+known to themselves. Maybe we shall see that self-same sheet on some
+hoarding to-morrow."
+
+"But that is not what I meant at all," Jack proceeded to explain. "If
+you are as familiar with the poster as you say you are, you will
+notice a considerable difference in this one. In the first place, the
+face is a little more in profile, and surely you must notice the
+difference in the hands."
+
+"Right you are," Rigby replied. "In the present instance the hands are
+half-extended, as if in the act of clutching something. Strange that I
+had not noticed that before. What do you make it out to be?"
+
+"Hush!" Jack whispered. "I think our ingenious friend behind the
+lantern will explain that for himself."
+
+The leading operator in the room gave a short curt sign and the
+brilliant lights flashed up once more. The slide was also drawn from
+the lantern, but the sinister features of the dark, repulsive face
+upon the screen did not vanish as might have been expected. On the
+contrary, the grim face frowned down as if it had been brushwork from
+the pencil of some imaginative artist. One of the workmen approached
+the sheet and dragged it to the floor. Then the three men in the room
+bent over the poster and examined it critically.
+
+"It seems to me that the hand is a little out of drawing," the leader
+of the trio remarked critically. "Give me the paints--the white paint,
+I mean."
+
+The speaker took a brush heavily charged with some white pigment and
+proceeded to touch up the hand. He cut this portion from the sheet and
+placed it in the slide of the lantern. Then another large sheet of
+paper was erected in front of the window, and the lights turned out
+again. Almost immediately there appeared upon the disc the shadow of a
+huge, bony hand uplifting a dagger in a menacing attitude. A grunt of
+approval came from the man behind the lantern, and once more the
+lights were turned up.
+
+"There, what did I tell you?" Jack asked eagerly. "I am sure the
+different attitudes of that man's hand are meant for signs."
+
+"Indeed, it would seem so," Rigby was forced to admit. "We'd better
+stay here and await developments."
+
+For the next hour or so the mysterious process of printing the posters
+continued. It was exactly as Jack's ingenious mind had forecast. In
+every instance, although the dark and sinister features remained the
+same, the attitude of the hand was different. It was a strange and
+most important discovery that the two friends had made; but, instead
+of making their task easier, the problem had become still more
+intricate. Was all this part of some cunning device for attracting
+public attention, something absolutely new in the way of
+advertisement, or did it signify a deeper and more sinister purpose?
+
+Jack recollected now how frequently Anstruther had alluded in his
+hearing to the ramifications of secret societies. With his intimate
+knowledge of criminality, and having every assistance from the police
+always at his disposal, Anstruther's acquaintance with the seamy side
+of life was extensive and peculiar. But was he now helping the police
+as usual, or was he engaged himself upon some ingenious conspiracy for
+the aggrandizement of himself and his satellites?
+
+It was difficult to say, it was still more difficult to prove
+anything, seeing that the work of printing was still proceeding in
+silence. If these men would only speak, if they would only utter some
+word which might give a clue to what they were doing, the spies would
+have been more satisfied. Their only hope was to watch and wait on the
+off-chance of a careless word.
+
+They were listening so eagerly indeed that they almost failed to
+notice the sound of a footstep which now echoed on the stairs. They
+were so close to the door that any one reaching their landing from
+below could hardly fail to make out the outline of their figures.
+Rigby had barely time to drag his companion back into the velvety
+darkness beyond before the newcomer was past them and had entered the
+room.
+
+"How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags?" the newcomer cried.
+"How are you getting on? Nobody interrupting you--seen nothing of the
+police or anything of that kind?"
+
+"No doubt as to who that is," Rigby whispered. "I should recognize
+Anstruther's voice anywhere. I told you he was at the bottom of this
+business."
+
+Anstruther stood before them, tall and distinguished in his evening
+dress, and there was no sign about him that he was doing anything more
+than pursuing a quite normal occupation.
+
+"Not at all a bad evening's work," he said. "Are we all here, or is
+Carrington late again? Confound that fellow! I begin to wish we hadn't
+taken him into the business at all. But I do not think he is at all
+likely to play me false; it will be a bad day's work for him if he
+does."
+
+"Carrington, too," Jack muttered significantly; "that is your rich
+banker friend, Dick. The plot thickens apace. It seems impossible for
+anybody to come in contact with Anstruther and retain his
+respectability."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+LOCKED IN!
+
+
+Quite unconscious that his most dangerous enemies were so near,
+Anstruther carefully selected a cigarette and lighted it. He proceeded
+then to make a careful examination of the pile of posters at his feet,
+and smiled his approval. "Very good, very good indeed; those hands
+stand out beautifully. Within a week's time from now the message will
+have been carried from London to St. Petersburg and from Paris to
+Constantinople. The men I am after cannot get away from me. Whatever
+great capital they are in, that poster confronts their eyes like an
+avenging conscience. Then they realize their helplessness and bow to
+the inevitable. You may doubt me if you like; but I tell you that this
+scheme is absolutely sure and safe."
+
+"Provided that we have the money to carry it out," the man behind the
+lantern grunted. "Don't forget that. Clever as you are, you can't make
+money by merely holding up your little finger. You promised us a
+thousand pounds when we had finished our part of the bargain, and that
+was completed a month ago. Of course, you have got the cash in your
+pocket?"
+
+A frown of annoyance crossed Anstruther's face. There was a clenching
+of his hands not unlike that depicted by the poster of the mysterious
+Nostalgo; he made a half step forward; then he seemed to get himself
+in hand again, and smiled carelessly. "As a matter of fact, I have not
+the money in my pocket. Things are not going quite as well lately as I
+could have wished, but it is only a matter of a day or two anyway;
+nay, it is only a matter of hours. Is the woman here?"
+
+The man behind the lantern sulkily declared that he knew nothing about
+the woman, and cared less. He asked pointedly whether they were to
+expect Mr. Carrington that evening, and, if so, whether his visit was
+likely to be attended with substantial results.
+
+"I tell you I don't know," Anstruther said angrily. "I told him to be
+here at eleven o'clock, but I suppose he has funked it. But the woman
+is a very different matter. Jacob, go into the back room and bring her
+in here."
+
+"Not I," the man addressed as Jacob replied. "I don't forget the last
+time we met. She may be milk and honey to you, but she is prussic acid
+as far as I am concerned."
+
+Anstruther stepped to the doorway and whistled softly. It might have
+been a call given to a well-broken dog, so careless and contemptuous
+was it. Indeed, Anstruther did not wait to see the result of his
+summons, but returned to the room with the easy assurance of a man who
+knows that his lightest call will be obeyed.
+
+Almost immediately the two watchers standing on the landing were
+conscious of a shadowy form passing close to them. They had no time to
+shrink back, they had not even time for surprise, when a light hand
+was laid on the arm of each and an eager voice began to whisper in
+their ears.
+
+"Rash to the verge of madness," the melancholy voice said sadly. "I
+warned you not to come--I implored you not to take a hand in this
+business. I could have settled it all for you if you had left it all
+to me; but youth ever will be served. Won't you go away even now and
+leave it all to me?"
+
+There was something so pitifully imploring in the speech that the
+listeners thrilled in sympathy. From the first word they had no
+difficulty in guessing the identity of the speaker. It was none other
+than Serena who was addressing them in those despairing accents.
+
+"I am afraid you are too late, Serena," Jack said. "Besides, we have
+some one else to consider in the business. It is possible that your
+efforts may be successful as far as we are concerned; but we have
+discovered to-night that Anstruther is plotting against the happiness
+of many people who are as innocent as ourselves. I tell you, we must
+see this thing through now. But why stay here, why linger, when your
+tardiness is likely to increase our trouble?"
+
+At this point Anstruther advanced towards the door and whistled again,
+this time more sharply. With a sigh of deep regret Serena walked
+forward and entered the room. In the bright light of the apartment her
+face looked paler and more dejected than usual. Though Jack had seen
+for himself the volcano of passion and emotion of which Serena was
+capable when not under the influence of her employer, he could not
+fail to notice how tame and frightened she appeared to be now. It was
+as if Anstruther possessed something like a power over her. Her dark
+eyes seemed mechanically to follow his every movement; he had only to
+raise his hand and her look followed it.
+
+"So you have come at last," Anstruther said. "How long have you been
+in the house?"
+
+"I came as soon as you told me, master," Serena murmured, like one who
+talks in her sleep. All will power seemed to have gone out of her for
+the moment. "What would you have of me to-night?"
+
+Anstruther replied harshly that Serena must know perfectly well what
+was required of her. Nevertheless he proceeded to detail his
+instructions, which were still unfinished when another footstep was
+heard upon the stairs and a newcomer entered. The two watchers outside
+were not in the least surprised at the pale, somewhat conceited
+features of the violinist Padini; indeed, they were past all surprises
+now. Padini had bowed with an air of exaggerated politeness to Serena.
+
+"Ha, ha, my coy fascinator," he cried, "so I am not to be deprived of
+the pleasure of your company. I am not likely to soon forget the
+enchanting evening we spent together _chez_ Carrington. I am sorry to
+be late, Anstruther, but the fact is, your English audiences are not
+so cold as I had first imagined. Positively they would not let me off
+with less than four encores. _Ma foi_, you must have had the full
+value of your money in your chamber music to-night. A rare treat for
+Miss Helmsley; doubtless she has noticed the marvelous improvement
+made by her guardian in his playing of late."
+
+The violinist chuckled as if in the enjoyment of an exquisite joke.
+Serena flashed him a glance of bitter hatred and contempt.
+
+"I should like to know the meaning of this," Rigby whispered. "I
+suppose it refers in some way to the mysterious music which you told
+me about last night. Do you think it possible that Serena could
+enlighten us on this point as she appears to know all about it? If
+not, why does she look at Padini in that scornful way?"
+
+Any further signs of enjoyment on the part of Padini were cut short by
+an impatient oath from Anstruther.
+
+"That is mere child's play," he exclaimed. "Very clever and all that
+kind of thing, but an intelligent schoolboy might have done as well."
+
+Jack intimated in a whisper to Rigby that he himself stood in the
+position of the said intelligent schoolboy. He had a pretty shrewd
+idea how the thing had been managed, and to what purpose; but there
+would be time enough to explain all that presently. What they had to
+do now was to stay as long as possible, and gather all they could from
+a careful study of the proceedings taking place in the room. It was
+Anstruther who first broke the silence.
+
+"Are we going to stand fooling here all night?" he exclaimed angrily.
+"Padini, get that exaggerated fur coat of yours off, and make yourself
+up to look like an English gentleman as far as possible. You will find
+everything necessary in the room at the back of the house. The same
+remark applies to you, Serena. My word! To think that a woman so pale,
+so haggard, as you are now can make up to look like eighteen and
+possess the beauty of Diana! What a pity it was you ever left the
+stage!"
+
+The woman's face flushed angrily. There was a nervous tension about
+her to-night that Anstruther had never noticed before. Was she going
+to be defiant? he asked. Did she understand what she was doing when
+she proposed to measure her strength against his? But the flame still
+raged on Serena's hot cheeks, and her lips were still hard and
+mutinous.
+
+"Take care you do not drive me too far." she whispered hoarsely. "A
+cat is a harmless creature enough, but I read once of a cat that
+turned upon a man and killed him. You dare to taunt me with my past.
+When I think of what that past might have been but for you, I declare
+that I could find it in my heart to kill you. I am so weak and timid,
+you are so strong and brave; and yet even you must sleep at times, and
+a man asleep is as harmless as a babe. A spot of gray powder, a drop
+of liquid no larger than a pin's point placed between your teeth, and
+the career of Spencer Anstruther is finished."
+
+The words were uttered with such dramatic force and intensity that
+even Anstruther refrained from smiling. It seemed to the listeners
+outside that here was a great genius lost to the stage.
+
+"I should not care to encounter that woman's hostility," Rigby
+murmured. "Look at the intense expression of her face. But, really, I
+hope she is not going to defy him to-night. If she does we are likely
+to have trouble for our pains."
+
+But Serena's outbreak of passionate anger was over as swiftly as an
+April shower. She looked up in the face of her master as a dog might
+do that had been convicted of theft. Anstruther smiled with the air of
+a man who merely tolerates a passing anger of a fellow creature. It
+was as if he had caged this woman so that he could watch her passions
+and emotions as a naturalist studies the habits and ways of loathsome
+insects.
+
+"I suppose you must give vent to your feelings sometimes," he said.
+"And now that you have had a little fling we had better get on with
+our business. You will go with Padini to-night to----"
+
+"No, no!" Serena cried. "I implore you to spare me that humiliation
+again. What have I done that I should have to endure all this--what
+can be possibly gained by it?"
+
+For the first time Anstruther displayed real signs of anger. "Now,
+listen to me," he said. "Once for all, I tell you not to speak to me
+like this again. Do you think I have studied you all these years for
+nothing? Do you suppose I do not know how disloyal you are in your
+heart towards me? There is one class of woman who has to be ruled by
+fear alone, and you are one of them. You will do to-night what I ask
+you, not merely to-night, but by months and years, in and out, it will
+be for me to order and you to obey. And, whilst we are on the subject
+you are to say nothing further than you have already said to Mr.
+Masefield. You understand what I mean?"
+
+It was quite evident that Serena understood the full significance of
+Anstruther's speech. Pale as her face had been before, it turned now
+to a still more deathly pallor. She essayed to speak, but her lips
+refused the office.
+
+"I don't quite follow you." she managed to stammer out at length. "If
+you accuse me of disloyalty----"
+
+Anstruther intimated that that was exactly what he did mean. It was
+rather an uncomfortable moment for Jack, listening there. He was
+beginning to fully realize the marvelous cunning of the man with whom
+he had to deal. He wondered how it was possible for Anstruther to
+discover the gist of his conversation with Serena that afternoon. He
+was saying something of this in a whisper to Rigby when Padini
+returned to the room. The violinist was dressed now exactly as he had
+been attired two nights before when Jack had seen him at Carrington's
+chambers. His jaunty air for the moment had vanished; he looked
+suspicious and uneasy. Anstruther's keen eye noticed this as it
+noticed everything.
+
+"Now, what's the matter?" he asked. "Have you seen a ghost or
+something equally terrible?"
+
+"No, I haven't," Padini replied sulkily. "But lam pretty sure there is
+somebody in the house. I am ready to swear that I saw the shadow of a
+man moving on the landing outside."
+
+With a contemptuous smile Anstruther walked towards the door. There
+was perhaps no immediate danger for the listeners, seeing that
+Anstruther evidently attached no importance to Padini's statement; but
+it was just as well to be on the safe side. Rigby slipped quietly into
+a doorway leading to a bedroom and dragged Jack in after him. Then he
+closed the door very gently and waited for further developments. He
+had not long to wait, for almost immediately there was a click of the
+latch, and Anstruther's receding footsteps melted into silence.
+
+"Well, that sets your mind at ease," Anstruther was heard to say. "If
+there are any birds here, I have them safely caged."
+
+With a feeling of apprehension, Rigby laid his hand on the door-knob.
+His worst fears were absolutely realized. He and Jack had been locked
+in the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+THE PARABLE.
+
+
+There was no help for it; they could only wait to see what
+circumstances had in store for them. It would have been just as well,
+however, to have known what was in Anstruther's mind when he locked
+the door. So far as the prisoners could judge, Anstruther had spoken
+with a kind of jocular contempt, and had apparently acted more to
+soothe Padini's nervous fears than as if he had moved on the spur of
+his own suspicions. Rigby had not failed to notice this, and Jack was
+inclined to agree with him as they discussed the matter in whispers.
+At any rate, a quarter of an hour passed without any signs without.
+
+"Well, my friend," Rigby muttered, "you always were fond of
+adventures, even as a boy, and now you seem likely to get your fill of
+them."
+
+"I don't call this an adventure at all," Jack replied; "not much
+chance of action here. The prospect of being locked up all night in
+this cell of a place is not at all alluring. Just try that door
+again."
+
+But the attempt proved abortive. It was pitch dark there, a darkness
+like that of Egypt, which could be felt. The mere fact of the sense of
+sight being suspended seemed to increase the hearing of the prisoners,
+for they did not fail to note every word that was passing in that room
+across the corridor. It was plainly evident that the business
+arrangements which had brought those people here to-night were
+practically finished, for presently Anstruther could be heard walking
+down the stairs, shouting his final instructions as he went. A moment
+later the fine slit of light which gleamed like a thread under the
+door of the vacant house died away swiftly, therefore proving to Jack
+and Rigby that the house had been plunged into darkness. It was a
+proof also that the conspirators had left the premises.
+
+"I think this is where we come in," Jack muttered; "we'll give them
+another five minutes or so, and then we will run the risk of striking
+a light. I suppose you have got some matches in your pocket?"
+
+Rigby had purchased an extra-sized box of vestas as he came along, so
+that there was no trouble on that score. The liberal five minutes had
+expired before the scratching of a match, and a spurt of blue flame
+illuminated the room. It was by no means an inviting apartment, being
+absolutely devoid of furniture save for a tattered carpet on the
+floor. The carpet had obviously been a good one in its day, in spite
+of the dust which lay so thickly upon it; the decorations of the walls
+had evidently been an expensive business. At the same time, it was
+quite patent that the room had been used for the storage of valuables,
+seeing that the door fitted close and was lined on the inside with
+steel. The window, too, was barred heavily, though it was far enough
+from the ground.
+
+"Well, we are in a nice mess," Jack muttered. "So far as I can see, we
+shall have to wait here till morning and then summon assistance by
+means of the window. In the meantime we can devote our energies to
+making up some ingenious story with a view to deceiving the police. So
+long as it is daylight, I don't think we have much to fear from
+Anstruther and Co. Do you think the light shows through the window?"
+
+There appeared to be no fear of that, seeing that the curtain was a
+comparatively thick one. Over the mantelpiece were the pipe and
+bracket of a solitary gas-jet. In a fit of idle curiosity Rigby turned
+on the tap and applied a match to the burner. Much to his surprise, a
+blue fishtail flame spurted out bright and clear.
+
+"Well, these people don't seem to have half done it," he exclaimed;
+"they've evidently tapped the gas much in the same way that they tap
+the electric light, but why they want both beats me."
+
+"Doubtless for something like business purposes," Jack suggested. "It
+is pretty evident that these people have a lot of mechanical
+contrivances here, therefore something in the way of heaters would be
+necessary. My word, how close this room is!"
+
+Rigby was emphatically of the same opinion. He turned off the roaring
+flame of gas and pulled back the curtain from the window. He
+successfully fumbled for the catch, and at length managed to raise the
+sash. The cool, sweet night breeze was grateful to a degree after the
+stifling atmosphere of the room.
+
+There were no lights to be seen, for the simple reason that they were
+at the back of the house, and looking down into a dreary sort of
+forecourt formed by the houses on either side and a big building
+beyond. As their eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, it was possible to
+note the fact that the forecourt had at one time been carefully
+cultivated, for a broken fountain could be made out, and what appeared
+at one time to have been a well-tended rose garden.
+
+"There's somebody down there," Rigby whispered. "Unless I am greatly
+mistaken the said somebody is smoking a most excellent cigar. Can't
+you smell it?"
+
+"Of course I can," Jack responded. "These seem to be rather an
+aristocratic type of rascal. If you look across to the far corner,
+beyond that fountain place, you will see the tip of a cigar glowing
+like a star."
+
+It was exactly as Jack had said. They could see the cigar glowing and
+fading as the smoker inhaled or exhaled the fragrant tobacco, and a
+moment later they saw something more. Out of the gloom there
+approached the figure of a woman, tall, slender, and bareheaded, her
+dress hidden by a long black cloak that reached to the ground. She
+spoke quickly and hurriedly, so quickly indeed that the two men at the
+window found it impossible to follow what she said. They could see
+pretty plainly, however, and did not fail to notice the fact that the
+strange woman appeared to be pleading for some favor. She stretched
+out her long, bare arms to her companion in an attitude of
+supplication; her long-cloak fell away from her shoulders, disclosing
+an evening dress of some pale, transparent material. There were
+diamonds, too, in her fair hair.
+
+"What is the use of wasting my time like this?" the man with the cigar
+demanded. "You ought to have been at your destination long ago."
+
+"But I couldn't go, I really couldn't, until I had seen you again.
+Besides, there is no place like this, and no better spot for an
+interview that one wants to keep a profound secret. For instance, it
+is hardly possible that any prying eyes are overlooking us. I can't
+imagine anybody being hidden in this old house. When Anstruther locked
+that bedroom door just now, do you really suppose he imagined there
+was anybody on the premises?"
+
+The smoker responded with a contemptuous grunt; it was evident that he
+entertained no suspicions on that score.
+
+"Perhaps I am unduly nervous and excited to-night," the woman went on.
+"But I could have almost imagined that there were spies following
+Anstruther to-night. If I were alone and had no more pressing thing to
+do, I would go back into the house and unlock that door. Imagine my
+feelings if I really did find two spies there."
+
+"What confounded nonsense you are always talking!" the smoker burst
+out. "I suppose this comes of writing poetry. Who on earth do you
+suppose is in the house?"
+
+"How can I possibly tell? The police, perhaps, or perhaps somebody who
+is interested in Anstruther's beautiful ward, Claire Helmsley. I am
+fond of Claire, and would suffer much so that she should escape
+injury. Really, I could make a story out of this, Richard. I would
+find Mr. Jack Masefield in that room, together with his friend Dick
+Rigby. I would whisper to them that it would be safer for them to stay
+where they were for the present, and that later on I would come back
+and release them. Oh, what nonsense I am talking, to be sure!"
+
+The smoker affirmed this in a manner none too complimentary.
+
+"You are without exception the wildest sentimentalist I ever came
+across. You are trying my patience a bit too high. Why don't you go
+about your business and leave me to mine?"
+
+The woman laughed softly to herself as if she was half amused by her
+own secret thoughts. She did not seem to notice, or perhaps she wanted
+to ignore, the brutal outspokenness of her companion. For some reason
+or other it occurred to the listeners that she was trying to gain
+time. At any rate, there was no longer room for doubt that she was
+doing her best to warn the listeners.
+
+"Can you make nothing of her features?" Jack asked eagerly. "My eyes
+are pretty keen, as a rule, but I can discern no more than the
+shimmering outline of her dress. If fortune is on our side presently,
+we must follow her and ascertain where she lives."
+
+"That wouldn't be at all a bad move," Rigby said. "She may be a
+sentimentalist, and a poet into the bargain, but that does not prevent
+her from being an 'exceedingly clever woman. She is deceiving that
+bullying fellow in a way that is worthy of the best diplomatist."
+
+"She is going to speak again," Jack whispered. "What did she say? I
+quite failed to get that last sentence."
+
+Rigby replied that he had failed to catch it, too, for the words were
+spoken in low tones which did not carry to the window above. The man
+laughed in the same brutal fashion, and begged the woman begone, as
+she was only a hindrance there.
+
+"I am going." she said. "Take care of yourself, Richard, and don't
+imagine that Anstruther is likely to be of much use to you when the
+time of danger comes. He has ever been the blighting curse that hangs
+over us, and something tells me that he will be your curse as well as
+ours."
+
+The man laughed scornfully. He did not seem to be afraid.
+
+"Evidently that woman is a very great deal cleverer than my friend
+gives her credit for." said Rigby. "Don't you see that she was talking
+to us? Her speech was merely a kind of parable. I don't know who she
+is or whence she derived an inspiration, but one thing I am absolutely
+certain about--she knows perfectly well that the pair of us are locked
+in this room, and she is equally aware of the fact of our identity.
+All we have got to do now is to smoke a cigarette each and quietly
+wait till our fair friend comes and effects our release."
+
+"Haven't you any idea who she is?" Jack asked. "At any rate, there is
+nothing common about her. She speaks like a lady, and is most
+assuredly dressed like one."
+
+"I should think you are more likely to know that than I." said Rigby.
+"Whoever that woman is, or whatever gang of scoundrels she is mixed up
+with, it is quite evident that she knows Miss Helmsley well, and that
+she is a great friend of hers. You must know surely pretty well the
+full extent of Claire Helmsley's acquaintances. Can't you recognize
+the voice? Does not the outline of her figure give you something to go
+on?"
+
+"I am afraid you have me there," Jack said. "You see, Anstruther is an
+exceedingly popular man, he goes a great deal into society, and
+naturally Claire generally accompanies him. She could not have less
+than a hundred acquaintances she has made in this way."
+
+"Then you can't help me out in this way?" Rigby asked.
+
+Jack was emphatically of the opinion that he could not. He ran his
+mind over a score or two of Claire's most cherished acquaintances. But
+not one of them tallied in the least degree with the lady down below.
+Besides, the darkness rendered an actual recognition almost
+impossible.
+
+All the friends had to do now was to possess their souls in patience
+and await the time when their mysterious friend should come to their
+assistance. That she would come they felt absolutely certain. She
+might have been the wild, sentimental creature which the man with the
+cigar had called her; but, at the same time, she had both coolness and
+courage, or she would not have hit upon the ingenious method of
+speaking indirectly to them as she had done.
+
+"Unless I am greatly mistaken," Rigby said thoughtfully, "we are going
+to make a real useful friend here. What is that I see down below?
+Surely there is something like a carriage driven into the yard."
+
+Surely enough, it was a vehicle of some kind, painted black, and with
+not too much glittering varnish about it. So far as could be seen in
+the gloom, the conveyance in question was a brougham of some kind. It
+came into the yard with a strange suggestion of ghostliness about it,
+for the tires were thickly coated with rubber; the horse itself
+appeared to be similarly shod.
+
+"I fancy we have seen something like that before," Jack suggested
+drily.
+
+"Right you are," Rigby responded. "Of course, one can't be quite
+absolutely sure, but that looks very like the vehicle used by those
+people the other night. You know what I mean--the brougham I saw used
+by the deaf mute and her companions the night we ran against one
+another at Carrington's."
+
+"Right beyond the shadow of a doubt," Jack said. "Who is this mystic
+conveyance for, I wonder--the man or the woman?"
+
+Evidently it was for the woman, for she stood with her long wrap
+fastened closely about her whilst the man with the cigar opened the
+door. The horse was turned round, and vanished as it had come, without
+the slightest noise; indeed, the whole thing might have been a figment
+of the imagination.
+
+"I hope that does not mean that our last chance has gone," Rigby
+suggested. "But we must have faith in our fair friend. One thing is
+pretty certain--if she means to come to our assistance she is not
+going very far away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+NOSTALGO AGAIN.
+
+
+There was silence for some time between the friends. They had
+speculated as far as possible on the chances of the future, and now
+there was no more to be said. At the same time, the situation was not
+devoid of elements of interest, seeing that the man with the cigar had
+not as yet departed. Evidently he was waiting for somebody, for he
+lighted a fresh cigar from the stump of his old one, and sat down on
+the edge of the fountain with the air of a man who knows how to
+possess his soul in patience. He sat thus for some time; then he stood
+up at length with an air of strained attention and gave a grunt of
+relief. Out of the shadows there emerged another man, muffled to the
+eyes and wearing a big slouch hat upon his head.
+
+"So you have come at last," the man with the cigar muttered. "I
+thought you were going to keep me here all night."
+
+"It is all very well for you," the newcomer said. "You can walk about
+the world with your head held up; you have no occasion to hide
+yourself from the light of day. If only this business was done and
+over, you would never find me in one of Anstruther's schemes again."
+
+There was something exceedingly striking in the voice of the speaker;
+it was by no means an unmusical voice; the enunciation was clear and
+defined. But there was a peculiar rasping ring in it, a jarring,
+metallic discord as if some one had struck two plates of steel
+together. It was a commanding voice, too, and the man with the cigar
+seemed to feel it.
+
+"I suppose you know your own business best," he muttered in a tone
+which was plainly intended to be that of an apology. "Funny thing,
+isn't it, that you and I should be conspiring here, within a pistol
+shot of Shannon Street police station? Those chaps yonder are still
+scratching their heads over the disappearance of the man they call
+Nostalgo."
+
+The other man laughed; his voice rang as an echo rings in a cave. He
+laughed again a little more gently.
+
+"Yes," he said, "we could throw a very blinding light on that mystery.
+Have they offered any reward for the discovery of the body?"
+
+"Oh, dear, yes," the other man chuckled. "Two hundred pounds and a
+free pardon to any accomplice not actually connected with the outrage.
+Wouldn't it be a fine thing to earn that reward?"
+
+"I'll think it over and see if we can't manage it." said the newcomer.
+"Fancy hoodwinking the police in that way! All the same, I don't quite
+like this reward business; it's just the thing to appeal to that
+scoundrel Redgrave. Anstruther never made a greater mistake than when
+he took Redgrave into his confidence. That fellow would do anything
+for a few hundred pounds."
+
+"Well, you will have an opportunity of sounding him presently. He is
+coming to see you about those West African bonds. As for myself, I
+have business of greatest importance in the East-End. I only stayed
+here till you came because Anstruther said that it was absolutely
+imperative for you to have these papers to-night."
+
+So saying, the speaker took a small packet from his pocket and handed
+it over to his companion. He turned away, and a moment later had
+vanished into the night. The sole remaining man appeared to be
+restless and ill at ease. As he paced up and down the ragged and
+deserted forecourt, the two friends, cautiously peeping through the
+up-stairs window, could see that he was lame and that one shoulder was
+higher than the other. He was muttering to himself, too, in some
+foreign language that conveyed nothing to the listeners.
+
+He came to a pause presently, and, fumbling in his long coat, produced
+a cigarette case and a box of matches.
+
+"I wonder if I really dare," he muttered, this time speaking in
+English slightly flavored with a foreign accent. "Surely no one can
+see me; surely I shall be safe in this well of a place. If only I
+could manage without matches."
+
+But there has been no way yet invented of lighting tobacco without
+matches. As the match flared out the stranger's face was picked out
+clean and clear against the velvet background of the night. As if in
+full enjoyment of his tobacco, the man threw his head back and filled
+his lungs with the fragrant smoke. He had not yet dropped the match,
+so that its rays caught full the upturned face. So clearly did the
+face stand out that the whole action might have been conceived with
+the idea of giving the watchers a perfect view of it.
+
+"What do you make of that?" Jack whispered excitedly. "Don't ask me to
+say, because I know the man as well as I know my own father. The point
+is, do you know him?"
+
+"I should say that everybody in London does," Rigby responded, "seeing
+that the face has been glaring down on London for the past two months.
+Yonder man is Nostalgo and none other."
+
+"No mistake about that," Jack said. "In that strange, weird light,
+what an awful face it is! And yet there is something about it, too,
+some half-pathetic suggestion that almost removes one's feelings of
+repulsion."
+
+"I have noticed that, too," Rigby said. "But why did you not tell me
+that our mysterious friend was practically a hunchback?"
+
+"But he wasn't," Jack protested. "I am absolutely certain that the man
+I found apparently dead close to Panton Square three nights ago was as
+straight and well set up as you or I. Why, I helped to put him in the
+ambulance; I saw his body laid out in the mortuary at Shannon Street
+police station. I am prepared to swear that that man was without a
+physical blemish, and I am quite sure that Inspector Bates will bear
+me out in this. And yet that man down there smoking his cigarette is
+as misshapen as Richard III."
+
+As to this point there was no question. The man below was pacing
+quietly up and down the forecourt in the full enjoyment of his
+cigarette, and little heeding the curious watchers overhead. It was
+easy to see that, so far as physical development was concerned, he had
+been but ill-favored by fortune. One leg was considerably longer than
+the other, causing the fellow to shuffle along with a sideways motion
+not unlike that of a crab.
+
+"Unless that fellow is a bold contortionist, we have evidently two
+Nostalgos to deal with," Rigby said thoughtfully. "And yet it seems
+impossible there can be two faces like that in the world. One thing is
+pretty certain--the supposed dead body you conveyed to Shannon Street
+police station the other night must have been very much alive. If we
+could only get away from here to follow him."
+
+"Not much occasion to trouble about that, I am thinking," Jack said.
+"This man is evidently a tool or accomplice of Anstruther's. I am
+certain we shall see him in Panton Square sooner or later. As to the
+man Redgrave they were speaking about just now, I happen to know all
+about him. He used to be in Anstruther's employ as a kind of
+secretary--a clever, well-educated fellow, whose weakness was drink.
+Ha, here comes another one."
+
+Surely enough, another figure crept into the forecourt. Nostalgo, if
+he it was, paid no heed to the stranger for a moment or two. In a
+half-timid fashion the man who had just entered the forecourt bowed to
+his misshapen companion and intimated that he awaited his pleasure.
+Nostalgo turned upon him with a snarl.
+
+"So they have sent you, after all," he said. His clear, ringing voice
+vibrated with contempt. "Is this the best thing Anstruther can do at a
+critical moment like this? I want a man, not a miserable coward like
+you. Besides, I don't trust you; I never shall trust you again. And,
+unless I am greatly mistaken, you have been drinking."
+
+"We are in luck again," Jack whispered. "This is the very man I spoke
+about, Redgrave in the flesh. Are we going to learn anything, I
+wonder?"
+
+The newcomer protested whiningly that not one drop of ardent liquor
+had passed his lips that day.
+
+"You miserable, prevaricating hound!" Nostalgo cried. "Go back to
+Anstruther, and say that I will have none of you. Tell your master
+that my time is short, and that an hour from now will make all the
+difference. He knows that I dare not stay; he knows what hideous
+disaster even the slightest delay may produce, and yet he sends you of
+all men to help me in this crisis."
+
+"But Anstruther cannot possibly do anything else," Redgrave whined.
+"It is absolutely imperative that he should be at Carrington's by
+midnight. Carrington is not to be trusted; he wants watching as
+carefully as a cat watches a mouse. You will have to put up with me,
+sir."
+
+Nostalgo paced up and down the dreary forecourt with the air of a man
+who is deep in thought. His limp and straggling gait was by no means
+lost upon the watchers overhead. He came to a halt at length and sat
+on the edge of the broken fountain, his head upon his hands, deeply
+immersed in thought. He might have been a graven statue, so rigid and
+still was his figure.
+
+The effect of this upon the cowering, watching Redgrave was peculiar.
+There was something of the cat in his own movements as he came inch by
+inch nearer to Nostalgo. It was as if a child was timidly making
+overtures to a dog of uncertain temper. Near and nearer Redgrave came,
+till he was standing directly over the bent figure of his companion.
+He might have been miles away for all the heed that Nostalgo gave him.
+
+Then quick as thought, and with a snarling, savage cry that echoed
+strangely between the four walls of the forecourt, Redgrave fell
+furiously and with headlong impetuosity upon the doubled-up figure of
+his prey.
+
+"I have got you now, you misshapen devil!" he screamed. "You are going
+to be worth at least two hundred pounds to me to-night."
+
+Utterly taken by surprise, Nostalgo collapsed under the sudden and
+furious assault. Something gleamed and flashed in the uncertain light,
+and the horrified onlookers from the window above saw that Redgrave
+had a knife in his hand.
+
+"You poisonous scoundrel!" Rigby yelled. "Drop it, I say--drop it, or
+it will be the worse for you."
+
+But Rigby might have been speaking to the wind. He yelled again and
+again, yet the two men below, locked in a deadly embrace, did not
+appear to heed; indeed, it was more than probable that they could hear
+nothing at all. More by great good fortune than anything else,
+Nostalgo had managed to grip the hand that held the knife and was
+holding it in a tenacious clutch. Over and over the pair rolled,
+like two hungry dogs fighting for a bone, their clothes torn and
+mud-stained, their features grimed almost beyond recognition. It was
+a grim and gruesome sight to the two eager watchers. A sense of
+helplessness, a wild desire to do something was upon them; but they
+might just as well have been fettered prisoners for all the use they
+were.
+
+"If only we could open this door," Rigby sighed passionately. "If only
+that mysterious lady could come to our assistance."
+
+It was like a prayer that was answered. There was a click, a sudden
+wide swinging open of the door, and the lady in evening dress came
+headlong into the room.
+
+"Quickly, quickly!" she panted. "Oh, it does not matter who I am or
+where I came from! If you would not have the destruction of a man's
+soul on your conscience, come with me at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+LADY BARMOUTH.
+
+
+Quick as the whole thing had been, the action on the part of the fair
+stranger had not taken Rigby by surprise. He had half expected some
+development of this kind; he was ready for the dramatic moment, and
+took full advantage of it. Almost before the lady was in the room he
+had applied a match to the gas burner, and turned it full on. There
+was a quick, flashing vision of some one magnificently attired, for
+the white diaphanous drapery and the gleaming diamonds showed from
+where her wrap had parted at the neck. Perhaps she dimly comprehended
+the significance of Rigby's man[oe]uvre, for she turned somewhat
+scornfully from the hissing gas jet.
+
+"Oh, there is no time for that!" she cried. "It can matter little or
+nothing who I am, at any rate for the present. Did you follow me just
+now? I hope you understood that I was speaking to you?"
+
+"We gathered that, madam," Rigby said politely; "but really we are
+wasting time in idle compliments."
+
+The stranger's face fairly beamed with gratitude. She turned and
+pointed in the direction of the door. There was no need whatever for
+further words; the friends knew exactly what she wanted.
+
+The gesture was eloquent enough. The lady who had so strangely and
+unexpectedly come to the assistance of the friends intimated to them
+as plainly as words could speak that there was no time to be lost, and
+that the sooner they were off the premises the better. Jack did not
+wish to delay; he had no desire to be caught like a rat in a trap, nor
+for a moment did he forget the fact that this woman who spoke in
+parables had risked much to come to their assistance. On the other
+hand, Rigby, being cooler and more collected than his friend, and,
+like a journalist, more prone to go into details, was disposed to
+linger for explanations. His hesitation was by no means lost on the
+fair stranger. Once more she pointed to the door, this time with an
+imperious gesture.
+
+"Oh! why do you hesitate?" she murmured. "Why do you stand like a
+schoolboy staring into a shop window? I know you are here for some
+desperate purpose; I can more than guess the reason for your visit.
+You are men of intellect and understanding, therefore you must clearly
+see the danger of even an instant's delay."
+
+The lady turned away as if she had finished. Jack might have found it
+in his heart to be a little ashamed of Rigby, but, after all, the
+temptation to give way to curiosity was absolutely overwhelming. Jack
+pulled himself together at length, and dragged angrily at Rigby's arm.
+He felt just a little inclined to flush under the contemptuous gaze of
+their beautiful rescuer.
+
+"Oh, do come along," he said. "My dear Dick, you are positively guilty
+of bad taste in this matter."
+
+"Really, I beg your pardon," Rigby said humbly. "But you can quite
+understand my feelings. Good-night, madam."
+
+Despite the wild hurry-scurry and the excitement of the moment, Jack
+had not failed to notice the exquisite beauty of the strange woman's
+face. She was quite young, about twenty-five or thereabouts, and yet
+her fair face, without a line or wrinkle in it had a suggestion of the
+Madonna, as of one who had suffered much. She flew down the stairs,
+heedless of the darkness, and into the forecourt beyond.
+
+"Pray to heaven we are not too late." she said. "It seemed to me just
+now that I was barely in time, but surely----"
+
+The woman stopped, and passed her hand across her face just as one
+does who wakes from an evil dream. And in sooth she had cause enough
+for her astonishment. Where two bodies had been locked in a death
+struggle a minute before, only one remained now. The other had
+vanished utterly. And it needed only a cursory glance to see that the
+form lying there was not the misshapen outline of Nostalgo.
+
+"This is amazing," the fair stranger said, as she bent over the body
+of the unconscious man. She did not appear to be the least afraid now;
+all her coolness had come back to her; she suggested a trained nurse
+on the battlefield. "Surely my eyes did not deceive me, surely I saw
+two men in a death struggle there as I came into the courtyard?"
+
+"There is not the slightest doubt about that," Jack murmured. "Why, we
+were actually watching the fight at the very moment you opened the
+door. Do you know who this fellow is?"
+
+The lady shook her head, but Jack noticed that she did not repudiate
+all knowledge of the stricken man.
+
+"I can tell you if you want to know." she said, "but we can discuss
+that point later on. What we want to know now is how far this man has
+suffered from his injuries."
+
+Heedless of the dust and dirt, heedless of her resplendent attire, the
+lady had thrown herself on her knees beside the prostrate body. She
+laid her hand upon his heart, and bent her head down listening
+intently.
+
+"At all events he is not dead." she said, "neither can I see any sign
+of a wound. He has evidently been stunned by some tremendous blow. Ah!
+see, he stirs."
+
+The injured man opened his eyes in a feeble, spasmodic kind of way,
+and gazed languidly about him. Rigby, fully alive to the possibilities
+of the situation, grasped Jack by the arm.
+
+"My dear fellow," he exclaimed, "you say you know that man, and
+naturally he knows you. Do you think it wise to remain in sight, and
+thus give him a chance to recognize you?"
+
+Redgrave lay as if lost to all consciousness once more. Despite her
+dreamy, Madonna-like face, the strange lady was not blind to the
+danger of the situation.
+
+"I think you are quite right." she whispered hurriedly. "It would
+never do for this man to recognize you. I feel sure that heaven has
+sent you both to be my friends in the hour of my deepest despair. Who
+and what I am can be explained presently. But that man is coming to
+very fast, and it were far better if he did not see you."
+
+Rigby nodded his emphatic approval. Together with Jack he withdrew
+behind the shelter of a clump of bushes where it was possible to hear
+everything without being seen. Meanwhile Redgrave had raised himself
+to a sitting position, and, with his back to the fountain, was
+stupidly contemplating the fair figure before him.
+
+"I suppose you can understand what is said to you?" the lady asked.
+"For instance, you can tell me what brings you here to-night?"
+
+"I dare say I could if I liked," Redgrave groaned, "but I am not going
+to do anything of the kind. This comes of having women mixed up in a
+business like ours."
+
+"Woman or not, that has nothing to do with your murderous assault on a
+harmless stranger just now. It is absurd for you to deny any knowledge
+of me. You have heard of Lady Barmouth before."
+
+Behind the shelter of the bushes Jack nipped Rigby's arm
+significantly. He had learned something now.
+
+"Did you hear that?" he whispered. "Of course you have heard of Lady
+Barmouth often enough. I have never met her myself, but I have often
+heard Claire speak about her. A beautiful South American girl, I
+believe, married to a sulky brute who never goes outside his house
+from one year's end to another. I don't know whether he drinks or what
+it is, but I fear that Lady Barmouth has a very bad time of it."
+
+Jack would have probably volunteered more information on this point,
+only the cross-examination of Redgrave had begun again, and he did not
+wish to miss a word that he said.
+
+"It is idle to prevaricate with me," Lady Barmouth was saying. "I will
+ask you nothing as to your late encounter, because it is evident that
+you had greatly the worst of it, and that your would-be victim has
+escaped. But what is more to the point, I want to know what has become
+of my brother?"
+
+"Your brother!" Redgrave stammered, as if utterly taken aback by the
+suddenness of the question. "I--I don't know in the least what you
+mean."
+
+"Oh, what is the use of wasting your time and mine like this?" Lady
+Barmouth cried. "My brother came here by special appointment to meet
+Mr. Spencer Anstruther, and I came on my own self-initiative to see
+what my brother was doing."
+
+Here was fresh information for Jack and his companion. It mattered
+little for the present who Lady Barmouth's brother was, but evidently
+she had greatly mistrusted him; hence her appearance in the courtyard
+to-night. It was, therefore, by no means difficult for the friends to
+guess that the aforesaid brother had been the man who had so lately
+accused Lady Barmouth of being a sentimental fool. The night's work
+was being by no means wasted.
+
+"I know nothing whatever about your brother," Redgrave said sulkily,
+"and I know nothing about Anstruther either. The man who was here just
+now--the man who made that murderous attack on me, I mean--was a
+perfect stranger. But this is no place for a lady like you; you had
+better go home, and keep out of this sort of scrape for the future.
+
+"So saying, Redgrave scrambled painfully to his feet, and lurched off
+in the direction of the doorway leading to the lane beyond. It was
+only when they were satisfied that he had absolutely departed, that
+Rigby and Masefield emerged from their hiding place and joined Lady
+Barmouth. There was a sad, wistful expression on her face.
+
+"You heard all that." she said. "Mind you, I am assuming that you are
+no parties to the vile conspiracy of which Anstruther is the head. I
+should like to have your assurance on that point before I proceed any
+further."
+
+"If there is one man in the world whom we desire to expose and render
+harmless for the future, it is Spencer Anstruther," Jack said
+vehemently. "But how did you know we were here at all?"
+
+"Because I happened to be in the house when you came," Lady Barmouth
+explained. "I caught sight of your faces as you moved in front of the
+light proceeding from that room up-stairs, and I divined by a sort of
+instinct that you did not belong to Anstruther's gang. Then it came to
+me that I had seen one of you gentlemen before in the company of Miss
+Helmsley. I think, sir, I may be pardoned if I assume that Miss
+Helmsley is something more than a friend of yours."
+
+"To be perfectly candid with you, we are engaged to be married, only
+it is a profound secret at present," Jack explained. "After telling
+you so much, I think you might be equally candid with us."
+
+"Indeed I will!" Lady Barmouth exclaimed. "Any one to whom Claire
+Helmsley has given her heart must be a good and true man. As I told
+you just now, I saw you on the stairs; I also heard what that strange
+man said about there being spies in the house; I saw you creep into
+the room, and I saw Anstruther lock the door upon you. The rest you
+know for yourselves."
+
+"But that does not explain why you are here," Rigby ventured to
+suggest.
+
+"Why I am here to-night I cannot even tell you," Lady Barmouth said,
+in low, nervous tones. "The secret is not mine; it concerns one I love
+more than anybody else in the world. One thing I can tell you: Claire
+Helmsley is in great danger so long as she remains where she is living
+now. You must get her away, Mr. Masefield; you must get her away at
+any cost."
+
+Jack nodded gravely; he had not been blind to this danger for some
+time. What he wanted to know now was if Lady Barmouth had any idea of
+the identity of the man who had successfully got the better of
+Redgrave. But on that head Lady Barmouth could say nothing; she had
+returned for the express purpose of relieving Masefield and Rigby from
+their awkward situation, and in so doing she had come quite
+unexpectedly upon the combatants. Even in the dim light she had seen
+that a murderous struggle was taking place, and this being so, had
+hastened headlong up-stairs with a view to securing assistance. More
+than this she could not possibly say.
+
+"What we want to do," Rigby suggested, "is to go away quietly
+somewhere, and discuss this matter thoroughly. I need not point out to
+your ladyship the manifest danger of staying here. Anstruther or any
+of his tribe may be back at any time, and then we shall be caught like
+rats in a trap."
+
+"That matter is easily settled," Lady Barmouth replied. "Could you
+come home with me? It is by no means late yet, and you would not be
+long in getting rid of those disguises of yours. They are excellent
+disguises, but they did not prevent me recognizing you, Mr.
+Masefield."
+
+"There is no deceiving a clever woman," Jack smiled. "I should like
+nothing better than a chance to discuss this matter at length--but
+Lord Barmouth? Would he not think it somewhat singular that two
+strangers like ourselves----"
+
+"Nothing of the sort!" Lady Barmouth cried eagerly. "My husband never
+goes outside the house; he is suffering from a trouble so terrible
+that I try not to think of it if I can. I may, however, tell you that
+his trouble is intimately connected with the black business that
+brings us here to-night. It may seem to you that I am a mere frivolous
+society butterfly. Ah, if you only knew!"
+
+The trio had worked their way into the street by this time. A private
+hansom stood a little way down the road. Lady Barmouth smiled a little
+as she contemplated her two companions.
+
+"I am afraid we should be a suspicious-looking party in the eye of a
+passing policeman." she said. "No, I think it would be just as well if
+I walked to my hansom alone. Then you can go back to your rooms and
+attire yourselves as English gentlemen should be attired at this time
+of the evening. Then you can come to my house; I will tell the
+servants I am expecting two friends to supper. You know the address."
+
+Jack intimated that he knew the address perfectly well. The suggestion
+was by no means a bad one; there could be no possible suspicion
+aroused by the fact that Lady Barmouth was having two friends to share
+her late meal. The clocks were striking twelve as Jack and his
+companion walked up the steps of the big house in Belgrave Square.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+THE BOSOM OF HER FAMILY.
+
+
+A resplendent footman took the names of the callers, and preceded them
+to the drawing-room. It was no uncommon thing for Lady Barmouth to
+invite a score or so of friends to supper after a reception or
+theatre. The footman intimated that his mistress was alone now, and
+that she was at present in the hands of her maid; therefore the
+callers had ample time to study the surroundings of so mysterious a
+person as Lord Barmouth.
+
+That remarkable man, as everybody knew, had only been married a little
+over two years. Two years ago he himself had been a more or less
+popular figure in society. In the first place he was exceedingly rich,
+by no means ill looking, in fact he was a remarkably fine type of an
+all-round athlete. He was a triple blue at Oxford, a wonderfully keen
+shot, and a dashing polo player. At his house in the Shires his
+hunters were noted, as likewise were his coverts. Two years ago any
+man would have esteemed it a privilege to call himself Lord Barmouth's
+friend, and be free of his guns and his horses.
+
+But now all this was changed. Barmouth had gone away to South America
+with a view of something new in the way of sport. Naturally his
+movements were followed carefully by the society papers. They
+chronicled all his doings faithfully, and presently Belgravia was
+officially informed of the fact that Barmouth was in Mexico, where
+he had become engaged to be married to the daughter of a settler
+there--an Englishman of good family who had taken unto himself a
+Mexican wife. Three months later the announcement of Barmouth's
+marriage was in the _Times_. It was understood that he was not coming
+home quite yet; indeed, something like two years elapsed before the
+big house in Belgrave Square was set in order for the owner and his
+bride. The strange whisperings and muttered scandal began at once. But
+on one point society was in perfect accord--whatever trouble hung over
+the household, it could not possibly be a fault of Lady Barmouth's.
+The woman was a lady to her finger-tips; she took her part naturally
+and easily in society; she fell into her place like one to the manner
+born. As everybody expected, there was nothing lacking in the lavish
+hospitality which had always been a tradition of the Barmouths. Men
+went down to their country houses in the winter to shoot and hunt, men
+and women came to Belgrave Square to lunch and dance and dinner--there
+was no more popular figure in society than Lady Barmouth.
+
+And there it seemed to end. From the day of his arrival in England
+until the present moment not a soul had looked upon Lord Barmouth with
+the exception of his wife and his faithful valet. What was the source
+of the trouble nobody knew, and nobody guessed. It was in vain to try
+to bribe the servants, for they were just as much in the dark as
+anybody else. It was perhaps a mistake to say that nobody had ever
+seen Lord Barmouth, for occasionally he entered the dining or
+drawing-rooms when some very old friends were there, but previous to
+his entry the lights were always turned out. Whether this was due to
+some strange form of disease, or perhaps some phase of madness, was a
+point never explained. Lady Barmouth, beyond a cold statement that her
+husband was suffering from a peculiar malady, said nothing, and,
+indeed, it would have been in very bad taste to have asked. It had
+only been a nine days' wonder after all, and it mattered little to
+society in general so long as the hospitality of the house of Barmouth
+did not suffer.
+
+It was under the roof of a man like this that Rigby and Jack found
+themselves as a fitting end to a night of amazing adventure. There was
+nothing to denote a discordant spirit in the house. Here was the
+magnificent suite of drawing-rooms brilliantly lighted and luxurious
+to a degree, on the walls of which were pictures of price. There was
+about the house the decorous, smooth, velvety silence which seems to
+be tradition in all well-ordered establishments. It seemed almost
+impossible to believe that the sinister wing of tragedy should hang
+over a home like this. A few minutes later Lady Barmouth came into the
+room.
+
+"I am sorry to keep you waiting." she said, "but I have been having a
+little chat with my husband. As I have already intimated to you, his
+misfortunes are not altogether unconnected with this Anstruther
+business. My dear husband has suffered cruelly at the hands of certain
+people; indeed, so cruelly has he suffered that he seems to have lost
+all life and hope altogether. Ah, if you had only seen him as I saw
+him for the first time two years ago! There is one thing, however, I
+will ask you to do--pray do not say a word to him as to the
+circumstances in which we met to-night."
+
+"Then we are to have the pleasure of seeing Lord Barmouth," Jack
+exclaimed. "I quite understood that he----"
+
+"This is an exceptional case altogether. In the strict sense of the
+word you will not see my husband, but he desires the privilege of a
+few words with you. Now, let us go into the dining-room and talk this
+matter over. There will be no servants present--it is the one meal of
+the day which I prefer to partake of without the presence of one's
+domestics."
+
+The dining-room was not the usual apartment devoted to state feasts,
+but a small room on the first floor, cozily and comfortably furnished,
+and more with an eye to confidences than anything else. The servants
+were absent as Lady Barmouth had intimated, so that it was possible to
+discuss the events of the evening without the chance of being
+overheard.
+
+"Now tell me candidly," Lady Barmouth said at length, "have you any
+ideas to offer as to that mysterious disappearance from Shannon Street
+police station? I am asking you this, Mr. Masefield, because it was
+you who actually found the body of the man who most people speak of as
+Nostalgo. Really, now, was that unfortunate man so very like the
+wonderful poster of which London has had to say so much of late?"
+
+"The likeness was amazing," Jack explained. "It quite frightened me.
+Talking about the poster in question, there is another likeness that I
+have not failed to note. Of course, if you put the man I mean and the
+poster side by side, nobody could possibly see the resemblance. But in
+moments of anger, there is a strong likeness between the poster and
+Spencer Anstruther. Don't laugh at me, Lady Barmouth; I assure you it
+is absolutely true."
+
+But Lady Barmouth was by no means in the way of laughing at Masefield.
+Her pale face took on a still more creamy pallor, the pupils of her
+dark eyes were strangely dilated. "That is a most strange and
+wonderful thing." she said, as if speaking to herself. "Mr. Masefield,
+it is most fortunate that we met to-night. You have just told me
+something which will prove of the utmost value later on. We will not
+discuss that now, there is no time. But there is one thing that I am
+going to ask you to do for me; I want you to influence Claire Helmsley
+in my favor. I have taken a great fancy to her; indeed, I like her far
+more than any girl in London. This is all the stranger because I
+believe I am in a position to do her a great service. I _know_ that I
+am in a position to do her one. But one stipulation I make, and that
+is--she must be told everything."
+
+Jack hesitated. It would be indeed a dangerous thing to acquaint
+Claire with all that had happened so long as she was under the same
+roof as Spencer Anstruther. She was not accustomed to restrain her
+feelings and emotions, and with his swift, subtle instincts,
+Anstruther would find out that there was something wrong immediately.
+Jack pointed this out to Lady Barmouth at some length.
+
+"I don't think so." she said thoughtfully. "Claire is a clever girl,
+she is in splendid health, and not the least likely to fear Anstruther
+or anybody else. It is, of course, not nice to have to play a part,
+but think of the information that Claire could glean for us so long as
+Anstruther regards her as little more than a child and behaves to her
+accordingly."
+
+"Believe me, I am only too anxious to get at the bottom of this
+dreadful business," Jack said earnestly, "and there is nobody more
+anxious than I am to get Claire outside the sphere of Anstruther's
+influence altogether. Still, I am quite willing to try. I will see
+Claire to-morrow, and tell her everything."
+
+Lady Barmouth's face beamed with a delight that was almost childish.
+She looked and acted like one who had had a great weight taken off her
+mind. That Jack had come to a wise decision she felt certain. She was
+saying so, speaking very briskly and freely, when the lights of the
+room were extinguished by some invisible agency, and the apartment
+left in utter darkness save for the wood-fire which smouldered on the
+hearth.
+
+"I do hope you have all finished," Lady Barmouth cried. "It is quite
+evident that my husband thinks so, or the lights would not have been
+extinguished by turning off the switch outside the door."
+
+Both Jack and Rigby muttered something to the effect that they had
+finished. Lady Barmouth produced a tiny silver spirit lamp from the
+sideboard, the blue flame of which was little larger than a pin's
+point, sufficient to light a cigarette, but insufficient to illuminate
+a scrap of paper a foot away. In silence the cigarettes were handed
+round, and the well-trained voice of a servant was heard announcing
+Lord Barmouth. A closely muffled figure crept into the room, and
+proceeded to bury itself in a big armchair by the side of the
+wood-fire.
+
+"These are my friends, Mr. Rigby and Mr. Masefield," Lady Barmouth
+said cheerfully. "I have told them that you would like to have a few
+words with them, George. You will find these gentlemen willing to
+speak quite freely."
+
+"That is indeed good of you." The deep, clear ringing voice came from
+the fireplace. "I have been praying for something like this for the
+last twelve months. Still, it is more with Mr. Masefield than Mr.
+Rigby that I wish to speak. You have made a great discovery to-night,
+I understand. You have found out the source of those Nostalgo
+posters?"
+
+"I think I have done more than that," Jack explained. "I have not only
+discovered their source, but I know where they are printed, and the
+process of their manufacture. If you like to put yourself in my hands
+and accompany me to-morrow night, you shall see the whole scheme for
+yourself."
+
+Lord Barmouth was of opinion that it was not wise in the circumstances
+to take any such step. He cross-examined Jack at considerable length,
+his questions being pointed with marked intelligence. At the same time
+he said little or nothing about himself. Lady Barmouth sat there
+smiling behind the cover of the darkness, infinitely glad to see her
+husband taking an interest in the affairs of life once more.
+
+"Don't you think it is rather late to-night?" she suggested; "besides,
+we are going too fast. With your intimate knowledge of the situation,
+and with the help of these gentlemen, surely we can devise some scheme
+for getting the better of that fiend Anstruther."
+
+"Ay, you are right," Barmouth said, his deep voice ringing through the
+room. "I see a way now, a way as clear as daylight."
+
+In his passionate emotion he dashed his foot forward so that the point
+of his shoe came with force against one of the logs in the grate. A
+blue flame spurted up, and died as suddenly as it had come. Jack and
+Rigby rose to leave. No sooner were they outside than Jack clutched
+his companion's arm eagerly.
+
+"Did you see nothing?" Jack whispered. "By heaven, Lord Barmouth and
+the Nostalgo we saw in the forecourt to-night are one and the same
+person!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+WHICH MAN WAS IT?
+
+
+Rigby's astonishment was frank and undisguised. It was quite evident
+that he had noticed nothing suspicious about the look or attitude of
+Lord Barmouth; indeed, he had been on the far side of the table when
+the master of the house had entered the room. But he was not
+altogether prepared to accept Jack's statement unless he could verify
+it by something more than a mere expression of opinion.
+
+"Are you quite sure of that?" he asked. "Mind you, this is an
+exceedingly important matter, and if what you say is true, we have
+opened up a quite fresh development of the mystery."
+
+"I am absolutely certain of it," Jack declared. "I had not the least
+idea of anything of the kind till we were both on our feet ready to
+go. It was at this point, you will remember, that Lord Barmouth
+displayed some feeling and accidentally touched the logs of wood on
+the fire with his foot. In the spurt of flame which followed, I had a
+perfect view of his face."
+
+"Would you mind describing what you saw?" Rigby asked.
+
+"You have only to look at the nearest poster displaying the features
+of Nostalgo, and your question is answered. It was only a flash, but
+the face was impressed upon my mind in the most vivid fashion. There
+was the same sinister expression of face, the same repulsive twist of
+the mouth, the same inexpressible gleam of the eyes. You know what I
+mean: the whole thing was exactly as we see it, on half the hoardings
+in London. Of course it is the face of a leering Mephistopheles. And
+yet I don't know; it occurred to me that there was something very
+pathetic and at the same time kindly about Barmouth's aspect. You know
+what I mean: imagine a kind-hearted, good-natured actor made up as
+repulsively as possible, and yet with the suggestion of his natural
+disposition behind him."
+
+"Yes, I fancy I understand what you mean," Rigby replied thoughtfully.
+"But you don't suggest that the man really was made up, do you?"
+
+Jack replied that he did and he didn't. There was something unreal
+about Barmouth, and yet it was impossible to believe that that
+sinister face was anything except just as nature made it. The friends
+walked along side by side in silence before another idea occurred to
+Rigby.
+
+"It seems to me," he said, "that we must believe in the existence of
+two Nostalgos. The one you found near Panton Square was dead; in fact,
+the police sergeant testified to the fact. How or by what means that
+man's body was so mysteriously spirited away we are not very likely to
+find out. At any rate it is quite fair to assume that his friends had
+some desperate reason for spiriting the body away. Therefore, we may
+logically infer that Lord Barmouth cannot possibly be the same man you
+saw in Panton Square."
+
+"That is a very fair assumption," Jack admitted. "But to carry your
+argument a bit further, we are bound to assume that there are no less
+than three Nostalgos. The suggestion is almost farcical, but there it
+is."
+
+"What do you mean by three?" Rigby asked.
+
+"Well, don't forget the man we saw in the forecourt of the house in
+Montrose Place. No mistake about his being a Nostalgo."
+
+"Quite so," Rigby admitted. "I am with you there. But how do we know
+for certain that Nostalgo No. 2, so to speak, and Lord Barmouth are
+not the same man? Did you notice anything strange about the appearance
+of Barmouth as he came into the room to-night--that he was humpbacked
+or misshapen in any way?"
+
+Jack was bound to admit that he had not noticed anything of the kind.
+
+"I don't think we shall ever do much good unless we go direct to the
+fountain head," Jack said thoughtfully.
+
+"Mexico," Rigby cried. "I see exactly what you mean."
+
+"Mexico it is. We know perfectly well that when Barmouth went off to
+Mexico two years ago on a sporting expedition he was a normal man like
+you and me. If he had been so terribly disfigured by birth or accident
+as he appeared to-night we should have known it. A man in his position
+with an infirmity like that cannot hide it from the light of day. To
+carry the thing to a logical conclusion, if Barmouth had been like
+that when he went away, why should he be so dreadfully troubled about
+it now?"
+
+Rigby applauded this sound reasoning. He could see that Jack had
+something on his mind, and urged him to proceed.
+
+"I don't quite know what to make of it," Jack said. "As I observed
+just now, we seem to be face to face with the fact that there are two
+or three Nostalgos, and for all we know to the contrary, there may be
+a score more knocking about London. It has occurred to me more than
+once that these men must belong to some secret society."
+
+Rigby was inclined to laugh at the idea. On being asked by Jack to
+explain what he saw that was fatal to the theory, he replied logically
+enough that such a thing was out of the question.
+
+"My dear fellow, just think what you are saying," he exclaimed. "So
+far as my reading teaches me, the great object of a secret society is
+to be secret. Besides, you don't suggest for a moment that these men
+belong to any particular tribe, especially as we know perfectly well
+that Lord Barmouth, who is an Englishman, belongs to them. Nor would
+you want me to believe that these men are in the habit of having their
+faces operated upon by some ingenious doctor, so that they are in the
+position to recognize one another when they meet."
+
+Jack was bound to admit that Rigby had the facts entirely upon his
+side. It seemed absolutely childish to believe that sane men would do
+this kind of thing, especially when it was very evident that these
+various Nostalgos were only too anxious to hide themselves from the
+light of day. Rigby did not pursue his advantage; he was quite content
+to judge that his argument had prevailed from the expression of Jack's
+face.
+
+"But we need not carry that argument any further," he said. "I judge
+from your expression that you have another theory."
+
+"I was just coming to that," Jack said. "We will assume for the sake
+of argument that when Barmouth went to Mexico he was without blemish
+of mind or body. That being so, he must have met with some terrible
+adventure which has resulted in this terrible disfigurement. Mind you,
+it is a disfigurement; it certainly is not natural; for instance, no
+three men could possibly have faces like that as the result of a freak
+of Nature. What I am trying to think is this: Barmouth got mixed up in
+some hideous secret society, and that he either carries on his face
+the badge of the tribe, or he has been purposely disfigured out of
+revenge for some dereliction of duty. However, this is only
+speculation after all, and we can do nothing till we have some fresh
+facts before us."
+
+"I am inclined to think very highly of your theory all the same,"
+Rigby said. "There is no questioning the fact that we have to look
+towards Mexico for an elucidation of the mystery. By Jove, I have
+nearly forgotten something. Wouldn't it be a good thing to find out if
+Anstruther had ever been to Mexico?"
+
+"Of course it would," Jack exclaimed. "I'll see to that. I will go to
+Anstruther's to-morrow night and learn there. It will be hard indeed
+if I am unable to answer your question next time we meet."
+
+It was fairly late the following afternoon before Jack found himself
+in Pan ton Square again. He had practically promised Lady Barmouth to
+tell Claire everything, but a natural reflection had shown him that
+this was not quite prudent. Not that he objected to take Claire into
+his confidence, but what he greatly feared was the girl's inability to
+control her feelings in the presence of Anstruther after she had
+learned everything. But, as Jack looked into the face of his
+betrothed, his doubts gradually vanished. It was a courageous as well
+as a beautiful face, and it occurred to Jack that Lady Barmouth had
+not done badly when she had selected Claire to be her confidante in
+this painful matter. Claire's dark eyes were turned interrogatively
+upon her lover. Perhaps he was looking a little more serious than
+usual; at any rate his grave face told her that he came with news of
+importance.
+
+"My dear boy, what is the matter?" Claire asked. She twined her hands
+about his arm, and laid her head caressingly on his shoulder. It was
+impossible to resist that pleading upward glance. "I am sure you have
+something important to say to me."
+
+"Against my better judgment," Jack laughed. "Yes, I am going to tell
+you something about your guardian."
+
+Claire listened with the deepest attention as Jack proceeded to speak
+freely of the adventures of the last two days. He watched the change
+of her face, the flush and the pallor, and the dawning resolution
+which gave her mouth strength and firmness.
+
+"I do not think you need be afraid for me," Claire said. "I will be
+brave and resolute; I will do my best to hide my feelings from Mr.
+Anstruther. This is a dreadful business altogether; but, dreadful as
+it is, we cannot draw back now. You have told me some strange things,
+but some of your facts are not facts at all."
+
+"In what way have I been mistaken?" Jack asked.
+
+"Well, as to Mr. Anstruther, for instance. You say that you saw him at
+Montrose Place last night for the best part of an hour."
+
+"Well, so I did," Jack declared. "If you want anybody to prove that,
+ask Rigby. Anstruther was there somewhere about half-past ten, and
+when he left he had not the slightest intention of going home."
+
+"Most extraordinary," Claire murmured. "Listen to what I have to say,
+what I should have to swear to if this thing ever went into a court of
+justice. Shortly after dinner last night Spencer Anstruther went
+directly to his study; he had not been there very long before he was
+playing his violin, and this he continued to do till one o'clock this
+morning. Now what do you make of that?"
+
+"It seems almost incredible," Jack said. "Was there a break at all in
+the performance?"
+
+Claire replied that there was a break of perhaps twenty-five minutes
+to half-an-hour, so far as she could judge, somewhere about eleven
+o'clock. Jack smiled with the air of a man who makes a discovery. This
+was just the period when Padini had turned up in Montrose Place. There
+was no time to go into theories now, but Jack felt that he would have
+a surprise for his friends later on.
+
+"Tell me, tell me," he said, "do you think you can recollect the names
+of all the pieces that Anstruther played last night? I want you to try
+and repeat them to me exactly in the order that they occurred. This is
+more important than you would imagine."
+
+It was a somewhat difficult task, but Claire managed it successfully
+at length. For a long time the girl bent thoughtfully over her writing
+table, and presently produced a neat list on which were inscribed the
+names of some ten or fifteen classical compositions.
+
+"I think you will find that practically correct." she said. "I may not
+have recollected the exact order, but I think that is good enough for
+your purpose."
+
+Masefield was quite sure of the fact. He folded the list, and
+carefully placed it in his pocket.
+
+"Now there is one more thing I should like," he said. "Now, as you are
+perfectly well aware, Padini was giving a recital last night at the
+small Queen's Hall. You will remember this, more especially as your
+music agent sent you a programme, a thing he always does when there is
+anything of importance going on. Now, do you think you could find that
+programme for me? Not that it very much matters, because I can step
+'round to Smithson's and get one for myself; still, if you happen to
+have it in the house----"
+
+But Claire was quite certain that she had the programme somewhere. She
+produced it presently from a mass of papers on the piano.
+
+"Now we shall get at it," Jack said. "I see by this programme that
+Padini is down for no less than six items. He had a most enthusiastic
+audience, as I happen to know, which really means that he played about
+twelve pieces altogether. Now I will read to you the first four of
+these compositions. They are respectively Etude 25, Chopin;
+Wiegenlied, Brahms; Moszkowski's Five Waltzes; Liszt's 'Die Lorelei.'
+Now, unless I am greatly mistaken, you will find that those pieces
+were played in the same order by Anstruther in his study last night.
+Is not that so?"
+
+"Amazing!" Claire cried. "Absolutely it is exactly as you say. What
+does it mean?"
+
+"We will take the list right through till the end if you like," Jack
+replied. "The same thing will apply to both lists. Now is it not an
+extraordinary thing that those two men should have gone through
+exactly the same programme, item by item, without the slightest
+variation? And all the time they were some two miles apart?"
+
+"It seems absolutely incapable of explanation," Claire cried. "Oh! the
+explanation will be simple enough when the time comes," Jack laughed;
+"but you will see for yourself that the thing is not quite finished.
+It is obvious enough that Padini's recital finished at about eleven,
+whereas you say that Anstruther went on till about one o'clock in the
+morning. The next business is to find out where Padini was playing so
+late--possibly at a smoking concert or something of that kind. At any
+rate I am going to find out, and then I shall discover that the
+supplementary programme will be exactly the same as your list."
+
+"Is it some new science?" Claire asked, "some wonderful new discovery
+that Mr. Anstruther is perfecting before he submits it to the world?"
+
+"Not a bit of it," Jack said practically. "There is nothing occult
+here. And now I must go. I will see you at dinner."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+THE EMPTY ROOM.
+
+
+Jack went off, bent upon putting his discovery to the test. There was
+not the slightest trouble in ascertaining where Padini had passed the
+hours between eleven and one of the previous evening. As Masefield had
+anticipated, the artist had been persuaded to lend his services to the
+Bohemia Clef Club, where he had been the lion of the evening. The fact
+Jack ascertained at the club itself, a musical member affording him
+all the information he desired. The previous night's talent had been
+of a very middle class nature, so that Padini had found himself in
+great request. He had been exceedingly obliging, so Jack's informant
+said, and had practically played straight away for a couple of hours.
+Jack jotted down the names of the various items executed by Padini,
+and on comparing them with the list given him by Claire, found that
+they tallied exactly.
+
+"The plot thickens," he murmured, as he walked rapidly away in the
+direction of the _Planet_ office, there to lay his most recent
+discoveries before Rigby. "What an ingenious rascal we have to deal
+with, to be sure!"
+
+Rigby was emphatically of the same opinion. He did not see how it was
+possible to better Jack's suggestion that he should dine at
+Anstruther's that night and ascertain all he could as to Anstruther's
+past, and especially as to whether the latter had ever been in Mexico.
+
+"There is one little thing we have quite overlooked," Jack suggested
+as he rose to depart. "We have got to get inside that study.
+Anstruther's game is to lock himself in and pretend that his violin
+soothes his mind and induces a proper train of thought. That's his
+story, of course. I have ascertained that Padini is doing nothing
+to-night, but that will not prevent the music going on all the same.
+Now if you could hit upon some scheme whereby----"
+
+"I know exactly what you mean," Rigby said; "you want to see the
+inside of the study just at the critical moment. I think our game is
+to make a diversion outside. I'll just turn over the matter in my
+mind, and if I can see a really artistic way of doing it, I will send
+you a telegram just before you go to dinner. The diversion, of course,
+will come from the outside of the house."
+
+Jack felt sure that the matter was quite safe in the capable hands of
+Dick Rigby. He was surer still when a little before eight o'clock his
+landlady handed him a telegram containing just three words from Rigby.
+Before he slept that night, Jack felt pretty sure that the mystery of
+Anstruther's violin practice would be a secret from him no longer.
+
+It was hard work to keep his feelings under control, to sit in the
+drawing-room before dinner was announced and exchange commonplaces
+with his brilliant host. Anstruther had rarely been in better form; he
+had the air and mien of a man with whom the world goes very well
+indeed; success seemed to stand out in big letters upon him. Usually
+Anstruther was a man of moods; to-night he was merely a society
+creature with apparently no heed of the morrow.
+
+If Jack had any misgivings on the subject of Claire's behavior towards
+her guardian, his uneasiness was speedily set at rest. The most
+critical observer could not have detected the slightest jarring note.
+It was all the same through dinner: Anstruther monopolized most of the
+conversation, and Claire followed every word with flattering
+attention. Dessert was on the table at length before Jack carefully
+led up the conversation to foreign travel. He had seen much of the
+world himself, so that there were several places of mutual interest to
+be discussed with Anstruther.
+
+"There is one part of the world, however," Jack said, as he carelessly
+peeled a peach, "that I have always been curious to see. I allude to
+the land of the Aztecs, those wonderful ruined cities of Mexico, of
+which we know so little and profess to know so much. Now, don't you
+think that those people must have been of an exceedingly high state of
+civilization?"
+
+The question was so innocently asked, and Jack's artistic deference
+was so subtly conveyed, that Anstruther fell headlong into the trap.
+
+"I should say there is not the slightest doubt about it," the host
+responded. "I have been there; indeed, I spent a goodish part of my
+time in and about Montezuma."
+
+"And about when would that be?" Jack asked.
+
+Anstruther explained, without giving definite dates, that it was about
+two years before. Jack proceeded to discuss the matter in a casual
+kind of way. He was anxious to know whether any of the old customs of
+the Aztecs still prevailed; he had heard that to a great extent the
+religion of these people had been built up on freemasonry. Did, for
+instance, Anstruther believe in the legends of terrible revenges which
+these people used to inflict upon their enemies?
+
+But Anstruther declined to put his head further into the lion's mouth;
+he seemed to become suddenly a little uneasy and suspicious and
+changed the conversation to safer grounds. Still, Jack had learned
+quite as much as he had expected to learn, and Anstruther's very
+reticence confirmed Jack in the feeling that his host knew everything
+there was to know about the terrible misfortunes of the man or men
+called Nostalgo.
+
+It was getting fairly late now, and Jack was beginning to wonder
+whether the hour had not yet arrived for Rigby's promised diversion.
+If it came now it would be merely wasted, seeing that nothing could be
+gained by Rigby's ingenious device until Anstruther was safe in his
+study. He showed no signs, however, of any disposition to move; his
+face had grown placid again, and he was talking with all his old charm
+of manner on various topics of interest.
+
+Jack did not fail to notice the figure of Serena as she flitted
+noiselessly about the room. It had not escaped his notice, either,
+that the woman had appeared more than usually anxious and eager when
+Mexico had been mentioned. Serena disappeared from the room a moment
+in her soft, flitting manner, coming back a moment later with a
+telegram, which she laid silently by her master's side. Anstruther
+opened the envelope carelessly, and glanced at the contents.
+
+Just for an instant his face grew dark as a thunder-cloud, and
+something like an oath escaped his lips. It was all like a lightning
+flash, but the swift change had not been lost on Jack. Anstruther
+twisted up the telegram carefully, and thrust it in one of the shaded
+candles before him, as if he needed a light for his cigar. Jack felt
+that he would have given much for a sight of that telegram, but
+already it was a little pile of gray ashes upon Anstruther's dessert
+plate.
+
+"A great nuisance," the latter said airily; "that is the worst of
+being a man of science. But I am not going out to-night for anybody. I
+have got some new music I want to try over presently."
+
+Jack murmured something appropriate to the occasion. Claire had
+already left the table, with the suggestion that perhaps the men would
+like coffee in the drawing-room.
+
+"You stay here and smoke." said Anstruther; "you won't mind my leaving
+you, of course, especially as I am so anxious to get back to my
+music."
+
+So saying, Anstruther pitched his cigar end on the ash tray, and moved
+off in the direction of his study. He had a gay, debonair manner now;
+he hummed a fragment of an operatic air as he walked along. There was
+the jangle of a telephone bell presently; almost immediately
+afterwards the study door was heard to shut and lock, and the music
+began.
+
+"It seems almost impossible to believe that that can be Anstruther,"
+Jack said to himself. "No man could improve like that in so short a
+time. I wonder what Rigby is doing. I hope he won't spoil the pretty
+scheme by over-haste. Probably in the course of half an-hour he will
+deem it time to begin."
+
+Evidently Rigby had been of the same opinion, for a full half-hour
+elapsed before a sound came from outside the house. Anstruther was
+well into his second theme before there was a sudden knocking and
+hammering on the front door, and a stentorian voice burst into cries
+of "Fire! Fire!"
+
+So spontaneous and natural was the whole thing, that Jack was taken
+absolutely aback for a moment. It occurred to him, of course, that a
+fire had broken out inside the house, and that some passer-by had
+discovered it. Again came the hammering on the door and the strident
+shouts of those outside. Jack made a leap for the hall, and raced
+up-stairs to the drawing-room three steps at a time. Claire had
+thrown her book aside, and stood, pale and startled, demanding to
+know what was the matter.
+
+"Somebody outside is calling 'fire,'" Jack explained hurriedly; "not
+that I fancy there is much the matter--the kitchen chimney or
+something of that kind. There they go again!"
+
+Once more the hammering and yelling were upraised; a frightened
+servant crept across the hall to the front door and opened it. And
+yet, despite all this turmoil, the beautiful soft strains of music
+below were continuing. Not for a second did they cease; the player was
+evidently too wrapped in his music to be conscious of outside
+disturbances. Not that the clamor lacked force and volume, for now
+that the front door was open the din was absolutely deafening. Through
+the break in the disturbance the sweet, liquid strains of music went
+on. Fond of his instrument as Anstruther might have been, he could be
+wide awake and alert enough on ordinary occasions, as Jack knew only
+too well. Why, then, was he so callous on this occasion?
+
+"Had not you better go down and arouse my guardian?" Clare suggested;
+"surely he is the proper man to look to a thing like this."
+
+Jack tumbled eagerly down the stairs, and thundered with both fists on
+the study door. As he had more than half expected, no response came to
+his summons. The music had become still more melodious and dreamy; the
+player might have been far away. As Jack turned, he saw that some
+half-dozen men were standing in the hall, one of whom gave him a
+palpable wink. It was Rigby's wink, and Jack detected it instantly.
+
+"There don't seem to be so very much the matter, sir," Rigby said. "No
+more than the kitchen fire. Only we thought we'd drop in and let you
+know. You chaps go to the kitchen and see what you can do."
+
+"How on earth did you manage that?" Jack asked.
+
+"Only a matter of burning a little magnesium light by the back door,"
+Rigby explained, with a grin; "but it seems to me only part of our
+duty to acquaint the master of the house with the fact that something
+is wrong. Is that him playing now, Jack?"
+
+"Nobody else," Jack replied. "Isn't it wonderful? Anybody would think
+he was a great artist absolutely lost to all sense of his
+surroundings. Still, as you say, it is our duty to let him know what
+is going on, even if we have to break in the door."
+
+Rigby grinned responsively. Secure in his disguise, he was not afraid
+of being taken for anything else but a street loafer eager to earn a
+more or less honest shilling. He tried the door and found it locked;
+he ran back a pace or two and hurled himself with full force against
+the oak door. Crack went the door on its hinges, the woodwork gave
+inwardly, and the room was disclosed to view.
+
+The music had not stopped or faltered for an instant, the whole
+apartment was flooded with a delicate melody. Jack stood there puzzled
+and bewildered, and with a feeling that he would wake presently and
+find that it was all a dream.
+
+"Absolutely stupendous!" he cried; "music fit food for the gods, and
+not a sign of the player!"
+
+For the room was absolutely empty!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+A BROKEN MELODY.
+
+
+There they stood in the empty room, neither speaking, and gazing about
+them as if they expected some solution of the strange mystery to fall
+upon them. The wildest part of the whole thing was that though the
+music continued in the same sweet, harmonious way, there was not the
+slightest suggestion or indication of where it came from. It could not
+possibly have been a phonograph or a gramophone or anything of that
+kind, as the instrument in that case would have been in sight. And yet
+the whole room was flooded with that beautiful melody as if an
+invisible choir had been there making the music of the gods.
+
+"I declare it makes me feel quite queer," Rigby said; "but of course
+there must be some practical explanation of it. Can you suggest any
+common sense solution?"
+
+"No, but I am quite sure that Anstruther could," Jack replied. "This
+has nothing to do with the other world. What's that?"
+
+Though Jack spoke coolly enough, he was feeling just a little nervous
+himself. From the hall beyond came a quick, buzzing noise, like a
+muffled circular saw, which resolved itself presently into the wild
+whirling of the handle of the telephone, as if some one were trying to
+get a call in a desperate hurry. Rigby jumped at once to the
+explanation, and Jack proceeded immediately to make a close
+examination of the room.
+
+He was still in the act of doing so, when a startled cry from Rigby
+brought him up all standing. An instant later and Anstruther was
+there, demanding to know the meaning of this unwarrantable intrusion.
+Rigby congratulated himself upon his disguise; he had no fancy at that
+moment to be recognized by Anstruther.
+
+"Who is that loafer yonder?" Anstruther demanded passionately. "What
+is the blackguard doing in my study? And, if it comes to that, what
+are you doing here too?"
+
+Jack proceeded to explain exactly what had happened. In spite of the
+confusion of the moment, he had not failed to notice the fact that the
+music had ceased directly Anstruther had entered the room. It was
+quite evident that Anstruther had not the slightest idea of Rigby's
+identity. He was clearly taken in by the story of the fire, and
+pitched Rigby a half-crown, which the latter acknowledged hoarsely,
+after the manner of the class he was made up to represent.
+
+"Well, I suppose it is all right now," Anstruther muttered. Usually
+cool and collected enough, he looked white and very much agitated.
+Something had evidently gone terribly wrong with that man of blood and
+iron. "Get these fellows out of the house, please, Masefield. I have
+had a great deal to worry me to-night, and I want to be quiet."
+
+There being nothing further to wait for, and Rigby, having practically
+gained his point, departed with an intimation to Jack that he would
+wait outside for him. Masefield could see that Anstruther was
+regarding him with an eye of deep suspicion. But it was no cue of
+Jack's to notice this; he w r anted to make matters as smooth as
+possible.
+
+"I suppose you were not very faraway?" he said. "I heard your violin a
+few minutes before the fire broke out. I wonder you did not see it for
+yourself."
+
+Anstruther's face cleared slightly, though Jack noticed that his hand
+trembled, and that his pallid lips were twitching. With a commonplace
+expression or two, Jack turned and left the house as if nothing out of
+the usual run had happened. He found Rigby patiently waiting for him
+at the corner.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" Rigby asked. "I am exceedingly glad
+to find that Anstruther did not recognize me. A most unlucky thing
+that he should have come back like that. Given a half-an-hour alone in
+that room, it would have been an odd thing if we had not solved the
+mystery of the invisible musician. But it is hardly safe to stop and
+discuss the question here. Walk on to the _Planet_ office, and wait
+for me there."
+
+"Is there any more to be done to-night?" Jack asked, when he and his
+friend were alone once more, seated in the latter's office. "Shall we
+stop here, or do you want to proceed further before you go to bed?"
+
+"Well, you can do as you please," Rigby said. "I don't know that I
+particularly desire your services at present. My notion is to go back
+to Panton Square, and hang about on the off-chance of seeing
+something."
+
+"And spend half the night in dodging the police," Jack laughed.
+"That's a very primitive idea of yours; I flatter myself I have a much
+better idea than that. Anstruther will never betray himself; we
+haven't the slightest chance of trapping him. Now, unless I am
+altogether out of it, Padini is the man we want to get hold of. He is
+exceedingly vain; like most artists, there is nothing secretive about
+him, and I am told that he is particularly fond of a glass of
+champagne. Depend upon it, that fellow will talk fast enough when the
+time comes. If he doesn't, we can make him."
+
+"But we must have something to go upon," Rigby observed thoughtfully.
+"I think we are justified in assuming that the fellow is a wrong 'un;
+anyway, our hands will be greatly strengthened if we can find
+something to his discredit."
+
+"That's exactly what I mean to do," Jack said. "Now Bates is quite as
+much interested in this matter as we are, and though you have backed
+yourself against the police in this case, there is no reason why you
+shouldn't make use of them. Besides, we are not bound to tell Bates
+too much. If there is anything to be found out to the discredit of
+Padini, Bates is the very man for our purpose."
+
+But, as it transpired subsequently, Bates was not available. He had
+just gone off, so the sergeant said, having been called in to
+investigate a burglary quite recently discovered in Belgrave Gardens.
+It was something exceedingly neat in the way of a burglary, the
+sergeant explained, with the air of a connoisseur in such matters; in
+fact, the place had been routed during the progress of a big
+reception. No ladders had been used, no wedges or commonplace
+implements of that kind; indeed, it was more than suspected that the
+burglary was the work of two of the guests.
+
+An unfortunate footman, being where he ought not to have been, had had
+his suspicions aroused by the movements of two distinguished-looking
+men in evening dress. He had come quite unexpectedly upon them in one
+of the corridors, and had so far forgotten himself as to want to know
+what they were doing there. Immediately one of them had felled him
+with some blunt, heavy instrument, and he had only just time to yell a
+note of warning before he fainted. The cry was taken up at once, and
+immediately the corridor was filled with men guests. In the confusion,
+and owing to the fact that the thieves themselves were in evening
+dress, it was impossible to lay hands on the culprits. All this the
+sergeant told his visitors with an air of great enjoyment.
+
+"If you give us the number we will walk round there," Rigby said.
+"Thank you very much."
+
+The big house in Belgrave Gardens had lost most of its air of
+simmering excitement by the time the two friends reached there. They
+were informed that Bates had nearly finished his investigations, and,
+indeed, the inspector came into the hall at that moment, accompanied
+by Lord Longworth. He held in his hand a beautifully embroidered silk
+muffler--one of those choice affairs which are large enough to cover a
+dinner table, and yet small enough to go into a waistcoat pocket.
+
+"Very strange indeed, your lordship," Bates was saying; "I can't
+understand it at all. Here is your injured footman prepared to swear
+that one of his assailants was wearing that muffler when he came into
+the house, that is, on his arrival. And here we have Mrs. Montague
+ready to swear that the muffler belongs to her. Whether she likes it
+or not, I really must insist upon my right to take this wrap away with
+me. If it proves to belong to Mrs. Montague, why, of course----"
+
+And the detective shrugged his shoulders. A moment later, and he was
+in the street with Masefield and Rigby. He listened carefully enough
+to the dramatic version of the story they had to tell him, and
+professed himself ready to do anything required of him.
+
+"Of course, I know nothing whatever about this violin mystery," he
+said. "I have quite enough to do to look after the native element in
+the way of rascality. But there are ways and means of getting the
+better of the gentle foreigner."
+
+"But I always understood that Scotland Yard employed detectives of all
+nationalities?" Rigby observed. "Haven't you got anybody on your staff
+with a knowledge of international crime?"
+
+Bates responded that such was the case. If the friends liked, he would
+go with them at once to the residence of Superintendent Zimburg, and
+there see what could be done. "As far as I am personally concerned, my
+own hands are very full to-night."
+
+"Your sergeant told us that this was a very interesting case," Jack
+suggested. "Is it possible that this burglary was the work of some
+guests invited to the house?"
+
+"Honestly, I believe it to be the case," Bates proceeded to explain.
+"After all said and done, modern society is a pretty queer mixture.
+Given a good presence and a good address, plus the appearance of the
+possession of money, it is quite possible for a man to get anywhere.
+Take a big reception like the one that Lord Longworth gave to-night.
+Now, it would be quite fair to assume that his lordship and his wife
+were not personally acquainted with at least a third of the guests
+present. Somebody takes a friend, and that friend takes somebody else,
+and there you are. Of course, you are aware of the fact that at all
+big weddings nowadays it is absolutely necessary to employ detectives.
+To-night's business was exceedingly neat and novel, and might have
+been wonderfully successful but for the footman. All the same I am
+quite certain that the thing was executed by somebody who is actually
+a guest of his lordship."
+
+"And not so much as a clue left behind," Jack laughed.
+
+"Well, there is, and there isn't," Bates admitted. "I had a good look
+round when everybody was gone, and the only thing I could lay my hands
+on was this wonderful silk muffler. Nobody owned it; the injured
+footman declares that he saw a gentleman arriving earlier in the
+evening who had this muffler about his neck. Here was a fine clue, I
+thought to myself. And then Mrs. Montague comes back in her brougham
+and claims this thing as her own. Distinctly annoying, don't you
+think?"
+
+"Annoying enough," Rigby agreed; "but is the muffler in question so
+very much out of the common?"
+
+Bates was emphatically of the opinion that such was the case. He
+produced the thing from his pocket, and the three men proceeded to
+examine it in the light of a street lamp. Jack appeared as if about to
+say something, then suddenly changed his mind, and began to whistle
+instead. They came at length once more to Shannon Street police
+station, where Bates telephoned to Superintendent Zimburg, asking the
+latter if he would come round immediately. He arrived a few moments
+later--a slim, dark little man, with a vivacious manner and a beard
+with an interrogative cock to it. He smiled in a greasy sort of way at
+the suggestion that there might be some prominent foreign scoundrel in
+London with whom he was not acquainted.
+
+"I know the whole gang," he said. "That is exactly my business. Have I
+seen anything, or do I know anything of this Padini? Probably I do,
+but not under that name. Oh, yes, it is quite a usual thing for some
+of the pink of cosmopolitan rascals to be talented. For instance, I
+know at least three who might have made great names as artists, only
+they prefer the seamy side of life. There is another who might have
+been a poet. Therefore, I see no reason why this Padini, or whatever
+his proper name may be, should not be a really great violinist. If you
+have such a thing as a portrait----"
+
+But Bates had nothing of the kind, and the whole thing looked like
+coming to a deadlock, when Rigby suddenly recollected that a portrait
+of Padini was to be obtained at the office of the _Planet_. The
+violinist's portrait had been produced in the _Planet_ two days
+before, and the original was still lying about the office.
+
+"I'll take a cab and be back in ten minutes," Rigby said.
+
+He was back in the prescribed time, and produced a cabinet portrait of
+Padini, which he handed over to the superintendent.
+
+"Now, what do you make of that?" he asked.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+THE MOUSE IN THE TRAP.
+
+
+Zimburg pulled the lamp across the table, and through his glasses
+carefully scrutinized the features of the violinist. "Very strange,"
+he muttered; "it is not often that I am puzzled. Offhand I should have
+said that I have never seen this face before, but the more I look at
+it, the more certain I am that the features are quite familiar to me.
+At the same time there is some subtle change which baffles me. It may
+be the eyes, or the nose and the mouth--that it is impossible to say.
+Anyway, I should be prepared to arrest this man on suspicion, and take
+the risk of finding out all about him afterwards."
+
+"I suppose any slight alteration makes a difference in the
+photograph?" Jack asked. "After all said and done, photography is a
+very weak reed to lie upon. Can't you tell us exactly what is puzzling
+you?"
+
+Zimburg threw up his hands with a suggestion of despair. A sudden
+light flashed across Jack's mind. He recollected that Padini, so far
+as the stage was concerned, appeared with a clean face, but in private
+life it had been his whim to adopt a moustache strictly on the lines
+of that worn by the German Emperor. It was apparently an insane thing
+to do, and savored more of conceit than of anything else, but no doubt
+the thing had its advantages.
+
+"Do you happen to have such a thing as a paint-box and a brush on the
+premises?" Jack asked. "If so, I think I shall be in a position to jog
+Mr. Zimburg's memory."
+
+As it happened, the necessary implements were there to hand. There
+were occasions, Bates explained, when such things were necessary. Now
+and then some sprig of the nobility who had dined not wisely but too
+well found himself in the cells in a more or less dilapidated
+condition, and here it was that the paint-box came in. Black eyes and
+discolored faces and that kind of thing, Bates explained. "I assure
+you that a dash or two of paint makes all the difference in the
+world."
+
+Jack smiled as he bent over the photograph, and with a few subtle
+touches decorated the face with a fierce blond moustache. He handed
+the card over without comment to Zimburg. The little man's face fairly
+beamed with delight.
+
+"Ah! but you are a clever gentleman," he cried. "Now I know our
+friend. Yes, yes, but he is a very clever man. And older than he
+looks, mind you; that fellow has eluded the Continental police for
+years. It would be absurd to try and give his real name, for probably
+he has forgotten it himself. Yes, I have heard of his playing before;
+not that I regarded him as quite good enough for a public platform.
+Wherever that man goes, roguery follows as a matter of course. Depend
+upon it, his appearance here means mischief. I will have him carefully
+watched, and before long I shall have the pleasure of laying him by
+the heels."
+
+"Don't do that, at least until you are absolutely obliged to," Jack
+said eagerly. "We are interested, deeply interested, in the movements
+of Signor Padini. It is more or less of a private matter, but if you
+could provide us with some means of getting a hold on that fellow we
+should be exceedingly obliged to you."
+
+Zimburg promised to do his best, and departed. For some little time
+Rigby and Bates stood discussing the most recent developments of the
+case, whilst Jack sat in a thoughtful attitude, evidently puzzling
+something out.
+
+"Do you call Zimburg a really clever detective?" he asked at length.
+"It seems to me that he has a poor memory for faces. For instance, he
+had not the slightest idea who the man Padini was till that moustache
+was added to the face of the photograph."
+
+Bates, eager in defense of his colleagues, remarked that a little
+thing like that often made a vast difference.
+
+"That is one of the great advantages of the Bertillon system," he
+explained. "I don't care how clever a man may be--and when I speak of
+a clever man I mean a policeman in this instance--he is often utterly
+deceived by some slight physical change. Take the case of the late
+Charles Peace if you like. I understand that he could alter the
+expression and even the shape of his face entirely. Make your mind
+quite easy, for Zimburg will work it all out like some ingenious
+puzzle. I suppose you are aware of the fact that the London and Paris
+police have thousands of careful records made of the measurements of
+well-known criminals?"
+
+"But Zimburg can't very well measure Padini," Rigby argued. "He can't
+make him drunk, or anything of that kind."
+
+"No, but he can have him arrested on some faked-up charge," Bates
+laughed. "That little game has been played more than once when we
+wanted the measurements of some clever criminal who had never passed
+through our hands."
+
+"That is very ingenious," Rigby said, "and I shan't forget it. If
+facts like those were more widely known, I fancy you would get more
+assistance from the Press."
+
+Bates emphatically repudiated the suggestion.
+
+"I have often heard you say, in fact it is rather a fruitful source of
+complaint to the police, that the newspapers do them more harm than
+good," Jack said reflectively; "but I think I can see a way whereby
+the Press could give you a good leg-up in the case of this Belgrave
+Gardens mystery. Dick, is it too late to get a paragraph inserted in
+to-morrow's _Planet?_"
+
+"Oh, dear, no," Rigby explained. "Probably no paper in London goes to
+bed later than we do. We make it a point of keeping open till the last
+possible minute, and we have a good hour before us yet. But what are
+you driving at?"
+
+"Well, it is this way. It is pretty clear that one of the thieves was
+wearing that embroidered scarf which was also claimed by Mrs.
+Montague. Probably there were two such mufflers, but that does not
+affect my argument. Of course, a description of this affair will
+appear in to-morrow's _Planet_, but I should like to embroider on it a
+bit. Suppose we add to the report a paragraph to the effect that the
+thief left a marvelous wrap behind him. We could say that it was
+absolutely unique, and all that sort of thing, just the sort of silly
+gossip that your readers are so fond of. We could hint that the scarf
+still remains at Belgrave Gardens for identification. Now it is a
+thousand to one this paragraph reaches the eye of the thief, or is
+brought to his notice. This being so, he will lose no opportunity of
+getting the wrap back again. All you have to do is to keep the house
+carefully under observation, and your man falls into your hands like a
+ripe blackberry. What does the inspector think of our little scheme?"
+
+Bates pondered the matter a moment or two, and then cautiously
+remarked that at any rate there could be no harm in it. Whereupon the
+two friends went away together, and half-an-hour later a spicy
+paragraph had been constructed for the delectation of the _Planet's_
+readers to-morrow. Rigby threw the paragraph aside, and whistled
+up-stairs to the composing room.
+
+"You look as if you had something at the back of your mind," he said,
+passing the cigarettes across to his companion. "Jack, you have found
+something out?"
+
+"Upon my word, I believe I have," Jack replied. "It is rather soothing
+to one's vanity to get on the inside track so far as a detective is
+concerned. But it would not have been at all fair on my part to have
+said anything to Bates, seeing that you are investigating this
+Nostalgo business on your own account. Not that I am absolutely
+certain of my facts now, but I shall be after I have seen Miss
+Helmsley in the morning. Now, is there anything else we can do
+to-night? I suppose even an indefatigable journalist like yourself
+goes to bed sometimes."
+
+Anstruther was fortunately out when Jack called at Panton Square the
+next morning. He smiled to himself as he noticed a copy of the
+_Planet_ on the hall table. It had evidently been carefully read, and
+on page 5, where the account of the Belgrave Gardens burglary
+appeared, somebody had ticked the paragraph with a pencil. Miss
+Helmsley was in the drawing-room, the housemaid said, and would see
+Mr. Masefield if he would go up-stairs. Claire was looking a little
+pale and distracted, Jack thought; her eyes bore evidence of the fact
+that she had passed a restless night. But her face lighted up, and the
+old charm of feature reasserted itself as Jack entered.
+
+"Come, come, this won't do," he said, half tenderly, half playfully.
+"Positively I shall have to kiss the color back to those pallid lips
+of yours. What is worrying you so much, dearest?"
+
+"Nothing worries me so long as I am with you," the girl said, as she
+stood with Jack's arm about her. "And yet I almost wish that you had
+never told me what you did yesterday."
+
+"You cannot wish it more than I do, sweetheart," Jack murmured; "but
+don't you see that it was almost necessary? There is some desperate
+rascality going on here, and your happiness could never have been an
+assured thing till we got to the bottom of it."
+
+"But that is just what frightens me," Clare protested. "I cannot get
+out of my mind the recollection of what happened last night. I shall
+never listen to that music again without the feeling that some unknown
+danger is hovering about me. I am frightened, Jack, frightened to my
+very soul. And yet the whole thing can be explained; I am sure you can
+explain it yourself if you like?"
+
+Jack replied that he hoped to do so in a few days. He assured Claire
+that there was nothing supernatural about the thing. For both their
+sakes he exhorted Claire to be brave. The red mouth grew hard and
+firm; there was a look of resolution in the girl's blue eyes.
+
+"It shall be even as you say." she cried. "But tell me, has anything
+fresh happened since last night?"
+
+"Nothing that is worth speaking of," Jack said, feeling a little
+ashamed of his evasion. "Did Anstruther go out again last night? By
+the way, he seldom wears an overcoat; at least, so I understood him to
+say. When he came in last evening, after the fire broke out, I noticed
+that he was not wearing an overcoat then. Where does he get those
+wonderful embroidered scarves from?"
+
+"He has only one, so far as I know," Claire explained. "Originally
+there were three, but two were either lost or given away. Wonderful
+work, is it not?"
+
+"Wonderful work, indeed," Jack agreed; "but he did not tell me where
+they came from."
+
+"So far as I can understand they came from Mexico. The silk is really
+Chinese, of a quality which is made only for the imperial palace of
+Pekin. To steal this material is an offense punishable by death, but
+it is sometimes smuggled out of the town, and clever natives of
+Southern Mexico do the embroidery. But why are you so curious about
+this scarf?"
+
+"Oh, I merely thought I should like to get one like it," Jack said
+carelessly. He had no intention of frightening Claire more than was
+absolutely necessary. "Couldn't you let me see it for a minute or two?
+I suppose you know where it is kept?"
+
+Claire knew perfectly well where to lay her hands upon the scarf.
+Anstruther was a methodical man, and hated to have his things lying
+about. He only used the scarf at such times as he was in evening
+dress. Claire went off, and Jack was by no means surprised that he had
+to wait a quarter of an hour. When Claire returned her hands were
+empty; there was a puzzled frown between her usually smooth white
+brows.
+
+"A most extraordinary thing." she said. "I cannot find the scarf
+anywhere. It is quite certain that Mr. Anstruther is not wearing it; I
+thought perhaps he had thrown it carelessly down last night in the
+excitement of the moment, and therefore I asked Serena if she had seen
+anything of it. But she declared that she knew nothing, and yet at the
+same time she seemed to be extraordinarily upset and agitated by my
+simple question. She is not an emotional woman, as you know; therefore
+her conduct is all the more amazing. But the fact remains that this
+scarf cannot be found, and so I cannot oblige you. I will ask Mr.
+Anstruther if you like----"
+
+But Jack emphatically wanted nothing of the kind. He was in a hurry
+now, he said, and would call again later in the day. He made his way
+directly to the _Planet_ office, where he found that Rigby had just
+arrived.
+
+"No, there are no fresh developments," he explained. "Did you take my
+advice last night, and have the house in Belgrave Gardens watched by a
+private detective in addition to the policeman engaged by Bates?"
+
+"Of course I did," Rigby replied. "As a matter of fact I have two men
+at work there; one to relieve the other, and report progress from time
+to time. In fact, one of them has only just come in. He has very
+little to say, but that little was an eye-opener. I have ascertained
+that Anstruther is not even acquainted with Lord Longworth, and yet
+one of the first men to call in Belgrave Gardens this morning was
+Spencer Anstruther. Now, do you think he had anything to do with last
+night's business; otherwise what do you suppose he called for?"
+
+"That is exactly what I am here to tell you," Jack said. "The
+scarf which formed so important a clue belonged to Anstruther. It is
+missing from his house; in fact, I called there this morning on
+purpose to examine the thing. We have hit the right nail on the head
+this time--the lost property in the hands of Inspector Bates is beyond
+a doubt the cherished possession of Spencer Anstruther."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+A LEADER OF SOCIETY.
+
+
+It was a most important discovery that Jack had made, and Rigby did
+not fail to see what developments it was likely to lead to. If what
+Masefield had said was true--and Rigby saw no reason to doubt it--here
+they had Anstruther directly connected with crime.
+
+"Do you really think that our friend actually engineered that business
+at Lord Longworth's?" Rigby asked.
+
+"I can come to no other conclusion," Jack replied. "You must
+understand that Anstruther is a kind of a specialist in crime; he has
+frequently been consulted by the police, and, I believe, has brought
+off some wonderful results. He has even written a book on the subject.
+Now, we know Anstruther to be an unscrupulous rascal. The police
+looked upon him as a brilliant aid to themselves. If a man like this
+chooses to play the part of a criminal Dupuin, see what marvelous
+opportunities he has. He knows everything about the movements of the
+police; he can anticipate all their schemes. It is as if Bates himself
+had turned burglar. Whatever Mrs. Montague might say, it is pretty
+certain that the embroidered scarf belongs to Anstruther. Quite
+inadvertently he left it at Lord Longworth's last night, where he was
+passing in the crowd as an invited guest."
+
+"I know that sort of thing is done," Rigby said. "A very impudent
+example came under my notice the other day. The thing is much easier
+done than one would imagine."
+
+"Do you mean to say," Jack asked, "that it is possible for a
+gentlemanly scoundrel to walk into the house of some great society
+lady giving a reception, and not be spotted immediately for what he
+is? It seems absurd!"
+
+"Not a bit of it!" Rigby replied. "To the audacious everything is
+possible. Supposing a duchess is giving a reception. She has asked
+perhaps a thousand guests. Half-way through the evening she is so
+tired and worn out that she does not know or care to whom she may be
+speaking. Here is the chance for the gentlemanly swindler we are
+talking about. Of course he is perfectly dressed; he has the most
+exquisite manners. He lounges up to his hostess, and, after the usual
+greetings, makes some confidential remark about some friend of the
+family, which immediately stamps him as one of a certain set. All he
+has got to do now is to saunter along as if the whole place belonged
+to him, and help himself to such costly trifles as his mind inclines
+to."
+
+"Did you ever know of a case in point?" Jack asked.
+
+"My dear chap, I not only know of a case, but I was more or less party
+to it. It was done for a bet, and I was one of the losers. It was so
+easily managed that I should not in the least mind trying it myself."
+
+"Well, it seems very odd to me," Jack murmured. "Still, if you know it
+has been done, there is an end of it."
+
+"Well, it has been shown pretty conclusively." said Rigby, "that
+Anstruther must have been there last night."
+
+"Quite so," Jack went on. "At any rate the scarf was left behind. I
+recognized it as soon as ever I saw it in Bates's hand; therefore I
+was absolutely sure that Anstruther had been at the reception. That is
+why I suggested that paragraph in the _Planet_. It is just the sort of
+silly gossip that papers publish after a sensational crime, and is
+calculated to hamper the police more than help them. I felt quite sure
+that somebody or other would bring that paragraph to Anstruther's
+notice, and that he would lose no time in trying to recover the scarf.
+I dare say there are other scarves like it in existence, but they are
+not so common that Anstruther could afford to take any risk. That he
+realized the gravity of the situation is proved by the fact that he
+has lost no time in calling at Lord Longworth's to recover the missing
+property. I think I have made my case very clear."
+
+"Nothing could be clearer," Rigby replied. "Anstruther is at the
+bottom of this business. I should say he is the cleverest rascal in
+London at the present moment. And mark the cunning of the beast. Don't
+you see how easy he can prove an alibi? If he were met face to face
+now, and taxed with the fact that he was at Lord Longworth's last
+night he would politely deny it, and, if pressed, have not the
+slightest difficulty of demonstrating that he was elsewhere."
+
+"But I don't quite see," Jack interrupted, "exactly how that----"
+
+"Clear as mud," Rigby said. "Why he has only got to call his servants
+and Miss Helmsley to prove that he was in the study all the evening
+playing his violin."
+
+"How stupid of me," Jack muttered. "The full beauty of that little
+scheme had been lost on me. There is a good deal we have to learn yet.
+But I can't stay talking to you any longer this morning, as I promised
+Claire that I would go and see Lady Barmouth. I have told Claire
+nearly everything there is to learn, and she is quite willing to be a
+friend of Lady Barmouth's and share her troubles. I will see you later
+on in the day."
+
+Jack went off in the direction of Lord Barmouth's house. He had some
+little hesitation in calling so early in the day, but then the matter
+was imperative, and he knew that Lady Barmouth would be glad to hear
+Claire's decision. The lady in question was sitting in her boudoir,
+accompanied by two secretaries, who appeared to be tremendously busy
+with a long visiting list and some exquisitely-designed cards of
+invitation to a masked ball. But Lady Barmouth, heedless of Jack's
+apologies, declared that she had always time to spare for him.
+
+"It is not I who am so busy." she said; "in fact, this is merely
+mechanical work. I am giving my great party of the season, and now
+that I have made out the list of intended guests, the rest is merely
+mechanical."
+
+So saying, Lady Barmouth led the way into an inner drawing-room, the
+door of which she carefully closed.
+
+"You have some news for me." she cried eagerly. "I am quite sure you
+have come straight to me from Miss Helmsley."
+
+"That is the fact," Jack said gravely. "Rather against my better
+judgment, I have told Claire everything. She knows now the class of
+man her guardian is; she knows that she will have to be terribly
+careful lest he should suspect. But Claire has a courage and
+determination which came quite as a surprise to me. I think the secret
+will be safe in her hands."
+
+"Yes! yes!" Lady Barmouth cried; "but what about me?"
+
+"I was coming to that. It seems to be a case of mutual sympathy
+between you. As a matter of fact it seems to me that Claire likes you
+as well as you like her. Anyway, she is going to see you this
+afternoon, when you can talk matters over without reserve. But tell
+me, does Lord Barmouth take any kind of interest in these festivities
+of yours?"
+
+"He is goodness and kindness itself," Lady Barmouth said warmly. "He
+has always insisted that his misfortunes should not interfere with my
+personal enjoyment. At a dinner, or a reception, or an ordinary dance,
+my husband never shows himself. Despite his terrible misfortunes he
+thoroughly enjoys his amusements; he likes to mingle with people,
+seeing everything, and not being seen himself. That is why I give so
+many of these masked balls. This is going to be an extra smart affair,
+and I am asking my lady friends to wear as many jewels as possible."
+
+"Claire told me something about it," Jack said. "I gathered that she
+is to be one of the invited guests."
+
+"I am asking both Miss Helmsley and Mr. Anstruther," Lady Barmouth
+explained. "There is some danger in asking the latter, but one has to
+take these risks."
+
+Jack murmured something that sounded sympathetic. Had Lady Barmouth
+only known it, the risk was far greater than she imagined. If Jack's
+suspicions were correct that Anstruther was mixed up with a gang of
+expert thieves, here then was a golden opportunity. The mere fact of
+it being a masked ball simply added to his opportunities. So deeply
+did Jack ponder over this, that it was some little time before he
+grasped the fact that Lady Barmouth was still giving him details of
+the forthcoming function.
+
+"I am asking a lot of most prominent actresses." she said, "together
+with a number of leading musicians, and they are getting up a kind of
+morris dance. Of course, the music will be supplied by a small band of
+famous artists, and I am getting this new man Padini to be present."
+
+Here was more news with a vengeance. But there was nothing to be
+gained by telling Lady Barmouth what had been elicited with regard to
+Padini.
+
+"I presume I shall be honored with an invitation," Jack suggested. "I
+see from the expression of your face that I am to be a guest. Might I
+beg the favor of a card for a friend of mine?"
+
+"More mysteries!" Lady Barmouth laughed. "Oh, you need not tell me
+unless it is absolutely necessary. You shall take the card away with
+you if you like, and deliver it to your friend personally."
+
+Jack was seeing his way pretty clearly by this time. He was
+anticipating more than one important discovery during the progress of
+the masked dance. The card he had begged was, of course, for Rigby,
+and it would go hard if between them they did not discover something
+of importance.
+
+"Now, I am going to speak to you on a more or less painful topic,"
+Jack said gravely. "And I am going to ask you to be exceedingly candid
+with me. I want you to tell me what is the exact connection between
+Lord Barmouth and the Nostalgo posters which are so prominent in
+London at present."
+
+The jeweled pen with which Lady Barmouth had been scribbling on the
+two invitation cards fell from her fingers on to the blotting pad.
+There were trouble and unhappiness in her eyes, her face had turned
+deadly pale; it was some little time before she spoke.
+
+"Must I really tell you that?" she almost pleaded. "You are striking
+directly at the root of the unhappiness which poisons this house. It
+is not as if you really knew anything----"
+
+"But indeed I know more than you give me credit for," Jack urged. "It
+was of no seeking of mine; it was not the result of any vulgar
+curiosity; but last night when your husband was here I caught one
+glimpse of his face in the light of the log fire. And there I saw at
+once that I was face to face with Nostalgo. Believe me, it is with the
+greatest possible regret that I have to speak like this, but I am near
+to the heart of the mystery, and if you are plain and frank with me I
+am sanguine enough to believe that I can remove your unhappiness
+altogether."
+
+"But the secret is not my own," Lady Barmouth faltered.
+
+"Then let us assume that I have wrested it from you," Jack murmured.
+"It is no fault of yours that I know so much. It is no fault of yours
+that you are in some way under an obligation to somebody--an
+obligation which compelled you to be in Montrose Place last night.
+Luckily for us you kept your appointment. But there was somebody else
+also keeping an appointment in the courtyard. Whether he came there
+dragged by the force of circumstances, or whether he came to watch,
+matters little. But as he paused to light a cigarette and the pallid
+blue of the flame shone on his face I recognized--Lord Barmouth."
+
+The listener said nothing; she merely bowed her head over the blotting
+pad before her.
+
+"Ah! I feel the circumstances are too strong for me." she said. "It is
+as if you were pushing me over the edge of a precipice. I cannot
+decide this matter on my own initiative."
+
+"That is exactly the line I hoped you would take," Jack cried eagerly.
+"After his interview with us last night, Lord Barmouth must be
+perfectly sure of the fact that Rigby and myself are actuated by the
+kindest motives towards him. Go and see him now, tell him all that I
+have said to you, and ask him if he will be good enough to grant me a
+ten minutes' private conversation. I am sure he will do this; indeed,
+if he refuses, there are others interested in the matter who may cause
+him to say in public what he declines to admit in private."
+
+"I will do as you suggest," Lady Barmouth replied, "though I fear you
+will be met with a refusal as firm as it is courteous. If you will
+excuse me for a moment----"
+
+Lady Barmouth said no more, but turned hurriedly and left the room.
+That she was very deeply moved Jack could see for himself. She came
+back presently, with a wan, white ghost of a smile on her lips, and a
+remark to the effect that Lord Barmouth was not prepared to accede to
+Jack's request offhand, but that he would give it his earnest
+consideration, and send his decision in the course of a quarter of an
+hour.
+
+"It is exceedingly awkward for me," Jack said; "you can see how
+delicate the ground is I stand upon. But believe me I am only being
+cruel to be kind. I am sure that when I have finished my interview
+with Lord Barmouth he will be exceedingly glad that he has consented
+to see me."
+
+"Oh, I quite understand your feelings," Lady Barmouth exclaimed. "It
+must be dreadful for a gentleman to appear obtruding like this. But
+are you quite sure that the figure you saw in the courtyard at
+Montrose Place last night was my husband? You seem to have forgotten
+the other Nostalgo who was supposed to have been found dead by
+yourself in Panton Square the other night."
+
+Jack admitted readily enough that there were many sides to the mystery
+as yet unsolved. He was still discussing the point, when the footman
+entered, and gravely announced that Lord Barmouth was waiting to see
+Mr. Masefield. Lady Barmouth rose to her feet at once, and escorted
+Jack to a small room at the end of the corridor. The apartment was in
+complete darkness; it was just possible to discern the outline of a
+figure in an armchair.
+
+"I am pleased to see you, Mr. Masefield. I think you will find an
+armchair on the other side of the fireplace. My dear, I shall be
+pleased if you will leave Mr. Masefield and myself alone together."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+THE PORTRAIT.
+
+
+Jack sat there silently enough, waiting for Lord Barmouth to speak.
+The difficulty and delicacy of the situation were by no means lost
+upon him. He shuffled about uneasily in his chair, trying to make
+something definite out of the still figure opposite him.
+
+"I quite appreciate your feelings," Lord Barmouth said, in the deep,
+thrilling tones that Jack remembered so well. "It is no nice thing for
+a gentleman to thrust himself into the private sorrows of an
+unfortunate man like myself. But my wife has told me all that you have
+been recently saying to her. You seem to be under the impression that
+you saw me in Montrose Place last night; in fact, that you recognized
+my face, which I imprudently disclosed whilst I was lighting a
+cigarette. Mr. Masefield, I am not disposed to deny the accusation."
+
+"I hope you will be perfectly candid with me," Jack said, speaking
+with some hesitation; "believe me, I am actuated by the highest
+motives; believe me, I would do anything to rid you of the shadow that
+darkens your life. Of course, I have my theory on the subject of the
+strange business; a business which has been literally thrust upon me
+by stress of circumstances. Up to a short time ago, like most people,
+I looked upon the Nostalgo poster as a high ingenuity in the way of
+advertising art. It was a wonderful effort, and most cleverly
+executed. But I should not have been in the least surprised to find
+that Nostalgo was an acrobat or a juggler, or even some new and clever
+way of introducing a fresh kind of soap to the credulous British
+public."
+
+"Yes," Barmouth said thoughtfully, "I suppose one would have been
+satisfied in that way."
+
+"But I speak with the discovery that I was mistaken," Jack went on.
+"The first thing that aroused my suspicions was more a girlish fancy
+than anything else. Of course you know Mr. Spencer Anstruther very
+well by name?"
+
+"Ay, I know him by something more than name," Barmouth said, in deep,
+thrilling tones. "If that scoundrel had never been born I should--but
+I am interrupting you. Pray proceed."
+
+"Well, to revert to what I was saying," Jack went on, "that Nostalgo
+poster was hardly fully impressed upon my mind's eye, before I began
+to notice some grotesque resemblance between it and Spencer
+Anstruther. Without hurting your feelings, the poster is devilishly
+hideous; Anstruther, on the other hand, is a singularly handsome man.
+But, despite all this, despite my common sense, I could not rid myself
+of the idea that the likeness was somewhere.
+
+"A chance remark of mine served to confirm my impression. It threw
+Anstruther into a sudden fit of passion. His face was literally
+convulsed with fury, but only for an instant. Still, that instant
+sufficed. There was Nostalgo in the flesh before me--the same drawn-up
+lips, the same hideous squint of the oblique eyes, the same dreadful,
+hawkish look about the nose. A second later the likeness was gone. I
+cannot forget, I never shall forget my feelings at that moment. If I
+fail to interest you----"
+
+"You are interesting me more than words can tell," Barmouth said
+hoarsely. "Pray proceed."
+
+"There is not much more to tell," Jack said. "Perhaps you have heard
+of the Nostalgo devil whom I found dead the other night in Panton
+Square? I mean the man whose body so mysteriously vanished from the
+Shannon Street station?"
+
+"Yes, I heard of that," Barmouth admitted; "but you will not be in the
+least astonished to learn that the whole affair was no surprise to me.
+All the same, I think you will find later on that the supposed victim
+is not dead at all. And now I am going to speak, and you are going to
+listen."
+
+Jack intimated that he desired nothing better. He could make out the
+outline of the figure opposite him, wriggling and twisting in his
+chair.
+
+"As you are quite aware, a little more than two years ago I went to
+Mexico. There was no thought of evil in my mind; I went out merely
+with an eye to sport. I have been fond of adventure all my life, and
+Mexico seemed to afford a fine field for such amusements as I was
+looking for. But the shooting was a great disappointment, and I had to
+turn elsewhere for recreation. A little later on I found myself in
+Southern Mexico, living with a half-savage tribe, who showed signs
+that at some long-forgotten period the same tribe had enjoyed a high
+state of civilization. As a matter of fact, there were two of these
+tribes living only a few leagues apart, and both exceedingly
+antagonistic to each other.
+
+"Of course I had to throw my lot in with one section, and take care
+that I didn't fall into the hands of the other. The reason of this
+bitterness I discovered arose from the fact that both claimed
+possession of a belt of land which was supposed to contain gold. Now,
+I am an exceedingly rich man, as you know. But I got the gold fever as
+badly as if I had been the neediest adventurer who ever wielded pick
+and shovel.
+
+"I had been told by my friends that the leader of the other section
+was an Englishman like myself. He was supposed to have married one of
+the women of the tribe, and adopted their manners and customs. Of
+course, I needed no one to tell me that only such a powerful incentive
+as gold could have persuaded an educated Englishman to remain
+permanently with a tribe. This other section was far the more powerful
+of the two, and they gave us fair warning that any of us that were
+caught in the gold belt would be likely to suffer for it. This was
+quite good enough for me. Picking out a score of the most daring
+adventurers, we made up our minds to put in some exploring without
+delay. I may mention the fact that some of these adventurers were
+Europeans also. Anyway, we set out one evening, and morning found us
+lighting our camp-fire right in the heart of the gold belt.
+
+"On that occasion I had been left behind to look after the cooking
+whilst the others pushed on to a likely spot where indications of the
+precious metal might be found. My companions had hardly disappeared
+from sight before a man came riding up to me and demanded my business.
+It was quite easy to see that he was an Englishman, despite the fact
+that he was arrayed in the full war paint of the tribe. He was a fine,
+powerful man, and his face denoted great intellectual gifts. Come, Mr.
+Masefield, you are a clever man yourself, and therefore will have no
+difficulty in guessing who the stranger was."
+
+"Anstruther for a hundred," Masefield cried.
+
+"You have guessed it exactly, as I thought you would," Lord Barmouth
+went on gravely. "It was Anstruther, and no other. He wasted no time
+in demanding to know what I was doing there. He warned me of the
+dreadful pains and penalties likely to occur if I remained where I
+was, but I laughed him to scorn. By way of reply he gave a shrill
+whistle, and there emerged from the scrubby brush a small misshapen
+man with the most hideous face that it has ever been my lot to look
+upon. Need I describe that face, Mr. Masefield?"
+
+"No," Jack said, in an awed voice. "It was another Nostalgo."
+
+"Once more you have guessed it," Barmouth went on in the same grave
+way. "Anstruther pointed to the shrinking figure by his side, and told
+me that I must either go back at once, or that I must suffer the same
+fate as the man by his side. My blood was hot then; I cared for no
+man. I do not exactly know how it commenced, but presently we were
+exchanging revolver shots, each determined to do for the other. I
+suppose somebody crept up behind me, for I was just conscious of a
+terrible blow on the back of the head, and then I remembered no more.
+
+"When I came to myself I was lying in a deserted hut, absolutely
+alone, and with a feeling upon me that I had just recovered from a
+long and painful illness. There was food beside me, a little native
+spirit in a bottle; my clothes were neatly laid at the foot of my bed.
+When I reached the open I recognized the fact that I was in a spot
+some fifty miles on the far side of the gold belt. From the length of
+my beard I calculated that I must have been lying there for some three
+weeks. My horse I found outside, and, feeling strong enough to proceed
+on my journey, I rode off in the direction of the tribe to which I was
+attached. I was feeling fairly well, and conscious only of a strange
+tightening sensation in the muscles of the face.
+
+"At that moment I had no conception of the awful misfortune which had
+overtaken me. I was glad enough at length to come in contact with one
+or two members of my tribe. Judge of my astonishment when they fled as
+if in terror at my approach. It was the same in the village. I might
+have been afflicted with some loathsome disease, seeing how everybody
+ran at my approach. I reached my hut at length, tired, and hot, and
+angry, my first idea being to shave and make myself respectable. A
+glance at my looking-glass revealed the whole hideous truth. I was as
+I am at this moment: a ghastly caricature of a man, who dared not look
+his fellow creatures in the face."
+
+It was some time before Lord Barmouth spoke again. It was not for Jack
+to interrupt the tenor of his painful thoughts. But the silence was so
+long that he felt bound to speak at length.
+
+"But how does this give Anstruther such a hold on you?" he asked.
+
+"That is another matter entirely," Barmouth explained, "though, of
+course, it touches on the main issue. You see, that though Anstruther
+knows me as the James Smith I used to be called in Mexico, he has not
+the remotest idea that I am Lord Barmouth. In fact, that man
+blackmails me."
+
+"I don't quite follow," Jack said.
+
+"I admit it sounds a little complicated," Barmouth went on. "_As_ my
+real self Anstruther does not know me. Why should he interest himself
+in an apparently broken-down hypochondriac? The man he cares about is
+'James Smith,' the Nostalgo whom he regards as a relative of my wife,
+and who lives here in some secluded part of the house. Heaven only
+knows if he is really aware of the truth, for he is so clever a
+scoundrel that he is quite capable of deceiving me on that point till
+the time is ripe to expose me and degrade me despite the sums of money
+I have paid him. I do not know, I dare not ask. Call me a coward if
+you like, but if you had gone through what I have----"
+
+Barmouth paused, and wiped the moisture from his forehead.
+
+"If I were not Lord Barmouth," he continued, "I would care little or
+nothing for what he says; but for the sake of my wife I have to submit
+to his persecutions. Therefore it is that at certain seasons of the
+year I meet Anstruther in Montrose Place and hand him over a thousand
+pounds. But there is one drawback to Anstruther's mastery of the
+situation. There are other men who were as vilely treated as myself,
+and some day Anstruther will fall by the hand of one of them.
+
+"If you ask me why those hideous posters have been lately dotted about
+London, I can't tell you; I feel quite sure that they are some
+ingenious design of Anstruther's. I feel quite sure also that that
+Nostalgo you picked up the other night was here after Anstruther's
+blood, and that he died at Anstruther's instigation. My only
+consolation is the fact that my wife absolutely refused to break off
+her engagement on the strength of my terrible disfigurement. It was a
+long time before I yielded, but yield I did at length. And now that
+you know so much, perhaps you will be so good as to draw up the
+blinds, and let us talk face to face; that is, of course, if you do
+not object to----"
+
+Jack hastily disclaimed any objection. He drew the blinds aside, and a
+flood of light poured into the room. It was a little difficult to
+repress a shudder at first, but he found himself presently talking to
+Barmouth as if his face had been like those of other men.
+
+"You will find some cigarettes; this is my own room," Barmouth
+explained. "I furnished it more with an eye to comfort than anything
+else."
+
+But Jack was not listening. He took up a cigarette mechanically, and
+was gazing intently at a photograph in a large silver frame standing
+on the mantelpiece. It was the face of a woman; a dark melancholy
+face, with mournful eyes.
+
+"Would you mind telling me who that is?" Jack asked.
+
+"A sister of my wife's," Barmouth explained. "It is rather a sad
+story."
+
+Jack said nothing. But the face looking into his own was the face of
+Anstruther's servant, Serena.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+FACE TO FACE.
+
+
+It was perhaps fortunate for Jack that Lord Barmouth appeared to be
+engrossed in his own painful thoughts. At any rate he did not seem to
+notice that his youthful visitor's gaze was fixed so intently upon the
+photograph. So far as Jack could see, the picture had been taken some
+years before, and had not that wild, defiant, yet half-sad expression
+which marked Serena to-day. There was not much time to think, but Jack
+rapidly made up his mind. He would say nothing to Barmouth of his
+discovery, but would open up the matter as delicately as possible with
+Lady Barmouth. It was not a nice thing for a comparative stranger to
+intrude upon sacred griefs like this, but the discovery was so likely
+to lead to important results that it would have been folly to
+hesitate. It was some considerable time later before Jack left Lord
+Barmouth, who shook him warmly by the hand, and implored him to come
+again.
+
+"You can imagine what a lonely life mine is," Barmouth murmured; "my
+wife is devotion itself, but one longs for the company of a man
+sometimes."
+
+Jack promised sincerely enough that he would come again and often. He
+had taken a great liking to the lonely man who bore his cruel
+misfortunes so well. He had not intended at present to worry Lady
+Barmouth with the recent discovery, but she happened to be crossing
+the hall, and looked upon Jack eagerly and curiously.
+
+Jack was about to say something to Lady Barmouth, when some one called
+her, and she turned away. Evidently she had no intention to allow
+Masefield to leave the house without satisfying herself as to the
+result of his interview with Lord Barmouth. With this feeling upon
+him, Jack lingered in the hall. He suddenly recollected that he had
+left his gloves behind him, and returned for them. He found Barmouth
+standing before the fireplace, apparently lost in thought. Jack had to
+speak twice before his host realized the fact that he was no longer
+alone.
+
+"I came back for my gloves," Jack explained. "I left them on the
+little table behind there. I am sorry to intrude upon you again, but
+since you have been so kind to me----"
+
+"On the contrary, it is you who have been so kind to me," Barmouth
+said. "I am not sorry you came back, because I have been thinking over
+the interview which we have just concluded. I might have told you a
+great deal more than I did; indeed, I was perhaps unwise to be so
+reticent. If you will come and see me again----"
+
+"I will come and see you as often as I can get an opportunity," Jack
+said warmly. "Apart from the gratification of my vulgar curiosity, I
+have been wonderfully entertained by your experiences. I saw Lady
+Barmouth in the hall just now, and I know that she is anxious to learn
+how we got on together."
+
+Jack went out again, with a feeling that he was more and more drawn
+towards his unfortunate host. He lingered in the hall for a moment
+gazing at the fine pictures and the artistic arranging of the flowers,
+hoping that Lady Barmouth would return. He had not long to wait, for
+presently she came floating down the stairs again. There was a pleased
+smile on her face.
+
+"Oh, I am so glad you stayed so long." she said. "My poor George must
+have enjoyed your society or he would not have detained you. I am sure
+you got on very well together."
+
+"We got on very well indeed together," Jack explained. "I have now a
+pretty shrewd idea of this Nostalgo business. During my interview with
+your husband I made a still more stupendous discovery."
+
+"Something that affects my husband's case?" Lady Barmouth asked
+eagerly.
+
+"I think it touches it very deeply indeed," Jack said gravely. "May I
+intrude upon you for another five minutes? Mind you, I have said
+nothing of this to Lord Barmouth, because it seems to me to concern
+you alone.
+
+Lady Barmouth led the way back to the small drawing-room again. Her
+eyes were fairly dancing with curiosity. "It is about your sister,"
+Jack said--"the sister whose photograph stands on the mantelpiece in
+your husband's room."
+
+"Oh, must we really go into that?" Lady Barmouth asked, with a shade
+of coldness in her voice. "There are matters so sacred that even the
+most sincere friend----"
+
+"Believe me, I am speaking under the strongest sense of duty," Jack
+urged. "Nothing else would induce me to speak. Lord Barmouth told me
+it was a very painful subject, but we must go into it."
+
+"It is a painful subject," Lady Barmouth murmured. "She was my
+youngest sister, and very dear to us all. I do not say she had no
+faults; indeed, she had far too many. But she was very lovable in
+spite of her headstrong ways and her quick fits of passion. She never
+got on particularly well with my father, who all the same cared for
+her very much indeed. She was sent at the age of seventeen from
+Southern Mexico, where we lived at that time, to finish her education
+in London. I don't know why, but it seemed to be assumed that she was
+the daughter of very rich parents, and that in the course of time she
+would inherit a great deal of money. Be that as it may, she contrived
+to fall head over heels in love with her music-master, and they ran
+away together and got married. We never quite knew the name of the
+man; however, it was something quite foreign, and, judging from what
+happened afterwards, probably was no more than an alias. My sister's
+letter to her father announcing her marriage was returned to her
+unread, and she was given to understand that she could no longer
+consider herself one of the family. That sorry scoundrel who had
+brought so much unhappiness on the poor girl's head basely deserted
+her, and from that day to this I have seen nothing of the poor child.
+
+"She did not write to you, she did not communicate with you in any
+way?" Jack asked.
+
+"I have just told you that I have never heard of or seen the poor girl
+since. She was as proud as she was high-spirited, and after what had
+happened would have died rather than have appealed to any of us for
+assistance. But why do you ask?"
+
+"Because I recognized in the portrait in question the features of one
+who I see nearly every day of my life. There can be no question about
+the matter at all, Lady Barmouth--your sister has been for a long time
+Spencer Anstruther's housekeeper."
+
+"You astonish me; you move me more than words can tell. My sister in
+the house of that man? Do you mean to suggest for a moment----"
+
+"I am not suggesting anything whatever that is wrong," Jack said
+earnestly. "For some time past I have been trying to make a study of
+the poor woman who calls herself Serena----"
+
+"That is my sister's second name," Lady Barmouth interposed.
+
+"Yes! But I have not made much progress. It is quite evident to me
+that your poor sister has had a terribly stormy past. Not that her
+spirits are broken, for there comes ever and again in her face the
+look of one who is prepared to fight to the bitter end. All the same,
+she is absolutely under the domination of Spencer Anstruther; she
+watches his every movement; indeed, it is almost as if he had
+hypnotized her. But that there is anything wrong--oh, no, Anstruther
+simply regards your sister as one of his creatures."
+
+"I am quite unnerved by all you have to tell me," Lady Barmouth cried.
+"It has always been my prayer that my poor sister and myself should
+meet again, because I, for one, have never blamed her for that which,
+after all, is more her misfortune than her fault. She was very young
+at the time that she gave her heart into the keeping of that
+scoundrel, very young and very romantic. And goodness knows she paid
+enough for her folly. I must see her at once. I will go with you----"
+
+"Not to Anstruther's house," Jack protested. "Think of the danger of
+it."
+
+"But Mr. Anstruther merely knows me as Lady Barmouth. He knows nothing
+of Lord Barmouth as Lord Barmouth. We can easily assume that I came to
+ask the character of a servant. Oh, do not let us wait! If you only
+knew how anxious I am to see Serena again!"
+
+Jack shrugged his shoulders and allowed the point to pass. At any rate
+he suggested that Lady Barmouth should possess her soul in patience a
+little longer. Usually the hours between five and seven were spent by
+Anstruther at his club, where he often indulged in a rubber of whist;
+indeed, he was very regular in this respect. Jack expounded all this
+to Lady Barmouth, who listened to him with more or less impatience.
+
+"Let it be as you please." she said. "I am afraid you do not quite
+understand my feelings; still, you have been so good and kind and
+patient all through this miserable business that I am loth to do
+anything to mar your chances of success. Come and have a cup of tea
+with me, and then it will be time to start."
+
+It was a little after six before Jack and Lady Barmouth set out in the
+direction of Panton Square. They came to the house at length, and Jack
+rang the bell. Some little time elapsed before there was any response,
+and Jack rang again. He was getting slightly uneasy by this time; so
+many things had happened lately that therefore it was possible that
+something equally strange might have recently been enacted in Panton
+Square. He pulled the bell again, this time furiously.
+
+"It looks as if everybody was out," Lady Barmouth suggested.
+
+"And yet I fancy I can hear somebody," Jack said, with his eye on the
+keyhole. "I am sure that I saw somebody flit across the hall. Let us
+try again."
+
+Another furious peal at the bell brought a halting footstep, as if
+dragged unwillingly in the direction of the door, and then a voice
+inside faintly demanded to know who was there.
+
+"Who are you?" Jack asked--his fears had rendered him a little
+impatient, "and what have you to be afraid of? Please open the door. I
+tell you that----"
+
+"Is that really you, Jack?" the voice inside said in tones of deep
+relief. It was easy to detect that Claire was the speaker now. "I will
+open the door for you at once."
+
+There was a fumbling at the bolts and latch, and then the heavy portal
+swung back. Claire's face was very pale, her hands were trembling, and
+there was something like terror in her eyes.
+
+"I hope nothing wrong has happened?" Jack said anxiously.
+
+"Well, no," Claire explained, "nothing what you might call really
+wrong." All the same, she was holding her hand to her heart like one
+who has run fast and far. "It was not on my account that I feared; it
+was for Serena's sake."
+
+"Are you and Serena alone in the house?" Jack asked.
+
+"Absolutely. The other two maids have gone out for the day, and, as my
+uncle is dining at his club, I did not bother about a set dinner, and
+was going to have a small dish sent up for myself. A few minutes ago
+Serena came to me in a state of terrible agitation, saying that
+somebody had called to see my guardian. Though he was assured that Mr.
+Anstruther was out, and was not likely to return before it was time to
+dress for dinner, the man persisted in refusing to believe the
+statement. He pushed his way into the hall, and locked the door behind
+him, saying that it was his intention to search the house. He was so
+rude and overbearing that Serena was naturally frightened, and came to
+me. I hope you won't blame me unduly, but I was as frightened as
+Serena herself. I summoned up courage at length to face this man, but
+when I reached the hall I found that he had unlocked the door again,
+and had vanished. But not before he had been all over the house."
+
+"Was he rude, or did he use anything like violence?" Jack asked
+heatedly. "Oh, this sort of thing is abominable. Ask Serena to come
+here, and give me a description of the fellow. Then I will go off at
+once, and place the matter in the hands of the police."
+
+So agitated and upset was Claire that she had entirely overlooked the
+presence of Lady Barmouth, who stood in the dim shadow of the hall
+listening to this amazing story. She went off now in the direction of
+the kitchen, where she seemed to be engaged in persuading the
+terrified Serena to come forward. The latter came presently, with a
+trembling, halting footstep, and Lady Barmouth shrank closer against
+the wall. The electric light had not been switched on yet, so that it
+was almost too dark to recognize the features of Anstruther's
+housekeeper. Jack rather wondered to see Serena so terribly upset.
+Broken as she was by misfortune, and dominated as she was by
+Anstruther's strong personality, she did not lack pluck and spirit, as
+Jack had seen on more than one occasion.
+
+"You seem to have been subjected to a rather unpleasant experience,"
+he said. "What class of man was the fellow who insisted on pushing his
+way into the house like this? A half-intoxicated workman, or some
+loafing rascal."
+
+"Oh, nothing of the kind," Serena replied. She was getting her voice
+well under control now. "The man was dressed as well as yourself, Mr.
+Masefield. It was not his appearance that frightened me in the least,
+at least not his outward appearance. Nor was he in the least abusive
+or violent."
+
+"But tell us what he looked like," Jack said impatiently. "I want a
+description for the benefit of the police."
+
+Serena seemed to hesitate for a moment, and a curious expression
+passed like a shadow over her worn, sad face.
+
+"Oh, you will not laugh at me, you will not make fun of what I am
+going to say? It was not quite dark; in fact, there was plenty of
+light when I opened the door for that man. His hat was turned down,
+and his coat collar was turned up. As the door was thrown open, he
+lifted his hat to me with a natural courtesy that belongs to every
+well-bred man. And then I saw his face. It was exactly the same face
+as that."
+
+Serena broke off suddenly, as if her emotions were too strong for her.
+The front door had not yet been closed; the strong flare of a great
+arc light lit up the hoarding on the far side of the street. With a
+trembling hand Serena pointed to the central poster on the hoarding.
+Jack started as he followed the direction of her shaking finger.
+
+"What!" he cried; "Nostalgo! Another Nostalgo! Do you mean to say that
+he has been here to-night?"
+
+"Yes," Serena said simply, "it is just as I have told you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+IN THE SQUARE.
+
+
+Jack said no more for the present. He closed the front door quietly,
+not forgetting, however, to glance at the great clock, and stopping to
+calculate that a good half-hour must elapse before Anstruther
+returned. It would have been a great misfortune indeed if the latter
+had come home at that moment. In a mechanical kind of way Serena
+turned into the dining-room, where she proceeded to pull down the
+blinds and switch on the lights. At a sign from Jack, Lady Barmouth
+remained where she was for the moment, and Masefield, together with
+Claire, entered the dining-room.
+
+"I am bound to ask you a few questions," he said, turning to Serena.
+"For instance, I have yet to learn why the walking image of that
+poster should have frightened you so terribly."
+
+"It was Adolpho returned from the grave," Serena murmured. Apparently
+she was talking to herself. "Beyond all question poor Adolpho----"
+
+She paused in some confusion, and looked guiltily from Claire to Jack.
+The latter was not slow to take up the point.
+
+"So you have actually seen the man before?" he demanded. "Well, we
+will not discuss that at present. A little later on perhaps I shall
+ask you to speak more freely. Meanwhile, I may as well tell you that I
+came here to-night with a lady desirous of seeing you."
+
+Serena was alert and eager in a moment. Jack could see that the
+fighting look had returned to her face; her eyes dilated strangely.
+She seemed to guess by some subtle instinct exactly what was going to
+happen.
+
+"My sister." she whispered. Her voice was very strained and low.
+"Something tells me that my sister is here. I pray you go away and get
+rid of her at once. Tell her any lie, invent any falsehood. If you
+have the slightest feeling for the most miserable woman in the world
+you will do this thing for me."
+
+"But it is too late," Jack protested. "Lady Barmouth is with me; she
+is waiting in the hall at the present moment, and she has already seen
+your face."
+
+"But I do not understand," Serena cried, stretching out her hands
+hopelessly. "I have but one sister whom I believe to be living, and
+her name is Grace. Lady Barmouth cannot possibly be anything to me."
+
+"Lady Barmouth is your sister all the same," Jack explained. "She
+married Lord Barmouth after you left home; she has told me your sad
+story, and you must believe that she has been looking for you
+everywhere. Surely you would not punish yourself for that which was
+after all merely an act of girlish folly?"
+
+Serena covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. Her head
+fell forward on the table. Presently an arm stole about her neck. When
+she looked up again it was to meet the tender and softened gaze of
+Lady Barmouth.
+
+"And so we meet again like this after all these years," Lady Barmouth
+said gently. "Oh, my dear Serena, how could you go off like that; how
+could you leave us all without a word or a sign? Our father was a
+harsh man; his pride was his besetting sin, but he would have forgiven
+you and taken you to his heart again if only you had returned to the
+old home. Didn't you suppose that I cared? And after all said and
+done, what is your crime? You trusted a man who was not worthy of your
+affection, and he deserted you because you lacked the money for which
+he married you. If that is a crime, then there are many thousands of
+poor women in the world in the same sad plight."
+
+Meanwhile Jack and Claire had crept quietly from the room. It would
+have been indelicate to remain there in the circumstances. Jack,
+looking at Claire, noted that the tears were also in her eyes.
+
+"What a strangely pathetic thing," Claire murmured. "How did it come
+about, Jack?"
+
+Jack explained the story of the photograph, but Claire was hardly
+listening. It seemed such a strange, sad story to her, this pathetic
+meeting between the two sisters.
+
+"But you don't suppose that Mr. Anstruther knows?" Claire asked. "You
+do not imagine for a moment that he is aware of the fact that Serena
+is Lady Barmouth's sister?"
+
+"I hope to goodness no," Jack exclaimed. "But I don't see how the
+thing could be possible. To begin with, the sisters are not in the
+least alike, and in addition to this Serena had not the least idea
+that Lady Barmouth had married. What I am most afraid of now is that
+Anstruther should come back and discover those two women together."
+
+"Claire nodded gravely, with one eye on the clock. It was only a
+matter of minutes now when Anstruther would return. He was dining at
+his club to-night, Claire explained, with Mr. Carrington, at eight
+o'clock, and as it was now a quarter past seven, there was not much
+time for him to dress and get back to St. James's Street again.
+
+"In that case I must intrude myself upon those two ladies," Jack said
+firmly. "I will put Lady Barmouth in a cab and send her home. It will
+be quite easy for the sisters to arrange a meeting at Lady Barmouth's
+house. Keep Anstruther out of the dining-room if he comes in."
+
+Jack strode resolutely across the hall, and placed the matter tersely
+and vigorously before the sisters. "It would never do," he explained,
+"for Anstruther to find you here at this moment."
+
+Serena's eyes were swollen with weeping. There were the deep marks of
+tears upon her cheeks. Lady Barmouth's worldly training had stood her
+in better stead, but she also carried traces of emotion which could
+not be wiped out in a moment.
+
+"I am going to put you in a cab at once," Jack said. "Anstruther may
+be here any instant, and you can imagine how necessary it is to keep
+him in the dark. Besides, you can easily arrange a meeting in a safer
+atmosphere than this."
+
+With a brief remark to the effect that she would communicate with
+Serena again, Lady Barmouth left the room, and permitted Jack to
+escort her to a cab. The latter breathed more freely as the clatter of
+the horses' hoofs died away. He ran back quickly to the house again to
+give a few last words of instruction to Claire.
+
+"You look all right now," he said, "but Serena's case is entirely
+different. Take my advice, and send her up to her room. If you are not
+going to dine in the proper sense of the word, there is no reason why
+Serena should appear again till Anstruther has gone to his club. And I
+will go, too; I don't want our worthy host to know that I have been
+here this evening."
+
+Jack went off thoughtfully in the direction of the square. It was a
+particularly good-class neighborhood, and generally very quiet at this
+time of the evening. The half-hour past seven had just struck from a
+neighboring clock. In most of the dining-rooms on the north side of
+the square brilliant lights demonstrated the fact that folk were at
+dinner. With the exception of a solitary policeman nobody was in
+sight. As is usual with the majority of London squares, the place was
+none too well lighted, and there were just sufficient lamps to throw
+the shadows of the garden in deeper relief. It had often occurred to
+Jack how easy crime and violence would be in circumstances like these.
+
+Jack's imagination was working freely now; indeed, it would have been
+odd if his brain had not been screwed to a high pitch by the events of
+the day. Coming towards him now, swinging along at a good pace, was a
+tall, slim figure, which seemed familiar to Masefield. As the figure
+paused under a lamp to look at his watch, Jack could see the figure
+was that of Anstruther. He congratulated himself upon the fact that he
+had got away from Panton Square before Anstruther returned. He crossed
+the road in a casual sort of way, and passed along under the shadow of
+the houses so that Anstruther had no idea how he was being watched.
+
+The latter paused again, just by the entrance to the square gardens,
+the gates of which had not yet been locked, though it was considerably
+past the hour when the gardens were closed to the public. Anstruther
+stood there as if debating something in his mind, then suddenly
+another figure came like a lightning flash from inside the garden
+gates, and fell upon Anstruther with terrible swiftness.
+
+So sudden and unexpected was it that Jack could hardly believe the
+evidence of his own eyes. Anstruther gave one gurgling cry, his hands
+went up as if imploring assistance, then he settled down to a fray
+which could only end in one fashion. It was impossible where Jack
+stood for him to make out anything more than the mere outline of the
+man who had so unexpectedly fallen upon Anstruther. But there was no
+mistaking the grimness of his intention: there was sinister design in
+every movement of the body This was no common square thief, intent
+upon a paltry meed of plunder, but a man who had deliberately picked
+out his prey with the intention of mauling it to the death.
+
+All this passed as it were in the twinkling of an eye. Jack knew now
+that he would have to pull himself together and advance to the rescue.
+As he flew across the road he heard in a mechanical sort of fashion
+the heavy footstep of a policeman clanging on the quiet pavement some
+little way off. Here, at any rate, was aid fairly close at hand. But
+Jack was not the kind of man to wait in an emergency like this. Before
+he could cross the road he saw that Anstruther was prostrate on the
+pavement, with his assailant kneeling cat-like upon his chest. The man
+was evidently fumbling for something, probably a weapon of the
+noiseless kind, for Jack could see his right hand working in a hip
+pocket. With a headlong leap Jack fell upon the would-be assassin, and
+clutched him by the throat. At the same time a police whistle
+shrilled.
+
+But the man kneeling on Anstruther's chest was not taken aback for an
+instant. With a quick upward motion of his body he pitched Jack clean
+over his head, and, rolling off Anstruther's chest, darted like a
+snake into the gardens. By this time three policemen were upon the
+scene. "No, I don't think he is hurt much," Jack explained, as
+Anstruther scrambled to his feet, and gazed wildly around him. "No
+damage done, eh?"
+
+Anstruther explained that he was none the worse for his adventure. He
+seemed to be under the impression that he had been the victim of some
+loafer's cupidity. He could give no description of his assailant;
+indeed, he said that he had no idea now but to get away and keep an
+important appointment. He tossed his card over to the police, and went
+coolly down the road.
+
+"We can get that fellow all the same," Jack said. "He is in the
+gardens somewhere. Suppose you three men stand round the square while
+I go inside and drive him out. One of you lend me a lantern."
+
+The quest was by no means a long one. At the fourth cast of the
+lantern Jack descried his man crouching down under a belt of laurels.
+He reached forward and dragged the fellow up by the neck.
+
+"I am a bigger man than you are," Jack said. "Do you come quietly, or
+are you going to take it fighting?"
+
+By way of reply the man raised his hat; his face was exposed.
+
+"I am not going to take it at all," he said. "You will be good enough
+to put the police off my scent and have a cab handy so that I can get
+away without being seen. We have met before, sir."
+
+It was a fitting crown to a day of surprises. For the man who stood
+before Jack was the same Nostalgo he had conveyed in the guise of a
+dead body to Shannon Street police station.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+ON THE TRACK.
+
+
+The man standing there showed not the slightest trace of alarm. There
+was just the suggestion of a smile on his face, as if he felt
+confident of his position. Jack could even see that he was fingering a
+cigarette case, as if he were thinking more about tobacco than
+anything else. He advanced a little nearer to his pursuer, and the
+suggestion of a smile broadened to a look of absolute amusement.
+
+"It seems to me that we have met before," he said, with an accent that
+left no doubt as to his nationality. "But I have just reminded you of
+the fact. The question is, what are you going to do?"
+
+"Well, you are a very cool hand," Jack replied. "My obvious duty is to
+hand you over to the police for the attempted murder of Mr. Spencer
+Anstruther."
+
+"Instead of which you are going to do nothing of the kind," the
+stranger replied. "Besides, you are quite wrong. I am prepared to
+admit the assault on Mr. Anstruther, but as to murdering him--nothing
+of the kind. Besides, you know perfectly well you are consumed with
+curiosity to know all about my mysterious self."
+
+Jack smiled to himself despite the gravity of the situation. The
+stranger had hit off his thoughts exactly.
+
+"You are naturally anxious to know," he said, "what happened to me
+after you were good enough to escort my unconscious body to Shannon
+Street police station. I see you are a little dubious as to whether I
+am the right man or not; but if you looked at me carefully, you would
+see there is no mistake whatever."
+
+Jack advanced a few paces nearer the speaker, and surveyed him closely
+in the blinding light of the lantern. There was no doubt whatever that
+this was one and the same Nostalgo. There was a certain mark in the
+shape of a crescent scar on his chin, the same scantiness of eyebrow,
+and the same peculiar droop of the lids.
+
+"I am quite satisfied that you are the same man," Jack said.
+
+"That's all right," the stranger cried, eagerly. "Of course, I know
+quite well that you are deeply interested in this Nostalgo mystery,
+and good fortune has placed you in the position to find out all about
+it. Get rid of those fellows, and call me a hansom. As a guarantee of
+good faith, here is my card. The address leaves a great deal to be
+desired, but I assure you my quarters are a great deal more
+comfortable than the locality would convey. If you have not yet dined,
+perhaps you would not mind partaking of my bread and salt."
+
+Jack did not hesitate a moment longer. It was, perhaps, playing it
+rather low down on the police, but it seemed almost a criminal folly
+to waste so golden an opportunity as this. If the man had been given
+in custody for the murderous assault upon Spencer Anstruther, there
+would be long and tedious investigations, which would not only delay
+the solution of the trouble, but perhaps scare away others who were
+more or less party to the mystery. After all said and done, Anstruther
+was not a penny the worse for his adventure, and no harm could be done
+in defeating the so-called ends of justice.
+
+"You stay where you are," Jack said, "and I will see what I can do for
+you. The police are On three sides of the square, leaving this side
+open to me. It is only a matter of a little patience, and the thing is
+accomplished."
+
+Jack emerged cautiously into the road and looked about him. So far as
+he could see the street was deserted, though he could hear the
+constables making signs to one another on the other three sides of the
+square. Whilst he was still debating in his mind what to do, an empty
+hansom crawled towards him. Jack ran back and signed to the driver not
+to stop.
+
+"You can earn a sovereign if you like," he said. "Don't ask any
+questions, but do exactly what I tell you. Turn back, go just to the
+corner of the square, and then return slowly; when you are opposite
+the gates, pull up as if there was something the matter with your
+horse. Then a man will come out and jump into your cab. You are to
+drive him to the address which I am going to give you without asking
+any questions. Here is your sovereign, and now listen carefully to the
+address. That's all."
+
+Jack returned hurriedly to the gardens, at the same time whistling
+loudly as if he had need of assistance. It was not long before the
+three constables came swarming over the railings, guided to the right
+spot by the flash of Jack's lantern.
+
+"Now's your time," he whispered hurriedly. "There is a hansom waiting
+for you by the gate, and the driver knows exactly what to do and where
+to take you. He is already paid his fare."
+
+The man Nostalgo smiled and vanished. It was an easy matter to satisfy
+the police that their quarry had eluded Masefield, and that he was
+still hiding somewhere in the gardens. Jack left them to their search
+presently under the plea that he had no further time to waste. He
+walked as far as Albany Street, and there took a cab to Mare Street,
+Hackney.
+
+It was not a particularly desirable neighborhood, as the man Nostalgo
+had pointed out. The destination was a side street of great dingy
+houses, which a generation or two back had been inhabited by wealthy
+tradesmen and the like. Now the large houses had been cut up into
+small flats and tenements, and for the most part were occupied
+by artisans and the like. The gutter swarmed with children,
+disheveled-looking women stood gossiping on the door-steps; round a
+flaming gin palace a group of loafers had gathered. It seemed to Jack
+high time to dismiss his hansom, for evidently vehicles of that kind
+were not frequent visitors to the street. More than one of the loafers
+lounging heavily against the greasy walls looked pointedly at Jack,
+but he was not the class of man to be tackled single-handed, and
+therefore he was allowed to proceed unmolested to No. 14, where he
+asked for Mr. James Smith.
+
+A surly-looking porter, evidently considerably the worse for drink,
+replied that Smith lived on the fifth floor.
+
+"Not that I have ever seen him," he growled, propitiated by Jack's
+half-crown; "sort of secretive chap, only goes out after dark and all
+that sort of thing. Shouldn't wonder if the police came and walked off
+with him any day; but that's no business of mine, so long as he pays
+his rent regularly and don't give no trouble. Keeps a couple of
+servants, he does; but they ain't English, and we don't have no truck
+with them."
+
+Unenlightened by this fragment of a biography, Jack made his way up
+the greasy staircase. There must have been scores of families living
+in the self-same house, for Jack could hear the cries of children, and
+an occasional oath from some angry man. He came at length to the fifth
+floor, the outer door of which was closed, and on this he knocked. He
+knocked a third time before the door was cautiously opened, and the
+sallow, almond-eyed face of a Chinaman peered out. Apparently the
+Celestial was satisfied as to his visitor, for he merely bowed and
+stood aside so that Jack might enter. Then the door was closed again
+and locked. There was another door at the end of a dingy passage, the
+walls of which had not been papered for years; but a passage through
+this revealed a different state of affairs entirely.
+
+It was idle to enquire by what magic this thing had been brought
+about, but here, in this home of wretchedness and desolation, was a
+luxurious and comfortable home. In what appeared to be the hall was a
+remarkably fine specimen of Persian carpet. There were Moorish
+hangings, luxurious lounges and divans--the whole illuminated by a
+shaded lamp which depended from the ceiling. Jack could see other
+rooms beyond, quite as luxuriously furnished. In one of them a table
+had been laid out with a fair white cloth, and on the snowy damask
+appeared to be what was a perfectly appointed meal.
+
+Jack could see the shaded lights falling on the flowers and silver,
+upon gold-necked bottles, and ruby wines in cut-glass decanters. A
+negro dressed like an English butler came silently from the room,
+carrying a silver coffee service in his hand. It was a fairy kind of
+dream, coming as it did upon the edge of stern reality. Jack would
+have been surprised had he not been long past that emotion. As it was,
+he allowed the Chinese servant to relieve him of his hat and coat,
+after which he was escorted to a small room at the back, where his
+queer host was smoking something quite exceptional in the way of a
+cigar.
+
+"I thought you would come," he said. It was only when he stood up
+under the full light of the lamps that Jack could see what a fine
+figure of a man he was. "Sit down and try one of these cigars--dinner
+will not be ready for quite a quarter of an hour. You are rather
+surprised to find anything of this kind here, eh?"
+
+"Well, rather," Jack said drily; "you hardly expect eastern palaces in
+the slums. I won't be vulgarly curious and ask why a man of your
+apparent means prefers to take up his quarters here, but what I want
+to know is this--how on earth did you manage to get all this luxury
+and refinement here without arousing the suspicions of your neighbors?
+There are men--ay, and women, too--under the same roof who would
+murder you cheerfully, if only to get hold of your silver coffee
+service."
+
+"Oh, that's explained easily enough," Nostalgo cried. "My two servants
+are very faithful to me; they practically know no English, and when
+they go out they are dressed very very differently to what you see
+them now. As to the rest, we smuggled the things here a few at a time,
+and we did the papering and upholstering between us. As to why I
+choose to live here--ah, that is quite another matter."
+
+The stranger finished with a stern abruptness that told Jack pretty
+plainly he was not expected to ask any further questions on that head.
+"You will know more about me presently," he said. "Meanwhile, I dare
+say you are curious to know what brought me lying apparently dead near
+Panton Square, and how my body disappeared from the police station. Of
+course, you suspect Anstruther of being at the bottom of the whole
+business; in fact, I presume Lord Barmouth told you all about that."
+
+Here was another surprise, but Jack did not express it in words. He
+merely nodded, as if he took the whole thing for granted.
+
+"We will let that pass," he said. "But why did Anstruther desire to
+have you put out of the way like that?"
+
+"Well, it was either Anstruther or myself," the stranger said coolly.
+"To give you some idea of the feelings I entertain towards Anstruther,
+I will ask you to kindly look at that craotint over the mantelpiece.
+You may not believe it, but that picture represents me before I came
+under the baneful influence of the man we are discussing. Will you
+please look at it carefully?"
+
+It was barely possible to recognize in those handsome features the
+almost repulsive ugliness of Nostalgo. Perhaps he read something of
+this passing through Jack's mind, for he smiled with exceeding
+bitterness.
+
+"Yes, I don't think I need much justification. You know all about that
+business in Mexico, but Lord Barmouth was not the only victim. I also
+was left penniless and mutilated, and I swore that if ever fortune
+favored me, I would be even with Anstruther before I died. Fortune has
+favored me, and I am here with one set purpose before me."
+
+"To kill Spencer Anstruther," Jack cried.
+
+"Oh, dear, no," Nostalgo said; "do you suppose that I can think of no
+more terrible revenge than that? When you saw me holding that
+scoundrel to-night I had quite another purpose in my mind. If
+everything had gone well with me, London would have been startled
+to-morrow to hear of the strange disappearance of Spencer Anstruther.
+But you were good enough to prevent me, and I cannot blame you for
+that. But I am talking about myself, though you would like to hear
+more of other matters. I promised to tell you how I got away from
+Shannon Street police station. I expect my case puzzled the doctor,
+did it not?"
+
+"You puzzled him exceedingly," Jack said. "How did you manage it?"
+
+"I was shot in a peculiar manner, and with a peculiar weapon,"
+Nostalgo explained. "The whole device was an invention of
+Anstruther's--in fact, I saw it in operation in Mexico. It is a kind
+of air gun arrangement that propels a sort of poisoned bullet encased
+in celluloid. The bullet penetrates a part not necessarily vital and
+dissolves there. There is practically no wound, the virulent poison in
+the bullet spreads all over the system and speedily does its work. But
+in my instance the shots fired were not fatal, for the simple reason
+that I am wearing a thin coat of highly-tempered chain mail."
+
+"But the doctor did not notice that," Jack exclaimed.
+
+Nostalgo made no reply for a moment; he seemed to be thinking about
+something else. His varying moods had not been lost upon Jack. He was
+stern and silent, then again happy and cheerful, and once more grim
+and sardonic. If he did not care to speak now, Jack had no desire to
+press him. He felt quite sure that the stranger had taken a liking to
+him, or he would not be enjoying his present novel situation. Nostalgo
+broke the silence at length as if he had suddenly realized that he was
+not alone.
+
+"You have not traveled much, I presume?" he asked.
+
+"No," Jack replied. "Only the usual Continental trips and all that
+kind of thing. Mine has been a very prosaic life up to now, and I have
+never found myself in the heart of a great adventure before. Now it
+seems to me as if I were going to have enough mystery to last me
+forever."
+
+"Ah, as Shakespeare says, 'There are more things in heaven and earth
+than are dreamed of in your philosophy.' Had you lived my life, and
+knew the world as I know it, you would not be astonished at anything.
+Probably if you had read what I have told you in a novel, of the
+sensational kind, you would have pitched the book aside with a laugh
+of contempt. And now, confess it, have you ever heard before of a
+decadent modern man walking about in a mail shirt and being plugged by
+mysterious bullets, and all this in the streets of London?"
+
+"Well, I confess that it does seem a little strange and outlandish,"
+Jack admitted. "But when I come to think of it, and when I look at
+you, I can no longer hesitate. Some men are born for picturesqueness
+and adventure, and you are one of them. But all the same the doctor
+was utterly deceived."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+SERENA AGAIN.
+
+
+Nostalgo smiled and shook his head. The doctor had not made an
+examination of him at all; and he explained he had simply given him a
+cursory glance and pronounced that the whole thing had been fatal. No
+doubt a thorough examination would have taken place later on, only
+that the victim had returned to his senses, and, having his own
+reasons for secrecy, had escaped by means of the overhead light in the
+mortuary.
+
+"There you have the whole thing in a nutshell," he concluded. "It was
+fortunate for me that I knew exactly how to get away, for the simple
+reason that I had been keeping a close eye upon Anstruther's
+movements, and knew all about that hiding place in Montrose Place. To
+a certain extent I made my escape through Montrose Place. There is
+only one thing I find that is difficult of explanation. Now I know for
+a fact that Anstruther was otherwise engaged on the night of that
+murderous attack upon me. Who, then, was it who fired the bullet?"
+
+"I think it is just possible I can enlighten you there," Jack said.
+"Did you ever chance to hear of a man called Padini?"
+
+The name conveyed nothing apparently to Nostalgo, who rose at the
+same moment and suggested that dinner was possibly ready. It was a
+well-served meal, cold for the most part, Nostalgo explaining that
+anything in the way of elaborate cookery had for obvious reasons to be
+done off the premises. It was possible to talk freely before the
+servants, who seemed to be entirely in their master's confidence.
+
+"Tell me about this Padini whose name you mentioned just now," the
+host said. "So far as I know, I have never heard the name before."
+
+"That is exceedingly likely, considering that Padini is only one of
+the many aliases. The man I mentioned is an exceedingly fine
+violinist--clean shaven and artistic-looking, and perhaps just a
+little effeminate. On the stage he looks rather boyish, but in private
+life it is his whim to assume a moustache closely resembling that of
+the German Emperor. I know this as a fact, because I have met him
+wearing his moustache at the house of a man called Carrington--a rich
+bachelor banker who has a very elaborate establishment in Piccadilly."
+
+A heavy scowl crossed the face of Nostalgo.
+
+"So you know that sorry blackguard, do you?" he asked. "Upon my word,
+Mr. Masefield, you seem to have mixed up with a rare lot of
+scoundrels."
+
+Jack was politely incredulous; he had never heard anything to the
+detriment of Mr. Carrington, who was partner in a well-known City
+bank. Still, he remembered now that he had heard Carrington's name
+mentioned by Anstruther that time he was hiding in Montrose Place with
+Rigby.
+
+"Oh, I am perfectly certain of my facts," Nostalgo cried. "It may be
+news to you, but Carrington's bank is on the verge of collapse. I know
+that, because they have twenty thousand pounds of mine in their hands.
+I was acquainted with Carrington before I went to Mexico, and as good
+fortune favored me, I sent a great deal of my earnings to Carrington
+for investment. When I came home I called upon him one night and
+explained my altered appearance. He appeared to be fairly satisfied
+till I asked for my securities. Then the rascal showed himself in his
+true colors. He pretended to believe that I was an impudent impostor;
+he laughed my strange story to scorn, and refused to part with
+anything until I could prove my identity beyond question. He knew
+perfectly well that at the time I could do nothing of the sort, and
+there the matter stands for the present. I suppose that Carrington is
+a friend of Anstruther's?"
+
+Jack explained that Anstruther and Carrington were dining together at
+the former's club at that self-same moment. Nostalgo nodded, as if the
+information was not displeasing to him. "Very good," he cried.
+"Everything is going our way now. I will get you to accompany me on a
+little expedition presently. And as to this man you call Padini, I
+think I have a pretty good notion of his real identity. And now take
+some more of that wine, and let us discuss matters generally, apart
+from this wretched business. Let me try and make you forget what a
+physical wreck I am."
+
+A more entertaining companion Jack could not have wished for. His host
+seemed to have been everywhere and seen everything; he was a thorough
+citizen of the world, and a charming companion to boot. Jack was
+astonished to look up presently and see that it was already past
+eleven o'clock. Nostalgo followed his glance and smiled. He rang the
+bell and ordered coffee to be served at once.
+
+"Just one more cigar and a liquor," he suggested, "and then we must be
+off. Meanwhile, there are one or two things I must do in regard to my
+personal appearance. Like the modern plain young woman, I am compelled
+occasionally to resort to a beauty doctor. It is a case of where
+Nature fails Art steps in."
+
+So saying, Nostalgo passed the cigar box across the table and
+sauntered from the room. It was some half-hour before he returned, and
+when he did so he was changed almost beyond recognition. At the same
+time, the almost hideous ugliness had only given way to another form
+of repulsive feature. Nostalgo smiled sadly as he seemed to follow
+Jack's thoughts.
+
+"It is only a change after all," he said; "for change is sometimes
+necessary. If you have quite finished, we are going to walk down as
+far as St. James's Street, where I will get you to go into
+Anstruther's club, the Salisbury, and ascertain if he and Carrington
+are still there. You can easily make an excuse to do that."
+
+"As it happens, there is no occasion to do anything of the kind,"
+Jack said. "I am a member of the Salisbury Club. I will go into the
+dining-room and see if those men are still there; and if they have
+already gone, I will try and ascertain where. Come along."
+
+The Salisbury Club was reached at length, and Jack entered, followed
+by his companion. There was no reason why the latter should not come
+into the club, Jack urged. With his hat pulled down over his eyes
+nobody would recognize him or note anything peculiar in his
+appearance.
+
+The club was fairly crowded by this time, for the theatres had begun
+to empty, and members were trooping in the direction of the smoking
+and card rooms. The dining-room was still comparatively full, for
+though dinner was practically a thing of the past, a great many
+suppers had already been served. As Jack glanced carelessly about the
+room, he noticed Anstruther and Carrington seated at a table at the
+top. There was a third man with them, who had apparently just come in,
+for his opera cape was still about his shoulders. Jack touched his
+companion on the arm.
+
+"There our men are," he whispered, "and judging from the amount of
+wine upon the table, I should think there they are likely to stay. We
+are fortunate, too, in another direction. Please take note of that man
+in the opera cape--that is the man Padini. Perhaps you can tell me if
+you have ever seen him before."
+
+Nostalgo gave a queer and dry chuckle, and Jack could see that his
+eyes were burning under the edge of his hat.
+
+"You are quite right about our being in luck," he said hoarsely. "So
+you want to know if I am acquainted with the little man in the opera
+cape. I know the scoundrel perfectly. It seems to me that all the
+scores I have to pay are going to be wiped off in London. Now I think
+we will get on our way."
+
+Nostalgo strode away as if he had quite made up his mind what to do.
+Once outside, he turned off in the direction of Piccadilly, walking so
+rapidly that Jack had some considerable difficulty in keeping up with
+him. The man had evidently something on his mind, for he was muttering
+to himself as if he had entirely forgotten his companion. He came out
+of his brown study presently, and laughed a laugh of grim amusement.
+
+"I am a little mad at times," he said, in explanation of his queer
+conduct; "but you must not mind that. You have behaved exceedingly
+well to me, and I am taking you entirely into my confidence. You asked
+me just now if I knew Padini. I explained to you that I knew him very
+well indeed, but not under that name. He used to be with Anstruther
+all the time that the latter was in Mexico. Not that he is the class
+of man to care much for the rough life we led out there, because he is
+physically a great coward, though his cunning and craft are equal to
+those of his master. We knew him out there for a very skilled
+performer on the violin, but I never expected that he would blossom
+out into a leading platform artist. I should have thought that the
+fellow was too lazy and too casual to tie himself down to a settled
+programme. But I dare say it is all part of some scheme of
+Anstruther's."
+
+"That I am absolutely certain about," Jack said. "Seeing that you have
+been so candid with me, I will be equally candid with you, and tell
+you something very strange. It has to do with Padini and his violin."
+
+Jack proceeded to explain at length the apparently strange coincidence
+of the items on Padini's concert programme and their simultaneous
+playing in Anstruther's study. It was a somewhat complicated story,
+and Nostalgo did not quite take it in at first. When he thoroughly
+grasped the situation, he was grimly pleased to pay a high compliment
+to Anstruther's ingenuity.
+
+"I think I can grasp the meaning of it," he said. "If Anstruther ever
+found himself in a tight corner--and he is very likely to before
+long--he has a magnificent alibi. But here we are; just wait till I
+get my key out."
+
+To Jack's great surprise Nostalgo paused before the front door of
+Carrington's chambers, and proceeded to fit the key in the latch as if
+he were the master of the premises. Very coolly he pushed the door
+back and bade Jack enter. "But this is something like burglary," the
+latter protested. "Burglary or not, we are going in all the same,"
+Nostalgo growled. "You will see presently something that will surprise
+you. But stop--surely there is some one coming down the hall."
+
+The hall light was a very dim one, so that it was impossible for the
+moment to determine the identity of the woman who came down the
+stairway towards them. She carried in her hand a candle, which had the
+effect of keeping her face half in shadow. It was evident that the
+woman had heard the key in the door, and had come down to see if her
+master required anything.
+
+Satisfied that she was mistaken, she set the candle down on the table.
+Her features were quite plain now--the sad yet defiant face of Serena.
+A grasp like a vice was laid on Jack's arm, and his companion's voice
+whispered hoarsely in his ear.
+
+"Great heaven!" Nostalgo said. "And she is here. Oh, the villainy of
+it, the villainy of it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+IN THE SMOKING-ROOM.
+
+
+The woman looked about her as if half expecting to see somebody 'there
+who had come with evil intent. Jack could not fail to notice the
+extreme nervousness and agitation of her face. She was no longer quiet
+and subdued, as he had been accustomed to see her in Panton Square;
+she seemed as if some force had dragged her there against her will.
+She advanced towards the table, and, taking up a hat and coat lying
+there, proceeded to put them on as if she had finished her task
+whatever it was. If anything had frightened her, it was not, at any
+rate, the suggestion of burglars, for there was nothing of physical
+fear to be detected about her.
+
+So far as Jack could discern, his companion appeared to be equally
+disconcerted. But there would be plenty of time presently to learn
+what Nostalgo knew about Serena. Events were moving rapidly now, and
+Jack felt that he would have plenty to tell Rigby later on. They stood
+aside till Serena had left the house, making sure that the latch was
+down, and that no one could enter the premises without a key. Jack
+turned to Nostalgo with an interrogative glance.
+
+"The more we go into this thing," he said, "the more do we find one
+mystery piled upon another. Do you know that unfortunate lady?"
+
+"If you do not mind, I would much rather you did not press that
+question," Nostalgo said, coldly. "I am going to help you all I can; I
+am going to do everything in my power both for your sake and mine; but
+there are some things which will not bear discussion, and this is one
+of them."
+
+Jack turned away, feeling just a little hurt and disappointed. He
+would have found it difficult to say why, but he had taken a strange
+liking to the man by his side, perhaps because the man was suffering
+more from terrible misfortune than from his own imprudence.
+
+"We will let it stand over for the present," he said, "but to be more
+candid than you are, I am greatly interested in that poor woman. I
+have known her for a long time now, and, as a novelist, I am bound to
+say that she greatly fascinates me. She always strikes me as a woman
+who has been tamed--she is so like a performing lion or tiger, if you
+will permit me the simile."
+
+"I think I know what you mean," Nostalgo said. "The class of animal
+you speak of paces restlessly about its cage, a picture of moody
+discontent and more or less physical fear. And then the time comes
+when all the old savage instincts burst forth, and years of cruel
+treatment are avenged in the course of a moment."
+
+"And so it would be with Serena," Jack said. "I have seen her cower
+and tremble before her master; I have seen her hand him a knife in the
+humblest possible fashion. And then I have seen her hands clench on
+the handle, and a gleam come into her eyes--on more than one occasion
+I have half expected to see her lean over and cut her master's throat
+from ear to ear. After this, perhaps, you may be disposed to say more
+on the subject?"
+
+"We have never met, we have never been introduced," Nostalgo
+explained; "but I know who she is and all about her just the same. Do
+not press me more at present; the secret is not entirely my own. I can
+only tell you this: it was a great shock to me to meet that
+unfortunate lady to-night. But perhaps you know who she is?"
+
+"I know perfectly well who she is," Jack said, "though the knowledge
+has come to me quite recently. Up to a day or two ago I regarded her
+in the prosaic light of Anstruther's housekeeper. She has always
+interested me, because she has always seemed to me to be a kind of
+wild animal who has been cleverly tamed. I have seen her like a tiger
+ready to spring; I have seen the lurking demon of passion in her eyes,
+as if she could destroy Anstruther and rejoice in the deed. And then a
+word from him or a glance, and she has cowered as timidly as the wife
+of the veriest bully in the world."
+
+"But that isn't telling me who she is," Nostalgo said, impatiently.
+
+"Well, she is Lady Barmouth's sister, to begin with," Jack said. "Now,
+perhaps, you may be inclined to be more communicative."
+
+Nostalgo shook his head in a sorrowful manner, and proceeded to lead
+the way up-stairs. It was not lost upon Jack that his companion seemed
+to know his way about the house just as one would who had lived there
+for some time. He even seemed to know where to lay his hand upon each
+electric switch; in fact, his familiarity with the surroundings was
+apparent to the meanest understanding.
+
+"One more word before we leave the subject," Jack said. "I showed you
+to-night the man who calls himself Padini. You recognized him as a man
+whom you had known in Mexico, and you left me to understand that he
+was as great a scoundrel as Anstruther, only that he lacked the
+necessary courage to carry his schemes into effect. Would it surprise
+you to know that this Padini is the husband of the poor woman who has
+just gone out?"
+
+Nostalgo shook his head with the air of a man who is not hearing
+anything for the first time. As he had intimated before, the secret
+was not his own, and he showed no inclination to go into the matter
+now. He led the way to the first landing, from which the living-rooms
+branched off. Here was the fine, spacious hall where Jack had found
+himself on the night he had met Rigby there; the big ferns and palms
+were still scattered about; the evidences of luxury were plain. Only a
+rich man could have occupied so fine a suite of apartments. Nostalgo
+smiled as all these objects of art and luxury met his eye.
+
+"All is not gold that glitters," he said; "in fact, nothing that
+glitters is gold. All this kind of thing would be calculated to
+impress any client who came along, but the British public is getting
+to understand the value of outside show. Let me see--this used to be
+the drawing-room in the old days, when----
+
+"Nostalgo flicked up the lights, and there, bathed brilliantly by the
+flashing rays, was a room that would not have disgraced a palace.
+Carrington was a man of taste and feeling; his pictures were good, and
+his china would have fetched much money at Christie's. The lights
+were down again, and Nostalgo walked away in the direction of the
+dining-room. He might have been some contemptuous servant displaying
+his master's treasures to the admiring eye of a colleague. Everywhere
+the foot sank deeply into velvety carpets. Many fine sets of armor
+graced the corridor. There were one or two pictures of price here,
+also; a Corot, a dainty little Meissonier, a sketch or two from the
+brush of same other modern painters. Deeply interested as he was in
+the adventure, Jack did not fail to note and do justice to
+Carrington's taste.
+
+"A whited sepulchre," Nostalgo murmured. "It is a poor jewel, after
+all, that lives in this perfect setting. Now, here is the dining-room.
+What do you think of it--old oak and old blue china with Flemish
+pictures of the best school? Elegant, is it not? You need not wonder
+why the women run after Carrington. But we will give them something to
+talk about presently."
+
+With the assured step of one who knows every inch of the way, Nostalgo
+moved on to a small apartment behind the dining-room. This was fitted
+in the form of a smoking-room, with deep and cozy armchairs and
+comfortable divans against the Moorish walls. The whole thing was
+Moorish, from the decorations on the walls and the wonderful brass
+lamps depending from the painted ceiling. At the far end of the room
+were two double stained glass doors leading into a conservatory. The
+warmth here was grateful, and seemed to touch the senses drowsily. As
+to the rest, the conservatory was filled with masses of graceful
+feathery palms and ferns, beyond which was tier upon tier of red
+geraniums. The whole effect was wonderfully pleasing and artistic, and
+Jack did not hesitate to say so.
+
+Nostalgo was not so enthusiastic.
+
+"I wasn't thinking so much about that," he said drily. "I was
+regarding this little garden more in the light of a hiding place. You
+and I are going to play the eavesdropper, my friend. It is not a
+congenial occupation, I know; but there is precious little of anything
+congenial about this business. Carrington will be here presently, and
+probably Anstruther will accompany him."
+
+"You are a bit of a detective in your way," Jack smiled.
+
+"The conclusion is only what any one would call obvious," Nostalgo
+replied. "In the first place, all the servants have gone to bed, or
+that poor woman whom we saw down-stairs would not have been so careful
+to see that the door could not be opened without a latch-key. On the
+table behind you is a big silver salver with two glasses, a couple of
+syphons of soda-water, and a spirit-stand. What other conclusion do
+you come to than that Carrington is returning presently, and is
+bringing a friend with him?"
+
+"I quite follow you," Jack said, "but there is one thing I don't
+understand. How is it that you can find your way about this house in
+so familiar a manner?"
+
+"Ah, that is not so obvious," Nostalgo replied. "And yet the
+explanation is perfectly simple. Before I went to Mexico I was a
+friend of Carrington's. In those days his father was still alive, and
+he had not succeeded to so large a share of the business. As a matter
+of fact, Carrington and myself lived here together. He frequently
+discussed with me the improvements he would make here when once he was
+in a position to do so. The place where we are standing now used to be
+my dressing-room."
+
+It seemed to Jack that Carrington must have been a cool hand indeed,
+and he suggested something of this to Nostalgo.
+
+"Cool with the courage of despair," the latter said. "The night I came
+home and called on Carrington here, I thought he would have had a fit
+of apoplexy. Disfigured as I am, I am certain that he recognized me,
+but The Yellow Face 198 he was not slow to take advantage of my
+misfortunes. Directly he had recovered himself he became painfully
+polite, though he refused to acknowledge me as his quondam friend. You
+can quite see the point of that--so long as I could not prove my
+identity, he was able to keep me out of my property. But we have
+already discussed that point. And now you know why I am so familiar
+with the house, and how it comes about that I have a latch-key to fit
+the front door."
+
+Nostalgo was apparently prepared to say more, only his quick hearing
+detected a suspicious sound below. He strode swiftly across the room,
+and switched out the light that had illuminated the room and the
+conservatory. It was an easy matter to find the hiding place amidst
+that tangle of ferns and flowers, and the two had hardly done so
+before the smoking-room door opened and Carrington came in, closely
+followed by Anstruther and Padini. The latter seemed to be terribly
+put out about something, for he flung his hat and coat upon the floor
+and dropped into a chair with an attitude of defiance.
+
+"It is all very well for you," he exclaimed heatedly. "We do all the
+work and take all the risks, and you walk off with the profit. I tell
+you it is absolutely dangerous to work a scheme like ours from the
+Great Metropolitan Hotel."
+
+There was a sneer on Anstruther's face as he helped himself to a
+cigarette and poured out a carefully-moderated dose of whiskey and
+soda.
+
+"You little rascal," he said. He had the air of a man who, having
+tamed lions, was now contemptuously engaged in subduing less noble
+animals. "If you talk to me like this I will let you down altogether.
+You cannot injure me, but I can ruin you, body and soul. Go to your
+kennel, you hound."
+
+Padini cowered before the flashing anger in Anstruther's eyes, and he
+muttered something to himself that might have been an apology; but the
+"listeners were a little too far away to hear.
+
+"It is all very well for you," Padini whimpered. "You can call me a
+coward if you like--I am. It is not like you to run any risks at all.
+So long as I am at the Great Metropolitan Hotel, so sure is there
+danger."
+
+"Send him off about his business," Carrington growled. "Why did you
+allow him to follow us here at all? He ought to have been in his own
+room by this time carrying on his share of the programme."
+
+"Well, give me a programme," Padini said, with some show of spirit.
+"How am I to know what Anstruther wants unless he tells me beforehand?
+Is it to be nothing but Chopin to-night?"
+
+In the same way that one humors a spoiled child, Anstruther took a
+note-book from his pocket and jotted a few names upon it.
+
+"I think that will about do," he said. "Start with the 'Grand
+Polonaise,' and take the 'Fantasie in F' afterwards; then stick
+steadily to the programme I have marked on that sheet of paper.
+
+Padini rose obediently enough now, and donned his hat and coat. He
+would have helped himself to a small modicum of refreshment, only
+Anstruther put him sternly aside. "None of that," he said, "and not
+one spot of anything till you have finished your night's work. We know
+what you are when you start. Now go at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+THE LAMP GOES OUT.
+
+
+Meanwhile, Carrington had been pacing up and down the room, obviously
+troubled and ill at ease. Anstruther watched him with a gleam of
+malicious amusement in his dark eyes. This strong man liked to feel
+that he had everybody in his power; it was good to him to know that he
+could move others as the man behind the curtain moves the puppets in a
+marionette show. It was not particularly that Anstruther cared for
+crime for its own sake, but he loved to be subtle and mysterious; it
+was a joy to him to get the better of his fellow creatures. Had
+Carrington but known it, the major part of the trouble which was
+racking his mind now had been brought about by the very man to whom he
+turned most readily in the hour of his misfortunes. He poured himself
+out a liberal dose of whiskey, and gulped it down without the
+formality of adding anything to it. He flung himself angrily into a
+chair.
+
+"Now that that little ape is gone we can discuss my affairs," he said.
+"My dear Anstruther, I am the most desperate man in England to-night."
+
+"I think I have heard that remark somewhere before," Anstruther said
+cynically. "Most people talk like that when they owe twopence-ha'
+penny they can't manage to pay. But tell me, are your affairs in such
+a state as that?"
+
+"They could not possibly be worse," Carrington said, moodily. "Since
+my father died, practically all the financial side of the business has
+been left to me. Like the fool that I am, I was not content with the
+handsome profit that the concern was bringing in. I started
+speculating for myself, and I was unlucky from the start. I lost my
+head and plunged desperately, but that is not the worst of it. Not
+only is all the property at the bank mortgaged to its full value, but
+I have taken and disposed of securities belonging to clients. Every
+morning I go down to the bank I do so with my heart in my mouth. It
+only needs the smallest spark to fire the whole mine. I should not be
+surprised to find myself in jail to-morrow night. Now, you are a
+clever man, quite the cleverest man I have ever met--can you show me
+any way out of the difficulty?"
+
+"My dear fellow," Anstruther said presently, "clever men can do most
+things, but there is one thing in which they generally fail. They
+can't command money just when they want it. As you are perfectly well
+aware, I am as desperately hard up as you are yourself. If you could
+give me two or three days----"
+
+"But something must be done within the next eight and forty hours!"
+Carrington exclaimed. "For instance, there is that confounded affair
+at Lady Barmouth's."
+
+"But how does that concern you?" Anstruther asked.
+
+"I was just coming to that. You see, we have a great many
+clients--ladies--who keep their jewels with us. Take the case of the
+Duchess of Plymouth, for instance, and Admiral Scott's widow. But
+those are only a few of many. Now I know perfectly well that all these
+ladies will be round the day after to-morrow to obtain their jewels,
+for the purpose of wearing them at Lady Barmouth's masked ball. Not to
+put too fine a point upon it, they won't get their jewels, because
+they are not there."
+
+"Mortgaged or sold?" Anstruther asked, curtly.
+
+"Mortgaged to the utmost penny. You can imagine my feelings every time
+the door of my private office is opened and I am told that a client
+wishes to see me. I cannot for the life of me see any way out of it.
+Nothing less than a quarter of a million of money would set me on my
+feet again."
+
+Anstruther smoked thoughtfully, his brows knitted into a frown. It was
+some time before he spoke, Carrington watching him with sickening
+anxiety. There was something pathetic in his belief in Anstruther's
+ability to get him out of this terrible position.
+
+"There are more ways of doing it than one," Anstruther said presently.
+"In this instance we can take a hint from the daily papers. Supposing
+that the bank was mysteriously robbed--the safes forced open and all
+that kind of thing?"
+
+"Yes, and the whole thing exposed in twenty minutes," Carrington said,
+bitterly. "The robbing and gagging of cashiers has been slightly
+overdone lately. I can't call a single case to mind in which the
+scheme has not fallen to the ground. Take the case of those stolen
+banknotes, for instance. And even supposing that nothing could be
+proved against one, there is always a large section of the public
+ready to regard the trouble as nothing more than a mere swindle. An
+affair like that would be the finishing touch; it would ruin the
+bank's business utterly."
+
+"And incidentally save your skin." said Anstruther, significantly.
+"Oh, no; this is going to be a much more artistic affair than that. If
+you could get me a plan of the bank premises, including the safes and
+the cellars and all that kind of thing, I believe I could hit upon a
+scheme ingenious enough to deceive the police and gain you the
+sympathy of the British public."
+
+Carrington shook his head wearily. He had expected something much more
+brilliant and original from Anstruther than this.
+
+"The plan you want would take days to prepare," he said, "to say
+nothing of the fact----"
+
+Carrington jumped to his feet joyfully. His moody face cleared, and
+something like a smile shone on his features. "What a fool I am!" he
+cried. "Why, I have the very thing on the premises; in fact, I have
+two copies. It was only a few months ago that the bank premises were
+thoroughly restored and a fresh set of strong rooms added. I feel
+positively certain that in my safe here I have two sets of tracings of
+the architect's plans. I'll get them for you. Only I hope you won't
+make the same blunder over this business as you did at the affair of
+the man whom we will call Nostalgo Seymour."
+
+Anstruther laughed unpleasantly. Jack's companion, listening intently
+from his hiding place amongst the ferns, gripped his companion by the
+arm. "That's me," he whispered, with almost a suppressed chuckle. "I
+am the man they speak of as Nostalgo Seymour."
+
+Jack pressed the arm of his fellow conspirator by way of
+acknowledgment. He was far too interested in what was going on inside
+the brilliantly-lighted room to care to talk; indeed, he had forgotten
+the presence of his comrade altogether. He could see that Anstruther
+had risen to his feet and was pacing the room, evidently nettled by
+Carrington's remark. "If you want to be friends, don't mention that
+matter to me again," he said. "It is the one failure of my life. To
+get Seymour out of the way is imperative. I trusted the matter to
+Padini, and he failed me."
+
+"I would have trusted nothing to Padini," Carrington said.
+
+"Oh, yes, you would," Anstruther growled. "Especially if he had done
+so many artistic jobs in the same line for you. But I did not know,
+unfortunately, till too late, that the little rascal has been drinking
+more lately than was good for him. The fact is, he has lost his nerve.
+And yet he might have felt himself justified in believing that his
+mission had been attended with complete success--but go and get your
+plans. I will have a good look at them now, and I will call to see you
+to-morrow at the bank as if I came on business, and you shall show me
+all over the premises. It will be surprising, indeed, if I cannot show
+you some safe way out of the present difficulty."
+
+As Carrington went off jingling a bunch of keys in his hand, Jack
+could feel the man whom we will now call Seymour fairly trembling with
+excitement. It seemed more than once as if he was bent on darting from
+his hiding place and confronting the two scoundrels in the inner room.
+But evidently he was placing great restraint upon himself, for he
+turned to Jack and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder. At the
+same instant, Carrington returned with a large roll of tracing paper
+in his hand. There was an agitation about him scarcely warranted by
+the circumstances of the case. It was as if he had seen something
+dreadful during his brief absence. Anstruther looked at him with some
+scorn. "What a face!" he growled. "If you go down to the bank looking
+like that you will have a run on the concern in half an hour. No
+ghosts about here, I suppose?"
+
+"It isn't that," Carrington said hoarsely; "but it is something I
+have found in the corridor. It was lying on the floor close by the
+dining-room door. Tell me, have you ever seen it before?"
+
+With a shaking hand Carrington laid a small silver-mounted moleskin
+tobacco pouch on the table. At the same moment Jack noticed that his
+companion had given a great start. There was no need for Jack to be
+told that the tobacco pouch in question was Seymour's property, and
+had been dropped by him accidentally a little time before.
+
+"Why, you don't mean to say this belongs to Seymour," Anstruther
+cried, and there was a real anxiety in his voice. "Yes, you are quite
+correct; I distinctly remember Seymour buying this peculiar pattern of
+filigree silver. Now you see why I wanted to get that fellow out of
+the way. I have tried to believe that he was dead and gone, but not
+only is it quite evident that he is very much alive, but also it is
+equally plain that he has been here to-night."
+
+Carrington fairly shook as he hoarsely muttered his opinion that
+Anstruther was right. He glanced timidly about him, as if expecting to
+meet the face of Seymour; he stepped towards the conservatory, as if
+suspicious that the crimson flowers were hiding his enemy there. Then
+he gave a shaky half-laugh at his own fears.
+
+"My nerves are all rags to-night," he said. "Positively I imagined
+that I could see that dreadful scarred face of Seymour glaring at me
+from behind the bank of geraniums. Call me a coward if you like, but I
+must really ask you to turn up the light in the conservatory. I dare
+not do it myself."
+
+Something like a curse broke from the rigid figure by Jack's side.
+From overhead there dangled an electric light swinging on a long,
+pliable flex. An instant later, and there would come a brilliant blaze
+of light if Anstruther could have reached the switch towards which he
+was contemptuously strolling. An instant later, and the eavesdroppers
+would have been discovered; but Seymour rose grandly to the situation.
+With one bound he was across the floor of the conservatory, and
+literally tore the switch from its place. Instantly the fuses
+connected with the two rooms short-circuited, and the brilliant light
+of the inner room was swallowed up in the throat of a great velvety
+darkness. The thing was so swift, so clever, and so unexpected, that
+Jack could only gasp. He was conscious of the fact that Seymour had
+left his side, but only for a moment.
+
+"Confound the light!" Carrington cried. "Give me a match, and I'll
+light the lamps. This is the second time lately the same thing has
+happened."
+
+The feeble spurt of a vesta made a tiny blue flame, but it was
+sufficient to show Carrington the position of two silver lamps. He
+lighted one of these and then the other, and placed them on the table.
+As he did so his face grew white again, his tongue began to stammer.
+
+"The plans," he gasped. "Surely I put two on the table? Where is the
+other?"
+
+"The other," Jack's companion whispered, with a hoarse chuckle of
+triumph, "is quite safe in my breast pocket."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+THE SILVER LAMP.
+
+
+The wonderful coolness and audacity of his companion filled Jack with
+admiration. He had forgotten for the moment that there was any danger
+at all. It seemed to him to be a good thing to have so adroit and
+cunning a colleague to work with. The whole thing had been so
+wonderfully swift; hardly a moment seemed to have elapsed between the
+extinguishing of the light and the return of Seymour with the
+duplicate of the plan safely in his pocket.
+
+What he proposed to do next Jack could not guess for the moment,
+neither did he much care. At the same time, he felt quite convinced of
+the fact that Seymour had some deep scheme in his mind. Jack's spirits
+rose in quite an unaccountable way. He warmly congratulated himself on
+the fact that he had found Seymour and brought him into the campaign
+against Anstruther. The danger was by no means over yet, as Seymour
+must have recognized; but that did not seem to trouble him much, for
+he was shaking now with suppressed mirth, and was evidently enjoying
+the situation as one does a screaming farce from a comfortable place
+in the stalls.
+
+Jack was about to whisper something of this to his companion, when the
+latter checked him with a touch on the arm. Inside the room, in the
+comparatively moderated light of the lamps, Jack could see Carrington
+fussing about uneasily. "I tell you that there were two plans," he
+muttered. "I am absolutely certain there was a duplicate. If you have
+played any kind of trick upon me I hope you will confess it at once."
+
+"Trick be hanged, suppose that I indulge in practical joking? I say
+you have made a mistake; the duplicate plan is somewhere else."
+
+"And I am equally certain that it was with those papers," Carrington
+blustered. "They were lying side by side a minute ago. And now one of
+them is gone, and you want me to believe that it has been spirited
+away by unseen hands."
+
+"I don't want you to believe anything of the sort," Anstruther
+replied. "Not a minute had elapsed between the time that the light
+went out and the moment I lighted the match. What a nervous,
+frightened fool you are. You will be saying next that Seymour is
+concealed somewhere in the room, and snatched this brilliant
+opportunity for purloining these papers. Really, we are getting on.
+Hadn't you better look round the house. You will have to go to bed
+presently, and I should advise you to lock your door."
+
+All this brutal sarcasm was utterly lost upon Carrington. He was as
+frightened and nervous as a lonely woman in a lonely house, who has
+discovered some strange man there. He darted from the room, followed
+by Anstruther's contemptuous laughter, and returned presently, saying
+that he had made a thorough search of the flat.
+
+"Most assuredly nobody is on the premises," he said. He was by no
+means convinced yet that Anstruther was not playing some cunning trick
+upon him. "It is most extraordinary. You may say what you like, and
+prove what you like; but I am ready to swear that I brought both those
+plans into the room with me five minutes ago."
+
+"Oh, look up the chimney," Anstruther growled. "Take all those plants
+out of your conservatory, and see if the thief hasn't vanished up the
+water pipe. I am sick of all these nervous fears and hysterical
+suspicions. It has always been the curse of my existence that I can
+never lay hands on an accomplice who is anything but a knave or a
+fool."
+
+Without heeding the savage outburst, Carrington took one of the little
+silver lamps from the table, and, holding it up by its crystal
+receiver, advanced cautiously in the direction of the conservatory.
+Jack held his breath, and prepared for the worst. He felt pretty sure
+now that he and Seymour would be discovered. Not that he much minded,
+except that he was extremely anxious not to be recognized by
+Anstruther; but that risk had to be run. It was a pity, too, seeing
+what a marvelous amount of information had been gleaned during the
+last half-hour; but that was all part of the game.
+
+"Is it possible he has vanished through the skylight?" Anstruther
+sneered.
+
+Carrington muttered that there was a drop of some thirty feet outside
+the conservatory. He still advanced with the lamp in his hand, and
+peered about him with an anxious face. The moment was a critical one
+indeed, and Jack wondered if Seymour's wonderful fertility of resource
+would be equal to the occasion. In the dim light of the lamp he saw
+Seymour's right arm steal out, and his sinewy fingers close upon a
+piece of hose pipe attached to a tap in the wall. Evidently this had
+been used for watering the flowers. The gardener responsible for the
+well-doing of the rooms doubtless understood his work, and watered
+each pot separately, instead of spraying the whole place
+indiscriminately; for attached to the hose-pipe was the small nozzle
+meant to convey a fine single jet for some distance.
+
+Jack began dimly to understand what Seymour meant to do. It was going
+to be a dangerous experiment, but danger was quite absolutely
+necessary if the eavesdroppers were to escape unrecognized. If
+Seymour's plan was absolutely successful, there was just the chance of
+them getting away without their presence there being indicated at all.
+
+Jack saw the lean, brown hand stretch forth and turn on the tap in the
+wall. Then the tap at the end of the hose slid round, and a tiny spray
+of water, fine as a needle and strong as the arrow from a bow, struck
+the chimney of the lamp, now nearly red hot, and a tremendous smash of
+cracking glass followed.
+
+Carrington staggered back, and a kind of hysterical scream broke from
+his lips. With his nerves strung at high tension, the shock of the
+bursting explosion rendered him nearly mad with terror. Seymour turned
+off the tap again, feeling sure that his business was well done.
+
+"By Jove, that was wonderfully smart, and quickly done," Jack
+whispered to his companion. "I rather pride myself upon the ingenuity
+of my stories, especially as regards the plots of them, but I never
+could have thought of anything quite like that."
+
+"Not bad," the other said quite coolly. "It was all a matter of
+accuracy of aim and steadiness of hand. But to a man like myself, who
+has had vast experience of big game shooting, a little affair like
+that is a mere nothing."
+
+"But you might have missed," Jack said. "The deviation of that spurt
+of water by even so much as a hair's breadth would have carried it
+full into Carrington's face, and then our presence must have
+inevitably been discovered. That is where the dramatic side of it
+appeals to me."
+
+"It appealed to me also," Seymour whispered coolly. "But I had only to
+imagine that the lamp was the face of a famous old man-eating tiger
+who nearly did for me four years ago in Upper Burmah, to render my
+hand absolutely steady. If we had been discovered, we should have had
+to have fought our way out; but I think you will agree with me that I
+have managed the affair in a much more artistic way than that."
+
+Jack agreed cordially. He was watching now with breathless eagerness
+to see what was the full measure of Seymour's success. Carrington had
+staggered back with a startled cry, though even as yet he did not know
+the danger that was to follow.
+
+"By heaven, you have done it well," Jack muttered.
+
+"I think I have," Seymour whispered complacently. "It occurs to me
+that I have not left much to be desired."
+
+It was done even better than he had anticipated, for a few drops of
+the cold water had trickled down the receiver of the lamp and mingled
+with the oil there. From all parts of the brass work round the flame
+a blue, fiery vapor gushed out. With a cry of dismay Carrington
+almost threw the lamp upon the table; it tottered and fell sideways,
+and an instant later a stream of burning oil was flowing over the
+table-cloth, and dripping in long tongues of flame upon the carpet.
+
+"For heaven's sake be careful, you clumsy coward," Anstruther cried.
+"You'll have the whole place on fire; those lamps are very pretty to
+look at, but dangerous to use."
+
+But Carrington was not listening at all. He seemed to have lost his
+head entirely. But, frightened as he was, he did not fail to notice
+that the liquid flame was licking the other set of plans which were
+lying on the table. Just for an instant his mind was clear enough to
+see the necessity of saving the papers. He leaned forward and made a
+clutch at them. Something hot and stinging seemed to be gripping him
+by the fingers; he snatched his hand back again, and dragged the
+table-cloth, more than half of which was in flames, to the floor.
+Crash fell the second lamp, its crystal receiver smashed by the fall,
+and in the twinkling of an eye the whole room was in flames.
+
+So sudden, so swift and unexpected was the whole thing, that Jack
+could only gasp. He was so lost in admiration of Seymour's quickness
+and coolness, that he quite failed to realize the danger in which he
+and his companion stood. Less than a minute had elapsed since Seymour
+put his scheme into execution, and yet already the smoking-room was
+one mass of lambent flame.
+
+"Well, you have done it this time," Anstruther yelled. "Clear out at
+once, or there will be no occasion for me to trouble about either of
+us any further. Give an alarm; go out in the street, and yell for the
+fire engine."
+
+Carrington needed no second bidding. Together with Anstruther he raced
+down the stone staircase and into the street. Jack could hear his
+companion chuckling with triumph and delight.
+
+"Rather a close thing that," he said coolly. "And now we had best look
+to ourselves. No chance of making a dash through those flames without
+being badly burned; besides, I have no doubt there is some other way
+out of it. Push those windows to, Mr. Masefield; there is no reason
+why we should be suffocated here."
+
+By closing the windows leading to the smoking-room, which was now a
+roaring mass of flame, it was possible to cut off the heat and smoke
+for a moment, and perhaps gain sufficient time to discover another
+means of retreat.
+
+But this was easier said than done. With the aid of a match or two,
+Seymour found the window at the back of the conservatory, which opened
+outwards. So far as he could see there was a drop of something like
+thirty feet into a kind of alley at the back of the flats. "We shall
+have to wait our chance," Seymour said. "There are several more flats
+in the building, and no doubt there will be plenty to do for the
+firemen later on. In all probability, Anstruther and Carrington are
+mixed up in the crowd which you may be quite sure has collected by
+this time. Shall we wait on events, or shall we open the window and
+yell for assistance? We can pretend that we were cut off by the fire."
+
+On the whole, Jack thought it would be better to wait. They were quite
+safe for the next quarter of an hour, at any rate, and in that time
+much might happen.
+
+"It is worth risking," he said. "What a great thing it would be if we
+could get away from here without those men knowing that anybody had
+been on the premises. Suppose we try our hands as amateur firemen.
+There is plenty of water here."
+
+But Seymour did not think it would be worth while. A hose and pipe as
+small as that which they had at their disposal would not be likely to
+be of much use in dealing with the roaring tornado of flame behind the
+closed glass doors. The conservatory, too, was getting intolerably
+hot, but that discomfort was avoided by opening the window. There was
+just the outline of a leaded balcony to be seen above the arch of the
+conservatory; then, greatly to Jack's delight, he saw the movements of
+some figures below, and then a ladder was slowly raised until it
+rested against the leads of the balcony.
+
+"That is for the benefit of the people up-stairs," Seymour suggested.
+"Possibly they cannot make the inhabitants of the upper flats hear
+what is going on. See, the ladder is quite clear by this time--I
+expect those firemen have got in through a window somewhere. Push this
+window back, and see if you can reach the ladder."
+
+It was a comparatively easy matter to reach the ladder, as Jack found
+to his great delight. A moment later he and Seymour were upon it. They
+slid rapidly down, and found themselves at length in the alley without
+anybody being a penny the wiser.
+
+"Well, of all the lucky chances," Jack exclaimed. "We are well out of
+that. Let us go round to the front and see what is going on there."
+
+A great crowd had assembled in front of the burning flat. The red
+outlines of a couple of engines could be seen; beyond the crowd there
+was a sound and regular rush of pumping water; and presently the crowd
+seemed to understand that all danger was over. Jack touched his
+companion's arm, and called his attention to the fact that Carrington
+and Anstruther were standing within earshot of them.
+
+"And what are you going to do now?" asked the latter.
+
+"Oh, I shall go off and stay at the Great Metropolitan. No, you
+needn't come along--I have had about enough of your company for
+to-night."
+
+Carrington called a hansom, and was whirled away. Seymour smiled in a
+significant manner.
+
+"Wouldn't it be as well," he suggested, "that you also found it
+convenient to pass the night at the Great Metropolitan? Padini is
+there, too, and it is possible that you may----"
+
+"Right you are," Jack said eagerly. "Then I can call upon you in the
+morning and report progress. Good-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+BEDROOM 14.
+
+
+Jack had not waited to ask any idle questions; he had felt quite sure
+from Seymour's manner that the latter had some great scheme in hand.
+It was very pleasant and exhilarating to feel that a man of Seymour's
+wonderful fertility and courage should be enlisted on his side.
+Masefield was not without hope that the discoveries of the night were
+not yet complete. He strolled away in the direction of the Great
+Metropolitan, turning these things over in his mind.
+
+It seemed to him that the clerk in the office of the mammoth hotel
+regarded him somewhat suspiciously, seeing that he had arrived without
+luggage of any kind; but a deposit of a sovereign soon set that matter
+right. It occurred to Jack as a good idea to secure a bedroom as
+nearly as possible next to that of Carrington. The hotel was not
+particularly busy, he discovered, for nobody had come in enquiring for
+bedroom accommodation during the last hour. This was a discovery in
+itself, for it testified to the fact that Carrington had not yet
+arrived.
+
+It was nearly an hour before he came, and then he appeared in a
+desperate hurry. Discreetly Jack remained in the background, but he
+was close enough to hear Carrington arguing and protesting that he
+must have a certain room. The matter seemed to be settled amicably at
+length, and Carrington took his key and departed. Jack strolled across
+to the office again. He had decided on a bold policy.
+
+"I am going to ask you to give me another room," he said. "I want to
+be as near as possible to the gentleman who has just gone up-stairs. I
+think if you do as I ask you it may save the hotel trouble. What was
+the number of his room?"
+
+The clerk was friendly enough, and inclined to talk. Was it a police
+matter? he asked. Jack responded gravely that he was not in a position
+to say too much, but his mysterious manner had the desired effect, and
+the exchange was made.
+
+"I haven't put you exactly next to that gentleman," the clerk
+explained. "You see our bedrooms are on a sort of cubical
+system--corridors down both sides, and the bedrooms back to back, if I
+may so express it--with a ventilating grating between them for the
+sake of air. That gentleman's bedroom is 28; therefore your room,
+exactly behind it, is No. 14. I hope I have made myself plain."
+
+Jack replied that the thing was perfectly clear. Indeed, the system
+was in considerable vogue on the Continent. He lingered a little
+longer in the big lounge hall, where he smoked a cigarette or two, so
+as to give Carrington time to get to bed. It occurred to Jack, in an
+idle kind of way, that perhaps Carrington was deceiving Anstruther, or
+why had he not come straight to the hotel? Instead of that, he had
+evidently gone off somewhere in a desperate hurry, and had returned at
+length to the hotel looking very exhausted and agitated. Jack pondered
+this matter in his mind as he went up to his own room.
+
+It was a comfortable enough bedroom, for the Great Metropolitan was
+noted for the luxury of its appointments; indeed, the room was fit for
+anybody. The lighting was exceedingly efficient; even over the bed was
+a pendant, evidently intended for those who cared to read after they
+retired to rest. Jack smiled as he noted the elaborate dressing-table
+and wash-hand-stand, to say nothing of a huge winged wardrobe, which
+was almost as big as a bedroom itself. Behind this wardrobe, fairly
+close to the ceiling, was the open grating which formed a ventilating
+shaft between the one room and the other one behind it.
+
+Jack carefully closed the door, and with the aid of a chair managed to
+climb to the top of the wardrobe. He found that the grating was
+constructed on the swivel principle, very like a big cheval glass, so
+that by tilting it slightly it was just possible to see into the next
+room.
+
+In the room aforesaid the lights had not yet been turned down, so that
+evidently Carrington had not gone to bed. The watcher could hear him
+impatiently pacing the room and muttering to himself from time to
+time. The muttering was exceedingly incoherent, but from the gist of
+it Jack seemed to make out that Carrington was expecting somebody. On
+the far side of the room was a wardrobe very much like the one upon
+which Jack was perched, except that it had large plate-glass doors
+which reflected practically everything that was taking place inside
+the room.
+
+Jack could see Carrington now, lounging in a comfortable armchair and
+impatiently turning over a great mass of papers which lay on a table
+before him. On the table also was a box of cigars, flanked by two
+glasses and the necessary ingredients for the manufacture of whiskey
+and soda. There could be no longer any doubt about it: Carrington was
+expecting a friend. So far as the watcher could see, there was no
+hurry. He was quite prepared to sit up all night if necessary, and had
+no feelings of delicacy in listening to what the two scoundrels were
+going to say--provided always that the expected visitor was a
+scoundrel, of which Jack had very little doubt.
+
+As he stood there, his whole mind strained to attention, it seemed to
+him that he could hear the sound of music somewhere. To his trained
+ear there was something familiar in the method of the player. Jack
+wondered where he had heard that finished execution before. Then it
+suddenly flashed upon him.
+
+"How stupid," he muttered to himself. "I had quite forgotten that
+Padini was here. That is Padini, without a shadow of a doubt, carrying
+out the programme that Anstruther made out for him."
+
+The music was not far off; it seemed to Jack that he could almost hear
+the scraping of the bow. It was not lost upon him, however, that the
+whole of the pieces were Chopin's compositions. The music ceased
+presently with a sudden twang, much as if the E string had violently
+parted. A moment later, by the aid of the friendly mirror, Jack saw
+Carrington's door open, and the figure of Padini come in. Carrington
+glared at the intruder.
+
+"What do you mean by keeping me waiting all this time?" he growled.
+"Didn't you get my telephone message?"
+
+"And hadn't I got my work to do?" Padini retorted. "I dare say you
+consider yourself to be an exceedingly clever fellow, but once you
+elect to match your wits with Anstruther, you will find yourself a
+lost man. It is no use you being in a hurry; as a matter of fact, I
+should have kept you a full hour longer, only I have broken my E
+string, and I don't happen to have another one on the premises."
+
+With an angry gesture Padini threw his violin on the table. In a
+mechanical sort of way Carrington looked at the severed string. He was
+always a suspicious man, for it was an axiom of his never to trust
+anybody, and he was wondering now if this were not part of some dodge
+being worked out by his visitor. His face grew a little anxious as he
+held one end of the broken string between his thumb and finger.
+
+"I suppose you call this a simple fracture," he said. "String worn
+out, and all that kind of thing. If you will look at it carefully, you
+will see that it has been half cut; you can actually see how far the
+knife has gone."
+
+Padini examined the string carefully. His face also had grown a little
+gray and anxious.
+
+"It is exactly as you say, my friend," he exclaimed. "But I wonder how
+that was done, and why. It is not as if I left my violin about--one is
+not so careless with a genuine Amati like mine. I brought the fiddle
+back with me from my afternoon recital, and I am prepared to swear
+that there was nothing the matter with it then. I locked it up in my
+box, and there it stayed till a couple of hours ago. Now what does
+this mean? Does anybody suspect us? Has Anstruther's clever scheme
+come to the knowledge of anybody? The police, perhaps, might have
+discovered----"
+
+"The police have nothing whatever to do with that," Carrington said
+angrily. "What have any of us done to bring ourselves within the reach
+of the law--at present? The man that we have most to fear is Seymour.
+How you came to let him slip through your fingers the other night is
+an absolute mystery to me."
+
+Padini shrugged his shoulders, and something like an oath escaped him.
+By aid of the friendly mirror Jack obtained a perfect view of his
+face. It was white and sinister; the dark eyes gleamed like living
+coals.
+
+"But Seymour must be dead," the violinist said hoarsely. "We know he
+is dead; did we not read it in the papers? It may be that some friends
+stole his body for purposes of their own, but dead he is. If I thought
+he was still alive, I should have to leave London; I dare not stay
+here with a horror like that hanging over me."
+
+"You are absolutely wrong," Carrington cried. "Seymour is still alive;
+he is still in London, thirsting for vengeance. He is rich, he has the
+courage of a lion, and the mind of a Machiavelli. You smile, my
+friend, but it is the smile of a thoroughly frightened man. Seymour is
+after you; he is after me. Look at this. Don't say you fail to
+recognize it."
+
+"It is his tobacco pouch," Padini faltered.
+
+"Yes; I thought you would recognize it. And where do you suppose I
+found that to-night? In my own room, lying on the floor. Do you want
+any greater proof than that, that Seymour was working in my own rooms
+to-night?"
+
+Padini nodded moodily. Jack noticed how his hand trembled as he helped
+himself to the whiskey and soda. "I am sick of this," he muttered. "I
+mean to get out of it--I am as anxious as you are to get outside
+Anstruther's influence. That is why I am here to-night. I am going to
+tell you my plan--call it murderous and treacherous if you like--which
+is the only way of settling Anstruther's claims upon us. If you have
+any pluck at all--if there is anything of the man about you----"
+
+"No, no," Carrington faltered. "I tell you I dare not."
+
+As the speaker broke off, Jack was conscious of something like an
+altercation outside his door. The night porter was protesting that
+something or other was not his fault; the other man's voice was
+equally sure that it was. It did not require much intelligence to
+discover that the newcomer wanted that particular room. With a thrill
+Jack recognized the voice of Anstruther. In an instant he had made up
+his mind what to do. Like a flash he came down from the top of the
+wardrobe, switched on the light over the bed, and proceeded softly to
+unlock the door. There was a knock on the panel at the same moment.
+Jack glanced hastily round, and bundled one or two of his belongings
+into the wing of the wardrobe. He had barely time to conceal himself
+there, before the handle of the door turned and Anstruther entered.
+
+"You can see it is exactly as I said," the latter remarked. "I engaged
+this room an hour ago. It is quite evident that no other guest has
+taken this apartment. If he were here, surely there would be a
+portmanteau, or a dressing-case, or something of that kind. Take this
+half-sovereign, and say no more about it. If there is any fuss I will
+take the blame."
+
+The man departed; the door was locked behind him, and a moment later
+Jack could feel the heavy form of Anstruther climbing to the top of
+the wardrobe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+A CHANCE ENCOUNTER.
+
+
+It was impossible, boxed up as he was in the stuffy atmosphere of the
+wardrobe, for Jack to hear anything of what was going on in the next
+room. But it was pretty easy to guess what was the meaning of
+Anstruther's strange intrusion. There was only one thing for it, and
+that was to possess his soul in patience and hope that Anstruther had
+no intention of spending the night there. It was perfectly obvious
+that he had come only with the intention of hearing what was taking
+place in the next room. It was impossible for anybody possessed of
+ordinary intellect not to admire Anstruther, whose brilliant qualities
+could not be ignored. Even now, excited as he was, Masefield could not
+repress his admiration for the man he both feared and disliked.
+
+It really was a marvelous thing that Anstruther should be so soon upon
+the track of the man with whom he had parted on friendly terms not an
+hour ago. Was this the result of some perfect system of spying, or was
+it that Anstruther's wonderful instinct led him to believe that
+Carrington was ready to plot against him whilst professing to act upon
+his advice? Masefield had plenty of time to ponder this question, for
+the figure on the wardrobe above gave no signs as yet of having had
+enough of it. Nor was Jack's situation rendered more pleasant by the
+knowledge that he might have to pass the night in a perpendicular
+position and half stifled by the stuffy atmosphere of the wardrobe.
+
+But there was always comfort in the knowledge that Anstruther's main
+object was to hear the conversation in the next room. It might
+possibly last not much longer; at any rate, Carrington would have to
+go to bed some time, and the sooner the better.
+
+An hour passed. An hour which seemed the whole of a long night came to
+an end at length, and then there was some sound, as if of a body
+cautiously moving overhead. Jack drew a long breath of relief, or at
+least as long a breath as was possible, considering his stifling
+surroundings. The critical moment had arrived. Had the conference next
+door finished, or was it merely an interlude? Jack wondered. He had
+been bound to push the door of the wardrobe open a little, and now he
+saw a long slit of light, which told him that Anstruther had turned up
+the lamps again. He could hear the latter pacing the room in a
+restless kind of fashion, and muttering to himself as if he were not
+entirely satisfied with what he had heard.
+
+Jack, greatly daring, ventured to push the wardrobe door open slightly
+further. He caught a side view of his enemy as the latter sat moodily
+on the bed, with apparently no intention of removing his clothing. It
+was quite within the bounds of possibility now that Anstruther, having
+satisfied himself, would leave the hotel altogether. A moment later
+and Jack saw that his conclusion was the right one. Anstruther turned
+towards the door.
+
+"No reason to stay here any longer," he muttered. "I'm as tired as a
+dog. I suppose my nerves are not what they used to be, or perhaps I am
+growing old; at any rate, this sort of thing tells upon me more than
+it used to. Certainly that half-sovereign of mine was well laid out.
+Oh, you contemptible pair of rascals--so you think you are going to
+get the best of Spencer Anstruther. We shall see. And as to
+Padini----"
+
+The speaker shook his fist in the direction of the next room, and
+walked quietly in the direction of the door. Jack could hear the key
+turn in the lock. He felt a suggestion of draught as if the room were
+now open to the corridor. The next instant the lights vanished, and
+Anstruther had left the room. Jack crept out into the comparatively
+pure atmosphere, and wiped the moisture from his forehead. He
+preferred to remain in the darkness till he had made up his mind what
+to do. Looking up in the direction of the ventilator, he could see
+that the lights were now extinguished in Carrington's bedroom. This
+was plain evidence of the fact that the conference was concluded, and
+that there was no occasion to stay any longer.
+
+"I'll get out of it too," Jack muttered to himself. "It is only a
+matter of forfeiting my sovereign, and what I have learned is cheap at
+the price; but I shall have to be cautious."
+
+It was perhaps fortunate for Jack that a somewhat large rush of late
+guests came into the hotel at the same moment. Most of them were
+racing men returning from a big meeting up north. Anyway, the servants
+appeared to be particularly busy, so that Jack felt that he could slip
+away without any suspicions as to his movements. He waited just a
+moment till the corridor was practically empty, then sauntered towards
+the head of the stairs with the air of a man who has just come in.
+
+He had practically reached the big square landing, when a bedroom door
+opened cautiously, and a man's face peeped out. It occurred to Jack
+that possibly this man was looking for something, or that he was going
+to deposit his boots outside, or something of that kind. But the
+stranger, who was about half-dressed, did nothing of the kind. On the
+contrary, he raised his finger in a mysterious manner, and beckoned
+deliberately to Jack. He did not appear in the least agitated; on the
+contrary, his expression was one of caution and mistrust. Jack,
+thinking that it might have been a little play of fancy on his part,
+would have moved on, only the stranger stepped briskly outside and
+touched him on the arm.
+
+"Is there anything I can do for you?" Jack asked politely. "I suppose
+your bell's gone wrong, or something of that sort; I am quite at your
+service."
+
+"Will you be good enough to step inside my room?" the stranger said.
+"The request will probably strike you as being somewhat out of the
+common, but I really have something important to say to you."
+
+As was quite natural in the circumstances, Jack hesitated for a
+moment. Like most people, he had heard and read a great deal about
+strange hotel outrages, and it occurred to him now that he might have
+been chosen for the victim of one of these. Possibly the stranger was
+mad, or possibly he was suffering from alcoholic excess. But Jack felt
+more reassured as he carefully examined the features of the stranger.
+
+He was a tall, slim man, who palpably was recovering from some
+dangerous illness. It was either that, or he was far gone in
+consumption. Jack could see that the mere act of standing there was a
+weariness of the flesh; he noted also the attenuated arms, which at
+one time or another must have been exceedingly powerful, for the
+sinews and muscles seemed to hang upon the bones like rags.
+
+But it was the face of the man that attracted Jack's attention most.
+It was long and lean and pallid; there were thin strips of plaster
+skilfully bandaged about the eyes and mouth, and down the sides of the
+long, hawk-like nose. Still, behind it all, there was ever the
+suggestion that this man was a sportsman and an athlete. Jack seemed
+to know by instinct that his new acquaintance was a man who had passed
+much time in warm climates. He began to wonder if the stranger had
+laid violent hands upon himself. It was very strange to see all that
+maze of plaster, as if the face had been carved in some grotesque
+fashion with a knife.
+
+"Do please come inside for a moment," the stranger pleaded. "I assure
+you I mean no harm, and our conversation may result in a wonderful
+deal of good. You evidently regard me as a kind of lunatic. Well, in
+some respects, perhaps, you are right; but there is a good deal of
+method in my madness."
+
+Jack still hesitated. The stranger sighed bitterly.
+
+"I see I must be candid with you," he said. "I am taking a great risk,
+but I am trusting you because I never make a mistake about a face. You
+have been closeted for some time in the same room with Spencer
+Anstruther, but that you are an accomplice of his I feel sure is
+impossible. _Now_ will you come inside my room?"
+
+Jack hesitated no longer. He strode into the room, and his new
+acquaintance closed the door behind him. The apartment was furnished
+half as a sitting, half as a bedroom. A fire burned in the grate, an
+invalid armchair was pulled up to one side of it. There was plenty of
+proof, also, of the fact that the occupant of the room was an invalid.
+Here were bottles with chemists' labels; here were some cotton wool
+and a case of surgical instruments. In one corner of the room was a
+small iron bedstead, which was obviously placed there for the use of a
+male nurse. "You are quite right," the stranger said, as if reading
+Jack's thoughts. "As a matter of fact, there is no reason why you
+should have accepted my invitation at all--one hears of so many
+strange things happening in these big modern hotels. As you imagine, I
+am just recovering from a dangerous illness, the result of a very
+delicate operation. But we need not go into that. What you are dying
+to find out is how I know all about Spencer Anstruther."
+
+"I confess I am a little curious on the point," Jack said drily. "You
+are taking a great risk when you mention his name and assume that I am
+no friend of his."
+
+"You couldn't be with a face like yours," the stranger replied. "A
+dupe, perhaps, or a man he was making use of; but never one of his
+infamous gang. And yet you were in that room with him a long time
+to-night."
+
+Jack hesitated a moment before he spoke again.
+
+"Look here," he said. "You have been fairly candid with me, and in
+return I will be as candid with you. Anstruther is a great scoundrel,
+and it is to my interest and to the interests of those I love that the
+man should be exposed and rendered harmless for the future. Now, how
+did you know that we were in the same bedroom together?"
+
+"That is easily explained." said the other. "My male nurse was
+suddenly called away this evening on important business. I have been
+feeling so much better the last day or two that I decided to do
+without a substitute. Mind you, I knew perfectly well that Anstruther
+was frequently in the habit of spending an occasional night here. And
+I had my own reasons for keeping out of his way. But something
+happened to my bell to-night, and I had to go to the top of the
+corridor and use the bell there. It was quite by accident that I saw
+you enter Bedroom No. 14, and it was quite by accident, also, that I
+heard Anstruther demand to know why he could not have the same room. I
+listened with curiosity, because the thing struck me as very strange.
+It struck me as stranger still when I heard Anstruther say that the
+room was empty, and saw him close the door behind him."
+
+"A kind of vanishing trick," Jack smiled. "Well, yes, if you like to
+put it in that way," the other said. "It was either one of two
+things--you were there as an accomplice, which I refuse for one moment
+to believe, or you had hidden yourself in the room for the purpose of
+watching Anstruther. In fact, seeing that circumstances were going for
+you, you laid a neat little trap for Anstruther. Have I not guessed it
+correctly?"
+
+"Your deductions are perfectly sound," Jack said. "I deliberately
+chose that bedroom with the full intention of overhearing what was
+going on in the room behind. When I heard Anstruther come in, I hid
+myself in the wardrobe and stayed there till he left the room. Now I
+have told you all that has happened so far as I am concerned. It is
+your turn to be communicative."
+
+"I am exceedingly sorry to appear discourteous," the stranger said;
+"but I am afraid I cannot tell you very much. The mere mention of
+Anstruther's name always throws me into a kind of terror. I may be
+able to help you later on, but for the present I am bound to silence.
+But tell me now, do you see any likeness between Anstruther and
+myself?"
+
+The question was asked with an eagerness that struck Jack as being far
+beyond the necessity of so simple a query. The speaker seemed to
+fairly tremble for Jack's reply.
+
+"There does not begin to be any resemblance," he said. "The question
+strikes me as being a strange one. And now let me ask you a question.
+From what you say, you appear to know Anstruther exceedingly well.
+Now, did you ever notice his likeness to anybody? You have seen him
+when he has been greatly moved to passion, I suppose?"
+
+The stranger shuddered, and turned away his head.
+
+"That is sufficient answer for me," Jack said. "I dare say you have
+noticed those strange Nostalgo posters. Did it ever occur to you that
+Anstruther is not unlike those pictures?"
+
+The effect of the question was extraordinary. The stranger looked at
+Jack with eyes filled with terror.
+
+"Strange, very strange," he muttered hoarsely. "You have hit it
+exactly. May I ask, have you ever been in Mexico?"
+
+"No," Jack replied; "but I know a man who has. Did you ever meet an
+individual out there called Seymour?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+LADY BARMOUTH'S JEWELS.
+
+
+Jack had merely drawn a bow at a venture, but the shaft went home to
+the feather. By instinct he seemed to divine the fact that the
+stranger who knew so much of Anstruther's inner life might also know
+as much as the man called Nostalgo, otherwise Seymour. This instinct
+did not play Jack false, for he saw his companion stagger back as if
+he had been shot. He fell into a chair, and plucked feebly at the arms
+of it with his fingers.
+
+"You are on dangerous ground indeed," he said hoarsely. "Have you a
+wife depending on you, or one you love? If so, turn your back upon me
+at once, and never see my face again."
+
+It was a warning deep, thrilling, and impressive. But Jack merely
+shook his head and smiled. He had no intention of turning back now.
+
+"I know too much or too little," he said. "Mr. Seymour is by way of
+being a friend of mine--in fact, I was the means of doing him a great
+service the other night. But I see from the expression of your face
+that you know all about that."
+
+"Have you seen Seymour in the daylight, just as he is?" the stranger
+asked eagerly. "You know what I mean."
+
+"I know what you mean perfectly well," Jack replied. "I _have_ seen
+Seymour just as he is. To make another shot, I have also seen Lord
+Barmouth just as he is."
+
+The stranger sat bolt upright in his chair, and regarded Jack with
+grim satisfaction.
+
+"This is good news indeed," he said. "I am pleased to find out that I
+am betraying no secrets in my conversation with you. What I want you
+to do is this--I want you to arrange a meeting between Seymour and
+myself. It will be dangerous for me to leave the hotel at present, so
+that you must arrange it in a way that Seymour can come here."
+
+"If you will be good enough to tell me your name," Jack suggested. "It
+is just possible----"
+
+The stranger shook his head, and hoped that Jack would not deem him
+guilty of being discourteous if he withheld his name for the present.
+He took from a desk a small, curiously-designed ring, and passed it
+across to Jack.
+
+"I think you will find that all that is necessary," he explained. "If
+you will take that ring and say that it came from the owner, I am
+quite sure that Seymour will be willing to fall in with my wishes. And
+now, I will bid you good-night, sir. It is good to know that we have a
+man of your courage and intelligence on our side."
+
+So saying, the stranger rose to his feet, and extended his long, slim
+hand to Jack. He intimated that Jack might come and see him from time
+to time, but that caution would be absolutely necessary.
+
+"Ask for Jabez Smith," he said. "That is the name under which I am
+known here. If you only knew how fortunate a thing it is that we have
+met to-night! But Lord Barmouth and Seymour will be able to prove that
+to you presently. Once more, good-night."
+
+The door closed behind Jack; he heard the click of the lock, and found
+himself alone in the corridor. He could see that there were still many
+people smoking and chatting in the big lounge below. The great hall
+door was not yet closed, so that it was possible for Jack to slip into
+the street absolutely unnoticed. He felt restless and excited, and
+absolutely devoid of any desire to rest. Sleep in the circumstances
+would be out of the question. It was no use going home, there to toss
+and fret all night. It was just possible, too, that Rigby had not yet
+left the _Planet_ office, as it was barely one o'clock. Anyway, a walk
+in the cool night air was bound to prove invigorating. It did not much
+matter, however, whether Masefield saw Rigby or not. He could tell him
+all this exciting history in the morning.
+
+But Rigby was still in his office, waiting for a proof; after which he
+declared he meant to go to the Press Club for supper. It was an
+entertaining supper, for Jack's narrative was piquant enough, as he
+had so much to tell. "Well, you have had a night of it," Rigby said
+enviously. "Who are you that you should have all the luck like this?
+Here have I been all the evening, doing nothing to earn the approval
+of my proprietor, whilst you have been getting at the heart of the
+mystery. I shall have to divide my fee with you, Jack."
+
+For a long time they discussed the matter in all its bearings. What
+seemed to interest Rigby more than anything else was the scheme
+proposed by Anstruther to get Carrington out of his serious position.
+He saw great possibilities now that the plan of the bank premises had
+come into the possession of the man Seymour, especially as the
+conspirators were unaware of this.
+
+"We ought to be able to make a good thing out of this," he said
+thoughtfully. "Of course, it will all have to be worked out very
+carefully; but I should like to catch those fellows in the trap they
+have laid for others. After all, it makes no difference to you how
+Anstruther is got out of the way, so long as he receives a good dose
+of penal servitude. That once being done, we shall be able to work
+quite openly, and it is evident that your new friend Seymour can
+expound the whole of the Nostalgo business. I shall get my special
+article for the _Planet_, after all; but it will be more thanks to you
+than to my own efforts."
+
+"Well, you needn't tell Van Jens that," Jack laughed. "Give me the
+outline of your scheme."
+
+"I want to force Carrington's hand. I want him to understand how
+desperate his situation is, so that he and Anstruther must take action
+at once. Now, for instance, you tell me you heard Carrington say
+to-night that his bank has a great amount of jewelry in its keeping.
+Is that so?"
+
+"They _had_ it in their keeping," Jack said, drily.
+
+"Well, that is exactly what I mean," Rigby responded. "And Carrington
+is in mortal terror lest some great lady should come along at any
+moment and demand her gems. You will remember telling me that
+Carrington was especially apprehensive over the great masked ball
+which is coming off at Lady Barmouth's in two days' time. Do you
+happen to know any of the titled women who are asked? If you could get
+one of them to go round to Carrington's to-morrow and ask for her gems,
+why----"
+
+"I see exactly what you mean," Jack cried eagerly. "We should force
+the hands of those two scoundrels, and compel them to do something
+without delay. By so doing, also, we should upset the delicate schemes
+of Anstruther--?"
+
+"You have got it exactly," Rigby murmured. "Can you bring this about?
+It should easily be done."
+
+"I don't see very well how I can do it myself," Jack responded. "But
+Claire knows a great many of these people, and I should think she
+would not have the slightest difficulty in doing what we need. Anyway,
+I'll go round and see her to-morrow morning, and tell her exactly what
+has taken place. Is it all that time? Really, I must go to bed and try
+and get some sleep. Good-night."
+
+After all, youth will be served, even in the way of sleep; and Jack
+was surprised to find, on waking next morning, that it was nearly ten
+o'clock. It was nearly twelve before he knocked at the door of the
+house in Panton Square and asked to see Claire. It was Serena who
+answered the summons--Serena, gray and silent and subdued in the
+morning light. All the same, she gave Jack one swift, furtive
+glance before her eyes sought the floor again.
+
+"I will go up to the drawing-room myself," Jack said. "So you are none
+the worse for your last night's adventure, Serena? Come, you need not
+look at me like that, and pretend not to understand. What were you
+doing in Mr. Carrington's flat last night?"
+
+A sound like a sob broke from Serena, but she answered nothing. "If
+you only knew how profoundly sorry I am for you," Jack said softly.
+"When the time comes, you will have to speak; and when the time comes
+we shall deal with you as kindly as possible. Although you refuse to
+speak now, you must not believe otherwise than that. We know
+everything. We know, for instance, where you were last night, and we
+have nothing to learn as to the deaf mute and the young man who has a
+fancy to wear his moustache in the same form as the style affected by
+the German Emperor."
+
+Serena listened, with her eyes fixed mutely on Jack's face. It seemed
+to him that she was bursting with anxiety to speak, but that some
+strange force held her tongue and choked her utterance.
+
+"Do not go too far." she said presently, in a strained, hard whisper.
+"Not that I mean to threaten you. Believe me, I am all on your side;
+but I dare not speak. You may call me coward if you like; you may say
+that I have no nerve or courage; but if you had gone through the hell
+that my life has been the last few years, you would wonder that I had
+the strength of mind to look even the feeblest fellow creature in the
+face."
+
+Just at the moment when it seemed to Jack that Serena was likely to
+take him into her confidence, she turned abruptly away, and
+disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Jack went slowly and
+thoughtfully up-stairs to the drawing-room, where he found Claire with
+her hat on ready to go out. It was clear that she had not expected
+him, but her welcome was none the less warm for that.
+
+"I am afraid I shall have to detain you a little time, dearest," Jack
+said. "A great deal has happened since I saw you yesterday, and I
+think you ought to know most of it. Sit down a moment, please." Claire
+sat by her lover's side, and listened intently to the strange story
+that he had to tell. It was clear from the expression of her blue eyes
+that she was a little fearful for her lover. She clutched his arm
+impulsively, and he responded to the touch. It was not difficult for
+him to realize what was passing in her mind.
+
+"You need not have any anxiety as far as I am concerned," he said.
+"Very fortunately for us, those scoundrels have not the least idea
+that we know so much of their movements. But what I came here
+especially for this morning was to ask you if you knew anybody going
+to Lady Barmouth's dance whose jewels are in the keeping of
+Carrington's bank? I think I explained Rigby's point to you. Do you
+know anybody who could help us?"
+
+"I know one who could help you who is not very far off, dear old boy,"
+Claire smiled. "You seem to have forgotten that I am rather an
+important person in my small way. Did I never tell you of the jewels
+that my grandmother left me?"
+
+"I declare I had quite forgotten them," Jack said. "I never care to
+associate you with money, especially as I have so little of my own.
+Diamonds, weren't they?"
+
+"Diamonds and sapphires," Claire explained. "They are really almost
+unique in their way. I generally keep them, on the advice of my
+guardian, with Mr. Carrington. Let us go round there now and ask for
+the gems."
+
+It was not exactly what Jack had meant, because it occurred to him
+that Carrington might easily vamp some excuse so far as Claire was
+concerned, and then get Anstruther to invent some reason why the
+jewels were not forthcoming. Still, it might do, and there was no
+reason why they should not try it.
+
+"I was going really to see Lady Barmouth," Claire explained. "But I
+can call in there as we return from the city. Let us have a hansom at
+once."
+
+The imposing offices of the City and Provincial Bank were reached at
+length. There was nothing inside or outside the place to denote that
+the concern was trembling to the verge of bankruptcy. Mr. Carrington
+was not busy, a polite cashier informed them, and he would be pleased
+to see Miss Helmsley at once. Jack followed in behind Claire, and he
+could not but be impressed by the ease and assurance of Carrington's
+manner. The latter did not show the slightest signs of agitation when
+Claire explained her presence there.
+
+"Certainly," he said. "You have come, of course, provided with your
+guardian's signature. No? I am afraid we cannot dispense with that
+formality. Send it on by messenger, and one of our own clerks shall
+bring the jewels round. What a delightful morning it is! Good-bye."
+
+Jack accepted his checkmate cheerfully enough. It was exceedingly
+adroit and clever on Carrington's part, and some other method of
+forcing his hand would have to be adopted. Jack was bowing himself
+out, when some one else came sailing into the room; and, to his great
+delight, Jack recognized Lady Barmouth. He divined at once what she
+had come for and what her errand was.
+
+"Good-morning, all of you." she cried, gaily. "Mr. Carrington, you
+will not thank me for disturbing you this time of the day, but as I
+happen to be passing this way I thought I would save trouble. Will you
+be so good as to hand me over my jewels?"
+
+Carrington made no answer. His face was pale as ashes.
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+GEMS OR PASTE?
+
+
+It was a dramatic moment, especially for Claire and Jack, who fully
+appreciated the peril in which Carrington stood. The fact was not
+hidden to them that Carrington's excuse to Claire was but an ingenious
+way out of a terrible difficulty. On more than one occasion Claire had
+herself fetched her jewels from the bank, and no objections had been
+raised. Still, Carrington was clearly within his legal right, and Jack
+could not but admire the swiftness with which he had got himself out
+of the tangle. His own face was a model of absolute indifference; he
+just glanced at Claire to see if she expressed any suspicion. But
+Claire smiled in a way so natural and artless that Jack had no fears
+of her for the future.
+
+With Lady Barmouth, however, it was quite a different matter. As yet,
+she knew nothing of the terrible straits in which Carrington found
+himself involved. She had come down for her jewels in the ordinary
+way, as she had done many times before, and expected to take them away
+with her. Carrington affected to be talking to somebody down the
+speaking tube, but in reality he was fighting to gain time and work
+out some ingenious excuse. Jack enjoyed his dismay with a feeling of
+grim satisfaction. But Carrington was not quite done with yet;
+evidently he had not sat at the feet of Anstruther for nothing. He
+looked up presently, and smiled with the air of a man who is only too
+willing to do anything for his client.
+
+"Will you take a seat for a moment, Lady Barmouth?" he said politely.
+"I see that you know Miss Helmsley and Mr. Masefield. I must go and
+speak to our cashier for a moment."
+
+"You cannot get the jewels yourself?" Lady Barmouth asked.
+
+"No," Carrington explained. "Of course, we are bound to take
+precautions. I have no more power to open one of the safes by myself
+than one of my junior clerks."
+
+"That would be awkward if you wanted anything out of bank hours," Jack
+suggested. "How do you manage then?"
+
+"Well, we simply don't manage," Carrington said. He was quite himself
+again by this time. "I can no more get into the strong room that you
+could. I should have to get the manager and chief cashier before a
+safe could be opened."
+
+All this sounded plausible enough, as Jack was bound to admit.
+Carrington went off with a jaunty step, as if he had all the millions
+of the Bank of England behind him. Jack wondered how he would get out
+of the mess. But the solution of the puzzle was quite easy. Carrington
+came back with a look of annoyance on his face.
+
+"I am exceedingly sorry, Lady Barmouth," he apologized. "The fact is,
+Mr. Perkins has been called away on important business to our West-End
+branch. He cannot possibly get back in less than an hour. Do you want
+your jewels in such a hurry?"
+
+Lady Barmouth was fain to confess that she didn't. She would not
+require them till the following evening; only some time must
+necessarily be spent in the cleaning of them.
+
+"Plenty of time for that," Carrington smiled. "I will send a special
+messenger in a cab to bring the cases to your house by lunch time. I
+hope that will be convenient to you."
+
+Lady Barmouth, innocent of the part which she was playing in the
+comedy, replied that that arrangement would suit her exceedingly well;
+indeed, she was sorry to give so much trouble. She swept out of the
+bank parlor, followed by Jack and Claire. A well-appointed brougham
+stood outside, and she smilingly offered her companions a lift.
+
+"I am going to take Claire back to lunch with me," she said. "Can I
+set you down anywhere, Mr. Masefield?"
+
+"You can set me down, if you please, on you own door-step," Jack
+smiled. "As a matter of fact, I was just going to see Lord Barmouth,
+and now I have something serious to say to you. Were you satisfied
+just now? About the jewels, I mean?"
+
+Lady Barmouth looked puzzled as Jack followed her into the brougham.
+She saw nothing, so she said, to arouse any suspicions, except that
+she thought a needless fuss had been made over her gems. She was still
+discussing the matter, when the brougham reached Belgrave Square, and
+the three alighted. Once they were in the drawing-room, Lady Barmouth
+turned to Jack and asked him what he meant. He shook his head
+doubtfully.
+
+"I am afraid I am going to upset you very much," he said. "But unless
+I am greatly mistaken, you are never likely to see your diamonds
+again."
+
+Lady Barmouth stared open-mouthed at the speaker. She explained that
+her diamonds were of great value; indeed, some of the stones were
+historic. Those diamonds had often been mentioned in personal
+paragraphs, which are such a feature in the modern newspaper, and Jack
+recollected a description of them perfectly well. He proceeded to
+explain, at considerable length, the history of his last night's
+adventure. Lady Barmouth's face grew still more grave when at length
+the recital was finished.
+
+"This is a very serious matter." she said. "Do you know this is likely
+to cost Lord Barmouth something like fifty thousand pounds? The City
+and Provincial Bank does a good deal of business with people well
+known in Society, and I am afraid many of us will be involved. What do
+you suppose has become of those diamonds, Mr. Masefield?"
+
+"They have been pawned, of course," Jack said. "Carrington has taken
+that dreadful risk in the desperate hope of retrieving his position.
+But the whole scandal is bound to become public property before eight
+and forty hours have passed."
+
+There was nothing for it now but to wait and see what time would bring
+forth. Lord Barmouth was not yet down; indeed, his man said that he
+would not appear till after luncheon. But there was no lack of
+animated conversation in the drawing-room, and the discussion was
+continued till the gong rang for lunch.
+
+"I tell you what I think the best thing to do," Lady Barmouth said, as
+Jack held the drawing-room door open for her. "You are a barrister,
+and accustomed to deal with legal matters. If those stones fail to
+arrive by half-past two, I will give you my written authority, and you
+shall take it to the bank and insist upon something definite being
+done."
+
+Luncheon was a thing of the past, and it was getting on towards three
+o'clock, when a cab drove up to the door, and a footman announced the
+fact that a gentleman from the City and Provincial Bank desired to see
+Lady Barmouth. She returned presently, beaming with smiles, and
+announced that Jack had been mistaken; for the gems had not only been
+delivered, but had also been handed over to the speaker's maid.
+
+Slightly taken aback, Jack expressed a natural curious desire to see
+the stones in question. Lady Barmouth rang the bell, and presently a
+smart French maid appeared, bearing four shabby-looking cases in her
+hand. They were laid on the table, and Jack suggested that Lady
+Barmouth should open one of them.
+
+"I see you are still suspicious." she smiled. "Evidently things were
+not so desperate with Mr. Carrington as you appear to imagine. What do
+you think of those?"
+
+With pardonable pride, Lady Barmouth lifted the cover of one of the
+cases and displayed the flashing contents to Claire's admiring eyes. A
+livid stream of flame dazzled and blinked in the sunshine. Claire's
+cry of delight was echoed by an exclamation of astonishment from Lady
+Barmouth.
+
+"There is some extraordinary mistake here." she said. "I admit that
+these stones are exceedingly beautiful, but, unfortunately, they are
+not mine at all. They look to me much more like the property of the
+Duchess of Birmingham. I have no pearls or emeralds--my jewels are all
+diamonds and sapphires. The cases must have been changed; a mistake
+easily accounted for, as they are both green wraps."
+
+But Jack was not in the least convinced. This was some desperate
+expedient to lull Lady Barmouth's suspicions to sleep for the time.
+And doubtless Carrington had gone off hot foot to Anstruther, and
+implored him to find some way out of the terrible difficulty. Another
+idea occurred to Jack, but this he did not dare to mention for the
+present--it was too suggestive of a situation from some melodrama.
+
+"I think I can explain the whole thing," he said. "But, first of all,
+I should like to take Lord Barmouth's opinion on the matter. Probably
+he has finished his own lunch by this time. Will you see if he is
+ready to receive me?"
+
+Lord Barmouth was glad enough to see Jack, and welcomed him quite
+cordially. Then Jack laid the jewel cases upon the table, and
+proceeded to relate once more the story of last night's happenings. He
+concluded with a description of his visit to Carrington, and
+epitomized the incident of the changed jewels.
+
+"Certainly a most extraordinary thing," Barmouth said. "I rather
+gather from the expression of your face that you have some solution to
+offer."
+
+"Indeed I have," Jack said eagerly. "This is merely a trick to gain
+time, and an exceedingly clever trick, too. Carrington had naturally
+assumed that we know nothing of his desperate position. If we were in
+the dark on that point, the mistake would look exceedingly natural.
+But, knowing what we do, the situation is entirely changed. I don't
+believe those are the Duchess of Birmingham's diamonds--I don't
+believe they are diamonds at all."
+
+"By Jove! You have hit it exactly," Barmouth cried. "What a really
+magnificent idea! Carrington has no diamonds; therefore he lays out,
+say, a couple of hundred pounds in some showy-looking paste, and sends
+them round here as my wife's gems. She, absolutely innocent of any
+deception, sends them back and asks to have the mistake rectified.
+Back from the bank comes a polite note of regret apologizing for the
+mistake, and promising the proper stones for to-morrow, the cashier
+having left for the day."
+
+"Exactly my idea," Jack cried. "But we can soon settle that, Lord
+Barmouth. You have only to telephone to your family jeweler, and ask
+him to step round here for a moment."
+
+Barmouth fell in with the suggestion at once, and a telephone message
+was dispatched to the famous firm of Flint & Co., in Bond Street. Mr.
+Flint himself arrived a few minutes later, and the dubious gems were
+laid before him. He had not the slightest hesitation in giving his
+verdict.
+
+"Paste, my lord," he said briefly, "and pretty poor stuff at that. I
+can see that, even in this dim light. See how dull these stones are!
+Real gems, even in semi-gloom, shimmer and sparkle, but these don't
+show up at all. The whole lot did not cost more than two hundred
+pounds; in fact, these things are little better than stage jewels."
+
+"Can you tell us where they come from?" Jack asked.
+
+"Certainly I can, sir," Mr. Flint replied, promptly. "There are
+occasions when clients of ours are compelled to exchange the real for
+the false. In cases like that we go to Osmond & Co., of Clerkenwell,
+where these came from. I hope there is nothing wrong."
+
+Barmouth said politely that that matter could be discussed on a future
+occasion. He would not detain Mr. Flint any more for the present, and
+the latter bowed himself out of the room.
+
+"What do you propose to do now?" Barmouth asked.
+
+"Well, with your permission, I propose to strike while the iron is
+hot," Jack said. "It is quite evident that this rubbish has been
+purchased very recently from Osmond's. If you will allow me to do so,
+I will go at once with the cases to Clerkenwell, and ascertain the
+purchaser. If we can bring Carrington to book promptly, we may recover
+Lady Barmouth's jewels yet."
+
+Barmouth had nothing to say except in praise of this suggestion.
+Accordingly, Jack set off in a cab for Clerkenwell, where he had no
+difficulty in finding the fine business premises of Osmond & Co. He
+lost no time in diplomacy, but proceeded to lay the whole matter
+before the head of the firm.
+
+"You will see there is something very wrong here," he said. "This
+manufacture of yours has been deliberately substituted for some
+valuable gems belonging to a lady whose name I am not at liberty to
+divulge for the present. Mr. Flint, of Bond Street, says that the
+paste has been purchased from you. We have absolute proof of the fact
+that the stuff was bought during the past two hours. I shall be glad
+if you will tell me the name of the purchaser. I don't suppose the
+stuff was booked.
+
+"Mr. Osmond explained that theirs was practically a cash business. A
+few inquiries elicited the fact that the paste had been bought about
+two hours before by a tall, slim gentleman, who had driven up in a
+hansom cab. There was another gentleman in the cab, but he had not
+entered the shop.
+
+"Were the jewels paid for in cash?" Jack asked.
+
+They had not been paid for in hard cash, the cashier explained. The
+bill had come to two hundred pounds altogether, and had been made out
+to a Mr. Morrison. He had paid for them with twenty ten-pound notes in
+a most businesslike way, and gone away again--the whole thing not
+having taken more than five minutes. Jack suggested that he would like
+to see the notes. They were fresh and clean, but across the face of
+all of them was a circular blue mark bearing the words, "City and
+provincial Bank!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+IN THE VAULT.
+
+
+Here was proof positive enough to convict Carrington of the crime
+which had been alleged against him. Nor did Jack doubt for a moment
+that Anstruther was at the bottom of this daring and original scheme.
+The mere fact that there was another man in the cab with Carrington
+was sufficient to prove this point, for nobody else was likely to
+accompany the bank manager on so delicate and private an errand. Where
+the fatal mistake came in, was in Carrington taking the Bank of
+England notes from his own safe, and ignoring the fact that the
+official blue stamp was upon them.
+
+As Jack stepped into the street, he had pretty well made up his mind
+what to do. Not for a moment did he believe that Carrington had an
+accomplice amongst his own staff. Jack reached the premises of the
+City and provincial at length, and asked to see Mr. Carrington. He was
+told that that gentleman had suddenly been called out on important
+business, and was not expected back to-day. But Masefield was not in
+the least disappointed to hear this. There was nothing for it now, but
+to return to Belgrave Square, and tell the Barmouths what had
+happened. He found Lord Barmouth in the drawing-room, where the blinds
+had been pulled down. Lady Barmouth had gone to an important function
+which she could not very well ignore, and had taken Claire along with
+her. Lord Barmouth listened gravely to all that Jack had to say.
+
+"I am very much afraid that my wife will have to put up with the loss
+of her gems," he said. "No doubt they and many others are pledged with
+some great firm of pawnbrokers. The only consolation one has is the
+possibility of getting the stuff back by paying half its price over
+again. But matters cannot be allowed to rest here. Carrington knows
+that he is at the end of his tether; consequently, that clever bogus
+burglary you heard discussed last night _must_ take place this
+evening. What do you propose to do? In my present unfortunate
+condition I can't interfere. The only thing I can do is to leave it
+entirely in your hands."
+
+Jack went off presently to seek Rigby, whom he found at his rooms. The
+latter looked up eagerly, for he could see from his friend's face that
+Jack had a great deal to tell.
+
+"There is one little thing that seems to stand in the way of our
+ultimate success," Jack said, thoughtfully, "and that is as to Lady
+Barmouth's brother. I am afraid that he is in some way mixed up with
+this business--to his detriment, I mean. I should not care to do
+anything likely to cause additional pain to that estimable lady after
+all her great kindness."
+
+Rigby looked up in some bewilderment. Apparently he did not quite
+understand the drift of Jack's argument.
+
+"I may be very dense," he said, "but I don't follow you. What can Lady
+Barmouth's brother have to do with it?"
+
+"Well, you must cast your memory back to the night of the great
+adventure, when Lady Barmouth played so courageous a part, and got us
+out of a serious difficulty. Do you follow?"
+
+"I think I do now," Rigby said slowly. "Oh, yes; it is all coming back
+to me. Lady Barmouth asked Redgrave where her brother was, and
+Redgrave replied that he knew nothing about the individual in
+question. But, my dear fellow, you have not proved to me yet that Lady
+Barmouth has a brother."
+
+"Now you are puzzling me," Jack murmured.
+
+"Not at all. On the night I speak of, Lady Barmouth had to act on the
+spur of the moment. It was necessary to gag a bit to play for an
+opening. You are taking too much for granted. If Lady Barmouth has a
+brother, you will probably find that he has nothing to do with this
+matter. In any case, why worry about him to-night? We seem to have a
+big adventure before us so far as I can gather from what you have just
+told me. And if you are still in doubt, it will be quite an easy
+matter to see Lady Barmouth in the morning, and ascertain from her
+whether or not our proposed line of action is likely to do any harm. I
+don't suppose that Lady Barmouth knows or cares anything for Redgrave,
+who appears to be a kind of sottish tool of Anstruther's."
+
+"Quite right," Jack agreed. "And now, come along and let us set the
+ball rolling again. I think that I have told you everything. And now
+we will go off without delay, and see Seymour--the man I told you
+about, who was with me last night."
+
+Rigby assented to the suggestion eagerly enough, and together they set
+out in the direction of Seymour's rooms. There was not much chance of
+the latter being out, seeing that he had his own cogent reasons for
+not facing the daylight, and surely enough it turned out as Masefield
+had expected.
+
+Seymour was dawdling over his tea with a cigarette and a French novel,
+a bored expression on his face. That face, however, became eager and
+animated as Jack came in and introduced Rigby to his host.
+
+"Things are beginning to move rapidly then," Seymour exclaimed. "Your
+face speaks of action, Mr. Masefield. Is it about Carrington? You have
+discovered something fresh."
+
+"I think I have discovered pretty well everything," Jack replied. "I
+have managed to force that fellow's hand, just as Rigby suggested I
+should. He has consulted Anstruther, as we knew he would; and a pretty
+scheme for gaining time they evolved between them. But perhaps I had
+better tell you everything."
+
+Seymour pitched his French novel aside, and his intelligent face
+beamed with animation. The story was told at length, and Seymour
+warmly congratulated the speaker upon his astuteness and intelligence.
+
+"I quite agree with you," Seymour said. "If Carrington's good name is
+to be saved at all, that bogus burglary must take place to-night."
+
+"By the way!" Jack exclaimed. "There is one thing I quite forgot to
+tell you--that is the little adventure I had last night at the Great
+Metropolitan Hotel. I found an invalid gentleman there--or, at least,
+he found me--who seems to know all about Anstruther and his movements.
+He knows you, too; indeed, he seemed to be overjoyed that you are in
+England. He had some hesitation in mentioning his own name, but he
+said that if I gave you a certain ring which is now in my possession,
+you would understand everything."
+
+Jack laid the ring upon the table, and Seymour pounced upon it like a
+hawk would pounce upon a mouse. A grim smile played about the corners
+of his mouth, but, self-controlled as he was, he could not altogether
+hide his feelings.
+
+"Tell me all that happened with my friend last night," he asked. "It
+has an important bearing on this case."
+
+Jack proceeded to explain, Seymour listening in an attitude of rigid
+attention.
+
+"This is the best news I have heard for some time," he said. "You can
+make your mind quite easy on one thing--Anstruther has nearly shot his
+bolt. After to-morrow I will get you to arrange a meeting between
+myself and my old friend at the Great Metropolitan Hotel. Meanwhile,
+there is much to be done. It is quite certain that great things are
+going to happen at the City and Provincial Bank to-night. I think we
+shall have a pleasant little surprise for Anstruther and Co."
+
+Seymour rose, and took a roll of tissue paper from a small safe in the
+corner of the room.
+
+"These are the plans of the City and Provincial Bank," he
+explained--"the plans that came so luckily into our hands last night.
+I have studied them very carefully. As a matter of fact, I did not
+come straight home last night, but passed the hours till nearly
+daylight prowling about the bank. Without the plans, my scheme would
+be quite futile; but I think now that I have the whole thing very
+prettily mapped out. Just come and look at this with me. It is really
+very simple."
+
+As Seymour had said, the plan was simplicity itself. It not only gave
+a very intelligent idea of the situation of the vaults and strong
+rooms, but also the back premises and the lanes behind were clearly
+marked.
+
+"Now I want you to follow this very carefully," Seymour went on. "We
+can ignore the front of the building altogether, because that faces on
+Gresham Street. Here the police pass the same premises every three
+minutes, so that nobody could force an entrance that way, not even the
+would-be burglars with their keys. But if you look at the rear of the
+place, you will see that there is a small alley leading out of
+Farringdon Lane, and this alley ends by a kind of back entry into the
+bank which is used by the caretaker. I have ascertained that there are
+two night watchmen, so that there is not much danger of trouble. By
+the side of this door is a small window, the latch of which I have
+ascertained to be defective.
+
+"I suppose no one has ever troubled to see to this, for the simple
+reason that admission to the bank premises by no means implies getting
+to that part of the building which is devoted to business purposes.
+Not that we particularly want to penetrate very far, because it is our
+scheme to watch what is going on, so that we may be able to confront
+the scoundrels when the proper time comes. A careful examination of
+these plans shows me that we shall be able to get as far as the bank
+proper, which means the counting house, and from thence down the steps
+to the vaults where the strong rooms are situated."
+
+"Have you got keys of all these?" Jack asked.
+
+"There will be no necessity for us to provide keys," Seymour chuckled.
+"You see, Anstruther and Co. will be bound to enter the bank from the
+back premises. By learning this plan off by heart, we come to know
+exactly which way they will get to the vaults. Of course, they will
+come provided with keys--Carrington will see to that. All we have to
+do is to hide under a counter or something of that sort, and wait till
+our friends come along. Naturally, they will not dream that any one is
+on the premises besides themselves. As to the rest, you must leave
+that to me and fortune. You had better stay here and dine, and we can
+set out for the City about eleven o'clock."
+
+It seemed to both Rigby and Masefield that it would be impossible to
+improve upon this plan. They dined comfortably and discreetly, and it
+was somewhere about half-past eleven when they turned their faces in
+the direction of the City. No one appeared to notice them, for they
+walked rapidly along, with the air of men who had business before
+them, and the police appeared to be few and far between. They came at
+length to the little alley at the rear of the bank, and here it
+behoved them to be cautious. They waited till the beat of the
+policeman's feet died away down the lane, and then they darted down
+the dark entry. Seymour produced a tiny electric torch from his
+pocket.
+
+"There is the window," he whispered. "I am going to get on your
+shoulders, Mr. Rigby. Once I am through, I can pull you others up.
+There is no sort of danger."
+
+"Oh, but there is," Jack protested. "You have utterly forgotten one
+thing--did you not tell me there were two night watchmen on the
+premises?"
+
+Seymour chuckled, and was understood to say that they would find
+Anstruther had removed that difficulty for them. Seymour seemed so
+sure of his ground that Jack waived his protest. A minute later
+Seymour was through the window, and the others followed swiftly.
+Rather recklessly, or so it seemed to Jack, Seymour waved his electric
+torch so as to form a line of light in front. He smiled grimly as he
+pointed to two unconscious figures reclining back as if hopelessly
+drunk in a pair of deep armchairs. They came so suddenly upon the
+unfortunate victims that Jack fairly started. But so far as Seymour
+was concerned, he had appeared to have expected something of the kind.
+He again chuckled hoarsely.
+
+"What did I tell you?" he asked. "Did I not say that Anstruther and
+Co. would very kindly get the caretakers out of the way for us? You
+see the caretakers would have been just as much of a nuisance to them
+as they are to us. They have been carefully hocussed, and not until an
+alarm is given in the morning will they be in a position to say
+anything."
+
+The last danger being apparently removed, the trio proceeded to make
+their way to the bank premises proper, and there made themselves as
+comfortable as possible under one of the counters in the counting
+house. It was very quiet there, so quiet that they could hear the
+tramping footsteps of the police outside, and the singing of some
+belated reveler. They lay there till they heard the great clock of St.
+Paul's strike the hour of one. There was a sound then of heavy
+footsteps tramping along the corridor, and presently a great blaze of
+light filled the counting house. It was perfectly safe, for the heavy
+iron shutters excluded every ray from the outside. Seymour rose
+cautiously, then ducked his head again.
+
+"Just look," he whispered. "Make sure who it is."
+
+Rigby raised his head cautiously, too. The light fell full upon the
+face of the intruder--the white, stern face of Anstruther.
+
+"Now for it," Seymour whispered; "the play is about to begin."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+THE CELLINI PLATE.
+
+
+So far as Anstruther was concerned, he might have been going about his
+usual business. He evidently had no fear on the score of interruption,
+and, indeed, there was little cause, seeing that the bank was so
+substantially built, and that from top to bottom the windows were
+protected with iron shutters.
+
+"There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of," he said. "Good
+gracious, man, have you no pluck at all? I declare when I look at you
+that I could kick you as one does a cowardly cur."
+
+But Carrington was impervious to insult. His face was ghastly, and the
+strong glare of the electric lights showed the beads of moisture upon
+his forehead.
+
+"It is all very well for you," he growled. "The greater the danger the
+better you seem to like it."
+
+"There isn't any danger," Anstruther protested. "Didn't you tell me
+that the police had no special orders as far as the bank was
+concerned? And everybody knows you have two night watchmen.
+Besides--oh, I have no patience with you!"
+
+Anstruther turned away from the other, and began to fumble with the
+lock of a small black bag which he carried in his hand. He signified
+to Carrington that the latter should lead the way to the vaults below.
+Carrington produced a bunch of keys from his pocket. Anstruther
+sneered openly.
+
+"Oh, that's it," he said. "Going to make it all smooth for us, are
+you? Of all the fools I ever came across! Why not go outside and tell
+everybody what we are going to do? Those are all patent shove locks,
+which the most expert thief could never pick, and you are going to
+tell the police later on that they have been opened with an ordinary
+key. Don't forget that you have got to face the police later on, and
+endure a cross-examination that will test your nerve to the uttermost.
+We are going to blow those locks up, and these are dynamite cartridges
+to do it."
+
+Carrington's face was almost comic in its dismay. His ghastly,
+sweat-bedabbled face fairly quivered. But he made no further protest;
+he bent before the sway of Anstruther's master mind.
+
+"I don't wish to interfere with you," he stammered. "But the infernal
+noise which is likely to----"
+
+Anstruther kicked his companion aside.
+
+"We either do it or we don't do it," he said. "It doesn't matter a rap
+one way or the other to me. Now which is it to be?"
+
+Carrington hesitated no longer. He simply submitted himself entirely
+to the hands of his companion. In a dazed, fascinated kind of way he
+watched Anstruther insinuate a dynamite cartridge of minute
+proportions into the lock of the door. Then Anstruther drew Carrington
+back as far as possible, and the tiny fuse began to work. There was
+just a tiny spurt of blue flame, followed by a muffled shock, and the
+door fell slowly back.
+
+"There," Anstruther cried triumphantly. "What do you think of that? Do
+you suppose that noise was heard outside? Now come on; let us serve
+them all alike."
+
+The sound of their footsteps came to the ears of those watching in the
+counting house, and at frequent intervals the sullen explosions could
+be heard. Seymour rose to his feet, and whispered to his companions to
+follow. They crept cautiously along the flagged stairway until they
+reached the vault in which the two strong rooms were situated. A
+couple of electric lights gave sufficient illumination for the purpose
+of the amateur burglars, who were now busily engaged on the locks of
+the strong room. This was altogether a different business to blowing
+in the lock of an ordinary door, for the entrance to the strong room
+was secured with six bolts, all of which would have to be destroyed.
+
+It was possible to find a secure hiding-place in the thick darkness
+outside the radius of the two electric lights. It was an interesting
+moment, and even Seymour was conscious of a sensation of excitement.
+
+"Stand back," Anstruther said. "Everything is ready. You had better
+lie down on your face, as I am using six charges now instead of one.
+If they all go off together the thing will be accomplished to our
+mutual satisfaction."
+
+The hint was not lost upon the listeners. There was a moment of
+intense excitement, and then came a dull, heavy roar, that seemed to
+shake the building almost to its foundations. Almost before the
+reverberations had died away, the huge door of the strong room swayed
+with a zigzag motion, and came smashing on the floor.
+
+"There," Anstruther cried triumphantly. "What do you think of that, my
+friend? I flatter myself that that is a real workmanlike job. All you
+have to do now is to keep a stiff upper lip, and give the police all
+the information they require. Anything of value inside?"
+
+"Not very much, I am afraid," Carrington responded. "A fair amount of
+old family plate, and perhaps twenty or thirty thousand pounds' worth
+of securities. I suppose we had better leave all that there; look
+better, don't you think?"
+
+"Leave your head there," Anstruther sneered. "Now I put it to you, as
+a man supposed to be possessed of sense--would any thief leave a
+single item of value behind?"
+
+Anstruther asked the question with a contemptuous curl of his lip. He
+was wiping his hands now on a piece of greasy cotton waste in which
+the dynamite cartridges had been wrapped to prevent contact.
+
+"This is going to be a unique sort of burglary," he continued. "Trot
+out what you've got in the way of plate, and I'll take my pick of it
+as a kind of fee in reward for my night's service. If there is one
+soft place in my heart, it is for antique silver. Take your time--we
+are not in the least likely to be interrupted."
+
+With his coat off and his shirt sleeves turned up, Carrington set to
+work in earnest. Once he had plunged headlong into the business, he
+seemed to have lost all his nervousness and hesitation. One after the
+other the great wooden cases were turned out and examined by
+Anstruther as eagerly as a schoolboy pores over something new in the
+way of a bird's nest. Presently he held aloft a magnificent specimen
+of a silver dish. It was perfectly plain: fine old hammered silver,
+bearing a quaint design around the edge.
+
+"Benvenuto Cellini for a million," he cried. "Dish and ewer, together
+with a set of the finest posset cups I've ever seen. How much over ten
+thousand pounds would this fetch at Christie's? Well, I'm very sorry
+for the late owner, but exceedingly pleased so far as I am concerned.
+I'll take this for my fee, Carrington."
+
+The two dived into the strong room again, where they appeared to be
+overhauling other boxes of treasure. The gleams of the electric light
+fell upon the service of plate which Anstruther had so greatly
+admired. By its side, in strange contrast, laid a piece of cotton
+waste with which Anstruther had wiped his hands a minute or two
+before. Without a word of warning to his companions, Seymour darted
+across the floor of the vault; and, seizing the cotton waste,
+proceeded to rub it vigorously over the surface of the service of
+plate which Anstruther had marked down for his own.
+
+His conduct was so unexpected and so peculiar, that Jack and Rigby
+could only look at one another in astonishment. They did not know in
+the least what to make of this extraordinary man[oe]uvre on the part
+of their colleague. But there was evidently much method in his
+madness; he was not in the least likely to run the risk of detection
+to gratify an apparently meaningless whim. He was back again an
+instant later, and Jack could hear him chuckling to himself as if he
+had accomplished something quite out of the common. He seemed to feel
+that some explanation was necessary.
+
+"I dare say you thought that peculiar," he said; "but you will
+understand all in good time. I didn't go out of my way to spoil
+everything for the mere sake of playing amateur housemaid."
+
+Apparently the task which Anstruther and Carrington had set themselves
+was finished by this time, for they came out of the strong room empty
+handed. All the same, their figures appeared to be pretty bulky, and
+doubtless their pockets were well filled with illicit gain.
+
+"But you don't mean to carry that stuff home," Carrington protested.
+"Well known as you are, it would be an act of criminal folly to carry
+that plate through the streets at this time of the morning. As to
+myself----"
+
+"But have you no private safe of your own?" Anstruther asked. "The
+same remark you made to me just now applies to you. Is there anything
+more to wait for?"
+
+Carrington disappeared within the strong room again for a last look
+round, followed by Anstruther. They had no sooner disappeared than
+Seymour was on his feet again, making hurriedly for the stairway
+leading to the counting house. He had not been gone many seconds
+before there came stumbling noisily down the stairs the form of one of
+the night watchmen, rubbing his eyes drowsily, and asking what was
+going on. It was quite evident to Rigby and Jack that Seymour had
+deliberately aroused the sleeping man for some subtle purpose of his
+own. The man cried out again to know what all this meant, and
+Carrington and Anstruther came darting from the strong room.
+
+"By heaven! He has come to his senses," Anstruther muttered. "I
+thought that dose was quite strong enough. I am very sorry, but seeing
+that he has learned so much----"
+
+There was murder in Anstruther's eyes, and Carrington saw it. Still
+dazed and stupid from the result of the drug, the watchman was gazing
+about him like a man just emerging from a heavy bout of intoxication.
+It was evident that he did not recognize his employer, though senses
+and reason were fast coming back to him. As he staggered towards the
+strong room door a murderous look crept into Anstruther's eyes again,
+and something bright gleamed in his hand. Carrington hastened forward.
+
+"No, no," he cried hoarsely. "I will have none of that, I have gone
+too far already. I could bear with imprisonment, but the mere thought
+of a noose round my neck----"
+
+He almost staggered up to the dazed watchman, and shook him violently.
+The latter seemed to comprehend at length.
+
+"Wake up, Gregory," Carrington stammered. "There has been a burglary
+here. I had occasion to come down to the bank for something, and found
+that the premises had been broken into. Go for the police."
+
+Anstruther studied the watchman's features with broody, malignant
+eyes. His quick brain was working rapidly. It was quite evident that
+the watchman had not yet fully grasped the situation. It would be some
+time before he could find a policeman and give him a fairly coherent
+account of what had happened.
+
+"Not a moment to be lost," he cried. "Let us go up-stairs at once to
+your room and lock all this stuff up in your private safe. No one will
+think of looking for it there. Now don't say you haven't got the key
+with you."
+
+Carrington nodded breathlessly, and immediately Anstruther began to
+pack up the Cellini service of plate which had so greatly fascinated
+him.
+
+"Come on at once," he said. "Let us get this stuff in hiding, and then
+we can face the police."
+
+They had only to don their coats again and make their way as soon as
+possible to Carrington's private room. As they passed up the stairs
+Seymour signed to his companions to follow.
+
+They were only just in time, for as they emerged into the alley the
+watchman was returning with the constable. They squeezed close against
+the wall, securing the friendly cover of the darkness, and a moment
+later they were in Gresham Street.
+
+"What is to be done next?" Rigby said.
+
+"I think that is pretty obvious," Seymour chuckled. "So far as I can
+see this is a nice little job for Inspector Bates."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+A STROKE OF POLICY.
+
+
+Jack nodded significantly to his companion, as much as to signify that
+Seymour must be allowed to have his own way. The latter had taken the
+matter into his own hands from the first. It was quite evident that he
+was working out some deep and subtle scheme, and the others were
+disposed to give him a free hand.
+
+"Would you like to see Bates now?" Jack asked.
+
+"Most emphatically not," Seymour laughed. "It is no cue of mine to
+come in contact with the police until I have seen my way quite clear.
+Besides, you are by no means certain yet that Bates will be put on to
+this case, and be given the opportunity of investigating the startling
+burglary at the City and Provincial Bank. Again, it may be too much
+for Bates's nerves if I burst upon him suddenly, and he recognizes me
+as the dead Nostalgo who was so mysteriously spirited from Shannon
+Street police station. No; on the whole, I should prefer that you
+should go and see Bates alone. Tell him exactly what happened and what
+you saw to-night, leaving me out of the question. Then come and see me
+some time to-morrow afternoon, and I will tell you what to do next."
+
+"One moment," Rigby exclaimed, as Seymour was turning away. "What was
+that idea of yours about the cotton waste?"
+
+Seymour winked significantly, and remarked that it was time he was in
+bed. With a cheery nod to his companions, he turned his face in an
+easterly direction and strolled off down the street.
+
+"Now there's a clever man for you," Rigby cried. "Quite as clever a
+man as Anstruther, and I should say a great deal more subtle. But let
+us go as far as Shannon Street police station, and tell Bates our
+story."
+
+Bates had been detained rather late. He had only just come in, and was
+preparing to go home when the two friends entered. He had no need to
+ask if they had anything of importance to communicate to him--he could
+glean that from the expression of the friends' faces. He led the way
+to his private room, and passed the cigarettes across the table.
+
+"It's about Carrington," Rigby explained. "But perhaps I had better go
+back a bit, and tell you one or two little things you don't know."
+
+It was a fairly long story, and it thoroughly aroused Bates to a sense
+of action. His questions were clear and intelligent; he followed the
+narrative, punctuating it here and there with shrewd suggestions.
+
+"Mind you," he said. "I have been expecting something like this for a
+long time. All the same, I can see that you gentlemen have only told
+me half the story. Still, I can't complain, especially as I see my way
+to make a good thing out of this. When I tell the people at Scotland
+Yard all I know they are pretty sure to put me on the case--indeed, I
+will make a special favor of it. You say that you saw Anstruther
+blowing up all those locks, and you are pretty sure that the great
+bulk of the plunder is in Carrington's private safe. You don't suggest
+that Anstruther carried that service of plate home with him?"
+
+"Anstruther wouldn't be such a fool," Rigby said curtly. "He is much
+too cool a hand for that. He will feel quite sure that the stuff is
+perfectly safe where it is, and fetch it away from the City a bit at a
+time. Of course, he won't do this till the affair has blown over and
+he is quite safe in so doing."
+
+Bates was inclined to share the speaker's opinion. There was no more
+to be said for the present, and he intimated his intention to go up to
+Scotland Yard and ask the authorities to put him on the case. Jack and
+Rigby went their respective ways, a clock somewhere striking two when
+they parted at length.
+
+Precisely as Bates had prophesied, the mysterious burglary at the City
+and Provincial Bank caused the greatest sensation the following
+morning. The later editions of the evening papers were full of it.
+Carrington had been interviewed by more than one bright reporter;
+indeed, he had been dragged out of bed for the purpose, and he had
+been understood to say that the bank's loss could not fall far short
+of a million unless the thieves could be promptly arrested. The story
+was vividly told, Carrington's distress and agitation being expressly
+accentuated.
+
+But this was not the worst part of the distracted bank manager's
+story. There had been in the possession of the bank a tremendous lot
+of valuable personal property belonging to various esteemed clients.
+All this had disappeared, and more than one great lady in London was
+mourning the loss of her family jewels. The greatest sympathy was felt
+with the bank; it was only one or two carping critics who were asking
+questions.
+
+They were pertinent questions, too; a desire, for instance, to know
+what Carrington could possibly be doing on the bank premises at so
+late an hour. But these were merely pin pricks, and the great bulk of
+the population felt nothing but sympathy for Carrington. The only
+people who had a fairly good grip of the real state of the case
+besides Rigby and his companions were the Barmouths and Claire
+Helmsley. Jack saw Claire in Lady Barmouth's drawing-room late the
+following morning, and explained to her and Lady Barmouth what had
+happened the night previous.
+
+"It is most mysterious," Claire said, "and almost impossible to
+believe that my guardian had anything to do with the matter. I dined
+very quietly at home last night, and sat up till long past one
+finishing a novel in which I was deeply interested. I can assure you
+of this--that from half-past nine till the time I went to bed Mr.
+Anstruther's violin practically did not cease. If I were brought into
+the case as a witness, I should be bound to swear that my guardian was
+in his study during the whole time that the burglary was taking
+place."
+
+"That is another phase of the mystery that we have to solve," Jack
+said. "It is all very clever and very ingenious and very useful, but
+seeing is believing. After all, Anstruther was there last night, as
+three of us are prepared to testify."
+
+"Then in that case I shall never see my jewels again," Lady Barmouth
+said. "But what are the police going to do about it, Mr. Masefield?
+The thing cannot be possibly allowed to remain here. If they were to
+arrest Mr. Carrington at once and search his safe----"
+
+"But the police don't work quite in that way," Jack interrupted.
+"Besides, Carrington is not the only one. The chief villain in the
+play is Spencer Anstruther; and at the present moment he is in a
+position to prove a perfect alibi. It is not the slightest use laying
+Carrington by the heels till we are in a position to prove
+Anstruther's alibi to be nothing but an ingenious mechanical fraud.
+Don't you recollect the case of the Ph[oe]nix Park murders? In that
+case the police could have laid their hands upon half the culprits
+within a few days. They preferred to wait months, until every one of
+the gang were swept up in the meshes of the law. I will go and see
+Bates presently, and ascertain if he has anything fresh to tell us."
+
+It was quite late in the afternoon before Jack managed to get a few
+words with the inspector. He seemed to be very cheerful and sanguine,
+and dropped a hint to the effect that his morning had not been
+altogether wasted.
+
+"Oh, we are going on, right enough," he exclaimed in answer to Jack's
+question. "In the circumstances, they can do nothing else. Most of my
+morning has been spent in calling on the various unfortunate people
+whose valuables were deposited at Carrington's bank, and getting a
+full description of the same. After that I made the rounds of the
+principal pawnbrokers and such people as advance money on real
+property."
+
+"Did you find anything of the missing stuff?" Jack asked eagerly. "I
+mean, did you see any of it?"
+
+Bates explained that up to now he had been successful in three
+instances. He knew where to lay his hands upon the tiara of diamonds
+that had only been deposited with Carrington four days ago.
+
+"It belongs to one of our fashionable society leaders," he explained,
+"and really is a most magnificent piece of work. Mind you, Carrington
+must have been a great fool, or he must have been desperately pressed
+for money, to pledge these things in London. He could have sent them
+to Amsterdam or Paris, where they could have been broken up and
+disposed of in such a manner that it would have been impossible to
+trace them. This might have entailed a financial sacrifice, but see
+how safe it would have been. I feel pretty sure that within the next
+two days I shall trace every atom of the lost property."
+
+"But it is usual to pledge such valuable jewels in this casual way?"
+Jack asked.
+
+"Certainly it is. The thing has been done over and over again. In a
+great many instances the lady does not go through the ordeal herself,
+but sends a maid or some confidential servant with a note addressed to
+the pawnbroker, and asks for ten thousand pounds, or whatever it may
+be. That is how this business has been worked."
+
+"But the pawnbrokers?" Jack protested. "When they come to see a list
+of the missing jewels a full story must be told."
+
+Bates admitted the ingenuity of the suggestion. It was just possible
+that there was danger in that direction. Still, as he pointed out, no
+one could blame the pawnbrokers for not recognizing from a bald
+printed description certain gems pledged at their establishments.
+
+"But I think you can leave that safely to me," he said. "There is
+nothing to prevent me from applying for a warrant for the arrest of
+Carrington, and producing all that damning evidence from his private
+safe; but by doing this we are practically allowing a greater ruffian
+to escape."
+
+Jack cordially agreed with this view of the case. He proceeded to
+speak at some length as to what he had seen and heard the night before
+last in Carrington's smoking-room.
+
+"You must not forget," he said, "that the man who was with me on that
+occasion is in possession of the duplicate plans of the bank cellars."
+
+"Oh, no," Bates cried. "I have not overlooked those plans; in fact, I
+particularly wish to have a glance at them. And, by the way, sir, you
+appear to be very reticent over the name of the companion who was with
+you on that important occasion."
+
+"We will merely call him Seymour," Jack said, cautiously.
+
+Bates smiled in a queer, significant kind of way.
+
+"I will be more candid with you than you are with me," he said,
+"though you have told me more than you intended. Now, tell me if my
+suspicions are correct--is not this 'Seymour' and our missing Nostalgo
+one and the same person? It is a mere deduction on my part, but----"
+
+"I suppose I had better admit it at once," Jack said. "Besides, you
+are bound to know sooner or later. Why not come with me and see Mr.
+Seymour now?"
+
+Bates replied that he would be only too delighted. They set off
+together without delay, and presently found themselves at Seymour's
+residence. The latter was doing something mysterious with a file and a
+pair of handcuffs, both of which he threw aside as his visitors
+entered. He extended his hand cordially to Bates.
+
+"I am not in the least surprised to see you, inspector," he said. "In
+fact, I rather wanted to do so. Now, frankly speaking, are you not a
+little puzzled to know how to lay Anstruther by the heels?"
+
+"We will come to that presently, sir," Bates said quietly. "I shall be
+glad in the first place to know what hold Anstruther has on you
+gentlemen who have so suffered at his hands. Anstruther is a
+blackmailer, I know. But you are a man of pluck and courage--why can't
+_you_ fight him in the open? I can quite understand that there are
+others broken in health and spirit, who dare not have their story told
+and dragged before the diabolical curiosity of the cheap press. But in
+your case, why, it seems to me----"
+
+"Yes, yes," Seymour interrupted. "But suppose you have a dear friend
+in whom you are interested? And that friend had done somebody a great
+wrong? And supposing that Anstruther knew all this? My friend is poor,
+but I am not. Let us go farther and grant my friend a daughter--a
+beautiful girl who is just coming to the front in the world of art.
+She is passionately attached to her father; any disgrace to him would
+break her heart. And it is in my power to save this dear child by
+letting Anstruther believe that both myself and others who have
+suffered are afraid of him. Surely you have heard of many such cases,
+Mr. Bates?"
+
+Bates nodded. The field was clearing wonderfully. "You will pardon
+me," he said. "It was stupid of me not to think of that before. The
+blackmailer generally strikes through the innocent. But another
+question. Why did Anstruther publish those Nostalgo posters at all?"
+
+"There, to a certain extent, you have me," Seymour confessed. "You
+see, it is only recently that we Nostalgos have drifted together in
+London. We must give Anstruther credit for having discovered this.
+Mind you, there may be many others who have suffered, and are now
+hiding in silence. They would be nerveless wrecks for the most part.
+Anstruther probably wanted to let them know that the terror was not
+dead. You see, it is like the sign of some secret society, reminding
+members of the long arm. But who can say what was uppermost in the
+mind of Anstruther? Suppose that the whole dramatic thing had failed
+in its purpose? What then? Why, Anstruther would have probably turned
+the posters to some business purpose--a new soap, a novel kind of
+pill--why, many business houses would gladly buy the reversion of the
+Nostalgo posters, and make a good thing out of them. I may be wrong,
+but that is my view. Besides, how are we to know how many other
+Nostalgos have not dropped into Anstruther's net through those
+diabolical posters?"
+
+"It is possible you are right," Bates admitted. "Nothing seems to be
+impossible in the way of crime. But as to Anstruther?"
+
+"I have a heavy debt to pay to him," Seymour said, with a ring in his
+voice. "And I am in a position to show you how you can lay him by the
+heels. I presume my friend Masefield has told you everything. That
+being so, all you have to do is to open Carrington's private safe, and
+carefully remove a service of Cellini plate which you will find there.
+When I say carefully, I mean carefully--the thing is not to be
+fingered. Take it away to the police station, and place it in your
+glass case. Then, if you follow my advice, within eight and forty
+hours I pledge you that you shall have evidence against Anstruther as
+clear and convincing as if it had come from heaven itself."
+
+A silence followed, so impressive was Seymour's speech. Then Bates,
+who appeared to be utterly puzzled, promised that the thing should be
+done. At the same moment, there was the sound of an altercation on the
+outer landing, and a hoarse voice was heard asking some imperative
+question. The voice struck familiarly on Jack's ears. He glanced
+significantly at Bates.
+
+"The very man himself," he cried.
+
+"Yes, Anstruther," Seymour said, in his deep, ringing voice. "Friend
+Anstruther. Shall we ask him in?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+A PREGNANT MESSAGE.
+
+
+There was no mistaking the fact that it was Anstruther who was
+standing outside and speaking in tones which denoted that he was not
+altogether pleased with himself. It might have been a coincidence, or,
+at the same time, it might have been intentional; though the latter
+suggestion did not appear probable.
+
+"Surely he can't have found us out yet," Jack cried. "If he had done
+so it would hardly be policy to make so much noise about it. What do
+you think, Mr. Bates?"
+
+Bates responded cautiously that he did not know what to think. The
+real solution came from Seymour.
+
+"There is no coincidence about it at all," he said. "We know perfectly
+well that Anstruther is a clever criminal, but even clever criminals
+cannot bring off important campaigns without the aid of subordinates.
+I have not taken up my quarters here entirely by accident, though, of
+course, it was necessary for me to be as far off the beaten track as
+possible. I have seen Anstruther here on more than one occasion, and I
+think you will find he has come to consult one of his satellites."
+
+"There must be a good few shady people here," Bates observed, "though
+I don't know much about the locality."
+
+Seymour explained that there were plenty of doubtful characters living
+in the tenement. He suspected at least three burglars who had rooms on
+the same floor. Probably Anstruther was looking for one of these, and
+for some reason or other the fellow had denied himself. The loud tones
+had ceased now, and it was evident that Anstruther had either left the
+house or found the man of whom he was in search. The discovery,
+however, was too important to be allowed to rest like that, and Bates
+had a proposition to make. He suggested the advisability of putting
+one of his own spies on to watch Anstruther and keep an eye upon him
+for the rest of the day. There would not be the slightest uncertainty
+about this, seeing that Anstruther was so well known to the police
+generally.
+
+Bates crept carefully away, and returned presently with the
+information that Anstruther was still on the premises.
+
+"I met one of my men in the street," he explained. "He was just back
+from a job this way, and spotted Anstruther coming in here. Our friend
+is not likely to shake off the fellow that I have put upon his track.
+Meanwhile, we are wasting time here."
+
+Seymour was decidedly of the same opinion. A minute or two later the
+trio made their way into the street, leaving Seymour alone. He had
+been informed by Bates that he would be kept posted of Anstruther's
+movements by means of special messenger, and that his services would
+be called upon if necessary. Thus assured, Seymour went back to his
+mysterious business with the handcuffs and file, quite content to wait
+till his time came.
+
+It was quite dark before the first message arrived. Anstruther had
+stayed where he was till seven o'clock, after which he had gone out
+and called at a neighboring shop, which was kept by a man engaged in
+the occupation of making brass plates. This, so the message said, was
+merely a blind for the manufacture of the finest specimens of
+burglars' tools. Anstruther had entered the shop with nothing in his
+hand, but had emerged presently carrying a small square parcel which
+might have been a picture frame. Thus encumbered, he had returned to
+the tenement, and was now closeted in the set of rooms below Seymour's
+with a man called Gillmore, otherwise "Simple Charlie," a cracksman
+who stood quite at the head of his profession.
+
+Seymour's eyes gleamed as he glanced over the letter. He felt that he
+must be up and doing something. It occurred to him as a good idea to
+make an attempt to be present at the interview between Anstruther and
+his confederate. It was absolutely dark now, so that Seymour had no
+hesitation in raising his sitting-room window, which faced the back of
+the house, and seeking to find some means for entering the set of
+rooms below.
+
+So far as he could see at first, the thing appeared to be impossible.
+His quick eye noted the fact that a powerful light burned in the room
+below, for the shadow of it was thrown strongly upon the blank wall
+opposite. To the left of Seymour's window was a large drain pipe used
+for conveying the rain water from the roof to the sewer below. It was
+an easy matter for Seymour to lash a rope firmly to the floor with the
+aid of a handspike, and to gently lower himself to the floor below by
+means of the pipe. The business was no easy one when it came to
+climbing proper, and only a strong man like Seymour could have
+possibly done it. He dangled thus perilously in mid air, working his
+way down inch by inch, till at length his feet rested on the sill of
+the window below.
+
+As he had half expected, the window was without a catch, which was
+quite in accordance with most of the fittings in the tenement. Leaving
+his rope to dangle harmlessly within reach until it would be required
+again, Seymour passed coolly into the room. He rubbed a match
+cautiously, and by the aid of it saw that he was in a small bedroom
+evidently devoted to the uses of some bachelor, for the bed had been
+made in a most perfunctory way, and the floor was liberally strewn
+with tobacco ash. Lying on the table was a plan of some large mansion,
+with footnotes here and there plainly denoting the fact that the house
+had been marked down for some ingenious burglary. Seymour smiled to
+himself.
+
+He had evidently found his way into the quarters of which he was in
+search. Listening intently, with his ear closely glued against the
+wall, he could detect the sound of voices on the other side. He was
+not personally acquainted with the voice of "Simple Charlie," but the
+round, full tones of Anstruther were quite familiar to him.
+
+Seymour was, however, not content merely to listen to what was going
+on. Very softly he made his way from the bedroom into the passage
+beyond. The door of the next room was not closed; indeed, there was no
+reason for the precaution, seeing that the door at the end of the
+passage was locked. There was a pungent smell of tobacco, mingled with
+the odor of a good cigar, and presently the loud pop of a cork and the
+fizzing gurgle of what Seymour rightly guessed to be champagne. By
+creeping close and twisting a little sideways, Seymour got a fairly
+good view of the room.
+
+He could see Anstruther lounging in a comfortable armchair, a cigar in
+his mouth, apparently quite at home in his humble surroundings. The
+other man was sucking moodily at a short pipe, and glanced uneasily at
+his companion. He was not much like the commonly accepted type of
+burglar, being slight and dark, and somewhat timid-looking in
+appearance. But every now and again the glance he turned upon
+Anstruther was positively murderous in its hateful intensity.
+
+"Now, what on earth are you driving at, guv'nor?" he growled. "No
+getting at the bottom of you. I never feel like a fool except when I
+am working for you."
+
+"That, my good Charles," Anstruther said smoothly, "is where education
+comes in. If you had had my advantages you might have stood very high
+indeed. As it is, you are an exceedingly good workman, and I, though I
+say it that should not, am a very good master. I suppose you know
+perfectly well that I am in a position to give you away at any moment.
+I could hand you over to the police, who would take very good care of
+you for the next fourteen years, and you could not give me a simple
+scratch in return. For instance, we will suppose it is my whim to
+identify you with that bank burglary last night. Of course, you were
+not there, but I could prove that you were, all the same. And no
+cleverness of yours could save you from a conviction."
+
+Gillmore wriggled uneasily on his chair. His eyes followed
+Anstruther's every movement like those of a dog severely punished;
+there was a suggestion of the hound that would have bitten his master
+if he dared.
+
+"I know all about that," he grunted. "And you know I've got to do
+everything you ask me. It only seems the other day that poor Brown
+defied you to do your worst and lost his life over it. That was a
+lesson to me. Not but what I wouldn't be ready and willing to knife
+you if I thought it was safe. I am pretty bad, and so are some of the
+others; but outside of hell itself there is no black-hearted scoundrel
+as bad as you."
+
+The man's voice fairly vibrated with passion; but Anstruther lounged
+back in his chair with the air of a man who has just received a high
+compliment. He was a man who loved power. He liked to feel that he
+could pull the strings and move the actions of other men even when
+they fought desperately against his iron determination.
+
+"All this is so much waste of time," he said. "I came here to-night to
+get you to do something for me, and you will have to do it, whether
+you want to or not. You know what disobedience means--three hours'
+freedom, and fourteen years in jail. No more of your confounded
+nonsense; listen to what I have to say."
+
+"Oh, I'll do it right enough," Gillmore growled. "Mind you, it's a
+pretty big risk. The police have got an idea that I was engaged in
+that Maidenhead business. I know they've been watching me so close
+that I can't get rid of a bit of stuff, and I have come down to my
+last half-sov."
+
+"I'll see to that," Anstruther replied. "What you have to do now is to
+make your way into the Great Metropolitan Hotel. You shall come with
+me presently, and I will show you the room I want you to enter. To a
+man of your ability the thing is ridiculously simple--quiet side
+entrance, iron fire-escape ladder, and all the rest of it. All you
+want is a few tools."
+
+"But I haven't got any," Gillmore protested. "I was glad enough to get
+away from that Maidenhead business with a whole skin."
+
+Anstruther pointed significantly to the flat brown paper parcel which
+he had brought in with him. "You will find everything you want there,"
+he said. "All you have to remember is this. You are to go up the
+ladder and make your way to the door at the head of the second
+corridor. A row of bedrooms runs along the corridor, and the room you
+have to enter is No. 16. That is a sitting-room attached to one of the
+bedrooms. I don't want you to do anything neat in the way of a
+burglary; you have simply to take a letter which I will give you and
+leave it on the table in the sitting-room. I want the whole thing to
+be absolutely mysterious, and here is a five-pound note for your
+trouble. And now I am going out, and you are to follow me. I will lead
+you directly to the quiet spot at the rear of the hotel, and the rest
+you must do for yourself. I don't think there is anything more for me
+to say."
+
+Gillmore nodded in a surly sort of fashion. He was terribly afraid of
+Anstruther, who used all his creatures like puppets, and never
+afforded them the slightest information. His power was all the greater
+for this; he knew that he was hated as much as he was feared. He put
+on his hat and coat now, and Gillmore rose also. Seymour darted away
+back through the bedroom and on to the window ledge again. It struck
+him as just possible that Gillmore might want to use his bedroom, in
+which case the chances of being discovered were great. But Seymour
+made his way back again to his own sitting-room. Once there he lighted
+a cigarette and sat down to think over the situation.
+
+It was not long before he had made up his mind what to do.
+
+Evidently there was no great hurry over the little scheme which
+Anstruther had planned in connection with the Great Metropolitan
+Hotel, and doubtless an hour or two would elapse before Gillmore found
+his way into the corridor. It would not be prudent to carry out the
+plan until the hotel was getting fairly quiet, so that Seymour had
+plenty of scope for a counter stroke.
+
+He spent the next hour or so in his bedroom intent upon some sort of
+disguise. Something in the way of a mask, accompanied with side
+whiskers and a pair of spectacles, changed him beyond recognition. A
+little while later, and he found himself engaging a room at the Great
+Metropolitan. He appeared to be rather particular about his choice,
+and finally decided that No. 18 would suit his requirements. As he had
+expected, No. 18 was exactly opposite the room chosen by Anstruther
+for Gillmore's little plot. Once this was settled, it seemed to
+Seymour that there was no occasion for hurry. It was eleven o'clock
+before he made his way up to his bedroom. He did not close the door,
+nor did he turn the light on. He sat down grimly and patiently in the
+darkness to await developments.
+
+The corridor was perfectly silent now, and either the occupants of the
+hotel had retired to rest, or had not yet returned from the theatre.
+This was the time, Seymour felt pretty certain, that Gillmore would
+set to work. With his room door ajar, Seymour had a perfect view of
+the room on the other side of the corridor. It seemed to him that he
+could hear somebody now coming stealthily down the passage. Then
+another sound grated on his ear--it was an unmistakable cry of pain
+and fear from the room opposite.
+
+Seymour crossed the corridor and coolly entered the room opposite.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+THE CRY IN THE NIGHT.
+
+
+There was a man in the room surely enough. He was but half dressed; he
+had fallen forward over a table, apparently in a state of collapse. He
+seemed to be seeking something; and then Seymour saw that he was
+clutching at a bottle of brandy, of which he appeared to be in evident
+need. There was no suggestion of intoxication about him, so that
+Seymour had no hesitation in forcing a few drops of the potent fluid
+between the man's pallid lips.
+
+Strange as the situation was, Seymour did not fail to notice the
+extraordinary way in which his companion's face was cut and scarred
+and bound with sticking plaster. Then he suddenly realized to whose
+assistance he had come. This was surely the man Jack Masefield had
+told him about--the man who had sent him the ring, and who knew the
+whole history of the Nostalgo business. The invalid opened his eyes
+presently, and gazed in a dull kind of way at Seymour.
+
+"I have been ill," he said. "Since my operation I have been accustomed
+to these kind of fainting fits. It was very good of you to come to my
+assistance."
+
+"Not at all," Seymour said. "I was in my room on the other side of the
+corridor, and I heard you cry out. Is there anything more I can do for
+you?"
+
+"Yes," the stranger said. There was a strange thrill in his voice.
+"Take off that mask of yours, and let me see my old friend Seymour
+once more. I should have recognized your tones anywhere."
+
+"I am glad that my old chum Ferris should recognize me," Seymour said,
+in a voice that trembled a little. "But I dare say that you will
+wonder why I am here. I can assure you it is no coincidence. But what
+have you been doing to your face? The last time I saw you you were
+what I am now."
+
+With a bitter laugh Seymour swept his disguise away, and the hideous
+likeness to Nostalgo stood confessed.
+
+"There is a picture for you," Seymour laughed; "and upon my word you
+are not much better. Are you attempting to get rid of those damning
+marks that you and I are meant to carry to the grave--those marks of a
+scoundrel's vengeance?"
+
+"But I shall not carry them to the grave," Ferris said. "My dear
+friend, if I had the pluck and courage you yourself possess, I should
+not have cared so much. But that scoundrel Anstruther haunts me like
+my own shadow. I managed to elude his search; I hid myself in London.
+He knew I was here somewhere, and he hit upon that devilish scheme for
+preying on my imagination. I am alluding to those Nostalgo posters.
+Most people regard them as no better than an ingenious advertisement,
+but the scalding truth is known to me. They meet my eye whenever I
+take my secret walks abroad; they deface the hoardings to remind me
+that I am still Anstruther's slave."
+
+The speaker wiped his heated face. He made a more or less successful
+attempt to hide his deep feelings.
+
+"I had almost lost hope," he continued. "I had made up my mind to be
+blackmailed to my last farthing by Anstruther, when fortune brought me
+in contact with a clever French doctor who had heard something of the
+vengeance of the Nostalgos. He assured me that he had treated one of
+us with absolute success. I found out that my young friend was a
+brilliantly clever surgeon, and after a little natural hesitation I
+decided to place myself in his hands. He operated upon the muscles of
+my face with a view to removing the hideous mask which disfigures what
+was once a passably good-looking face. The shock to my system was
+great, and I am but slowly recovering. But when I do recover, I feel
+quite certain that I shall be as I was before I fell into the hands of
+Anstruther's creatures in Mexico. I am a pretty sight now, I admit;
+but if you look at me you will see that the repulsive hideousness has
+gone."
+
+Seymour gazed long and thoughtfully into the white face of his
+companion. There was a sudden uplifting of his heart, and the tears
+rushed to his eyes. It was no ordinary weakness that moved him like
+this.
+
+"I see, I see," he murmured. "Once you are yourself again, you can
+defy Anstruther; indeed, he would not know you at all. I have had to
+fight him at a terrible disadvantage. If only I could remove this
+terrible scourge from my face--then I could stand up to him, and his
+reign would not be for long. But events are pressing so fast that I
+could not possibly spare the time at present to follow out the
+treatment to which you have been subjected. But afterwards I shall be
+only too glad to place myself in the same hands that you have been
+through. The mere thought that some day or other I shall be able to
+walk the streets like any other man that God has made, fills me with
+such a joy that I could sit down and cry like a child.
+
+"But why be so fearfully afraid of Anstruther?" Seymour asked.
+
+"Because I am in his power," Ferris whispered. "I have done a great
+wrong in my time, and Anstruther knows it. That fiend seems to
+discover everything. Fortune has enabled me to redress the wrong, but
+Anstruther holds the proofs of my guilt. I really ought to have gone
+to my relatives and confessed everything, and defied him. But with a
+face like mine!"
+
+"I understand," Seymour said grimly. "But, unless I am greatly
+mistaken----"
+
+Seymour broke off suddenly, and snapped out the electric light. He
+took the astonished Ferris by the arm, and fairly bundled him into his
+bedroom. There was no time to explain. A fresh idea had suddenly come
+to Seymour, and he decided to put it through. His quick ear had told
+him that somebody was fumbling at the door of the sitting-room, and
+that somebody could be none other than Gillmore. The burglar had
+evidently not yet arrived, or Seymour would have heard something of
+the mysterious note. His idea now was to gain possession of the note
+and Gillmore at the same time.
+
+"What on earth is the matter?" Ferris whispered.
+
+Seymour clicked his lips for silence. He could hear Gillmore in the
+sitting-room by now. He slipped from the bedroom into the corridor,
+and approached his foe by the other door. But apparently Gillmore's
+ears were as quick as those of his antagonist. He pitched the letter
+on the table, and, seeing that escape by way of the door had been cut
+off, coolly flung up the window and fell headlong out. Seymour
+repressed a shuddering cry. Gillmore evidently cruelly miscalculated
+the distance to the ground, for as Seymour looked out of the window he
+could hear a series of heavy groans below. It was obviously his duty
+to give the alarm and send for a doctor without delay, but this he
+hesitated to do.
+
+He called Ferris in, and explained rapidly to him what had happened.
+The distance from the window to the ground was some twenty feet.
+
+"I am going to fetch him up," Seymour explained. "I suppose you have
+got one of our old lassos amongst your baggage? You have? Good! Let me
+have it at once, and I will drag our friend up in here, and then we
+can send for that doctor of yours. This unfortunate rascal is a mere
+tool of Anstruther's, and I want to make use of him."
+
+The lasso was procured at length, and one end twisted round the leg of
+Ferris's bed. It was not an easy job that Seymour had set for himself,
+but he managed it at length, and, quite overcome with his exertions,
+laid the body of Gillmore on the couch. The latter was quite
+conscious, and apparently not nearly so much damaged as might have
+been expected. Seymour went over him with the practiced hand of one
+who has dealt with many accidents by flood and field. He smiled more
+cheerfully.
+
+"Not so bad as I expected," he said. "A broken collar bone and a
+dislocated ankle. You have had a very narrow escape, Mr. Gillmore. It
+will be just as well, perhaps, if you moisten your lips with a drop of
+this excellent brandy."
+
+Gillmore started at the mention of his name, but he did not refuse the
+proffered stimulant. He saw that he had been caught like a rat in a
+trap, and, like most of his tribe, was prepared to make the best terms
+he could for himself, regardless of his confederates.
+
+"You might just as well make a clean breast of it," Seymour said. "You
+came here at the instigation of Mr. Anstruther. Your task was an easy
+one for a man of your abilities, but you see I happened to know that
+you were coming, and that made all the difference. Is that the letter
+on the table?"
+
+Gillmore growled out something to the effect that it was. Ferris took
+up the letter, and read it carefully.
+
+"Just as I expected," he murmured to Seymour. "A mysterious
+communication from Anstruther, only Anstruther's name does not appear
+upon it. I am threatened with all kinds of pains and penalties if I do
+not immediately part with the sum of five thousand pounds. And you
+might tell me what you propose to do with this man."
+
+"Leave him here for the present," Seymour explained. "We can take your
+doctor into our confidence, and nobody will be any the wiser. It is a
+very odd thing to me if we don't get some valuable information out of
+this Gillmore. You may be certain of one thing--he could tell us a
+great deal about Anstruther if he chose to speak. If you will give me
+the address of your doctor, I will go off and fetch him at once. Of
+course, I shall bring him here as if he came to see you. I think you
+are quite safe with the fellow."
+
+Seymour went off presently, having donned his disguise again, feeling
+that he had done a good night's work. His first act was to telephone
+to Bates at Shannon Street police station, and ask if the latter was
+still keeping an eye on Anstruther. Bates replied in person to the
+effect that everything possible had been done in that direction.
+Anstruther returned home about ten o'clock, and at present was amusing
+himself with his violin in his own study. Bates, moreover, had
+ascertained that Anstruther had no intention of leaving the house
+again that night; in fact, he had told one of his servants that he had
+caught a chill, from all of which it might be gathered that Bates's
+spy had been very successful in his shadowing of Anstruther.
+
+So far, everything was quite satisfactory. It only remained now to
+call at Masefield's rooms, and acquaint him with what had happened.
+But Jack was not in, his landlady informed Seymour; as a matter of
+fact, she had no idea when he was coming back; indeed, he had gone off
+somewhere to a fancy dress ball. It was then that Seymour recollected
+that this was the night of Lady Barmouth's great dance. A little at a
+loss to know what to do next, Seymour went slowly off in the direction
+of Panton Square. He hung about Anstruther's house for some little
+time, still feeling dubious in his mind as to whether the latter was
+really going out or not. He waited long enough to see a carriage drive
+up to the door, and in the brilliantly-lighted hall he could see a
+graceful figure in fancy dress being carefully wrapped up by
+Anstruther himself, who came down the steps, and saw Claire into the
+carriage. He appeared to be carefully muffled, and spoke with a
+strained voice of one who suffers from a bad cold.
+
+"I hope you will enjoy yourself, my dear," he said. "Pray convey to
+Lady Barmouth my sincere regrets and apologies. In the circumstances I
+am sure she will excuse me."
+
+The carriage drove off, but still Seymour lingered there, feeling
+quite sure that this was part of some scheme of Anstruther's. He
+decided to wait, at any rate, for the present, and for the best part
+of an hour he paced up and down, till at length his search was
+rewarded. The light in the study suddenly went out, though Seymour
+could hear the music still going on, and then another figure emerged
+from a porch. It was the figure of a man assuredly decked out in some
+fancy dress; but Seymour was not in the least deceived, and knew
+perfectly well that he was following Anstruther.
+
+The latter walked right away until he came at length to Belgrave
+Square, where he stopped for an instant before a house in front of
+which a scarlet cloth crossed the pavement. Into this hall of dazzling
+light the form of Anstruther vanished. Just as Seymour had expected,
+his quarry was going to the masked dance after all. He made up his
+mind instantly what to do. He accosted one of the footmen standing
+inside the hall, and, pressing a coin in his hand, said he must see
+Mr. Masefield at once. Would the footman go up-stairs and announce
+that Mr. Masefield was wanted, in a loud voice? The coin had the
+desired effect, and a moment later Jack was in the hall. He strolled
+up to Seymour in a casual way, and demanded haughtily the reason for
+this intrusion.
+
+"You did that very well," Seymour whispered. "I came to tell you that
+Anstruther is here after all; in fact, he has just come in. Now I have
+a little scheme of my own. Go and tell Lord Barmouth that I am here,
+but that I should like to appear as a guest. I don't think that he
+would mind, at any rate----"
+
+"Not he," Jack whispered, excitedly. "Really, there is no reason for
+me to do anything of the sort. I can easily tell Barmouth afterwards,
+and if you have any scheme for getting the best of Anstruther, you
+will be a welcome guest in this house."
+
+"Good!" Seymour replied. "I will go off to a costumier's at once, get
+fitted with a dress, and be back here in half-an-hour. Then I shall
+pretend that I have left my card behind, and ask for Mr. Rigby. Just
+as well not to ask for you again."
+
+Jack nodded his emphatic approval. Seymour moved towards the door with
+a deferential air of one who apologizes for an unwarrantable
+intrusion. Once in the road he hailed a passing cab, and gave him the
+costumier's address.
+
+"Wellington Street," he said curtly; "and drive as quick as you can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+PREPARING THE WAY.
+
+
+Seymour was not away longer than he had anticipated. Only thirty-five
+minutes had elapsed before a cab drove up to the house in Belgrave
+Square, from which descended a tall man guised as a magician. It was
+not a particularly original dress, but it thoroughly served the
+purpose which Seymour had in hand. He wore a long red cloak, coming
+down to his heels, the hem of which was embroidered with queer signs
+and symbols. On his head was a black velvet skull cap, and a long
+white beard and moustache completed the illusion.
+
+Seymour stood still for a moment, and fumbled about as if to find his
+card. Then Rigby, effectively disguised as an executioner, came
+forward and proffered his services.
+
+"It's all right," he whispered. "I have been talking it over with
+Masefield, and he did not think it would be prudent to meet you here a
+second time. Besides, we have to be very careful; we are not aware how
+much Anstruther knows. He might have got to the back of our plot for
+all we know to the contrary."
+
+"I did not quite catch how he was dressed," Seymour said. "Would you
+mind telling me what he is wearing?"
+
+Rigby proceeded to explain that Anstruther was rigged out in a costume
+of some Indian tribe. He could be especially noticed by the
+exceedingly high plume of eagle's feathers which he was wearing in his
+headdress. Seymour chuckled aloud.
+
+"I thought it all out as I came along," he said. "When I saw Masefield
+a little time ago I only wanted to come here more or less out of idle
+curiosity; but a little idea occurred to me as I called my cab. I am
+going to thoroughly enjoy myself this evening; in fact, this is the
+first time I have had an opportunity of mingling with my fellow
+creatures for three years. But that is not the point. If you keep
+fairly close to me you will have the chance of seeing how I shall get
+on Anstruther's nerves presently."
+
+"Do you mean to say you are going to begin at once?" Rigby asked, "or
+would you not like to see Barmouth first?"
+
+Seymour intimated that there was no hurry, and that the little drama
+he had in his mind would be best played out at supper time. That meal
+was intended to be a rather fast and furious affair, where all the
+guests were supposed to always act up to the characters which they
+personified.
+
+"Therefore I should very much like to see Barmouth," Seymour said. "If
+you can arrange a meeting for us in some quiet spot I shall be
+exceedingly obliged to you."
+
+Rigby went off, with an intimation that he would not be long. He came
+back presently, and signified that Seymour should follow him. The two
+proceeded as far as the head of the staircase, and there, in a small
+room at the end of the corridor, Barmouth stood awaiting Seymour's
+entrance. No sooner was the latter inside, than his host closed and
+locked the door. He turned up the light, and snatched his mask from
+his face. On the impulse of the moment Seymour did the same.
+
+Save for the difference of their coloring, the two men were almost
+identically alike. Perhaps in the whole world it would have been
+impossible to find two refined and educated men so hideously and
+atrociously ugly. One man's eyes were blue, the other one's
+dark-brown; but this made no difference. All amiability of expression,
+all frankness and sincerity, seemed to have been literally cut out of
+their features. Most men would have turned from them with loathing and
+disgust. They stood there looking at one another, the very image of
+the Nostalgo posters that London was still discussing so eagerly. As
+Seymour dropped Barmouth's proffered hand, the latter burst into a
+bitter laugh.
+
+"No reason to try and flatter ourselves," he said. "When I look at you
+or you look at me, we both know that we are forever outside the pale
+of civilized society. We can make the most of an occasion like this,
+but these happy hours are few and far between."
+
+"Well, do you know, I am not so sure of that," Seymour said. "Let me
+have a cigarette, and we will discuss the matter together. Do you
+happen to remember Ferris?"
+
+Barmouth indicated that he remembered Ferris perfectly well.
+
+"In fact, we were all victims of the same ceremony," he said. "What a
+ghastly business it was! And that fiend of an Anstruther looking on
+without a drop of pity in his heart for his fellow countrymen, whose
+sole crime was that they were in the hunt for gold like himself. But I
+want to try and forget all that. Do you mean to say you have met
+Ferris?"
+
+"Ferris is at the Great Metropolitan Hotel at the present moment,"
+Seymour explained. "More or less accidentally he ran against
+Masefield. Jack Masefield happened to mention that he knew me, and
+there you are. However, I dare say you can get Masefield to tell you
+the story another time. The point is, that Ferris has discovered a
+brilliant French surgeon who has operated upon him--he says, quite
+successfully. He is a mass of plaster and knife marks now, but he says
+that in the course of a few weeks he will have resumed his normal
+expression."
+
+A great cry broke from Barmouth. His agitation was something dreadful
+to witness.
+
+"Cured," he whispered. "Absolutely cured and like other men again. Oh,
+it seems like a dream; like something too good to be true. To think
+that you and I, old friend, are going to stand out once more in the
+broad light of day with no mask needed to conceal our hideousness! You
+will undergo the operation?"
+
+"Ay, as soon as ever I have done with the Anstruther business,"
+Seymour said in his deep voice. "Once let me see that rascal beyond
+the power of further mischief, and I place myself in that man's hands
+at once, if it cost me half my fortune. There is a girl waiting for
+me, Barmouth--a girl who mourns me as dead. You can see how impossible
+it was for me to let her know the truth."
+
+"And yet my wife knows the truth," Barmouth said thoughtfully.
+"Hideous as I am, she refused to give me back my freedom."
+
+"She is a woman of a million," Seymour said, not without emotion; "but
+then Lady Barmouth discovered the truth. I don't think you ever would
+have told her on your own initiative."
+
+This was so true that Barmouth had nothing to say in reply. He
+appeared to be deeply immersed in thought. The settled melancholy of
+his face had given way to an eager, restless expression. He was like a
+man in the desert who, past all hope, had found aid at the last
+moment. He paused in his stride and sat down.
+
+"I dare not dwell upon the possibilities that you have opened up
+before me," he said. "I had long abandoned all kinds of hope. Still,
+there are plenty of useful years before me. This is the first moment
+that I have felt what happiness means since we fell into the hands of
+that gang of Anstruther's. You will recollect, of course, the wild
+stories that our tribesmen used to bring in to us about what happened
+to anybody who dared to cross the gold belt."
+
+"The legend was very common out there," Seymour said. "If you will
+recollect, it was popularly supposed that some heathen god presided
+over the gold mines, and that it was a sacrilege for any stranger to
+make an attempt on the treasure. The natives there firmly believed
+that the outraged god imposed upon the adventurers a disease that
+rendered them so hideous that no man could ever bear to look upon
+their faces again."
+
+"They were not far wrong there," Barmouth said grimly. "Or, where did
+those medicine men derive their knowledge of surgery? I recollect very
+little that happened after I found myself gagged and bound in that
+wonderful old temple, but I do know that one of those priests operated
+upon me with a lancet. When I came to myself, I was as you see me now.
+But you, too, went through it in your turn."
+
+Seymour shuddered with the horror of the recollection of it.
+
+"I don't think we need go into that," he said. "The extreme punishment
+would never have been inflicted upon us had it not been for
+Anstruther. With his wonderful ascendancy over the tribe--and goodness
+knows how he got it--he seemed to be able to persuade them to do
+anything. The terror of it all, the hideous mystery, only served to
+keep others away."
+
+"And yet Anstruther must have lost his ascendancy," Barmouth said, "or
+he would never have returned home without bringing a huge fortune with
+him. We have absolute proof of the fact that he is a poor man. But the
+truth of that will never be known."
+
+"I am not so sure about that," Seymour said. "I hope before long to be
+able to hold the whip over his shoulder and force him to speak. I have
+my little scheme arranged, and I fancy you will derive some little
+amusement if you will watch the working of it. Of course, you know how
+Anstruther is dressed?"
+
+Barmouth was perfectly cognizant of Anstruther's disguise.
+
+"The dress of the old tribe," he said; "with the painted feathers, and
+all the rest of it. When he was pointed out to me just now by
+Masefield I could hardly restrain my feelings. Mind you, he is not
+here with a mere view to social enjoyment. He declined my wife's
+invitation. He told Miss Helmsley that he did not feel well enough to
+turn up, and yet he is here like any other invited guest. Now, what is
+he up to?"
+
+"It would be hard to say what Anstruther is up to," Seymour replied.
+"Doubtless he has some deep scheme afoot; but he is not the only one,
+and we shall see who gets the best of it in the long run."
+
+Barmouth was quite content to await developments. Knowing Seymour so
+well, he felt quite sure that the latter was not without a scheme
+likely to defeat Anstruther's intentions. He did not care to come out
+as yet and mingle with the other guests, he said; at the same time he
+had no desire to stand in the way of Seymour's amusement.
+
+"Oh, I am going to amuse myself all right," Seymour said. "Don't
+forget that it is nearly three years since I last sat by the side of a
+woman, and listened to the music of her voice. For three years I have
+lacked the refining influence of woman's society, and I always
+preferred the other sex to my own. I can move about here and pick out
+my partner as I choose. I care nothing for her face, for the simple
+reason that I cannot see it; which, very fortunately for me, is
+mutual. I am going to pick out all those with lovely voices. I dare
+say you will laugh at me."
+
+"Not a bit of it," Barmouth exclaimed. "My dear fellow, I know the
+feeling exactly. But when is this little comedy of yours coming off? I
+must be present at that."
+
+"Just after supper," Seymour explained. "When your excellent champagne
+will set all the tongues wagging. And now, if you don't mind, I will
+just have a walk round and see that my confederates are carrying out
+their instructions."
+
+It was a brilliant scene, indeed, that Seymour viewed through his mask
+on reaching the great ballroom. A dance was in progress. There were
+very few people sitting out, and the dazzling waves of color weaved in
+and out like the spray of the sea against a huge rock in the sunshine.
+A limelight had been arranged high up in the gallery, and from time to
+time threw quick flashes of different colored views upon the dancers.
+The effect was most brilliant; just a little dazzling to the eyes. But
+it was full of a sheer delight for Seymour, who had so long been
+denied the pleasures of life.
+
+"Very effective, is it not?" said Jack, as he came up. "Quite a novel
+idea in a private ballroom. Come and have a glass of champagne with
+Rigby and myself. He is waiting for us in the buffet. I hope you had
+an enjoyable chat with Barmouth."
+
+"I was exceedingly pleased to see him again," Seymour said. "All the
+same, I am glad that there was no one else present. An Englishman does
+not care to display his feelings to an outsider."
+
+Rigby was waiting as Jack had explained, and for some little time the
+three sipped their champagne whilst they talked over the situation.
+
+"I want you two to be as near as possible to me at supper time,"
+Seymour went on to explain. "And I want you to take your cue from me
+when I give it you. Mind, you must not look for any sensational
+developments--this is merely a comedy for our private amusement. I am
+going to give Anstruther a bit of a fright, and at the same time force
+his hand, so that when he is prepared to move he will play right up to
+us. As to the rest, keep your eye on the magician!"
+
+"I wish you would be a little more explicit," Jack said.
+
+"My dear fellow, there is nothing to be explicit about. Perhaps
+Anstruther will smell a rat, and decline to be drawn into the thing at
+all. Still, I'm not much afraid of that."
+
+A clock somewhere struck the hour of midnight, and a moment later the
+strains of the band died away. The old family butler threw open the
+double doors leading to the dining hall, and announced supper in a
+loud voice.
+
+"Come along," Seymour said. "The play has commenced."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL.
+THE MAGICIAN SPEAKS.
+
+
+The dining hall presented an appearance quite as striking and imposing
+as the ballroom. It was magnificently paneled with Elizabethan oak;
+the grand old buffets and furniture dated from the same period. The
+supper was laid out on a series of small tables forming a horseshoe,
+so that it was possible to move from one to the other without
+interruption. Each table had its separate electric light stand, round
+which were trailed sprays of red roses. With its shaded lights, its
+dim, carved walls, with its glitter of crystal and glass, the room
+presented a picture that was not easily forgotten. But there were
+other things quite as important to think of as the artistic side of
+the scene. A few moments later, and Anstruther came in with a tall
+woman, whom Rigby instantly recognized as a great society leader, on
+his arm. It was evident enough that while Anstruther knew his supper
+partner perfectly well, she was utterly puzzled as to his identity.
+
+"So much the better for us," Seymour said, as Jack pointed this out to
+him. "But I must get back to my partner. I want you to try and keep me
+a place at the same table that Anstruther sits at. I hope you will
+manage to secure Lady Barmouth for me. You will recollect that was to
+have been part of the programme."
+
+The matter was arranged easily enough, and presently Seymour and Lady
+Barmouth were seated opposite Anstruther and his companion. They had
+all at once plunged gaily into an animated conversation. By this time
+the guests had found their level, and had thoroughly settled
+themselves down to enjoyment. It was just possible that a great many
+people recognized numbers of their friends there, but for the most
+part the recognition was ignored and the illusion maintained.
+
+"Really this is a most charming picture," Seymour said, addressing
+Anstruther in the friendliest fashion, though he had taken great care
+to modulate his voice. "With all my skill in the art of magic I could
+not have evolved a fairer scene than this. And my experience dates
+back a thousand years."
+
+"Quite the most respectable type of family magician," Anstruther
+laughed, as he helped himself liberally to champagne. "We are all so
+dreadfully modern nowadays. I suppose you have nothing to do with
+up-to-date methods. No palmistry, I presume?"
+
+Seymour was delighted to find Anstruther ready to take up the spirit
+of the game. "Nothing comes amiss to me," he said. "To conjure up a
+scene like this would, perhaps, tax my efforts pretty severely, but I
+should get there all the same. If anybody requires a little something
+in the way of perpetual life or untold gold, they have only to drop me
+a postcard and the thing is as good as done."
+
+"Delightful," Anstruther's partner cried. "I was just wondering how I
+was going to settle my racing debts, and now you come forward in the
+kindest way, and relieve me of all further anxiety. It is really more
+than kind of you."
+
+"As for me," Anstruther said, "I am concerned more with the future
+than the past. I have a little scheme on hand which is troubling me a
+good deal. Without going into details, shall I be successful? Now, can
+you tell me that?"
+
+Seymour gravely consulted a crystal ball, which he had taken from the
+pocket of his flowing robe. Others were listening by this time, for
+the conversation at Seymour's table was both amusing and interesting.
+He looked up from the ball in the same grave fashion. "You are giving
+me a hard task," he said. "I do not know you; I have not even seen
+your face. And yet your soul is reflected in my faithful crystal, and
+your heart's desire lies bare before me."
+
+"But you have not told me if I shall be successful," Anstruther said.
+"That is the point, after all."
+
+"You will not be successful," Seymour said in a loud voice, which had
+the desired effect of attracting much attention to the speaker. "There
+is something dark that stands between you and the thing you so much
+desire. The crystal is not so clear as usual, but I can see in it a
+face. It is a strange face--dark and repulsive, and yet absolutely
+familiar. Yes, it is the face of the poster, the features of which
+have puzzled London for the last three months. It is this face which
+comes between you and your heart's desire. Do I interest you?"
+
+Quite a score of guests were listening by now. They were thrilled and
+puzzled, and not a little interested. Seymour was playing his part
+splendidly; even Jack and Rigby, who were in the plot, had to admit
+that. Nothing could be seen as to the way in which Anstruther took
+this shot, for his features were hidden behind his mask; but Rigby
+noticed that his hands were clutched upon the edge of the table-cloth,
+is if they were about the throat of some hateful foe. Anstruther sat
+quite quietly, almost rigidly, for a few moments, then burst into a
+hoarse, strident laugh.
+
+"This is ridiculous," he said. "Surely you must be aware of the fact
+that those Nostalgo posters are nothing more or less than a clever
+advertisement."
+
+"Nevertheless, they have more to do with you than you imagine,"
+Seymour went on in the same grave way. "They stand between you like a
+sheet and the execution of your plans. Let me look into my crystal
+again. Ah, the scene grows clearer. I see a ruined temple; I see some
+weird religious ceremony, and the unconscious form of a man laid out
+for a sacrifice. He rises at length; he is no longer good to look
+upon, his face has become the face of Nostalgo. Call it foolish if you
+like----"
+
+With a cry of something like anger, Anstruther rose to his feet. He
+seemed to suppress himself almost immediately, then sat down again.
+
+"Capital!" he exclaimed. "I dare say it is exceedingly clever, but, at
+the same time, so much Greek to me. What I want is information about
+the future."
+
+"I should say you are a traveled man," Seymour said calmly. "You have
+spent a great deal of your time in adventure abroad. Now, let me
+hazard a guess. You have been in Mexico?"
+
+Anstruther curtly admitted that such was the fact. In spite of the
+gravity of the whole thing, and Seymour's admirable acting, he was
+getting nervous and excited. He would have given much to have removed
+the mask of his tormentor and studied the face behind.
+
+"It is the little trifles of life that interest you, then," Seymour
+said. "I am afraid you are very material, sir. Well, we will be
+prosaic if you like. For instance, my crystal tells me that you are
+fond of works of art; in fact, you are a collector of such things.
+What would you say if I were to prophesy that you are going to add
+largely to your treasures in the course of the next few days? To be
+precise, one of your hobbies is old silver. Like most collectors, you
+will do pretty well everything to gain your end."
+
+"I am afraid that is about true," Anstruther admitted.
+
+"Spoken like a man of the world," Seymour went on. "For a long time
+you have coveted a fine specimen of Cellini silver work. A whole set
+of it will pass into your possession, if it has not already done so,
+and the unique service will not cost you a farthing."
+
+Seymour delivered this shot calmly enough, pretending to be gazing at
+the crystal all the time. But the way in which Anstruther writhed
+about in his chair was not lost upon Jack and Rigby, who were watching
+the drama with breathless interest. Anstruther had half risen from his
+seat again, and then had forced himself down once more, as if
+struggling with his hidden emotions.
+
+"I should like to see that precious crystal of yours," he sneered. "It
+seems nothing but a piece of glass to me."
+
+By way of reply, Seymour gravely polished the crystal on his
+serviette, and passed it across to Anstruther with instructions to
+hold it firmly in his palms long enough for the imprint of his fingers
+to fix themselves. Anstruther laughed as he complied with these
+instructions. Then the crystal was laid upon the table very carefully,
+and was rolled into a small cardboard box, and there swathed in cotton
+wool. With the same grave demeanor, Seymour called for wax and
+something unique in the way of a seal. A servant came presently with a
+piece of violet sealing wax, and one of the guests proffered his
+intaglio ring as a seal.
+
+"I am going to ask a favor," Seymour said. "I should like the
+gentleman to seal the box, and hand it over to another guest, who will
+take care of the whole thing for the next three days. You will all see
+what I mean--I want to prevent the possibility of the box being
+tampered with. Will the gentleman kindly seal the packet, and will
+another gentleman kindly offer to take care of it?"
+
+The box was sealed at length with the intaglio ring, then another
+guest came forward and volunteered to keep it in his charge. "That is
+exceedingly good of you," Seymour went on; "only you will quite see
+that we cannot carry this through properly unless the gentleman who
+has taken charge of the box volunteers his name."
+
+"No trouble about that," the second guest cried. "I am Sir Frederick
+Ormond, Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs. I hope that my name will
+be sufficient guarantee."
+
+Seymour nodded, and the statesman dropped the packet into the pocket
+of his cloak. Anstruther laughed unpleasantly.
+
+"And what is the upshot of all this to be?" he asked. "It is on the
+knees of the gods," Seymour said gravely. "Your individuality will
+become impressed upon the crystal through the grips of your hands, and
+at the end of the period suggested you will be able to see your whole
+future there. I dare say Sir Frederick will produce the crystal when
+the proper time comes."
+
+Anstruther turned away with a little laugh of contempt, and, as if
+nothing out of the common had happened, Seymour turned and began to
+discuss ordinary topics with his hostess. Supper was practically over
+by this time, and most of the guests were streaming back once more in
+the direction of the ballroom. Amongst the few who still remained were
+Jack and Claire, the latter, of course, being Jack's supper partner.
+
+"That was very cleverly done," Claire said. "I suppose there is some
+hidden meaning behind it?"
+
+"Of course," Jack said. "Only I have not the remotest idea what it
+was. Don't let us go back to the ballroom yet--I have discovered one
+of the jolliest little places leading off the hall, where we can sit
+and have a cozy chat without the least fear of interruption."
+
+It was precisely as Jack had said--a little alcove, dimly lighted and
+filled with ferns, from which they could see much that was going on
+without being seen in their turn. It was very quiet down there, and
+Jack made the most of his opportunities. A silence fell upon the pair
+presently, one of those long, delicious silences, only possible where
+there is a perfect understanding. Jack came out of his reverie
+presently, conscious that Claire was gripping him tightly by the arm.
+With the point of her fan she indicated the figure of Anstruther, who
+had come down evidently in search of the telephone. The instrument was
+almost immediately opposite the alcove, and Anstruther, little
+dreaming that he was being watched, plied the handle vigorously. He
+gave a number presently which was his own in Panton Square.
+
+"Are you there?" he whispered; "are you there? Confound the girl! why
+doesn't she speak? Oh, so you are there at last. What? Oh, yes, yes. I
+am speaking to you. You know who I am. Yes, there is danger--danger
+that is urgent and immediate. I have no time to explain now; you are
+to come here masked at once. Do not come to the front door, but to the
+lane behind. You will find a small, green gate there, with Number Five
+upon it in white letters. I will see that the gate is unlocked. Then
+make your way straight up the garden, and into the summer-house which
+is at the top of the marble steps by the fountain. You are not to be
+more than half-an-hour."
+
+Anstruther rang off, and replaced the receiver on the hooks. He
+strolled away without the slightest idea that every word he said was
+audible to the pair of lovers in the alcove. Jack turned to Claire
+with eager eyes.
+
+"This must be seen to immediately," he said. "Go back to the ballroom
+as if nothing had happened and wait for me there. As for myself, I am
+going to smoke a cigar in the garden, and wait to see who the
+mysterious individual is who has been so peremptorily summoned here.
+You see how important it is."
+
+Claire saw that there was much in what Jack said. Obediently enough
+she went off to the ballroom, and waited eagerly for the return of her
+lover. He seemed a long time coming, and nearly an hour had passed
+before he came back and strolled up to Claire in as casual a way as
+possible. But she could see that his eyes were gleaming behind his
+mask. He was breathing fast, too.
+
+"Have you discovered who it was?" Claire asked eagerly.
+
+"Yes," Jack replied. "They are both together. As I more than half
+expected, the fresh arrival is Serena."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI.
+THE WORM TURNS.
+
+
+Meanwhile, it is necessary to go back for a few moments to the garden
+and summer-house where Jack had been waiting, to see who was going to
+keep the assignation with Anstruther. On the whole, it was not
+unpleasant work, seeing that the night was very fine and warm, and at
+the same time dark and velvety. There were not many gardens in London
+as finely proportioned as those behind Barmouth's residence. It was
+wonderful, in the midst of that atmosphere, that flowers and shrubs
+could flourish so kindly. There were not many paths, most of the
+ground being given over to turf, so that Jack's feet made no noise as
+he walked along in the direction of the green gate which gave upon the
+lane beyond.
+
+The gate turned out to be a door in the wall hidden from view inside
+by a deep belt of shrubs. It was here that Jack hid himself, and stood
+smoking his cigar with a determination to stay there all night if
+necessary. The best part of an hour had elapsed before there was a
+noise outside, and a hand turned the latch. Jack dropped his cigar,
+and ground it into the soft earth with the heel of his slipper. By
+this time his eyes had got accustomed to the darkness, so that it was
+not a difficult matter to make out the outlines of the approaching
+figure. The figure was that of a woman, evidently dressed for the
+evening, and wearing a mask.
+
+Jack was not to be deceived; he knew that form perfectly well, even if
+he had not recognized the dress, which the wearer had used the night
+of his visit to Carrington's.
+
+"Serena," he whispered to himself. "Well, I might have expected that.
+Now to see what will happen next."
+
+Jack made his way hurriedly across the lawn, and took up a position
+behind a belt of pampas grass, where he could not only see into the
+summer-house, but also hear what was going on there. He was only just
+in time, for almost immediately the towering headdress of Anstruther
+appeared, and its owner made his way directly to the summer-house. Jack
+could see Serena as she hurried along. On the still night air every
+word could be distinctly heard. There came to Jack's ears a whispered
+apology from Serena that she was sorry for the delay.
+
+"You might have ruined everything," Anstruther said savagely. "I told
+you to be here within half-an-hour at the latest."
+
+Serena replied humbly that she could not get there before. She had to
+dress, and she had had to get the other servant out of the way.
+Anstruther muttered impatiently.
+
+"I suppose it is impossible for a woman to keep to time," he said.
+"And now listen to me. There is something going on here which even I
+cannot fathom. I feel as if I were being laughed at; as if an unseen
+net was about my shoulders, and that a hidden hand was ready to close
+it at any time."
+
+Jack listened eagerly to what followed. It was quite evident from what
+Anstruther said that Seymour's performance had made a deep impression
+upon him. For once in a way Anstruther was puzzled and frightened. He
+told Serena at considerable length all that had taken place during
+supper.
+
+"There is more than meets the eye here," he said, "and that fellow
+said either too little or too much. One thing is quite certain--he is
+pretty intimately acquainted with my inner life in Mexico. Now who is
+he, and how does he know all this?"
+
+"If you don't know, I can't tell you," Serena replied.
+
+"No; but you are going to find out," Anstruther responded. "You are
+going to mingle with the other guests as if you were a friend of Lady
+Barmouth's, and I will sign to you presently what I want you to do.
+You have plenty of nerve and resource, and you must find some way of
+removing the mask from the face of my friend the magician. But that is
+not all. I have a very shrewd suspicion that this mysterious Lord
+Barmouth is no other than the man James Smith, who has been so useful
+to me from a pecuniary point of view."
+
+"You think Lord Barmouth and James Smith are the same person?" Serena
+cried. "Oh, that is quite impossible."
+
+"That remains to be seen." said Anstruther. "You know all about Lord
+Barmouth's reputation as a recluse as well as I do. Therefore, it will
+be part of your duty to get a sight of Lord Barmouth also. Mind you, I
+may be mistaken, but I have a strong impression that when you come to
+look at Barmouth you will see the features of James Smith. What the
+certainty of this means to me you can pretty well guess. Hitherto
+I have treated Smith as a comparatively poor man, never guessing
+for a moment that he was the enormously wealthy Barmouth, but in
+future----"
+
+Anstruther paused significantly. The listener thrilled as he realized
+the danger in which Barmouth stood. But his whole attention now was
+concentrated upon Serena. He could see that she had drawn herself up
+to her full height; from the motion of her hands, she was evidently
+moved by some strong feeling. It flashed upon Jack all at once that
+Anstruther was asking Serena to plot against the happiness of her own
+sister--Lady Barmouth. That that was the chord that Anstruther had
+touched, Serena's first words proved.
+
+"You are asking too much." she said. "I will not do it. There are
+times when I feel that this life of mine can endure no longer. I have
+worked hard for you; I have been the slave of all your schemes; I have
+forgotten that I possess a conscience."
+
+"Yes; and you forget what you owe to me," Anstruther responded. "But
+for me you would long since have stood in a felon's dock. If you will
+think of the time when you and your boy----"
+
+"No, no!" Serena cried. "I will not have it. What do I care if I alarm
+the people inside. For the sake of that black past I have consented to
+be your tool and slave. And yet I feel sometimes that you are playing
+with me; that the whole thing is nothing more or less than a cruel and
+deliberate lie on your part, and that my boy still lives. If I thought
+so; if I only thought so----"
+
+Serena plunged forward, and Jack could see that something glittered in
+her hand. There was the confused suggestion of a struggle, the sound
+of an oath from Anstruther's lips, and the tinkle of metal upon the
+floor of the summer-house.
+
+"So you have got one of your mad moods on to-night," Anstruther
+panted. "Do not push me to extremes, because you know what that means.
+Will you obey me or not?"
+
+Jack could see Serena pass her hands across her eyes; he could hear
+the quick sobbing of her breath. "I was wrong." she said presently. It
+was marvelous how quickly she had recovered herself. "I will do your
+bidding. Let us go inside, and you can show me the man whose face you
+desire to see."
+
+The two moved off together, and entered the house, where they were
+quickly lost in the throng of guests. It was at this point that Jack
+joined Claire again, and told her rapidly what had happened.
+
+"I will go to her at once," Claire said. "It is quite evident, from
+what you say, that this poor woman acts entirely under the sinister
+influence of Anstruther. It would be a good thing, I fancy, to appeal
+to her better nature." Possibly it had been better for him to go off
+and warn Seymour, but the strong curiosity of the moment prevailed. He
+was just a little anxious about Claire, too. And Seymour was so full
+of cleverness and resource if anything untoward happened.
+
+The scheme commended itself to Jack. He would leave everything to
+Claire for the present. Then, when she was ready, she could come to
+him again. Apparently Anstruther had given Serena all her
+instructions, for Claire found her seated by herself in a corner of
+the ballroom watching the dazzling scene. Claire crept quietly to her
+side, and touched her on the shoulder.
+
+"Serena." she said gently. "Serena, I want you."
+
+There was a violent agitation, that shook the listener's frame; but
+she rose very gently, and passed along the corridor by Claire's side
+without the slightest protest. They came to a little alcove at length,
+and Claire bade her companion sit down.
+
+"I know why you are here to-night." she explained. "I even know what
+your appointed task is. But, what is still more important, I am
+acquainted with the hold that Anstruther has upon you. Believe me, you
+have no firmer friend in the world than myself. Tell me your sad
+story, and let me see if I can help you."
+
+The gently spoken words were not without their effect. Heedless of
+consequences, Serena removed her mask, and proceeded to wipe the
+streaming tears from her eyes.
+
+"I _will_ tell you everything." she murmured. "You know already that
+Lady Barmouth is my sister, and you are acquainted with the fact that
+Padini is my husband; but nobody knows besides Anstruther that I was
+once the mother of a little boy. I was always wilful and headstrong. I
+was always ready to throw away my happiness for the whim of the
+moment. That is why I married Padini, who basely deserted me when he
+found that I had no money. A month after our marriage I was alone in
+the world, almost starving. I was too proud to send to my friends; I
+had meant to wait till my money was exhausted, and then throw myself
+into the river. But I dared not do that, because of the fresh young
+life which I knew was coming to me. I managed to make a little money,
+and when my child was born I was comparatively happy. When the boy was
+about eighteen months old, Anstruther found me out, and professed a
+desire to become my friend. It was about that time that Padini turned
+up again, and began to blackmail me. I cannot tell you exactly what
+happened; they say I tried to kill him because he would have taken my
+child from me. At any rate, I have always been informed that I might
+have suffered a long term of imprisonment if Anstruther had not stood
+my friend."
+
+"But this does not give him so great a power over you," Claire said.
+"A mere act of charity like that----"
+
+"But I have not told you everything," Serena whispered. "For a short
+time I was a mad woman. And when I came to myself again, they told me
+that I had killed my boy. Oh, I have no wish to dwell upon that
+dreadful time--I hardly dare to think of it without a wild desire to
+lay hands upon myself. And yet there are times when I believe the
+whole thing to have been a wicked lie, a pure invention on the part of
+Anstruther. At these times I believe that my boy is still safe and
+sound, and that some day we shall meet again. This is the whole secret
+of the reason why I have clung to Anstruther, and why I have been the
+slave of his base designs. But this story must be told to no one, not
+even to Lady Barmouth."
+
+Serena might have said more, only the sound of approaching footsteps
+warned Claire of the necessity for caution. She whispered to Serena to
+replace her mask--a precaution that was none too soon, for Anstruther
+was impatiently coming down the corridor side by side with another
+man, whom Claire recognized as Lord Barmouth.
+
+"I have been looking for you everywhere," Anstruther said. "What do
+you mean by hiding yourself here?
+
+"It was quite clear that Anstruther had lost his head for the moment.
+Lord Barmouth paused, and looked at the other sternly and coldly. Yet
+he hesitated, as if half afraid to speak. He had the advantage over
+Anstruther in knowing who the latter was, while still preserving the
+secret of his own identity.
+
+"I presume this lady is your wife," he said. "You would hardly speak
+even to a sister in that tone of voice."
+
+"You are candid, sir," Anstruther said bitterly. "If you knew who I am
+I have not the slightest doubt----"
+
+"I know perfectly well who you are," Barmouth said quietly. He had
+quite made up his mind what to do now. "Will you be good enough to
+step this way for a moment?"
+
+Anstruther followed, until Barmouth reached his own private room. Then
+he locked the door, and put up the light. "Now that we are face to
+face and free from interruption," he said, "I am going to speak still
+more candidly to you. But first let me ask you a question. Why did you
+decline the invitation of Lady Barmouth on the plea of a severe chill,
+and then come here afterwards, as if you wanted your presence in the
+house kept a secret?"
+
+"Really," Anstruther stammered--"really, I cannot recognize your right
+to cross-examine me like this. In the very unlikely event of your
+being my host----"
+
+"We will discuss that presently," Barmouth replied. "Permit me to
+remind you that you have not yet answered my question, Mr. Anstruther.
+You will not deny your identity?"
+
+Anstruther laughed awkwardly, and, seeing that the game was up,
+removed his mask and pitched it on the table.
+
+"What I have done is not exactly a crime," he said. "I changed my
+mind, and came at the last moment."
+
+"At the last moment," Barmouth echoed significantly. "You have been
+here for the past two hours."
+
+Anstruther moved towards the door. He declared, with some heat, that
+he would have no more of this, unless the other could prove his right
+to ask these questions. Barmouth turned away for a moment, and when he
+faced round again his face was bare of the mask.
+
+"Now you recognize my right," he said. "You black-hearted scoundrel, I
+am Lord Barmouth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII.
+A PIECE OF MUSIC.
+
+
+In other circumstances, Anstruther would have been pleased with the
+turn of events. He knew now that Smith, whom for so long he had been
+persecuting, was the rich Lord Barmouth. This, too, saved a deal of
+trouble; for instance, Serena need not have been brought here at all.
+Now Anstruther would be able to blackmail Barmouth for thousands,
+whereas he had been content with hundreds from the more humble Smith.
+Barmouth smiled, as he followed Anstruther's train of thought. He was
+reading the other's mind like an open book.
+
+"I know exactly what you are thinking about," he said. "You are not
+sighing for lost opportunities; you are going to make it all up in the
+future. Still, I have puzzled you and, perhaps, frightened you a
+little. You are perfectly well aware why I have concealed my identity
+for so long. And you would give a great deal to know why I have so
+suddenly come out and met you in the open. On that point I have no
+intention of gratifying your curiosity. You may put your mask on
+again, and I will resume mine; but of one thing you may be certain.
+Either as Lord Barmouth or as James Smith, not one farthing more will
+you ever receive from me."
+
+Barmouth turned contemptuously away, and unlocked the door.
+
+"Now you can go your way, and I will go mine," he said. "I shall say
+nothing of this to Lady Barmouth; at least, not for the present. Make
+the best of your evening's pleasure. It will be the last time you will
+ever be under my roof.
+
+"With an irritated feeling of defeat Anstruther stalked from the room,
+followed by Lord Barmouth, who lost no chance of hunting up Jack and
+Rigby. He told his interested listeners what had happened.
+
+"I think you have acted wisely, Lord Barmouth," Rigby said. "We are so
+hot upon the track of Anstruther now that a day or two makes little
+difference. At the same time, I cannot quite see why Anstruther should
+have come here in this mysterious way, when he might have accompanied
+Claire quite openly."
+
+Jack was inspired with a sudden idea.
+
+"It's all a question of alibi," he said. "We know perfectly well what
+an ingenious scheme Anstruther has put up so that he may be what an
+Irishman would call in two places at the same time. Here is a
+magnificent opportunity of getting to the bottom of that mysterious
+music business."
+
+"Right you are," Rigby cried. "It would be like flying in the face of
+Providence to throw away such a chance. Anstruther is here, and likely
+to remain, and so is Serena. You may depend upon it that the other
+maid has gone to bed, so that we should have the house in Panton
+Square all to ourselves. You know the ropes better than I do, Jack.
+Can you tell us a good way of getting into the house without playing
+the burglar?"
+
+Jack thought a moment, then an inspiration came to him again; the
+thing was quite simple.
+
+"We can walk into the place as if it belonged to us," he said. "When
+Claire came away, Anstruther told her that he should retire early.
+Claire did not wish to keep the servants up unduly, so she took a
+latch-key with her."
+
+"Absolutely made for us," Rigby exclaimed. "You go off to Miss
+Helmsley and borrow her latch-key, and we will get to the bottom of
+the whole mystery whilst Anstruther is enjoying himself here."
+
+Jack came back presently with the latch-key in his possession. It was
+an easy matter to get out of the house without being observed; then a
+cab was called, and the two proceeded to Jack's chambers, where they
+stripped off their fancy dresses hastily and assumed more civilized
+attire.
+
+"I vote we take Bates into this business," Rigby suggested. "I've got
+a little idea of my own, which I will tell you about after we have
+been to Panton Square."
+
+Unfortunately the services of Inspector Bates were not available, for
+he had been called out on some business of importance, and was not
+expected back till the following morning.
+
+"We shall have to go through it ourselves," Jack said. "You will have
+a fine lot of copy for the _Planet_ a bit later on. I declare I am
+getting quite fascinated by my present occupation. Shall we take a
+cab, or would it not be more safe for us to walk?"
+
+Panton Square was reached at length, and No. 5 appeared to be in total
+darkness. As the friends had anticipated, Serena's fellow servant had
+gone to bed, for neither at the front or back of the house was there
+so much as a glimmer of light to be seen. An application of the
+latch-key to the door proved quite successful, and a minute later the
+two friends were inside. They had not the slightest hesitation in
+putting up the lights, so that the passing police might infer that the
+occupants of the place had returned. Not that he wanted to trouble
+much about anything but the study, seeing that it was there that the
+mysterious music always emanated.
+
+It was an ordinary-looking room enough, the walls being entirely lined
+with books. There were books everywhere, not an inch of space being
+available for more. The ceiling was quite plain, and the closest
+search failed to disclose anything in the way of an apparatus by which
+the sounds of music could be conveyed from a distance into the study.
+Jack looked round with a puzzled frown.
+
+"All the same, it must come that way," he said. "I know perfectly well
+that one of Padini's recitals came into this room as if it had been
+carried by some electrical means."
+
+"A sort of telephone, I suppose," Rigby said. "Of course, we have all
+heard of the theatre-phone, but that theory would not work out in this
+case. With the dodge in question you have to plug both ears with a
+kind of receiver, and even then the music is only audible to those
+using the little receivers. In the present instance I understand that
+the whole room is flooded with melody, just as if the player were
+actually here."
+
+"You've got it exactly," Jack explained. "I have heard it myself, and
+so has Claire; and both of us spotted the music as being in precisely
+the style of Padini. Hang me if I can see the slightest sign of how
+the thing is worked."
+
+Rigby said nothing; indeed, he was hardly listening. He was pacing
+round the room pulling armfuls of books out here and there, as if
+expecting to find some cunning device hidden behind the volumes. He
+stooped to pick up Anstruther's violin case, which lay upon the floor.
+The case had been recently dropped, or some weight had fallen upon it,
+for the lid was cracked all across, and the hinges were broken. Rigby
+gave a little cry as he threw back the lid.
+
+"Here's a discovery for you," he exclaimed. "Anstruther's violin with
+the neck broken off. If you will look at it closely, you will see that
+it is covered with dust, and evidently has not been used for days. Of
+course, it is just possible that Anstruther possesses two violins----"
+
+"I know as a matter of fact that he doesn't," Jack said. "This is his
+Cremona right enough. I have had it in my hands a hundred times."
+
+"We are getting on," Rigby laughed. "This room has been flooded with
+melody night after night, and yet we know for a fact that Anstruther's
+violin has been absolutely useless."
+
+"That does not help us to a solution of the problem," Jack said. "But
+I have an idea. We shall never get to the truth through Anstruther,
+but Padini may help us. Now it is very improbable that Anstruther will
+be back under an hour. I'll stay here whilst you go off to the Great
+Metropolitan Hotel and see Padini. If you flatter him a bit, he will
+probably play to you. He will certainly do this in his own room,
+because professionals of mark never practice in public. What I am
+driving at is this: I feel quite certain that whatever Padini plays to
+you, I shall hear in this room."
+
+"Excellent," Rigby cried. "I will go at once."
+
+Late as it was, Padini had not gone to bed; indeed, one of the
+corridor servants informed Rigby that the violinist had been
+practicing on his violin for the past hour. Without the slightest
+hesitation, Rigby made his way into Padini's room. The latter looked
+up with a puzzled air of surprise; evidently he had been taking a
+little more champagne than was good for him.
+
+"I seem to know your face," he said. "Of course you do," Rigby said
+smoothly. "Don't you remember me interviewing you for the _Planet?_ I
+happened to be in the hotel, and I thought I would look you up. I
+suppose it would be too much to ask you to play something to me? I am
+passionately fond of music, to say nothing of being a great admirer of
+yours. Besides, I have a particular desire to hear you to-night."
+
+Padini looked up with just a shade of suspicion in his eyes. Rigby
+felt that perhaps he was going a bit too far. He proceeded to flatter
+the artist to such an extent, that Padini's suspicions were quickly
+lulled to rest. There was a half-empty bottle of champagne on the
+table, but Rigby refused the proffered hospitality.
+
+"No, thank you," he said. "I came to hear you play. I know it was a
+great liberty on my part and, if you like, you can turn me out at
+once; but I wish you would play something."
+
+Padini rose rather unsteadily, and reached for his violin. Once his
+fingers grasped the neck of his instrument, he seemed to be himself
+again. Rascal as the fellow was, there was no doubt of his great
+artistic qualities. He handled his bow with the air and grip of a
+master. He started some slow movement from one of Beethoven's sonatas,
+and Rigby lay back in his chair, giving himself up entirely to the
+delight of the moment.
+
+It seemed, if Padini once started, he would not know when to stop, for
+he played one piece after another, entirely forgetting that he had an
+audience. Across Rigby's brain there came floating the germ of a great
+idea. Padini finished a brilliant passage, and the bow fell from his
+hands.
+
+"There, my friend," he said breathlessly. "Never have I played better
+than I have done to-night."
+
+"You are indeed a master," Rigby said, and he meant every word that he
+uttered. "An artist so great as yourself should be a composer also.
+Have you published anything at all?"
+
+The flattered artist replied that he had not published anything so
+far, but there were one or two little things which he had written in
+his spare time, and these he intended offering to some publisher who
+was prepared to pay a price for them.
+
+"Would you mind playing me one?" Rigby asked. "I should prefer a piece
+that nobody has ever heard."
+
+Padini swept his bow across the strings, and proceeded to play a
+perfect little gem in a minor key. To a certain extent it reminded
+Rigby of Gounod's "Ave Maria," though its originality and breadth
+deprived it of any suggestion of plagiarism.
+
+"Perfect in its way," Rigby said. "Would you mind giving me the score?
+If you will, I can get a good price for it from the _Planet_ people.
+We are going to publish music at reasonable rates, and there is no
+reason why you should not have fifty guineas for yours."
+
+Padini declared that he quite shared Rigby's opinion. He took a sheet
+of manuscript music from a drawer, and threw it carelessly across to
+his companion.
+
+"There you are," he said. "Make the best bargain you can for me. What?
+You are not going already?"
+
+Rigby muttered something to the effect that he had not yet finished
+his work at the office, and that he must tear himself away, much as he
+would like to have stayed to hear more of that beautiful music. A few
+minutes later Rigby left the room. As he glanced back he saw that
+Padini had fallen into his armchair again, and was already half
+asleep. Rigby smiled to himself, wondering what Padini would say if he
+knew the purpose to which the sheet of manuscript music would be
+devoted. He called a cab and hastened away in the direction of Panton
+Square, where he expected that Jack would be still awaiting him. The
+lights were up at No. 5 just as they were when Rigby had started for
+the Great Metropolitan Hotel; but, all the same, he took the
+precaution of whistling softly, in case anything had gone wrong. The
+front door opened cautiously, and Jack's head peeped out. A moment
+later, and Rigby was inside.
+
+"Well?" he demanded impatiently. "Anything happened?"
+
+"A great deal," Jack replied. "For half-an-hour everything was quiet,
+then that wonderful music started again. Mind you, I haven't the
+remotest idea where it came from; I am just as much in the fog as
+ever. But it filled the room as if some great artist was invisible to
+me. I could recognize Padini's touch. Of course, I am assuming that
+you found him at home, and persuaded him to play to you. Can I take
+that for granted?"
+
+"It is exactly as you say," Rigby explained. "Please go on."
+
+"Then I will tell you what Padini played. He started with the first
+part of 'The Moonlight Sonata.'"
+
+Rigby nodded and smiled. His smile broadened as Jack proceeded to tick
+off the pieces of music just as they were played. "There was one,
+however, that I could not follow," he said. "It was that lovely little
+thing at the end. I am absolutely certain that it was an original
+piece of music."
+
+Rigby laughed as he produced the scrap of manuscript from his pocket.
+There was an expression of triumph on his face.
+
+"Original, and in my possession," he cried. "This scrap of paper
+contains the key of the whole situation."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII.
+THE TRAP IS BAITED.
+
+
+Jack looked inquiringly at his friend. He had not yet fully grasped
+the significance of Rigby's remark. He asked for an explanation. Rigby
+went on to speak rapidly.
+
+"It's like this, you see," he remarked. "When I saw that fellow just
+now and got him to play to me, a rather good idea came into my mind.
+So long as Anstruther can manage to delude us into believing that he
+spends most of his evenings in playing classical music, we can't get
+much further. Classical music is open to everybody; and if we allege
+that on a certain evening Anstruther performed one of Beethoven's
+sonatas--or, rather, that Padini performed it--we should have great
+difficulty in proving our point."
+
+"I think I can catch your idea," Jack said.
+
+"I thought you would. My idea was to get something original;
+something, if possible, that Anstruther has never even heard. He
+couldn't very well play a piece he had never heard, now could he? I
+asked Padini if he had anything of the kind in hand, and he played the
+piece which you so much liked. As I said just now, I have the thing in
+my pocket; and by means of that simple sheet of paper we are going to
+trap Anstruther."
+
+"I don't quite see it," Jack said.
+
+"What I mean is that we are going to manage it between us. Unless I am
+greatly mistaken, events will move very rapidly to-morrow night.
+Anstruther must of necessity be out most of the time after dinner, but
+the music in the study will go on all the same. You must manage to
+dine in Panton Square to-morrow night, and I will work the thing from
+the Great Metropolitan Hotel with Padini. In the course of the evening
+Padini will play the melody which we are now talking about, and you
+will hear it. Now, I know Miss Helmsley is a very capable pianist, and
+I want her to follow the air carefully, so that she will be able to
+play it by ear. Then we shall be in a position to ask Anstruther the
+name of the piece that attracted her so much. Miss Helmsley can pick
+it out on the piano for him, and ask him to play it again. You can
+imagine his difficulty, but you can hardly imagine a way out of it.
+This is only a side issue, I know; but it will all tell when we bring
+Anstruther to book and expose the whole conspiracy."
+
+Jack appreciated the point, and promised to do his best to bring the
+comedy to a successful issue. There was nothing for it now but to
+reassume their fancy dresses and return to Belgrave Square.
+
+By this time a considerable number of the guests were moving on
+elsewhere, though the majority of those present meant to see the thing
+through. As the cab bearing Jack and Rigby drove up they saw the tall
+figure of Anstruther coming down the steps. He stood there as if
+hesitating for a moment, then called a passing cab and gave some
+directions to Piccadilly.
+
+"Any money I know where he is going to," Rigby said. "My dear fellow,
+you go inside and see Miss Helmsley, whilst I take this cab back to
+our rooms and change again into civilized attire."
+
+"What are you going to do now?" Jack asked.
+
+"I am going to follow Anstruther," Rigby explained. "I feel so
+restless to-night that I can't settle down to anything. So I am just
+going to follow that fellow, who is most assuredly going to see
+Carrington."
+
+It was half-an-hour later before Rigby found himself, minus his fancy
+dress, in Piccadilly opposite the rooms occupied by Carrington. It was
+very late now, and Piccadilly was absolutely deserted, save for a
+passing policeman and a stray night cab whose driver appeared to be
+asleep upon the box. Rigby hesitated for a moment, a little uncertain
+as to what to do.
+
+There was no difficulty in ascertaining as to whether Carrington had
+or had not gone to bed, for the lights were up in his sitting-room,
+and presently a shadow appeared upon the blind. Doubtless this was
+Carrington, and all speculation was set at rest an instant later by a
+second shadow on one of the blinds. The gigantic headdress of
+Anstruther loomed large against the light. There was nothing for it
+now but to wait patiently upon the course of events. Rigby pulled at
+the leg of the slumbering cabman, and brought him to a sense of his
+responsibilities.
+
+"I don't want to take your cab anywhere," he explained. "All I want is
+to hire it for an hour or so and sit inside. You can go to sleep again
+if you like, and I'll wake you when I am ready to go. It will be an
+easy way of earning half-a-sovereign."
+
+The cabman grinned and nodded as Rigby disappeared into the recesses
+of the cab. It was, perhaps, an hour later before the door leading to
+Carrington's flat opened and Anstruther came out. Evidently he had
+left his fancy dress behind him, for he was attired in a rough coat
+and deerstalker hat. Carrington appeared to be dissuading his friend
+from something, and Rigby could hear the latter laugh in reply.
+
+"I tell you it must be done," Anstruther said, "and it will have to be
+done to-morrow night. I shall see friend Charlie without delay. If he
+is not in, I shall leave a settled note for him."
+
+Anstruther strode off down the street, and presently hailed another
+night cab which was crawling down the road. Rigby sat up and aroused
+his own driver.
+
+"Here's another five shillings for you," he said. "Keep that cab in
+front of you in sight, and follow it till it stops. Then you shall
+have fifteen shillings. Unless I am greatly mistaken, you will not
+have very far to go."
+
+As a matter of fact, Rigby had summed up the situation quite
+correctly. The mention of the name of Charlie had given him the clue
+he required, this same Charlie being none other than the professional
+cracksman who had been engaged by Anstruther to deliver the letter at
+the Great Metropolitan Hotel to Ferris. This deduction proved to be
+absolutely correct, for a little time later the first cab pulled up in
+front of the tenement house where Seymour had taken up his temporary
+quarters. Rigby dismissed the cab, and followed cautiously. He was in
+time to see Anstruther take a key from his pocket, and let himself
+quietly into the rooms occupied by the individual who was known to his
+friends and admirers as "Simple Charlie." Then Rigby turned and
+knocked for admission at the outer door of Seymour's apartments. The
+latter did not appear in the least surprised to see Rigby.
+
+"I came here quite by chance," the latter explained. "I quite expected
+to be told that you had not returned home yet. Lady Barmouth's dance
+might have kept on till daylight."
+
+"I had to come away," Seymour explained. "In fact, I lost sight of
+Anstruther, and it rather put me out. Can you tell me anything about
+him? But of course you can, or you would not be here."
+
+Rigby explained at length what had taken place during the past hour.
+Seymour chuckled as he listened.
+
+"Rather a good joke," he said. "Here is Anstruther looking for his
+friend 'Simple Charlie,' whilst all the time we have that desirable
+individual tight by the leg at the Great Metropolitan Hotel. I suppose
+you can pretty well guess what's going to happen? Anstruther was
+desperately frightened to-night by my allusion to that set of Cellini
+plate. He will know no peace of mind until that stuff is removed from
+Carrington's private safe. There will be another burglary, of a sort,
+and 'Simple Charlie' has been selected to open the safe. You see, as
+the safe is not in the vaults, but in Carrington's private office, it
+would never do to use dynamite there."
+
+"That is all very well," Rigby objected. "But how is Anstruther going
+to make use of 'Simple Charlie' so long as the latter is in our hands?
+That seems to be rather an objection."
+
+"Oh, I have thought all that out," Seymour laughed. "From what you
+told me just now, it is evident that Anstruther means to leave a note
+for his pal if the latter is away. In the event of 'Simple Charlie'
+being professionally engaged elsewhere to-morrow night, he will be
+asked to find a substitute. As we are perfectly well aware of the fact
+that there is no chance of Anstruther finding his friend at home, it
+is only logical to assume that he will leave the note behind. In a few
+moments that note will be in our possession, and we shall be in a
+position to read it at leisure. Then I will take it the first thing in
+the morning round to the Great Metropolitan Hotel, and force 'Simple
+Charlie' to write a suitable reply. Do you follow me?"
+
+"Oh, quite," Rigby said. "You are going to choose your own substitute.
+Have you fixed upon him yet?"
+
+Seymour chuckled in reply, but declined to afford any information for
+the present. He suggested that Rigby should go outside and see if
+Anstruther had gone yet. Rigby came back presently with information to
+the effect that the burglar's outer door was locked, thus fairly
+assuming that Anstruther had executed his task and had gone. Seymour
+produced the simple apparatus by means of which he had entered the
+burglar's rooms on the last occasion.
+
+"I am going to get that letter," he explained simply. "You need not
+have any fear about me. Open the window, please."
+
+In less than five minutes Seymour was back again with the letter in
+his hand. He laid it on the table, and then proceeded to steam the
+envelope open with the aid of a kettle of hot water which he procured
+from the kitchen.
+
+There was very little in the letter, but that little was to the point.
+The writer curtly commanded the recipient to meet him to-morrow night
+at a quarter to twelve outside the Mansion House Station of the
+Underground Railway. The recipient was enjoined to come prepared for
+business, and the last three words had been underlined. In the event
+of this being impossible, "Simple Charlie" was asked to procure a
+substitute, and let the writer of the letter know this not later than
+ten o'clock the next morning at the old address and in the old way. It
+was perfectly plain.
+
+"You see exactly what this means," Seymour said. "I take it that the
+old address means Panton Square. But 'Simple Charlie' will have to
+tell me all about that in the morning. He shall write to Anstruther
+and put everything in order first. I have prepared a very pretty
+little surprise for Anstruther."
+
+Seymour chuckled again, but refused to gratify Rigby's curiosity. He
+was taking no risks, he said; he even went so far as to seal down the
+letter again and return it to the burglar's rooms.
+
+"We cannot afford to make a single mistake," he said. "Any little slip
+might ruin the whole delicate business."
+
+There was nothing further to do, at least, so far as the night was
+concerned. It was getting very late now, and Rigby declined Seymour's
+offer of a whiskey and soda and cigar. He turned as though to go, and
+held out his hand to Seymour. Then he paused, as a sudden thought
+struck him.
+
+"There is one thing we have forgotten," he said. "Don't you think it
+would be as well to take Bates into our confidence. We had arranged to
+do so really, but when we called an hour or two ago at Shannon Street
+police station he was not in. I don't know whether you agree with me
+or not, but I think he would be extremely useful to us just now."
+
+Seymour nodded and chuckled. He seemed to be in the enjoyment of some
+good joke which he desired to keep to himself.
+
+"Oh, we must have Bates in this, by all means. Perhaps you would not
+mind leaving a message as you go along, and ask him to be good enough
+to call here not later than nine to-morrow morning. I think I can
+promise Inspector Bates that his time with me will not be wasted. And
+now, if you must go----"
+
+Rigby took the hint and departed. He left the message for Bates, who,
+he was informed, might not be at the office the whole of the next day.
+This being so, Rigby rose early, and made his way to Shannon Street
+police station directly after breakfast. He was fortunate enough to
+catch Bates, who appeared to be in a tremendous hurry. He had five
+minutes to spare, he explained, but a quarter of an hour had elapsed
+before Bates rose and rang his bell.
+
+"The other business must wait," he said. "Important as it is, I will
+go and call on Seymour at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV.
+THE SUBSTITUTE.
+
+
+It was nearly eleven o'clock before Bates reached Seymour's rooms. He
+listened patiently to all that the latter had to say, and he chuckled
+grimly when Seymour's plot was laid before him.
+
+"Upon my word, sir, you ought to have been in the force yourself," he
+exclaimed. "I never heard a neater scheme. I have been puzzling my
+brains the last day or two for some way of getting hold of Anstruther.
+I can nobble Carrington at any moment; in fact, I have a warrant for
+his arrest in my pocket now. You see, I can easily prove that he has
+been disposing of his clients' securities, but that hardly affects
+Anstruther. I suppose you want me to go round to the Great
+Metropolitan Hotel, and compel 'Simple Charlie' to act as bonnet for
+us. I have not the slightest doubt that he will be able to find a good
+substitute if he likes. But there is one little difficulty in the way
+which you have not thought of."
+
+"Oh, yes, I have," Seymour replied. "I know perfectly well what you
+mean. You mean that even a burglar has some code of honor, and that he
+would hesitate to betray a pal into such a trap as this. But if the
+substitute that I have in my mind is acceptable to you, there is no
+reason for further anxiety."
+
+Seymour scribbled a name on a sheet of paper, and handed it across to
+Bates. The latter laughed as he read it.
+
+"Oh, most assuredly you ought to have been in the force," he said.
+"The thing is so clever, and yet so delightfully simple."
+
+Meanwhile, Masefield was carrying out his side of the programme.
+
+He saw Rigby once or twice during the day, and the latter informed him
+that everything was going splendidly. "I was at the Great Metropolitan
+Hotel this morning," he explained; "in fact, I was present at the
+interview between Bates and a man known as 'Simple Charlie.' We had
+not the slightest difficulty in getting that rascal to do everything
+that we wish. He seemed ready to do anything to save his own skin. As
+I told you just now, the old address mentioned in Anstruther's letter
+was Panton Square. By ten o'clock this morning Anstruther had received
+a letter, in 'Simple Charlie's' handwriting, saying that it was quite
+impossible for him to come himself, but that he would send an
+efficient substitute, who would meet Anstruther at the Mansion House
+Station at the appointed time. All you have to do now is to invite
+yourself to dinner at Panton Square, and in the course of the evening
+you will be pretty sure to hear the music going on in the study as
+usual. Of course, Anstruther will not be there, but that will make no
+difference to the harmonic programme. And mind you listen carefully
+for the original piece of music you heard last night."
+
+"How are you going to manage that?" Jack asked.
+
+"Well, you see, we have divided ourselves up into three companies,"
+Rigby explained. "You are going to look after Panton Square, Bates and
+Seymour will engineer the campaign as far as the City and Provincial
+Bank is concerned, and I am going to have supper with Padini. He
+elected that the supper should take place in his own room at the
+hotel. You can guess why."
+
+Jack began to see matters more clearly now. The task allotted to
+himself was plain and simple. He would have preferred something more
+in the way of adventure; but, after all, somebody must do the ordinary
+work. He managed to see Anstruther in the afternoon, and intimated to
+him that he was dining in Panton Square that night. Anstruther replied
+that he was glad to hear it; possibly, Jack thought, because there
+would be an ear-witness to prove the music in the study.
+
+It was nearly eight o'clock when Jack strolled into the drawing-room
+of Panton Square, and found Claire alone there. He deemed it prudent
+not to tell her too much of what had taken place the last few hours;
+indeed, he was more concerned to hear the latest information about
+Serena.
+
+"I have not seen much of her to-day," Claire said. "I do not know what
+to make of her at all. Last night late she came into my bedroom, and
+we had a long talk about her boy. It is a very strange thing, Jack,
+that only this morning a man arrived to see my guardian--a man who
+seemed to be annoyed at Mr. Anstruther's refusal to pay him a sum of
+money. I happened to overhear a few words as they parted. The stranger
+declared that if he did not have something definite by Saturday, 'he
+would send the kid back.' I should have thought nothing of this unless
+I had heard Serena's story last night, but, taken in conjunction with
+what she said, I shouldn't wonder if the man in question had not the
+custody of the poor woman's child."
+
+"This is interesting," Jack said. "Did you take any particular note of
+the man's appearance?"
+
+Claire replied that she had not failed to do so. But she had not
+followed him, though her suspicions were aroused. Jack debated the
+thing in his mind for a moment before he spoke again.
+
+"We know perfectly well," he said, "that Anstruther is terribly
+pressed for ready money. He is certain not to send that check, and it
+is equally certain that the man will call again for the cash on
+Saturday morning. It will be an easy matter to get Bates to lend me a
+plain clothes man and follow the fellow wherever he goes. But you must
+understand----"
+
+What more Jack would have said was prevented by the entrance of
+Anstruther, closely followed by the announcement of dinner. It was not
+a gay meal, for the host was moody and depressed. He talked
+brilliantly at times, then lapsed into a reverie, and appeared not to
+hear when spoken to. Claire rose presently with a sigh of relief, glad
+to get away from the gloom of the dining-room and its depressing
+atmosphere. Anstruther smoked half a cigarette, and then threw the end
+down impatiently.
+
+"I must really get you to excuse me," he said. "But my head is so bad
+that I can hardly hold it up. I am afraid that even my music will fail
+to soothe me to-night."
+
+Jack murmured something in the way of polite sympathy. He was glad of
+the opportunity to be able to escape to the drawing-room, where he sat
+for a long time discussing the situation with Claire. It was pleasant
+and soothing to sit there with his arm about her and her head lovingly
+upon his shoulder; but, happy as they were, they could not altogether
+shake off the feeling of impending evil. All this time the music of
+the violin floated mournfully from the study. Eleven o'clock struck,
+and still the melody went on. Claire roused herself a little
+presently, and a look of pleased interest crossed her pretty face.
+
+"What a delightful little composition." she said. "I have never heard
+that before. I am quite sure that is original."
+
+"Listen very carefully," Jack said. "I want you to impress that piece
+of music on your mind."
+
+The piece was finished at length, and then repeated once more. As the
+last strains died away, Claire rose from her comfortable seat and
+crossed over to the piano. Very quietly, yet quite correctly, she went
+through the whole composition.
+
+"I am glad it has so impressed you," Jack said. "You will, perhaps, be
+surprised to hear that Anstruther has never heard that piece of music
+in his life, and that it was composed by Padini, who has never played
+it to anybody till last night, when he performed it for Rigby's
+benefit. Not only this, but he gave Dick Rigby the original manuscript
+to get published for him. I know this is only a small matter, but
+these small matters will make a mountain of evidence against
+Anstruther when the time comes."
+
+"It is very extraordinary," Claire murmured, "to think that that music
+should sound so charming and natural, when we know that all the time
+the player is a mile or two away. You are sure that my guardian is not
+in his study, Jack?"
+
+Jack was sure enough on that point. It was a few moments later that
+Serena came quietly into the room with a request that Mr. Masefield
+would go to the telephone, as some one desired to speak to him on
+pressing business. Jack rose with alacrity.
+
+"I shall soon be able to prove to you that Anstruther is a long way
+off, or I am very much mistaken," he said. "Very well, Serena, I will
+come down at once."
+
+The voice at the other end of the telephone inquired cautiously if
+that were Mr. Masefield. Jack replied that it was, but even then the
+questioner did not appear to be satisfied.
+
+"I think I recognize your voice," he said, "but one has to be very
+careful in sending messages to Panton Square. How goes the music?
+Anything original to-night?"
+
+"One piece," Jack smiled. "I know what you mean, and I don't mind
+making you a small bet that you are Inspector Bates."
+
+The voice at the other end of the telephone chuckled.
+
+"You have got it quite right, Mr. Masefield," he said. "I am Bates
+sure enough. And you needn't worry about going down-stairs to see
+whether or not Anstruther is playing at Paganini, because he isn't on
+the premises at all."
+
+"Where are you speaking from?" Jack asked.
+
+Bates replied that he was speaking from a public call office in the
+neighborhood of Mansion House Station. All he wanted to do was to make
+sure that Jack was still in Panton Square, and now that his mind was
+easy on this score, he could devote himself to the serious business of
+the evening. Anstruther had just been shadowed outside the Mansion
+House Station, where he was apparently waiting for the substitute so
+kindly provided for him by "Simple Charlie."
+
+The message ceased here, and the connection was cut off. Jack would
+have been just a little surprised if he had seen the transmogrified
+Bates who had been speaking to him over the line. The inspector
+crossed the road and disappeared into the shadow. Anstruther stood
+there, glancing impatiently up and down the road as if waiting for
+somebody that was late. A figure slouched up to him, and a hoarse
+voice whispered in his ear:
+
+"Party of the name of Maggs," he said in his gin and fog voice. "Pal
+of 'Simple Charlie.' Old Charlie couldn't get away to-night, so he
+sent me instead. Don't you be disappointed, guv' nor; you will find me
+just as clever with them bits of steel as Charles himself. Bit of
+burglary, ain't it?"
+
+Anstruther nodded curtly.
+
+"We had better walk along," he said. "I suppose your friend explained
+to you that this little job will put twenty pounds in your pocket? It
+is a mere matter of opening a safe. The getting into the premises is
+perfectly simple, because I have come provided with the keys. You know
+the City and Provincial Bank?"
+
+The other man grinned, and remarked that banks generally were a bit
+above his form. Anstruther smiled as he reflected that he had the keys
+of the bank premises proper in his pocket, so that there would be no
+great difficulty in getting into the counting house, and from there to
+Carrington's private office. As to the night watchmen--that was
+another matter altogether. In the face of recent happenings, they
+would be more alert than they had been in the past; but, at the same
+time, their attention would be bestowed more upon the cellars than the
+office.
+
+The road was entirely deserted now, as Anstruther crossed the street
+and gently turned the key in the outer door. A moment later, and the
+pair were in Carrington's private office. They could afford to turn
+the lights up, for the iron shutters outside made a perfect screen. In
+one corner of the room stood the safe upon which the man who called
+himself Maggs was intended to operate. Anstruther pointed at it
+impatiently.
+
+"Get to work at once," he said. "There is something inside that I must
+take away to-night."
+
+"A fine set of Cellini plate, I presume?" Maggs said, in an entirely
+different voice. "No, you don't, Mr. Anstruther. If you put your hand
+in your hip pocket, I'll blow your brains out. I have the advantage of
+you here, and I am going to keep it."
+
+"Who the deuce are you?" Anstruther stammered. His hands had fallen to
+his side, and his face was pale and ghastly. "Who are you?"
+
+The so-called burglar snatched away his wig and ragged beard, and with
+a handkerchief changed the aspect of his face.
+
+"I am Inspector Bates," he said. "Very much at your service."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV.
+CAUGHT!
+
+
+Bates had laid his plans very carefully and very well indeed. In many
+respects Rigby had got the best of the detective, but this was as much
+due to circumstances as anything else. Still, when it came to the
+technical side of the case, Rigby was no match for the inspector. It
+was nearly nine o'clock before Bates called at Carrington's rooms and
+asked to see the latter. There was no occasion yet for Bates to assume
+the very effective disguise with which he was to trick Anstruther.
+There would be plenty of time for that. Carrington was just finishing
+his dinner--so his man said. He was not very well, and did not care to
+see anybody. But Bates put the man aside in his own easy way, and
+walked into the dining-room without the trouble of announcing himself.
+
+That Carrington was suffering from some mental and physical excitement
+was perfectly plain. His face was ghastly pale, his eyes were
+bloodshot, and there was a twitching of his lips which told a plain
+tale to an experienced officer like Bates. Carrington scowled, and
+demanded the meaning of this unwarrantable intrusion.
+
+"I don't think you will find it unwarrantable when you have heard me
+to the finish," Bates said. "Nor will it pay you to take this tone
+with me. I am an inspector from Scotland Yard, and unless you answer
+my questions freely, I shall have to put them in a more disagreeable
+form."
+
+Carrington changed his note altogether. His face became still more
+pallid. He motioned Bates to a chair. He would have found it hard to
+have spoken just then. Bates waited a moment to give the other time to
+recover. Carrington at length found words to ask Bates what his
+business was with him.
+
+"It is with regard to your affair at the bank," the inspector
+explained. "You may not be aware of the fact, but the case has been
+placed in my hands by my superiors."
+
+"Oh, you are alluding to the burglary," Carrington said.
+
+"We will call it a burglary for the present," Bates replied, with a
+significance that there was no mistaking. "I have gone into the matter
+carefully, and I have come to the conclusion that there was no
+burglary at all."
+
+Carrington jumped to his feet with a well-simulated air of
+indignation. He advanced towards Bates threateningly.
+
+"You insolent scoundrel!" he cried. "What do you mean? Do you know you
+are dealing with a gentleman and man of honor?"
+
+"Softly, softly," Bates replied. "I think we had better understand one
+another. I have in my possession at the present moment a warrant for
+your arrest for fraud and embezzlement, relating to certain jewels and
+other valuables deposited in your keeping by various clients. It is in
+my power to execute that warrant at once. The case is much too serious
+a one for bail, and it is for you to say whether you will remain for
+the present in your comfortable quarters, or pass, at any rate, the
+next two months in jail."
+
+Carrington made no further show of fight. He collapsed into his chair,
+and wiped his wet forehead distractedly.
+
+"You don't mean that," he groaned. "There must be some terrible
+mistake here. Why, all the evidences pointed to an ingenious and
+daring burglary. The night watchmen were drugged, as you know, and the
+thieves employed dynamite to blow up the safes. No one regrets the
+loss of all those valuables more than I do, but even banks are not
+secure against the modern burglar. Those safes were crammed full of
+valuables, as I could easily prove."
+
+"They were," Bates corrected. "But I am in a position to prove a few
+things, too. You would give a great deal, I suppose, to know where
+those valuables are?"
+
+Carrington replied to the effect that he would give half his fortune
+for the desired information. Bates smiled.
+
+"You need not worry about it," he said. "I have a list in my pocket of
+the big pawnbrokers in London where most of the goods were pledged. In
+three cases the pawnbrokers in question are in a position to swear to
+the identity of the man who handled the jewels. You would not, of
+course, mind meeting these people?"
+
+But Carrington had no reply. He looked so helplessly at Bates that the
+latter could not but feel sorry for him. "I am afraid the game is up,
+sir," he said. "My investigations of this case prove most conclusively
+that you are at the bottom of the whole thing. We know perfectly well
+that recent speculations of yours have brought about a financial
+crisis in your bank. In your desperate need, you realized the
+securities which certain clients had left in your hands. It was only
+when Lady Barmouth called for her gems that the situation became
+acute. But that will form the basis of another charge."
+
+"But that was all a mistake," Carrington gurgled eagerly. "I sent Lady
+Barmouth her gems, but they proved to be those belonging to somebody
+else. I assure you that was quite an error."
+
+Bates shrugged his shoulders impatiently. He was getting annoyed with
+this, man, who refused to follow his lead. "We know all about that
+ingenious fraud," he said. "We are quite aware of that clever business
+of the paste gems, for which you gave £200 at Clerkenwell. You paid
+for that rubbish with Bank of England notes marked with the stamp of
+your establishment. It was a very happy idea of yours and
+Anstruther's."
+
+Carrington groaned feebly; he began to fear the very worst.
+
+"You seem to know everything," he said. "Perhaps you can tell me the
+story of the burglary?"
+
+"I am coming to that presently," Bates said coolly. "Now you were at
+your wits' ends to know what to do. You knew perfectly well that many
+of your clients would require their jewels for Lady Barmouth's dance.
+They were not forthcoming, for the simple reason that they had been
+pledged elsewhere. You had not the necessary cunning to devise some
+scheme to shift the blame from your shoulders, so you called in your
+friend Anstruther. It was he who hit upon the idea of the burglary. It
+was you who placed temptation in the way of the night watchmen through
+the medium of a couple of bottles of drugged port wine. After that the
+rest was easy. You had only to enter the bank with your own keys----"
+
+"Stop a moment," Carrington cried eagerly. "You seem to forget that
+even I cannot enter the vaults of the bank without duplicate keys in
+the possession of various cashiers."
+
+"Now, listen to me," Bates said impressively. "This discussion is
+absolutely irregular. It is my plain duty to arrest you at once and
+convey you to Bow Street. But if you help me, I may be in the position
+later on to do you a service. We know precisely how Anstruther used
+the dynamite; we know precisely what happened in the vaults, and how
+most of the few valuables that remained were conveyed to your own
+private safe. More than that, we are perfectly well aware what fee
+Anstruther demanded for his trouble. Need I go into the matter of that
+service of Cellini plate?"
+
+Carrington threw up his hands with a gesture of despair. He was
+crushed and beaten to the ground by the tremendous weight of evidence
+with which Bates was overwhelming him.
+
+"It is no use fighting any longer," he said. "I confess to everything.
+I shall plead guilty, and afford you every information in my power. Do
+you want me to come along with you now?"
+
+On the whole, Bates rather thought not. He had effected his purpose,
+and sooner or later Carrington would have to become his prisoner. He
+knew that the latter would speak freely enough, like the craven coward
+that he was; but there was Anstruther to be thought of. Bates rose to
+leave.
+
+"You can remain where you are for the present," he said. "But if you
+will take my advice, you will make no attempt to escape--you are too
+carefully watched for that; and now, good-night."
+
+Bates went off in the direction of the City feeling that the last hour
+had not been wasted. On the strength of recent information, he would
+have felt justified in arresting Anstruther also. But he had a
+wholesome admiration for that individual, and the more evidence
+secured against him the better. Therefore it was that Bates was about
+to carry out the latter part of the programme, in which he was to play
+the part of substitute for "Simple Charlie." The programme had been
+easily arranged. There had been no difficulty in persuading the
+burglar to write the desired letter to Anstruther, and Bates had made
+up his mind from the first that the mythical Maggs should be none
+other than himself. From first to last the thing worked admirably.
+Anstruther was utterly deceived by the detective's admirable disguise,
+which he had assumed after leaving Carrington, and had fallen headlong
+into the trap.
+
+Therefore it was that the two men stood facing one another in
+Carrington's office. Anstruther white and furious, Bates coolly
+contemptuous, with a revolver in his hand.
+
+"What have you to say for yourself?" Bates asked. "Have you any reason
+to show why I should not take you straight to Bow Street on the charge
+of burglary?"
+
+Anstruther was fighting hard to regain possession of himself. Bates
+could not but admire the marvelous courage of the man. Anstruther's
+laugh had something quite genuine about it.
+
+"We are making a great fuss over a little thing," he said. "I came
+here because Mr. Carrington was not well enough to accompany me. There
+are certain things of mine in my friend's private safe here, and
+unfortunately he has lost the key. It was imperative that I should
+have my property to-night, and that will, perhaps, explain my presence
+here. Does that satisfy you?"
+
+"I should be easily satisfied if it did," Bates said coolly. "I should
+like to know, for instance, why you require the assistance of a
+professional burglar. I know perfectly well that you called in the
+assistance of 'Simple Charlie,' but I was in a position to force that
+individual's hand--hence my appearance in his place."
+
+"Really, Mr. Bates," Anstruther smiled. "I had expected better things
+from you. You are perfectly well aware of the fact that I am
+acquainted with half the thieves in London. It was no use asking any
+safe-maker in London to try to pick that lock, because it happens to
+be a French make. In such awkward circumstances as this it is no new
+thing to call in a cracksman when things are wanted in a hurry."
+
+"I am afraid that won't do," Bates said. "You had plenty of time to
+call in legitimate assistance, whereas so recently as last night you
+visited 'Simple Charlie' and left a note for him."
+
+Anstruther smiled politely. He was perfectly cool and collected now--a
+match for any detective in the force.
+
+"We can settle the matter in two minutes," he said. "All you have to
+do is to call in one of your men from outside and send a note to
+Carrington, who will reply to the effect that I am here with his full
+knowledge and consent."
+
+"Can't do it," Bates said curtly. "I have no man to send. As a matter
+of fact, I am alone in this business."
+
+Anstruther bent down his head to conceal a smile. There was something
+devilish in the cunning ferocity of his eyes. He had discovered an
+important fact, and Bates did not seem to understand for the moment
+what he had given away. He felt quite sure that he had matters in his
+own hands now. He strolled slowly round the table, and proceeded to
+examine carefully the lock of the safe.
+
+"Do you really think you could open this?" he asked. "If you could I
+should have no difficulty in proving to you----" Anstruther broke off
+suddenly; his left foot shot out dexterously, and Bates came half
+stumbling on his knees. Like lightning Anstruther grabbed for the
+revolver. He had Bates's wrist in a grip of steel, forcing his hand
+back till the fingers were bound to relax their grip on the weapon. A
+moment later the revolver was kicked away, and the two men were
+struggling desperately on the floor.
+
+There was no mistaking the look on Anstruther's face. He was going to
+murder Bates if he could. It would never do for any living soul to
+know that he was here to-night. Once Bates's mouth was silenced
+forever, he could hurry back to Panton Square, and there prove such an
+alibi as would hold good in any legal court in the world. All these
+things passed through that wily brain as his hands clutched closer at
+Bates's throat.
+
+It was touch and go with the latter. The only thing he could do was to
+fight for his breath, and husband his strength for a final effort
+later on. He looked straight into the gleaming eyeballs of his
+assailant now, but he could not see the faintest suggestion of pity
+there. The world began to dance before his eyes; a thousand stars
+seemed to be bursting from the dark sky; then came along the corridor
+the echo of fast-approaching footsteps.
+
+"Curse it," Anstruther muttered. "Another moment, and I should have
+been safe. Take that, you hound."
+
+With one final blow he jumped to his feet, and, sprinting across the
+office floor, darted into the shadow of the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI.
+THE MUSIC STOPS.
+
+
+Bates was sitting up in bed nursing an aching head, and plotting out
+schemes whereby he could best retrieve the disaster of the previous
+night. It was fortunate for the inspector that one of Carrington's
+night watchmen should have heard something of the disturbance on the
+previous night, and come hotfoot to his assistance. There was no great
+damage done beyond a bruised face and a general shock to the system.
+Bates felt all the better for a good night's rest, and was quite ready
+now to carry on the campaign against his powerful foe. It was some
+time in the afternoon before Jack Masefield put in an appearance at
+Bates's lodgings, having been summoned there by a special messenger.
+Jack smiled as he noticed Bates's somewhat dilapidated condition.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked. "You do not seem to have been as
+successful as you might--I mean over last night's business. Was the
+thing a failure, or were you satisfied?"
+
+Bates explained that up to now the battle was a drawn one. He had a
+feeling that Jack would be able to help him, and that was why he asked
+him to call this afternoon.
+
+"I am not in the least dissatisfied with my last night's work," he
+explained. "In the first place, we have Carrington absolutely at our
+mercy. I let him know what we have discovered, and he will do anything
+for us that we desire. After that, I played the part of the mythical
+Maggs, and in due course disclosed myself to Mr. Anstruther. Perhaps I
+was a little too confident; anyway, I gave him a chance to murder me,
+and he responded to the opportunity with absolute enthusiasm. But for
+the opportune arrival of the night watchman, Scotland Yard would have
+lost one of its most distinguished ornaments. It was a very near
+thing, I assure you."
+
+"But what could he possibly gain by that?" Jack asked.
+
+"Well, you see, I had let him know that I was quite alone in the
+business," said Bates. "At the same time, he was not aware that my
+information was so complete. If he could murder me and get safe home
+without being detected, he was in a position to prove an absolute
+alibi. Of course, I did not dream that I was running any risk of my
+life--but that is not the point. You will remember my suggesting to
+you yesterday the advisability of you dining in Panton Square last
+night. I suppose that was all right?"
+
+Jack replied that he had followed Bates's instructions out implicitly.
+He had done all he could in that way.
+
+"Very well, then. You see what I am driving at. I take it for granted
+that Anstruther's mysterious musical friend was much in evidence last
+night. I have no doubt that Miss Helmsley and yourself listened with
+rapt attention to the music in the study."
+
+"We had every opportunity of doing so," Jack said.
+
+"That is precisely what I expected. Anstruther must have left the
+house a little after ten o'clock, and I don't see how it was possible
+for him to return much before half-past twelve. I suppose you didn't
+happen to see him when he came in?"
+
+"Indeed I did," Jack said. "It was quite half-past twelve when I was
+leaving the house. The music was still in progress, but when I slipped
+out of the front door, Anstruther was rapidly approaching the house
+running across the lawn. He seemed very much annoyed and put out when
+he saw me, and muttered something to the effect that he had heard
+somebody trying the front door. I understood him to say that he had
+not been out all the evening, but that was all nonsense. I could see
+by his boots that he had been walking some considerable distance. Of
+course, you see what the dodge is: he does not leave the house by the
+door, but by the French window leading from the study to the garden.
+This window he leaves unfastened, so that he can get back at any time
+without a soul being any the wiser. Of course, there was always a
+chance of somebody finding the window unlatched, but that is a small
+matter."
+
+"Is the window always left open?" Bates asked thoughtfully.
+
+Jack replied that he thought so. Bates smiled with the air of a man
+who is perfectly well satisfied.
+
+"I am going to get up presently," he said. "After I have had a bath
+and some tea, I shall be quite fit for duty again. I want you to find
+some pretext for calling at Anstruther's just after dinner, because I
+may need your assistance."
+
+"What are you going to do?" Jack asked eagerly.
+
+"Well, in the first place I am going to arrest Mr. Anstruther," Bates
+replied. "In the second instance, I have another little scheme, which
+we need not discuss now. I want you to go as far as Mr. Rigby's
+chambers and get him to keep an eye on Padini, and see that last
+night's programme is repeated, if possible. This is rather an
+important thing. I think I can trust Mr. Rigby to manage it."
+
+Jack went off obediently enough, and subsequently ran Rigby to earth
+at the offices of the _Planet_. The latter seemed delighted at the
+turn which affairs were taking. He began to see now that he would be
+able to carry out for his paper the series of sensational articles
+required by the proprietor. "We shall have a splendid scoop," he said.
+"Indeed, one might almost make a three-volume novel out of it. I am
+only too sorry that I can't be at Anstruther's to-night and witness
+the arrest. I shall leave you to supply all the graphic details. I can
+easily manage the Padini business this evening by writing to the
+fellow that I have a check to pay over and shall call at his rooms
+late to-night. I am sure to find him there. He is very hard up, and
+the money is certain to fetch him."
+
+"There are other things connected with this business," Jack said,
+"which puzzle me. For instance, there is that affair of the mysterious
+Mr. Ferris, whose acquaintance I made at the Great Metropolitan Hotel.
+I am quite sure, also, that Seymour has some deep design on hand. You
+may be absolutely certain that that business of the crystal ball
+played off on Anstruther at Lady Barmouth's dance the other night was
+not mere flummery."
+
+Rigby was of the same opinion. He was anxious to know if anything had
+been yet done in the matter of Carrington's private safe and the
+service of Cellini plate which Anstruther had coolly appropriated for
+himself. But on this point Jack had no information to offer. He did
+not doubt that the whole thing would be explained in a few hours now.
+He killed the day as best he could, and after dinner turned his steps
+in the direction of Panton Square. Mr. Anstruther and Miss Helmsley
+had practically finished, Serena explained, but they had not yet left
+the dining-room. Anstruther raised his brows significantly as Jack
+entered the dining-room, but his manner was polite and cordial enough
+as he invited the visitor to a seat and a glass of claret. He did not
+look in the least perturbed or put out; on the contrary, Jack had
+seldom seen him so easy and self-possessed. His neuralgia was quite
+gone. He had charmed it away as usual, he said with the soothing aid
+of music.
+
+"How is it you never bring your violin up to the drawing-room?" Claire
+asked. "We hardly ever have any duets together."
+
+"After next week," Anstruther promised. "Really, I am a great deal
+more busy than I appear to be, and I feel it quite easy to play and
+think at the same time."
+
+Jack glanced across the table significantly at Claire, and she seemed
+to divine what he was thinking about.
+
+"I thought I knew most of your music," she said, "but there was one
+little item last night that took my fancy immensely. I feel quite sure
+that you composed it yourself."
+
+Anstruther disclaimed any such gift. Fond as he was of his violin, it
+had never occurred to him to try his hand at original composition.
+
+"All the same, I really must get it," Claire persisted. "I am sorry
+that you do not recall the piece at all. If you will come into the
+drawing-room with me, and can spare me a few minutes, I will strum the
+piece over to you. It so fascinated me that I committed it to memory.
+Do come along for a moment."
+
+Anstruther laughed, as Jack thought, rather uneasily. He tried
+skilfully enough to divert the conversation into another channel, but
+Claire's enthusiasm refused to be baffled. Anstruther's face darkened
+for a moment, and there was a look in his eyes that boded ill to
+somebody. He rose and walked across towards the door, and up the
+stairs in the direction of the drawing-room..
+
+"Very well, if you must," he said. "I can give you ten minutes. I dare
+say it is some silly trifle that I have heard somewhere without
+recognizing its source."
+
+Claire seated herself at the piano, and played the little piece off
+with both brilliancy and feeling. As a matter of fact, she had been
+practicing it several times during the afternoon until she had it
+absolutely correct. The slow, mournful chords died away at length, and
+then Claire turned to her guardian with a smile.
+
+"That is it," she said. "That is the little piece that so fascinated
+me last night. Surely you can tell me the name of it and where it came
+from?"
+
+The question was apparently simple enough, but Anstruther appeared to
+be absolutely incapable of answering it.
+
+"Do you mean to say you could forget a thing like that?" Claire
+protested. "It seems to me impossible."
+
+"Perhaps it made less impression upon me than it did you," Anstruther
+muttered. "I haven't the slightest recollection of playing it myself.
+In fact----"
+
+Anstruther broke off in absolute confusion. The incident, trivial as
+it seemed, had upset him altogether. He was about to betray himself by
+saying that he had never heard the piece before, and that it had no
+place amongst his music; but he pulled himself up just in time. He
+bitterly blamed Padini's carelessness. It was no part of the programme
+for his double to give him anything but pieces of music with which he
+was absolutely familiar. What he might have said and done was
+frustrated by the appearance of Serena, who announced that a gentleman
+down-stairs desired to see Mr. Anstruther.
+
+Jack felt his pulses beating a little faster, for he had had no reason
+to inquire who the stranger was. Serena's eyes were demure and
+downcast as usual as she replied to Anstruther's question that the
+gentleman down-stairs was none other than Inspector Bates, of Scotland
+Yard. Only just for an instant did Anstruther falter and turn pale,
+then he was absolutely himself again. He almost wished now that he had
+not waited so long. He had his ingenious alibi, it was true, but even
+that might fail. There were so many meshes in the nets of Scotland
+Yard. In a calm, even voice he ordered Serena to show the stranger
+up-stairs. Bates came at length, a little pallid and bruised, but
+otherwise little worse for his last night's adventure.
+
+"And what might be your business with me, inspector?" Anstruther
+asked. "It is some time since I had the pleasure of meeting you. Will
+you please take a seat?"
+
+"I do not see the necessity," Bates responded. "As my business is
+private, perhaps you will be good enough to follow me to your study. I
+will speak if you like, but----"
+
+"You may say anything you please," Anstruther said defiantly.
+
+"Then I arrest you on a warrant, charging you with attempted burglary
+last night," Bates said pithily. "You were on the premises belonging
+to the City and Provincial Bank with a felonious intent of breaking
+into a safe between the hours of eleven and half-past twelve. Need I
+say any more?"
+
+"Amazing," Anstruther laughed. "Fortunately I have my witnesses at
+hand to prove that I was not off these premises during the hours you
+mentioned. As a matter of fact, I was in my study playing my violin
+all the time."
+
+"Sounds ingenious," Bates muttered, "but in these days of clever
+mechanical contrivances--by the way, is not some one playing the
+violin down-stairs now?"
+
+Despite his command of himself, a furious curse broke from
+Anstruther's lips. For even as Bates spoke, there came sounds of
+liquid melody from the study. Not only was this so, but, furthermore,
+the piece in question was precisely the same as the one that Claire
+had just been playing over to her guardian. The girl rose to her feet,
+and looked across at Jack significantly. Bates smiled in the manner of
+one who has solved a great problem.
+
+"Really, a most remarkable coincidence," he said. "I am afraid this
+rather spoils the simple beauty of your alibi, Mr. Anstruther; unless,
+perhaps, you have some friend who entertains your household at such
+times as business calls you elsewhere. But let us go down-stairs and
+see for ourselves."
+
+"No, no," Anstruther cried furiously. "You shall not do it. You shall
+not interfere. I'll kill you first."
+
+"Come along," Bates responded. "Come with me and witness the solving
+of the mysterious problem."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII.
+"A WOMAN SCORNED."
+
+
+It was plainly evident that Bates believed in his ability to solve the
+problem. Anstruther had quite thrown the mask off by this time, and
+stood glaring vindictively at the inspector. It was absolutely
+maddening to a man of his ability to be caught in a sorry trap like
+this. One of the strongest points in Anstruther's schemes was the fact
+that hitherto he had always been on the side of the police. He had
+been regarded as one of them, so to speak, so that many of his
+ingenious plots had been guided solely by the action of the
+authorities. It had never once occurred to him that he might have been
+an object of suspicion at Scotland Yard.
+
+"You might just as well take it quietly," Bates said. "We know the
+whole thing from start to finish. It will go a great deal easier with
+you if you give us all the information that lies in your power and
+save us trouble."
+
+"That is the usual course, I believe," Anstruther sneered. "But you
+have a different man to deal with in me. I am quite at a loss to
+understand what you are doing here at all."
+
+Bates shrugged his shoulders, and walked in the direction of the door.
+He had no difficulty in seeing that Anstruther had made up his mind to
+see this thing through to the bitter end. Therefore, it was quite
+useless to try and get him to see matters in a reasonable light.
+Anstruther stood there, white, silent, and furious, whilst all the
+time the amazing music was going on in the study.
+
+Mysterious as the whole thing appeared to be, there was almost an
+element of farce in it. Here was the very man who relied upon his
+devotion to his violin to save him in the hour of danger, actually
+listening, so to speak, to his own performance. He had little doubt
+what Bates meant to do, for the latter was already half-way down the
+stairs on his way to the study. With a sudden impulse Anstruther
+followed. He passed Bates with a rapid stride, and, standing with his
+back to the study door, defied the inspector to enter.
+
+"You do not seem to understand," Bates said. "The warrant I have for
+your arrest gives me the right of searching the whole house. If you
+persist in this absurd conduct, I shall have to call my men in and
+remove you by force."
+
+The two men faced one another, both angry and excited, and ready to
+fly at one another's throats. And yet the whole time their ears were
+filled with the beautiful melody of the music, as it floated from the
+room behind.
+
+"What are we going to do?" Claire asked. She was standing with Jack at
+the top of the staircase. "Is it not time that we declared ourselves?"
+
+Jack whispered to Claire to remain where she was a moment, and slipped
+out of the house into the garden unperceived. It had suddenly occurred
+to him that perhaps the window leading from the study to the garden
+was unfastened. He recollected that this was the means by which
+Anstruther left and returned to the house. It would have been
+imprudent on the latter's part to use the front door, and there was
+not much risk in leaving the study window unlatched.
+
+It was just as Jack had expected. The long French window gave to his
+touch, and a moment later he was in the room. As it happened on the
+previous occasion, he could see not the faintest trace of any
+mechanism by means of which the melody was conveyed from the Great
+Metropolitan Hotel to Panton Square. And yet the whole room was
+flooded with it; rising and falling in triumphant strains, as if
+mocking the intellect of a man who had brought this wonderful result
+about. But there was no time to speculate on that, no time for close
+investigation. On the other side of the door the voices of Anstruther
+and Bates were rising to a still more angry pitch, and Claire's tones
+of expostulation came to Jack's ears. As he crossed the room he could
+see that the key was in the door. He flung it open, and Anstruther
+came staggering backward into the room, closely followed by the
+detective.
+
+"You can see that the game is up," the latter said coolly. "Why not
+make a clean breast of it? I shall find out how this is done, if I
+have to pull down the house to do it."
+
+Anstruther smiled in a scornful kind of way, and flung himself
+doggedly into a seat. He bade Bates do his worst, and prophesied that
+the police would suffer for this indignity. But Bates was not
+listening. He was pacing rapidly round the room with his ear to the
+wall, as if scenting out some clue to the mystery. A moment later, and
+there came into the room the form of Serena.
+
+One glance at her sufficed to show that she was not the Serena whom
+Jack had known so long. The demure, downcast eyes were no longer
+seeking the floor as of old; there was no shrinking and timidity on
+the part of the woman now. She was changed almost beyond recognition.
+She walked with a firm, elastic tread, her shoulders were thrown back,
+and her head uplifted fearlessly. From under his heavy brows
+Anstruther glanced at her suspiciously.
+
+"Go away," he commanded hoarsely. "How dare you force yourself in here
+like this! Go, woman."
+
+But the tones of command had evidently lost their power. There was no
+shrinking on Serena's part. She advanced into the middle of the room
+as if the place belonged to her.
+
+"No, no." she cried in tones as clear and ringing as Anstruther's own.
+"Your power has gone forever. For three long patient years I have
+waited for this moment. God only knows what my life has been, and what
+a hell your cruelty has created for me. But the cord is broken now.
+Only to-night I have learned the truth. I have been your good and
+faithful servant; I have stooped to do your hateful work; I have been
+the ally of criminals--of your creature Redgrave, amongst others; and
+all because I thought you held my life in the hollow of your hand."
+
+"Tell them the story of your boy," Anstruther sneered.
+
+"I will tell them the truth," Serena cried. "You said you could hang
+me if you liked. You pretended that in my delirium I had taken the
+life of my darling child. You were shielding a murderess, as I
+thought. But it was a black and cruel lie. Give me back my wasted
+years, you coward; give me back my sleepless nights and dreary days.
+But, thank God, that time has passed. My boy is alive--alive! He is
+safe in the house at present!"
+
+Anstruther started as if some loathsome insect had stung him, then
+dropped sullenly back in his seat again. Bates turned to Serena and
+called her attention to the music.
+
+"You seem to be in a communicative mood to-night," he said. "You need
+not fear any one for the future--Redgrave, or anybody else. I
+understand this last scoundrel is safe in the hands of the New York
+police, who were wanting him badly. Perhaps you can tell us the
+meaning of this extraordinary concert we are listening to. If you will
+be so good----"
+
+Serena made no reply in words, but crossed to the side of the room
+opposite the door, and tugged at a volume which was the centre of a
+set of some classical dictionary. The volume came away quite easily in
+her hand, bringing other dummy books with it; and then the interested
+spectators saw that the books in question were no more than painted
+gauze. In the orifice disclosed by the stripping away of the sham,
+there appeared to be something that resembled a mouth of a great
+silver trumpet. This was partly plugged with a set of sensitive metal
+plates, which were evidently intended to act as a diaphragm for the
+record of musical expression.
+
+"There you have the whole thing in a nutshell," Serena said, speaking
+quite naturally and quietly. "It is very ingenious, and yet, at the
+same time, it is not entirely original. It is an adaptation of the
+theatre-phone, in connection with a somewhat modified form of
+telephone. The recording instrument is situated in my husband's in the
+Great Metropolitan Hotel, and he has only to start his performance
+there, and the music sounds here quite as distinctly as if he were
+actually playing in this apartment. It seems exceedingly simple, now
+that you know how it is done."
+
+It did seem simple, indeed, after listening to Serena's explanation.
+Bates turned to Anstruther, and asked him if he had anything to say;
+but the latter shook his head doggedly. He felt quite sure that the
+game was up, though he had no intention whatever of giving himself
+away. And yet, despite his danger, he was still the connoisseur
+enjoying the beautiful music made by Padini's violin. But to Claire,
+who had crept into the room unobserved, the whole thing was horrible
+and unnatural. Such lovely music as Padini was playing now was but a
+sorry accompaniment to all this vulgar crime and intrigue. The girl
+shuddered, and placed her hands over her ears as if to shut out the
+liquid melody.
+
+"Oh, I wish it would stop." she said. "I do wish it would stop."
+
+As if in answer to this prayer, the long, wailing notes died away, and
+the music fainted into nothingness. At the same time, Bates approached
+the mouth of the trumpet, and blew shrilly on his police whistle.
+There was a pause just for an instant, and then, to Jack's surprise,
+came the voice of Rigby clear and distinct.
+
+"Is that you, Inspector Bates?" he asked. "We have just finished at
+this end. I am afraid there will be no more music to-night, as two of
+your detectives have most inhospitably insisted upon breaking up our
+concert, and escorting Signor Padini to Shannon Street police station.
+Shall I come round there, or will you come round here? Do you get my
+voice quite clearly?"
+
+Bates replied grimly that he did. There was no occasion whatever to
+trouble Rigby any further to-night. Then the inspector turned to
+Anstruther, and tapped him on the shoulder.
+
+"I think there is no reason to carry this farce any farther," he said.
+"You will be good enough to consider yourself my prisoner. Would you
+like to walk to Bow Street, or shall I call a cab?"
+
+Anstruther intimated that it was all the same to him. He knew
+perfectly well now that the whole thing was exploded. There was
+something bitter in the reflection that he had been found out at last
+and laid by the heels over so paltry a business as the bogus burglary
+at the City and Provincial Bank.
+
+"I think I'll walk," he said. "No, you need not call any of your men,
+and you need have no fear of personal violence."
+
+"All right," Bates said. "Though I am still suffering from the shaking
+up you gave me last night. Come along."
+
+"I must apologize for all this trouble," Anstruther said, turning to
+Claire, and speaking in quite his natural manner. "I must leave you to
+manage as best you can for the present. I dare say you will be able to
+manage with Serena."
+
+He turned curtly on his heel, and walked to the door. Of Jack he took
+no notice whatever. A moment later the front door closed sullenly, and
+Anstruther was gone.
+
+"The house smells all the sweeter for his absence," Jack said. "My
+dearest girl, you can see now what a narrow escape you have had. I
+only hope, for your sake, that the fellow has not been tampering with
+your fortune. You must not stay here after to-morrow. The place will
+be simply besieged by newspaper reporters and interviewers. I must
+find some house for you----"
+
+"You need not trouble about that, Mr. Masefield," Serena said. "There
+is one house where both of us will be welcomed with open arms. Need I
+say that I am alluding to Lady Barmouth's?"
+
+Jack gave a sigh of relief; for the moment he had quite forgotten Lady
+Barmouth. At any rate, for to-night Claire and Serena could stay where
+they were, and they could go to Lady Barmouth's in the morning. Then
+Jack remembered all that Serena had gone through, and warmly
+congratulated her upon the recovery of her boy. "It means all the
+world to me," Serena cried. "It fell out exactly as Miss Helmsley said
+it would. When that man called to see Mr. Anstruther again, I told him
+who I was, and he took me to my child at once. The stranger had been
+very kind to the lad. He knew nothing of the rascality and villainy
+behind it all, and he was only too glad to see mother and son united."
+
+"And Padini?" Jack suggested. "You must not forget----"
+
+"I want to forget everything about him," Serena cried. "I shall be
+glad, really glad, to know that that man is outside the power of doing
+mischief for the next three years. Do not ask me anything else--do not
+ask me, for instance, why I was playing the deaf-mute that night at
+Carrington's rooms. I don't know. I was a mere slave and tool in
+Anstruther's hands, and had to do exactly as he told me. It was only
+by the merest accident that I discovered how the trick of the music
+was done, and that I should have had to have kept to myself if my dear
+boy had not been so marvelously restored to me. Perhaps at some future
+time, I may be disposed to tell you more. For the present, all I want
+to do is to sleep. I am longing for that one night's sweet repose
+which has been so cruelly denied to me the last few years."
+
+Jack said no more. He left the house presently with the intention of
+seeing Rigby at once, and then of calling on Lady Barmouth the first
+thing in the morning, and making such arrangements as would conduce to
+the comfort of Claire and Serena.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII.
+THE PROOF OF THE CAMERA.
+
+
+Society generally had plenty to talk about in the way of scandal next
+morning, when it became known that Spencer Anstruther had been
+arrested in connection with the burglary of the City and Provincial
+Bank. The only paper giving anything like the account of the arrest,
+naturally, was the _Planet_, which paper vaguely hinted at further
+disclosures in the early future. Jack read the account over the
+breakfast table, and smiled as he recognized the hand of Rigby in all
+this. He would see Rigby presently, and ascertain exactly what had
+taken place last night at the Great Metropolitan Hotel. First of all,
+he had to see Lady Barmouth, who had already heard something of the
+news. She listened with vivid interest to all that Jack had to say,
+then announced her intention of going to Panton Square at once.
+
+"I shall bring my sister and Claire here." she said. "They shall stay
+as long as they please. As to my sister and her boy, I shall be
+delighted to have them. I presume there will be some sort of
+proceedings against Anstruther this morning?"
+
+To the great disappointment of the public, when Anstruther came to be
+charged at Bow Street the evidence was purely formal. The prisoner had
+elected not to be represented by a lawyer, and, with a view of
+expediting the proceedings, had formally pleaded guilty to the charge,
+and asked to be committed to the Central Criminal Court, which took
+place a week from now. "Clever chap that," Bates said, as he and
+Rigby, together with Jack, turned into Covent Garden. "Pretty cool,
+too. He wants to save time, of course, and get the thing over before
+we can complete our chain of evidence. But I fancy that by the end of
+a week we shall be able to produce all the witnesses we want."
+
+"I expect so," Rigby said. "By the way, don't forget about that
+service of plate. Seymour says it ought to be conveyed to Scotland
+Yard and the photographs taken at once. I have a letter from Seymour
+in my pocket in which he asks me to go round and see Sir Frederick
+Ormond, induce that gentleman to take the sealed crystal ball to your
+headquarters, and to see that the seal is not broken, except in the
+presence of one of your leading officials. Then you can get both sets
+of photographs done at once."
+
+Bates had his hands full for the next few hours. Then, towards four
+o'clock, he made his way to Carrington's flat. Under plea of
+indisposition, the latter had not been out for a day or so; but, as a
+matter of fact, Bates had given him a pretty broad hint to keep clear
+of the bank premises, and to consider himself more or less as a
+prisoner on parole. Carrington's knees knocked together, and his face
+turned deadly pale as Bates came into the room.
+
+"So you have come again," he stammered. "I hope, perhaps, that--don't
+say I am your prisoner."
+
+"I am afraid that's what it comes to," Bates said. "We can't let you
+off altogether, you know. But you help us, and give us all the
+information in your power, and I'll do my best to get you let off as
+lightly as possible. It makes all the difference between two years'
+imprisonment and seven years' penal servitude."
+
+"Am I to come with you now?" Carrington managed to stammer out. "Is
+there no such thing as bail?"
+
+Bates shook his head. Carrington would have to pass the night, and
+doubtless a good many succeeding nights, in the police cells; but,
+first of all, they were going as far as the bank. Bates explained that
+there was no reason, for the present, why Carrington should stand
+confessed as a prisoner. The bank officials need know nothing whatever
+about it. What Carrington had to do now was to hand over the service
+of Cellini plate at present locked up in his private safe. The
+detective gave his promise that the plate in question should be
+restored to its proper owner in due course, though he refused to
+gratify Carrington's curiosity as to why he had specially selected
+this particular art treasure.
+
+An hour later the Cellini plate was safe in Bow Street, together with
+the crystal globe; and before the week was out both articles had
+undergone some mysterious process of photography, not altogether
+unconnected with sheets of glass. Meanwhile, Anstruther was preparing
+his defense as best he could, and Carrington had been twice remanded
+on a charge of fraudulently dealing with the property of his clients.
+The two cases excited the greatest interest, and on the following
+Monday morning the Central Criminal Court was packed with society
+people eager to hear the charges against Spencer Anstruther.
+
+Anstruther stood there, quite calm and collected, with just the touch
+of a cynical smile on his lips. He looked round the court as if in
+search of acquaintances, but no one responded. Many people whom he
+knew quite well affected to look over his head. But cool and
+deliberate as he was, Anstruther had all his work cut out to keep his
+feelings in control when the barrister who represented the Crown
+proceeded to call witnesses. The name of Seymour resounded down the
+corridor, and a tall man with his face muffled up and a slouch hat on
+his head stepped into the box. He bowed gravely to the judge, and
+apologized for wearing his hat. A moment later his hat and coat
+slipped away, and he turned his face half defiantly to the light.
+There was an instant's breathless pause, then a veritable shout of
+astonishment, as the Nostalgo of the posters stood face to face with
+those whose curiosity had been so deeply touched during the past four
+months.
+
+"My name is Seymour," he said quietly, as if quite unconscious of the
+tremendous sensation his appearance had excited. "I have known the
+prisoner for some years. Before I unfortunately made his acquaintance,
+I was not the human wreck you see now, but a man like my fellows. But
+I need not go into that. What I propose to do now is to tell the story
+of the burglary at the City and Provincial Bank.
+
+"Previous to my visit to Mexico, I occupied with Mr. Carrington the
+rooms which are now his. I have in my pocket a latch-key which opens
+the front door. It matters little now why I wanted to make a search of
+Mr. Carrington's rooms, but I did make that search, and I was hidden
+in the conservatory behind the smoking-room with Mr. John Masefield on
+the night that the prisoner and Carrington planned the sham burglary
+at the bank. The whole scheme was revealed to us, and I shall be
+prepared to tell the jury presently what steps I took to see the
+so-called burglary carried out. It is sufficient for the present to
+say that it was carried out, and that I witnessed the whole
+proceedings in the company of Mr. Masefield and a journalist on the
+staff of the _Planet_, Mr. Rigby by name.
+
+"I should like, at this point, to call the attention of the jury to
+what we saw when the bank strong room was forced. So far as valuables
+are concerned, the safe was practically empty, save for a service of
+Cellini silver plate. Other witnesses beside myself will tell you that
+the prisoner claimed that plate as a reward for the ingenious way in
+which he had plotted to preserve Carrington's reputation. When I heard
+this, a sudden inspiration came to me. With a piece of greasy rag I
+hastily smeared the surface of the set of plate. I will come to my
+reason for doing that presently. When the whole affair had been
+finished, the prisoner was half minded to take the service of plate
+back with him at once to his house in Panton Square. But Carrington
+dissuaded him from this on the grounds of prudence. Therefore the
+prisoner carried the plate up-stairs and deposited it in Carrington's
+private safe. There it remained for a day or two, pending some way of
+conveying it to Panton Square.
+
+"But in the meanwhile something happened which aroused the prisoner's
+suspicions. He made up his mind that he would himself remove the plate
+from Carrington's safe by means of another burglary. Carrington
+refused to have anything to do with this, but the prisoner got his own
+way by the simple expedient of stealing Carrington's keys. The
+prisoner is more or less intimately acquainted with some of the
+cleverest thieves and housebreakers in London. There was no time to
+call in an honest expert to open Carrington's safe, but the prisoner
+was equal to the occasion. He called upon a well-known housebreaker
+who passes by the name of 'Simple Charlie.' I know this, because for
+some time I have been watching the man in the dock. I have my own
+reasons for keeping quiet and living in an out-of-the-way place, and I
+have a set of rooms fitted up in what is more or less a common lodging
+house.
+
+"By good fortune the man known as 'Simple Charlie' had rooms in the
+same block of buildings. When the prisoner called upon him the
+housebreaker was out, so that a note was left for him. This note I
+managed to get hold of and read. Together with a friend of mine named
+Ferris, we laid a little plot for 'Simple Charlie.' We compelled him
+to find a substitute who would operate upon the safe, and that
+substitute was no other than Inspector Bates, as doubtless he will
+tell you later on."
+
+It must be clearly understood that Seymour did not stand in the box
+and reel off his evidence in the glib way of one who is making a
+speech for the prosecution. On the contrary, the fascinating evidence
+he gave was in reply to questions asked by the representative of the
+Crown, occasionally supplemented by a query or two from the judge. All
+this time Anstruther stood in the dock, his face knitted in an ugly
+frown. Despite his easy air, his confidence was fast deserting him.
+Any other man would have been crushed and broken by the deadly weight
+of a testimony like that of Seymour's. In his heart of hearts
+Anstruther was sick and frightened. Never for a moment had he dreamed
+of anything like this. Seymour stood before him without a trace of
+expression on his scarred, repulsive face. And yet every word he
+uttered was as another month on the long sentence he was already
+anticipating.
+
+Anstruther came out of a dream presently, and realized with a start
+that Seymour's deadly revelations were still going on. A moment later,
+and the Crown Counsel suggested that Seymour should stand down for a
+moment, and that Bates should take his place. The detective came into
+the box alert and smiling. He told how he had impersonated the
+mythical Maggs, and how he had accompanied Anstruther to the City and
+Provincial Bank.
+
+"At this point I should like to ask you a few questions." said Counsel
+for the Crown. "I understand that you have become possessed of the
+service of silver plate to which the last witness has already alluded.
+He spoke just now of some device of his whereby the service of plate
+was smeared with grease as it lay on the floor of the vault, and
+before it was conveyed to Carrington's safe. Now, has this any
+important bearing on the case?"
+
+"I think you will find that it has an exceedingly important bearing on
+the case," Bates said. "You will remember, sir, that Mr. Seymour made
+a special request that the plate should be carefully photographed. You
+will remember, also, that the prisoner himself carried the plate to
+the safe and deposited it inside. We have had the plate carefully
+photographed, with a view to identification by means of finger marks.
+That is what we call a part of the Bertillon system. But, perhaps, I
+had better explain."
+
+Bates's explanation was carefully followed by an almost breathless
+audience. Bates held up a sheet of glass in his hand.
+
+"I have here," he said, "a photograph taken from a silver cigar case.
+It is the considerably enlarged impression of finger prints left on
+the cigar case by a burglar who was scared away before he could secure
+his booty. By comparison of this impression from the cigar case side
+by side with one of the other permanent prints at Scotland Yard we
+were enabled to identify and convict the thief."
+
+"Quite so," the barrister said. "The jury follows you. Is it your
+intention to prove that on the Cellini plate marks have been found
+corresponding with the lines on the prisoner's hand?"
+
+"This is preposterous," Anstruther cried. "It is nothing less than a
+vile conspiracy. I defy the police to be able to prove that the marks
+of my fingers are on the plate. And even if there was more resemblance
+discovered it would be out of the question for the police to compare
+them with any impression of my own."
+
+"You are doing no good to your case," the judge interposed. "You will
+have plenty of opportunity to ask questions later on."
+
+"With the permission of the jury I shall prove that," Bates said.
+"Before I proceed any further, may I ask your lordship if you will
+have Sir Frederick Ormond called? Sir Frederick will recollect the
+night of Lady Barmouth's dance, when one of the guests, disguised as a
+magician, gave him a sealed packet to take care of. When that packet
+came to be unsealed and photographed by our experts, we had no
+difficulty in discovering----"
+
+A deep groan broke from Anstruther's lips.
+
+"By Heaven!" he cried. "I had forgotten the crystal!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX.
+PROOF POSITIVE.
+
+
+Anstruther's denunciation of himself rang out loud and clear, so that
+it was heard to the uttermost parts of the court. Nothing could have
+condemned him more than that speaking cry; there was wanted no witness
+more damning than his white face and staring eyes. In sooth, he had
+quite forgotten the crystal globe. It all came back to him now, and he
+saw vividly and clearly the semi-comedy which had been enacted at Lady
+Barmouth's dance by himself and the so-called magician. To a man of
+Anstruther's capabilities, the idea that he had walked headlong into a
+trap laid for him was maddening. He had devised so many cunning
+schemes for the lowering of others into confessions of crime, that it
+was all the more galling to find himself hoist with his own petard.
+
+It was in vain that he strove to recover the ground he had lost. He
+could see a grim smile on the face of the judge, and even the
+suggestion of amusement in the jury box. He seemed as if about to
+burst into passionate protest, then placed his hands upon his lips,
+and maintained instead a stolid silence.
+
+"Perhaps I had better make a little explanation here," Counsel for the
+Prosecution said. "A great deal turns on the matter of this crystal
+ball. The witness Seymour has already explained to the court the story
+of the Cellini plate up to a certain point. That story we shall
+substantiate presently by calling the witnesses Masefield and Rigby.
+Your lordship will understand that Lady Barmouth's now historic dance
+took place subsequent to the robbery at the City and Provincial Bank.
+The witness Seymour has already told you that he overheard the whole
+conspiracy between the prisoner and Carrington, by means of which the
+public would have been deluded into believing that a great robbery had
+taken place. The witness Seymour has also informed you that he had
+meant to be present when this bogus burglary took place--an event that
+subsequently happened. It was only when the Cellini plate lay outside
+the bank strong room that the most ingenious idea occurred to Seymour.
+
+"He has told us how, by means of a greasy rag, he smeared over the
+service of plate, which was subsequently placed by Anstruther's own
+hand in Carrington's safe. Beyond all question, the imprints of
+Anstruther's fingers must have remained on the plate; indeed, we shall
+prove this beyond question before long. By way of making the thing
+absolutely certain, it was necessary to get a proper impression of
+Anstruther's hands. Hence the comedy of the magician--a little comedy
+which shall be explained later--which character was quite easily
+carried out at a fancy dance like Lady Barmouth's. I am aware, my
+lord, that my proceeding is a little irregular, but I want to clear
+the thing up as I go along. If the prisoner has any objection, I will,
+of course, conduct my case----"
+
+"The prisoner has no objection whatever," Anstruther growled. "I say
+the whole thing is a conspiracy, and a rascally one at that."
+
+"The proceedings are somewhat irregular," the judge
+interposed, "but seeing that the prisoner declines to be legally
+represented----"
+
+Anstruther shrugged his shoulders, and the Prosecuting Counsel went
+on. He had little more to say on the present head. He now proposed to
+call Sir Frederick Ormond.
+
+The popular young statesman stepped into the witness-box with a jaunty
+air, and a smile which suggested amusement; in fact, he seemed to
+regard the whole thing in the light of a very good joke.
+
+"I want you, Sir Frederick," the Crown lawyer went on, "to tell us
+exactly what happened in regard to this magician business at Lady
+Barmouth's house the other night."
+
+"Really, there is very little to tell you," Ormond smiled. "I regarded
+it as all part of the fun. I was sitting close to the table occupied
+by the prisoner and the mysterious magician; in fact, I regarded the
+whole thing as a pure piece of comedy got up between those gentlemen
+to amuse the guests."
+
+"You had no notion of the magician's name, then?" the lawyer asked.
+"You were not taken into the secret?"
+
+"Oh, dear no. It seemed to me to be a very clever piece of acting. I
+must confess I was just a little impressed when the crystal was placed
+in the box, after being firmly held by the prisoner for a few moments.
+The magician asked for the box to be sealed, which was done, and the
+thing subsequently passed into my possession."
+
+"Stop one moment," Anstruther cried. "That box was sealed up and taken
+away by you. Nobody else touched it?"
+
+The witness explained that nobody handled the box besides himself
+until Inspector Bates fetched it away under an authority from Scotland
+Yard. Sir Frederick went on to explain that he had been present when
+the seal of the box was broken.
+
+"Nobody could tamper with it during the time you had it, I suppose?"
+Anstruther asked. "You kept it under lock and key?"
+
+"The whole time," the witness cried. "You must understand that I am
+quite used to keeping valuable documents and that kind of thing. I
+took that box straight ho me, and locked it securely away in a drawer
+in my safe, where it remained until the police fetched it."
+
+Asked if he had any further questions to put, Anstruther sullenly
+declined. He still harped upon the string that this was a criminal
+conspiracy got up against him by the police, and insinuated that the
+mysterious magician was nothing else than a detective smuggled into
+Lady Barmouth's house for the purpose of trapping him.
+
+"I think it would be as well, my lord, to sweep away this impression
+at once," the Crown Counsel exclaimed. "I propose to put the magician
+in the box without delay."
+
+Anstruther stared open-mouthed as Seymour once more came forward. The
+prisoner's quick intellect saw the whole scheme quite clearly now.
+Pressed as he was, and in danger as he was, he had just a touch of a
+grim smile of approval. It was a trap entirely after his own heart.
+Yet his eyes held a menace as they met those of Seymour. The latter
+returned the gaze. There was a merciless gleam in his own pupils as he
+faced the jury box.
+
+"Here we have the mysterious magician," the Crown Counsel explained.
+"Perhaps you will tell us how you came to think of this thing. A mere
+outline will do."
+
+"It came to me when I was watching those men in the vaults of the
+bank," Seymour explained in his deep, ringing voice. "I am very much
+interested in crime and criminals, and more than interested in the
+prisoner at the bar. I cannot forget--I shall never forget--the fact
+that, but for him, I should be as other men. To be revenged on him,
+and to expose one of the greatest scoundrels the world has ever seen,
+I came back to England. I found the prisoner a popular figure in
+society. I discovered that my task would be no easy one. I had,
+moreover, to be careful--my face is one that it is not easy to
+disguise. From the very first good fortune was on my side. I made one
+discovery after another--all tending to the discredit of the prisoner
+at the bar. I have already explained to the court how I became in a
+position to overhear the conspiracy that led to the robbery of the
+bank. Other witnesses will tell you in greater detail what happened
+that night at the bank. It was only when I heard the prisoner coolly
+arranging to appropriate that magnificent service of plate that my
+idea occurred to me. I was going to prove that the plate had been
+through Anstruther's hands. Of course, I am quite familiar with the
+Bertillon system, and here was a chance of putting it into practice. I
+hastily smeared the silver with grease, in order that the marks should
+be all the more distinct."
+
+"What does all this acting lead to?" Anstruther cried.
+
+"I am just coming to that," Seymour said quietly. "I knew that when
+the plate came to be photographed by the police, the finger prints
+would show quite clearly on the glass slide. It is necessary to have a
+corresponding set of prints, hence my idea of the magician and the
+crystal ball. As a matter of fact, Lord Barmouth is a great friend of
+mine; indeed, we have suffered a lot at the hands of the prisoner. It
+was, therefore, not difficult for me to procure an invitation to Lady
+Barmouth's dance, which I attended in the dress of a magician. I was
+the magician. I arranged the plan myself, and I obtained the
+impression of those finger tips, which will show presently, when they
+are compared with those taken from the set of Cellini plate. I have
+nothing more to say for the present."
+
+Anstruther intimated that he had no questions to ask the witness. He
+had come into court prepared to take advantage of anything in his
+favor, trusting to his intelligence and audacity to pull him through.
+But not for a moment had he guessed how strong a case the police had
+piled up against him. Not that he gave the police any credit for the
+business at all. He could see quite clearly that they would have done
+nothing without the aid of Seymour. Had the latter not taken in hand
+the matter, the police would never have discovered his connection with
+the bogus burglary; and, however much Carrington might subsequently
+have suffered, the main rogue in the play would have gone off scot
+free.
+
+It was a dramatic story that Seymour had told the court, and every
+word that he had said was followed with the most rapt attention. The
+sensation of seeing Nostalgo in the flesh would have been enough for
+most people, but when one of the most mysterious personages that had
+ever excited the attention of London stood up like this, the central
+figure of a great crime, the excitement was multiplied a hundredfold.
+
+There was a pause here, and the lawyer of the Crown looked
+significantly at Bates. The latter rose, and produced a cardboard box
+and something that looked like an exaggerated camera. There was a
+breathless pause, for everybody was on the tiptoe of expectation. Even
+the judge leaned forward eagerly, wondering what was going to happen
+next.
+
+"We are going to prove the identification of the finger marks," the
+lawyer explained. "For this purpose we shall have to darken the court,
+and throw the photographs on a large sheet which has been pinned to
+the wall at the back of the building. I trust your lordship will have
+no objection to this course."
+
+The judge was understood to say that he objected to nothing calculated
+to further the ends of justice. The fashionable audience thrilled.
+Society settled down to the knowledge that it was going to have a new
+sensation. Ladies ceased the rustling of their fans, and the
+whispering and giggling stopped, for here was a drama far more
+realistic and terrible than anything ever seen upon the stage. A man's
+future literally hung upon the fair white cloth suspended from the
+wall at the end of the court.
+
+The lights went out one by one, until there was nothing left but the
+pallid flame of the lantern lamp, which faintly picked out the eager
+eyes and parted lips of the excited spectators. Then the lamp
+vanished, and almost immediately a brilliant disc of light was thrown
+on the white sheet. In the long lane of flame the little motes of dust
+and fluff danced and flickered. Here and there, as a hand or an arm
+went up from those at the back of the lantern, ghostly accusing
+shadows seemed to flit. Out of the darkness the voice of the Crown
+Counsel came with a startling suddenness.
+
+"In the first instance," he said, "we propose to throw on the screen
+the magnified photograph of certain finger impressions taken from the
+Cellini plate. These photographs were made at Scotland Yard, and
+developed by the expert who is now assisting us in this matter. Here,
+my lord, and gentlemen of the jury, is the first of the magnified
+photographs."
+
+The great white shining disc disappeared as if by magic for a moment,
+and then upon it there stood out a wonderful reproduction of the right
+and left palms and finger tips of a human hand. Magnified so largely,
+every line and scar and little filament could be seen. It was as if
+some painstaking engraver had worked up the whole thing under a
+powerful microscope.
+
+"There we have the impression of the prisoner's hands as taken from
+the Cellini plate," the lawyer went on. "If we are wrong, it is for
+the prisoner to prove it. But to make matters absolutely certain, the
+next plate will show the same finger prints as taken from the crystal
+ball. We know from the highest authority that the crystal ball was
+last in the hands of the prisoner."
+
+The photograph vanished, the great white disc shone out again, and
+once more it was obscured by an almost precisely similar photograph.
+It would have been an expert, indeed, who could have found out any
+dissimilarity between the two pictures.
+
+"And now, to make matters doubly sure," the lawyer said, "we propose
+to reproduce the two photographs superimposed one on the top of the
+other."
+
+Another exciting moment followed, a pause of almost painful interest;
+and then the two slides were placed in the lantern at once. They stood
+out on the sheet, just a shade misty and indistinct, like a badly
+printed picture; but the veriest novice there could see at once for
+himself that they were the same hands. As suddenly as it had vanished
+the lights flashed up again, and every eye was turned upon
+Anstruther's white and rigid face.
+
+"My lord," he said, in a hoarse, strained voice, "with your
+permission, I should like it adjourned until to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER L.
+ON THE BRINK.
+
+
+It was quite evident that the strong man was breaking down under the
+strain of these damning proofs. He would, apparently, have said more
+if he could, but his lips were dry, and the back of his throat
+appeared to have turned to ashes. With a shaking hand he lifted the
+glass of water which had been placed on a little ledge before him, and
+drank it down eagerly.
+
+"What object do you expect to gain by this course?" the judge asked.
+"If you have any witnesses to call----"
+
+Anstruther intimated that he had. The eager audience appeared to be
+disappointed. It was as if they had just witnessed the first act of a
+powerful drama which had ended abruptly owing to some unforeseen
+circumstance. Still, the prisoner was likely to have his own way over
+this, seeing that he was undefended by counsel; indeed, it was only
+fair that no obstacle should be put in his way.
+
+"Very well, then," the judge said briefly. "The case is adjourned till
+ten o'clock to-morrow morning."
+
+Five minutes later the court was deserted, and another judge was
+listening to some prosaic case of no importance whatever. Seymour had
+made his way rapidly out of court, followed by a curious crowd. He was
+quite calm and collected, though he had taken the precaution to hide
+his features as much as possible. Jack and Rigby caught him just at
+the moment that he was entering his cab.
+
+"Where are you going to?" the latter said. "I have got a thousand
+questions to ask you. Don't run away like this."
+
+"I wasn't going anywhere in particular," Seymour explained. "I have
+nothing to do but to kill time. It seems to me that I have very little
+more to do in the way of ridding the world of Mr. Spencer Anstruther.
+Call it unchristian if you like, but there is a feeling deep in my
+heart that I shall be able to rest in future without the wild desire
+of always being at that fellow's throat. I don't think they will want
+me to-morrow morning."
+
+"What do you suppose Anstruther is up to?" Jack asked.
+
+"Suicide." said Seymour curtly. "I know that man far better than
+either of you. And if this verdict goes against him to-morrow--as
+assuredly it will--he will find some way of putting an end to his
+life."
+
+Jack look significantly at Rigby, who nodded.
+
+"Come round to my rooms," he suggested, "and let us talk this matter
+over. And now that you have once appeared in public, and now that you
+have once told part of your story in the witness-box, you might, at
+least, disclose the rest of it to two sympathetic friends like
+ourselves."
+
+Just for a moment Seymour seemed to hesitate.
+
+"Very well," he said. "If you don't get it from me you will from Lord
+Barmouth. If it had not been for Ferris and your discovery of him at
+the Great Metropolitan Hotel, nothing would have induced me to say a
+word. But I have more than a hope now that before long I shall stand
+before the world a changed man, and be able to take my place amongst
+my fellow creatures without being the subject of vulgar and idle
+curiosity. I will tell you everything when we get as far as your
+rooms."
+
+It was over a whiskey and soda and a cigar that Seymour proceeded to
+tell his story. Both Jack and Rigby had heard the best part of it
+before. They knew all about the Mexican tribe and the dangers of the
+gold belt, but the cream of the mystery to them was the way in which a
+man of ordinary appearance could be transformed into so repulsive an
+object.
+
+"The whole thing." said Seymour, as he approached the most fascinating
+part of his narrative, "was the way in which those people revenged
+themselves upon outsiders who had the temerity to invade the region of
+the gold belt. Mind you, they were a powerful tribe, and in some
+remote age or other had evidently been highly civilized. At the time
+Ferris and Barmouth and myself had the misfortune to find ourselves
+prisoners in their hands, they were absolutely eaten up with
+priestcraft. As I think I told you before, the most powerful man in
+the tribe was not a native at all, but an Englishman. You will not be
+surprised to hear that the Englishman's name was Anstruther. I did not
+know then as I know now what that man had gone through to learn the
+secret of where the great masses of gold were hidden. Interrupting my
+narrative for a moment--have either of you ever noticed a faint
+resemblance between Anstruther and any other Nostalgo like myself?"
+
+"I have," Jack cried. "Especially in moments of passion."
+
+"That I can quite easily understand," Seymour went on. "When
+Anstruther first fell into the hands of those people he was served in
+exactly the same way as I was served myself; in other words, one of
+those diabolically clever surgeons in the tribe turned him into a
+Nostalgo. Don't ask me how it is done; don't ask me to explain how the
+muscles are cut and knotted and twisted so as to give one the hideous
+deformity of face which is my curse at present. But Anstruther carried
+the same intolerable burden in his day. Why he was retained amongst
+the tribe; why he was not sent out into the world as an example to
+others, is not for me to say. Perhaps he made himself useful, for he
+is a clever man. Perhaps they had need of his services. At any rate,
+the devilish surgeon who could make a man look like a hideous demon
+fully understood the art of restoring a face to its normal aspect."
+
+"But Ferris has discovered a surgeon who can do that," Jack explained.
+"He has already told us so."
+
+"It is on Ferris's little Frenchman that I mainly rely," Seymour said.
+"Otherwise, I should fade out of this business, and you would see me
+no more."
+
+"There is one thing I cannot understand," Rigby put in. "Why did
+Anstruther cause all those posters to be placed on the principal
+hoardings of London?"
+
+"Because Ferris had escaped him," Seymour explained. "You see, he
+wanted Ferris very badly. He could blackmail him, and hoped to go on
+doing so with impunity. But Ferris gave his tormentor the slip, and
+placed himself in the hands of that clever French surgeon. Once the
+cure was complete, Ferris could have passed Anstruther in the street
+without the least fear of being recognized. He had only to change his
+name, and the thing was done."
+
+"But I don't quite understand yet," Jack said.
+
+"Well, you see, Ferris is a very sensitive man, and cursed with a
+lively imagination. That was where Anstruther's wonderful intellect
+came in. He had lost his man, and was determined to find him once
+more. Hence those accusing posters, that were destined to meet
+Ferris's eye at every turn, and so play upon his nerves that he would
+be glad to give himself up, and make the best terms he could. It was
+just the sort of scheme to appeal to Anstruther, and I am quite sure
+that if Ferris had not met his friend the surgeon, the plan would have
+been brilliantly successful. And now, if you don't mind, I should like
+to go as far as the Great Metropolitan Hotel and talk this matter over
+with Ferris. I am not in the least likely to be called to-morrow;
+indeed, it seems to me that I have finished my task so far as
+Anstruther is concerned. This being so, the sooner I place myself in
+the hands of the French surgeon the better. My word! If you men could
+only understand the life I have led the past three years!"
+
+Seymour turned away, and hid his face for a moment. The other two
+could respect and understand his feelings, for a long pause followed.
+When Seymour paused again, he was more calm and collected. He pitched
+his cigar into the fireplace, and suggested calling a cab and going
+off to the Great Metropolitan Hotel at once. Ferris appeared only too
+glad to see them; indeed, he was much better and more cheerful than he
+had been a night or two ago, when Fate had so strangely brought Jack
+and himself together. Most of the plaster had been removed from his
+face by this time, and, so far as his visitors could see, there were
+only the faintest traces that the knife had been used to remove the
+terrible brand of the Nostalgo scourge.
+
+"I expect to be out in two or three days," Ferris explained. "I shall
+walk the streets with all the more pleasure now that I know there is
+no chance of meeting Anstruther. I have just been reading an account
+of the trial in one of the evening papers."
+
+Seymour grasped his old comrade's hand, and drew him eagerly to the
+light. It was brilliant sunshine outside, so that the face of Ferris
+was picked out clearly. Despite his assumed calmness, there was a
+trembling anxiety in Seymour's eyes. Long and earnestly did he gaze at
+the pale features of his friend.
+
+"Yes," he muttered. "Yes, I can hope at last. What a wonderful
+operator your surgeon must be. So far as I can see, you have no marks
+whatever, except here and there some star-shaped scars, which will
+vanish in the course of a few days."
+
+"They will be gone altogether at the end of a week," Ferris said. "At
+least, so my doctor says."
+
+"Amazing!" Seymour cried. "Why, I myself have tried specialists in
+nearly every capital in Europe. Every one of them was utterly ignorant
+of how the thing had been brought about, and not a single operator of
+the lot could give me the faintest hope of my ever being any better;
+and yet here you find a comparatively unknown man, who places his
+finger on the right spot at once. How did he manage it?"
+
+"That is quite easily explained," Ferris said. "You will not be
+surprised to hear that this Doctor Benin has led a life of adventure.
+He was out in Mexico four years ago with an exploring party, and
+accidentally came in contact with the same tribe that has cost us both
+so dear."
+
+"Ah," exclaimed Seymour. "Now I begin to understand. Like the rest of
+us, Doctor Benin was after the gold. I presume he came under the ban
+of the tribe, who made a Nostalgo out of him, and turned him out as
+hideous as the rest of us."
+
+"You have guessed it exactly," Ferris said gravely. "For over a year
+Benin was experimenting on the muscles of the face. He discovered, at
+length, that certain of these muscles had been drawn up by some
+ingenious process, and partially paralyzed. This it was that gave the
+face of every Nostalgo its peculiar hideous appearance. Benin
+discovered, at length, a means by which the temporary paralysis of the
+muscles could be removed, and a man's normal expression restored to
+him. You know what I was at one time--look at me now! I tell you that
+in a month from now you can be absolutely restored to the world,
+without people shuddering and turning away as they pass you in the
+street. The same remark applies to Lord Barmouth. Once Anstruther is
+out of the way, we shall come back to our own again, and know the
+meaning of happiness once more."
+
+"I think that Barmouth ought to know this," Jack said. "I have already
+told him about Mr. Ferris, and he is anxious for a meeting to be
+arranged. But I must go off now, and inform him how successful the
+operation has been."
+
+Jack found Barmouth pacing up and down the study in no enviable frame
+of mind. On inquiry, it turned out that Anstruther had sent Barmouth a
+summons to appear at the trial the following morning and give evidence
+on his behalf.
+
+"Of course, this is a mere act of simple spite," he said. "He merely
+wants to expose me to the gaze of the world, and thus spoil the rest
+of my miserable life for me; but I shall go, I have quite made up my
+mind to that. At the same time, Anstruther will not realize his
+purpose. I shall take the precaution to practically hide my face with
+strips of sticking plaster, and let it be understood that I am
+suffering from the result of an accident."
+
+Jack proceeded to turn the conversation in the direction of Doctor
+Benin. He could not complain that he lacked an interested listener.
+Barmouth would see Benin without delay; indeed, he would call upon him
+after he had given evidence at the trial to-morrow. There would be no
+difficulty about this, Jack said, for Benin was pretty sure to attend
+the hearing in person. Jack's prophecy was borne out next morning by
+the appearance of Benin in the well of the court. The first witness
+called was Barmouth; who, true to his promise, had disguised himself
+almost beyond recognition. As he stepped into the witness-box,
+Anstruther turned upon him savagely from the dock, and then the face
+of the latter, with the light upon it, was plainly visible to the
+little French doctor. Heedless of his surroundings, heedless of the
+solemnity of the occasion, the Frenchman jumped to his feet, and
+pointed a shaking finger in Anstruther's direction.
+
+"Murderer, murderer!" he cried. "Dog, is it you?"
+
+Anstruther paused, and threw up his hands like a man who is shot. He
+fell back, a collapsed heap, on the floor of the dock. A warder rushed
+forward and raised the prostrate figure.
+
+"I think he is dead, my lord," he said simply.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LI.
+AGAINST THE WORLD.
+
+
+Anstruther lay there to all appearances quite dead. So swift and
+dramatic had the whole thing been, that nobody moved for a moment;
+indeed, a greater portion of the excited audience did not seem to
+grasp what had happened. Rigby turned and looked at Benin, who was
+frowning in the direction of the dock, and breathing hard as if he had
+run fast and far. Then one of the warders in the court moved to the
+assistance of his colleague, and between them they raised the prisoner
+so that his haggard face appeared over the edge of the rail. With an
+assumption of indifference, the Frenchman dropped back into his seat
+again.
+
+"Surely he is not afraid of you," Jack whispered. "And yet I feel
+quite certain that your appearance frightened him terribly."
+
+"He has good need to be afraid of me," Benin growled. "I could hang
+that man--I could prove him guilty of murder. For, look: that man and
+myself have met in Paris. You have little notion of the extent of his
+crime. But he is not dead--men of that type do not die so easily. See,
+he is opening his eyes again."
+
+Anstruther had struggled into an upright position, and was feebly
+gasping for water. He gave one half-frightened glance in the direction
+of the Frenchman, who shrugged his shoulders, as if to say the whole
+affair was no business of his.
+
+"I shall not betray him," he whispered to Rigby. "It is a painful
+case, which will be no better for being dragged into the light of day.
+Besides, that man will be punished enough; a long term of imprisonment
+will be worse to him than hanging. He understands, now, that I am not
+going to betray him."
+
+Anstruther was himself again at last. He stood rigid and erect; there
+was the faint suggestion of a smile upon his face.
+
+"Merely a passing weakness," he murmured. "I have to apologize to the
+court for the trouble I am giving. May I be allowed to make a
+statement?"
+
+"It would have been far better if the statement had come through your
+counsel," the judge said. "I warned you from the first that you were
+imperiling your position by refusing to accept legal aid. If the jury
+find you guilty----"
+
+"The jury may find me guilty or not," Anstruther said. "I am
+sufficiently strong a man to know when I am beaten. Therefore I do not
+propose to waste the time of the court by carrying my defense any
+further. I have assisted the police on many occasions; indeed, I have
+been a great help in bringing a number of notorious criminals to
+justice. But I pay the prosecution this compliment--never once in the
+whole course of my career have I worked out anything neater than the
+scheme which has placed me in my present position. I desire to plead
+guilty to the whole thing. I did conspire with Mr. Carrington over
+that bank business, and with my own hands I removed the Cellini plate
+to the custody of Carrington's private safe. I am not in the least
+penitent. I am not in the least sorry for myself. In the
+circumstances, I would act precisely the same again. You may do what
+you like with me, and pass any sentence you think fit. I don't think
+there is any need for me to say more."
+
+The speaker bowed gravely to the judge and resumed his seat, which he
+had asked for as a favor. Failing any reply on the part of the Crown
+Attorney, the judge began to sum up the case. He made no comment, but
+curtly and drily sentenced the prisoner to fourteen years' penal
+servitude. The latter rose to his feet, and intimated that he was
+ready. With a firm step and the faint shadow of a cynical smile on his
+lips, he walked down the steps and thus disappeared forever from the
+society of his fellow men. The whole thing was over now, and the
+dramatic trial was finished. It was, perhaps, a fitting ending to a
+sensational case, which had been full of surprises from beginning to
+end. In spite of it all, Jack looked grave and somewhat anxious. Now
+that the affair was over, he could find it in his heart to have a
+little pity for Anstruther.
+
+"Why so grave and silent?" Rigby asked.
+
+"I think you understand," Jack said quietly. "It always seems to me a
+sad thing to see a man of such brilliant talents in so degraded a
+situation. Anstruther might have done anything. With an intellect like
+his he might have climbed to the highest places. And yet he prefers
+deliberately to remain a criminal."
+
+"The criminal instinct must have been always there," Benin said.
+"There are some men who cannot go straight, and your brilliant
+Anstruther is one of them."
+
+The audience was pouring out of the court now, talking eagerly and
+excitedly of the events of the morning. Only a few people remained
+now, and, glancing indifferently over them, Jack noted the pale,
+anxious features of Carrington. The man lingered behind, as if afraid
+to face the open air. He shrank back shaking and despairing as Bates
+walked over in his direction.
+
+"Very sorry, Mr. Carrington." said the latter, "but my duty is quite
+clear before me. We had our own reasons for not placing you in the
+dock along with your friend, because we might have had to call you as
+a witness. As I promised you, I will do all I can to let you down as
+easily as possible, but I hold a warrant for your arrest on the
+grounds of theft and conspiracy, and I am bound to execute it. You
+will be good enough to come this way, please."
+
+The wretched man whined and whimpered. But there was nothing for it
+now but to follow the detective, and, so far as Carrington was
+concerned, the story is finished. By this time Jack and his companions
+were in the street. They lingered there chatting together, uncertain
+as to what to do next, when Benin proceeded to solve the problem. He
+suggested the advisability of his having an interview with Lord
+Barmouth without delay.
+
+"You tell me his lordship has already heard of me," he said. "After my
+own experiences, I can imagine what his feelings have been the last
+few years. I want to see him at once, and convince him that within a
+month he will be free to stand before his fellow men, as Ferris will
+be within the next few days."
+
+Barmouth had lost no time in leaving the court directly he discovered
+that there would be no occasion for him to enter the witness-box.
+
+When Jack and the others reached Belgrave Square, Barmouth had already
+removed the strips of plaster from his face, and was walking up and
+down his study with the restless air of one whose mind is ill at ease.
+All the same, he seemed to divine the cause of Benin's presence, for
+he held out his hand and smiled gratefully.
+
+"I know you come to me in the guise of a friend, Doctor Benin," he
+said. "Is it too much to hope that you can cure me as you cured my
+friend Ferris?"
+
+"There is no doubt about it whatever," the Frenchman said. "It is all
+a matter of an operation on the muscles of the face. You will be
+yourself again; even that horrible yellow tinge will disappear from
+your skin. I should like, if possible, to operate upon Seymour and
+yourself at the same time. I dare say you have some quiet country
+place that we could go to?"
+
+There was more than one such retreat, as Barmouth proceeded to
+explain. They talked over the matter eagerly and earnestly for some
+time, until a message arrived that Mr. Anstruther earnestly desired an
+interview with Lord Barmouth. The latter started and shook his head.
+He had no disposition whatever to see Anstruther again. But as he
+thought the matter over, kindlier thoughts prevailed. After all, the
+man was past all power of mischief, and despite the way in which he
+had carried himself off, must have felt his position most keenly. On
+the whole, Barmouth decided to go.
+
+He found Anstruther pacing up and down his roomy cell. The man looked
+haggard and drawn. Well as he had himself in hand, Anstruther's
+twitching lips betrayed his emotion.
+
+"I dare say you wonder why I sent for you," he said. "You need not be
+afraid of me; they have rendered me quite harmless. They have even
+taken away my watch and chain and money. Why they left me this little
+pearl-headed scarf pin I don't know--probably they overlooked it. It
+is these little careless things which prevent the Force from being
+quite as efficient as it might be."
+
+Anstruther smiled in a peculiar way as he spoke. But Barmouth did not
+appear to notice. Anstruther walked up and down the cell, talking
+freely as he went.
+
+"It was exceedingly good of you to come," he said, "especially as I
+have done you so grievous a wrong. You will be perhaps pleased to hear
+that all the sufferings I underwent in Mexico were wasted. I never so
+much as laid my hand upon an ounce of the gold for which I risked my
+life; indeed, at the end I just contrived to save my mere existence.
+When I sent for you to-day it was most sincerely to ask you to pardon
+me for all the harm that I have done to you and others. I was going to
+tell you in any case the means by which you could be restored to your
+normal appearance. If the case went against me to-day I had determined
+to write to you and give you the address of Doctor Benin. But when I
+saw him in court to-day I knew perfectly well that you and he had
+already met, and, therefore, there was no reason for me to say
+anything. You and I have always been antagonistic; I do not bear you
+any ill will for that."
+
+"And I can assure you that there is no ill will on my side," Barmouth
+replied. "Mind you, I cannot forget all the sufferings that I have
+undergone at your hands. It is strange what men will do when the greed
+for gold is upon them, and how little good does it tend to when the
+gold comes. Only a few hours ago I was longing to meet you face to
+face under such conditions as would render your death a secret. I
+would have killed you like a dog, I always meant to kill you. When I
+was paying blackmail to you under a name other than my own I was ever
+plotting the opportunity which would have betrayed you into my hands.
+I should have deemed it no crime to have rid the world of a scoundrel
+like yourself. And yet, as God is my witness, when I see you here like
+this, an outcast and a felon, when I think of the terrible way in
+which your great talents have been wasted, I have nothing but pity for
+your lamentable condition."
+
+Anstruther took a step forward, the veins on his forehead knotted, his
+hands were clenched in a paroxysm of passion.
+
+"Don't talk like that," he said hoarsely. "Don't begin to pity me, or
+I shall fly out and strangle you. If there was no chance of you ever
+being anything but what you are--I mean so far as your personal
+appearance is concerned--I would willingly change places with you at
+this moment. And I was a Nostalgo myself, and know what the punishment
+means. But I did not bring you here to talk entirely about myself. I
+have felt for a long time that Jack Masefield has viewed me with
+suspicion. Perhaps he thinks I am unaware of his engagement to Claire.
+Why, I knew every movement of his. He will be surprised to hear that I
+knew he was in the cupboard near Padini's room the time I was spying
+about there. What was I after? Well, Padini had certain papers of
+mine, and it was not policy to accuse him of the theft _then_. Just as
+if open-minded people like those could deceive me. I can quite forgive
+Masefield for his caution, but you can tell him that Claire's fortune
+has suffered nothing at my hands. Not that I wish to take any credit
+for that; it is merely that the other trustee, being a shrewd lawyer,
+was too clever for me. However, Claire has her two thousand a year
+intact, and she is free to marry Masefield when she likes.
+
+"There is another matter of which I wish to speak to you--that is, as
+regards Serena. I understand that she is Lady Barmouth's sister. Well,
+I am glad of that, because the poor woman and her boy will have a
+happy home in future. I behaved abominably to Serena: I lied to her, I
+tricked and tormented her, so that I might get her in my power, and
+make use of her wonderful talents as an actress. She believed that I
+held her life in the hollow of my hand, and therefore she was the
+veriest slave to my will. But nothing wrong, Barmouth; Serena is as
+good and pure as your own wife. I understand that Padini has been
+arrested owing to his having taken a hand in that musical jugglery of
+mine.
+
+"For Serena's sake he must be got rid of. All you have to do is to
+drop a line to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Paris, and say
+that Monsieur Lemarque is masquerading in London as Padini, the
+violinist. After that I don't think Serena will be troubled with her
+precious husband any more. And now I will not detain you any longer.
+If you will accept this pin as a souvenir I shall be glad. You see it
+is a small pearl on a gold wire. There is one peculiarity about it.
+The pearl is hollow, and it often occurred to me how useful it would
+be to conceal a drop or two of some virulent poison inside in case one
+fell into the hands of the authorities."
+
+Filled with a sudden suspicion, Barmouth darted forward. The faint
+mocking smile of Anstruther's face told him as plainly as words could
+tell exactly what was going to happen. He reached forward and clutched
+Anstruther. It was too late.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Anstruther," Barmouth cried. "Think; pause before
+you do anything so rash, so blasphemous."
+
+"It is very good of you," Anstruther said quite coolly. "I know you
+mean well, but this is the way I prefer myself."
+
+He placed the pearl within his lips, and crushed it with his teeth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LII.
+THE END OF IT ALL.
+
+
+Barmouth could see a little speck of foam like a white feather on the
+lips of his companion. He saw Anstruther throw up his head, and the
+apple of his throat moved as if in the act of swallowing. The whole
+thing had been so swift and unexpected, that Barmouth could not blame
+himself for what had happened. There was no occasion to tell him that
+the pearl had contained some deadly poison, for already the effect of
+it was apparent on Anstruther's features. He gasped painfully as if
+some terrible pain had gripped him by the heart, his features twitched
+horribly, yet he smiled with the air of a man who is by no means
+displeased with himself.
+
+"Yes," he said quite naturally, "I think it will be just as well if
+you called in the warder who is watching us through that grating in
+the door, and tell him everything that has happened."
+
+Barmouth lost no time in doing so. There was a great tramping and
+commotion in the corridor outside, and presently Bates and the prison
+doctor rushed in. By this time Anstruther was seated on the only chair
+in the cell; there was a heavy bead of moisture on his face. He smiled
+faintly at Bates.
+
+"It is exactly as Lord Barmouth has said," he explained. "When your
+people deprived me of everything that I possessed they forgot to
+remove a tiny pearl-headed pin from my scarf. It was only a very small
+pearl--you could have bought the thing in any West-End shop for a
+sovereign; but the gem was not so innocent as it appeared to be.
+Inside I had caused to be placed one spot of deadly poison no larger
+than a pin's head. I have had it there for years in case of an
+emergency. I have always had a presentiment that sooner or later the
+end would be thus, and I am much too active-minded a man to dare to
+pass years in jail. I should have gone mad under treatment like that.
+Therefore, you see I was quite ready for you. I had only to take that
+pin from my tie, and make the tiniest puncture in the tip of my
+tongue, then all I had to do was to crush the pearl within my teeth,
+and the thing was done. There need be no inquest; the poison in
+question was one spot from the fang of a cobra. See, the end is very
+near."
+
+Anstruther staggered to his feet, threw his hands above his head, and
+collapsed in a heap on the floor. There was one fearful shuddering
+contortion of the muscles, and after that a rigid stillness. The
+prison doctor bent down, and examined the silent form carefully. He
+shook his head gravely.
+
+"My services here are absolutely useless," he said. "The man is dead.
+I only wonder that he lived so long. It was a sad ending to what might
+have been a brilliant career."
+
+"It was a brilliant career," Bates muttered. "We never had a detective
+in the Force as clever as Mr. Anstruther. Shall I call a cab for you,
+my lord? There is nothing to gain by your waiting any longer."
+
+Barmouth nodded in an abstracted kind of way; he hardly appeared to
+heed what Bates was saying. In the same dreamy fashion he was driven
+homewards. On reaching Belgrave Square he found that Benin had gone
+off on some business, leaving Jack and Rigby behind him. In a few
+words he told the others what had happened. There was nothing more to
+be said on the matter, and no great feeling was expressed, seeing that
+Anstruther had never been anything else but an enemy to all of them.
+
+"He seemed desirous of making amends at the last," Barmouth said. "For
+instance, he has shown us a way whereby my wife's unfortunate sister
+can be forever free of Padini. Also he informed me that Miss Claire
+Helmsley's fortune is absolutely intact. He was cynical to the last,
+and suggested that Jack here should marry the lady of his choice
+without delay."
+
+"That is very good of him," Jack said drily. "But as far as I am
+concerned, I shall not be in the least sorry to hear that Claire has
+nothing. I do not want the suggestion made that I am in any way a
+fortune hunter. It is not a pleasant idea."
+
+"What is the good of talking that nonsense," Rigby exclaimed. "My dear
+fellow, you are getting on splendidly with your literary work, and in
+a year or so from now your income will be quite equal to Miss
+Helmsley's. Besides, nobody who knew you would think of accusing you
+of fortune hunting. And so long as Miss Helmsley shares the opinions
+of your friends, I don't see that it in the least matters to anybody
+else."
+
+Lady Barmouth came into the room at the same moment with an intimation
+that Claire was up in the drawing-room, and would like to see Jack as
+soon as he was at liberty. Jack went off with alacrity. There was a
+soothing feeling now that no obstacle any longer stood in his path. He
+had no fear of the future, so far as Claire was concerned, Anstruther
+being once out of the way. It was only at this moment, with the
+knowledge of a placid future before him, that Jack realized how great
+the mental strain had been.
+
+He found Claire waiting for him in the drawing-room. She advanced with
+a smile upon her face, and he took her in his arms and kissed her,
+feeling at last that she was his own, and that there was no shadow of
+further crime between them. He was just a little grave and silent, and
+love's quick eyes were there to detect the sombre shade on his face.
+Very quietly Jack told Claire all that had happened. It was some
+little time before either spoke.
+
+"I am glad to find that your fortune is intact, my dearest girl," Jack
+said. "I shall have to work hard now, so that when the good time comes
+I shall be able to marry you, feeling that my position is equal to
+your own. It must not be said----"
+
+"It is not going to be said," Claire replied, looking up into her
+lover's face with a winning smile. "Jack dear, I know exactly what is
+running in that silly head of yours. I can see I shall have to be very
+severe with you. Now answer me a question, sir."
+
+"A dozen if you like," Jack replied. "What is it?"
+
+"Well, about the time we first met, and you were so foolish as to fall
+in love with me. Confess it now: did not you regard me as a poor
+dependent of Mr. Anstruther's, without so much as a penny of my own? I
+knew that you loved me long before you told me so--I felt it here at
+my heart. And yet when you asked me to be your wife, not so many weeks
+ago, and suggested we should keep the matter a secret as we were too
+poor to marry, you did not know then that I was an heiress in a small
+way."
+
+"I am prepared to admit it," Jack said. "But you see, my darling, it
+is pretty certain that some people----"
+
+With a pretty little imperious gesture, Claire laid her hand on her
+lover's lips. Her eyes looked sweetly into his.
+
+"I am not going to hear another word." she cried. "Oh, what does it
+matter to anybody as long as we are satisfied. My dearest boy, do you
+want me to go down on my knees, and implore you to marry me? I will do
+it if you like."
+
+Jack's reply was evidently suitable, and to the point, for the fond
+look came over Claire's face again, and for some time they were
+silent. It was Claire who broke the silence at length.
+
+"You need me." she whispered. "We shall be none the less happy,
+because that dark cloud of poverty is not likely to dim our future. I
+have pictured to myself a dear little house in the country where we
+could have roses and trim lawns and old world gardens, and where you
+could work in a beautiful study lined with old oak and filled with
+blue china. I don't mind telling you, Jack, that I have picked out the
+house, and my other guardian is now settling the purchase of it for
+me. Think how nice it would be to be able to sit down every morning
+with a contented mind, and not care whether you did one page or
+twenty, so long as you felt sure that you were doing nothing but your
+best work. I always think every author ought to have a fortune of his
+own, and thus be without the necessity of turning out his work by the
+yard, so to speak."
+
+Claire might have said more, only she noted the dancing imp of
+mischief in Jack's eyes. He kissed her tenderly again.
+
+"I had no idea I was going to have so practical a wife," Jack said.
+"But do not let us be altogether selfish; let us give a thought or two
+to other people. There is not the slightest reason why the full
+significance of this Nostalgo business should ever be made public. And
+no more posters will appear; the public will marvel for a time and ask
+questions, then the thing will be forgotten when the next great
+sensation comes along. I will tell Rigby that he is to mention no
+names when he tells his wonderful story in the _Planet_--at least, he
+is not to mention the names of any of our friends. Now let us go down
+to the dining-room, and see what they have arranged. I am very anxious
+to know."
+
+Meanwhile, all the arrangements had been completed by those most
+concerned. As Lord Barmouth explained, he had a very quiet country
+place in the neighborhood of Hindhead, and there the operation upon
+himself and Seymour was to take place.
+
+"I want Claire to come with me," Lady Barmouth said. "Of course,
+Serena and her boy will be with us, and I understand that arrangements
+are being made to rid us finally of the attentions of Signor Padini.
+The place is near enough to London for Mr. Masefield to run down as
+often as he finds it possible. My dear Claire, you are looking so
+radiantly happy, that I need not ask you if you have settled matters
+with Jack."
+
+"It was not an easy task," Claire laughed and blushed, "I almost had
+to go down on my knees to him. He said he would be accused of fortune
+hunting or something equally absurd."
+
+"I am exceedingly glad to hear of it," Lady Barmouth said heartily. "I
+have set my heart upon a little programme, and I hope you will allow
+me to carry it out. I want the marriage to take place from our house
+at Hindhead. Lord Barmouth will give you away, and we'll make quite a
+society affair of it."
+
+"But not till Lord Barmouth is quite right," Claire said. "Dear Lady
+Barmouth, you are too kind to me. Let me confess that I had hoped for
+something like this, but I did not intend to marry Jack till I could
+have all my good friends there. In perhaps three months' time it may
+be possible that all this----"
+
+"Two months," Lord Barmouth laughed. "Both my good friend Seymour
+here, and myself, will be perfectly well by that time. I have thought
+it all out, and there need not be any gossip at all. It will be merely
+announced in the society papers that I have recovered from the painful
+malady which has so long afflicted me, and there will be an end of the
+matter. We are all going down to Hindhead to-morrow, and the operation
+takes place on Saturday. According to what Dr. Benin said, it is a
+mere matter of a fortnight in bed, and at the end of a month we shall
+be quite like other people. Now let us have dinner in the study
+without the servants. It will be quite pleasant to wait upon
+ourselves."
+
+Very quietly and unostentatiously the little party set out for
+Hindhead the following day. Not even the servants knew what was in the
+wind; they merely gathered that Lord Barmouth was never really well,
+and that he was taking an invalid friend with him. Dr. Benin's arrival
+caused no sensation, the household staff being informed that a clever
+surgeon had come from Paris, who hoped to restore their master to a
+normal state of health.
+
+It was a fortnight later that Barmouth and Seymour came down-stairs
+looking a little drawn and white, but otherwise exactly like two
+ordinary men who had just recovered from some commonplace illness.
+Serena was there with her boy, but not the Serena of old. Years seemed
+to have fallen from her shoulders, there was a color in her face, and
+a sparkle in her eyes which fairly astonished Jack when he saw her. He
+pressed her hand silently, saying no word, and Serena understood him
+more thoroughly than if he had been gifted with the finest eloquence
+in the world.
+
+
+It was all ended and done with at last; the organ had pealed out its
+triumphal march, the cherry-cheeked children had cast their last
+handful of flowers at the feet of the happy bride, the wedding was
+over, and now the carriage stood at the door. Claire recollected it
+all clearly afterwards, but at the moment she felt like one who dreams
+pleasant things. It was only when the prosaic banging of the railway
+carriage door struck upon her ears that she came entirely to herself
+again. The train was speeding through the peaceful landscape, Claire
+leaned her head tenderly on Jack's shoulder, and a sigh of happiness
+escaped her.
+
+"What is that sigh for?" Jack asked tenderly.
+
+"Peace and happiness," Claire cried. There was just a suggestion of
+tears in her eyes. "It seems so strange to be with you like this, and
+yet only the other day--but I will not think of that. We will say no
+more about the dark days, but dwell entirely with the happy hours to
+come."
+
+Jack bent and kissed the quivering red lips. Then a great content came
+into their hearts, and they were silent.
+
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Yellow Face, by Fred M. White
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57314 ***